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!