New England is blessed with large numbers of model railroaders (maybe because of our long winters). What some may not know is that we are also home to a number of small businesses that produce a wide variety of products aimed at those same model railroaders. In fact, some of these kits are among the best in the country, with manufacturers like George Sellios' Fine Scale Miniatures, Bob Van Gelder's South River Model Works, Brian Bollinger's B.E.S.T. models; not to mention Bar Mills, Atlantic Scale Modelers, Fos Scale Models, Northeastern Scale Lumber Company and a host of others.
On October 14th and 15th I attended the Fine Scale Model Railroader Expo in Peabody, Massachusetts, along with some 300 other modelers and more than 30 manufacturers. In addition to two rooms full of vendor tables, there were more than two dozen clinics on topics like backdrop painting, tree making, building waterways, lighting, painting, and weathering. It was a model railroader's dream!
Among the more interesting clinics I attended were: a clinic on selective compression led by Mike Baker; one on prototype structure modeling by Brian and Jill Bollinger of B.E.S.T. models; an outstanding presentation by Jack Ellis of Bar Mills on structure building; and a wonderful conversation with Dave Frary and Bob Hayden on the evolution of their modeling efforts over 35 years of working together.
One of the more interesting displays at the expo was the "Kit Factory", where you could watch a laser machine cutting out parts for a small passenger shelter, or spin casting metal detail parts, or molds being used to cast a resin tank car. Afterwards, the parts were handed out as souvenirs for participants.
The expo also included contests for the best structure models, rolling stock and dioramas. Some of the modeling was truly exceptional. I gathered up my courage and entered my first contest, using a model I had scratch built of the old farmhouse yard office and attached storage barns at the East Broad Top's Rockhill Furnace shop complex.
I was rather proud of my little model, having put a lot of hours into it. But when I saw the caliber of modeling I was up against, not winning came as no surprise. The surprising thing is that, rather than feeling discouraged, I was energized to improve my modeling skills -- especially in painting and weathering -- for the next time! One of the exciting things about model railroading is that there is always room for improvement. Here are a couple of outstanding models that took first prize at the expo.
Of course, everyone looks forward to seeing the latest kits from various vendors. I was shocked at how much some of these kits cost. The cost for a Fine Scale Miniatures kit is often $300 or $400, and even less expensive kits by Bar Mills, Fos Scale, or B.E.S.T. run into the hundreds of dollars. One manufacturer that seems to buck the trend is Jimmy Deignan's Railroad Kits, which had a marvelous display of excellent wood and plaster kits, many of which were less than $100. I picked up a couple of these bargain basement kits for a reasonable price!
All-in-all, the expo was a great opportunity to meet other modelers, learn about the latest techniques in making and building high end kits, and be re-energized to get back to work on my own layout. Next year's expo is tentatively slated for Lancaster, Pennsylvania, home of the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum.
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