2019 EPTC (East Penn Traction Club) Meet

The 2019 EPTC Meet is officially in the history books.  I had a fantastic time talking with Quentin Carnicelli, the owner of Q-Car Company. We've been friends from before he started Q-Car Company. For part of the time Quentin and I talked, Tony Tieuli joined us.

At each of the EPTC Meets my photos seen to have a unique topic(s). This year most of the photos were the models and portable layouts made up of modules.

The 1st set of photos are an HO layout which had a single PCC car operating. If you have a small space this style of layout my be of interest to you.

This is a Z scale layout (I think.). It's one large module with 2 half loop modules at each end. Multiple trolleys were operating.

Back to HO scale. This layout is composed of multiple modules. It gave me the feeling of Atlantic City. I always wanted a lighthouse on my layout! Multiple trolleys were being operated.

Another group which had an operating layout was the Northwest Traction Group. What is important about this group is that the membership is composed of both old, up in age and new, younger members. Moving the modules and setting-up a layout has been taken over by the younger members. The layout is HO scale. Unfortunately I did not take any good photos other than this.

Another layout were I failed to get good photos is composed of 3D printed parts. Is this the future of our hobby?

Finally, some photos of the O scale EPTC modules with trolley models. My model is the blue and white CWT line car. This model has operated at the Meet on the layout for the last 4 EPTC Meets; 2013, 2015, 2017, and this year 2019. The photos are all O scale models.

The last photo is included to show a unique treatment of a loop. This module can be an end module or placed somewhere in a line of modules to turn back some trolleys. Note the dual through tracks are offset.

The best way to take photos of individual models is:

1) Turn off the flash and use normal room light.

2) Place your camera on the edge of the layout. 

3) Take the photo when the model is standing still.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Cheers,

Ed

NWSL (Northwest Short Lines) to Close

NWSL a major supplier of wheel sets, gears, and power truck parts plus other supplies for model railroaders of all scales has announced its closure. The last day of operation will be in early August, 2019. 

Over the years NWSL's array of products grew. It is a manufacturer and supplier of many items of which most model railroads use daily. For O scalers NWSL wheelsets are used to manufacturer power trucks for model trolleys. For the last 3 decades the NWSL wheelsets have been used to replace plastic wheelsets in freight cars. Metal wheels on metal rail make a distinctive sound like prototype freight cars make rolling by. Also, there is less chance of dirty rail!

NWSL has saved many O scale diesel locomotive models from the junk pile. NWSL makes replacement wheelsets with gears on the axels for AHM (ROCO),  Atlas, K-Line, MTH, Red Caboose, Weaver, perhaps other diesel models.

NWSL has a wide variety of gears and gear boxes. Enough to power and/or repower any steam locomotive. My comments have been mainly for the O scaler. However NWSL also has products for N, HO, S, and larger scales.

Then, there are the tools, hardware, parts, and books  every modeler needs. To see the full range of products available from NWSL, you need to look-up their on-line catalogue on the internet.

I hope someone will acquire some or all of NWSL's product line and do well! 

We are entering a drought of scratch building parts. Sometimes old manufacturers are being bought-up and the new owners do well. Other times the new owners find out they are in over their head for various reasons. When this happens the new owners sell off the parts to regain their original investment. Nothing is being upgraded or renewed. 

One way to obtain old parts is to try contacting individuals who handle estate sales of model trains. Always attend model train shows and meets to look for parts. 

Another idea is to find a computer savvy  individual who can prepare the material required for having a 3-D printing of the part. If the individual has a commercial company like Shapeways produce the part, they can make money for their work. This is easier than trying to making, a pattern, mold, and casting the part out of epoxy or metal.

Cheers,
Ed 

Donald A. Bruno 1942-2019

Donald (Don) A. Bruno died on April 18, 2019. He modeled O scale trolleys as well as other O scale trains and scales. He had a college degree in photography and industrial design. He worked for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for most of his career.

Don, will be best known for his deep interest in Italian automobiles. The brand of cars in which he was most interested was Alfa Romero's. He had an antique Giulietta TI which he rebuilt and an Alfa Spyder. He raced a British made Lola. I guess it was, "What Lola wants Lola gets!"

Most may not have heard of Don's model trolley and railroad and railroading interest, as he put most of his interest into his career at the CTA . Upon joining the CTA, Don worked his way up from flagman, conductor, and then motorman on the (3rd) Rail Division or "L". When a position opened up which was more suitable to his education and interest he applied and was promoted. He worked on signage for "L" stations, right-of-way, and "L" cars. When cost savings was instituted on the CTA, Don's job also included the Surface Division.  His work included bus terminals, passenger stops, and bus interiors and exteriors.

It wasn't his normal work that Don was known for at the CTA but instead his ability to solve engineering problems on the "L". He was able within minutes to solve why "L" cars would derail on newly installed trackwork when the engineering department was unable to resolve situations like this.

Perhaps his most important problem-solving ability was to prove to the higher management of the CTA, the proposed design for the placement of escalators for a redesigned multi-million dollar main transfer point station effecting most "L" routes was not workable. He made a scale model to prove his point. He showed his scale model to most of the upper CTA management and the escalator design/placement was changed.

To all of those who knew Don, he was irascible. When 1st  meeting a couple of CTA employees who worked with Don I was met with, "So you know Don Bruno!" However, to Don's benefit, once he knew you, he was your friend forever! He was extremely generous in his friendship!

Over the years by dumpster-diving or grabbing obsolete items, Don was able to amass a number of vintage items from the CTA and the CA&E Ry. Many valuable items were saved all of which may have been destroyed. Most of Don's collection has been donated to the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM). 

Don, the light has changed from red to green. It's safe to put the accelerator to the floor. Or, if you want move the controller to the post.

Thank you. It was great being your friend!
Ed 
  

60% of Modules for New Layout Almost Done

Originally the name of this Post was not to include the word "Almost". But then, I realized there are still minor tasks left to be done to finish 6 of the 10 modules. making up the layout. On one of the modules more trees have been ordered to plant while other modules need more road signs, people, autos, and more. It's amazing the number of minor details which when added to a train layout take the viewer of the layout to the next level.

What has taken my time during the past summer is the building of the South Entrance to the Brookfield Zoo (The Chicago Zoological Society) located on the borders of Brookfield and Riverside, IL. You can look up the Zoo and the South Entrance on Google and Google Maps to see what the prototype looked like in the past and currently. There are numerous photos of the South Entrance and the interior of the Zoo. If you have a chance read about the history of the Zoo.

My model ca 1948 of the South Entrance takes up the entire side of the module, 48" long (or wide). These are some photos of my work.

Palm trees do not grow in the Chicago area. They were added as conversation pieces. More vehicles in the parking lot as well as people need to be added.

Ticket sellers were added to the outside of the building. Normally tickets are sold inside the gates. The inside view of the Zoo was created with photos pasted to the back wall of the building. Lights inside the opening to the Zoo give the interior a day time look.

 

A special THANK YOU has to be given to Eric Bronsky who gave me ideas about creating the center Zoo building plus the encouragement to build the entire set of buildings.

The prototype Grange Line of the Chicago and West Towns Railway (CWT), had been in existence for about 40 years before the Zoo was built in the mid 1930's. The land on which the Zoo is located had been a farm owned by a member of The Chicago Zoological Society.

The South Entrance to the Zoo became an instant main passenger stop on the LaGrange Line of the CWT. This trolley line became the prime way for many families without autos to visit the Zoo during the 1930's and 40's. After the trolley line was abandoned, the CWT substituted buses. 

The Zoo is open for visitors almost all the days of the year. The animals have to be feed and taken care daily. The LaGrange Line became the busiest passenger trolley route of the CWT.

Cheers,

Ed

PS - There are some unfinished items left in this Blog to cover. As photos are found, the unfinished topics will be taken care of.

Grandt Line Sold to New Owners

Taken from the Grandt Line web site -

The new owners of our line of products will be The San Juan Model Co. in Colorado. 

You can contact them at (303) 913-1601

email:    doug@sanjuanmodelco.com

 

•  This is a new company  formed by Bob Stears and Doug Junda.

•  They have purchased the entire line, with the exception of our Miniatures Kits.  

•  We expect to say farewell to the truckload of stuff sometime in October.

This sounds great. Modelers will be able to continue to have the Grandt Line products available.

Cheers,
Ed

 

2019 East Penn Traction Club Meet

The East Penn Traction Club (EPTC) has announced the times, dates, and location of their 2019 Traction Meet. The Meet is scheduled for May 17-19, 2019 in Allentown, PA.

This is the URL for EPTC Meet:  http://eastpenn.org/meet/  Be sure to read both Page 1 and Page 2.

The EPTC Meet is held every other year in the odd years. It's the only Traction Meet of its kind. The last Meet held in 2017 started off slow but by Friday afternoon and all day Saturday was jumping!

There were multiple, operating, portable layouts in various scales. Over the years the number of dealers selling traction related items has seemed to have reduced. Some new dealers have popped up.

The location of the EPTC Meet is interesting!! On the Fairgrounds is a fantastic place to eat lunch or snacks across the parking lot. Allentown is an small, old town with many interesting places to stay and eat. It was the north end of the Lehigh Valley Transit's "Liberty Bell Route" trolley line.

The models you will see operating on the modules or entered into contest are outstanding. There is no telling what you will see. Each of the Meets have been unique. I usually bring an O scale Chicago area model to operate on the EPTC modular layout. 

In closing there is another consideration for you to ponder. As I start to think about train shows and Meets, no matter what scale, type of show, and/or type of trains; the number of attendees has been going down. In my age bracket, 77, the inability to travel, finances, time, family conditions, etc. have reduced the number of friendly faces at the shows and Meets. My main reason for attending the EPTC is to connect with friends and talk with them face to face.

Cheers,
Ed

New Owners for Precision Scale Company (PSC)

Precision Scale Company (PSC) has announced new owners. It's best for you to check out their web site https://www.precisionscaleco.com/ for additional information.

The best to the past owners of PSC as they were great to deal with and worked to improve the product line. A toast to the new owners! PSC has a very broad product line  which has be of use to modelers over the years. Here's to many future years of production and enjoyment for both the new owners and the modelers who will be using their products.

What seems like eons ago, Kemtron and then PSC produced and sold the William J. Clouser line of traction products. I cannot begin to tell how many of these castings I have used on my models and those of others.

Besides the traction products PSC has many other castings for use on models of all sorts.

Cheers,
Ed