Author Archives: George Losse

Caveat Emptor – Weaver Hopper in an RY Models box

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Sometimes you have to look closely and sometimes you don’t. This recent listing on the auction site for a RY Models PRR H21a Quad Hopper Car is actually kind of funny.

First, the model is a triple hopper not a quad. Rich did import triple hoppers, but this is not one of those imports. As I type this, the auction is up to $79, that is a lot for what this model is.

Look closely at the grab irons on the car. They are flat not round wire like the better brass imports.

Looking at the underside of the car you can see that it is actually a Weaver 70 ton offset hopper car that someone put in the wrong box.

More and more collections are being sold by people that do not know about O Scale models, this is happening more than it should. It starts with boxing the models correctly and it winds through to knowing what a model is, no matter what is written on the box.

The new owner is going to be very disappointed when this model arrives. If the auction closed today they would be paying $79 plus shipping for a model that often will not sell at a train show when priced at $20. But they will have a nice RY Models box to put it in.

Update: Last night the auction closed at $99

All photos downloaded from the auction site.

TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet – October 2024

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Today, I attended my fourth TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet (aka York). They are growing on me. Do these shows hold much interest for a Proto48’er? Much more than I use to think.

While there are very few 2 rail O Scale models on the tables, compared to the number of 3 rail models, there are some. Sadly, I did not see any Proto48 models on the tables, but I really did not expect to see any. I did see more 2 rail models than I really expected too.

There was a vendor in the Orange Hall with both a number of Atlas O 2 rail freight cars and locomotives. I saw 4 SW-9’s, a half dozen ALCo C630’s, an ALCo C425, an ALCo RS-1 and some more modern EMD units. All at very good prices. Some were very tempting, but I didn’t want any more era sliding. I need to stay focused on my 1952 modeling period.

There were some 3 rail models for the Reading fans out there. This MTH FM TrainMaster is nice. Not a finely detailed as a Car & Locomotive Works model, but not near the price either.

There was a 3 rail SGL set on a table. Thankfully, I’m fine with the one I have. Mine is already converted to Proto48. I just need to find the time to install the DCC into it.

Atlas had a pair of new models on display at the show. First is an Atlas Master 73′ Center divider flat car. It was a very nice looking car. It will appeal to the modern modelers. The thought the graphics on the car were very nicely done.

Next is an Atlas Premier PS-5344 box car.

I was disappointed to see that Atlas’ new locomotive releases have DCS installed instead of DCC as the recent F7 runs had. Why can’t the manufacturers stay with industry standards like DCC? I wonder how a DCS release would go over in HO? And yet we in O scale have it shoved onto us. When it is not supported they will came back and say something like, there are no more 2 railers out there.

On to a more pleasant thought. This was a model on the Altoona Model Works Table. I liked it.

And let us not forget that this show is just a couple of weeks before Halloween.

Strasburg O Scale Show – October 2024

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Today, was the October 2024 Strasburg O Scale Show. As always, there was lots of buying and selling going on. At times the crowds thinned down, but I can say the sales from the tables were steady throughout the day.

The day was full of surprises. There are different things on the table than normal. Check out this model above. I’ve only seen a ship on a table once before in Chicago. For the Erie fans out there, three Stillwell cars together on a table.

That was nice to see, but the surprising thing was the models were on Fred Stillwell’s table. And yes he was related to the namesake of the prototype cars.

There were some very nice models including some rare like this Kohs PRR K4 with the front end throttle. Or like the Lykin’s kit-built model of a PRR X60.

There were plenty of fine models in the show. Here were some more from John Dunn’s collection.

It was a good show. My table kept me rather busy and I only got through the full show a couple of times.

It was good to see familiar faces and some new ones. There was also plenty of talk of the friends that were no longer with us.

In Memoriam: Michael Rahilly

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Michael Rahilly passed away tonight. He was my friend and we often traveled to shows together sharing a table. Above is an image of Michael behind the table enjoying selling supplies that we all needed.

Michael was also a very good modeler, having won a number of awards at the O Scale Nationals for models like what is shown below.

Most folks will remember Michael in his usual spot at the Strasburg Show across from the kitchen window on the end of the first isle. Here he is behind the table with his oldest daughter Lauren helping him during the show.

Michael was a father of three daughters, a former train conductor, a locomotive engineer, a rules examiner for NJ Transit, a fine modeler and also my friend. I will miss him.

What’s on the Workbench?

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There has been a lot going on recently, but not that much train related. My biggest project recently has been cleaning in the train room and getting the workbench cleaned off again. There is a flyer on the bench from Kadee. I do have some of their new Proto48 trucks in. I will post some photos once the workbench is cleared off.

I did get some painting done in the last month or so. My friend needed a couple of P70 under frames painted black.

While getting those painted I did manage to paint some open hoppers on the same day. A couple of RY Models fish belly twins for the Reading and behind them a pair of PSC offset hopper cars. The PSC car will be decorated for off road hopper cars.

Something was not right.

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Sorry for the site being down over the weekend. I was reviewing some things within the admin tool for the site and followed the wrong advice. Turned out that created a conflict with a plug-in, which created a fatal error on the site.

Trying to correct that took a little work. Let’s just say that now I know more about editing the database behind the site. Conflict resolved.

I’m back on track and the site is working again. It was a very frustrating couple of days. Back to modeling.

In Memoriam: Bob Heil

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I heard yesterday that Bob Heil had passed away. Bob was a fixture in the O Scale community in the East for a very long time. I first meet Bob at shows like the Timonium shows in Maryland before I knew many people in O Scale back in the 90’s.

Besides being an excellent modeler, he was also the East Coast dealer for Sunset and Golden Gate Models. He was always happy to share his knowledge with anyone who asked a question. I always enjoyed talking with him at the different shows.

He will be missed.

Strasburg O Scale Show – August 2024

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Today, was the August 2024 Strasburg O Scale Show. As always, there was lots of buying and selling going on. At times the crowds thinned down, but that just allowed more stories to be shared. I can say the sales from the tables were steady throughout the day.

I was busy between my own table and a table that had items from John Dunn’s collection. One of the surprises was a set of B&O cars built by George Stock from Walther’s kits. These cars featured interior detailing and hand painted lettering.

Rich Yoder also had brass model’s from John’s collection on multiple tables. Above is just a few of the cars. There were many other models throughout the show.

TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet – April 2024

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Today, I attended my third TCA Eastern Division York Train Meet (aka York). Do these shows hold much interest for a Proto48’er? More than I use to think. The image above shows one of the five halls. While there are very few 2 rail O Scale models on the tables, there are some. Here is a USH PRR I1 with a price of $450 on it.

Having come from the Chicago March Meet which had just over 300 tables of 2 rail O Scale and the Strasburg O Scale 2 Rail Meet with over 90 tables of 2 rail O Scale. This show is massive. They even have a shuttle bus for getting between the Halls.

The show had newly released Atlas-O models. The Atlas site had indicated that the non-powered units did not ship with last month’s powered unit shipping. But there was one of the new unpowered Reading F7’s on the tables. I will post more about these in a couple of weeks.

There were guys selling custom weathered cars at the show. This example of an Atlas-O Trainman 70 ton triple hopper wearing the as-built 1956 paint. This weathering is heavier than I prefer, YMMV.

There are a number of tables of vendors selling trucks and automobiles. These models don’t care how many or how far apart your rails are.

I saw an interesting pairing on a table a CNJ Trainmaster and a CNJ Heritage unit. Kind of a sharp contrast. I have to say that I saw examples of the later Trainmasters from Lionel and MTH which both looked very nice.

The 3 rail Trainmasters almost looks like a better starting point than a Sunset brass model. Both were nicely painted, just have to fix the pilots and convert them. Not sure I really want to add another project to the list for models out of my era.

This was an interesting car on a table. Way too modern for me, but it is amazing what they are producing in the 3 rail world.

This was my third time attending a York show. I had dismissed this show in the past. Now I look forward to it. I didn’t buy a lot, couple of freight cars, a couple of automobiles, and some tools. It was a great day not to be at work and see some friends in the halls.

Strasburg O Scale Show – April 2024

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Today, was the April 2024 Strasburg O Scale Show. As always there were lots of buying and selling going on as well as a lot of stories being shared. Sometimes I think these events are really an excuse to hang out with some friends for a few hours on a Saturday and enjoy some models as well tell some stories.

I didn’t get as much of a chance to get around to all the tables. I was covering a table selling off some of John Dunn’s collection. I was helping finding new homes for some nicely built kits and Kit-bashes that John had collected.

Ken Kime did a demonstration on using a static grass applicator to flock the trees and ground cover.

John Wubble, owner of The All Nation Line had an interesting drive on his table. It was an underbody for a Gas Car. He also had a bunch of drive component part available. Glad to see the line growing since they bought it.

Finally, I wanted to end with an image that makes me laugh. Atlas O just announced re-releasing the old Weaver 2-8-0 Baldwin consolidation. There was a lot of talk online about how wonderful this is with a release price of $799.99. I wonder how well they willl do against the Weaver models that regularly show up at the shows?