Twas the night before Train Show....

Here we are on the eve of the annual Amherst Model Railroad Show. Every year around this time this group sets up one of if not the largest model train shows in New England. Located at the Eastern States Exposition, or "The Big E" as its nicknamed, this show fulls 4 giant exposition halls crammed pack with Model train Vendors , manufacturers, layouts, trains and much more. These weekend event is pack every year and somehow keeps growing every year. 

They provide a list of vendors as well as a map showing all of there location on their website. Normally I print them both out and take different color highlighters to mark which stalls I want to visit and even try to categorize them.  Here is a picture of this years map and my work.

My 11 x 17 Printed Map

The 2020 8 page list of Vendors

This year Blue indicates a Manufacturers booth, Green a Railroad Historical Society, Orange a layout, yellow a tourist railroad, and pink a store or vendor that I have visited in the past that had great deals. As you can see there is a lot to see in only a day.

This year I'm not looking for any model in-particular, but rather information and connections.  There is another project that I have been working on with some other members of the FVRR to find the history of the VRR rolling stock and engines. I will go into more details about that a little later but I saw this show to be a wonderful opportunity to reach out the other organizations or get contact information/leads to were i might be bale to find specific information.

But just because I'm focusing on that doesn't me I wont keep my eye out for things. The HO scale Valley Railroad and WDWRR projects can always use a few more parts here or there. Thats one of the fun parts about this show; you never know what you might find....  Ill be sure to take lots of pictures and report back here if I find anything. Till then; see ya real soon!!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....but ready to start the New Year on a High Note.

Between the Holidays, the rush to finish projects at work before the new year, and of course taking more than a few trips to the North Pole on our locomotive sleigh, I haven't had much time for trains or hobbies.

However I am very motivated to get things back on track.  Like I have said before I tend to start more projects then I end up finishing but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on them. Currently projects like my HO scale model of 3025 and WDW Train Station are still lost in moving boxes. I know, I know its almost been a year and I haven't unpacked but there are more important things that needed to be addressed before I can have fun with the trains.

 One aspect of modeling I have been really focusing on has been my growing collection of 3D printers. That's right I said Printers with a (s)!!!!!

I few years ago I acquired a used Dremel 3D20 PLA printer on Ebay.

 It has served me very well printing random things like dice, replacement parts for old toys, or even little figures for board games. The Dremel 3D20 PLA printer can print in fine quality however the layers are still not small enough for fine scale models. This is why I haven't really used them for model train parts. I tried printing a 4-wheel truck I designed for a HO scale VRR couch and it was just too noticeable for me to be happy with it.  I'm not trying to be a rivet counter about it but the layers made it look cheep and nasty.  This printer is good for items that can be a little rough around the edges or don't have a lot of small fine details that might get lost in the different layers. While its not the best for train parts it did wonderfully this Christmas season printing out custom ornaments that I gave out to family and friends.

This printer has done wonders for me but I couldn't really shake the itch to get another that would allow me to print HO scale parts and not pay out a small fortune to places like walthers or Shapeways. This lead me to look for a UV resin printer. There are a few on the market on amazon but they can get very expensive very quick.

The one I ended up setting my sights was a Anycubic Photon S.

Its listed on as a middle of the road printer when it comes to price and quality. There was two factors that pushed my hand to buying my own, a strong recommendation from a model railroader magazine contributor and a Black Friday deal I couldn't pass up. It took a few weeks but it finally arrived last week and I cant wait to set it up and run some test prints. Once it is up and running I make a post comparing the two printers. Until then Happy New Year Everyone and see you real soon!!!!

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.

History of 3025 - "The Locomotive That Would Not Die" Part 3

Part-3 Troubled times in PA, High winds and Fires

In my last post we talked about the Valley's original SY engine  No. 1647M and its sister 1658M. After both being unloaded in New Jersey the twin sister parted ways. If you remember 1658M was headed for the Knox and Kane Railroad in Pennsylvania. The KKRR was a tourist line with over 90 miles long and located in northwestern Pennsylvania; operating between the towns of Knox and Kane with a later expansion to Mount Jewett. Originally  owned by the B&O and the Eire Railroads this tourist line traveled through the Allegheny forests and over the beautiful Kinzua Viaduct.

The Railroad has a few engines on its roster, a few diesels, but the main star was No. 38; a Ex-Huntington & Broad Top 2-8-0 consolidation. From opening day in 1987 No. 38 was the star of the show and would head the all day excursion train from Mount Jewett over the viaduct and back. Around the late 1980's the railroads owner, Sloan Cornell, wanted to find another steam engine to help out No.38 with the excursion duties. He made the decision to buy a brand new locomotive from China.

No. 38 EX-H&BT 2-8-0

                                       (Now where have I heard this before...hmmmm)

So in 1990 just like her sister 1647M, the new Knox and Kane Railroad No.1658 arrived on the railroad. This was the start of the KKRR's glory days. From this moment till 2002 the railroad was flooded with tourists wanting to ride behind the two steam engines, marvel over the brand new Chinese engine, and especially in the fall foliage, enjoy the ride over the famous Kinzua bridge. However the glory days would not last forever.

No. 1658M SY 2-8-2

No. 1658M rolling over the Kinzu Viaduct

Near the end of 2002, state inspectors became concerns about the structural integrity of the the bridges supports. Closing the bridge to both railroad foot traffic for inspection and in 2003 a restoration plan was put into effect; but the bridge was running out of time. In July of that year a F1 tornado hit and destroyed the center span of the bridge.

Kinzu Bridge After the F1 Tornado

The railroad tried to survive from then by still running trains up to the bridge but without the attraction of having the train run over it; the journey wasn't the same. With less visitors and profits falling in 2006 the railroad had to officially shut its doors. The engines where but into storage at the engine house and awaited their fates.The final blow to the railroad happen in March of 2008. The engine house that was storing the locomotives was set on fire by arsonists. The fire damaged or destroyed the engines, including the new engine No. 1658M, and a majority of the coaches causing over one million dollars worth of damage. This event forced the railroad to have a total liquidation sale of all of their assets, land, buildings , engines, rolling stock, new and damaged goods, everything. The Knox and Kane was officially gone. Rails ripped up and properties gone, however among all of this negativity, there was a little spark of hope for one of their engines.....

No.1658M and whats left of the engine sheds

For more history and to see where I learned some of this information check out this video by Mike Adams about the KKRR:  Video
BUT MAKE SURE TO STOP AT 19:51 IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE NEXT POST!!

But till then, see ya real soon!

"Magical Island where dreams come true"

One of the reasons I still collect Thomas trains.

I mentioned before in posts that my love of trains came from my Nana and Papa and that growing up the three of us along with my little brother, even if he tries to deny it now, fell in love with a magical island of the coast of England named Sodor.  Sodor, for those of you that don't know, is the home of the North Western Railway. A major rail network that connects to almost every part of the island. There are many famous engines that run on this railway but the most famous is a little blue tank engine named Thomas.

I have mentioned Thomas and his friends before when talking about my club at Masonic but it doesn't fully explain what this little engine means to me and my family. The stories of Thomas and Friends help strengthen my love of  trains and its one thing that I will always have to help me remember my Papa.  Years later I realized that I wasn't the only one that had this similar connection the brand and the world they created. But first a little back story...

My brother has autism. He sometimes isn't very social and sometimes stays in his own head. But what he sometimes lacks in social skill he more than doubles in brain power. The kid is going to be the next professor at Yale or Harvard. He loves history, video games, and above all else Starwars. But one thing I have noticed with him is that he will always fall back to little Island that we shared with our Papa. I mention his autism because as I got older and started working with kids similar to my brother I noticed that a lot of them shared this passion for the trains as well. During my research around this I found out that there a a lot of people with autistic tendency that have a love for trains and majority of the time Thomas included even when they are much much older. People that have autism like schedules, order and familiarity.  Railroads have all of these traits as well and its no surprise that there is sometimes a strong connection between the two. For example in the Thomas show; Thomas always works on his branch line and always is pulling his two coaches. This happens like clockwork and fans of the show will tell you that when this gets changed or interrupted is almost always causes confusion and delay!!

The best part was learning that the company that now owns Thomas realized this connection as well and are big supporters of those with autism. This is another reason why I wanted to collect the HO scale models of the Thomas character and run them for the visitors to the clubs layout. It always makes me smile when I see a guests face light up when they see them running around the tracks and having the fan name all of the characters and references I hid in the layout, normally while the parent looks at me baffled that I know them all as well.   But this allows me to have conversations with these kids and help break them out of their shells sometimes.  I have been told by parents time and time again how they are amazed how much their child is talking in public. All thanks to this little blue train that helps bring so much joy into this world.

I still have all of my Thomas models and still get to share them with families at special holidays at my old club and at special local train shows I also work on some Thomas related model train projects that you might see here from time to time. Let me know below If you or someone you know grew up with Thomas and if you have a story similar to mine here. Until my next post see you real soon!

History of 3025 - "The Locomotive That Would Not Die" Part 2

Part 2 - Sisters

Before I go any further with 3025's journey to the valley I need to mention a very critical element to this story. 3025 had a sister that lived on the valley before her.

Also before I start today's post. I have to give credit to where I learned about this information. In late 2017 there was an amazing book titled, "Along the Valley Line. The history of the Connecticut Valley Railroad" written by local historian Max Miller. It is an absolutely amazing book and is worth the read for anyone who is a fan of railroading. You would never believe how much could happen along our little hometown line and this post contains information from only one small section of the book. There is just too much good information. if you would like to get a copy of the book you can find it at the link below or see if Max will be having any events/talk about the book soon where he can sign your book as well. So a big Thank you to Max for the wonderful information that helped me in this project!!    Find the book here > Link:

Anyways back to our story. Turn the clock back to 1985 the Valley was looking to obtain a new steam engine to add to the roster. It took 4 years but with the help of at the time board member Bob Bell and chief mechanical officer J. David Conrad; the valley was able to order a engine from the Tangshan Locomotive & rolling stock Works. The engine's plans had to be converted from metric to imperial units and modified to be up to ASME ( the American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards from locomotive and welded boilers. Other modifications to the locomotive where thicker firebox sheets larger crown stay bolts. The engineer and firemen controls where also switched to the other side of the cab to match American standards. All of these and a bit more became the valleys new engine, SY1647M!  ("SY" meaning the style or class of engine and the "M" standing for "Meiguo" or  "Beautiful Country", America).  Now while all this was going on the Chinese shops also built a twin sister engine, SY1658M for the Knox & Kane Railroad located in Pennsylvania.  (This is important for later, "hint hint")

Once the two engines, as well as a another engine of a different class heading to California, board a cargo ship heading for the USA. After dropping of the third engine in California  the two sisters headed though the panama canal and where unloaded at the Port of Camden, New Jersey. This is where the sisters parted ways and headed to their respected new homes and on April 21st, 1990 1647M with its's shiny new bell started her life along the valley line.

1647 worked on the Valley for about two years before there came a call and offer from the Susquehanna Railroad of Syracuse, NY. They had just order another SY locomotive, No.141, from China but sadly it was lost at sea when the ship holding it sank in the Bay of Bengal. Valley 1647M was sold and moved to her new home and renumbered No. 142. No. 142 still runs today and is part of the Belvidere Delaware Railroad and runs in the summer to Oct.

But what does this have to do with 3025? Remember 1647's sister in Pennsylvania? Well I shouldn't say more or I might spoil my next post.