History of the 4th Division Modular Program

Home

About Us

Module Construction

Procedures and Reliability

Current Information

Join Us

Contact Us

Module History Timeline

1. First build 1988: Roger Ferris & Bruce Harris - Wood work; Jim Martin, Roland Brochroff, & Bobj BergerŠ construction at Bobj Berger's "Sunset Museum " in Tukwila; Bob Martin did the electrical hookup.
2. Second build 1990 - also at Bobj's museum.
3. Third build 1994 at the Fourth Division Spring mini-meet at Bob Chapman's church basement in Tacoma. The third build included retro-fitting modules from the first and second builds to NMRA standard table height, from 36" to 40", which improves viewability for adults while at the same time increasing security from small hands attached to short legs). Replacement longer legs were offered to any "active" module owner who requested them (they were still participating in shows), and for the corners. Many module owners did not request replacement legs, and when they later became re-active they simply replaced the extension bolts with longer bolts, or prepared 4" wooden blocks to go under the bottom of the legs. * Concurrently with the third build, the Burlington Northern club donated about a dozen plastic milk crates for tots to stand on for visibility, under parental supervision. * All following builds were informal, one-at-a-time, individual or group projects.
4. Early active HO module participants: FIRST BUILD (50 modules, any scale)
   • Randy Anderson
   • John Becker
   • Bobj Berger
   • Rolin Brockhoff (first "running" HO module)
   • Bob Chapman
   • Norm Curtis
   • Joe Farnik
   • Roger Horn
   • Bob Martin
   • Jeff Moorman
   • Chuck Soule
   • Ross Tabor
   • Others
5. The corners were sceniced at the Eastside clinic. Later the corners were retracked at Lynnwood High School.
6. While Dan Peters was serving as module program chairman, a "Module Committee" was formed in which Dan coordinated scheduling shows, and there were committee representatives for each scale to coordinate module building, testing and certification, operators, work sessions, etc. Ross Tabor was the first HO module committee member, and went on to take over the committee chair after Ray Richards.
7. The first show of the overall Module program was by the G-scale module group, date unknown.
8. The first show of the HO modules was a point-to-point straight-line layout, back-and-forth only, in the lobby of the downtown Seafirst Bank building. There were 7 or 8 modules running at this time. Rolin Brockhoff was coordinator for this show, which lasted a full week. This would have been around summer of 1989, and before we had corners.
9. The first "full" HO layout, including corners, was at the Pacific Science Center show, around 1990 or 1991. There was a series of track-laying work parties at the East Side Clinic to get the corners ready in time for the show. Original corners featured minimum 30" radius curves with easements, and increased spacing between the mainlines to help prevent sideswipe accidents. Even these generous curves proved to be too sharp for reliable operation.
10. The HO module group has participated in the Portland National Convention, PNR Conventions at Pasco and Spokane, and the PSX National Convention in Seattle, 2004.
11. In the late 90's, a "fiddle yard" was designed and built by Rob Staples. It connected to the layout via two modules containing a wye and a "in" section and an "out section" which connected with both the inner and outer tracks. In 2001 this was revised to a more prototypical arrangement by replacing the in and out sections with one section, adding a "tail" track, and locomotive track which leads to the turntable and engine service facility on the wye.
12. In 1999, the group switched from Cinch Jones plugs to Molex plugs to prevent the constant cross connections and shorts created when the CJ plugs were connected wrong, a frequent occurrence. This had a fringe benefit, as a great many Molex plugs were used in the extra 4D modules and they are quite inexpensive compared to the CJ plugs.
13. In 2000, Rob Staples built a lift bridge module. This greatly improved mobility through the layout. It was revised in 2002 to eliminate the misalignments and reduce the number of joints.
14. Also in 2000, the HO module group spent the Christmas season at the Westin. The Westin donated about $1200 to the 4d and the daily operators received incentives such as lunch and a free deluxe room for two. This continued in 2001 and 2002 providing the financial backing for lots of improvements in the 4div HO modules. The Westin show opened at the same time as the PSC show, so in '01 and '02, more corners (eventually 4 more) were constructed to allow two shows and make more interesting shapes with one layout. Also since the Westin layout was against the escalator, 4 special modules a foot wide were constructed to provide a small yard and easy access to the tracks.
15. In 2001, Norm Curtis built a turntable into one corner and the wye sceniced with an engine service facility and a small town. The two modules were named "Kuranko Junction" in memoriam for Chuck, an active 4D member.
16. In 2002, DCC was installed. The system, NCE, was recommended by Bob Martin and Glenn Farley who were experience uses at the Swamp Creek and Western RR Club. This revolutionized our running, from two trains going in circles, to any number of trains going whereever they want. People no longer have to take turns. Many crossovers have been installed between the inner and outer loops.
17. In 2004, the group bought a 5' by 10' trailer to store and haul the 4d modules and gear in. The first use was in the National Train Show 2004. It has been a great relief to the people responsible for the 4d modules and gear.
18. In 2006, the onboard micro-cam camera was use for the first time at the PSC show in Feb. It was a tremendous hit!

Back to Prologue

Mission Statement

Promote participation, sharing, railroad history, and the NMRA/4 Div.
Entertain and inform people about the hobby.
Help charities, community organizations, and other railroad groups.