February 2010 - the 4th Division â¢ PNR â¢ NMRA

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Page 6 Issue 517 • February 2010 Layouts Needed for National Narrow Gauge Convention Tour Paul Scoles In September 2012, the National Narrow Gauge Convention will come to the Seattle area and the 4 th Division. Typically, NG conventions are the largest and best model railroad events of the year and we want to make 2012 special. To that end, we are seeking well-done layouts available for layout tours. HO, N, O, S, or large scale, narrow gauge or standard gauge, quality is what counts. If you have a layout that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact me, pbscoles@yahoo.com, 206-546-8012. We’d also like to publish photo stories of at least some of these layouts in advance of the convention. What great fun! Layout tours and photo stories in national magazines of 4 th Division members’ layouts. Please give me a call or e-mail right away to be considered. Clinic & Modular Group Reports Eastside Get-Together JJ Johnston The January clinic set a record for attendance. 58 folks came to see the incredible presentation from professional artist Todd Gamble of Eastside Trains on modeling water techniques, including raging rivers, waterfalls, and even how to make icicles. Todd brought a fabulous HO locomotive door prize generously donated by Steve Suskin, owner of Eastside Trains in Kirkland (see photo). Be sure to thank Steve when you see him. Todd has been the new manager at Eastside Trains for a few months, and he’s doing some wonderful new scenery at the store. He handed out discount coupons to everyone. The evening was a total success. See Todd’s versatile work at his website, www.ToddGambleArt.com. It seemed everyone did lots of building over the holidays and “Model of the Month” had entries from many: Bobj and his fortunate “below cost” acquisition of Aristo-Craft heavy units; Dennis Hill with a scratchbuilt control tower from plans in the Narrow Gauge Gazette; Jim Sabol displaying different versions of his O scale Milwaukee freight cars; Paul Vaughn showing some beautiful UP running gear with a big blow in Sn3; Bob Rorabaugh continuing to expertly model flat car loads from old cars bought from the Mart and loads from old watches and his junk box; and Rob Jones sharing his logging diorama in N scale and a ConCor UP M-1000 model. The proud winner was George Chambers with his fabulous S scale tavern. Congratulations to everyone — it was a collection of outstanding quality! Our Christmas collection raised $680, which we donated to the Bellevue Foursquare Church for allowing us to use their great meeting room and kitchen facility as well as their coffee and supplies and at no charge. The funds were used to assist church members in need. Two families received money to help pay their rent after experiencing unforeseen medical expenses; one lady received funds to assist her in her pastoral studies for future missionary work; a single mother with three children who comes to the church’s food bank and is medically challenged got money for her family; a couple who lost their jobs got help with their rent and Christmas gifts; and two kids whose mothers have been abused, suffer from addictions, and live in a rehab center the church helps support. There were many “Thank You” cards sent to our group from the recipients. This is our way of thanking the church for their generosity to us and allowing us to help those less fortunate in these exceptionally trying times. God bless. The Mart featured a $50,000.00 N scale collection which Roger and Bobj are handling. CJ Turner had his best coffee and donuts for all. Clay Hanson served as greeter and made certain everyone had their door prize and “Model of the Month” ballot. Mark your calendar now for our next meeting on Thursday, February 18. We’ll give advance notice of the program so keep watching this channel. Tacoma N Scalers Todd Gamble of Eastside Trains awards this months Eastside Get Together door prize to Walt Huston The Tacoma N Scalers met on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Fircrest Recreation Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM at the direction of Benevolent Dictator Walt Huston. We had one first timer and one member who has returned after a very long absence (work really does get in the way of modeling). I let everyone know “What’s New in N Scale” according to Model Railroad News, Model Railroader, N-Scale Magazine, Micro-Trains new releases for January, and the next round of “Runner Packs.” I read the list of all upcoming shows and swap meets, including the Monroe Show, sponsored by The United Northwest Model Railroad Club. This was the annual “What I received for the holidays” meeting and, from the look of things, this was a very train-oriented holiday. Each attendee spoke about his treasures and there were plenty of side comments from the envious amongst the crowd. The clinic for next month, on February 4 th , is “Wiring a layout for DC and DCC.” I will be the presenter, demonstrating my fabulous art skills on a whiteboard. Rumor has it that the use of the whiteboard is so that the evidence can easily be destroyed.
Issue 517 • February 2010 Page 7 Our March 4 th meeting will feature a clinic entitled “Making Roads,” by Jim Berling. Jim is an accomplished model road builder, having built about three miles of them for his layout and mine combined (scale miles). Come have fun with us. The 2010 clinic schedule is available at the meetings and at Online Trains, Pacific Railway Hobbies, and Tacoma Trains. The Tacoma N Scalers meet the first Thursday of the month at the Fircrest Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa, Fircrest, WA. Tacoma Clinic Al Babinsky MMR Gene Swanson opened the clinic and wished everyone a Happy New Year. We had a total of 43 in attendance including two newcomers. Gene started a discussion about the NMRA insurance policy of non-members attending more than three times and then being required to join the NMRA. Since we are meeting in a public facility, the Pierce County Library Administration Building, there may be a conflict of interest. Gene called for a moment of silence for Dick Mohlzahn, who was a long time member of this clinic and PSMRE, we will sorely miss him. Sandy Webster, filling in for Dale Kraus from Pacific Railway Hobbies, presented “What’s New in the Hobby Shop.” This included a new release from LGB (now manufactured in Hungary) of a passenger car, a Branchline laser kit, a new 27mm low-tone speaker from Soundtraxx, and a 1:20.3 scale log skidder from Bachmann similar to the one located at camp 7 at Point Defiance Park. In the “Bring & Brag” (Model of the Month), a number of excellent models were shown, including kits either modified, scratchbuilt, or built as intended. An engine facility kit was modified into a fire station complete with vehicles and logging camp cars, and then assembled board by board out of lasercut cardboard and weathered. An S scale freight house kit was shown, also assembled board by board. A diorama was displayed as a work in progress with a scratchbuilt station and a couple of freight cars. A Bachmann Spectrum Cityscapes kit called the Ambassador Hotel was somewhat modified. A switch tower named Puddin' Creek Tower was displayed, scratchbuilt from drawings appearing in Scale Rails, with a detailed interior. Last, but not least, various rolling stock and motive power were displayed, including several O scale freight cars and a brass caboose modified with scale couplers and trucks, a UP turbine with tender in HO scale, a LaBelle kit of a Bible car called American Baptist Publication Society, a N scale resin Skytop Lounge (Hiawatha) for CN and a brass HO scale model of a Milwaukee Road Bi-Polar re-worked with NWSL gears and wheels and can motors to power all drive axles, containing a ESU Loksound decoder. The “Model of the Month” was won by Peter Coulton with his Ambassador Hotel. After a short break, Jim Murrie presented our clinic in an abbreviated version due to a communication error between him and Gene Swanson (both thought the other was bringing the consist from the PSMRE exhibit at the History Museum). Jim went through many steps of research and planning to obtain documentation and models to build the consist. It was decided to continue the clinic next month so that the consist is there and we can see what it looks like. All in all it was an excellent clinic and we are looking forward to see the actual models. To see the continuation, attend February 11th at 7:30 PM at the Pierce County Library Administration Building, corner of 112th Street and Waller Road. Bring a friend and enjoy some refreshments and a good time. Hope to see you there. 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
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February 2010 - the 4th Division â¢ PNR â¢ NMRA