by Al Babinsky

The clinic was opened by Al Babinsky, filling in for MMR Gene Swanson who is recuperating from his knee replacement surgery; he is expected to be back home in about a week.

We had 42 modelers present including two newcomers who were getting back into the hobby. Leo reported that he had about 400.00 Dollars in the food drive account that were collected since last December. Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains presented What’s New at the Hobby Shop which included a church from Woodland scenic, a Kato N scale Amtrak set, a number of freight cars and vehicles from various manufacturers.

The Bring and Brag (Model of the Month) had a number of items, a  rebuild industrial structure using styrene instead of the original cardboard, a plastic trestle originally straight converted into a curved trestle, a Bachmann DCC equipped GE 44 Ton switcher decaled for the NP # 98 which was stationed in south Tacoma, a diorama that include a locomotive and two cars that were weathered using oils and weathering powders. The winner was the diorama by Kevin Kletke.

For the tip of the month, it was suggested that a paint pen is a good way to paint handrails on rolling stock.

After the break Jim Sabol as presenter of the clinic surprised us with a subject that was about a far away from model railroading as you can get. He brought a WW II veteran of the Navy submarine service, Quartermaster 2nd Class Bart Bartell, to talk to us about his adventures on board the submarines he served on. Some very interesting duties and assignments. Many questions were asked and
it was very informative.

Due to some scheduling conflicts next month clinic will be held in a different location, the address is 100 E 114th Street, Parkland. This location is a fire station with limited parking, please carpool if you can. Here are direction on how to get there; if you’re coming from the Puyallup area use Hwy 512 take the Pacific Ave exit, turn right on Pacific Ave and go to 112th Street take a left on 112th Street and go one block to ”A” Street, take a right on “A” Street and go to E 114th Street. The station is on the corner on right side. If you’re coming from I-5 use Hwy 512 and take the Pacific Ave exit, take a left on Pacific Ave and go to E 114th Street, take a left on E 114th Street and go to “A” Street, the station is on the right hand side on the corner.

The clinic will start at 7:30 PM and our clinician will be Steve Young to report on the progress on his 4-8-4 Northern live steam locomotive. Come and joins us and bring your friend or significant other, see you there.