Prototype Rails/Cocoa Beach 2016

Floridian and airbrushaholic Bill Welch's fine models

I thought it appropriate to start the blog and the year with a short post about Prototype Rails (Cocoa Beach). As usual, it did not disappoint. Mike Brock, Jeff Aley, Marty Megregian, Greg Martin, and the others who keep the gears in motion deserve kudos. Things always move smoothly, even when they don't. My general sentiment is that the event seems to have become a "large" event. There seem to be more attendees than ever and there are tons of clinics from which to choose. Even with its size, the event boasts a laid back feel, due likely to the hosts, the location with its weather (warm and rainy this year) and the fact that most people are exhaling after the holidays. I cannot recommend it enough and hope that if you have not yet attended, give it a shot next year. The welcome is warm, the beers are cold, the cookies are placed out on schedule, the clinics are great, and the modeling is top notch.

Eric Thur brought some of his creations

More of Eric's excellent work

Craig Zeni's rolling stock for his NYO&W layout

Al Brown, a "local" displayed some beautiful models, including some kitbashes

The "Shake-n-Take" table, where the group kitbashes that are a crowd favorite at Cocoa Beach are displayed

Ross Dando of Twin Star Cars displayed an "in the works" Rock Island flat car (kit coming) plus details including the springs for the Chrysler trucks. The flat cars to the right are his handiwork, too.

Gary Laakso, an almost local from Boca Raton, builds resin as fast as anyone (until he got a kitten that likes to help)

Bill Darnaby has built more resin tank cars than anyone, I would bet. He does need a lot of cars, though, to populate the Maumee Route

John Barry brought the basic carbody components from the 2014 Shake-n-Take project, USRA rebuilds