We will be hosting a spring meet on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in conjunction
with the Trains, Trains & More Trains Show. The spring meet will include
contests with
AP judging upon request. We
also will have the following three advanced clinics,
plus several more beginners clinics (listed here):
Saturday
3:00
Digital Command
Control by Dale Kraus. An introduction to DCC for all
experience levels. How it works and why it’s so easy
to set up and use. Advice on choosing the system that’s
right for you. Questions answered, myths busted. Fun things
that can be done only with DCC
Saturday
3:00
What Holds That
Bridge Up? (or How Prototype Bridges Are Able To Carry
Their Loads) by Jim Sabol. This clinic is not how to build
a particular bridge but reviews the engineering principles
that enable real bridges not only to stand up but to carry
a load. Knowing these principles can help you make any of your
model bridges more realistic.
Saturday
4:00
NMRA Technical
Department – What, Why, Where, When, How, etc.
by Di Voss. As the manager of the NMRA Technical Department,
Di will give a background of the department and why it exists,
what it does, where and when and how the work gets done. He’ll
also tell you how you can become involved and help.
The meet will conclude with a banquet at
the Best Western Puyallup (620 South Hill Park Drive), which
is a short distance from the show. The evening will start with
a cash bar at 5:30PM and dinner at 6PM. The buffet dinner will
include chicken picatta, top sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes,
garden or Caesar salads, rolls and desserts (cookies and brownies)
for $35 per person. Dinner reservations are required and must
be prepaid by April 1. Send names and payment (check or money
order) to Sherman Stevens, 12217 NE 143rd Place, Kirkland, WA
98034.
Dinner
will be followed by a wonderful banquet speaker, Leslie
Eaton, MMR #289, speaking on “Model Railroading: It’s
Not Rocket Science." Leslie is a model railroader and national-class
clinician, well known for her unusual tips and tricks clinics. Her
clinics are noted as some of the most enjoyable and informative sessions
at the National Model Railroad Association national conventions.
Eaton's Nano-Animation clinics are frequently standing room only.
Eaton has worked at NASA Johnson Space Center since 1982. In 2004,
Eaton received a Space
Act Award from NASA for the development of an improved emergency egress
lighting system for the International Space Station (ISS). She currently
has two patents pending.
After the banquet, the annual 4D achievement awards will
be presented and door prizes offered. Make your reservations
soon before the space fills up. Plan to attend for a good time!