neo train model: Friendship

Showing posts with label Friendship. Show all posts

Friday, 21 August 2015

"Friendly Fridays... The D&H Sonnyvale Branch."

Kip Grant has both the voice and the cool sounding name to be an on-air radio personality. Good thing too, because he was for many years. But you may know him from his 'other' job... designing, building and operating the prototypically-inspired Sonnyvale Branch of the Delaware & Hudson. His 13' x 19' layout, named after his dad, is a re-creation of his childhood memories rail-fanning the D&H's upstate New York branch between Fort Edward and Lake George, circa 1962.

I was mesmerized the first time I saw it in the 2011 issue of Great Model Railroads. His room size and configuration was similar to that with which I'd be working and I was amazed at what Kip could accomplish in that space. I also took note of the museum-like presentation he afforded his dynamic work of art. Every inch of the finely finished environment was flawless in showcasing the layout.

Few modelers are fortunate to be featured in one national magazine, let alone two. But to grace the cover on each occasion is absolutely top drawer. No doubt Kip counts these as two of his proudest moments in the hobby, aside from his inclusion on this blog, of course.

The town of Sonnyvale is based on Glens Falls, NY. It is well framed at the end of the walk-in layout within coved walls and a thoughtful treatment with both valence and fascia. The valence utilizes pipe insulation as a protective edging which also gives it a nicely finished touch. The fascia matches the valence, painted a midnight blue... unusual, but it works!

Black skirting completes the layout's presentation while perfectly aligned 35mm film canisters are used to recess toggle switches that control all turnouts for convenience and safety. Junction Yard is seen here on the right, while the end of the peninsula is on the left.

Kip groups complimentary structures together to depict sizable industries requiring varied loads, enhancing operations. Here the Holly Hill Creamery serves as a backdrop to a local heading out of Junction Yard. But note the real backdrop and the very low horizon line and muted hills beyond the scenic terrain... not to mention the telephone lines. Sweet!

If you are familiar with Railway Design Associates' 'Easton Mill' kit you'll recognize that Kip altered the side by skillfully replacing one overhead door with two blocked windows. He added a stone foundation and applied such Tichy details as masonry anchors and rafter tails... and that looks like a chimney from Monster Modelworks, maybe?

The volunteer fireman and community fire marshal makes certain that his structures comply to the UCC with red alarm boxes and standpipe connections! Like the creamery, Kip has grouped a couple of compatible structures to serve as one large industry unifying them through a common color scheme and such identical details as railings and signage.

An old D&H paint scheme approaches, passing the Lefebvre Lumber Supply which is an old Art Curren project combining a couple of Atlas 'Hillside Lumber' kits with an AHM 'American Farmhouse.' Kip adds oodles of details to the compilation, and with subtle weathering and custom signage, it's an A-1 model. Specific improvements include the addition of rafter tails and the distressing of the shingle roof edge of the front building.

The three principal areas where most switching operations occur are nicely separated with scenic treatment depicting the countryside of upstate New York, like this farm which is a representation of Kip's in-law's. Every scene is detailed and tells a story through its many citizens and vintage vehicles. Tricky early fall foliage has been skillfully depicted without looking too severe as can happen. The unique cross buck design is indeed prototypical.

Another enhanced standard styrene kit is the 'Sunrise Feed Mill' from Walthers with custom signage and various applied details. Here, Kip changed the foundation of the central part of the building to suggest the flanking sections were added at a later date. Likewise, the roof of the lowest section has been changed from the kit's rolled tarpaper to a ribbed metal, again suggesting that the business has grown over time. Note the rail-fanning dad and son in the lower right hand corner awaiting some real railroad action.

Here's where all of the magic happens! Kip's work area is located just outside of the layout room adjacent to the crew lounge and is ideally equipped with a fully functioning sink, spray booth and a work surface, somewhere or another. Looks like there's even one of those optivisors hanging above, no doubt just to be ready if ever needed in the future.

The presentation of the Sonnyvale Branch may be museum-like, but the layout serves as a living, breathing, operating testament to the prototype. A regular crew of buddies, including several who are retired from the D&H, have made certain that the railroad works. The branch utilizes a yard just off of a hint of the mainline to avoid the need for (gasp!) staging. Kip explains:

"Each session starts as a new day. The Junction Yard crew blocks outbound cars which were brought to the yard in the previous session and places them on tracks designated by the yard clerk. Following the session, I play the role of the main line freights and remove the outbounds. Then after selecting appropriate inbound cars in accordance with my software, I place said cars in the yard as if they were set off by other imaginary mainline freights. And the cycle continues."

And the fun continues for Kip and his crew, and for anyone who visits the Sonnyvale Branch. I was thrilled to spend some time there and absolutely look forward to a return someday. I'm just not sure when the best time would be...

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Hey Jim, when's the ideal time of year to visit the Lake George region in upstate New York to see Kip's layout ?

A) Spring, when pollen is measured in inches, just like snow.
B) Summer, when SUVs from NYC teach locals some new road rules.
C) Fall, when busloads of 'leafers' patiently search for the perfect tree.
D) Winter, when snow is measured in feet, not in inches like pollen.?

Friday, 26 June 2015

"Friendly Fridays... Master Model Railroader 555."

Bill Brown, the chairman of the Achievement Program for the NER/NMRA, recently mailed a package to me that was a pleasure to receive. It was a plaque for the Master Model Railroader designation.

Knowing that this was the closest I would ever get to one of these, I allowed myself a moment to fantasize. I had not applied for the prestigious award, but perhaps in our everybody-gets-a-trophy world, mine was a watered-down version based on the NMRA's overly optimistic interpretation of my potential... or maybe it was for this blog... Nah, I don't think so. And what about the inscribed name? Tough to make a case that it was just badly misspelled. "Boy, did spell-check do a number on this," I could say to visitors to my basement.

In truth, I am to present this to the newly elected president of the Garden State Division, Bruce DeYoung, at our board meeting this weekend. Bruce received recognition last month at our joint meet with the New Jersey Division along with their Tom Griffiths. Now the actual plaque is available.
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To paraphrase those well known television offers, the distinguished honor "is suitable for mounting." Plus, the number will be easy for Bruce to remember in his golden years!?

Bruce won the GSD's annual Paul Mallory award in 2013 for his modeling efforts. Here former president Ciro Compagno and Bruce do a different type of modeling, flaunting the division's natty, one-size-fits-all apparel.

Bruce is passionate about giving back to the hobby. He is not only an administrator of Railroad Line Forums, but is its most prodigious contributor. He is also Education Department Manager for the NMRA and a regular clinician at regional and divisional meets. The AP program and continued education for hobbyists is dear to 'Dutchman' and nicely dovetails with his expertise as a retired school superintendent and former math teacher. His HO scale Jersey Highlands Railroad features the New York, Susquehanna & Western during the transition era. An area of the layout also depicts the HOn3 Slate Run Railroad, a logging operation in eastern Pennsylvania.

But best of all, Bruce is one of the real good guys. Congratulations, buddy. You do the hobby proud. Wish we had more like you.

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

True or false? Bruce would be nothing without the love and support of his three sons, nine grandchildren and dear bride of 46 years, Bonnie.?

Friday, 19 June 2015

"Friendly Fridays... The Rutland Road."

Childhood BFFs Randy Laframboise and Mike Sparks have been layout collaborators in one way or another for more than 40 years. Their current Rutland Road is their second iteration of the popular Vermont railroad.

Begun in 1999, after the demolition of their first 15-year effort, the new-and-improved multi-deck prototype sits in a 16' x 36' finished space in Randy's basement. It features many of the small towns along the mainline between Rutland and Burlington and is set during late summer in the early 1950s.

Entry to the main layout room is through a nicely finished support space decorated with vintage signs and posters. The room features a well-appointed workshop, generous staging and an attractive helix. The helix adheres to the layout's 36" minimum radius and is graded at 2% yielding a run of 100'. The layout itself provides a satisfying 285' of run through the rolling countryside.

The shallow, muddy Otter Creek is beautifully modeled in this scene at bridge 219, just south of Florence. One can almost hear the rumble and clickety-clack of the northbound local as it rolls by headed to Burlington.

Even cows railfan in Vermont, no doubt excited to see some Western Maryland variety coming 'round the bend into Brandon. Right state, wrong railroad, guys!

The massive Elias-Lyman Coal Company serves as a backdrop to engine facilities at Burlington. The scratch built replication of the now-demolished structure is spot-on.

Mike and Randy enjoy researching and scratch building structures like this creamery at Vergennes. They believe that such rigor is required to successfully depict any prototype and its surroundings.

Randy is adamant that proto layouts demand just as much creativity as free-lanced ones because specific scenes and structures can be very difficult to re-create in a given space. Some imagination is required to compress and possibly re-orient a key component, while maintaining an accurate representation like the Sheffield Creamery at Florence.

What good are all of those creameries without milk trains to haul product through the rolling fields of the Green Mountain State? Randy is quite proficient with a static grass gun and will offer demonstrations with little prodding.

There is no shortage of trees, rivers, creeks, bridges and trestles along the mainline that is being modeled. Each scene is painstakingly textured and weathered to depict the prototype.

Code 70 flex-track was used on the upper level while the more forgiving code 83 flex-track was used on the lower one. The rationale was based upon the desire for maximum realism tempered with practicality and viewer proximity.

Mike and Randy forced perspective at the end of the peninsula on the upper deck by scratch building a typical Vermont farm in N scale.

The two decks sit at 40" and 60" respectively above the floor, yielding an overall viewing separation of about 16". To enhance that, the upper deck stays at about 16" deep while the lower one averages about 24" in depth.

The northwestern Vermont natives have beautifully depicted their home state and have achieved an awful lot through the years. Randy knows how fortunate he is to have a wing man like Mike.

"I am lucky to have a buddy like Sparky... The layout would be nowhere near as nice or interesting without having each other to bounce ideas and concepts off of... This is definitely a joint effort and sometimes he gets overlooked because it is at my house," Randy emphasized.

I asked Randy why he and Mike don't promote their work via a blog, website, magazine articles, YouTube, etc. He says that they "prefer to fly under the radar." Well, no problem there. My eight followers won't blow their cover.

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Does this look familiar? Regular readers of this blog may recall the April 24th post in which the model of this now-defunct Brandon coal business is pictured. Sadly, this is slated for demolition, but at least it will live on in HO scale on the Rutland Road. Check out "Friendly Fridays... Road Trip" to see the crafted version.

Friday, 29 May 2015

"Friendly Fridays... Just a bizarre dream?"

So, I'm the only passenger in a car rolling along an undulating country road in the absolute middle of Nowhere, VT. The deep baritone voice of the driver is recounting story after story of model railroad legends and lore, while lamenting the lack of a nearby McDonalds. Approaching what looks like a deserted railroad crossing, he ignores the admonition of the GPS and pulls onto a graveled area with a caravan of other cars. It's a veritable oasis amidst the endless fields.

We get out to examine an old depot, but a wildly gesticulating figure bellows to us from across the road... something about selling model railroad equipment from a shipping container in his backyard. Well of course he is. What else would that big fellow be doing here in the middle of Nowhere, VT?

An unseen force descends upon a dozen middle-aged men who march zombie-like towards the unseen container and disappear around the corner of the modest ranch like lemmings over the proverbial cliff. It's the only home within 360. But the deep-voiced driver sees a photo opportunity and focuses on the old railway depot for a potential magazine article. I stand smack in the middle of the road assessing the circumstances.

"Yes, this is all very logical," I assured myself. "Nothing unusual here."

My chauffeur, and regular hobby columnist, has identified a potential article idea in Leicester Junction, VT. You can see the finished product in the May 2014 issue of Model Railroader. Turns out that maybe the shipping container's owner was a marketing genius!

Jim Koerner emphasizes to a bemused Henry Freeman that the old Rutland RR is now inadequately maintained by the Vermont Railway, while Jerry Dziedzic looks more interested in catching up to Dave Olesen, John Rogers and Ted Pamperin. "C'mon guys, the shipping container is just around the corner. Hurry!"

Here is undoubtedly the best stocked hobby shop/shipping container anywhere. Pricing was very negotiable and selection was extensive, especially if you were interested in New England road names. "Anyone see any B&O stuff? ... Damn!"

Once the dust had settled, literally, we learned that this entrepreneur was actually handling the estate of his late father-in-law who had been an avid hobbyist. It was a Field of Dreams moment where the universe aligned perfectly putting person, time and place unexpectedly together.

What did I pick up? That's a story for another day. "But it's a really good story!"

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

True or false? The quote in today's final line was spoken by farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) to author Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones) in the film referenced above.

Friday, 22 May 2015

"Friendly Fridays... Bottoms up, literally!"

A recent Garden State Division meet was held in my old stomping grounds back in New York. I was anxious to have lunch at one of my old haunts, a favorite place for my high school group to gather during our summers home from college. I promised some of the GSDers an excellent neighborhood tavern with cold pitchers of beer, juicy cheeseburgers and gooey pizza. Yes sir, got your four basic food groups right there.

But, OMG! The Road House had been renovated... went downright upscale with seared mahi-mahi tuna, broccoli rabe and Tiramisu. Tiramisu? I doubt that would have been a big seller forty years ago to bunch of frat boys. Regardless, it was ultimately about friendly company, and Bruce DeYoung, Chuck Diljack, Marc Moritz and I had a great time. Good modeling buddies and lots of laughs.

This photo was sent to my mates after an enjoyable lunch. I toasted their company, but the photo has nothing to do with our drinks. Look closely to see the trauma I experienced, unbeknownst to them, throughout the entire meal. I quietly snapped this ongoing pose while 'checking messages' on my iPhone.

Apparently part of the renovation included the installation of a gas-fueled fireplace for ambience. On this particular day, the system required the charms of a full-fledged, card-carrying plumber who contributed in his own way to my overall dining experience... a room with a view, so to speak. Since he was only in my line of sight, I spared the others and suffered in silence while longing for the good old days before Tiramisu and anything drizzled in balsamic reduction.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone. Cheers and happy dining!

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Unfortunately union rules specifically prohibit the inclusion of this feature on holiday weekends. We apologize for the inconvenience.?

Friday, 15 May 2015

"Friendly Fridays... Lehigh & Susquehanna RR."

Directions to Wayne Sittner's secluded home not far off of the New York State Thruway include very specific details for turns onto an unmarked road into an unmarked driveway. After negotiating the winding trail under a forested canopy, the retired art teacher's home appears in a clearing, sitting on a shallow hill overlooking a large spring-fed pond with it's scenic man-made island.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design reflects the natural surroundings that Wayne and his wife cherish. The low horizontal lines of the home's wood and fieldstone siding and the generous amount of windows blend with the manicured hedges and fieldstone retaining walls. Although visitors have come to see the model railroad, a tour of the home and its landscaped property is an unexpected treat. It leaves everyone wondering, 'Where in the world does Wayne find the time and energy to achieve so darned much?'

Wayne has depicted the area around Wilkes-Barre, PA that he remembers from his childhood. His hand painted backdrops compliment the scratch-built structures on the narrow bench work.

Various 'fallen flags' conducted business operations in the Wyoming Valley region and Wayne changes out his roster and even some structures to depict the different operations.

The 9' x 40' railroad only occupies a small portion of the basement which also houses a classic Lionel toy train 'set-up' with all of the smoke, bells and whistles, literally, plus assorted collections of military miniatures, antique dolls and vintage metal signs.

Each scene that is faithfully modeled comes with fond childhood memories and accompanying stories, usually involving some sort of mischief.

Here is an example of a track side building that can be changed out as Wayne has built various railroad prototypes with the same 'footprint.'

Determining exactly where the layout ends and the backdrop begins is as difficult in person as it is in photographs. The artist's understanding of shading, shadows and perspective pays real dividends in this regard.

The Lehigh & Susquehanna RR was featured in Great Model Railroads 2014. Article author Paul Dolkos does a wonderful job of narrating Wayne's story, calling it an 'autobiography or self portrait.' I'll refer to it as 'a diary in 3D.' His artistry and attention to detail make the layout one to study. Weathering techniques are top-drawer and the familiarity with his subject gives Wayne an advantage in conveying a genuine flavor for time and place.

You can learn more from Wayne himself in a couple of weeks. He will be a clinician at the New England/Northeast RPM in Collinsville, CT, May 29-30th.

As for us, this coming week we'll get back to some decisions regarding track plans and the resultant construction issues. Stay tuned.

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Did you know? Seven railroads served the Wyoming Valley area in the 1950's including: the Erie; Central of New Jersey; Delaware & Hudson; Lehigh Valley; Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; Pennsylvania; and the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley electric line.?

Friday, 8 May 2015

"Friendly Fridays... All the usual suspects!"

If the weekly feature, 'Friendly Fridays,' is dedicated to celebrating the kindness and hospitality of the hobby's participants, then today's installment needs to be noted with an exclamation point! Northern New Jersey is losing a longtime friend, operator and helper in Tom Callan who is relocating with his wife cross-country to be near his married daughter in the Lake Tahoe area.

But if it wasn't bad enough that the informal North East New Jersey Modeler's Alliance was bidding a fond adieu to such a dependable friend, that dependable friend was a regular vendor at railroad shows who ran Short Line Hobbies out of his basement. To say that he may need a bit of help packing is akin to Bob Uecker declaring that the pitch was, "juuuust a bit outside."

Twelve intrepid souls met one weekend morning earlier this winter to make quick work of this task. Or so we hoped. Tom did his part, setting up a well-fortified breakfast of caffeine and assorted sugar-coated carbohydrates laced with Aleve.

One man's chaos is another's organization! My first visit to Tom's home confirmed why he may not have had a basement layout of his own. But there was a method to this madness.

Tom explains to the crew the best method of negotiating the low basement ceiling while carrying boxes around the narrow aisles. Protective helmets? Recommended, but optional.

Look carefully and you'll note that all bins, boxes and containers were color-coded, indicating their priority, packing order and relative level of toxicity. The sharper crew members quickly realized which colors signified the heavier items.

Tom knew the contents of every container, whether see-through or not. He knew exactly where everything was and where it should go. The mad scientist was pure genius!

Twelve relatively able-bodied men negotiated the narrow basement stairwell several hundred times before it was suitably emptied to Tom's satisfaction. Then the garage doors were opened! At least this was on grade.

Tom directs a very organized loading into two PODS of which he maximized every square inch. He had prepared numerous plywood bulkheads that divided and secured the stacked cargo. Here, Ted DiIorio and Dave Ramos play 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' to see who takes the next trip back to the basement, while Tom Schmeider proves that he indeed "can do this with his eyes closed."

All of the group will miss the Watertown, MA native whose penchant for fine scotch seemed to enhance his abilities at any work or operating session. He was my personal supplier for sheet styrene, in much the same manner that Ellis Boyd Redding was Andy Dufrene's go-to guy in 'The Shawshank Redemption.' He was a man that knew how to get things!

Good luck Tommy boy. Our loss is the west's gain. But we'll see you again, operating somewhere, fine blended scotch and all.

Next Friday we'll return to 'railroad porn' featuring another layout from our infamous road trip throughout upstate New York and New England. But first, this coming week, the continuing mis-adventures of track planning!

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

True or false? Tom lovingly refers to his daughter as 'The Princess.'?

Friday, 1 May 2015

"Friendly Fridays... The B&M Cheshire Branch."

Jim Dufour's careful re-creation of the Boston & Maine's Cheshire Division circa late 1940's is a real labor of love. His research on the New Hampshire portion of this line focused on five consecutive stations just over the Massachusetts line.
It consumes most of his 17' x 28' townhome basement and was begun in 2005.

Jim runs a combination of steam and first generation diesel. His track plan is single track around the basement walls with a peninsula and run-through staging that is segregated, but visible and readily accessible as it runs against the back of the stairway landing. Because of that configuration, there are no duck-unders or gates required for visitors or operators to negotiate. Utilities have been effectively screened from view and fascia and skirting complete the layout's presentation.
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Jim's use of photographic backdrops expand scenes very effectively. He shot this photo himself on location. The double-arched bridge still stands today near the state line. Jim scratch built it using resin casting techniques.

The J. M. Parker grain elevator at Fitzwilliam was scratchbuilt based on an old postcard that Jim acquired. To his credit, he has the good sense to employ a B&O hopper here.

The pastoral nature of this line is evident, as is the time period and season being modeled through details along the right-of-way and gravel road.

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Milk train #5500 rolls through the town of Troy where Jim is carefully custom building the downtown structures and local businesses. B&M structures proudly show their colors throughout the layout.

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The scenic area of Troy Ledges is on the peninsula portion of the layout and depicts the railroad crossing over both the Ashuelot River and the Old Keene-Troy Road. This scene was a railfan's paradise prior to Route 12 highway improvements.

The Mudsucker Run makes its way east bound around the peninsula end on this mostly wall-hugging layout. Jim has taken advantage of the peninsula's depth to depict the most rugged scenery on the layout.

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The depot at Webb is dwarfed by the hilly backdrop... another example that dramatically expands the scene. Overall, the backdrops are a combination of both personal and commercial photographs that have been enlarged and printed for mounting.

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The area around the Golding Keene loadout is still getting some final scenery touches. The industry was a local company that mined feldspar, an abrasive-type ore that is the main ingredient in Bon Ami household cleanser.

Jim has some terrific videos on You Tube that he and friends have produced. Go to http://youtu.be/LG0WnUKiZ7k to get started on them. He also was a subject of Model Railroad Hobbyist's Train Master's TV series this past March. Jim is an active member and contributor to the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society. He'll be a clinician at the New England/Northeast RPM in Collinsville, CT, May 29-30th.

Jim is located midway between Boston and Worcester and typically holds open houses in the fall and just before the big Springfield show in January. Check the Cheshire out. You'll be pleased that you did.

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Train 5503, the Green Mountain, is photographed at Troy Ledges in November 1951. Which is the model and which is the prototype?

Friday, 24 April 2015

"Friendly Fridays... Road Trip!"

"Road Trip!"... The term has many connotations depending upon your age, interests and level of sobriety. Whether it be a childhood visit to grandparents in Maryland, a caravan to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break or a family's regular weekend treks to soccer tournaments, my experiences have all been memorable.

But can there be anything quite like the road trip embarked upon by a group of middle-aged railroad modelers yearning for the taste of crazy-go-nuts, inter-state freedom? What's better than visits to inspiring layouts and rail-fanning at iconic sites with like-minded buddies?... and doing so while nourished with wholesome food and drink in admirable moderation?

Nine very accomplished modelers, plus me, took that challenge a little more than a year ago during an extended weekend through upstate New York and New England. It was a veritable collection of, 'Who's Who!... and Who?'

Most of the group had arrived by the first stop at Wayne Sittner's (front center). The youngster wearing the baseball cap wasn't sure whether he should pose with such an esteemed group so he stayed on the end to provide photo-cropping options.

The long narrow layout of Wayne Sittner is highlighted by his own painted backdrop that blends seamlessly with the 3-D portion of his Lehigh & Susquehanna RR. It made GMR 2014.

A Rutland subdivision fills Andy Clermont's 23' x 39' basement and is built near eye level for extremely realistic railfan viewing. It was detailed in Great Model Railroads 2010.

Kip Grant was featured in Great Model Railroads 2011 . His 13' x 19' D&H branch line is highly detailed and features wonderfully weathered structures and very realistic scenery.

Randy Laframboise is faithfully reproducing the Rutland RR on his multi-deck layout including this coal industry which we visited prior to seeing the spot-on modeled version.

The Allagash Railway of Mike Confalone has already reached revered status for exquisite realism and unique representation of the 'fifth season.' It's even better in person.

Jim Dufour's Boston & Maine rolls through countryside as the summer sky and verdant foliage provide a beautiful backdrop for his painstakingly reproduced Cheshire Branch.

It was the trip of a lifetime... four layouts that have been in Great Model Railroads and two more that will be. We got to spend time with the talented creators and share in an awful lot of laughs with the group of merry travelers. For the record, the nine 'Who's Who!' included Jim Dahlberg, Jerry Dziedzic, Henry Freeman, Jim Koerner, Tony Koester, David Olesen, Ted Pamperin, John Rogers and Jim Schweitzer.

We'll take a closer look individually at each of these layouts in the coming months. But if you'd like to learn more about a couple of these sooner, Wayne Sittner and Jim Dufour are scheduled clinicians next month at the New England/Northeast RPM in Collinsville, CT, May 29-30th.

But for now, we'll get back to the Old Main Line in our next installment. We may even see the first of several 'final' track plans very shortly! But first, see you Sunday with some kitbashing.

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BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...

What was the author's response to his wife when she asked, "What'd you eat all weekend?"

A) "Nothing... We didn't have time to stop."

B) "Very little... Portions are really small up there."

C) "Mostly salad... All the guys did."

D) "I'm sorry... Could you repeat the question?" ?