Al Babinsky / Photos by Chip Van Gilder

MMR Gene Swanson opened the first clinic of the new year with 48 modelers present including two newcomers: Michael Buchanan (N scale) and Tim Cloud.

Under announcements, the Pacific Science Center show, Jan 19-21 and the United Northwest Train show Feb 2-3 were mentioned. The Science Center show still needs volunteers to help with check-in on Friday and check-out on Sunday. A pledge form was available for donation to the  NMRA gallery at the California Railroad Museum.

The video library was available to check-out videotapes or DVDs.

What’s new at the Hobby Shop was presented by Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains, cabooses from Atlas, wood chip hoppers from Red Caboose, Milwaukee caboose from Railking, Woodland Scenics bike shop and old barn, Walthers center beam flatcar and a powered rail crane.

In the bring and brag category (model of the month) a Rhein river powered barge (HO), GN hopper and boxcar (N), an Iron Horse Models Precision Scale Co. Milwaukee Road EP-2 brass Bi-Polar owned by Mike Shaw. The winner was Dale Kraus with his barge owned by the Algemeine Rhein und Bodensee Schiffahrtgesellschaft.

The clinic was on plaster less cloth shell scenery given by Jim Sabol. Jim purchased a book called cloth shell scenery and demonstrated how to make the scenery without a mess and dust. There are several ways to create the scenery foundation, ribbed, lattice, chicken wire, and stacked foam. Any type of cloth can be used but an old thin blanket is the best. The cloth is draped over the scenery and the outline marked with a marker pen the cutout and construction adhesive is laid in beads about 1” apart then spread with a piece of wood which is then placed on the scenery and when dry becomes hard. The book can be ordered from Marsh Lake Productions.

A great clinic and very informative and easy to do. Next month clinic is about LED lighting and how to wire them along with types of LEDs available.

We hope to see you in February at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. the corner 112th Street and Waller Road.

These items were up for grabs: