Al Babinsky

Due to the fact that I had a number of things going on this report is very late and short. MMR Gene Swanson opened the first clinic of the year on time; we had no first timers. An announcement was made about the science center show which by now is behind us. Mid-winter rail, a multimedia show will be held in Corvallis, OR on March 19th and is about 1:1 railroading. Paul Vaughn completed his 50th year as a NMRA member.

Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” with items from Athearn, Rivarossi, and Microtrains.

“Bring and Brag” included a lighted N scale structure from Walthers named Merchants Row 2 on which Walt Huston installed many details including the lighting. Signs are done in PowerPoint and drawings. This was the “Bring and Brag” winner. Steve Carson brought a scratch built narrow gage flatcar in Sn3. Dale Kraus had a kit bashed 0-4-0-0-6-0 tank locomotive from two locomotives, the rear engine is the only powered unit. Greg Price brought a foam core mockup of a Magnussen freight station. The dock and roof will transfer to the finished kit. Stan had a second attempt of building a Model Power kit and said the parts should be painted first.

After the break I presented this month’s clinic which was on using JMRI, SPROG, and WiThrottle to program and operate. I brought my programming setup which has a G scale, HO scale, and Z scale track which is powered by a SPROG III which has a 2.5A 18Vdc power supply. This is enough power to operate a G scale locomotive with 2 motors and sound. I demonstrated the programming of a NP GP-9 with sound using the JMRI DecoderPro and then operating the locomotive with the JMRI throttle and then switched to the WiThrottle and programmed my smart phone as a throttle and operated the locomotive with my phone. To show that the SPROG could operate a 2 motor sound and smoke equipped locomotive I placed my Austrian narrow gauge Diesel on the track and operated it.

Next month’s Clinic will be at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at the corner of 112th St and Waller Road on February 11th at 7:30 PM.