Exeter modelrailroad show 2012

Here's one video of several now posted of last weekends RR show in Exeter , UK.  This one gives an overview of the 150' of branch line modules , that were attached to the RS Tower oval shaped layout, all together making more than 180' of North American model railroading in the UK, at one venue. Video by Mike Ruby.

Exeter model railroad show a success

Last weekend saw this years installment of the Exeter modelrailway show. Among the many layout and traders was the RS tower layout, complemented with NMRA-BR standard modules from among others, members of the Western Union group in Plymouth, making a total scenic length of 180'  of US model railroading. The layout was a huge success and with lessons learned from previous years, operated a lot smoother and fun was had by all. The picture shows diesel power awaiting their next assignment at Gillisburgh yard. Photo by Brian Moore.

California Northern GP15-1

Finally, I've waited a few years, but Athearn finally announced the release of GP15-1 locomotives in the CFNR paint scheme.  I hope they will capture the paint scheme accurately. Here's the announcement.  I will be pre-ordering I'm afraid... :-)

Apekunny Mountain

Hi all, it's been quiet on the blog. Partly due to work, partly due to the glorious weather we've been having lately, so I spend more time doing outdoors stuff, rather than modeling work. However I thought to quickly announce another project of mine.
Via a Yahoo model railroad 'exchange' market, I've obtained a HO model of a Great Northern observation car. It needs a lot of tlc, but it has the needed streamlined tail end, and is of the same series as the CFNR business car Apekunny Mountain. It is that car, that I want to model. As a taster, here is the CFNR car prototype.    My model still has the streamline skirting, it doesn't have the rooflight, and the window arrangement is different, so I will  need to scratchbuild / kitbash a lot of things. Also the trucks aren't that great, but they'll do until I find suitable replacements.  Stay tuned, but forgive me if I go and sit in the garden with a nice cold beer for a while, this could just be the only bit of summer we'll have this year...

Blog changes

For a while now, I was wondering why my visitor counter isn't working anymore, and just realised that Blogger has made some changes. While this site was registered as a dot com, surfing to it now changes it automatically to blogger dot co dot uk. I think that due to that, the counter doesn't work properly anymore.
Anoying as I liked it to see how much traffic I get. There is an option in my account settings to see the same, but that means  logging in etc, a few extra steps... the price of progress?

Piccie

As promised, here's the loco in question. Suprisingly, it also came equiped with an NCE DCC decoder, which I didn't know when bidding. Bonus indeed. I will in time sound equip this loco, but for now it can go straight into service.

SW1500

A great loco for a smaller layout are the SW or MP series switchers by EMD. I own a SW1200, which for my era is probably a little bit too old, although modeling licence means I can probably get away with it, as one of the last suvivors perhaps, afterall, it's currently painted in a freelance scheme anyway.  However, I wanted something a little newer, and SP. So I stumbled upon an SW1500 in SP scarlet and grey this morning, on Ebay, with only 5 hours to go and no bids. I decided to go for it, expecting some last minute bid, but no, I was lucky, and 5 hours later no additional bids were made, I am the sole bidder, and managed to grab myself a nearly new Athearn RTR SW1500. I think the Athearn model is quite decent, and with a little bit of detailing can be made into a very nice one. Here's a photo (courtesy of Athearn) of the roadnumber I won.
Once it is in, I'll inspect it, and might just make another picture of it to post here.

Seems like my new cars will have a loco to haul it soon.