August 2024

Published by Thomas Austin on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

The STL RPM Meet is in the books. Overall, I would say it is still a great show; and I enjoyed the show; but don’t know how many more I will attend. The clinic lineup could have been better; and we don’t see the announcements that we used to there…but Tangent provided a new International Bay Window caboose at the show for sale. Athearn had a few sneak peaks at what was coming the following Friday; and ScaleTrains and Rapido had a plethora of new products on display. Walthers had an “incognito” appearance with three test shots of the upcoming Walthers/Proto NW2 in several versions…one of which will allow me to finally model the Ziegler Coal NW2 I’ve had on a slide for years. So, I’m really excited about that.

I didn’t stay as long this year at the show due to the current circumstances that I have been dealing with for over two years now since the divorce. I am just starting to get comfortable in my own skin again and am feeling much better about things. I guess that comes with time. I enjoyed seeing old friends as usual; but I also was tired due to obligations and health things that were pre-scheduled. I enjoyed chatting with a few manufacturers about potential projects for the future. Overall, very satisfied with the hobby as it is right now; I feel that we have it better than we have had it in years…especially Missouri Pacific Modelers (Thanks to Athearn TRAINS).

Athearn announced a new run of GP15AC’s in Jenks Blue with un-numbered units available for the first time. I will be ordering more than I usually do since these will allow me to use the numeral decals I have from pdc.ca on hand and even have new numbers for engines that I want to do. I know that 1744 will be one with custom scale 20″ numerals; as that was the last MoPac unit delivered in Blue. I’ll have the number boards set up for lighting since Athearn will deliver the units with classification and number board lighting installed and ready to go; so the days of having to custom build these things is over (at least for the Blue units). I am still trying to convince Athearn to do a couple of Missouri Pacific “Canary” units in the GP15-1 model series…and I see other requests online from time to time…so I’m not just a vocal minority on the subject.

Athearn also announced a KO&G International Steel Caboose with the Missouri Pacific repainted scheme; evening including a “Local Service Only” version in the first run. I’ll get all three cars; and one KO&G car in the original paint just to add to the collection. This is also going with new SD50’s from last month for the Missouri Pacific; so MoPac fans have been taken care of by Athearn. We certainly appreciate it too! The KO&G caboose matches the last know prototype that I measured for Athearn in 2019 in McGhee AR at the old MoPac Depot. Word is the Sedalia rebuilds are a future consideration with the Screaming Eagle scheme too…so I look forward to those. Athearn would score another home run with MoPac modelers if they released either version of the International (ICC) Wide Vision caboose in MP; regardless if is is the earlier version with the diagonal roof bracing; or the later version with the “x panel” roof bracing; and external wheel generators.

I am likewise ready to see the newly tooled Ortner 5 bay hoppers with all new end cage detailing. This eliminated the final remnants of the old MDC tooling when Athearn removed the last of the molded on details…and added wire grabs and cross over bars. The brake detailing has likewise been upgraded; and looks to be a winner. I can see at least 45 WFAX cars on my roster in the near future.

The summer is winding down and I hope to complete a few more projects for friends the first week of August. I have been rather busy of late and have a big project in house for the MoPac Historical Society to tackle. I also have a few new magazine articles that I am getting finalized for submission; as well as a book. The Sedalia caboose and 3209 hopper projects are on the back burner for now…as the designers I am working with have family obligations.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful week. See You in September.