T-Trak Japan: Festival (part 2)

I worked on odds and ends in the weeks leading up to the show.

I wanted to add a perimeter fence along the tracks to protect the festival attendees, and the Atlas hairpin fence looked great. But it was delicate and would be prone to breaking on my module as I took it to shows. So, I instead used some white plastic fence pieces I had bought years ago on Ebay. They were oversize and came with giant light bulbs (which I didn't use), but it was certainly sturdy enough. I cut off the ornamental trim from the top and sprayed them black. Then, tacky glue and temporary toothpicks held them in place. 

The tents and food stands were then glued down in a pattern that faced the layout's viewer, even though logically it might have made more sense to have some face away from active railroad tracks. I spent so much time painting them that I wanted people to see them! There is a large area in the front for perhaps a stage or dance area or something (which I haven't decided on yet).

Then, I added more N scale figures. I really like the Tomytec ones because they are only about $1 each, come painted, and are available in multiple time periods and styles which match my eclectic Japanese module. I need many more figures to make it a "Festival", but I ran out of time.

My road crossing needed gates. Japanese gates are yellow and black, in contrast to American style ones which are white and black. I first bought a Green Max brand kit (#2153) that came unpainted, but unfortunately the masking and painting of the yellow and black stripes put an end to the project. I now see they sell a painted kit (#2642), so maybe I should have bought that. I then discovered that Tomytec sells a painted kit (#114-2) for less than $20. They looked good so I ordered them. 

Assembly consisted of gluing the gates to the posts. When I went to install them, I realized I made a mistake when I designed my layout. I assumed that they would be located to protect cars driving on the right-side of the road. I later learned that Japanese drivers use the left-side. There was plenty of room for the gate in front, but the one in the back is very close to the building and I had to remove the crossbucks as they aren't visible. Only the gate is. I also had to shim the ones in the front up with stripwood, and cut down the base of the one in the back right. I then painted the wood black.

Another cameo I wanted was an old Japanese trolley or tram or engine set up for public display on a plinth. What I didn't have was a junker Japanese trolley or engine that I could use, and I sure didn't want to buy a nice new Kato model just to have it sit there. So, I reached out to another American modeler with a Japanese N scale module named Brad (see his blog here) and it turns out he had acquired a pair of old trolleys for the exact same purpose. He graciously gave me one of them (THANK YOU!) and I incorporated it into my module.

It was an unpowered tram that came with a molded display base of sorts representing cobblestone. It was missing its pantograph, though based on the picture in the instructions it looked so clunky that I would have chucked it anyway. I don't speak Japanese so I can't tell you what brand it is, but the bottom of the base is molded with "F-Toys REO". So who knows?

I securely glued it to the cobblestone base, and then that was attached to the layout. I added some scenery around it, and also refreshed the scenery along the front of the layout by the tracks and along the retaining wall on the left. 

I asked a friend to reprint another resin Shinto shrine gate ("Torii") to replace the one I broke, which I painted. I attached pieces of cut-off nails to the bottoms of the legs because I don't like drilling resin. It is too prone to crack. Then, I drilled matching holes in my scenery. The gate isn't glued down but instead just sits there, and it is easy to remove for travel if necessary. 

As I was putting away my supplies, some of which I hadn't touched in several years, I discovered another two packages of figures (about 20 more)! So, I adding them. A few were left in reserve for when I get the "performance stage" area finished, as well as the area behind the buildings on the right-hand side which would presumably be people's backyards.

Some glamour shots. The Inn and forest path:

The farmers' market and festival:

The road crossing and tram on display (with a woman getting her picture taken by it):

The full module:

With that, it was ready for the show. It performed well and people really liked it. I did discover that my backdrop was several inches taller than most of the other people's, and it turns out that the club tended to prefer 10" tall backdrops (mine was 12). I didn't like how my module didn't fit in, and I also thought that the extra height drew people's eyes up and away from my models. So, when I got home I trimmed the bottom off by 2" and resinstalled it.

Master Model Railroader #776

It's official! I am now Master Model Railroader #776. It took about 15 years' of work, though the last 8 were really where I made my push to finish the required certificates. I submitted the paperwork last September, narrowly missing the NMRA's Northeastern Region convention in Rochester (my hometown... bummer), and I was notified in November that I had earned it. My modeling biography, which is posted below, was featured in the February issue of the NMRA magazine.

I have shared much of my journey on my blog, problems and all. I had a lot of fun and am very proud of what I accomplished. However, I am quick to point out that I never could have done it without the help of my friends and support of my family.

Biography

My start in the hobby is a common tale beginning with a train set at a young age and lots more trains in various scales from my parents over the years. My grandparents loved to take me to the train station to see trains come and go, and one of my favorite times was when the family rode a steam-powered excursion railroad on Father’s Day. Trains were, and still are, an addiction!

When I moved to a new city in my twenties I searched for local model railroaders and joined a live steam (7.25” gauge) club. A digital camera and a willingness to write led me to author a half-dozen or so articles on various aspects of the 1:8 scale trains including prototypical operation with car cards and the nuances of various steam locomotive designs. When I realized that I could use these towards my Model Railroad Author certificate I decided to try for my MMR. It was quickly earned but since I only had a tiny home layout which was still in the plywood stage my journey stalled for a while.

When we bought a new home years later I based my next HO layout based on the Delaware and Hudson in Albany, NY in 1984. I made sure to incorporate as many Model Railroad Engineer – Civil and Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical elements as I could so to earn both certificates at the same time. This included installing a turntable, super-elevating curves, and adding block control even though I didn’t really need them.

Scratchbuilding track scared me because everything seemed fiddly and small, but when I found a stash of LGB track buried away I decided to handlay a turnout using this large code 332 rail based on an article in a magazine. I had to learn some new skills along the way, like how to handle a blowtorch without burning down the house, but I managed. Spiking rail is fun when you can easily handle the spikes. A diamond crossing based on a Fast Tracks template and a gauntlet track soon followed and before I new it, I had my two certificates.

Around this time local modeler Bob Hamm (MMR #322) offered to teach classes at his house on how to develop modeling skills. I jumped at the opportunity and started scratchbuilding an O scale D&H bobber caboose. This was selected for its simplicity and larger size which would make it easier to form parts. It took a year or so to finish but it was my first scratchbuilt car. Bob taught me a lot along the way but stressed most of all making the parts yourself if possible. He was right. It was fun, it led to more merit points, and it allowed me to more closely replicate the prototype.

I decided that I wanted the challenge of scratchbuilding all eight cars instead of modifying commercial kits. But that would be a lot of work, so I searched for something that would be easy to build. I found the NMRA Lone Star Region’s website which has excellent tutorials scratchbuilding flatcars. I used those instructions to build a pair of cars with custom loads. With those done, I wanted to push myself so I took what I learned on how to build frames an made a Borden “butterdish” tank car with a styrene-over-wood-former body; a B&M steel milk express car complete with fabricated plug doors, corrugated ends, and paneled roof; and a shortline MOW boxcar/flatcar. Jumping scales again, I built a Great Western Railway cattle wagon in OO scale and a Maine two-foot gauge ice cream dairy reefer in On2. This dabbling in O scale would come back to haunt me later on.

I insisted the Bob Hamm and another mentor, Kevin Surman (MMR #528), conduct the merit judging on my cars. They are very skilled modelers but also very tough, and I knew if they passed my cars that I must have done something right. All eight earned merit awards and my Master Builder – Cars certificate was done.

That winter I told my friend Irwin Nathanson (another accomplished modeler) that I wouldn’t work on Master Builder – Structures because my current HO layout wasn’t the right place to put them. Then I realized I could build each structure on a cheap wooden base and set them in my display case. This gave me freedom to do lots of different things and I was off to the races. I made a list of things I wanted to try: full interior detailing; lighting effects; a farm scene to pay homage to my wife’s family; several wood structures (I prefer working in styrene); a model based on a local industry; a structure in N scale so that I could appreciate how much of a challenge it is to work in the smaller scale; a church to pay homage to my Christian faith; a structure based on plans by noted draftsman Harold Russell; etc. I also decided that all twelve would be scratchbuilt, but I wouldn’t superdetail them all. Then I combed through magazines for plans and drew up others myself.

I started with what I considered the hardest building first: a brick warehouse with multiple levels and angles and a huge billboard sign painted on one wall. It was based on a picture in a railroad book and still existed near my house. It took several years to build and it barely squeaked by merit judging (it was too modern and “simple”) but that was good to know for the future.

A wooden house on a hill; a rustic tar-paper shack; a milk station; a fully detailed gas station with interior; a wooden coal trestle; a church; an “uncovered” railroad bridge; a big red barn with full interior detail; an N scale maintenance of way station; a hobby shop complete with fiber optic and LED lighting effects; and a wood and steel sandhouse based on my favorite shortline followed.  

Unfortunately, I only earned three merit awards but two more were very close and Bob and Kevin offered excellent suggestions on how to improve them. This was done to get me to five merit awards. But I knew I needed to build one more structure that would “wow” them and it was obvious they loved old wooden buildings. Hence, my decision that the Hamm & Surman Lumber Company needed a new wooden board-by-board engine house for its steam locomotive #13 (it was my 13^th structure). It worked and I had my certificate.

My Chief Dispatcher certificate was possible thanks to the work of Doug Dederick, who organizes “OpTober” operating sessions on various local layouts every year. It took me five years to get enough credits, but they slowly added up. One stumbling block was that I didn’t have a home layout that I could serve as Dispatcher on, and you need those hours. Who would open up their layout to a complete newbie and let them Dispatch it for 10 hours? My friend John Valachovic did, and without his help I never would have earned it.

My last certificate was Association Volunteer and it was perhaps the most rewarding as it involved me assisting with my local Division, and at the National level, with train shows, open houses, and other events. I met a lot of great people and interacting with the public who wanted to learn more about model trains and the NMRA as an organization was very enjoyable. I never thought I would talk with NMRA President Gordy Robinson about British Railways and other such things (another interest of mine).

The MMR process was a lot of fun and it pushed me to learn new skills. Wiring, soldering (torching?), scratchbuilding craftsman style structures, researching and drawing scale plans, handlaying track… all of it was because of this program. One of the only good things about the pandemic was that I had a lot more free time to work on this.

I worked in multiple scales (N, HO, OO, On2, O, G, and 1:8) to accomplish the certificates. Most of my builds are online at my blog which serves as a diary of my efforts and may help someone in the future learn things to do (and not do). I also discovered a love for superdetailing and building larger models, and my new layout is O scale “hirail” with three-rail track because of this. My toddler son also loves my trains and is already becoming a model railroader himself. It is a really fun hobby!

Certificates Earned:

Model Railroad Author 

Model Railroad Engineer – Civil

Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical

Master Builder – Cars

Master Builder – Structures

Chief Dispatcher

Association Volunteer

My Little Helper

 While Harrison has his own Lionel layout, he has really taken an interest in the O scale layout I am building. As such, I try and think of projects we can work on together. So far, he has helped me squeeze closed "suitcase" connectors during my wiring projects; he has squeezed the trigger on my cordless drill (while I hold it steady) to screw in wiring clamps; and he is always willing to test track clearances and such.

After all the "work" is done, he likes to test out the track by rolling some of his trains back and forth. He has to stand on a stool to reach, but he is learning to be careful and balance properly.

Sarah and I were discussing recently whether his interest in trains will last throughout his life or wane as he gets older. I have no idea, but as she put it: "You really do a lot of train stuff with him". It is true. I don't mind if he has other hobbies in the future, but I will always try to include him in mine if he wants.

Until then, I will take all the help I can get!

PS: I have learned to add temporary buffers to the end of the tracks to keep the trains from rolling off. So far, they have worked.

Springfield Train Show 2025

Another Springfield train show is in the books. And what a great show it was! Even though Saturday seemed less crowded than "normal", it was still hopping. And because of the fewer attendees early, I managed to maneuver through the crowd early and have more time to stop and take pictures or talk to people. 

I didn't go with a specific list of things to buy this year, which is a departure from my normal course. There were things I wanted, but I could always get them online if I didn't stumble onto a great deal here. However, I did plan to view more of the layouts and take pictures of interesting scenes that I could use as inspiration on my own layout. This I accomplished.

That isn't to say I didn't come home with some goodies. 

For Christmas this year my wife bought me a Hot Wire Foam Factory 3" knife, but I specifically asked not to receive a power supply because I wanted to pick it out myself. When I saw that H.W.F.F. had their own table I stopped by to talk about power supplies and see if they had any show specials. They did, and they pointed out three different options and recommended the one I purchased below. Sadly, when I got home and tried to plug my knife into it they wouldn't connect. It turns out I need a special adaptor that I was supposed to be given but the sales guy forget. So, a quick call to them and they are sending it out to me. Unfortunately, I actually wanted to use it over the weekend.

Part of my O scale NENR layout will have a lumber yard, and I planned to use the Atlas (formerly Walthers) kit. Online it retails from $85-100 but I hoped to find a bargain. One store had two marked down 30% and the first rang up at $78. Not a great deal, but okay. But I looked and saw their other kit was opened and marked for less money. Nothing seemed amiss so I asked if I could have that one, and for $60 the kit was mine. Now that I have it, I can finalized the track plan on the right side of my layout.

I needed some Caboose Industries ground throws (208-S), and I picked up five from their table.

I enjoy using Gatorfoam for my model foundations, and Dave is such a great guy to buy from, so I wandered over and picked up a bunch of pieces to use for future projects. Buying a larger sheet is cheaper, but having lots of smaller pieces already cut up is handy.

I also preordered and picked up (what I thought was) the last switch for the layout. They aren't cheap so I have been spreading out their cost, but the quality is the best. If I waited a couple of months one might have popped up on the used market, but I wanted to keep on going with the track laying. Sadly, I discovered a defect with another switch I bought used (not the fault of Ross) so I will need to order its replacement. Had I caught it one day earlier, my life would have been easier.

I did purchase two things on a whim. First, I bought a scale MTH covered hopper for $25. That is about my spending limit per O scale car which significantly limits my options, but I usually get one or two cars per show that fit my layout's theme. And I like weathering covered hoppers.

I also found a small 3D print company (Under Construction Replicas) that offers lots of neat details in many scales, including O scale. They started as a source of detail parts for construction vehicle modelers (which explains why O scale to them is 1:50, a common scale for that genre) and many of their products were gears towards that. Garbage cans, cones, barrels, pallets, signs, etc. I didn't really need anything but their orange cones looked neat and I wanted to remember them for the future so I bought some.

I took every free catalog with pictures I could find because Harrison likes reading them with me. He mostly just points at the pictures but he can identify certain engines, freight cars, structures, etc. 

I also took many pictures of things, though I will only post a few that I thought were especially unusual.

Here is a vendor selling laser cut wood kits of trains. He even has some Talyllyn Railway stuff, which I love. I don't know what I would ever do with them, but I thought that they were neat.

Here is a n scale T-trak module of something like a nuclear bombing. I am not sure I fully understand what it is supposed to represent, but it was different.

Speaking of different, I rarely see full mohawks at the Springfield show (except the New York Central ones... hehe) but this guy was being scanned for a 3D printed figure. Um, yeah.

Here is a concept I recently saw described in the Micro Model Railway Dispatch magazine. Similar to T-trak modules, the idea is to craft a model railway using hexagon baseboard components which can be rearranged for many combinations. Is it a gimmick or a serious modeling idea? Only time will tell, but it certainly is unique.

Finally, here is a shot from the Lego layout showing thousands of figures watching a football match. I can't imagine the cost that went into this scene alone. I guess Ebay is your friend.

Until next year...

T-Trak Japan: Festival (part 1)

My module is scheduled to be part of an exhibit in the upcoming March, and despite being more than two months away I know my modeling time will be limited so I better get cracking on finishing the left side of my festival. I don't think I have touched it in almost a year.

Looking at where I left it, I had several packages of 3D printed parts which I had acquired from Outland Models on Ebay. There were various tents, stands, tables, food items, and figures... all attached to lots and lots of sprues. I found it very tedious to cut the castings free and many of the small, delicate support posts were broken in the process. I can fix them, but I won't enjoy it. I don't envy those people who work in N scale as their primary focus. I didn't even both to try and free the figures, as I don't like N scale figure painting. 

Then, I used a blob of tacky glue to attach each of the stalls to a lollypop stick. I had to get a bit creative in holding them in position while the glue dried. The convenience of having them on a handle to paint cannot be overstated. Then, most of the items were primed with flat white paint.

Next, it was time to paint everything with craft paints. I started by using white glue to attach a lollypop craft stick in each one to give me a handle for painting them. It took a bit of creativity to get the sticks to stay in place until the glue dried.

 

Then, I sprayed everything with an even coat of white primer. After that, it was just painting everything with bright colors. I used photos of Japanese food vendors online for reference but didn't strive to copy them perfectly. 

I then added small dots of paint along the overhangs and edges to look like flags or lights. I also added pseudo-Asian lettering with paint and markers. I found that drawing characters with white paint applied with a toothpick, and later going over the middle of them with a black fine point Sharpie marker, game me the look I was after.

Finally, some extremely small glass 11/0 seed beads from the craft store were added to look like bowls, cups, lanterns, and other details. I used green, yellow, red and white beads and they look pretty cood. Remember, some of those vendor stalls are only as big as your little pinkie nail!

I played around with how I wanted to arrange them in the space I had. Unfortunately, if I left the stalls facing away from the tracks (which seems the most prototypical from a safety standpoint) then all of the details I added would be pointing the wrong way. Plus, the backs of the stalls have mold mark dimples and other issues that I just painted over without fixing and I didn't want them visible. So, I arranged most of them away from the road and facing the tracks. Oh well.

But there is more work to do...

Happy New Year!

I haven't done much on my HO layout this year, unless you count removing another one of its four sides. It currently is L-shaped and I rarely run it, but that is because I am at a crossroads with it. I have started a new O scale, three rail layout (the New England Northern Railway) that previously occupied part of the space (featured on my other blog) and having a lot of fun with that.

Other highlights of the past year include:

▪ I have had an article published recently in O Gauge Railroading magazine about building an MOW boxcar scene; 

▪ My tenure as NMRA Hudson Berkshire Division President ended in November and I chose not to run again because of family commitments even though I enjoyed every minute of it; 

▪ I completed my seventh certificate towards my Master Model Railroader award. It is now only a matter of time until everything is processed;

▪ We stayed overnight in a real caboose next to the Boston and Albany mainline in Chester, MA, at the Chester Railway Station and Museum. You can read my review of the experience in the Division Form 19 newsletter here starting on page 2.

I wish all of you a safe and happy (and train filled) 2025!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year. Don't forget the reason for the season.

Luke 2, versus 1-20

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

            14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  

Micro Model Railway Dispatch online magazine

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch is great new magazine that carries on the grand tradition of micro layouts (layouts that generally take up less than 4 square feet). Published online for free by Ian Holmes, it is a fantastic resource layout planning and really helps the brain think in terms of maximizing layout space. It is a lot of fun to read and I highly recommend everyone at least take a look at it.

Visit to the Franklin and South Manchester Railroad

Part of our NMRA's recent bus trip to the Boston area included a stop at George Sellios' Franklin and South Manchester HO scale layout. No introduction from me is needed, though I will say that I was here in 2015 with my wife and I enjoyed myself then even though trains weren't running. Today, there were several weaving in and out of the buildings and scenery and I think the movement of them gave the city scenes "life" (though I can't really explain it any better. It is, quite simply, a "bucket list" sort of layout.

George was a gracious host and commented that our group was one of the nicest he has ever had. He and I had a pleasant conversation about the trials and tribulations he endured while being suspended from a hook installing trees along the back ridge (answering the phone was especially difficult!) as well as our mutual faith in God.

After about an hour in there my eyes were burning and my brain was on overload mode. It is simply impossible to take in all of what George has done. Instead, I just took a bunch of pictures that I could digest at a later time. I doubt I caught everything!

I will let the pictures speak for themselves: