By Al Babinsky, Photos by Dale Kraus, MMR
MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic on time and welcomed all, 41 modelers including one newcomer who models Great Northern.
It was announced that the 4D spring meet would be on May 14 at TCC (Tacoma Community College). Click here to register for the meet. The Northwest Railway Museum is starting operations on April 2 with Ken Liesse as engineer. The trains will stop at the train shed so passengers can view the equipment.
The “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was cancelled and we continued with the “Bring and Brag”, presented by Herb Buhl. I did not write down the last names of the modelers so it is first names only.
Dale brought an 1890 German tank locomotive, a 2-4-2T scratch built from brass and styrene around a 2-4-0 chassis.
Mitch showed his Vollmer kit of a cathedral based on one in Stuttgart Germany but he said that he saw one identical to that in Bremerhaven. The kit has stained glass windows and he intends to install lights.
Gene showed a Labelle kit of a gondola weathered with Bragdon weathering powders.
Chip brought some log car kits, which I think he had 3D printed and a box car with decals he printed on an Alps printer.
Raymond had a couple of circus cars, a flat car with wagon load, one wagon being a German band wagon and a large boxcar specially built to transport elephants.
John had two Casey Jones 10 wheelers that he practically rebuilt in order to make them run properly.
Scott brought his MTH 2-8-8-4 Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone which is the mass produced non brass model.
Mitch won the “Bring and Brag” contest with his cathedral.
After the break Mike Shaw presented our clinic “Old school DC to New School DCC”. He demonstrated a number of meters and devices to test for shorts, continuity, volts and amps. He also demonstrated a small scope (approx. $130) to show the DCC square wave. He demonstrated how they converted Gene’s home layout from DC to DCC by installing a DPDT switch to change from DC to DCC. The only other item needed was a reversing module and cutting a few gaps to make it work. A very informative clinic with a handout and a PowerPoint show.
Our next clinic will be at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg. at 7:30 PM on the corner of 112th Street and Waller Road.
Vollmer Cathedral Kit, the Model of the Month winner.
LaBelle gondola kit
Casey Jones 10 Wheeler
Decals printed with Alps Printer on box car
Circus Train elephant box car
2-4-2T scratch built from brass and styrene
Our clinician Mike Shaw at work
Great report, Al. But what is the topic of next month’s clinic?