One Hundred Ghosts

 

At the recent RPM East Meet, in addition to the usual clinics, vendors, and model display room, I was also able to socialize with some of the usual suspects at the hotel. One of those having traveled from far(ther) afield was Blaine Hadfield of Arrowhead Models, from Wyoming. He brought along a copy of his new book, One Hundred Ghosts, which he had just received from the printer. Both Hunter Hughson and I ordered copies right then and there.

This is one of those books that combines a few of my interests and passions. My interest in things railroad is obvious given this blog, but I am also very passionate about photography as an art medium, especially landscapes, and what can loosely be described as industrial archaeology. This work has all of those in spades. [it is similar, but to me, surpasses Down By the Feed Mill, coming from that same place of affection]

The photography is exceptional, evoking not only the feeling and moods of the grain elevators and their environs, but the actual sense of them as beings. They represented the lifeblood of their pieces of the rural network. Blaine has magnificently captured the emotions wrapped up in these sentinels of the landscape.

I have barely begun to delve into this book. I look forward to reading it in stolen snippets of 10 or 15 minutes to imbibe each elevator and location. Blaine has provided a wealth of background detail, as well, to provide context to the structures and his efforts. Bravo on a job well done!

The images included herein are included for representation. They are simply examples, not any better than any others. I just wanted to illustrate Blaine's fine work. Also, the computer monitor will not do justice to the work in the book. The printing is excellent and the colors and moods of the images are faithfully rendered. 

Arrowhead Models Definitive HO 1:87.1 Wheelset

One of my regular customers brought a box of these to show to me at Timonium last Sunday. He had purchased them from M. B. Klein (modeltrainstuff.com - at the time of this post there were some of the subject items in stock; none were available from Arrowhead Models.) The item I am referring to is the "Definitive HO 1:87.1 Wheelset" from Arrowhead Models, available in both 33 and 36-inch HO scale diameter wheels.

I ordered two packs from M. B. Klein and they arrived within a few days. The packaging itself is impressive (a little too much in the opinion of this avowedly "green" writer), consisting of a box and blister pack "cradles" designed to protect any of the wheels from coming into contact and possible damaging the needle-pointed axle tips.

The wheelsets are as advertised. There is little doubt that these are some of the finest wheelsets I have ever seen. The shape is impressive, with each wheel and axle machined from nickel silver. They are insulated on one axle. I presume that given that the founder of Arrowhead had a previous relationship with Exactrail, these wheelsets are a related brainchild to Exactrail's "World's Finest Wheels" which are similarly machined, but blackened.

The nits and they are really more of wishes. Using a micrometer, I measured the wheelset axle length to be just under 1.000". I would really like to see a few other axle length offerings, perhaps 0.975", something in the 1.010" or 1.015" range, and similarly a 1.025"-1.030" range. In addition, I would like to see a 100-pack at a slightly more attrative per unit price. Lastly, make more! These were practically gone before I even knew of their existence.

Price from M. B. Klein is $42.95 plus shipping for 24 wheelsets.