On Saturday, the August Strasburg O Scale Show was held. Attendance on both sides of the tables seemed to be down a little. Some of the usual faces we see were not there, but there were a number of new faces in the room. There were even some younger people in the room.
After the show I had a conversation with Rich Yoder about attendance. Rich mentioned that attendance was actually up over the April show. He mentioned that even though a number of the regulars were not at the show, there were enough new attendees to actually increase the number of people through the door.
Rich Yoder had a some trucks on his table. The inventory is dwindling, if you need something from him don’t wait. He might already be sold out. He did have a few Proto48 trucks on the table but they are in very short supply.
I did get the chance to see and meet a new vendor at the show. Chris Coarse of Conowingo Models was there with his line of kits on display. It was a pleasure to meet him at the show and see a nice new line of models entering the O Scale market.
Bob Heil was there representing Sunset and golden gate Depot at the show. He had some B&O models that were made from older Mac Shop kits but they represent the B&O cars that Golden Gate is about to import.
The car on the top is a Golden Gate car from a previous run. Bob mentioned that these are about to go into production.
Today was the Strasburg O Scale Train Show. The Show was very well attended by both table holders and the walk-in attendees through the door. The traffic was steady and busy all through the morning. Which cut down on my ability to get through the hall once the doors opened to the public.
For the Reading modelers in the crowd, I did see a Gem 0-6-0 camelback model on Dave Richter’s tables. I also noticed a couple of the SGL G-3’s and an SGL add on two coach set in the room. Not sure if they found new homes or not. I will tell you a nicely painted Reading Car Works DS4-4-1000 managed to follow me home yesterday. I’ll be posting about that in the next few weeks.
As always it was great to see so many models available for sale. But it was also really nice to see and talk with so many people that we often only get to see in person at the shows. John Dunn was back at the show, now at a table.
They had a couple of clinics during the show. Kerry Kime once again gave her clinic was on making pine trees from heater filters. Kerry did a great job demonstrating haw she has made trees for their home layout using a wood dowel and cut up heater filters. She is also selling trees at her table during the show.
The other clinic was on the Blunami DCC sound decoders. I wasn’t able to get away from my table to attend that one.
After the show, we had a little adventure. We were going to a restaurant for lunch that was about 8 miles from the show. We had five cars headed out for lunch together. The guy leading the group had a different town in mind where the restaurant was. So instead of a short 10 minute drive to lunch it turned into a 45 minute drive. To make matters worse, the guy who knew where we were going managed to loose the four cars following him.
Lucky for us John Dunn remembered the town name where we were going and put that into his navigation. But it did give us a nice scenic drive on some roads without a lot of traffic.
We finally arrived at the restaurant after about a forty minute drive. Then shared in some good-hearted ribbing of the driver that lost us, we all sat down for a late lunch. It all worked out fine, lots of good stories were shared.
Today was the Strasburg O Scale Train Show. It was well attended for as beautiful the weather was today. As always it was great to see so many models available for sale. But it was also really nice to see and talk with so many people that we only get to see in person at the shows.
Just before the show started David Vaughn presented Terry Terrance his induction into the O Scale Central Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Terry, a well deserved honor for a fine gentleman. I was not able to get a good image of the presentation but below is a link to a photo that Ken Kime posted in the 2Rail O Scale & Proto48 Model Railroading Facebook group:
Views of the engine room of the firehouse. Below was Dave Richter’s tables.
For the Reading modelers, there were a number of notable models on the tables at this show. There was a Sunset L7 (4-6-0 camelback) on one of Dave Richter’s tables. It did not last long into the show. There was also a Weaver Crusader Pacific, an SGL G-3 pacific and some of the SGL passenger cars on the tables.
Clinics have returned to the show. They were presented by Kerry Kime and John Dunn. Kerry’s clinic was on making pine trees from heater filters. John had two presentations, the first was an add on to Kerry’s clinic. John talked about making trees sedum plants.
Kerry did a great job demonstrating haw she has made trees for their home layout using a wood dowel and cut up heater filters. This was the second time she has given the presentation during a Strasburg Show. The first time was at her table inside the show in August. This turned out to be a better location where the participants were not as distracted by everything in the room.
John added onto Kerry’s presentation with a quick talk about making trees from the sedum plant. While not actually making trees John showed examples of trees made and
John’s other presentation was called Pizza-Box Weathering. When John first posted that he was doing that presentation it caught my attention. John explained that he likes to weather using Conte Crayons. If you’re not familiar with them they are a drawing tool that I remember using in art school in life drawing classes. It has a little more tooth to stay where you put it.
For the second time the show held a benefit auction with all the proceeds going to the firehall. This year they had three donated models up for auction, a Diamond Scale Turntable kit, a custom built structure built by Martin Brechbiel and a Yarmouth Models PRR X31f kit built by Cris Crane. The X31f included a correct pair of Rich Yoder PRR 2D-F12 trucks, in either O Scale or Proto48 for the car.
The surprise of the show was the sale price of the X31f. After spirited bidding between two bidders the car sold for $900.
The Strasburg Show was yesterday. The weather was fine, no snow this time, but it is August in Pennsylvania. The attendance was a little down, but that was most likely because the weather was nice and guys had other commitments pulling on them. Life does happen.
It was a fine show. This was the first show with Rich Yoder on his own since John Dunn retired from hosting the shows. Rich did a fine job hosting the show on his own.
Sadly John had family commitments that kept him away from the show. I was looking forward to seeing John be able to just kick back and enjoy the show for a change.
For the Reading Modeler, I did see one of the Gem 0-4-0 camelbacks on a table. I later saw the box under someone’s arm, the model was on it’s way to a new home before the end of the show.
For the Proto48 modelers in the crowd, I did not see much on the tables. Rich Yoder had a few Proto48 trucks on his table. Mostly the National B-1’s, Vulcan trucks and just three of the Bettendorf caboose trucks. A couple of pairs of the caboose trucks made their way home with me.
It was announced that the October show will host a live auction during the show at 12:00 noon. There will be three items offered for auction, a hand crafted “Sethion Sinks Diorama” built by Martin Brechbiel, a Yarmouth Model Works PRR X31f built-up kit by Chris Crane complete with a correct pair of RY Models PRR 2D-F12 trucks in either O Scale or Proto48 and a Diamond Scale 105′ turntable kit.
Rich Yoder speaking to the crowd before the show opened with John and Patty Dunn.
The Strasburg Show happened today. Before the show opened, John Dunn spoke to the crowd. John went through their normal announcements talking about the modules set up in the bay and the tree-building demonstration that was scheduled.
Then Rich spoke and announced that John was retiring from hosting the shows with Rich. Rich spoke about John’s contributions to the show over the years they have been putting them on. While Rich was speaking he also smartly recognized John’s wife Patty’s help and contributions to the shows. Their combined leadership has made the show a success.
After that surprise announcement, they let the public into the show. They had a very strong turn out for the show. It was later mentioned that it was one of the best attended shows ever. Traffic was steady throughout the day. The buying was also spaced out throughout the show. I know I almost emptied my table by the end of the show.
Berkshire Car Shops with their great high quality 3D printed buildings. These looked great but I didn’t get a chance to talk to them about their products as there was always a crowd when I went by their tables.
Berkshire Car Shops had some great high quality 3D printed buildings.More Berkshire Car Shops 3D printed buildings
For the Reading modelers, I did see a couple of the SGL cars in the room on two different tables. A nicely painted RY Models Fishbelly Twin Hopper made a short lived appearence on a table before heading under my table.
There was an Overland T-1 at the show. It was a very clean example of a nice model and even had a set of the Overland decals included. Late in the morning, I saw it under its new owner’s arm as it was going to it’s new home.
For the Reading Modelers, there was a Overland T-1 at the show.
On the Proto48 front, there was also a very brief siting of some Overland Conversion wheels for some of their diesel models. They quickly found a new home.
A selection of Pacific Limited box cars and a reefer.
The show also featured a nice traction module set up in the engine bays at the Fire Hall. The Module set up featured both an elevated section and surface line in a nice city scene.
One of the nice things about going to the Chicago Show over the years has been going out on layout tours. I have had the chance to see a bunch over the years. This year we rode out to the Rockford O Scalers’ layout.
Even though the Rockford O Scalers have been a regular on the layout tour, I had not been to the layout before. Usually worked out that that the group I was riding with didn’t want to travel that far to see the layout. It was about an hour drive to get there. I have to say that it was absolutely well worth the drive.
The layout is 57×30 plus a staging area and is basically two double-track mainlines. One on the outside of the room and another loop on the inside of the room. The “club” started in the 1990’s as a modular group. The modules were used to make up the inner loop.
While some may find the track plan too basic, I think the simplicity of the plan allows the railroad to be completed and enjoyed. For me, the most impressive thing about the layout was how it was brought to life by the small everyday scenes modeled. The use of people and vehicles makes you feel like the models are alive.
You really get the sense that the railroad is moving through the towns modeled, not like a lot of layouts where the everyday life is a second thought.
I want to thank our hosts for taking the time to share their railroad with us. We arrived close to the end of the scheduled open house and they found the energy to explain and showcase the railroad to us.
John Handlogten discussing the railroad with us.Frank McCabe talking with Rich Yoder about the models on display on the first floor.
The first floor was equally amazing to see all the models displayed. Everywhere you looked there were models displayed.
One of the best things about the Chicago show is just seeing so many nice models at the show. Here are some of them, not in any order just a ramdom sampling.
For the Reading Modeler’s, an Overland Reading T-1 on Rich Yoder’s table.Even a couple of SGL Reading coaches on a table.This is a new release from Atlas O Of an Auto Rack car.SC&F’s new release kit.This is the Yarmouth Models PRR X31f that Dan Dawdy has built.A couple of Pacific Limited cars on Tom Mapes’ table.Some nicely built-up Chooch Ultrscale KitsAnother nice built-up Chooch Ultrascale kit.A nicely painted Overland PRR H32An early cast Baldwin Center Cab unit. Looking forward to Central Locomotives run of this locomotive later this year.Protocraft had a painted version of their MP Express Car on the table.One of Protocraft’s new 50 ft boxcars
Next up are some images form the modeling contest. I know why they don’t list the names of the modelers but I really do wish they would. I’m less concerned with the contest as I am with the modelers who built the models. I would be nice to know.
This one we do know is Andy Brusard”s Dead Rail model
The Proto48 Meeting Paul Hanson hosted the meeting to a packed house.
Norm Buckhart was the first speaker. He spoke about his current release of 50 foot boxcars. Norm also spoke about his upcoming run of tank cars which are due in late 2022 or early 2023. This run will consists of multiple varieties of cars, most never having been produce in O Scale before.
Norm also spoke of the next run after the tank cars, round roof box cars. The box cars will be imported in late 2023 or early 2024. The round roof box car run will consist of multiple variations of the PRR class X31 of 40 foot boxcars and the PRR 50 foot boxcars in the X32 and X33 classes. In addition will be two classes of 40 foot cars for the Seaboard. I’m really looking forward to the Seaboard cars.
Next to speak were Ross Dando of Twin City Cars (on left) and Jon Cagle of Southern Car & Foundry (on right).
Ross was up first and spoke of his new offerings including a new double etched spike. That brought about some crowd participation and interaction. Ross also mentioned the development of his next release for Twin City Cars, a steel USRA rebuilt car from a USRA double sheathed boxcar. Gene Deimiling wrote about that is his recent blog post. I’m looking forward to that car.
Jon Cagle spoke about his new kit of the Howe Truss boxcar. The new composite side model is similar to the previous release of the steel sided Howe Truss Sand Springs box car. The difference is this is this car is accurate for three or four railroads instead of one shortline railroad with a total of four cars on the roster. Four cars total in 1952 when the were over 800,000 boxcars on the rails, what is the likelihood of one of them going past you trackside?
Jon also mentioned that his tank car kit are back into development. He had samples in the past at shows that looked great and well beyond anything that had been done before. They never became completed kit masters, but it sounds like they will later this year.
As Jon spoke you could hear his passion for what can be done with resin casting. And he also spoke about what others have recently released with resin. How some manufactures need to do more work with their masters BEFORE committing to making molds and casting resin. Without naming names, all that are facing having to sand 3D stepping out of roofs knew exactly what he was talking about.
After the presentations from the three manufactures, Paul Hanson showed off a modern MTH locomotive that had been converted to Proto48. This sparked some discussion about the difference between Finescale modeling and Proto48 modeling.
I have always believed that equating Finescale and Proto48 does more to exclude potential new Proto48 modelers from trying out Proto48. Below is the text of a post I made about the subject in the past on the OGR Board which pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject.
“Proto48 is about correcting the gauge of the rails and running with fine wheel widths and treads. There is nothing in the Proto48 standards about truck widths and there are absolutely no “requirements” beyond the gauge and wheel standards.
Just because some Proto48 modelers build finescale models, doesn’t mean that every Proto48 modeler has to build to that level. And I would point out that there are a lot of O Scale modelers who build models to finescale levels also. A Proto48 model does not have to be a finescale model and a finescale model does not have to be Proto48.“
The O Scale Kings Meeting David Vaughn hosted the O Scale Kings meeting. He discussed the current efforts of the group. They working on operating name change to O Scale Central. Acknowledging that some have had issues with the name of the group over the years.
There was discussion of developing new O Scale module standards which would also be inclusive of past modules built to NMRA or Free-Mo standards.
It was also suggested during the meeting that O Scale is positioned to take the lead on developing standards for DeadRail or Power On Board. It was noted that members of the O Scale Kings were working with representatives from the NMRA to help guide that discussion.
While the crowd was thinner than the Proto48 meeting which was held in the same room. I think that was because it was not the Business meeting of the O Scale Kings which was held the next day. I was not able to attend the business meeting.
Just returned from the 2022 Chicago O Scale Show. I always think this show can’t get any better and it always does. Another great show!
There were some new models from various manufacturers at this show, as well as a host of used models. Here are some of the new models I saw at the show.
Atlas O Scale Bob Lavezzi had a display model of a new release for Atlas O Scale. It’s an 89′ Auto Rack. While too late for my modeling period of 1952, it is a fine looking model and great to see Atlas O releasing a fine looking new model in O Scale.
Southern Car & Foundry Jon Cagle from Southern Car & Foundry has released a new model of an ARA Standard Car with a Howe Truss. This model is similar to their previous release of the Sand Springs car but this is the composite version of that car. Jim Zwernemann did a wonderful job on the master work on this car. SC&F sold out of the kits he brought of this car on Saturday.
In addition SC&F had additional models of the previously released 1932 ARA Standard Boxcars available at the show.
Rails Unlimited Ted Schnepf had a new release of a UP 50 foot composite boxcar.
Twin Star Cars Ross Dando had the last two kits for his beautiful Rock Island flat car for sale at the show. He did say that that kit would not be re-run in the future, So I hope those that wanted one bought one while it was available.
Ross has also picked up Bill Yancey’s line called Modern Era O Scale resin kits. Ross had details and new kits in the lane. The modern era O Scalers I’m sure are very happy to see that line continue.
Steve Grabowski Steve had a sample of his PRR 2D-F8 truck at the show. He will be producing a limited run of plastic kits of this very common PRR truck in both Proto48 and O Scale. But you have to pre-order the trucks as the kits are going to be produced based on the orders and will not be a stocked item.
Today was the Strasburg O Scale Show. The show was well attended. Besides the regular crowd, were even a pair of modelers up from Texas who stopped by and spoke with me at our table.
The show was well attended, there were a couple of dealers that did not show. Leaving the appearence open tables. I heard different whispers about health concerns for some of those individuals. I only hope that all are ok.
Rich Yoder did the honors of auctioning off the Nighthawks Cafe model. The model was built from a kit offered by Wit and Wisdom Models, Dave Vaughn’s company and built by Martin Brechbiel.
The proceeds benefit the Strasburg Fire Company where the show is hosted. We should all remember that they have had a rough year with the pandemic canceling the different shows and events that they normally host throughout the year.
This was a great opportunity to buy a very nice model and help a great organization.
There was a lot of buying going on during the show. I was glad to have sold the last of my Red Caboose GP9’s. They are wonderful models but were not built yet for my modeling period. I’m happy to say that all have found new homes.
For the Reading modeler, there were a few models in the show. I did see an Overland T-1 and an SGL G3 on the tables. I even saw a Reading Camelback painted as an LNE switcher go home with one of the guys from our group.
Paul Yanosik brought some new models to share with me. He is in the process of upgrading some of the details on his first CNJ Baldwin builds. He also brought along some photos from their construction. And he shared with me a cab which was in the process of being converted from an EMD F7 into a Baldwin cab. Thank you Paul.
