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The Minster Branch – Update 2

Dave Campbell has shared another update on his new layout project, the Minster branch of the Nickel Plate Road. Here he is with the details.

Construction of the 2 x 4 foot modules described last time has proceeded smoothly and the reuse of materials from the previous layout is working well. The lead image shows one of the modules under construction.

The Minster Branch – Update 1

Fellow Pre-Depression Era modeler and long time friend Dave Campbell shared an update on his new layout. The lead image was a selfie I snapped on a 2017 visit to his multi-level HO scale layout, which is now gone. Here’s Dave with his new layout story.

With the decision made to tear down my old, multi-level, four-times-around-the-room HO scale layout, and at the 70% demolition point, I decided it’s time to start developing the new layout plan. There’s nothing like waiting until the old layout is nearly gone to light the creative fire for the next project.

3D printing a structure

I’ve met several people modeling the 1920s. Dr. Dave Campbell has focused on part of the Toledo & Ohio Central in western Ohio. He shared this update on a recent structure project.

My real-world modeling skills have always been somewhat limited and have not improved in my advancing years. At the same time, my virtual modeling has become a strength.

Missouri Pacific boxcar fleet

Steven Hedlund shared an interesting review of the Missouri Pacific boxcar fleet. His profile includes subsidiary Lines and historical notes on how the company grew. The MP was a major bridge route between western states and rail connections at St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.

Missouri Pacific boxcars pop up in many pre-1930 images. Steve reviews several car designs and lettering changes through the first decades of the 20th Century. His Missouri Pacific PDF can be reviewed in the Freight Car Fleets resource section of the blog.

In other Missouri Pacific news, a new book is coming soon from the MP Railroad Historical Society. Charlie Duckworth has curated selected photographs from the Society archives for a 160 page book. Additional details can be reviewed on the Society Store.

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Chicago & Alton freight cars

Ray Breyer has authored a mid-Twenties railroad freight car fleet profile on the Chicago & Alton. The line was a busy connector between the Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis railroad hubs. Many are aware of the C&A passenger varnish, but the freight car fleet was also important.

As the C&A was once owned by the Harriman syndicate, several of the car designs are related to other Harriman roads (SP, IC, UP). Ray’s Chicago & Alton PDF can be reviewed in the Freight Car Fleets resource section.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Share a comment in the section below. Follow the instructions so your comment can be posted. All comments are reviewed and approved before they appear. Please share the blog link with other model railroaders. To subscribe to this blog, add your email address to the function at the bottom of the right column on the main page.