Update on NH Deluxe Coaches, Smokers and Combine Coaches and the Workshop.

 Hello Everyone,

This is the first update on the first collaboration between Randy, Myself and John Green of Bethlehem Car Works.

See my previous post as well as Randy's for background on the project. The 3D modeling has been completed since the New England/Northeast Prototype Modelers Meet and sent out for production tests. This is very exciting because it really make this real. Something that I have created on my own laptop is going to be a part of a serious model railroading company. 

With hope the models will be completed in time for the NHRHTA Reunion/ train show on September 10th. Sadly I will be missing this because of a prior event. but for those interested in attending, one of the best parts of this show is that its located inside the River Valley Junction Building at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat in Essex, CT.  So please come down to see the models and help support our hard work as well as take a ride along the Beautiful CT river valley.


The other news I have is regarding the workshop itself..... IT HAS BEEN UPDATED!!

First off, I added more power outlets in key locations. (This was an adventure to pull a permit, install on my own and pass inspections.) Thankfully all is passed and I wasn't shocked too bad!!! (Kidding)

Regardless this allows me to have dedicated electrical circuits for the modeling CPU, my paint booth, and most importantly the 3D printer station.

That's right, your eyes are not fooling you!! There are a few more toys to play with here. Pictured above from right to left to right is as follows:

Top Shelf: Anycubic Photon S ( Original Printer), Anycubic Wash and Cure Station Plus, Anycubic M3 Max.

Bottom Shelf: Homemade UV curing Chamber, Dremel 3D20 PLA Printer, various cleaning and printing supplies.

Stuff on the bottom shelf are nothing new. These were some of my first printers, support equipment and supplies. The top shelf is were the fun is. Starting with the most impressive item, the M3 Max. Thanks once again to Randy We were able to order this printer for future modeling projects. (stay tuned for more!)  But the new printer is amazing! it has a corner to corner measurement of 13.5 inches. Meaning that we will eventually fit a full HO scale Pullman car in one piece. Lets the imagination run wild!!

Which brings us to the Wash and Cure Plus. This is filled with a cleaning solution that will clean off printed parts in minutes. Once parts are clean the interior bucket can be removed and built in UV lights will cure the parts. It will greatly help the post printing process. 

I have a few test prints in mind and I cant wait to test the limits of the new machines!!  Post more soon but till next time see you all real soon!

Post NERPM Meet Report & Major Project Announcement!!

 

Finally getting a chance to sit down and write down my thoughts on my first ever NERPM meet. That combined with a minor surgery the following day the last few days have seemed like a whirlwind. Good news all is that I am on the road to recovering and some time off work lets me fully gather my thoughts on this experience and also finally elaborate on a major project I am apart of. But first let’s talk about the preparing for the show itself.

 

I spent the week before working late into the night to try to complete as many projects as I could or at least to a point where I was happy to present them. Some of you may have seen on my Facebook group that I had another minor injury towards the end of the week. Once again please be very careful when using superglue (CA) with the accelerator. Part of the skin was thorn off when trying to properly clean the glue off and it really caused some damage. Because of this I was lost two days of work hauling most of the projects I wanted to work on. Meaning that I was not able to finish 3025’s replacement parts nor getting all of 0901’s paint work complete.  The other minor setback came in the way of my Anycubic Photon S’s LCD screen cracking. This put the printer out of action and made me have to make due with parts I had already created. Not the end of the world but combined with the finger injury was a soar note on the whole process. Thankfully my finger is healing and a new LCD screen arrived in the mail today, so both issues will soon be in the past.

I set out for the show Friday Morning and arrived around 7:45 am to check in and start setting up my models.

My Section of Display Table. Chris Adams to my Right

In addition to 3025,0901, FVRR PRR Caboose, and Strasburg Thomas; I also decided at the last minute to bring my older Walt Disney World Railroad Models in a way to show my progression as a modeler. These WDW models were some of the first I made in my college dorm room no less which meant I had very limited tools and supplies. Looking back at them I’m a little embarrassed by their overall craftsmanship but they will soon have their time to reenter the workshop for their overhauls. Still, they did manage to get some positive reaction from some of the meet attendees which make me feel good. I also had painted example of my VRR/NH Mile Markers and W, A & R post. Additionally, as a last-minute decision I brought up some older failed test prints of the L&NE wooden gondola and HT&W snowplow. In my mind these was a good collection of my work and by far was the most colorful and whimsical collection at the show.

                The show was held at a La Quinta Hotel in Springfield, MA just north of the Springfield Train Station and I booked a night to make sure I didn’t miss anything. 

Obligatory Railfan Picture of the Station 

Good thing I did as Fridays event didn’t end till past 10:30 pm. The hotel’s convention/ballroom space was located on the top (12th) floor which was a little weird seeing as most hotels have this on the first floors. From what I was able to gather there was some sort of round spinning restaurant that once used this space in the late 1970s but I’m not exactly sure. Regardless the room was spacious for many models display tables, vender booths raffle tables and white elephant tables.

Lou's Model OF LIRR No. 400, Once VRR 0800 and now at the CERM.

 

HO scale Rail Ferry

Railroad and modeling clinics were held almost every hour being held in conference rooms on the 2nd and 11th floor. Again, this was a bit problematic at times because of only 2 of the 4 elevators working. And actually, was the cause of me missing a part if not all of talks. The ones I was able to attend were very informative and inspired me to continue working on my models. The hotel room itself was also a bit dated but was at least comfortable and the included breakfast buffet was great. Overall, I’d give the venue a solid 6.5/10. Not the worst hotel ever but could use some updating and the entire elevator situation was annoying but manageable. Also seeing as this is my first event, I really have nothing better or worse to compare to.

Overview of the Room

Overview of the Room.

                Next up, another major reason I attended the event and I’m happy to finally be able to officially announce a major project I have been working on over the last few months!! During this time, myself and Randy Hammill, have been working together along with John Green of Bethlehem Car Works to create and produce kits of some New Haven Deluxe coach, smoker, and Combine cars. These kits, when produced will be made of resin sides that fit on existing Branchline coach cores. The side will be cast from 3D printed masters that I have created with help of Randy’s in-depth research. I am very excited to be apart of this team and use my skills to help create these products!! The NERPM was our first official announcement of the project and included 3d printed test prints on display along with reference photos and drawings. And now since the cat is out of the bag Randy and I will be making more regular post on our respective blogs about the progress of these models.  The hope and goal are to have some kits ready for the New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association’s model train show/ reunion later this September. And if this first batch of cars is successful, we are already looking to continue this project with additional cars based on some of the NH’s Pullman Parlor cars. Its all very exciting and I’m so happy to finally be able to share this with you all. I hope you find this as exciting as we do!!

 

Examples of the Combine and Deluxe Coach Cars

Finally, I wanted to share with you all the “haul” of items I picked up at the show. I bought 2 things and the rest I got very lucky with the two days of Raffles.

The show Haul and example of new Business Cards

From right to left there is a Bethlehem Car Works NH Heavyweight Diner Car, Ether the Dreadnought or John Bertram the cars found of the Yankee Clipper. A Lasor cut Station Kit of Southampton Station, Which I won Friday night in the Raffle by being the only one to put a ticket in the bag. A Scale Trains beverage holder, Free. Two packs of Micro Trains N scale US army Humvees, again won by being the only one to bid on them. A Walther’s Trainline Eire-Lackawanna SW8 Switcher, which was one of the craziest wins as I only entered one ticket in and won!!  There were a few items I missed out on which was slightly disappointing but Ill take what I got and for only spending $25 on tickets I think I made out fine.

 Last but certainly not least, in my opinion, the best items I got at the show was a HO scale laser cut wooden model of Essex Station!! It was the first thing I found on the White Elephant tables and held onto it until it was open for business!!  Sadly, I don’t believe it is a full kit but It’s still a win in my mind as I can use the parts I do have to as a base to create other replacement parts. And having the kit in hand is already giving me ideas on building a small diorama of Essex Station to place 3025 and 0901 in front of.

And that’s about it for my report. Overall, I had a great time with the show and am looking forward to more in the future. Thank you to all of the friends that encouraged me to attend the show and for making the show itself very enjoyable. (Chris, Bill, Randy, Kaylee, Lou just to name a few) I hope you also enjoyed my recap and are looking forward to the next adventure here at the workshop. Till then see you real soon.

 

 

 

 

2022 NERPM Initial Fears and Preparations

We are a little less than 3 weeks away from the 2022 New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers meet and after some serious debating I have decided to sign up to attend. 

As stated many times before here, I personally don't consider myself a "Prototype modeler" compared to others. I am more of the mind set of If I'm happy with the result, then I'm not going to worry too much what others think. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that its reassuring that others find my work interesting and detailed as well. Some can call this ego boosting, but to me it means that the level of detail I hold my models to is at least on a slightly higher level then I originally my have thought. Which brings up the reason why I was in such a debate with myself about attending and showcasing some of my models. 

The fear of being overshadowed or worse, being belittled for a lack or detail was daunting. Now I know that this would not be the case but still weather it was fear of being subpar or looking like a novice among other modelers was a real concern. 

What really helped push me to eventually sign up was mainly the support from a few friends during a few model railroad operating sessions.  The comments and encouraging words really helped calm my nerves and helped me build more confidence in my abilities as a modeler. Plus, Its ok for different people to have opinions on what we consider to be "good" or, heck, even what is considered "prototype modeling" in this hobby. But enough about past fears lets move onto more exciting topics; What will I be brining to the show!?!?!

Now its no secret that I have been posting very little in means of both the Blog and FB page. This is unfortunately due partially because of some medical things combines with daily life tasks that always seem to get in the way of playing with trains. However, when I have gotten some free time to model it has been mainly focused on some very exciting 3D modeling/printing projects. Some items I cant go into great detail yet, but can very soon!!!(You might even get a sneak peak if you happen to find me at the show …..hint....hint😁)

But while I wait for some of those items to print (averaging 6+ hour per part), I have been brainstorming what Id like to display at the show. One of the first items on my list was my model of VRR 3025. Almost becoming my poster model on the blog, it was a easy choice. The issue was that it has encountered some issues during the past few months. Nothing mechanical, but the cab and tender have had some parts break off and with the nature of the 3D printer parts it was better to reprint them and start fresh then attempt to repair any damage.  

The next item was VRR 0901. My second "masterpiece" has been sitting on the workbench for over a year in primer, waiting for me to hit it with a few coats of NH warm orange and Hunter Green. Still not sure if I will have it fully painted before the show but rest assured it will be on display. 

Next items on the list were actually featured in last weeks "Wordless Wednesday". Attached to the blue painters tape are a set of my NH/VRR trackside posts. They have been seen in their painted form on friends layouts in he past but I personally never made a set my own. So these, the Mile Markers and 1920s era R.R. Crossing Signs will be on display.  To the right is something I'm not 100% sold on but still may bring it for fun. These are the original 4 person railbikes found at the VRR. These were made quickly last summer after a weekend full of operating the 1:1 scale counterparts. They don't roll well so they may become a stationary piece used for display and not be operational as originally designed.

Finally the last major item in last weeks post is my first model of a HO scale tank engine and knowing my past it oh course had to be a certain blue tank engine. So why am I bringing this model, especially to a show designed around showcasing models of "Real" railroad equipment. Simple this model is based on a actual prototype, former Brooklyn East District Terminal #15, more commonly known today as Strasburg's live steam replica of Thomas. 

    I haven't talked about this model in great detail yet; but for some background, it will be riding on a Bachmann 0-6-0 saddle tank switcher body. I swear its almost, if not, the same basis as the original #15 locomotive. Thomas and the trackside items are currently in the spray booth waiting for me to finish mixing the paint but this wraps up the core items I'm planning on bringing to the show. I may add more depending on how much free time I have.....which will be hard because Thomas and Percy will be visiting Essex for the next 2 weekends. Which means I'll be down at the Valley more often. 

Regardless I'll end this post with a few questions to you, the reader. Is there anything else I should bring? (finished or in progress) 

Is there anything from my past posts or Shapeways store you would like to see in person?  Let me know and I might be able to get some ready in time!! If I don't follow up before then, I hope to see some of you at the show and look on FB for more update photos as we get closer to the event.

Monday Modeling Update - Slight Buyers Remorse - March 14th, 2022

 Over the last few months there has been a lot going on in and out of the workshop. There have been some field trips to fellow model railroaders, Bob Murphy, Chris Adams and Bill Schneider home layouts for some amazing operating sessions. Some 3D modeling projects, some of which were seen on my Facebook page, some not shown yet!

However by far the most time consuming task taking most of my time recently is the result of a very impulsive eBay win. 


The listing was for 6 HO scale locomotives, 4 of them Bachmann Spectrum models. Now say what you will about Bachmann Engines. I have always been a fan of the company since first starting in the hobby. To me they were a very good middle of the road manufacture that had very decent steam locomotives for under $300 dollars.  Making them the perfect gateway locomotives for me into DCC and kit bashing. 

I won the bit for around $200 at the end of the day which was a bargain in my eyes. Especially since the 4 Bachmann engines would be roughly $700-$800 new. Now I knew the seller stated that the models were in need of repair and most if not all of the decoders were removed. Not the end of the world since 2 of the engines might be cannibalized for future projects. 

However when they arrived it became clear that the locos were in much rougher condition. Not only were the decoders removed but most to all of the wiring was as well. Plugs were missing and/or destroyed.  So started my journey of taking each one completely apart and basically rewiring all back to DC operations. Oh did I mention that all of the headlights were burnt out LEDs..........................