Valley Forge RPM 2024

 

Fred Lass had an extensive display of his steam modeling, including this C&O K-2 cobbled together from Mantua, Cary, and Bachmann components (photo below is also of the same loco)

This past weekend, I attended the Valley Forge RPM in Malvern, Pennsylvania. It was the best one in my memory and it was also the largest, with over 300 attendees. I managed to absorb more clinics than I usually do, and they were all top notch. I particularly enjoyed the presentations by Todd Hermann (LNE Catausqua branch layout,) Bill Schneider (NYO&W layout,) and Matt Herman of 3D Central (3D printing.) There were also an incredible number of fine models in the display room. I photographed a bunch that happened to catch my eye. They are presented herein. Enjoy! P.S. next year's meet will be RPM East in western Pennsylvania, as these unaffiliated events run biannually - the Valley Forge RPM (Philadelphia area) in even years and RPM East (Greensburg/Pittsburgh area) in odd years.

Jerry Dembeck displayed several models, including this Armour reefer built from a Sunshine kit

Shannon Crabtree weathered this Intermountain RF&P box car

Thomas Smapes (spelling?) Sr. had several fine pieces of Western Maryland O scale brass that he had built

Gary Stroh displayed mainy fine weathered subjects, such as this Southern covered hopper from Athearn

Mark Kerlick repped the western PA crew with many models, including this E-L from Walthers, with full-length handrails and spark arrestors

There were many cars with interesting loads, such as this modified well car with axles and wheels shipped by CP-KCS as modeled by John Brown

Bob Stetser showed off a PC 70-ton AAR flat (Protowest kit, he thinks... and I agree) with containers from Shapeways as well as scratchbuilt fraiming and Tichy bulkheads plus decals from the scrap bin

Tom Devenny always has some nicely weathered models to display. One of this year's is GTW 50-foot AAR box car from a P2K kit

This Soo caboose is based on an Athearn blue box car with plated-over windows, Microscale decals, nice weathering, and other details, by Lou Papineau

Jamie Isett displayed this big modern diesel... I confess I don't even know what JRIX and several searches yielded no results. I just thought it looked impressive

This amazing Conrail caboose is the work of Aaron Heaney

Bill Chapin displayed a model of the New Canaan station, based upon the Branchline kit with scratchbuilt platforms, roof trim, and chimneys as well as many replacement windows of correct size

Yet another station... this model of the NYO&W Middletown, NY station and headquarters was built by Jim Dalburg (back in 1968!) Oh... he also built the train

This O&W gon is the work of Bill Schneider. It was drawn by Bill and 3D printed. The decals are his work, too.

This nicely detailed Atlas Southern B23-7 was heavily detailed by Sherm Everlof

Andrew Coniers scratchbuilt this impressive model of Fabian Coal on the Reading Co.'s Newtown branch.

Billy Dale brought an impressive roster of completed freight cars, including this F&C covered hopper of a Lackawanna prototype

Chuck Davis presented a clinic aboput modeling steam and had many finsihed models on display, plus this in-progress steamer

Thomas Richards had an impressive display of 3D printed Soo Line "Wheat Line" North Dakota
 depots. They are exquisite!

Ron Giordani stripped a BLI heavy Mike of all details, then built out a Wooten firebox and added a "gazillion" brass parts to create this stunning CNJ model

Eric Hansmann had his usual display of numerous 1920s-era freight cars, including this Westerfield model of a Pennsy X23 box car

Butch Eyler always brings along a large number of expertly weathered cars. This is one example

Dennis Lippert also had a TON of freight cars on display, including this AC&Y combination door PS-1

Steve Holzheimer also showed some love for the AC&Y with his model of an S-2 purchased secondhand from the Nickel Plate

Allen Underkofler used a laser to cut the pieces to make this PRR tool house 

Alan Mende had many CNJ models to show off, including this E-2 class 0-8-0, based upon a Mantua Alco 0-8-0 with details removed, frame modified to accept 55" drivers, and new details from Lee Town, CalScale, and Precision Scale added to create a stunning replica. The tender is from an NWSL USRA 0-6-0

Interesting detail for Emergency Hoppers

While attending the RPM meet in Valley Forge a few weeks ago, I found something I can put to use immediately. I have an undecorated Proto 2000 Emergency hopper that I am building as a Santa Fe version. Bill Hanley designed these interiors to enhance his models of B&O Emergency hoppers. He had extras produced and was selling them at the meet. A pack costs $7.00 and provides two sets of self-adhesive laser cut wood parts to detail the interiors of two cars - double what is illustrated in the accompanying photo. What a bargain! 

Kitbashing clinic from Valley Forge RPM

In progress kitbash of an NC&StL XM31 box car rebuilt from a flat car

As promised, here is the link to the kitbashing clinic presented at the Valley Forge RPM on March 23, 2018. Note that this file is updated from the last time I presented this material. The topic will be "retired" for the present time until I can complete more of the projects.

Valley Forge RPM

I had the pleasure of attending the bi-annual (alternates every other year with a sister event in Greensburg, PA) Valley Forge RPM in Malvern, PA. This year's event drew just under 300 people and featured many prominent speakers from around the east and midwest. The event was hosted at the gorgeous Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, which has top flight facilities. As one would expect, there were many models on display. Here is a sampling:

B&O M-53 by Bob Cronin of Granby, CT 

In process Reading F-unit from Ron Giordani of Whitehall, PA

Prolific "resinator" Jim Kubanick from West Virginia displayed many models, including this Sunshine CB&Q GS-2 gon with interesting load

Eric Hansmann shared castings for a 1922 MDT reefer... a future kit?

Corey Fischer from Rochester, NY is taking detailing of a Santa Fe Budd Hi Level diner to a new level...

... look at the aisles, the table tops, bulkheads, and chair covers!

Ron Hoess from Chadds Ford, PA displayed models of early coil cover hoods, fabricated from styrene and then duped by resin casting

Fritz Dahlin, Columbia, MD, displayed a modified MDC box car, lettered with Microscale decals, "hairspray" chipping on the roof, and Mig Jimenez oil washes

This impressive-looking beast is an in-progress model of the Diamond Glass Co. of Royersford, PA, constructed by Rich Newmiller 

Apparently, not even one steam locomotive was left home by Fred Lass of Westminster, MD

John Johnson displayed a rebuilt Santa Fe Fe-23 auto car

Jim Hunter of Harrisburg added a pair of Resin Car Works boilers to his M&W flat car

WrightTrak resin PRR X29D as modeled by Dave Boss of Butler, PA

RF&P 3312, with load, as replicated by Shannon Crabtree of Fredericksburg, VA 

This amazing finishing job is the work of Butch Eyler, Biglerville, PA 

Dave Pfeiffer of Lederach, PA brought a Sunshine kit of a Pennsy X41A welded auto car

There were quite a few BNSF covered hoppers by Dave Oppedisano from York, PA

Greg Snook did a fine job making his PRR GRA gon and FM flat car look well worn. Both are F&C kits

Noted LV modeler Chuck Davis from Norfolk, VA, had many models on display, including this caboose.

Chuck also showed how he modeled the steps

There was plenty of newfangled (non-Steam or Transition Eras) motive power on the display tables. This Dash 9-44 CW was the work of Vincent Zablocki

Not to be outdone, Ramon Rhodes showed off this BNSF Dash 8-40 BW

Next year's event will be in March at Greensburg, PA. It will return to Malvern in 2020.