Hobby News – Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

New freight car book

I was alerted recently to a new publication focused on a legendary freight car builder. “Canadian Car & Foundry, Freight Cars 1900-1960” by John Riddell. This is a 200 page soft cover book published by the Bytown Railway Society summarizing the company.

3D printed freight cars

Zenith Model Works PRR X24 automobile box car

A number of small companies and consortiums have been producing 3D printed freight cars over the last several years. Many of the models have reflected post-WW2 prototypes but that has started to change.

Upcoming RPM events

Bob Cronin’s model display at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic RPM.

In case you haven’t checked the RPM Calendar lately, you might be surprised to see eleven railroad prototype modeler (RPM) events before teh end of 2025.

ELEVEN!!!

Special runs – L&N ventilated box car

As I’m focused on modeling the Twenties, I keep an eye open for special run models that may fit my time frame. The recent Norfolk & Western box car produced for the N&WHS is an example. Sometimes an email arrives with a prototype question as a project comes together.

RPM season!

I think many of us are ready to shake off the winter weather. I hope you have been keeping busy pushing projects forward on your workbench and layout. Railroad Prototype Modeler (RPM) season is just around the corner!