September 2007 - the 4th Division • PNR • NMRA

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 1
Grab-Iron
The
Issue 492 • September 2007
The official publication of the Fourth Division, Pacific Northwest Region, National Model Railroad Association
In This Issue:
Identify this cover!
Golden Grab-Iron Service Award
Modelers Challenge
OnTrack Trivia

Page 2 Issue 492 • September 2007
From the Superintendent’s Desk
Walt Huston
Summer is Gone
It’s that time of year. Summer is over and model railroading season begins anew. I certainly hope you enjoyed
your summer activities including railfanning and modeling as well as those ordinary summer things like
camping. I continued work on the Aberdeen, Tacoma & Spanaway Forrest Railroad as if there was no summer
(sort of). I also enjoyed the PNR Convention just outside Boise, Idaho, taking advantage of every tour I could
and presenting my clinic on weathering with chalks and other powders. I always have a lot of fun with that clinic.
As we head into “The Season” I want to remind you that we have a big show coming up in April 2008 –
Trains, Trains and More Trains. The folks putting the show together still need a large number of volunteers to
help with various aspects of the show. If you haven’t volunteered by now, please do so by next Friday. Go to
4dpnr.org. press the “Train Show” button on the left, and contact Susan Evans through the link on the TTMT
page. We all really do need to work together to make this a success. Thank you in advance for volunteering.
Model Railroad Show/Swap Meet season is upon us as well. I know of two in October that are great shows – N-Trek Northwest is
putting on its 20 th Anniversary event October 13-14 in the Fircrest Recreation Center and the annual Maple Valley Model Railroad
Show is the following weekend, October 20-21. Henry has put on an excellent show for years now. Drop by and get motivated.
From Your Editor & Publisher
Al Lowe & Cliff Green
This issue is a little late; boring things like “work” and “home improvements” slowed us down over the crucial past two weeks.
We apologize for the delay and promise to do better on future issues. Remember: you get what you pay for. Go ahead: cut our salaries.
Or better still: fire us! Seriously, get your news in next week and you’ll have the October issue very soon!
Walt
About the Cover: Post the location of this photo and the name of the railroad to our 4dPNR YahooGroup and win! Doug Bulger photo

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 3
4D News
2006 Golden Grab-Iron Service Award goes to Jeff Moorman
The Golden Grab-Iron Service Award is awarded annually to the member of the 4 th Division, Pacific
Northwest Region, National Model Railroaders Association, who exemplifies service to the organization. This
year’s honoree is Jeff Moorman.
The selection committee is composed of the past three recipients of the award; this year Di Voss, 2003;
Frank Dekker, 2004; and Jack Hamilton, 2005. Past tradition has been to make the presentation at the Spring
Meet, but with no Spring Meet or Train Show in 2007, the selection committee decided to make the presentation
at the recipient’s regular 4D clinic. Roger Ferris, 1987 and Bobj Berger, 1996 made the presentation during
the June North Seattle clinic layout tour via vintage Metro bus.
Before 1988, the Golden Grab-Iron award was called the Seattle Model Railroad Club’s “Man Of The
Year” Award. Every winner is listed in the column on the right. Here is the text of his presentation certificate:
Jeff Moorman exemplifies service to the NMRA, and more particularly, the 4th Division. He also is an
example of service to the community in the context of model railroading and in many ways not connected to
his avocation. As a life member of the NMRA, Jeff is committed to the mission of the NMRA.
We recognize Jeff for:
• Leadership in the early years of the 4 th Division modular program.
• Support of the Pacific Science Center show’s crafts programs for youth, developing and presenting
basic skill activities for younger children, to expose them to the hobby, and help develop their interest,
selflessly running these youth activities at 4D public shows.
• Recruiting volunteers to give a few hours, and mentoring these volunteer relationships into longterm
commitments.
• Co-chair of the Pacific Science Center Model Railroad Show committee, beginning with the 25 th
show, in 1998. Jeff is the person who manages to find space to make the show a great experience for
all participants.
• Supporting role in leadership for the 4 th Division’s North Seattle clinic.
• Local Coordinator for the National Train Show component of the PSX2004 National Model Railroad
Convention.
• Other deeds of service that have gone unnoticed, or long forgotten.
PNR 2007: What a Convention!
Walt Huston
If you missed the PNR Treasure Valley Express in Garden City, Idaho, you missed great fun, excellent
layouts, and wonderful tours, both manufacturing and rail. On our drive over, Nancy and I got in a few hours
of railfanning at the Toppenish Rail Museum. If you haven’t been there, go! You’ll be glad you did.
The first day in Garden City was taken up by the PNR Board of Director’s Meeting (the minutes will be
posted soon on pnr.nmra.org). The Convention kicked off with a BBQ at the Boise Train Station, a nicely
restored structure operated by Boise Parks and Recreation. The next few days were a blur, taking every tour
the host committee offered while squeezing in a layout tour or two. We went through the motive power facilities
(great experience), rode the Thunder Mountain Railway along the Payette River (wonderful scenery, including
rafters battling rapids), rode behind 1½"-scale live steam and “diesels” for hours (what a kick!). We
toured the Idaho Northern & Pacific yards and saw a museum with a railroad theme in an old depot. We interacted
with hundreds of like-minded folks. I presented my “Weathering With Chalks and Other Powders”
clinic and a number of attendees are now weathering their models.
All in all, we had a great stay. My heartfelt thanks go out to the committee members who put on the Treasure
Valley Express in the PNR’s 60 th Anniversary year.
It’s not too early to sign up for next year’s convention when the PNR heads to Chilliwack, B.C. in June,
2008.
Maple Valley Train Show
The 10 th Annual Maple Valley Operating Model Train Show will be held this year on the weekend of October
20-21, 2007, 10-5 at the Gracie Hansen Community Center, 27132 SE Ravensdale Way, in Ravensdale.
Free parking right outside the door. Adults $5, children 3-11, $2. For more information, visit
www.freewebs.com/mvtrainshow/ or contact Steve Hiester, 425 432-8391, hies_skel@hotmail.com.
Grab-Iron Service
Award Winners
1955 George Heliotis
1956 Dee Cowan
1957 Walt Mendenhall
1958 Don Lind
1959 Ed Hibben
1960 Howard Durfy
1961 Robert Johnson
1962 Herb Chaudiere
1963 Chuck Allen
1964 Brian Ellerby
1965 Carl Hadeen
1966 J. Woodrow Matthews
1967 Philip H. Kohl
1968 Donald C. Dietrich
1969 Duane Damgaard
1970 Kenneth Schmelzer
1971 Robert L. Tunnard
1972 Richard Day
1973 Keith & Dawn Newsom
1974 Nathan Oxhandler
1975 Chuck Evans
1976 Lou & Pat Toppano
1977 Robert M. Smith
1978 Vic Stuhr
1979 Dave Hoffer
1980 Pat & Lou Toppano
1981 Tony Raimondi
1982 Howard Bell
1983 Dan Peters
1984 Walter R. Hanson
1985 Robert F. Horne
1986 Tom Schuh
1987 Roger Ferris
1988 Louise Clough
1989 Richard “Dick” Roth
1990 Al James
1991 Rolan Brockhoff
1992 Marshall Wilson
1993 Al Carter
1994 Keith Lyons
1995 Bob Chapman
1996 Robert “Bobj” Berger
1997 Kenneth L. Gentili
1998 Dale & Diane Kraus
1999 Jim Easley
2000 John & Jan Becker
2001 Gene Swanson
2002 Dave Kreitler
2003 Didrick Voss
2004 Frank Dekker
2005 Jack Hamilton
2006 Jeff Moorman

Page 4 Issue 492 • September 2007
4D News
Boeing Club’s Annual Swap Meet Scheduled
will be held Saturday, November 10 th from 9:30-4:00 at the Kent Recreation Center, 525 4 th Ave N, Kent. For more information, contact
Ed Sherry, 206-244-3884, edward.r.sherry@boeing.com or ersherry@comcast.net.
OLY-OPS 2007 Announced
Want to spend a day operating trains on some great model railroads? Plan to be in
Olympia November 3, 2007. The Olympia Swap Meet spring open house modelers
are going to host the first ever OLY-OPS, from 9-5.
Each participant may operate on two of three model railroads: Jim Younkins’s basement-sized
N empire, and either Brian Ferris’ HO mainline layout or Greg Wright’s
1:32 narrow gauge mining tram line. All three use Digitrax DCC, two have been
featured in national magazines, and two have sound-equipped locomotives.
Hosted by Jim Sabol, OLY-OPS 2007 is open to only the first 20 model railroaders
to respond! You must bring at least two cans of food for the Thurston
County Food Bank. Questions? Call Greg Wright, 360-352-5386, gregorywright2002@yahoo.com.
To register, email Greg now, indicating your preference
for the HO or 1:32 scale railroad. They will try to accommodate your choice. If
you are one of the first 20 to respond, you will be emailed details. If not, your name will be placed on a waiting list.
Please RSVP only if you are committed to attending. No tentatives, please. They need the right number of participants to make things
work.
100% Club Web Pages Updated
Gerry Leone, NMRA Membership Department
The “100% NMRA Club” web pages on the national NMRA website have been completely revised and updated by the program’s
new coordinator, Chuck Diljak. The pages now contain a listing of benefits clubs receive when everyone is an NMRA member, a list of
qualifications needed to be eligible, and a new FAQ.
Learn about the insurance benefits (among others) of being a 100% NMRA Club at nmra.org/100Club/100Club.html
The Late Great Grade Escapade
Jim Sabol
“What shall we do for a June clinic with all this sunny weather?” “How about a field trip?” Thus began the planning for an expedition
organized and led by Jim Younkins to explore the old grades of Mud Bay Logging Co. and Mason County Logging Co. around Capitol
Forest, west of Olympia.
A sunny, warm June 3rd saw 16 modelers, spouses, and guests poring over old topographic maps, archival photos, and a planner by
Jim Younkins. Jim, Ron and Carol Beghin, Scott Buckley, John Cummings, Robert Grove, Dr. James Hannum, George and Betty Hansen,
Pete Replinger, Gordon Robinson, Jim and Mary Sabol, Hal Smith and Ryan and Arwyn Todd viewed the remains of the log dump
pilings where both railroads offloaded their logs for towing to Everett mills as late as 1941.
After a short drive into the peaks of Capitol Forest, a hike up the long abandoned grade to the remains of a trestle and the possible
site of MBL Camp 2 where we found a tie plate in the right of way. Another short ride took us to the location of a main line junction and
the probable site of Camp 3. Standing on an old grade in 2007 and viewing a photo of that same place as it looked 80 years ago is an exciting
and powerful inspiration to prototypical modeling.
Jim Sabol grilled hot dogs at Mima Mounds and everyone chipped in with drinks, salads, chips, desserts, and watermelon for our dinner
picnic. No way was this group going to starve in the forest.
After leaving the campground cleaner than we found it, the group enlivened the trip home with a short jaunt to the site of the old
milling town of Bordeaux. After checking out the remains of the gigantic company store vault with its ghostly presence looming in the
brush, the hardy group forded the nearby stream to examine and climb over the footings of the huge mill complex that once occupied the
area. Flues from the dry kiln and rails from the mill sidings lurked under every fern—all invisible from the road but waiting to be discovered
by those with old maps and the inclination to investigate our railroad heritage. The memories of our June adventure in industrial
archeology will be hard to beat!
The 4D web site now contains more than two years of back issues of the
Grab–Iron. And passwords and NMRA membership numbers are no longer required! Stop by today.

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 5
Skagit Valley Clinic
Gordon Garnhart
Our June 13 meeting was unusual. 23 people gathered at the home of Diz Schimke, on 8 rural acres near the town of Bow. We enjoyed
a pleasant picnic of submarine sandwiches as Diz, born in 1961, entertained us with many interesting historical details of logging in
Skagit County. His 99-year-old grandfather has been a inspiration and source of legend and lore. Diz has a life-long interest in narrow
gauge railroading, with a collection of over 200 railroad lanterns and other related memorabilia.
Diz has built an excellent 2' gauge 4,000' rail line looping his property. He has restored a Porter locomotive and delights in operating
it. The venerable machine started service in 1896 for the Hecla Mining Company in a silver mine near Wallace, Idaho, running on compressed
air, on 18" gauge tracks. It was converted to wood-fired steam about 1937 for surface duty, and then converted to 24" gauge. In
1950, it was sold for its scrap, but was salvaged and stored until 1993. Diz has carefully restored the old engine and followed all certification
procedures required by law.
A young man in our group, Dan Stokes, is serving with the U. S. Navy in Iraq but expects to return in a few months. He sent a recent
e-mail message saying, “My time here is winding down and I’m really looking forward to getting back home and spending some time with
my family and, of course, my trains!” Email him at stokesda@hotmail.com.
On Wednesday, September 12, 7:00 PM we will be visiting Al Frasch’s excellent N scale layout in Freeland. Parking is limited, so
please carpool if possible. Hope to see you there.
Our first clinic of the new season is Summer
Adventures 2007 on Friday, September 21, at
7PM at Scott Buckley’s home. Share summer rail
adventures and watch presentations by local railfans.
Door prizes, popular vote model contest, and
lots of interesting discussion as usual. So, bring a
modeling project and join us for an evening of fun
and adventure! For directions, call Scott Buckley,
360-357-9185.
As this table shows, we have a full year of activities
planned. Note: the * indicates a date that’s
differs from our normal meeting night.
Clinic & Modular Group Reports
Olympia Clinic
Date Program Location
September 21 Share summer adventures, June field trip review Scott Buckley’s house
October 19 Tools and Jigs, show and tell, bring your favorite tools George Hansen’s house
November 16 Railroad videos shot by Clint Brown Clint Brown’s house
December 14 * Christmas party, gift exchange Robert Grove’s house
January 18 Prototype Railroad Presentation Roundtable Pizza
February 15 Hands-on layout construction Jeff Shultz’s house
March 21 Layout Tour Preview TBA
April 18 Slide Presentation by Scott Buckley Scott Buckley’s house
May 16 Weathering Freight Cars Clint Brown’s house
June 8 * Picnic/Field Trip TBA
Seattle-North Clinic
Bobj Berger
For our June clinic, we rented a historic 1963 Seattle Transit Flexible bus from the Metro Employees Historical Vehicle Association,
and with driver and MEHVA Board Member Douglas Thomson, set off for a “Three Hour Tour” of six model railroads in four stops!
First was Ethan (Stu) Rogers two layouts, the Enumclaw, Tahoma & Anacortes Railroad, Humptulips Division and a great Brio layout.
The ET&A is an N-scale freelance Northwest railroad, with DCC, double main, handlaid code 40, 55, and 70 track and turnouts, and
handpainted backdrops (as we’ve seen in his clinics). As we were leaving, Joe Farnik pointed out that Stu needs to do a clinic on his workspace
tool holder!
Our second layout was Burr Stewart’s freelanced, 1970s era Great Burlington Northern Railroad, a nicely sceniced HO and HOn3
layout, selectively compressing GN/NP/BN from South Seattle to
Bellingham and east toward Stevens Pass. It is double and triple
decked, with 1,000+ feet of track and over 150 turnouts. It even has
a “Lego Town” on its lower level that had the kids enamored. Another
bonus is his N scale layout upstairs. He even had some O-scale
trains on display. Some enjoyed operating his new On30 engine. Everyone
was dazzled by the many trains and rolling stock running
throughout the basement layout! Check it out at http://
www.burrstewart.com/.
Our third tour was MMR Paul Scoles’s fabulous Pelican Bay Railway
& Navigation Co., a Sn3 layout set in 1895 Northern California
mountains and forests running to seacoast, as a common carrier of
mining and forest products. His layout has been featured in Narrow
Gauge & Shortline Gazette, Model Railroad Planning (in 1996 and 2000),
and 70+ other magazines (with 18 covers!), and in Green Frog videos.

Page 6 Issue 492 • September 2007
E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 4 7
www.northendtrains.com
For the latest in engines, rolling
stock, structures, tools, books,
videos and other neat stuff,
make North End Train Center
your favorite store.
We will gladly do special orders for
the items we don’t carry.
12537 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
206-362-4959
bob@northendtrains.com
10 to 6 Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat; 10 to 8 Thur & Fri
He operates with timetables and train orders, and its fantastic scenery
spreads through multiple rooms of the entire basement. He uses
Keller DCC with walk-around throttles.
Our final stop was Dick & Doris Garberson’s Quarter Q Railroad,
a multi-level O scale railroad based on the CB&Q and GN. It runs
from the study above the garage through the foyer on a huge bridge
high above your head, then into the attic above the “Ice Cream
Sitting Room,” then continues around the “TV room” into the
upper level of the train rooms, goes down a helix inside the open
pit mine, around past a hidden yard, past another yard, and finally
ends at a huge roundhouse. It includes memorials to 4D and ROT-
TERS (Railroading O Trains, Traction, Eventually Or Real Soon)
members who have passed away. Dick’s scratch-built steam locomotives
were featured in the February 98 O-Scale News.
There were some unexpected surprises, too. Seattle-North Clinic’s
own Jeff Moorman was presented with the 2006 Golden Grab-Iron
Service Award! Congratulations, Jeff! Thank you for all your work
in the Seattle-North Clinic, the Pacific Science Center Show and all
your other volunteer work around the division. Well done!
Another surprise happened as we entered the Garbersons’s home.
Doris presented Bobj (who considers the Quarter Q as his “home”
O-scale layout) with a new Quarter Q shirt, complete with title of
“Tour & Exhibition Manager!”
What a great night! Several on the tour made arrangements with the
layouts to return on operation nights. Everyone agreed we should
do this again next June. Some new layouts have already signed up.
Our first Seattle-North Clinic of the season will be 7pm, September
6, the usual first Thursday, at Shoreline Schools Conference Center’s
Cromwell Room, at First Ave NE and NE 185 th St in Shoreline, between I-5 and Aurora North.
We will have a “What I did this summer with trains” segment with a new gong feature! Joe Farnik will have refreshments, Roger Ferris
will have a resupplied “Mart,” Chris Fife will have the “Model of the Month” and “Whats New in the Hobby Shop,” Tom Holz will
have the Video Library, everyone will have great train stories, and you’ll be an even-sided rectangle if you’re not there! Stay tuned for the
location of the October clinic. We may be moving!
Tacoma N Scalers
Walt Huston
The Tacoma N Scalers continued to meet every first Thursday during the summer. Walt presented the “What’s New in N” and “What
Shows are Upcoming” portion, followed by each attendee sharing what they have been up to. There were some excellent models, including
steam and diesel locomotives, freight cars, and miscellany. The 2007 clinic schedule is available at every meeting and at a number of
local hobby shops, just ask. This year’s schedule is on blue paper.
The June clinic was Tom Todd on “Trestle Building,” followed in July by “Soldering” by Walt Huston, and “Transition Curves” by
Don Larson in August. The clinics were well received, and many learned needed techniques for their rail empires.
The September clinic will be “Locomotive Maintenance” by Roy Cutler and Walt Huston. Annual maintenance is important for continued
good running of our fine scale models. Come and learn how you can extend the life of your locos.
• Major scales, N, HO, O, & G
• R/C Cars, Boats & Planes
• Plastic Kits & Rockets
• Lionel
• Detailing Parts
Your Hobby Supply
• Doll House Miniatures
Since 1974
425-252-6130
2531 Broadway, Everett, WA 98021
Come see our working layouts!!
All scales stocked, N scale featured
Monday-Friday 10-7, Saturday 9-6
(206) 283-7886
www.seattlestraincenter.com
1463 Elliott Ave. W
Seattle, WA 98119
Kirk & Wanda
Holmes, Owners

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 7
Tacoma Trains & Hobbies
In the heart of Tacoma's Historic Proctor District
3813 North 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98407
Phone: (253) 756-7517 Fax: (253) 756-0794
On the web at www.tacoma-trains.com
email to TacomaTrains@aol.com
Full Line of in-stock products in
√ N Scale
√ HO Scale
√ O Scale
√ G Scale
√ Lionel
√ Thomas the Tank Engine
Proud Supporter of
Pierce County Lionel
See the Pierce County Lionel display
layout at Seatac Mall in Federal Way.
PACIFIC RAILWAY HOBBIES
SOUTH PUGET SOUND’S
MODEL RAILROAD EXPERTS
G - O - HO - N - Z
Marklin, Lionel, MTH & much more
DIGITAL COMMAND CONTROL
Lenz, Digitrax, NCE, Atlas, MRC, DCS, Trainmaster
Installation and application help always available
(except Wednesdays)
Decoders installed.
Mon-Fri:11 AM - 7 PM Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM Sun: 1 - 5 PM
(Sunday hours are Oct – May, closed on Sundays June – Sept)
(253) 581-4453
Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM through May
(We want to get outside in the spring & summer too!)
9525 GRAVELLY LAKE DR. SW
TACOMA [LAKEWOOD] WA, 98499
PACRAILHOB@AOL.COM
The Tacoma N Scalers meet the first Thursday of the
month at the Fircrest Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa,
Fircrest, WA. The bull session is usually in full swing at 7
while the meeting comes to order(?) at 7:30. This group is a
NO dues organization and welcomes anyone interested in
model railroading. We have members in four scales (On30
was added this summer) meeting with us regularly. Bring
your questions; we’ll answer them or steer you in the right
direction. Come join the fun!
Don’t forget to come to N-Trek Northwest, October
13-14, 2007 and help us celebrate our 20 th Anniversary
Show.
NTRAK Modular Group
Al Lowe
The 4dNTRAK Group is planning for its fall shows at
Maple Valley and Fircrest. We spent the summer converting
our modules from Cinch-Jones connectors (of the 1970s)
and Molex connectors (of the 1990s) to Anderson Powerpole
connectors (hopefully until the end of this century!). All
modules are now converted and ready for show season. One
of our members is heading for Iraq, another is going back to
school, and another is working in China, so we need new
members! Interested? Contact Al at al@allowe.com.
Achievement Program Moment
Jack Hamilton
During the month of August, Achievement Program
Awards were earned by these 4D members: C.J. Riley:
Merit Award, Motive Power (2); and Ron Hopkins: Merit
Award, Structures (2).
• VENDORS
• LAYOUTS
• MODELING CONTESTS
• CLINICS (all experience levels)
• FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
• EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
• KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

Page 8 Issue 492 • September 2007
OnTrack Train Trivia
Dan Cioffi
The Grab-Iron is pleased to feature a new column by Dan Cioffi, with interesting questions and answers about railroad trivia. You may
contact Dan at dcioffii@tampabay.rr.com. This issue is about the Transcontinental Railroad.
The Transcontinental Railroad
1. Known as one of the classic icons of American imagery, the photograph, “Laying the Last Rail,” shows two locomotives nose-tonose
after the last tie was placed and the last rail spiked. In the photograph, which of the two railroads’ locomotives is on the left and
which is on the right?
2. What are those two locomotives’ numbers?
3. The date of the photograph is May 10, 1869, but what is the legal completion date of the Transcontinental Railroad?
4. What were the eastern and western terminals for the railroad?
5. On what date did construction start?
6. How long was the Transcontinental Railroad?
7. Which railroad laid more miles of track?
8. The Pacific Railroad Act provided federal money to help pay for construction. Which President signed that Act?
9. Which President was a former Railroad Attorney for the Union Pacific? What other railroads did he perform legal services for?
10. A portable “city” followed the UP’s progress. It was the location of company headquarters for the construction. What was the affectionate,
tongue-in-cheek name of this “city?”
Answers
1. The Central Pacific is on the left; the Union Pacific is on the right.
2. The CP Jupiter on the left has no road number. The UP on the
right is #119.
3. The official date of completion of the Transcontinental Railroad is
November 6, 1869 per a 1879 United States Supreme Court decision,
Union Pacific Railroad vs. United States (99 U.S. 402).
4. Sacramento, CA and Omaha, NE
5. On January 1, 1863, Governor Leland Stanford broke ground in
Sacramento, California, to begin construction of the Central Pacific
Railroad. Stanford was also a part owner.
6. 1,776 miles of track were laid between Omaha and Sacramento.
Feature Articles
7. Much to their chagrin, the Central Pacific laid only 690 miles of
track, while the Union Pacific laid 1,087 miles. Since the U. S.
Government paid the railroads by the amount of track laid,
both had incentive to lay as much track as possible.
8. Abraham Lincoln.
9. Abraham Lincoln was known as a skillful railroad attorney.
Besides the UP, he did legal work for the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific and the Illinois Central Railroads.
10. The “city” was called Hell-on-Wheels. It not only contained
a company store and suppliers, but was home to gambling,
drinking and prostitution for the construction workers.
When the railroad reached the Benton, Wyoming, Hell-on-
Wheels was permanently located there. Reaching 3,000 residents
at its peak, it was only in existence from July to September
1868 since there was no close source of water for
the city.
The easiest way to contact your 4D officers, board members, and group leaders is through the
“Contact Us” page on the 4D web site, www.4dPNR.org, or through The Masthead on page 11.
♦
♦
♦
3905 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
(Off S. Tacoma Way near the B&I)
253-472-7732
www.onlinetrains.com
email uprob@onlinetrains.com
Large selection of HO & N Scale with Z, O & G
Discount prices every day
Special orders are welcome
Open Tues. – Fri., 11-2, Sat. 10-4 pm,
Sun. 11-4, Closed on Mondays
The trains are gone but the spirit lives on!
Pacific Rim Hobby
1-800-99 “HOBBY” (4-6229)
138 W. Railroad Ave. Port Angeles WA 98362
Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 prhobby@olypen.com

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 9
Modelers’ Challenge
By Roger Ferris
According to Frank Gerry, the (former) driver of this rig was only in Canada for a few months. He missed a turn by Brandon, Manitoba
and figured he would just go over the hill and continue on the road, not knowing there were rail tracks at the top of the grade. The
truck owner figures he had to be doing at least 55 MPH to make it to the top. Look closely: the truck only stopped when the large reefer
trailer pinched its rear tires!
Member Layout Photos
August 1957: Light 2-10-0 #50082 lifts a manifest freight up the 2.4%
grade out of Triberg on the main line of Dale Kraus’s Sudwest Deutsche
Eisenbahn Verein. Photo by Dale Kraus, Fuji S-5200.
Kadee's new HOn3 log cars perform revenue service on Burr Stewart's HO
layout in Seattle. Photo by Burr Stewart.

Page 10 Issue 492 • September 2007
The Timetable
4th Division Monthly Activities
1st Friday, Northwest Railfan, Seattle WA, North Seattle Community College, Performing Arts Center, Meridian Avenue N, 7:30 PM. For more information,
contact Roger Ferris, 206-283-0637, railfun@juno.com.
1st Saturday, HO Module Meeting, Seattle WA, 8:30 AM, location TBA. For info, contact Norm Curtis, 425-743-9035, railmail39@verizon.net.
1st Thursday, Seattle Clinic, Shoreline WA, Shoreline Conference Center, NE Corner of 1st Ave NE & NE 185th St, 7:00 PM. For more information,
contact Bobj Berger, 425-774-9165, camelrenter@yahoo.com.
1st Thursday, Tacoma “N” Scalers Clinic, Fircrest WA, Fircrest Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa Blvd, Tacoma, 7:30 PM. For more information,
contact Walt Huston, 253-535-2043, WaltHuston@earthlink.net.
2nd Thursday, Tacoma Clinic, Midland WA, Pierce County Library Admin. Center, 3005 112th Street E (corner of 112th and Waller Road), 7:30 PM.
For more information, contact Richard Molzahn, 253-661-3971, SMolldy@Hotmail.com.
2nd Tuesday, Camano Island Model Railroad Club, Camano Island WA, 7:00 PM. For more information, contact Tom Buckingham, work: 360-
629-7810, home: 360-387-6128, tom@401kplanninggroup.com.
2nd Tuesday, Ocean Shores Clinic, Ocean Shores WA. For more information, contact Duane Damgaard, 360-289-5416, duaned@coastaccess.com.
2nd Wednesday, Skagit Valley Clinic, Fidalgo Island WA, Mt. Erie Fire Station, Marine Drive just north of Rosario Road, 7:00 PM. For more information,
contact Gordon Garnhart, 360-240-8875, garnhart@whidbey.net.
3rd Saturday, Northwest Pacific Z Scale, Seattle WA. For more information, contact Tom Gilchrist, 425-226-3708, tomg@tomgtomg.com or Jim
Glass, berjimgl@msn.com.
3rd Saturday, Westside Clinic, Bremerton WA, Poulsbo Pacific Hobbies, Burwell & Montgomery, Basic/Intermediate 11 AM, Advanced 12:30 PM.
For more information, contact Jack Hamilton, 360-308-9845, gradiver@tscnet.com.
3rd Thursday, Eastside Get Together, Bellevue WA, The Gathering Place Church, 2015 Richards Road SE, 7: 30 PM. For more information, contact
JJ Johnston, 425-643-1000, jj@jtwice.com.
3rd Tuesday, Great North End “N” Scale, Seattle WA, Shoreline Senior Center, South Annex, NE 185th St. & 1st Ave NE, 7:30 PM. For more information,
contact Dean Daughenbaugh, 425-252-8251, daugh@comcast.net.
3rd Tuesday, Swamp Creek & Western Railroad Association, Edmonds WA, Baggage Room, Amtrak Depot, 210 Railroad Ave, 7:00 PM. For more
information, contact Bruce Harris, 425-483-3322.
3rd Wednesday, Snohomish Rail Fans Clinic, Snohomish WA, Hilton Lake Fire Station, 3525 108th Street SE, Everett, corner of 35th Ave SE and
108th SE, 7:00 PM. For more information, contact Ted Becker, 360-651-2141, rail.bird@comcast.net.
3rd Friday, Olympia Clinic, Olympia WA, 7: 30 PM. For more information, contact Jim Younkins, 360-357-9185, jcyounkins@attbi.com or Scott
Buckley, 360-352-5567, sbuckley@nwrain.com.
Pacific Northwest Region Activities
To add your activities to the PNR Timetable or web page, contact Mark Johnson, 780 436-2480, timetable@pnr.nmra.org
Sep 7-8, SALMON ARM, BC Salmon Arm Model Railroaders 2007 Corn Roast and Camp-out - Pierre's Point Campground, adjacent to CP's main
line. Info:- Bob Gardner (250) 832-9883 or Gary Hazell comhaven@jetstream.net
Sep 8-9, AUBURN, WA White River Valley Museum Annual Model Railroad Show, Les Grove Park, 918 H St. SE - $3 Adults, $2 Children; 11am-
4pm. Info: - Karen Haas (253) 288-7433, khaas@auburnwa.gov, www.wrvmuseum.org.
Sep 15-16, ELGIN/JOSEPH, OR Eagle Cap Wilderness Rail Adventure - See the "Oregon Alps" - $148/one way $250/round trip Info:-
www.railsnw.com/Tours/charter/eagle_cap/eagle_cap.htm
Sep 16 (Sun), VICTORIA, BC Victoria Model Railway Show - Cedar Hill Recreation Center, Saanich, B.C. Info:- Ted, 250-595-4070
Sep 16 (Sun), MISSOULA, MT 28th Missoula Model Railroad Club Show and Swap Meet. Big Sky High School, South Ave. 10am-4pm. Info: Mike or
Elaine Brown, MMRC Show, 622 West Artemos, Missoula MT 59803-1504, (406) 543-6123, show@missoulamodelrail.org.
Sep 22-23, EDMONTON, AB 2007 Great Edmonton Model Train Show, 10 AM - 5 PM, Mayfield Trade Centre, 16615 - 109 Ave (Mayfield Road).
40,000 sq. ft. of layouts, displays, clinics, dealers and LEGO! Info :- www.mmrf.ab.ca
Sep 22 (Sat), FOREST GROVE, OR West Side Train Show and Swap Meet, National Guard Armory, 2950 Taylor Way, 10:00AM - 3:00PM. Tables
$20, Adults $4, 12 and under FREE. Info:- Ken Jackson @ 503-357-8753 or westsidetrainshow@comcast.net
Sep 22 (Sat), GARIBALDI, OR Oregon Coast Steam Adventure $148 Info:- www.railsnw.com/Tours/charter/garibaldi_steam/garibaldi_steam.htm
Sep 28-30, KALISPELL, MT 1st Annual 5th Division Traveling Fall Gathering. Holiday Inn Express, 275 Treeline Road. Low key, fun event with
clinics, layout tours, and prototype tour of Marias Pass. Info:- pnr.nmra.org/5div/
Sep 29 (Sat), PEACHLAND, BC The 7th Annual Peachland Model Show. Presented by the Central Okanagan Railway Company and the Okanagan
Garden Railway Club Vendor Table Info:- Don Wilson 250-767-3441 dw@idmail.com
Sep 29-30, IONE, WA NPOV Lions Excursion Train Ride - First Autumn Colors - $10.00 ages 13 - 64; $7.00 ages 2 - 12; $7.00 ages over 64; children
under 2 free. Info:- www.povn.com/npovlions/schedule.htm

Issue 492 • September 2007 Page 11
Sep 29-30, CALGARY , AB Heritage Park Railway Days 21st Anniversary. Two operating 0-6-0's, streetcar, and model railway exhibits. 1900 Heritage
Dr. SW. Info: - (403) 268-8500, www.heritagepark.ca.
Oct 6-7, LYNDEN, WA Lynden Lions Club 23rd Annual International Model Train Show, N.W. Washington Fair, Hank Jansen Ag Bldg. Sat 9am-
5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Info: - Rich Kayser, 8321 Double Ditch Rd, Lynden WA 98264, (360) 354-2993, rjkayser@msn.com.
Oct 6-7, IONE, WA NPOV Lions Excursion Train Ride - Second Autumn Colors - $10.00 ages 13 - 64; $7.00 ages 2 - 12; $7.00 ages over 64; children
under 2 free. Info:- www.povn.com/npovlions/schedule.htm
Oct 13-14, CHILLIWACK, BC Mount Cheam Lions Club Model Railway & Hobby Show, Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way. Sat 9am-5pm. Sun
10am-4pm. Info: James Hill, (604) 824-1757, qdee@telus.net.
Oct 13 (Sat), CALGARY, AB 28th Annual Boomer Auction, Sponsored by South Bank Short Lines, St Andrews Presbyterian Church, 703 Heritage Dr.
SW, 10am, auction starts at noon. Info: - John Wrinch, (403) 281-5745, jawrinch@shaw.ca
Oct 13-14, IONE, WA NPOV Lions Excursion Train Ride - Third Autumn Colors - $10.00 ages 13 - 64; $7.00 ages 2 - 12; $7.00 ages over 64; children
under 2 free. Info:- www.povn.com/npovlions/schedule.htm
Oct 13-14, EDMONTON, AB Edmonton Model Railroad Association Open House, at the Freight Shed, Fort Edmonton Park, 10am-5pm. Info: -
www.EMRAonline.ca.
Oct 13-14, IDAHO FALLS, ID Eagle Rock Railroad Historical Society Railshow 2007 Idaho Falls Recreation Center, 520 Memorial Drive Sat: 9 am. -
5 pm. Sun: 10 am. - 2 pm. Cost: $3 or $2 with 2 cans of food; Ages 12 & under free w/ adult Info:- errhsi@ida.net or www.ida.net/org/errhsi/
Oct 13-14, FIRCREST, WA N-Track Northwest 20, N Scale Show & Swap Meet, Fircrest Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa, Sat 10am-5-pm, Sun
11am-4pm. Info: - Walt Huston, 1210 141st St E. Tacoma 98445, (253) 535-8787, walthuston@earthlink.net.
Oct 14 (Sun), CALGARY , AB Calgary Model Railway Society, (CMRS), Fall Mini-Meet, Glenmore Inn, 2720 Glenmore Trail, SE, 9:30am-3;30pm.
Info: - Jeff Burke, (403) 272-5546, jeffb@boltsupply.com, www.calgarymodelrailway.org.
Oct 20-21, CARLSBORG, WA North Olympic Peninsula Railroaders Train Show & Swap Meet, Greywolf Elementary School, 171 Carsborg Rd.
10am-4pm. Info: - Lauren Scrafford, (360) 379-3280, e78milrd@waypt.com, www.geocities.com/noprclub/.
Oct 20 (Sat), SPOKANE VALLEY, WA Open house at River City Modelers Club, 11811 E. First, Spokane Valley, WA from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. For
more info contact: Bob & Shirley Sample, 509-292-8332 or email: shirleysample@qwest.net
Oct 20-21, IONE, WA NPOV Lions Excursion Train Ride - The Great Pumpkin Rides - $10.00 ages 13 - 64; $7.00 ages 2 - 12; $7.00 ages over 64;
children under 2 free. Info:- www.povn.com/npovlions/schedule.htm
Oct 21 (Sun), SPOKANE, WA Spokane Railroad Show 10AM-3:30PM, Spokane Community College, ALAIR Student Activities Building. Adult $5,
12-16 $1, under 12 free. Table $20, setup 8-10AM. Info:- 509-535-7186
Feb 16 (Sat), SPOKANE VALLEY, WA Open house at River city Modelers Club, 11811 E. First, Spokane Valley, WA from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. For
more info or flyer, contact Bob & Shirley Sample, P.O. Box 314, Elk, WA 99009-0314, 509-292-8332 or email: shirleysample@qwest.net
Feb 17 (Sun), SPOKANE, WA Model Railroad Train Show & Swap Meet sponsored by River City Modelers Club, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Spokane
Community College, Lair Building, Mission & Greene Streets, Spokane. Information: Bob & Shirley Sample, 509-292-8332, shirleysample@qwest.net
The Masthead
The Grab-Iron is the official publication of the Fourth
Division of the Pacific Northwest Region of the National
Model Railroad Association. It is published ten times each
year, September through June, and is made available to all
members in good standing. Correspondence and
contributions are solicited; photographs and illustrations are
encouraged. The Grab-Iron does not pay for articles. The
editor reserves the right to accept, reject, and edit
contributions as space and time dictates. Sent materials to
the editor at the email address shown on the right.
Commercial advertising is accepted in accordance with
current rates and requirements (see below) as established by
the Grab-Iron staff. Non-commercial Classified Advertising
from Fourth Division members is accepted free of charge as
a member service; submit to the editor. Letters to the editor
and other editorial opinions do not necessarily reflect
opinions and policy of the Fourth Division. A complete staff
listing, with contact information, is available on the 4D
website: www.4dPNR.org. Our mailing address is P. O. Box
5072, Kent, WA 98064.
Advertising Rates
1/8 page ad, $12 per issue, $103 annual
1/4 page ad, $17 per issue, $130 annual
1/2 page ad, $30 per issue, $230 annual
Full page ad, $48 per issue, $375 annual
Contact Mike Slease (information, above right)
Grab-Iron
Publisher: Al Lowe, 425 443-6896, 4dpnr@allowe.com
Editor: Cliff Green, 206-363-9852, cliffg@codewrangler.net
Advertising & Circulation: Mike Slease, 253-912-0353, mikepce@comcast.net
Photographer: Doug Bulger, 206-290-4095, doug@bulger.org
Fourth Division
Superintendent: Walt Huston, 253-535-2043, walthuston@earthlink.net
Assistant Superintendent: Bill Hupe,360-373-3730, whopay@tscnet.com
Secretary: Jeannie Melvin, 425-257-0342, drbear@blarg.net
Treasurer: Sherman Stevens, 425-821-2890, shermanlss@earthlink.net
Director: Norm Curtis, 425-743-9035, curtisnorm@yahoo.com
Director: Dennis Hill, 360-895-3332, toontrain@yahoo.com
Director: Allen Evans, 253-835-7667, allenevans@earthlink.net
Pacific Northwest Region
President: Kevin Oleson, 206-276-4701, koleson4449@msn.com
Vice-President: Steve Prevette, 509-544-9475, prevette@owt.com
Secretary: Adrian Telizyn, 250-785-6228, telizyn@shaw.ca
Treasurer: Dirk Kruysman, 541-673-6341, dirk@cmspan.net
Submitting Articles and Pictures
Grab-Iron readers are encouraged to submit articles and pictures in several categories:
Club and Layout News, Real Life Stories, Modeling Techniques and Photo Journal. Photographs
and illustrations are accepted in all common digital formats. Email materials to
the editor at the address above before the 15th of the month before publication, i.e.,
August 15th for the September issue.

Page NMRA 12 / PNR / 4D MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION valid Issue through 492 • September 6/30/07 2007
Please accept my new or renewal membership application in the NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION, its
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION, and its Fourth Division.
[ ] New Member [ ] Renewal Member NMRA #: PNR #:
USA Price
Amount
[ ] Regular member (with subscription to Scale Rails) $48 $
[ ] Regular member (without Scale Rails) $36 $
[ ] Student member (USA only) must be fulltime student $22 $
[ ] Family member of a regular member (each) $9 $
Names:
[ ] Sustaining member (business or club) (with subscription to Scale Rails) $96 $
[ ] Subscription to printed PNR Switchlist (or read it online for free) $6 $
[ ] Subscription to printed 4D Grab-Iron (or read it online for free) $10 $
TOTAL DUES PAYMENT ENCLOSED (Make checks payable to “NMRA”) $
Member Information please print and fill out completely:
Name: Birthdate (m/d/y): Scale Preference:
Address:
City:__________________________ St:____ Zip/MC:
Phone (______) ______-_________ Fax (______) ______-__________ Email
Credit card (USA only): [ ] MasterCard [ ] VISA [ ] American Express [ ] Diner’s Club [ ] Discover
Card #: ________-________-_______-________ Issued to:
Expires (m/y): ____________________________ Signature:
USA only: send payment to NMRA, 4121 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 USA www.NMRA.org
Canada only: (checks only) to Registrar, NMRA Canada, 69 Schroeder Cir, Guelph, ON N1E 7B4 Canada
registrar@NMRAcanada.ca
Non Profit Org
U. S. Postage
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit # 462
National Model Railroad Association
4th Division, Pacific Northwest Region
P. O. Box 5072
Kent, WA 98064