Monthly Archives: April 2025

TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet – April 2025

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I attended the TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet (aka York) yesterday. York is growing on me. This time around, I went on a Thursday instead of the Friday as I had in the past. About the only thing different for me was that the halls were only open half the day.

Does York, a mostly 3-rail show hold much interest for a Proto48’er? I wasn’t looking for Proto48 in the show, so I wasn’t disappointed. I was looking for some 3-rail models that could be the beginning of a Proto48 model.

The lead image on this post was the most surprising thing I saw at the show. PRR Builders plates for an ALCo RS-3, a Baldwin S12, a Baldwin DS 4-4-1000, a L1s and an M1. The prices were not that high. I tested my brother an image of them and his reply was, “How many did I bring home?” Since none of the plates were for Reading locomotives, I didn’t bring any home with me.

Above was a USH PRR I1sa on the table. On another table there was a nice combination of brass and kit-built Milwaukee passenger cars. Not seen in the image was a steam locomotive I a green box to go with the cars. They were very nice but not the thing for a Reading modeler.

I was impressed with how the 3-rail models have been improving over recent years. This PC GG1 with the relocated air intakes looked very nice.

This MTH ALCo-GE-IR Box Cab also looked nice. I remember this model coming out but I really never got the chance to see one up close. I saw a couple of versions of this model in the show.

The METCA had a few of their custom run models on a table. One was a Lionel ALCo S-2 for the LV in the red with black stripes scheme. They also had a pair of tank cars that drew my attention.

Lastly, for the Reading modeler, there were a number of examples of the MTH FM Trainmasters at the show. I’m not looking to add to the project list by trying to convert one of these. But they are a nice looking model.

Strasburg O Scale Show – April 2025

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The Strasburg O Scale Show was held yesterday, the show was a good one. There was very good attendance by both table holders and the show attendees. I didn’t get much time to walk through the show myself, my tables kept me busy during the day.

I did see some models of interest for the Reading modeler. The Reading LOD below was kitbashed from what looked like a Weaver PS-2. While not having any rivets it was nicely done and had the feel of the car.

There was also some modern Reading in Green and Yellow across the isle from our table. Also found in the room were a set of the Weaver Crusader cars and a set of the SGL Reading passenger cars in the engine room.

There were plenty of fine looking models at the show. Lots of brass, lots of plastic, and tons of kits.

This was a very good sign. Three modelers talking towards the end of the show. Every one of them carrying their purchases for the day.

Jim Musser brought some of his models to the show me and to discuss them. It was great to see them in person. Below Jim (on the right) is discussing with Chris Crane a 3D Print of a Long Island boxcab. This started as an N Scale file, Jim resized the file and this was just a test print to see how the detail would hold up being upsized.

Jim also brought a few other models that he scratchbuilt. This little switcher is battery powered, with sound and is just a fantastic model. He turned the locomotive on, set it down on the table and it sat there idling while we spoke.

Behind the locomotive in the above image were a pair of scratchbuilt PRR Ore Jennies painted up PC. These were scratchbuilt from laser-cut acrylic sheets.

You have to love the size difference between the G39 on the left and the G38 on the right.

The G38 was the first class of Ore Jennies on the PRR, they were shorter and had the steam ports on the side. This was a fine looking model.

One last model was also scratchbuilt from laser-cut acrylic sheets. The EL Caboose of a former Erie prototype.

On our tables, in addition to my own models, I was selling some cars from John Dunn’s collection. At the end of the show I was talking with John Dunn, Jr. about the show. He mentioned that he was hoping to have sold a set of PRR Maintenance of Way Cars. He had them in the boxes at his table and said that weren’t getting much interest. I told him to bring them over and we would unbox them and put them on the table.

They were built by Al Small from resin castings. We had seven cars, six were PRR XL cars and one X23. They only lasted on the table for 10 minutes.

As I mentioned in the beginning, it was a good show. It was well attended. I sold a ton of stuff off the table for both John Dunn’s family and myself. I managed to come home with some new-to-me models. More importantly, I had a great time talking with different folks, sharing conversations about modeling and what was happening in their lives since I last saw them.