Scratchbuilt BNSF SD40-2′s – Latest Developments.

The progress thus far on one of the two BNSF SD40-2's that I'm scratchbuilding.

I’ve been slowly but steadily plugging away on the two scratch-built locomotives I posted about back in May.  I’m at the point now where most of the major challenges, such as gear tower clearance, coupler mounting, etc. have been solved and I can begin to focus more on the aesthetic side of the model.  The last major hurdle will involve the nano LED’s for the ditch and step lights that I need to wire up and attach to the model so that the leads will be sandwiched under the treadplate.  That process will likely begin after the holidays.  Select images and info are past the cut.  A full gallery is available on my Pbase site.

Night Shoot at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Oct. 1, 2011

Former NH FL9 #2023 and CV S-4 #8081 pose next to the recently built gallows signals at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum. Willimantic, CT. Oct. 1, 2011.

Back in October I had the pleasure of taking part in a night photo shoot at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum.  The event involved 12 “scenes” that were posed and lit for a photo-line of about 15 photographers.  As I’d never done any low (no) light photography before it was an interesting experience.  I’m pretty happy with how well my photo’s turned out and am looking forward to spending some time trackside this winter using the techniques I learned.  The full gallery can be viewed on my PBase site.

- Chris

Photo’s from the 2011 FREMO:87 meet in Hemer, Germany

Class 50 engine with local freight leaving Iserlohn Ost - www.eisenbahnstudio.com

Over at Eisenbahn Studio Johannes has posted some amazing photo’s from the recent FREMO:87 meet in Hemer, Germany.  Not my modeling era (or continent!) but there’s some really terrific work here that’s well worth a look.

- Chris

Washington State Railfanning Trip – July 2011

Union Pacific SD70ACe #8574 leads a southbound K-Line train through Vancouver, WA on July 12, 2011

I went home for a family wedding in July and was able to take some extra time to do a circuit through the state on a railfanning junket.  I spent a little time around Steilacoom, then headed south to meet up with my friend Tom in Vancouver.  Next we drove east through the gorge for 2 days before booking it north to Leavenworth and spending 2 days on Stevens Pass.  Saw lots of trains, and had some pretty terrific weather.  The full gallery of images can be found on my new! PBase site: http://www.pbase.com/cslemp/washington_state__july_2011.

- Chris

New England/Northeast Prototype Modelers Meet, 2011

A nicely weathered Conrail C40-8W by John Terry.

On June 3rd and 4th I once again attended the New England Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet. It was fun. As always it’s nice to get together with a group of (somewhat) like-minded individuals and think of nothing but 1:87th scale trains for a weekend. Unfortunately though, the model room was a bit disappointing again this year. It seems as though there have been fewer models each year and a lot of what does show up is the same stuff that’s been coming for years. I’m not sure why this is… It certainly isn’t the fault of the organizers who have reliably done a terrific job every year. Might be location, could also be a New England thing. That said though, I did find a few gems.

Scratchbuilt SD40-2′s

Progress so far on one of two SD40-2′s I’m scratchbuilding.

I’ve been waiting all my life (and very patiently I might add) for a high quality HO SD40-2 with the correct bolster spacing. The Kato models come close, but it’s hard to find undecs and I’ve come to discover that they aren’t terribly easy to modify. Railflyer is another option, but their models are at least another year away and I need something to keep my busy now… So, I’ve started scratchbuilding my own.

2010 Railfanning Retrospective

A westbound CSX light engine move crosses the diamond at Palmer, MA on March 16 2010.

I spent some time over the last couple of weeks browsing through my trackside photos from 2010. Though I didn’t get out nearly as much as I had in previous years, I did manage to get some decent shots. I think I’ll probably make a tradition out of this post as it’s a nice way to put the previous year into perspective and provides a good deal of inspiration to get back outside and shoot some more.

I always wondered how it would “turnout.” (Sorry).

The switch stand and points on my #10 P:87 turnout.

You may remember the beginnings of this project. I posted about it way back here. It didn’t actually take me 3 years and change to finish it. But it was sitting around waiting for paint for quite awhile. My excuses are that I didn’t have a paint booth until the last year or so and other projects took precedence. It’s done now though. See below for some more views.

West Springfield 2011, SNCT #101 and a new project!

John, Myself (In the Brooklyn hat) and Tom at the NERPM display.

For something like the 6th year in a row I attended the Amherst Railway Society’s Big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA. Again I was at the New England Railroad Prototype Modelers table showing off some models. As always I spent way too much money. It was a nice show though, we had a good location in a decent, somewhat quiet corner of the Mallory Complex. Continue reading to see some of the models I had on display.

Not MY layout, but a layout nonetheless…

A clean slate, ready for layout.

Well, once again it’s been awhile since I posted anything. Figured it was about time I let on as to what I’ve been up to. New England is currently in the midst of yet another blizzard, which means I have the afternoon off from work. Since I’ve got the time I’d might as well do something useful. Lots more after the jump.