Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

December 2025 Op Session

I closed out the year hosting an operating session on the HO scale B&O Wheeling Freight Terminal. Crews worked hard to move the inbound freight to awaiting customers and pull the outbound cars.

3D printed ventilated box car

I bought a pair of HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio 36-foot, double-sheathed ventilated box cars a few months ago. These are 3D printed models available from Yuma Car & Foundry (YC&F) through 3D Central.

The Minster Branch – Update 3

Dave Campbell, at left, discussing projects with Ray Breyer and Earl Tuson at the 2025 RPM Naperville.

Dave Campbell returns with another update on his HO scale Minster branch of the Nickel Plate Road. Here he is with the details.

Construction of the Minster Branch has proceeded nicely and I’ve completed more during the hot weather than I expected.

October 2025 op session

The B&O Wheeling Freight Terminal came alive again with an October operating session. Crew positions were held by three local modelers and me. We all kept busy and I forgot to snap any photos.

2025 Mid-Atlantic RPM summary

Dave Bott presents on his Southern Railway freight car fleet.

I attended the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Modeler meet recently and had a great time. There were some great presentations and plenty of fine modeling on display.