Tag Archives: O Scale Nationals

2012 O Scale National, Parsippany, NJ – The Model Contest

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Michael Rahiley’s kitbashed PRR SW-9 took Second Place in the Diesel category.

For the second time at an O Scale National, I had the pleasure of traveling with one of the award winners in the modeling contest.  Michael Rahiley won a Second Place award for his kitbashed PRR SW-9 (above image). He also received an Honorable Mention for his Pennsylvania RR Peddler Freight Train Cira 1957.  Congrats to Michael, this was the second time one of his models won an award at an O Scale National. Which is real nice since I remember, many years ago, sitting at my kitchen table teaching him how to build Intermountain kits. He has come a long way.

When I went through the model room the modelers names were not displayed with the models. Joe G. has posted photos on this thread on the O Scale Trains Blog with images of some of the winners in the different categories. Where I had a photo of one of the winning models I added the information based on Joe’s post.

2012 O Scale National, Parsippany, NJ – News

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A view of about half the vendor hall

 

The 2012 “O” Scale National convention was held at the Parsippany Hilton Convention Center, Parsippany, NJ. It was Hosted by the New York Society of Model Engineers. The convention featured over 300 dealer tables, 30 clinics, a model contest, a couple of bus tours and a number of home and club layouts.

What a difference a year makes, this year’s convention was well attended, well organized, and a good time. The NY Society were great hosts, announcing the beginning of the clinics and just being helpful. The Models on display were in a bright room. One thing that could have helped the ease of their viewing, the tables could have been a little higher like they are at a prototype modelers meet. I’ll post photo’s I took of the models tomorrow.

The availability of Proto48 parts was limited to a one dealer selling San Juan trucks, Rich Yoder selling P48 trucks and Steve Grabowski selling some loose wheelsets. That was disapointing and it teamed up with the P48 clinic being canceled because the speaker was not at the show. We missed a chance to show and talk about P48 products at this National.

There were a lot of “New” O scale items at the show as well as a lot of older models to choose from in the vendor halls. Here is a breakdown of the new stuff I saw:

Rich Yoder had pilot models of his announced ATSF Bx-3,-6 boxcars and SK-2 Stock Cars. He also had painted pilot models of his USRA 70 ton triple hoppers.

Bob Stevenson showed an updated Baldwin CNJ Double ender kit on his table. It was an upgraded version of the older LWS kit. He was also showing a C&NW 4-6-0 kit ready to ship.

Rails Unlimited had new resin models on their table of a C&O/NKP ’32 ARA Boxcar with radial roofs. They also had new MILW Road stock cars available.

Southern Car & Foundry was not at the show, but Caboose Stop Hobbies had his line of kits on the shelf including the new ATSF Bx-12 extended height boxcar, which managed to come home with me.

Key Model Imports had the pilot model for the SP AC-12. Stunning model, but thankfully not something I need for my railroad based on an estimated price around $6K.

Atlas O had some redesigned 2-rail trucks that people were talking about (shorter, more prototypical bolsters). Not something a P48 cares about, but the O scale crowd liked it.

RYM’s Bx-3 and SK-2

RYM’s ATSF SK-2 Stock Car

RYM’s Sk-2 pilot model

RYM’s Bx-3 ATSF Boxcar

RYM’s Bx-3 ATSF boxcar

RYM’s USRA 70 Ton Triples

RYM USRA 70 Ton Triple

A View inside RYM’s USRA 70 Ton Triple

Key’s AC-12

2011 O Scale National, Indianapolis, IN – News

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There were a couple of new O Scale products displayed at the show:

Southern Car & Foundry’s New ATSF Bx-12 raised roof boxcar

Jon Cagle of Southern Car & Foundry had the pilot model for his new release the ATSF Bx-12 raised roof boxcar on display at his table.

SC&F CP “Minibox”

Also on Jon’s tables for sale were his kits of the Canadian Pacific “minibox” all steel boxcar. I was very glad to see so many of those kits go home with the show attendees. Jon also had a sample of an upcoming tank car on display. The frame castings were great!

I need to learn more about tank cars so I know what was running in my modeled area during my modeling period. Jon also put on a great clinic where he talked about how to build his kits.

Early sample of SC&F new tank car

Details for the Tank car

Another new product was on display on Bob Lavezzi’s table, a sample from Weaver Models of the upcoming release of a PRR class H30 covered hopper. I was impressed with this car. On the heals of their successful B&O M-53 wagon top boxcar, it looks like Weaver might have hit another homerun with the H30. Bob mentioned that the reservation period for this car should start sometime this Fall.

Weaver’s New H30 covered hopper

Roof detail on Weaver’s new PRR H30

Even though Protocraft was not at the show, John Paultz of American Switch and Signal had a set of their 41-N passenger truck at the Proto 48 convention. It was beautiful and just what I need under my Reading passenger cars. John also had his turnout casting for sale at the show, I will be using them on my railroad. John’s detail parts are also available through Protocraft.

Protocraft 41-N Passenger Truck

2011 O Scale National, Indianapolis, IN

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A View of the Proto48 Meeting at the O Scale National Convention

The 2011 O Scale National was held during the week from September 21st thru September 25th in Indianapolis, IN. Communication is not always what it should be and 20/20 hindsight is always better, I wish we would have known at the time that this National was put on Jim and his crew late.

When I go to a National, I’ll admit I want to be entertained by the local modelers. I look forward to seeing their layouts, attending their clinics, and seeing their modeling. Each area of the country that the Nationals have been held in sees the world differently. At the O Scale  National each we get a chance to see that area through the eyes of the people in that region. We get the chance to see common sceans modeled as they are remembered.

The first day had Proto48 meeting and a layout tour. We were invited to Jim Canter’s layout where we saw a large railroad under construction. It also was a great display for his track sections as they were being used throughout his layout. I look forward to seeing the eveloution of that layout.  We also had the chance to see a real jewel of a Proto48 layout, Warner Clark’s layout is worth going to Indianapolis to see on it’s own. We also attended another layout that day even though it was not a Proto48 layout. We visited Jeff Lang’s layout fine layout.

Before we headed out we had the chance to see some examples of On3 layouts that fit on the tables. We also had the chance to talk with one of the Proto48 suppliers, John Paultz of American Switch and Signal. He showed off a turnout built with his parts and talked about the development of his product line. One thing that really looked great on his display, besides his parts, was his use of an N scale Cab Industries ground throw. I spoke with my local suplier who was sitting next to me during the meeting and have some on order now.

The next day, there were good buys on the trading floor to be had. The time spent with the modelers who were there was very enjoyable.

Layout Visit: Pat Mitchel, 2009 O Scale National

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Pat Mitchell

As I was leaving the National, I went to visit Pat Mitchel’s layout. While only in the beginning bench work stage, it still out-did many layouts I’ve seen and left me questioning things that I had decided against for my own railroad.

Pat designed his layout using a 3D PlanIt (a model railroad based CAD program). He had the sub-roadbed cut by a local business on a CNC machine using the drawing he made with 3D PlanIt. Chris Smith had spoken about this approach the day before as he had his sub-roadbed cut the same way.

The layout is influenced by John Armstrong, but is not nearly as crowded as most of his design followers. Only a small portion of the railroad had track laid. Pat did operate a locomotive through the room for us. Including using his “elevator” to raise an entire length of train from one level to the another.

There are no feeder wires attached to his rails as there is no power going through them. His locomotives carry their own power in battery pack and receive their commands through the air using the Airwire system. I have to admit to reading everything I could find in the weeks after the National about Airwire. I was very impressed, and when the batteries get a little smaller I think it will become the standard for Command Control.

Pat was a great host answering questions and talking about what he had done so far. This was one of the layouts I wanted to see and I was very impressed even in its beginning stages.

Some of the Benchwork

The benchwork that caused me to re-think the number of levels that are possible with O scale.

Pat discussing the layout with Matt

One of Pat’s models equipped with an AirWire system

One of Pat’s models showing the installation of a new motor and sound system.

The electronics in the tender. The white thing is the battery.

One of Pat’s beautiful Proto48 turnouts.

Close up of the points.

Everywhere you looked there were nicely built solutions to common problems.

Chris Smith

The elevator

The elevator in the “Up” position.

Layout Visit: Chris Smith, 2009 O Scale National

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On the second night of the National, we went to visit Chris Smith’s layout. While only a small portion of the layout had scenery, you could see the passion Chris has for building scenery. The layout is based on a John Armstrong design. It winds and twists it way up through three levels of railroad, moving a lot of open hoppers up and down the railroad.

While we were there we saw a beautiful pair of Kohs Y6b’s pulling a nice open hopper train filled with a bunch of Rich Yoder’s hoppers. Turns out an MTH locomotive had to be put into service later that night when the Kohs engine had some trouble. The MTH locomotive was impressive in it performance. Overall the layout was nicely built and ran very well. Based on the scenery in place and how well the railroad operated, this is going to be a must see layout for the region.

Chris was a great host answering question well past the end time for the open house. This was one of the layouts I wanted to see and I was even more impressed than I thought I might be.

Chris Smith

Chris Smith

A Kohs Y6b waiting in front of the tunnel portal

Chris Smith

Chris’ rather nice brackets

Using one of two Atlas bridges for a duckunder

Chris Smith

The upper yard with Chris in the background

Chris’ art

Chris Smith

You can tell what he has a passion for

You have to like a nice string of open hoppers.

Chris Smith

Another nice brass piece sitting in the upper yard.

another nice model

Chris Smith

The before part of the corner

continuing down the outside wall

Chris Smith

The entrance into the upper yard with sceanery started

Looking across at the lower level yard with the two upper levels going over the top.

Chris Smith

You can learn a lot by seeing how its built.

All that wiring back to a movable control stand.

Layout Visit: Dave Vaughn, 2009 O Scale National

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On the first night of the National, we had an invite to visit Dave Vaughn’s layout before it was open to the public and the crowds. I wish to thank Dave for the invite and the early look at the layout.

The layout is going through some changes. Dave has begun to incorporate parts of John Armstrong’s layout into his layout. And in John’s style, the layout winds and twists up through three levels of railroad. Some of the older portions of the railroad have not changed and reflect what was there in sceanery and structures.

Dave was a great host answering questions and telling stories about the influence of John Armstrong on himself and other local railroaders.

Chris Smith

Dave Vaughn

Some very nice scenes in the older section of the layout

Chris Smith

Dave had some very nice equipment parked on the sidings

A wartime NKP caboose that Dave brught in as a brass model.

Chris Smith

More nice cabooses in Dave’s NKP yard

A veiw looking back towars the NKP yard

Chris Smith

A view looking back at the NKP yard which clearly shows the second level.

A couple of gondolas on the second level.

Chris Smith

A view of the upper level support through the telephone pole.

another nice NKP model

Chris Smith

One of John Armstrong’s locomotives

A view of the “new” expansion

This is the entrance to the lower level reverse loops.

Chris Smith

Dave is working parts of John Armstrong’s layout into his.

The curve continues

2009 O Scale National, Towson, MD – News

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I just returned from the 2009 BOSS O Scale National. It was by far one of the best Nationals I had ever attended. The Baltimore group did a great job putting on the show.

The vending tables had a wide variety of stuff for all budgets. It was hard not to spend money everywhere. I’ll try to hit on what were a few of my highlights.

Weaver– They were showing a B&O Wagon top boxcar on their table. The examples on the table were older brass models meant to try to size up the interest in the crowd to see if they should produce the model. They mentioned that it would be built overseas and we should expect it to be close in quality and pricing to their B-60’s. I think it will be a winner.

Mullet River Model Works– They had some great new kits on the table and some fantastic details. Their NYC caboose would have gone home with me if I didn’t have a brass version of the same car sitting at home.

Rails Unlimited – Ted had many of his resin cast freight cars with him. Some were selling out and will not be re-run. I passed on the new B&O car, some modelers have complained about the casting quality of this new release, some that I know have returned their kits. I’ll wait for the Weaver version. I did come home with a PRR Gr gondola even though I had kit-bashed a similar car already.

RY Models – Rich had his Baldwin switchers on the table along with his tank cars. I also saw a lot of his trucks going home with people.

The layout tours were inspirational. Being at the starting blocks of my railroad, it made me re-think some of the decisions I made about what could be done. I’ll write about each of the layouts I visited in the coming weeks.