Eric Hansmann

2019 RPM Chicagoland summary

A Burlington 2-10-2 lugs a freight on the HO scale Midwest Mod-U-Trak layout in the RPM Chicagoland model display room.

I’m still catching up from the RPM Chicagoland prototype modeler event. I enjoyed meeting many modelers, renewing friendships, attending presentations, viewing a wide variety of models on display, and visiting a couple local layouts.

Time out!

I can’t believe it is almost mid-October. It seemed like August was just a week ago. The last several weeks have flown right by as several projects have kept me busy.

Gloss coat and RPMs

A couple models have inched forward in the finishing process. I recently painted and decaled a couple of box cars. I employ several steps to move a model from the undecorated state to one that is ready to weather. The B&O M-15b seen in this lead photo has a fresh gloss coat.

Housecleaning

Vachon, John, photographer. Yardman polishing light on railroad switch. Elkins, West Virginia, 1939, June. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/20177180 91/.

A couple blog features have been updated with new information. This happens periodically and it’s important to keep these resources up to date.

Detailing an Accurail Fowler boxcar

Manny Jacob sent along his techniques to upgrade the Accurail Fowler boxcar kit. Here’s Manny with the details.

I was excited when Accurail added a Fowler boxcar to their product lineup as this famous Canadian boxcar design can be quickly added to a freight car fleet at an affordable price. I purchased a couple kits to add to my fleet. One car was factory painted and lettered and the other was undecorated.