February 2010 - the 4th Division ⢠PNR ⢠NMRA
February 2010 - the 4th Division ⢠PNR ⢠NMRA
February 2010 - the 4th Division ⢠PNR ⢠NMRA
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Issue 517 • <strong>February</strong> <strong>2010</strong> Page 7<br />
Our March 4 th meeting will feature a clinic entitled “Making Roads,” by Jim Berling. Jim is an accomplished model road builder, having<br />
built about three miles of <strong>the</strong>m for his layout and mine combined (scale miles).<br />
Come have fun with us. The <strong>2010</strong> clinic schedule is available at <strong>the</strong> meetings and at Online Trains, Pacific Railway Hobbies, and Tacoma<br />
Trains.<br />
The Tacoma N Scalers meet <strong>the</strong> first Thursday of <strong>the</strong> month at <strong>the</strong> Fircrest Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa, Fircrest, WA.<br />
Tacoma Clinic<br />
Al Babinsky<br />
MMR Gene Swanson opened <strong>the</strong> clinic and wished everyone a Happy New Year.<br />
We had a total of 43 in attendance including two newcomers. Gene started a discussion<br />
about <strong>the</strong> <strong>NMRA</strong> insurance policy of non-members attending more than three<br />
times and <strong>the</strong>n being required to join <strong>the</strong> <strong>NMRA</strong>. Since we are meeting in a public<br />
facility, <strong>the</strong> Pierce County Library Administration Building, <strong>the</strong>re may be a conflict of<br />
interest. Gene called for a moment of silence for Dick Mohlzahn, who was a long<br />
time member of this clinic and PSMRE, we will sorely miss him.<br />
Sandy Webster, filling in for Dale Kraus from Pacific Railway Hobbies, presented<br />
“What’s New in <strong>the</strong> Hobby Shop.” This included a new release from LGB (now<br />
manufactured in Hungary) of a passenger car, a Branchline laser kit, a new 27mm<br />
low-tone speaker from Soundtraxx, and a 1:20.3 scale log skidder from Bachmann<br />
similar to <strong>the</strong> one located at camp 7 at Point Defiance Park.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> “Bring & Brag” (Model of <strong>the</strong> Month), a number of excellent models were<br />
shown, including kits ei<strong>the</strong>r modified, scratchbuilt, or built as intended. An engine<br />
facility kit was modified into a fire station complete with vehicles and logging camp<br />
cars, and <strong>the</strong>n assembled board by board out of lasercut cardboard and wea<strong>the</strong>red. An S scale freight house kit was shown, also assembled<br />
board by board. A diorama was displayed as a work in progress with a scratchbuilt station and a couple of freight cars. A Bachmann<br />
Spectrum Cityscapes kit called <strong>the</strong> Ambassador Hotel was somewhat modified. A switch tower named Puddin' Creek Tower was displayed,<br />
scratchbuilt from drawings appearing in Scale Rails, with a detailed interior. Last, but not least, various rolling stock and motive<br />
power were displayed, including several O scale freight cars and a brass caboose modified with scale couplers and trucks, a UP turbine<br />
with tender in HO scale, a LaBelle kit of a Bible car called American Baptist Publication Society, a N scale resin Skytop Lounge<br />
(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<br />
to power all drive axles, containing a ESU Loksound decoder. The “Model of <strong>the</strong> Month” was won by Peter Coulton with his Ambassador<br />
Hotel.<br />
After a short break, Jim Murrie presented our clinic in an abbreviated<br />
version due to a communication error between him and<br />
Gene Swanson (both thought <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r was bringing <strong>the</strong> consist<br />
from <strong>the</strong> PSMRE exhibit at <strong>the</strong> History Museum). Jim went<br />
through many steps of research and planning to obtain documentation<br />
and models to build <strong>the</strong> consist. It was decided to continue <strong>the</strong><br />
clinic next month so that <strong>the</strong> consist is <strong>the</strong>re and we can see what it<br />
looks like.<br />
All in all it was an excellent clinic and we are looking forward to<br />
see <strong>the</strong> actual models. To see <strong>the</strong> continuation, attend <strong>February</strong><br />
11th at 7:30 PM at <strong>the</strong> Pierce County Library Administration Building,<br />
corner of 112th Street and Waller Road. Bring a friend and<br />
enjoy some refreshments and a good time. Hope to see you <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 4 7<br />
www.nor<strong>the</strong>ndtrains.com<br />
For <strong>the</strong> latest in engines, rolling<br />
stock, structures, tools, books,<br />
videos and o<strong>the</strong>r neat stuff,<br />
make North End Train Center<br />
your favorite store.<br />
We will gladly do special orders for<br />
<strong>the</strong> items we don’t carry.<br />
12537 Lake City Way NE<br />
Seattle, WA 98125<br />
206-362-4959<br />
bob@nor<strong>the</strong>ndtrains.com<br />
10 to 6 Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat; 10 to 8 Thur & Fri