Pacific Fruit Express R-40-23/-25/-26 from NERPM

 

Mostly completed weathered R-40-25

I presented a discussion about the PFE's 10,000 strong postwar reefers in the R-40-23, -25, and -26 classes at the recent NERPM. The presentation can be accessed via the Speedwitch Files page.

NERPM 2024

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.

Bob Cronin built this impressive 3D printed WM well hole flat car from Plate C

Ken Freeman 'bashed a PC N8A cabin car

Dale Kritzky, who knows a thing or two about real trucks, models them, as well

Don Sierakowski showed off a scratchbuilt O scale New Haven Clejan flat along with two trailers

When not modifying O&W brass steam, Mal Houck finds time to scratchbuild O&W rolling stock

This Rutland flat car in S scale is a 3D printed model detailed by Jeff English

Chad Rancourt displayed this fine CV MOW car modeled by the late Armand Premo

John Riddell finsihed off an Eastern Car Works depressed center flat with a load from Yelton Models

This finely detailed gon and load is the work of Maxwell Brisben

This nicely weathered covered hopper is the work of Alex Formanek

Not only did Jim Fellows present a clinic on modeling passenger equipment, but he also brought many nice models to illustrate

This New Haven baggage RPO is the work of Bill Chapin

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

These impressive group of loaded gons is the handiwork of Carlton Rohmer

Joe Biagioni has been busy recreating the motive power of the Susquehanna

Tom Murray displayed plenty of Conrail and Amtrak equipment, including this nicely detailed SDP40F

Brian Carlson added a nice load to an equally nice Red Caboose/SPH&TS F-70-6 flat car

This in-progress Erie unit is the work of Tim Moses

John Terry showed off this weathering tour de force

Ryan Mendell brought some of his excellent Grand Trunk MOW models

This finely detailed kitbash is the work of Mike Evans

Joe Smith is one of the finest kitbashers out there. The baggage-parlor car Dudley is one of his best!

This PC (ex-NH) parlor-club car, Nathan Hale, is the work of Bob Marquardt. The finish is excellent

Ted DiIorio offers hands on weathering clinics. These models display the before and after

One of the hosts of the event, Dave Owens, shared his fire and military equipment. Models include Roco, Sylvan and Ralph Ratcliffe, among others

This effectively and believably weathered car is the work of Kevin Hamelin

Gareth Thomas is working to build his N scale fleet by 3D printing. This will be a B&M ARA box car

This exquisitely detailed White Superpower log truck features a Sylvan cab and frame plus scratchbuilt bunks and a "log" load from his back yard

This Southern Car & Foundry resin two-compartment car (Standard Tank Car prototype) was skillfully built and finished by Vince Lee 

Not just a one-trick Alco NH switcher cab 3D printer, Mike Redden showed this beautiful B&O cab

Chris Adams always seems to be modeling an Alco switcher. This NH unit features one of Mike Redden's cabs plus Chris's handiwork

Bob Cronin built and finished this Bar Mills "over-nighter" kit

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

Scratchbuilding for Pattern-Making from NERPM 2024

 

Here is a link to the pdf file of my presentation from the NERPM, "Scratchbuilding for Pattern-Making"

NERPM is approaching!

 

The Northeast/New England RPM will be held at the end of this month, May 31 - June 1. It's exciting for many reasons, but perhaps the biggest is the new venue. The event will be held at the Sheraton in downtown Springfield, with all event-related activities now in the same area as well as top-flight food and entertainment (did someone request a bar?) right on site. The meet also boasts yet another great lineup of presenters. This event is now one of the longest running in the nation and has continued to grow and improve from its roots at the Collinsville, CT community center. It is now a top-flight event in every aspect: clinicians, display space and models, vendors, the facilities, and layouts on display. If you haven't attended recently, I heartily encourage you to come this year. It promises to be the biggest and best yet. Here are some links to photos from previous years' events:

• 2023
• 2022
• 2018

Photos from 2023 NERPM

On day one, Mal Houck had models of seemingly every center cab that the O&W ever rostered. He followed on day two with some more conventional subjects like 4-8-2s and 2-10-2s. Mal is one of the best brass scratchbuilders and kitbashers you will ever find

The latest NERPM was held this past weekend at the La Quinta in Springfield, Mass. Attendance was sky high, the clinics I attended were extremely well done and many good friends were in attendance. I managed to race around the display room and photograph a mix of models that were on display. There are many people out there doing amazing, challenging work with great results. It's really inspiring and motivating to see so many beautiful models on display. Here are the pics...

Bob Tegtmeier brought along several LNE diesels, including this beauty

Vincent Lee used a Westerfield kit to model this ACL class O-15 ventilated box car

Mark Osmun had a large group of models, including this Guilford unit...

... as well as this Santa Fe auto car

John Frantz showed off an ex-EL E unit quickly changed to Conrail service

This handsome New Haven baggage car in McGinnis livery was modeled by Kevin Hamelin

Bob Cronin displayed his usual large group of resin freight cars, including this Resin Car Works NYC gondola

This impressive in-progress kitbash of a Tilcon (a Connecticut rock quarry company) Ortner hopper is the work of Louis Papineau

Ryan Mendell skillfully finished this Sylvan utility pickup

Ryan also brought a Sunshine model of a Rath postwar Mather refrigerator car

Todd Hermann displayed several beautiful Ironton models, including this one based upon a Stewart undec DS 4-4-1000 with numerous details, decals, and weathering plus DCC and sound

Steve Solombrino showed off this oldie, but goodie based upon a Sierra Car & Foundry kit

Cheryl Dunbar produces some exquisite loads, like this one on a TTX bulkhead flat car

Luis Segarra displayed this impressive CSX gondola with an equally nice scrap load

Will Jamison added a highly realistic steel load to a Penn Central flat

Will also brought along this gorgeous in-progress Penn Central G44 made from resin castings based upon Will's own scratchbuilt patterns

Eric Hansmann took advantage of his recent move to the East Coast to attend his first NERPM. He displayed numerous pre-Depression era freight cars including this B&O M-13a based upon a Westerfield kit. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Tim Moses showed off this highly detailed NYS&W SD unit... look at those fans!

Blair Davies used a Centralia Car Shops kit to kitbash an ex-ATSF N-5K Penn Central caboose, including adding the bay windows and modifying the cupola

This substantial looking Conrail unit is the work of John Terry 

This Penn Central E unit is the work of Frank Lea

Ron Poidomani displayed a couple fine structures including "Rosario's Metal Works"

Jeff English showed off this impressive 3D printed S scale Rutland flat car, based upon a NYC System prototype 

Lastly, Mike Sparks showed off this very impressive scratchbuilt model of the Delaware & Hudson's Whitehall, NY freight house