Modeling inspiration can come from anywhere,.....even work!!!!

My plans to build an HO Scale 3025 have been set on hold for a bit. Mainly because I'm not sure where my it is!!!!

Recently I have moved into my first house with my beautiful fiancée and as we are still setting in to our new home model trains have taken a back burner....kinda. While most of my modeling projects and equipment are still in sealed boxes that doesn't mean I cant use my computer for 3D modeling.

A few years ago I started my own Shapeways store online and have been uploading some of my 3D models I made for fun or for my own projects for others to look at and buy. I was even asked by someone on there to redesign some cylinders for his HO scale 4-6-0 Steam engine. If anyone would like to take a look at my store please follow this link: Artist794's Workshop Shapeway Store

So what do I mean by inspiration comes from work? As I mentioned before I am a volunteer at the Essex Steam Train. What I haven't mentioned is that I also help out as part of their operation department and the track crew. My current job with the track crew is repainting the Valley's line-side items (Mile Markers, Whistle posts, etc.) I have been working my way up the line in my spare time focusing on the mile markers from the main hub Essex to the end of the line. Here is a example of a before and after:

So after painting my fifth mile post my mind started to think.....I can make scale models of this.

and that exactly I did. It took me an afternoon and some screaming as my cpu died as was saving the final model but here they are!!

I made them into a HO scale set of 10 for the store but I can print them one by one if need be. I don't have a layout to use them on but it was still fun to make. Hopefully someone will find these on my store and use them on their layout. They can easily be scale up to O and down to N scale if anyone requested them. This isn't the only model like this I plan on making so stay tuned to the blog and check the store for update in the future soon, but until then; See ya real soon!!

History of 3025 - "The Locomotive That Would Not Die" Part 4 - The Finale

Part-4 Reborn from FIRE

On October 11th and 12th of 2008 all motive power, rolling stock, and everything else once owned by the Knox and Kane Railroad were put up for auction. The railroads land was bought by the Kovalchick Corporation who removed all of the track and rails-to-trails path was built, Engine number 38 was purchased by the Everett Railroad of Holidayburg, PA, and the remaining rolling stock was bought up by other railroad operation. But what happened to Engine number 58? The last time we talked about it it was a burnt pile of metal and rust.

As the title of this story has implied this was not the end of the line for the poor old engine. Knox and Kane Engine 58 was bought by non other than the Valley Railroad Company. Under the guidance of then Chief Mechanical officer J. David Conrad, who was the one that started the process to build the original first USA SY locomotive, the Valley shop crew worked tirelessly thought the cold winter to ready thr engine for transport to her new home in Essex, CT.

EX KKRR 58 undergoing restoration in Valley Shops

Once in her new home the newly renamed Locomotive 3025, in remembrance of the New Haven Railroad's steam engines,  we rebuilt and restored over the course of 2-1/2 years. This is the parts where the Friends of the Valley come in. Like many things in at the railroad when there is work to get done the friends are there to lend a helping hand. The Friends worked together with the full time shop crews to bring this beautiful engine back to life. I wasn't apart of the Friends of this time but looking back I do remember seeing the progress during my many visits as a guest with Nana and Papa.

Dave Conrad supervising the reassembly of 3025's tires

Finally in November of 2011, after all the hard work and effort, Valley Railroad Engine 3025 rolled out of the shops under her own power. Ever since that day she has been a staple of the Valley's fleet and is an amazing engine to see in real life. 

3025 heading South over Essex Street, Deep River, CT

When I first started with the Friends I learned the history of the 3025 and being able to help keep her running has been like a boyhood dream.  This is why I think I choose to create a model of 3025. To me it was really the first engine that I got to say I helped work and one could say it was my "one little spark" of inspiration for me to get serious in model making. Now I have skipped a few details in this story and I encourage you to do some research on your own to fill in some of the gaps. Thats part of the fun in this hobby. Trying to find that one little article or story that might lead you to one more little piece and soon you will have the whole history.  I hope this little bit gives you a taste of the many reasons why I want to make a miniature of this engine; in addition there is nothing like seeing the real thing. I invite you to come down to the Valley and see 3025 in person. We are heading into one of the most magical times at the Valley where you will get to see all 3 of the Valley's Steamers in action during the North Pole Express.  I hope you have enjoyed reading this and until next time: Hope to see you on the Valley.