Al Babinsky / Photos by Chip

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on schedule as always. A total of 32 model railroad enthusiasts were on hand despite of Valentine’s Day.

It was announced that the Olympia Layout Open House would be from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on March 2nd. The 4D BOD meeting would be at 1:00 PM on February 23rd at Mitzel’s in Kent.

The video library was manned by Stu and open to check out or check in videos.

What’s new at the hobby shop was presented by Bill Deutscher from Tacoma Trains, under the many new things was a town in the box by Woodland Scenics, rolling stock, locomotives, and accessories from various manufacturers. BIll mentioned that this would be the last he would present what’s new at hobby shop because he had to devote more time to his regular job. He will be missed by all.

The model of the month (Bring and Brag) had a number of nice models, Walt Huston with a diesel for his Aberdeen, Tacoma and Spanaway Forrest RR, detailed and decaled.  Chris Clancy with a Yard tower and tool shed scratchbuilt from lumber of a wood house kit, the shed with corrugated roofing. Dale Kraus with an Alexander Scale white metal crane kit, modified, weathered and painted. Jim Sabol with an O scale toy flatcar purchased at a swap meet, the car was actually brass and he was able to remove the metal deck install brake rigging and wooden deck on the car, next are proper couplers and complete trucks. Gene Swanson had two Santa Fe box cars and one NP reefer from his Dirty Santa loot. They needed major repair since most of the detail parts were broken. Gene was this month winner.

After the break the clinic for this month was by Al Babinsky on LED lighting for model railroad use. Since LEDs became available much progress has been made in size as well as intensity. The colors that are used in model railroading are available. Yeloglow LEDs from Miniatronics simulate incandescent headlights.  Mini and Micro LEDs are so small they can be used in light fixtures and even small enough to be used in N scale. Resistors are normally used to restrict the current flow but now new devices are out that can be used, they called current limiting diodes, CLDs for short. They not available at this time but Mouser and DigiKey carry them normally. The information on the CLDs can be found NMRA magazine May 2012 issue. Al’s handouts listed the vendors and their web addresses.

A great clinic which everyone enjoyed and hopefully will be able to use the information on their layouts.

Next month clinic will be March 14th at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. the corner 112th Street and Waller Rd. We hope to see you there!