One of the best things about the Chicago show is just seeing so many nice models at the show. Here are some of them, not in any order just a ramdom sampling.
Next up are some images form the modeling contest. I know why they don’t list the names of the modelers but I really do wish they would. I’m less concerned with the contest as I am with the modelers who built the models. I would be nice to know.
The Proto48 Meeting
Paul Hanson hosted the meeting to a packed house.
Norm Buckhart was the first speaker. He spoke about his current release of 50 foot boxcars. Norm also spoke about his upcoming run of tank cars which are due in late 2022 or early 2023. This run will consists of multiple varieties of cars, most never having been produce in O Scale before.
Norm also spoke of the next run after the tank cars, round roof box cars. The box cars will be imported in late 2023 or early 2024. The round roof box car run will consist of multiple variations of the PRR class X31 of 40 foot boxcars and the PRR 50 foot boxcars in the X32 and X33 classes. In addition will be two classes of 40 foot cars for the Seaboard. I’m really looking forward to the Seaboard cars.
Next to speak were Ross Dando of Twin City Cars (on left) and Jon Cagle of Southern Car & Foundry (on right).
Ross was up first and spoke of his new offerings including a new double etched spike. That brought about some crowd participation and interaction. Ross also mentioned the development of his next release for Twin City Cars, a steel USRA rebuilt car from a USRA double sheathed boxcar. Gene Deimiling wrote about that is his recent blog post. I’m looking forward to that car.
Jon Cagle spoke about his new kit of the Howe Truss boxcar. The new composite side model is similar to the previous release of the steel sided Howe Truss Sand Springs box car. The difference is this is this car is accurate for three or four railroads instead of one shortline railroad with a total of four cars on the roster. Four cars total in 1952 when the were over 800,000 boxcars on the rails, what is the likelihood of one of them going past you trackside?
Jon also mentioned that his tank car kit are back into development. He had samples in the past at shows that looked great and well beyond anything that had been done before. They never became completed kit masters, but it sounds like they will later this year.
As Jon spoke you could hear his passion for what can be done with resin casting. And he also spoke about what others have recently released with resin. How some manufactures need to do more work with their masters BEFORE committing to making molds and casting resin. Without naming names, all that are facing having to sand 3D stepping out of roofs knew exactly what he was talking about.
After the presentations from the three manufactures, Paul Hanson showed off a modern MTH locomotive that had been converted to Proto48. This sparked some discussion about the difference between Finescale modeling and Proto48 modeling.
I have always believed that equating Finescale and Proto48 does more to exclude potential new Proto48 modelers from trying out Proto48. Below is the text of a post I made about the subject in the past on the OGR Board which pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject.
“Proto48 is about correcting the gauge of the rails and running with fine wheel widths and treads. There is nothing in the Proto48 standards about truck widths and there are absolutely no “requirements” beyond the gauge and wheel standards.
Just because some Proto48 modelers build finescale models, doesn’t mean that every Proto48 modeler has to build to that level. And I would point out that there are a lot of O Scale modelers who build models to finescale levels also. A Proto48 model does not have to be a finescale model and a finescale model does not have to be Proto48.“
The O Scale Kings Meeting
David Vaughn hosted the O Scale Kings meeting. He discussed the current efforts of the group. They working on operating name change to O Scale Central. Acknowledging that some have had issues with the name of the group over the years.
There was discussion of developing new O Scale module standards which would also be inclusive of past modules built to NMRA or Free-Mo standards.
It was also suggested during the meeting that O Scale is positioned to take the lead on developing standards for DeadRail or Power On Board. It was noted that members of the O Scale Kings were working with representatives from the NMRA to help guide that discussion.
While the crowd was thinner than the Proto48 meeting which was held in the same room. I think that was because it was not the Business meeting of the O Scale Kings which was held the next day. I was not able to attend the business meeting.
Just returned from the 2022 Chicago O Scale Show. I always think this show can’t get any better and it always does. Another great show!
There were some new models from various manufacturers at this show, as well as a host of used models. Here are some of the new models I saw at the show.
Atlas O Scale
Bob Lavezzi had a display model of a new release for Atlas O Scale. It’s an 89′ Auto Rack. While too late for my modeling period of 1952, it is a fine looking model and great to see Atlas O releasing a fine looking new model in O Scale.
Southern Car & Foundry
Jon Cagle from Southern Car & Foundry has released a new model of an ARA Standard Car with a Howe Truss. This model is similar to their previous release of the Sand Springs car but this is the composite version of that car. Jim Zwernemann did a wonderful job on the master work on this car. SC&F sold out of the kits he brought of this car on Saturday.
In addition SC&F had additional models of the previously released 1932 ARA Standard Boxcars available at the show.
Rails Unlimited
Ted Schnepf had a new release of a UP 50 foot composite boxcar.
Twin Star Cars
Ross Dando had the last two kits for his beautiful Rock Island flat car for sale at the show. He did say that that kit would not be re-run in the future, So I hope those that wanted one bought one while it was available.
Ross has also picked up Bill Yancey’s line called Modern Era O Scale resin kits. Ross had details and new kits in the lane. The modern era O Scalers I’m sure are very happy to see that line continue.
Steve Grabowski
Steve had a sample of his PRR 2D-F8 truck at the show. He will be producing a limited run of plastic kits of this very common PRR truck in both Proto48 and O Scale. But you have to pre-order the trucks as the kits are going to be produced based on the orders and will not be a stocked item.
Today was the Strasburg O Scale Show. The show was well attended. Besides the regular crowd, were even a pair of modelers up from Texas who stopped by and spoke with me at our table.
The show was well attended, there were a couple of dealers that did not show. Leaving the appearence open tables. I heard different whispers about health concerns for some of those individuals. I only hope that all are ok.
Rich Yoder did the honors of auctioning off the Nighthawks Cafe model. The model was built from a kit offered by Wit and Wisdom Models, Dave Vaughn’s company and built by Martin Brechbiel.
The proceeds benefit the Strasburg Fire Company where the show is hosted. We should all remember that they have had a rough year with the pandemic canceling the different shows and events that they normally host throughout the year.
This was a great opportunity to buy a very nice model and help a great organization.
There was a lot of buying going on during the show. I was glad to have sold the last of my Red Caboose GP9’s. They are wonderful models but were not built yet for my modeling period. I’m happy to say that all have found new homes.
For the Reading modeler, there were a few models in the show. I did see an Overland T-1 and an SGL G3 on the tables. I even saw a Reading Camelback painted as an LNE switcher go home with one of the guys from our group.
Paul Yanosik brought some new models to share with me. He is in the process of upgrading some of the details on his first CNJ Baldwin builds. He also brought along some photos from their construction. And he shared with me a cab which was in the process of being converted from an EMD F7 into a Baldwin cab. Thank you Paul.
The Strasburg O Scale Train Show was today. In past years, the August show was often the lightest attended of the three shows that John Dunn and Rich Yoder host each year. Not so this year. It was well attended and buying and selling was at a good pace throughout the show.
They had on display a model that will be auctioned off at the next Strasburg Show, on October 16th 2021. The proceeds will benefit the Strasburg Fire Company where the show is hosted. We should all remember that they have had a rough year with the pandemic canceling the different shows and events that they normally host throughout the year.
This will be a great opportunity to buy a very nice model and help a great organization. The model is built from a kit offered by Wit and Wisdom Models, Dave Vaughn’s company and built by Martin Brechbiel.
On the model front, there were a number of Reading models on the tables, I saw two Weaver Crusader sets with the locomotive on different tables. I also saw the SGL G-3 Pacific and set of five cars. Another dealer had the two car add-on set on their table, while a different vendor had the “Wall Street” add-on car.
As usual I shared a table with my friend Michael Rahilly. Here is a photo of Michael and his daughter Lauren.
One of the things I often hear at train shows is that people attend them now more to catch up with old friends then to buy a bunch of trains. I heard this from more than one attendee today. I was glad to have some time to catch up with a few of the guys that were in the local club back during my time there.
Michael MacEwan, who didn’t have a table at this show, but was hanging out at our table with Michael. As always the conversation always circled back to talking about PRR B6sb’s.
Another former club member was Dave Richter sitting at the end of his tables.
Here at the end of the show was Dave Vaughn talking with Rick Trinkle who was in from Colorado.
One last old fried was also on two different tables at the show. This was a book my brother and I put out back in the late 1980’s. It was a reprint of a Reading Company photo book on the Reading and CNJ 55 Ton Welded Steel hopper Cars.
Glad to talk about an O Scale Train Show again!
Yesterday was the Strasburg O Scale Train Show. I have to say first that it just felt good to attend a show again after this past year. Masks were worn, and the crowds came. It was a very good show.
We did have some new vendors attend the show. The new owners of the All-Nation Line had a number of tables at the show. They were displaying parts from the old line and new parts that were 3d printed. This is very promising that they are not just selling from the old line, they are bringing it into the modern day and making it grow. Lots of stuff to look at.
Todd Architectural Models & Layouts was also there with a wonderful series of laser cut buildings and window parts. It was great to see a new vendor at the show, but I have to admit my mind was not thinking about buildings.
Paul Yanosik brought some new models to share with me. He had a nice DL&W cabin, a pair LNE FA-1’s and a pair of LV ALCo’s. Sorry the only image I made of the LNE FA-1’s were of the models upside down.
Afterwards we went out to his car where he also showed my his second pair of the CNJ Baldwin Babyfaced Freighters. these were built using the noses from the old Locomotive Workshop Kit for the CNJ double ender.
Funny how these locomotives attract CNJ fans. As we were talking, a CNJ modeler came up with a friend of his. He admired Paul’s models and when we started talking about the LW kits. He mentioned that he had built three of the kits in the past. More importantly, he mentioned that he still had one of the kits unbuilt. Talks are underway to see if that kit can find a new home.
The Cleveland O Scale Show was held on November 2, 2019. I took a couple of extra days off from work this year so that I could makes some stops and explore a couple of towns both before and after the show. So you know that meant it was cold, windy and rainy on those days. It even snowed the morning of the show.
I did manage to go to the train show. It was the second year in their new location. I wasn’t able to attend in 2018, so this was a new experience for me.
It is a large room. I think there were over 100 tables in the room. Not all the tables were filled but there was plenty to see and buy. There was also plenty of room to talk to people.
There wasn’t much at the show that was screaming to go home with me. One brass freight car and some parts. That had more to do with me not wanting to bring home more projects than the lack of things of interest. My project list is too long already just like so many other modelers.
I was shown this thing at the show……
It’s just a tool… A tool used to machine my Overland T-1 drivers to Proto48. Carl Jackson, who’s doing the conversion work for me brought this with him to the show to show it to me. It is a multi-purpose tool, used to do many different steps in machining the drivers. I just thought it was so cool. I understood about half of what Carl explained.
The real good news, Carl thinks he’ll have my T-1 ready to deliver at the Chicago show in March. I can’t wait!
I did see blue sky and a little brief sunshine on my drive home. I stopped in Buffalo on the Sunday and had the chance to visit the grain elevators. It was nice to finally see them. I even got to explore a little with the 5×7 camera before it snowed again.
The Fall Strasburg show was today. It was a good too see everybody. Lots of stuff in the show.
Bob Heil was showing B&O passenger cars to try to drum-up some interest in Golden Gate’s newly announced Capitol Limited cars. The display models were built up from kits and not the production cars. They only way to order the observation car is as part of an eight car set. The problem for me (thinking about the B&O running to Jersey City) is the eight car set includes the dome car, which did not run into NY. And I’m not sure about the two unit diner cars either. That would make three of the eight cars in the set not running over the Reading rails from Philadelphia to Jersey City.
Rich Yoder had one of his LV cement gondolas at the show. They aren’t cheap, but they do look neat.
My friend Michael Rahilly was at his usual table selling Intermountain wheelsets, Kadee couplers and a host of other things on his table with the help of his daughter.
John Dunn and Rich Yoder put on another nice show. Lots of modeling stuff finding new homes and good conversations all around.
Today was the Spring Strasburg O Scale Show. Rich Yoder and John Dunn put on another fine show.
Most of my purchases were made prior to the show and I just picking them up at the show. The one big find was two pair of RYM Proto48 PRR trucks for $25 each.
There was a far amount of nice models for the Reading Modeler. I saw a Weaver Crusader locomotives and one set of cars. There was a Weaver G1 on a table. And I saw a pair of Reading T-1’s on different tables. One was an Overland import and the other was an assembled Wolfer model.
Lots of other things to look at also and some very good prices. It was a nice show and I had many great conversations with different modelers throughout the show.
Jim Mucka was holding some track with too many rails on it.
Attalee Taylor seemed to have recovered from his encounter with the pickle car in Chicago.
It was good to see Michael Rahilly (yellow shirt) at his regular table at the show.
Just returned from the 2019 Chicago O Scale Show. Another great show!
There were some new models from new manufacturers at this show, as well as a host of used models and those from estate sales. I always think this show can’t get any better and it always does.
Let me start with a couple of new manufacturers. Bill Yancey has a new line called Modern Era O Scale. He is offering limited run kits of FMC boxcars in four versions. he also has decals available for the cars.
Next up is Ross Dando, his new business called Twin Star Models. His first offering is a resin kit of a Rock Island rebuilt 53′ flat car. The flat car is among the very best in fine pattern making. Gene Deimling wrote about the steps taken to develop the patterns for this car in his post “MODELING: Applying Technology to Model Making”
The castings for the kit were done by Jon Cagle, he is one of the best casters there is. Good to hear that Jon is still involved in kit making. Maybe he’ll release something new in his own company, Southern Car & Foundry.
Altoona Model Works had a brewery series of models on display at the show. I really liked the size of the buildings. Freight cars should appear small next to large industries.
There was a Key B&O rebuilt EA on a table. I had to fight the urge to take this home. That would have clearly moved my focus to the Reading going through New Jersey. Still not sure I want to make that jump.
There were some great prices on brass freight car models including this PSC B&O W-2 hopper car with a price tag of $75 on it. Strange thing was it was still on a table late into Saturday. I didn’t check on it on Sunday.
You never know what might turn up on a table at Chicago. How about a box full of PRR H25 car sides from an American Standard kit they had advertised but never released.
This year I drove out with John Dunn. I had a great time and really enjoyed our time on the ride. After walking around the show on Saturday, John mentioned that he had found everything he was looking for at the show except an Overland Ferdinand Magellan observation car. Turns out, there was one on the table directly behind our table. Here he is taking a look at it.
Attalee Taylor was having a reaction to a certain pickle car. He just couldn’t put it down.
I did get out to visit a couple of the layouts that were on the tour. I’ll post more on the layouts soon.