By Al Babinsky / All Photos by Chip Van Gilder

MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic and welcomed the 38 attendees including newcomer Richard who said he models in all scales. Gene also thanked all the Vets in our group for serving. Leo presented Helen McGovern from the Emergency Food Network with a $1760.00 check from donations which our group collected since last November. Helen explained that the money is being used to pay for Break Bags which are given to low income families to provide food for them for weekends and school holidays.

Scratch built weed control train by Kevin Klettke
Model of the Month Winner

Under announcements it was stated that a long time clinic attendee and great modeler Tony Bentley passed away. Tony’s excellent models were never weathered because Tony did not believe in it. Kurt Laidlaw stated that the Spring Meet would be in May 2016 possibly in Everett. Jack Hamilton announced that he inherited 2000 car bodies to be used in clinics. Wayne Miller mentioned that the Clinic Layout book was up front to be looked at. Anyone willing to have his layout included in the book please bring a description and photos. Wayne also said that his 4′ x 9′ layout will be given away to someone that wants to give it a good home. Our video librarian Mike Shaw reported that the Video library is going away and the Videos and VHS tapes will be given away or sold.

Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains presented “What’s New at the Hobby Shop” which included items from Woodland Scenics, Lionel, Micro-Trains, and Athearn.

Foam core building
by Greg Price

In the “Bring and Brag” section presented by Herb Buhl we had a number of entries. Paul Vaughn had several tank cars in Sn3 that were rebuilt from Athearn HO tank cars. Greg Price showed his completed foam core building. Dennis Reeves brought a weathered HO tank locomotive. Ken Gentili brought some engines that were left from the Corkscrew Northern along with some solar powered lights which he intends to bring to Africa and operate using that solar power. Chip Van Gilder had a magazine article about Maintenance of Way equipment. We also had a house built by Tony Bentley. Jack Hamilton showed one of his many tools used to drill a hole with a very small drill bit; the item is available at Micro Mark. Kevin Klettke showed a scratch built weed control train. The “Bring and Brag” winner was Kevin with his weed control Train.

House and Garage by Tony Bentley

After the break Dale Kraus presented his clinic on how to make rock castings using heavy duty tin foil. He demonstrated how to make the aluminum foil form and then pour the hydrocal into the form and use washes to get the correct colors for what type of rock you want to show. Next months Clinic is our Dirty Santa please do not forget to bring a wrapped present and mark it for the scale it represents. The clinic will be at our usual place, the Pierce County Library Admin Bldg. on the Corner of 112^th Street and Waller Road. The time is 7:30PM and we hope to see you there.

SN3 tank cars kit bashed from Athearn HO tank car.
by Paul Vaughn

Weathred 0-4-0 Tank Locomotive
by Dennis Reeves

Rolling stock from the defunct Corkscrew Northern
by Ken Gentili

Article on Maint of way equipment
by Chip Van Gilder

Micro Mark precision drill fixture
By Jack Hamilton