The 2024 Northeast/New England RPM was held at the Springfield Sheraton from the evening of May 30th through June 1st with "self-service" layout tours on June 2nd. As has been the trend, the event gets better every year and this year continued the trend. The biggest news from this year's meet was the new venue. While only about a mile from last year's site, the difference couldn't be more stark. The facilities at the Sheraton were top notch, with great rooms for vendors, displays, and clinics, all adjacent in a large open air "Hyatt-style" area. Both evenings, the open space was the location of the raffle and there was a bar and bartender there to keep the random drawings fair. We missed Funaro & Camerlengo while Steve recovered from an operation, but the vendors, display models, and clinics were again some of the best you will find anywhere. The team did a great job assembling a murderers' row of entertainment and attractions. I can't wait for 2025 as Dave Owens and the team already have some improvements in store. If you didn't make it this year, I highly recommend that you put next year's event in ink on your calendar... it's worth it!
I did find time to photograph some models and even pay a visit to Bill Schneider's to see his O&W layout. The layout was open and welcoming... unfortunately, the pool was off limits! Enjoy!
P.S. info about my clinic can be found here.
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| Bob Cronin built this impressive 3D printed WM well hole flat car from Plate C |
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| Ken Freeman 'bashed a PC N8A cabin car |
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| Dale Kritzky, who knows a thing or two about real trucks, models them, as well |
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| Don Sierakowski showed off a scratchbuilt O scale New Haven Clejan flat along with two trailers |
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| When not modifying O&W brass steam, Mal Houck finds time to scratchbuild O&W rolling stock |
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| This Rutland flat car in S scale is a 3D printed model detailed by Jeff English |
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| Chad Rancourt displayed this fine CV MOW car modeled by the late Armand Premo |
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| John Riddell finsihed off an Eastern Car Works depressed center flat with a load from Yelton Models |
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| This finely detailed gon and load is the work of Maxwell Brisben |
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| This nicely weathered covered hopper is the work of Alex Formanek |
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| Not only did Jim Fellows present a clinic on modeling passenger equipment, but he also brought many nice models to illustrate |
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| This New Haven baggage RPO is the work of Bill Chapin |
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| In progress models are always a treat as you can see what has gone into a model. This Maine Coastal GP29 is the work of Chris Hall |
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| These impressive group of loaded gons is the handiwork of Carlton Rohmer |
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| Joe Biagioni has been busy recreating the motive power of the Susquehanna |
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| Tom Murray displayed plenty of Conrail and Amtrak equipment, including this nicely detailed SDP40F |
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| Brian Carlson added a nice load to an equally nice Red Caboose/SPH&TS F-70-6 flat car |
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| This in-progress Erie unit is the work of Tim Moses |
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| John Terry showed off this weathering tour de force |
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| Ryan Mendell brought some of his excellent Grand Trunk MOW models |
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| This finely detailed kitbash is the work of Mike Evans |
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| Joe Smith is one of the finest kitbashers out there. The baggage-parlor car Dudley is one of his best! |
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| This PC (ex-NH) parlor-club car, Nathan Hale, is the work of Bob Marquardt. The finish is excellent |
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| Ted DiIorio offers hands on weathering clinics. These models display the before and after |
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| One of the hosts of the event, Dave Owens, shared his fire and military equipment. Models include Roco, Sylvan and Ralph Ratcliffe, among others |
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| This effectively and believably weathered car is the work of Kevin Hamelin |
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| Gareth Thomas is working to build his N scale fleet by 3D printing. This will be a B&M ARA box car |
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| This exquisitely detailed White Superpower log truck features a Sylvan cab and frame plus scratchbuilt bunks and a "log" load from his back yard |
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| This Southern Car & Foundry resin two-compartment car (Standard Tank Car prototype) was skillfully built and finished by Vince Lee |
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| Not just a one-trick Alco NH switcher cab 3D printer, Mike Redden showed this beautiful B&O cab |
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| Chris Adams always seems to be modeling an Alco switcher. This NH unit features one of Mike Redden's cabs plus Chris's handiwork |
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| Bob Cronin built and finished this Bar Mills "over-nighter" kit |
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| These two photos, as well as the one at the top, are from my visit to Bill Schneider's impressive O&W layout, which was open to visitors on Sunday |
