2013 Strasburg O Scale Show – November

Posted on November 15, 2013 by George Losse

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.

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.

2013 Cleveland O Scale Show – November

Posted on November 4, 2013 by George Losse

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

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.

2013 Strasburg O Scale Show – August

Posted on August 10, 2013 by George Losse

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.

2013 Strasburg O Scale Show – April

Posted on April 9, 2013 by George Losse

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.

2013 Chicago O Scale Show – The Model Contest

Posted on March 21, 2013 by George Losse

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.

2013 Chicago O Scale Show – News

Posted on March 20, 2013 by George Losse

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

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.

2013 Chicago O Scale Show

Posted on March 19, 2013 by George Losse

Photos just don’t capture how big the selling floor really is.

This was my second time attending the Chicago O Scale Show. The first time I attended the show, two years ago, it was great. This time was even better!

Wow! Mike Hill and his helpers did a great job with this show!

Even the 1700 mile round trip drive is worth it to go this show!

I attended the different meetings, sat in on a clinic, visited a couple of layouts and I even got to see the models in the contest room this time. It was a very busy couple of days.

The Crowd at the Proto48 Meeting

There were two meetings held during the show, The Proto48 on Friday night and the O Scale Kings on Saturday morning. There was over 80 people at the Proto48 meeting, I wonder how many were actually Proto48’ers? The Proto48 meeting was hosted by Jim Canter and Paul Hanson. Different manufacturers spoke to the audience:

Jim Canter of Canter Rail Services demonstrated his tie strips, he also mentioned that they are looking into bringing back his track templates.
Jim Harper of Red Cliff Miniatures spoke to the crowd about his line of track components including his new operating switch stands.
John Paultz of American Switch & Signal spoke and announced a new turnout kit for a #12 turnout.
Norm Buckhart of Protocraft announced several new offerings, first was a new model of a 40′ double door boxcar. Their Clouser Type “E” coupler is being revised and going to be imported assembled. Norm showed off a new 2 3/4 inch speaker and also spoke about his modified Tsunami decoders. He did announce a couple of new trucks in the works and that the 70 and 100ton Roller Bearing trucks will not be re-run.
Ken Burney of WK Burney Scale Models announced a line of cast structures based on typical southern buildings.
Rich Yoder of RY Models also spoke. He thanked the Proto48 crowd for their support of his products over the years. He also promoted the Strasburg O Scale Shows.

The crowd at the O Scale Kings Meeting

The next morning the O Scale Kings held their meeting. Bob Lavezzi chaired this meeting. Maybe it was the early hour of the meeting or maybe people had nothing to do the night before during the Proto48 Meeting, but there was a big difference in the audience. They had maybe 20 people in the room. They spoke for a while about that fact, and they spoke about the name of the group. The biggest news (for me) was that this year’s O Scale National in Wooster will likely be the last. Nobody has stepped up to put on the show for 2014.

John Paultz (American Switch & Signal) at his table.

Rich Yoder behind his table.

Headed to Chicago

Posted on March 13, 2013 by George Losse

Ruby and Pearl trying to go with us.

The wife and I were packing and getting ready to go to the Chicago O Scale Show and it looks like someone wants to go with us. That’s Ruby in the suitcase and Pearl in back keeping an eye on everything.

Looking forward to the trip and the show. I will have more to say when I get back.

2013 Cherry Valley O Scale Show – March

Posted on March 3, 2013 by George Losse

The Show when it was busy

Michael Rahiley was the only dealer with the New Weaver Milwaukee Boxcar.

George Peckman in a Phillies hat talking to his customers.

Even though the Cherry Valley Show is a local show for me, it’s only about 19 miles from my home. In recent years haven’t always attended the show. But a friend who has been dealing with some health issues recently needed a hand, so I found myself attending the show and with a few extra things on the table as well.

The show was typical a Cherry Valley Show. A couple of dealers, some guys selling some extra stuff and a growing number of club members selling some extra stuff. Not much at all in the way of new products.

Most (not all) of the people that I spoke with today during the show were either current members or like myself former members of the club.

Michael Rahiley was the only dealer who had the new Weaver Milwaukee Rib-side Boxcars on his table. I was surprised he did not sell them out. They looked nice.

Tom Thorpe was demonstrating a track bending tool during the show. It looked cool and I believe there is a write-up about it in the current O Scale Trains. He also had samples of O Scale ready-built turnouts which looked very nice and were priced well.

I first attended a Cherry Valley show back in 1986 when I got into O scale. Back then they had a couple of brass dealers, a number of dealers with new products because they had accounts with wholesalers. It was held twice a year, once in May and again in September. It was something to look forward to. It’s a shame to see how the show has changed.

Today’s show was not well attended, I heard from a couple of sources that there were only twenty-five paid people in attendance in addition to the people who had tables and the club members.

2012 Cleveland O Scale Show – November

Posted on November 8, 2012 by George Losse

The Cleveland O Scale Show came right on the heals of Huricane Sandy, which was felt from New Jersey all the way to Chicago. Lots of people were talking about the storm. Surprising to hear how many were without power in the other states it hit. A number of people I expected to see at the show were not there because they were cleaning up after the storm.

For those that did go to the show, there were a lot of people selling off collections of built cars, plus a number of folks selling their own extra models. There did not seem to be many dealers with new or current stock on their tables, maybe three or four dealers. That’s not to say that there wasn’t plenty of models at good prices.

There was one new manufacturer at the show, OscaleTurnouts, Inc.™ had a display of their new O scale turnout offerings. They are built up using PC boards to keep the rails in gauge and Right-O-Way castings to make them look great. One feature I really liked, they worked out how far to extend the rail at the end of the diverging routes so that two turnout laid together will be spaced correctly for a 4 inch centerline single cross over. It said to me they have done more then just built a jig to build the turnouts in, they have designed a though out product.

Modeling the Reading in Proto48

Modeling the Reading in the Summer of '52

Category Archives: O Scale Meets