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March’s “Second Saturday” Zoom is a panel on Aluminum for benchwork

Before you go out and buy a bunch of lumber for your railroad’s benchwork, consider joining us on March 11 for an interesting panel discussion on how to use new types of aluminum products instead. There can be advantages to it! Five panelists with recent experience looking into or using aluminum will compare notes and take your questions and thoughts, moderated by Lee Marsh.

As usual, the meeting will open at 9:30 and the formal presentations will start at 10:00am PST. The Zoom info to join the meeting is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87210657142?pwd=ZHhIWnZGMUU0YnAwNVUvMENheEZSUT09

Meeting ID: 872 1065 7142
Passcode: 805577

Virtual North End Clinic is on Thursday, Feb 2, at 7pm PST

Come join us on Groundhog Day for the February clinic at 7pm PST. Even if Punxsutawney Phill predicts we will have six more weeks of winter, we will always have model trains, right?

This month we will have guest clinician, James Knabb, a modeler from the great state of Texas, presenting 3D Pen and Small Details.

James will walk through the basics of how to use a 3D pen and show how you can use a 3D Pen for your layout, such as using it to repair railings for cars and adding small details. He will also discuss incorporating left-out, forgotten details and new ideas into your layout using a 3D Pen.

Here is the information for the meeting:

Topic: NMRA North End Clinic (4D PNR) clinic
Time: Feb 2, 2023 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86808524120?pwd=MWVPQzB0SFNuUCttdFhIQ2VVdnZiZz09

Meeting ID: 868 0852 4120
Passcode: 297191

See you there!
Lisa Murray, clinic chair

Cab Chatter at the virtual North End Clinic on Thursday, September 1, at 7pm

By Lisa Murray

As the end of summer approaches, it’s time to get back to the Seattle North End Clinic.

Many of you have expressed the desire to keep the clinic via Zoom as it allows many to be able to attend without needing to travel into Ballard at night, especially as the weather gets worse, and it gets dark early. So we are keeping it virtual.

We are going to have an open forum where members can share any model railroading projects done or rail-fanning trips taken in the months we haven’t seen each other. The name of the clinic will be Cab Chatter: What I Did This Summer: Model Railroading and Rail-fanning Fun.

Feel free to contact Lisa Murray if you have something you want to share (like photos) and need any technical help. See contact information below.

We understand that many of you may be attending the Narrow Gauge Convention in Tacoma on Thursday and may not be able to attend. However, if you need a break, feel free to join and share your summer fun in real-time.

Looking forward to seeing you all!! Here is the Zoom link information:

Topic: September 4dpnr Seattle North End Clinic
Time: Sep 1, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88191288309?pwd=QythYUVpaHJvSjFPZExyREtNbXRyZz09
Meeting ID: 881 9128 8309
Passcode: 716203

Lisa Murray, clinic chair
206-310-6778 (voice or text)
northseattle_organizer@4dpnr.com

Seattle North End clinic on June 2 – “Car Forwarding” options for your layout

June’s North End clinic on Zoom will feature a panel discussion on ways to provide “car forwarding” on your layout – that is, keeping track of which cars are directed to be moved where, in which train, etc. The panelists will include Burr Stewart, Joe Green, Russ Segner and Todd Von Stup, who will present different approaches they have taken to this subject, followed by open discussion with everyone present. As usual, we will open the meeting at 6:30 for meet and greet, with the panel discussion starting at 7pm. Here is the Zoom info to join the meeting:

Topic: North Seattle Clinic 4Dpnr

Time: Jun 2, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81371284719?pwd=UXFNbldBSlB6MDRtSER4cWlvMi84Zz09

Meeting ID: 813 7128 4719

Passcode: 845714

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+12532158782,,81371284719#,,,,*845714# US (Tacoma)

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        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

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Cab Chatter at the Seattle North End Clinic Tonight, April 7 at 7pm

Please join us for the first Cab Chatter event for North End virtual clinic tonight, April 7, at 7pm via Zoom. We are going to give everyone a chance to share their thoughts on a model railroading topic. So many of our members have knowledge to share but aren’t quite sure they want to do a formal presentation at a clinic. This will give everyone a chance to “present” without so much pressure. Who knows, you may end up liking it!

Tonight’s topic is one to which everyone in the hobby can relate: What advice or tips would I give my younger self if I was just starting out in the hobby?

Everyone has a few woulda coulda shoulda things they wish they would have done differently in the hobby — whether it has to do with building a layout, purchasing of rolling stock, or using a specific code of track. The list goes on…..

So grab a beverage of your choice and log in for a relaxing Thursday night of Cab Chatter. See you there!

Topic: April North End Virtual NMRA Clinic
Time: Apr 7, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89866729483?pwd=UzZWRVZzbmh0cjJhMnFXS2dkWVVsdz09
Meeting ID: 898 6672 9483
Passcode: 856410

Lisa Murray
North End Clinic Chair

Mt. Vernon Clinic Report for October 27

By John O’Connell / Photos by Nick Muff and John O’Connell

Twenty four were in attendance when Ted Becker opened the Clinic. Ted advised that this is an NMRA, Pacific Northwest Region, 4th Division, sponsored event.
Announcements:
Ted welcomed two guests – George Stephenson, owner of the Mount Vernon Terminal Railway, and Rich Blake from the Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic.

Regarding upcoming Clinics:

  • November – George will talk about his Mt Vernon Terminal Railway and its operations
  • December – we’ll have a “Super” Show and Tell evening with possible mini-clinics but forego a presenter as it will be so close to Christmas

Al Carter proposed, for a number of sound reasons, to change the timing of our Clinics to a Thursday earlier in the month. While the first Thursday was agreeable to those present at the Clinic, the inevitable conflict with holidays falling early in a month was further considered and it has been determined that beginning in January 2016, the Mt. Vernon Clinic will be at 7PM on Thursday, January 14 and on the second Thursday thereafter.

Read More

Eastside Get-Together on Thursday, Bob Stafford is Guest Speaker

JJ Johnston

Reminder: Thursday, 7:30 pm, Eastside Get-Together at Bellevue Foursquare Church in Bellevue. Guest speaker Bob Stafford’s presentation will be Weathering Structures With Bragdon Weathering Powders, including many examples showing how to weather structures and roads on his HO railroad. Bob will also demonstrate using oil stains and dry brushing before applying chalk. And more.

Plus the usual stuff as well. You know, door prizes, free coffee, models of the month, stuff to buy and sell and a lot of conversation. Featuring donuts for a buck. Hey, we have to pay for those fabulous name tags. 🙂

For Eastside Get-Together location and other information, see the 4D Clinics page.

Tacoma Clinic March 2015

Al Babinsky, photos by Chip Van Gilder

Master Model Railroader Gene Swanson started the clinic on time with 46 modelers present including several new attendees. Gene started a discussion about the rules pertaining to the use of the Library facilities. Since this is a public facility we cannot stop anyone from attending because he is not a member of NMRA. They also do not allow solicitations of any kind which we feel that we are not doing. We collect donations for our refreshments and for the food network which are entirely voluntary. Our PNR president and several clinic members will talk with the Library staff and explain our position which we feel do not violate their rules.

Several announcements were made concerning upcoming events:

  • The Narrow Gauge Symposium is being held next month, their website is http://www.sn3symposium-2015.com.
  • The 4D spring meet will be held on June 6th with location to be determined.
  • Portland Daylight Express, the NMRA national convention, will be held August 23 – 28, 2015. Additional information is available at www.nmra2015portland.org.
  • The Tacoma NW model railroad show and swap meet is being held March 21st-22nd at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma.
  • The annual Olympia area layout tours will take place May 16th. Per the NMRA Pacific Northwest Region calendar, additional information will be available from Scott Buckley, sbuckley54@comcast.net.

“What’s New at the Hobby Shop” was presented by Bill Sandstrom from Tacoma Trains & Hobbies and had only a few items: beer cars from Atlas, Milwaukee boxcar from Athearn, reefers from Roundhouse and N scale cars from Microtrains.

The “Model of the Month” contest included the following: Chris brought in a EMD SD38 that he obtained and weathered it heavily along with a set of gondolas and the loads for them consisting chunks of a rusted metal can as a scrap metal load, an item from a dishwasher that looked like a tank, a load of granite blocks that used to be tiles for a counter and a load of black and grey rocks to represent broken up asphalt and concrete. Tyler brought a barge that had a load of vehicles and a tug boat and vehicle that were part of the clinic. Walt brought a pair of weathered gondolas that carried a pipe load. Gene presented a Labelle 3-in-1 kit of a vegetable reefer that he hand painted. Dave brought a water tank kit for a town on his layout and Scott brought three ACF 3650 hoppers, two of which were shortened and equipped with discharge shuts that were 3D printed. The winner of the “Model of the Month” was Scott Taylor.

Scott Taylor's modified hoppers with 3D printed discharge gates, the Model Of the Month winner.

Scott Taylor’s modified hoppers with 3D printed discharge gates, the Model Of the Month winner.

The clinic for this month was on weathering vehicles and was given by Jim Sabol, Dale Kraus, Walt Huston and Tyler Whitcomb. Each had his version on weathering and the basic thread was using alcohol or water to create a wash with weathering powders or acrylic paints. The hand-out was prepared by Mike Shaw and had photos to accompany the text. All in all an excellent clinic with very useful information.

Next month’s clinic will be on April 9th at our usual location in the Pierce County Library Admin. Bldg., the corner of Waller Road and 112th Street. Our clinician will be Steve Carter and he will talk about operating train order boards which he is building for PSMRE.

Chris Clancey's SD-38 and gondola loads

Chris Clancey’s SD-38 and gondola loads

Coors Brewing Company track plan

Coors Brewing Company track plan

Dave Faucett's D&D shops water tower kit

Dave Faucett’s D&D shops water tower kit

Gene Swanson's hand painted LaBelle reefer kit

Gene Swanson’s hand painted LaBelle reefer kit

Tyler Whitcomb barge and tug boat with vehicle load

Tyler Whitcomb barge and tug boat with vehicle load

Walt Huston's gondolas with pipe load

Walt Huston’s gondolas with pipe load