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...
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Bill Chapin has been hard at work replicating New Haven head end equipment |
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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 |
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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 |
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Mark also displayed this yet-to-be-weathered model of a Q car from a Modelers Choice kit |
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Jim Lincoln displayed some of his usual O scale perfection |
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This Bowser flat with Life-Like tractors is the effort of Steve Ross, including exhaust and air intake details modified on the tractors |
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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 |
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This amazing Conrail gon with very good looking load is the work of Cheryl Dunbar |
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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 |
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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 |
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Bill also presented a clinic on late Mack AC prototypes and models... his work speaks for itself |
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Dave Bachand was on the scene with many excellent finished models, like this CV box car |
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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 |
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As usual, Hunter Hughson (who is that masked man?) swooped in with several impeccably weathered freight cars, like CP 252769 |
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Hunter didn't stop at freight cars as this amazing Penn Central truck illustrates |
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Dale Kritzky brought this in progress Arkansas & Louisiana Missouri kitbash |
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Andy Clermont shared a few of these ERDX kitbashed from Intermountain R-40-23 kits. They must be seen to be appreciated |
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CP 282201 was also Andy's handiwork |
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Randy Hammill has been busy kitbashing a fleet of New Haven flat cars using Tichy kits as fodder |
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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 |
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Irv Thomae has been at work scratchbuilding and molding bridge abutments to replicate the Montpelier & Wells River's at South Ryegate , Vermont |
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Adam Twombly had numerous fine models on display |
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Rapido displayed test shots of their highly anticipated UTLX X-3 tank car... |
Indeed, June 10-12 @ NERPM in Springfield was quite the FUN gathering! Kudos to Dave and his Team!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Ted. And it was great to see you!
ReplyDelete