Yearly Archives: 2013

New couplers from San Juan Car Company

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Side by side comparison of the new San Juan Type E Couplers and their existing Operating Type E Coupler. Gene Deimling photos

Side by side comparison of the new San Juan Type E Couplers and their existing Operating Type E Coupler. Gene Deimling photos

Gene Deimling posted about the new San Juan Couplers on his blog today. I recommend reading it. Here is an excerpt:

San Juan Car Company has been working on a new automatic coupler based upon the prototype Type-E coupler. Work was started on the standard gauge Evolution coupler shortly after finishing the narrow gauge Evolution automatic coupler. After several tries with their Chinese die maker, the coupler is done and in the country. The coupler is very similar to their working AAR Type-E coupler. The dimensions are nearly identical except for a scale inch and a half shorter in height. The shank has the same mounting hole and spring-plastic centering. It will fit in the same draft gear as the old San Juan coupler.

I can’t wait to try these out!

The new couplers look as good as the operating couplers and they do not have to be assembled. I also like the way they will remove the coupler slack if used in Kadee compatible coupler boxes.

Gene also mentions at the end of his post that there will be one more new assembled operating coupler in the states in the coming months. Coupler choices, that’s something to look forward to.

I saw an old friend yesterday in the hobby shop

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Tenax-7R back in the hobby shop

Tenax-7R back in the hobby shop

Seems like every few months we hear of another modeling product or company being discontinued or going out of business. It was nice to go into the hobby shop yesterday morning and see Tenax-7R back on the shelves. There were stories that the company had been sold last winter and the new company did not want to continue production, all I really know is the supply dried up.

Seeing it back on the shelf was like seeing an old friend at a train show. Can’t wait to use some of the new bottle today and kind of catch up on the time since I saw it last.

2013 Strasburg O Scale Show – November

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The crowd of dealer in the room just before the opening the doors t the public

The crowd of dealers in the room just before the opening the doors to the public

John Dunn and Rich Yoder put on another fine show today in Strasburg, PA. The show sold out the 98 tables more than ever before. Attendance was also setting new marks with over 200 people both through the door and table holders.

Tables and modules this time extended into the area which had always been reserved for the fire-trucks. I had been told that if enough tables sold they would park the trucks outside the firehouse and this time they did. Hopefully it will continue to grow and all the trucks will need to be parked outside next time.

Good to see and talk with so many people at the show. I was also glad to see enough stuff leave my table that I think the rest will get posted on eBay over the Winter. I look forward to just being a helper for my friend’s table.

John and Rich had their meeting before the doors opened as they have in the past. There was no mention of the proposed O Scale East that had been talked about earlier this Year. I hope this does become a reality next year or the year after. But the lack of talk makes me think it might be even further into the future it at all.

Bob Lavezzi, speaking for the O scale Kings, also made it sound like the National next year will not happen in Montreal as was talked about earlier in the year. It’s not good that the National might not happen, but I know I had no intention of attending one in Montreal with international travel being what it is now.

The main hall at the show just after the doors opened.

The main hall at the show just after the doors opened.

Another image in the main hall.

Another image in the main hall.

Fran Pfeil behind the table selling parts from Sunnyside Models

Fran Pfeil behind the table selling parts from Sunnyside Models

Glen Guerra at his table with his line of kits for Mullet River Model Works on display

Glen Guerra at his table with his line of kits for Mullet River Model Works on display

Tom Thorpe had some of Signature Switch turnouts on his tables

Tom Thorpe had some of Signature Switch turnouts on his tables

Modules that were set up at the show

Modules that were set up at the show

The extra area where the fire truck used to be.

The extra area where the fire truck used to be.

2013 Cleveland O Scale Show – November

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Sam Shumaker held the Cleveland O Scale Show this past Saturday. It continues to be a fine show. I was there selling some of my surplus models and managed to come home with some new models and parts for other projects.

Sam Shumaker commentated today on the OGR Board, “We had over 200 people through the gate, up 33% from last year. We had 50 dealers and 110 tables”

I had the pleasure of talking to Lee Turner at the show. He was showing samples of his recent weathering projects and resin builds for his clients. Wonderful work!

Lee also asked me to upgrade the image I had posted a long time ago of the Rails Unlimited NKP/C&O 1932 ARA boxcar. I said I would if he sent me and image of one of his cars. Here is his photo of a car he built. Fantastic modeling and really nice photography also!

Lee Turner's model of the Rails Unlimited NKP/C&O 1932 ARA boxcar

Lee Turner’s model of the Rails Unlimited NKP/C&O 1932 ARA boxcar

One of the things I have been complaining about recently was that there seem to be no new products hitting the market or even being announced. That was one of the pleasant surprises at this show, it had a little of both.

Sunset had pilot models for both the PRR L1 2-8-2 Mikado and the Erie Berkshire.

Sunset Pilot Model of PRR L1s

Sunset Pilot Model of PRR L1s

Sunset Pilot Model of the Erie Berk

Sunset Pilot Model of the Erie Berk

Bill Davis had new imported Water Spouts in four different varieties with two different bases.

cleveland-asm-4 cleveland-asm-3 cleveland-asm-2 cleveland-asm-1

Bill also had a number of pairs of Kohs O scale trucks on his table. While these were not Proto48 Jim Canter mentioned that they have converted them using Protocraft wheelsets.

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PRR 2D-F8

PRR 2D-F8

PRR 2D-F8

PRR 2D-F8

National B-1

National B-1

National B-1

National B-1

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cleveland-asm-kos-8

Glenn Guerra of Mullet River Model Works had some fine examples of his kits on display. Glen also mentioned that he can’t keep his new trucks in stock. They are selling out as fast as he makes them.

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cleveland-mm-1

Table of Weights & Dimensions of Rail ptII

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Page 8

There is always talk about what size rail should be used to model prototype rail of different weights. Some time back, I picked up a document published by the AT&SF Railroad which had different sizes of rail for different manufacturers listed. It contains the dimensions and sizes of rail made by Illinois Steel Company, Carnegie Steel Company, Pennsylvania Steel Company, Bethlehem Steel Company, Lackawanna Steel Company, Cambria Steel Company Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and Dominion Iron & Steel Company.

I scanned it last week.
Download the whole booklet – Table of Weights & Dimensions of Rail

In page 8 above, the sizes for rail from the Pennsylvania Steel Company are listed in the left hand table. There are eight different lines for 100 pound rail. The base width ranges from 5 inches to 5.5 inches, the height ranges from 5.5 inches to 6 inches and the tread width from 2.75 inches to 3 inches. The one listing for a 135 pound rail has it’s base at 6 inches, it’s height at 6 inches and it’s tread width at 3 5/32 inch.

So how is someone going to tell the difference between 100 pound rail and 135 pound rail when one sample has the same height (6 inches) only a quarter of an inch in base width difference, and 5/32 of an inch difference in tread width?

Table of Weights & Dimensions of Rail

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Page 2

There was some talk on the Proto48 Yahoo board today about rail sizes and widths. I picked up a document put out by the AT&SF Railroad a while ago. I thought I’d scan it tonight and post it to add to the discussion. Above is page 2 of the document below is a link to the scan in a PDF file.

Table of Weights & Dimensions of Rail

It contains the dimensions and sizes of rail made by Illinois Steel Company, Carnegie Steel Company, Pennsylvania Steel Company, Bethlehem Steel Company, Lackawanna Steel Company, Cambria Steel Company Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and Dominion Iron & Steel Company. There is no date on this document.

One of the things I found interesting was that a number of the different manufacturers had different sizes to the rail even though they are the same weight.

Proto48 Prefab Turnouts

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Protocraft’s number 8 right hand prefab turnout – Photo from Protocraft website

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Protocraft’s number 8 left hand prefab turnout – Photo from Protocraft website

I was on the Protocraft site last night and noticed a pair of new prefab turnouts have been added to their line.  Protocraft is offering both a left and a right hand turnout built with Parts from John Pautz of American Swith and Signal. The description on the site explains what they are:

Prefabricated turnout ready to install.  Compliments Protocraft’s Code 125 flex-track.  Built by Brad Strong of Signature Switch Co for Protocraft.  Right-O-Way Code 125 rail and highly detailed #8 frog and track parts cast in nickel silver from patterns by John Pautz.  $99.95 each, plus shipping.

This is great news for those folks that have thought about modeling in Proto48 but did not want to build their own turnouts. One more excuse not to model in Proto48 removed.

I plan to build my own turnouts. I don’t find it difficult and I enjoy building track. So these turnouts are not a product that I’ve been waiting for. But as a Proto48 modeler, I’m very glad to see them produced.

More Questions Answered

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Detail of the Main Line 89.25 Quarter Mile map which starts just West of the grade crossing in Schuylkill Haven.

I had the pleasure this week of spending a day off from work at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. I went looking for answers to some questions as always. Some of the questions have been answered, most of the answers just spark more questions. I’m glad research of the prototype is one of the things I enjoy in the hobby, your mileage may vary.

If you have read this blog for a while, you know, to say I’ve had trouble picking a location to model is an understatement. O scale offers the modeler a chance to see the details they are adding to their models, but is also requires a different approach to modeling on the layout then some of the smaller scales offer.

I’ve had to work through the ideas that were influenced by the smaller scales. I’m now fully embracing the idea that you need to be closer to the models with O scale and that some of the towns in my modeling area, no matter how interesting, are either just too big for my space or require too much compression to fit into the space I have to model within.

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Detail of map showing grade crossing on Union St. East end of Freight house shown.

This Spring, I started looking at Schuylkill Haven. It is still in my area but it is over on the “mainline.” I had some questions about the track arrangements in town. These are now answered. I had questions about the freight house and station area, these too are now answered. So now it’s time to get back to the benchwork and the layout.

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Drawing of freight house in Schuylkill Haven, PA.

Painting Weather in August?

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Four hoppers drying after their bath.
Four hoppers drying after their bath.

Anybody who has ever spent any time South Jersey during the Summer months knows about the three “H’s” Hazy, Hot and Humid. That sums up our normal weather for June, July, August and part of September. Painting models in that kind of weather is not always a fun experience.

I try to limit my painting to the nicer days of the year which are usually found in the Spring and Fall. Sometimes that can interfere with other things I like to do on those kinds of days, like going out and doing some photography.

This Summer started out the same. July had a week or two in a row with no break of the H-H-H and 90°+ heat. But August has been a little different. I’ve been able to paint a few models, four hoppers two weekends ago and two gondolas this past weekend.

The four hoppers after being painted.
The four hoppers after being painted.

2013 Strasburg O Scale Show – August

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Main selling room, with air-conditioning.

Main selling room, with air-conditioning.

John Dunn and Rich Yoder held another fine O scale train show in Strasburg, PA today. The weather was great for a Lancaster County Summer day. The humidity was not as high as it often gets in August and the temperatures were in the mid 80’s. The show was very well attended, someone mentioned they thought it was one of the best attended Strasburg shows. It was nice to see and talk with so many friends again.

The selling seemed to be brisk during the whole day. Unlike some shows were it falls off in the middle of the morning. My friend whose table I placed some stuff on seemed to do well. I moved some used parts and O scale trucks.

RY Model of a ATSF SK-2 stock car

EY Model of a ATSF SK-2 stock car

Rich Yoder had his recent run of ATSF BX-3 and BX-6 on the table and a couple of the Sk-2 stock cars. They looked nice. He did have information on the table about a possible run of Bethlehem Steel Gondolas.

Joe Foehrkolb from Baldwin Forge and Machine was there and he had some tire blanks for my N1 conversion. Hopefully that will get that project moving forward again.

They set up one isle in the fire hall with the first three tables being Jim Hawk,  Mac McEwan and Carl Jackson in a row, sort-of a Proto48 corner. It was nice to see those guys again at the show.

Jack Hill was at the show walking around. I spoke to him for a short time. He has continued to work on his railroad, but has not posted much on his blog recently about what he’s done.

Part of the Fire Hall selling area.

Part of the Fire Hall selling area.