Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads
A hobby adventure
It was a special day recently on Perry Squier’s HO scale Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern layout. He had been holding regular op sessions using the 1923 calendar. The most recent session coincided with the October 8, 1923, operating date. A one hundred year celebration was held to commemorate the moment. The first train ran with bunting and banners!
Continue reading “Celebrating a moment”
I recently attended the 2022 Layout Design and Operations Weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I signed up to operate on three layouts and to present on Prototype Inspiration for Manageable Size Layouts. I had a blast!
Continue reading “Take me back to Tulsa”
Since moving to metro-Nashville several months ago, I’ve met many local model railroaders. Recently, I had a few email exchanges about weathering with a couple of modelers. Questions and answers went back and forth. After a few messages, I volunteered to lead an informal weathering demonstration.
As mentioned earlier, I participated in the RPM-East prototype modeler meet held in Greensburg, Pa at the end of March. It was another festive weekend of railroad history, ideas, models, and time shared with old and new friends. Nearly 500 models were on display and 37 presentations filled the schedule. About 165 attended this two day event. A couple of photo galleries are available for viewing. These offer a decent review of the models on display at the meet.
The New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype Modeler meet is up next on the calendar. This will be held in Colllinsville, CT on May 29 & 30. Make you plans to attend and soak in some good ideas.
What’s next?
That’s always a good question for me. In addition to the time at the prototype meet, I visited many of my family members in the metro-Pittsburgh region. I arrived back in far west Texas in time to be hit by spring allergies that are now loosening their grip. I need to survey a few hobby projects and dust off a couple of drafts for the blog to keep this fresh. There are always a few more ideas to share. Stay tuned!
– Eric
Regular readers know my rail interests are focused on a point almost one hundred years ago, but the other day I witnessed a ceremony opening a modern rail facility. I drove about ten miles west of El Paso to the far western edge of Santa Teresa, New Mexico on May 28th. What was once a bare spot in the desert is now the $400 million dollar Santa Teresa Intermodal Ramp rail facility. Click on any image here to review a large size.
Continue reading “UP opens the Santa Teresa Intermodal Ramp”