by Al Babinsky / Photos by Al Babinsky
MMR Gene Swanson opened the November clinic as he usually does when Veterans Day is near. He called for a show of hands of WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. He then thanked all members of the services and ended with a moment of silence for all the fallen vets. We had a great turnout for this month’s clinic, a total of 52 attendees including one newcomer.
Leo introduced a guest, Helen McGovern from the Emergency Food Network. The clinic members collected money to be given to a food network and decided to give the collected funds to the Emergency Food Network. Helen was presented with a check of $700 and the coffee fund added $100.00. Helen told us what the Network does and how the food is distributed to the different agencies.
November being National Model Railroad month, Walt Houston organized a layout tour for this occasion which is to be held on November 19th. (See article in the Digital Grab Iron.) The TNW announced their Swap meet for next year and of course the BEMRRC had their Swap Meet on Saturday the 12th in the Kent Commons. The Great Train Expo is scheduled for November 19th and 20th at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.
What’s new at the Hobby Shop was presented by Tacoma Trains and included a variety of goodies from Athearn, Micro-trains, Walthers, Lionel, and LGB. In the Bring and Brag (Model of the Month) section, entries included a scratchbuilt bridge; a portion of a lumber mill; a brass Victorian house kit; a set of ore cars and caboose decaled by Diane Kraus; a scratchbuilt Spar tavern and store with fully-detailed interior which is to become part of the old Tacoma scene on the PMRE layout at the History Museum; a Western Scale Models 1:20.3 kit of a 4 block saw mill log carriage; and a kit-bashed model of a US Army mortuary car. The Bring and Brag winner was Scott Taylor with the Spar Tavern and Store.
The clinic, presented by Jim Murrey, was named “Sarge Comes Home,” the story of how the fallen were brought home on special mortuary trains. The cars were converted Pullman hospital cars modified with a baggage door to allow the caskets to be loaded. The train was under constant guard from the time the ship was unloaded until its arrival at its destination. The kit-bashed mortuary car was part of the clinic. A great clinic, very informative and in keeping with Veterans Day.
Next month’s clinic will be December 8th. Dirty Santa will be there as usual, along with goodies. Bring a wrapped gift of around $15, marked as to what scale. We’ll be at the usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg., 112th and Waller Road.
Hope to see you all there.
Kit bashed US Army Mortuary car
Model of the Month Winner Scott Taylor’s Spar Tavern and Store
Lumber mill
Scratch built bridge
Ore cars and caboose decaled by Diane Kraus
Plate girder bridge
Western Scale Models 1:20.3 kit of a 4 block saw mill log carriage
Brass Victorian House
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