On Saturday, I attended the November Strasburg EOS Show. It was another fine show, will attended by both table holders and attendees. It’s nice to see this show continue to grow. I was able to move some more of my models that do not fit my current modeling direction.
Not that much new since the Cleveland show to report. Rich Yoder did have another display model on his table of another Mather boxcar. This was the smaller height car as seen in these photos below.
Yesterday, the Cleveland O Scale Show was held in Kirkland, OH. This show was even better than last year. The attendance appeared to be up over last year and was steady throughout the day.
The hit of the show was the Indianapolis P48 Association Portable P48 Layout. There were a lot of kids of all ages stopping and watching the action on the railroad.
The rest of the room had something for everybody, new models, used models, sample models from a few dealers, parts, paints… just about anything you could think of.
Rich Yoder had samples on his tables of his soon to be delivered Ventilated Boxcar run.
Many of the variations of this run of cars.
ACL car in one of the early paint schemes.
The C&O boxcar version.
He also had a representative model of his newly announced Mather car project. The project will include the regular height and extended height boxcars, stock cars and a reefer. Reservations are beginning and the models are due the Fall of 2015. Rich should have materials on this project on his website this week.
Rich was showing samples of his soon to be released Fox trucks.
Rich had a sample of a new PRR 2D-F8 50 ton truck. The sample had new ribbed back wheels and polished treads. He says this is how the new run of these trucks are going to come in. You’ll like the new look.
Bob Hiel had samples of the soon to be released Sunset 3rd Rail’s GM’s “TRAIN OF TOMORROW”. It is a fine looking model. Too early for my 1952 modeling era, but very nicely done. I have seen photos of this train at the Reading Trenton Passenger Station. So it did make it onto the Reading Railroad, not sure how many places it was displayed.
Bob also had a sample of the PRR P70FAR from Golden Gate Depot Model Trains.
Finally, here are some more images of the Indianapolis P48 Association Portable P48 Layout. It’s not the biggest layout but it ran great during the day. The curves are tight but that is what’s needed sometimes. It is a great example of how Proto48 can work in smaller spaces.
The GP-9 in the photo is a stock Red Caboose model with the original drive. It ran nice, slow and steady all day long.
Mother nature provided a spectacular day for a train show and it turned out to be one of EOS’s best Strasburg train shows. They had 65 different dealers filling 105 tables full of O scale models and materials. They had 115 attendees (a new record for the show) walk through the doors looking at the merchandise.
Now what about the stuff on the tables? There was a nice selection of older brass models out of personal collections, as well as new brass models on a couple of the dealer tables. The parts and decal supplies were enlarged over earlier shows with a couple of new returning dealers. We also had two magazines in attendance, The O Scale Resource and O Scale Trains.
On Bob Heil’s table he had a sample of the new Golden Gate PRR P70 FAR’s modernized coaches which looks very nice. He also had a model of a B&O Baggage car, with a sign asking who would like to see that model made in brass by Sunset. I’d like to see it made, but it would be another slip towards modeling the Trenton-Bound Brook line.
The Berkshire Car Shops also had a nice display of trolley cars and parts on the tables. I really like the Pacific Electric cars on their shelf. I have a soft spot for the Pacific Electric since my dad’s uncle worked for them.
Fran Pfeil’s table had a nice selection of models for sale.
John Dunn and Rich Yoder hosted another great O Scale Show today in Strasburg, PA. No it’s not as big as Chicago, but you know almost everybody in the show. There were a few faces missing at this show but the attendance was very good. And the tables were down into the firetruck area again.
The bargains were there to be had, a number of folks had Intermountain kits at price that were two thirds what they are asking on ebay. There was a nice brass Perry PRR G22 that went early at the show. I saw big ticket brass models and lower priced models moving off the tables.
There were a couple of new models in the room. Bob Heil had the new Sunset PRR L1’s and he had a sample model of the new Sunset B&O P-7e on display. My trying to find new homes for models from my shelves kept me from taking many photographs today.
One of the key things for me today was diging up a lead on a former Reading Company employee that worked and photographed Reading steam in Schuylkill Haven, PA. More on that front as it develops.
This show was anything but a dog today.
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.
Another image in the main hall.
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
Tom Thorpe had some of Signature Switch turnouts on his tables
Modules that were set up at the show
The extra area where the fire truck used to be.
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
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 the Erie Berk
Bill Davis had new imported Water Spouts in four different varieties with two different bases.
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.
PRR 2D-F8
PRR 2D-F8
National B-1
National B-1
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.
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.
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.
On Saturday, I attended this Spring’s Strasburg O Scale show.
John Dunn and Rich Yoder did a fine job of putting on this show. The attendance was crowded enough to make you think the isles were smaller this year. I was glad to see it. Plenty of new and second hand O scale models were on the tables.
Carl Jackson made the trip from Indianapolis, IN and Norm Pullen from Norm’s O Scale Trains made it down from Maine. Nice to see these vendors making the trip to Strasburg.
There were some new products at the show. Tom Thorpe was showing more examples of the turnouts he is promoting. They looked very nice. I was told of a couple of pilot models being in the room, but I was running my mouth too much to get to see them or get any images.
Rich Yoder did have his long awaited PRR 2D-F8 trucks at his table. The first run of these are sold out. I will have a post on them in the next couple of days.
Lee Turner’s RS-3
This year I actually took the time to find the model contest room. I’m glad I did.
I’ve seen photos of Lee Turner’s LV RS-3 online before. Seeing the model in real life was even better then seeing the photos.
The modeling displayed in the room was fantastic! Because of the contest the names were not displayed with the models. In some cases I knew the models and who built them.
I would have liked to known who did some of the work. I guess I’m spoiled by the RPM-Meets were the modelers show their work with their names displayed and are there to talk about the models also.
Details on Lee Turner’s RS-3
Lucus Bartig’s Scratchbuilt Frisco 2-10-0
Scratchbuilt car float
Car float close-up
Close up of the car float details
First of a couple of snow plows
Second snow plow in a more natural setting
Jim Zwerneman’s MKT 77889 Scratchbuilt from Styrene, sides are individual boards with built up “z” Braces.Ends are from Southern Car & Foundry. Center sill, bolsters and draft gear are leftover parts form a Chooch Kit. Trucks are Yoder Proto48. Protocraft and Blalock decals were used.
Jim Zwerneman’s MKT 77889, good view of the scratchbuilt Hutchins dry lading roof.
David Friedlander’s NYC Transfer caboose built from a Russ Briggs Kit.
Protocraft’s new boxcar offering.
As mentioned in the first post about the Chicago Show, Protocraft announced their next brass imported freight car. It is a 40 foot double door boxcar. I believe he mentioned this first offering is ACL prototype. They plan to do a number of different prototypes over the next few months. He did mention that the roller bearing trucks he imported were not going to be run again. So if you want these trucks in O scale or Proto48 buy them now before they are gone.
I also mentioned that American Switch & Signal had new Proto48 casting for a #12 turnout in code 125 rail. It was nice looking, I wish I had the room for them on my layout.
RY Models had their recent offerings of the ATSF BX3 and BX6 on display. They are sold out, but Rich was taking reservations on a short re-run of the cars. In his sales sheet on the table he mentioned the Bethlehem 52′ 70 ton Mill gondola and the PRR X37 family of boxcars. If you look closely at the photo in the first Chicago posts Rich had a pile of freight car photos, the ones I saw were of Mather prototypes.
Bob Lavezzi had a pilot model of a new steam locomotive from Weaver Models on his table. The model displayed was a three rail version of the model.
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Weaver Boston & Maine P-4 4-6-2
Rails Unlimited had their new Lehigh Valley Boxcar available at the show. They are available as either a flat kit ($85.00) or a built up body ($115.00). There is also a decal set available ($9.95) for the cars. Ted was also displaying two new resin cars, a Milwaukee Road Single sheathed boxcar and a Wabash single sheathed boxcar.
Rails Unlimited LV “Wrong-way” Boxcar.
The LV Duryea Cushion Underframe.
Rails Unlimited next models
Keystone Models was also at the show and they had their last model produced on display. It’s the PRR H21a with “clam-shell” doors.
Keystone Models last offering the H21a’s with the “clam-shell” hoppers.
Jim Harper of Red Cliff Miniatures had samples of his line of track components including his new switch stands.
Operating Switch Stand available from Red Cliff Miniatures
Non-Operating Switch Stand available from Red Cliff Miniatures
Strange to have an example of a NEW Lionel car at the show getting a lot of attention. Their new Automobile cars are a sight to see in person. I’m glad these cars are not in my modeling period, they looked great.
