August 2025
Things have settled down now and I can resume monthly contributions the blog. I have now relocated and am settled in my new home out west. I am enjoying the job at SoundTraxx in Durango. Nancy, George, Steve, Cheri, and crew have been great helping me adjust to the area, and I have really enjoyed working there. If you would have told me that I would be working in the hobby that I’ve loved since the mid 1980s…I would have laughed. It’s a dream come true, that’s for sure.
SoundTraxx is expanding the Blunami Line to N scale and smaller HO scale installations with the announcement of the Blunami 1100 decoder at the STL RPM meet this past July. This 1 amp; 1 watt decoder will have 4 functions and fit in N scale locomotives and bring N scalers the options now to go Blunami Sound and control. Additionally, I have a Walthers HO scale NW-2 that will get the Blunami 1100 treatment too…once they are available. I am very excited. Of course, I have Bill Brillinger-designed decals in hand for this engine too!! (Zeigler Coal NW2). SoundTraxx installed new decoder-building machines in July during their staff vacations and have them up and running now. SoundTraxx hopes to have the Blunami 1100 available for the market in the fall. So far, so good on that front.
Personally, I have been contemplating trying battery powered units with Blunami control while I am renting my home to allow me to construct a switching layout section based on the original Joppa Subdivision plans of the Buckhorn Industrial Lead. With the optic-sensor controlled products from Logic Rail Technologies and Iowa Scaled Engineering, among others, it’s now possible for me to construct a dead rail layout that I can run 3 units on with no track power needed or wiring. Of course, those of you who know me can understand how this kind of stuff captivates me…and I am often driven forward by trying to find the right mix. Such is the case in this instance too…besides it would be really neat to paint some track with the airbrush, and complete the look of old rusted mine trackage without worrying about conductivity. Likewise, weeds could overrun parts of the branch too…and I can use my Logic Rail Technologies Grade Crossing Pro for the crossing at Corinth Road crossing east of Johnston City, IL!!
There are several shows coming up that I am likewise looking forward to. The Colorado RPM meet in Greeley is on my calendar to attend as a patron. This show is on Sept 27-28 at Greeley. SoundTraxx will be there as well; and George is in charge of the clinics at this years’ meet. There is a freelance forum added to the event this year, and I am certainly looking forward to that as well. Having collected a fair amount of HOME SHOPS freelance cars thus far, I am a continual supported of Chris and his enterprise there. The idea that I can interchange V & O; AM; Cat Mountain and Santa Fe cars on my layout kind of brings things ‘full circle’ for myself. For instance, David Barrow, Allen McClelland, and Tony Koester have long been among my favorite authors and builders gracing the pages of RMC and MR. Having their cars in high quality HO scale models on my layout just keeps the enthusiasm at an all time high. I am sure this is the case with lots of modelers.
The Sedalia Caboose project is getting closer to becoming a reality, as the main photos and such have been submitted and the car should be coming around this fall or winter. This will be a multi-media 3D resin printed car and give us the ability to model the car from 1949-1989. I am looking forward to this car as well. It’s been a long time coming, let me tell you!
I have numerous locomotive projects and a few caboose projects in the works here myself. So I’ll be rolling them out sooner or later. I am privileged to be part of the SoundTraxx team Milepost 141 Podcast, so I usually introduce the projects on the show. So, for now I’ll keep it that way. I do have a model of a Southern Illinois Steam Locomotive under way as well; and I mentioned that in my first episode on the podcast. So, stay tuned. It is in design right now as well. We will touch on that later. I am in the process of updating this website now that things have settled a bit and I’ll finally add new content.
As train season approaches; fall turns the leaves; and we get ready for winter…model railroading is providing a sanctuary for myself and hopefully all of you who read this stuff. The hobby has helped me get through the rigors of life and continues to do so. So, we’ll see you next month.
