NERPM 2022

During the weekend of June 10-12, I attended the NERPM, my first in-person RPM in almost two and a half years! I was not alone in this being the first Covid-era event for many. "I haven't seen you in years" was a common conversation bit. I was thrilled to see many close friends again, as well as meet some new ones for the first time in person or for the first time ever. There was a lot of pent-up positive energy and modeling projects to be shared from long periods of isolation!

The venue was the La Quinta in downtown Springfield. This was especially easy for me as I was able to make it to and from Brooklyn via the subway, Metro North and CTRail, with no car power needed! The venue had a large ball room plus a vendor room on the 12th floor, with clinic rooms on floors 2 and 11. There was a mix of vendors including Bob's Photo, Steve from the Hobby Gallery, BEST Trains, Funaro & Camerlengo, and Ron's Books (I hope I didn't miss anyone!) The facility had a gathering area on the first floor supported by a bar and several seating areas.

What does "Duryea Way" have to do with anything? Well, beyond the reference to the Duryea underframe, Duryea Way was a nearby pedestrian way in the city featuring many restaurants with outdoor seating. I spent an enjoyable evening there with friends. For information about why this pedestrian way is called "Duryea" please visit this wikipedia page.

On to some of the models that I photographed...

This beauty by Jim Dufour was one I couldn't pass up. It was one of the first prototypes I knew I wanted to produce as a kit under Speedwitch (truth be told my interest pre-dated Speedwitch.) Jim did a great job, as he always does.

Mal Houck brought a fleet of O&W steamers that he had meticulously restored, regeared, redetailed, re-everythinged. I thought it only fitting to shed a little light on the milk car fleet

In keeping with the "Duryea Way" theme, Ryan Mendell brought one of his amazing B&O M-55 models that incorporates his excellent Duryea underframe parts

Will Jamison busted out of Covid captivity to share this amazing build using Atlas sides and end with a scratchbuilt side to produce a remarkable DT&I prototype 

Bill Chapin has been hard at work replicating New Haven head end equipment

I think that Larry Lawler's model of an NP PS-1 combination door car is from Tangent, although Larry could have kitbashed it as well. His secret is safe with us

Mark Kerlick has been working on this beautiful model of a PRR F5 using an Athearn Genesis model as the basis. He has added numerous detail

Mark also displayed this yet-to-be-weathered model of a Q car from a Modelers Choice kit

Jim Lincoln displayed some of his usual O scale perfection

This Bowser flat with Life-Like tractors is the effort of Steve Ross, including exhaust and air intake details modified on the tractors

The New York Central had many of these unusual offset-side hoppers. Brian Carlson used a Accurail kit with Sunshine sides on this in-progress replica

This amazing Conrail gon with very good looking load is the work of Cheryl Dunbar

Mike Evans modified the right hand door on a Rocket Express to produce this unique (as far as we know) model of a Rock Island single sheathed auto car

Bill Badger displayed this amazing replica of a Rutland H-6a USRA Light Mikado... you can save yourself the hard work and see his article in the Spring 2021 Newsliner from the Rutland RR Hist Soc

Bill also presented a clinic on late Mack AC prototypes and models... his work speaks for itself

Dave Bachand was on the scene with many excellent finished models, like this CV box car

Steve Solombrino took a break from flat cars with amazing loads to model this MP box car with Union Duplex fixtures using the parts from National Scale Car

As usual, Hunter Hughson (who is that masked man?) swooped in with several impeccably weathered freight cars, like CP 252769

Hunter didn't stop at freight cars as this amazing Penn Central truck illustrates

Chris Adams completed his low-profile cab model of New Haven switcher 0604. More details at this link: start here and work backwards on the blog

Dale Kritzky brought this in progress Arkansas & Louisiana Missouri kitbash

Andy Clermont shared a few of these ERDX kitbashed from Intermountain R-40-23 kits. They must be seen to be appreciated

CP 282201 was also Andy's handiwork

Randy Hammill has been busy kitbashing a fleet of New Haven flat cars using Tichy kits as fodder

As usual, Jeff English proudly carried the torch for S scale, including this WFEX truss rod based upon gift parts from "Naperville" several years ago

Irv Thomae has been at work scratchbuilding and molding bridge abutments to replicate the Montpelier & Wells River's at South Ryegate , Vermont

Adam Twombly had numerous fine models on display

Rapido displayed test shots of their highly anticipated UTLX X-3 tank car...