Boxcar Weathering Project

This is another weathering project where I used a tool for the first time.

 

The project started with an Athearn HO scale Hi-Cube boxcar. After painting the truck frames and wheel faces I sprayed the body with a flat finish. I then applied some Tamiya masking tape over the car initials and numbers. This tape comes in several sizes that are the right sizes for various HO scale car numbers and initials.

 

The next step was to weather the roof with rust spots. For an applicator I used, for the first time, a piece of an aquarium fish tank sponge filter. The filter came through Amazon and measured 13" x 5" x 1.5". This will produce a lot of applicators.

 

The technique I used was to paint just a little rust color on the applicator with a brush, being careful not to completely cover the surface of the applicator. I then tested the rust pattern on some white paper. When I was satisfied that there was just the right amount of paint on the applicator I hit the roof randomly, repeating when I needed more "rust".

 

I painted additional rust along the center of the car roof with a brush and sprinkled on some rust colored weathering powders. The sides of the car were treated with just the applicator. I finished the weathering with several shades of weathering powders applied with a makeup brush.

 

I am satisfied that the sponge filter applicator is good tool for rendering rust spots and probably will use it many more times. The rust spots could have been streaked if I had immediately gone over them by dragging a brush in a downward motion but I chose not to do that this first time. Maybe next time.

Another Painting Jig

Here are photos of another painting jig. These are from a video by Ron Marsh of Ron's Trains N Things.

 

The jig consists of a block of wood and two bamboo skewer segments. The skewers are placed in holes drilled to the same spacing of the bolster screw holes in the model to be painted. The block of wood needs to be fairly wide to provide stability when spaying paint from an airbrush or rattle can. 

Very simple. 

Be careful about where you store this jig as you don't want to accidently puncture your hand if the points are exposed. 

Here is a link to the source video, which is about weathering tank cars: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yxyZljNHQw

 

Prototype Chalk Markings

As a follow-up to my earlier post on this topic, here are a few prototype examples (Yahoo willing) of chalk markings. Note that these were generated by railroad employees and are not graffiti.

 

The first markings applied to the sides of railroad equipment were made by railroad employees to communicate among themselves, typically in freight yards. These marks generally weren't applied as a way to say "I was here," but rather to convey important information that other railroad employees needed to know in order to perform their work.

 

Chalk marks were made using white and yellow chalk, charcoal, and lumber yard  grease pencils. Chalk came in very large sticks, 1" in diameter and 4" long, as compared to normal chalk which was usually 3/8" by 3".  These pieces of chalk were sometimes placed in a holder. The holder itself came from another essential railway tool, the discarded top off a fusee.

 

Most marking was done by yard clerks or “car markers.” They got their information from waybills. The marks were read by yard crews and freight train conductors. A waybill always accompanied a freight car, but if a car should go astray, or the waybill became lost, often it was possible to locate the car without much delay by the markings on its side.

 

Markings could communicate a variety of instructions and freight car conditions:

 

"MT" for empty.

"OK"  or a check mark chalked over a truck to indicate a bearing been inspected

Assigned car spot

Car contents

Condition of equipment that needs repair

Customer information

Destinations

Fragile contents

Humping instructions

Indication of an item's dimensions

Industrial sidings designations

Notations about routings and interchanges

Outgoing train numbers

Perishable instructions

Special handling or loading and unloading instructions

Track assignments

Whether the shipment was all going to several consignees and where it should be opened first

 

The codes varied from yard to yard and railroad to railroad and likely era to era.  Today many of these would be impossible to decode, so simply copying what you see in prototype photos is probably the best way to model these. Chalking cars mostly died out in the 1980s.

 

Chalk Markings Experiment

Since I am preparing a clinic on prototype freight car chalk markings (not chalk graffiti) I decided to experiment with various marking tools for making white chalk marks in HO scale.

 

I used two fine point paint markers and three pencils. Displayed is a picture of:

 

Sharpie paint marker

Pen-touch paint marker

General charcoal white pencil

Prismacolor Verithin pencil

Supracolor II Soft pencil

 Generally, these are available at Michael's, Aaron Brothers and Dick Blick stores or through their websites.

 

Displayed is a picture of an HO scale boxcar used for the experiment. The boxcar was given a coat of flat sealer before the marks were applied. The five marking tools were used in the order above, left to right.

 I found the pencils easier to use than the paint markers and they did a better job of simulating chalk marks. The point of the General charcoal white pencil tended to crumble a bit so my recommendations are limited to the Prismacolor Verithin pencil and the Supracolor II Soft pencil.

 

I previously compared the Prismacolor Verithin pencil to a regular Prismacolor pencil and found the Verithin pencil gave better results so be sure to look for the Verithin version of that pencil brand.

 

All five of the marks were easily removed within five minutes using isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab, so mistakes are easily eliminated.

 

If you want an alternative to these tools for making chalk marks, decals and dry transfers also can be used. I believe Clover House and Micro-Scale still make chalk marking decals.

 

I will post samples of prototype chalk markings in the near future.

Scrap Wheel Load

The article on "Building A Gondola Load Of Wheels" by Bob Kale (See: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/11431) got me to thinking about doing something similar.

 

I had a vintage HO scale Revell gondola with a simulated gravel load stuck almost out of sight on the layout. When I say vintage, this car was first produced in 1956 and I bought it new, still in the original box in the early 1970s. Had it been more accessible I probably would have sold it with the other 100-plus older, less detailed freight cars I parted with over the past few months.

 

So this car was given a second chance at life with a coat of Dullcote, several oil paint washes, more Dullcote, Vallejo rust washes selectively applied, more Dullcote and finally PanPastel colors selectively applied. The truck frames and wheels also were painted/weathered and the journals received Teflon lubricant.

 

I had a good supply of plastic wheels from converting several hundred freight cars to metal wheels over the past fifty years. These were ok for the bulk of the scrap wheel load but they were generally too thick and lacked a true prototype look. To the rescue came some non-functional Tichy wheels. These are made for the Tichy wheel car (http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/desertdrover/2011122615511_WheelCar02.jpg) but the wheels also are sold separately as Part Number 3004.

 

The wheels received a coat of Krylon Red Oxide Primer followed by painting some of the individual wheels with one or more of the following:

 

Vallejo Rust Washes

AK Interactive Crusted Rust Deposits (See Photo)

Poly Scale Rust

Tru-Color Rust

Model Master Rust

 

The simple objective was to not have all the wheels look the same.

 

I secured the wheels a few at a time to a piece of scrap styrene with Canopy Glue. The better Tichy wheels were distributed along the top row of wheels.

 

 

Bob Chaparro

Hemet, CA

The Hobby Blahs

 

Eric Hansmann's blog (Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads) recently had a post dealing with the model railroading "Hobby Blahs".  As most of you know,this is when we just don't feel like working on the layout or individual model railroad projects.

 

He comments that we all go through this and asks, "What do you do to fire up your interests again? How do you get that mojo workin’?" He received several comments and I posted those below.

 

So what do you do to escape the Hobby Blahs and get back to the layout or projects in general?

 

Bob Chaparro

Moderator

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John Huey says:     

 

I hear you, burnout, even if only temporary, comes hand in hand with almost any form of creativity. I love railroading and railfanning, but these days there is nothing to see trackside which holds my interest, so I railfan in HO scale now.

 

Sometimes that too becomes “tedious” and a break is needed. In the past I’ve gone so far as to sell everything off, or just taken a break for an indefinite period. Lately though, rather than the drastic moves of my youth, I just change tracks, or in this case lanes. I have taken to modeling trucks for the upcoming layout changes. All sorts of semi’s that would have operated in and around my railroads base of operations are getting built. Kits I’ve had for upwards of 40 years are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with some finishing touches. I’m even planning a truck stop, albeit a not too large one. Fuel pumps, no-tell motel, and a greasy spoon, all along a lonely stretch of sun bleached asphalt where there are no scales. Since I model southeast Arizona, right near the Mexican border, the variety is quite interesting back in the mid 1970’s.

 

Variety? It really is the spice of life. One tends to take less “drastic” actions if one remains entertained. So in your case, build things for your next layout in your new home. That is my advice to you. Enjoy your trains…

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Jerry says:    

 

Those Accurail 36ft cars got my juices flowing too. Planning to do some serious upgrading, I did the artwork and had decals produced for the ones I intend to model.

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Paul Woods says:   

 

I got my mojo back last January while lying in hospital following a repair to a heart valve – I realized then that, not only had I achieved very little to date, but I would also be right royally cheesed off if I kicked the bucket before getting some semblance of a working layout built. There’s nothing like getting acquainted with one’s mortality to light a fire under one’s behind!

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Jeremy Dummler says:      

 

When I get the “hobby blahs” the best thing is to find a project and get it finished. That sense of accomplishment that comes from getting something done usually gets me headed in the right direction. Sometimes its harder than just that, and it takes something inspiring, like a visit to a layout to operate or a hobby event. Hopefully the three boxcars above are the catalysts to get you going again!"

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Alan says:    

 

We all get the “blahs.” That’s why I have several different hobbies. Right now I’m in the process of rebuilding the transmission of our 1930 Model A Ford cabriolet convertible/ (Actually, I’m rebuilding it because the 87-year-old roller bearings gave up the ghost.)

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Jared Harper says:  

 

Like Paul Woods said, “I would be royally Cheesed off if I kicked the bucket before getting some semblance of a working layout built.” However, I go a little bit further when I tell my wife, “I will really be pissed if I croak before I finish my model railroad.” It really got me moving when Jim Six spoke at one of his seminars in Indiana. He reminded all the attendees that they are not getting any younger and if they are going to build a model railroad NOW is the time. After that meet I pledged to average at least an hour a day on building my railroad and I have. Last night I was having a heck of a kidney stone attack; I took a hydrocodon and went to the basement and worked an hour. There are occasional days I do not work on it like when I am attending an RPM meet but I always make up that time. Once I get up the gumption and start I can keep going.

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Dave Bott says:       

 

A deadline helps. I don’t like to establish too many deadlines because it is a hobby, not a profession. However, promising something to someone else adds a nice social aspect and requires action. Part of the problem is just getting to the workbench or layout. Once there, success breeds energy and builds upon itself. But getting there, when distracted by familial duties, even a minor illness, or by the start of college football season, can be more than half the battle. At least the darkness and weather of winter will be here soon, and I’ll be pushed that much closer to my workbench. Your move northward should help you a little in the coming months!

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Galen Gallimore says:        

 

I clean the workbench. Even if I’m midway through a project, clearing off the detritus that accumulates around a model, including the tools, paints, glues, etc. goes a long way to reigniting the pilot light, so to speak.

++++

Brian Sopke says:   

 

Great topic. I get the blahs from time to time too. Usually I can get inspiration from an article in one of the model railroad magazines, or from a friend’s suggestion for a project and that will relight the fire.

++++

Bill Welch says:       

 

I like Galen’s approach and wish I had his discipline. Here are some things that keep me motivated and fresh.

 

1.) Pushing the limits—for example I have recently started replacing styrene ladder rungs with 0.010 styrene rod.

 2.) In addition to freight cars I have several 1st Gen. diesels in process and at various stages so always something to do. Next challenge here will be DCC, sound and lighting installs myself or hiring someone or combination.

 3.) I am about midway in making patterns for a new resin kit. I have done 4 or 5 of these and given the problem solving and research needed, starting and stopping is the norm.

 4.) I also usually have freight car kits at various stages so it is easy to stop working on something and shift to painting and decaling something for a change of pace.

 5.) Weather something or experiment with a weathering technique.

++++

 

 

A New Cold Storage Building

Although my layout is not complete it is at that stage where I am making changes to existing scenery and structures. I do not plan any changes to the existing track plan, however.

One of the latest changes is the replacement of a shallow relief warehouse with a shallow relief cold storage building.

When you first enter the layout room the straight ahead scene is the view block that separates the two sides of the peninsula. Along both sides of this view block are rows of shallow relief buildings.

Between a grain elevator complex and the recently modified Scheu Manufacturing Company was a single story, run of the mill warehouse of a tilt-up concrete design. This was a carryover structure from my previous layout, made from styrene sheet and shapes. Because the structure always was located at a high viewing angle I never needed to install a roof on it.

Shallow Relief Warehouse

 

I wanted to replace this structure with something more interesting so I measured the space and decided a Walthers R. J. Frost Ice & Cold Storage building would easily fit. Too easily. The long side of the building would leave too much space between its neighbors so I calculated that adding a section from the other long side would lengthen the building just enough to fill the space.

Lengthening R J Frost Building

 

Another issue was that I already have an R. J. Frost Ice & Cold Storage building just a few feet down from this area so the shallow relief version would have to be modified to look a little different from its brother. The solution came from a layout I had visited in Atascadero, CA.

Bill Obermeyer's HO scale Obermeyer Ranch Railroad has been featured on the last two layout tours I organized for the Central Coast Railroad Festival. Bill modified both the R. J. Frost Ice & Cold Storage building and the Walthers' Red Wing Milling Company by lengthening the structures and adding tile roof sections, among other modifications. I like the tile roof idea as I had done this with the shallow relief Elephant Packing House using Plastruct tile sections.



Bill Obermeyer's Model

 

So I added a wall section to my R. J. Frost Ice & Cold Storage building, added a small rooftop shed and a large air conditioning unit and I was in business. This building sits along a spur that doesn't quite reach the last two loading doors so I closed off these doors under the scenario that the spur originally was connected to the nearby main track but now it is connected only to unseen track in the other direction.

To make the tile roof standout I painted some of the individual tiles lighter and darker shades of the terra cotta acrylic craft paint I used. I had done this to the Elephant Packing House but this time the differences between the tiles was too extreme. I was able to decrease the visual differences by giving all the tiles a very diluted wash of the original terra cotta paint.

Differences Between Tiles Too Extreme

 

I don't have a company name for this structure but I probably will designate it as a branch house for a major meat packer. These were still common in my 1956 era.

Finished Structure

 

So what is a branch house? A branch house receives sides of meat and lesser portions of animals slaughtered in the major packing plants and further processes these for the local wholesale trade. Facilities for smoking meats and sausage manufacturing also could be found in branch houses. On a model railroad a branch house is a good industry for receiving meat reefers. As these were owned by one major packer or another, only one packer's reefers should serve a branch house.

 

This Week’s Model Railroad/Railroad Events

Below are the upcoming model railroad/railroad events that I am aware of for this week in my area. If details for an event were previously posted on my Yahoo group I also included a link to that message.

++++

February 17-26 – Coachella Valley Model Railroaders/Riverside County Fair National Date Festival, Indio

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10520

February 25 - Model Railroads Of Southern California Layout Tour #51, Riverside-San Bernardino

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10528

February 25 - Roundhouse Gang Swap Meet, San Bernardino`

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10416

February 26 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10529

Freight Cars: Metal Wheels Equal Lower Center Of Gravity

From time to time I present a clinic at conventions on tuning up freight cars. One of the points I cover is ways to lower the center of gravity on a freight car. If nothing else this reduces the chance of a derailment.

Many of us have older freight cars with plastic wheels. A major consensus in the hobby is that metal wheels roll better, wear better, and attract less dust and gunk than plastic wheels.

Another advantage is that metal wheels lower the center of gravity and add weight.

Consider a typical HO scale blue box Athearn forty-foot boxcar or equivalent Model Die Casting, Train Miniature or Accurail car. Using the NMRA's Recommended Practice for car weight (RP-20.1) such a car's ideal weight is calculated at one ounce plus one-half ounce per inch of length. That works out to about 3.75 ounces for a forty-foot car.

The stock Athearn plastic wheels with metal axles weigh .15 ounces. This is only 4 percent of the recommended overall weight for the car.

As you can see by the attached slide, various brands of metal wheels weigh two to three times this amount.

 

 

As a percent of the recommended overall weight for the car the various wheel brands "weight in" as follows:

Proto2000...........8%

Kadee.................9%

InterMountain...12%

So, would you rather have 4 percent of the car's recommended weight down at the wheels or 8 to 12 percent?

Tank Car Weathering

Weathering tank  cars requires some techniques not used on other freight cars. Here are some tips from Bruce F. Smith on weathering tanks cars. Keep in mind this is just one of many approaches and these mainly apply to older, oil haulers.

1) Start with an overspray of weathered or grimy black.  These cars got very grimy from smoke, dirt, dust and road grime and were rarely washed or repainted.  This also dulls the markings.

2) Add additional grime from spillage in the dome area.  I like oily black for this.

3) Add bearing oil grunge to the bottom and ends of the tank where leaky bearings on the car, or neighboring car would have spun oil out onto the tank and frame.

4) Add a rust wash to the edges of the tank bands to indicate where expansion and contraction have rubbed the paint off allowing rust.  Also rust the truck springs.

5) Add fresh spills with gloss paint.

6) Add appropriate placards and chalk marks.

And Tony Thompson also has some illustrated recommendations:

http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/p/weathering-with-acrylic-washes-specific.html

Here are some prototype tank cars weathered by the hand of man and nature:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2622419

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1945899

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2390046

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2221880

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=905340

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/462739/

http://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-021014082146.jpeg

Finally, some models:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcalCXJimCXXzD5WsNYUTOzZTbLs6SSUXwYA8jv0QroqEelxbADJDXmD5ONdmAngMQAtdcC3VH1Y2gMFIDuLk8EMMg7cTK_jDgqV6-HQwRWYjXB8sns1FeFeuTtiOdm0ZdK2ykJgdcdJk/s1600/AOX+done.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w8B1RPcGqUK_7FCvIAkYUeCeWXs24IDwvJFWhQPWYq5ZFQPL_dBE1kHux0ffVhmhnrRB8HgZD6LsY3GaKSZE5zim52gk8lkYq63OOY1t3Z-Z3EHWy8sxQwjJA8lvuw1nSKIFSZbWA30/s1600/UOCX+tank.jpg

This Week’s Model Railroad/Railroad Events

Below are the upcoming model railroad/railroad events that I am aware of for this week. If details for an event were previously posted on my Yahoo group I also included a link to that message. Otherwise, try Googling the name of the sponsoring organization for details.
++++

February 6 - Glendale Model Railroad Society Open House, Glendale

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10479

February 9 - Kato Meet & Greet At Arnie's Trains, Westminster

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10511

February 11 - San Diego Division Winter Meet, Clairemont

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10510

February 11 & 12 - World's Greatest Hobby On Tour, Pomona

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10462
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10342

This Week’s Model Railroad/Railroad Events

Below are the upcoming model railroad/railroad events that I am aware of for this week. If details for an event were previously posted on my Yahoo group I also included a link to that message. Otherwise, try Googling the name of the sponsoring organization for details.
++++

January 21 - Pacific Railroad Society Excursion To Perris, Los Angeles

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10301

January 21 & 22 - Orange Empire Railway Museum Behind The Scenes Event, Perris

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10419

January 22 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

2017 Calendar Of Southern California Model Railroad/Railroad Events

For those of you living in Southern California here is an updated 2017 calendar of events. On Monday I will post a reminder along with a link to details (if available) for the week's events.

Upcoming Model Railroad/Railroad Events

Area Covered: Counties of Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura + NMRA National Convention

Updated 1/13/16

 

2017

January 14 - San Diego Division Layout Tour, Location TBA

January 14 & 15 - Great Train Show, Costa Mesa

January 21 - Pacific Railroad Society Excursion To Perris, Los Angeles

January 21 & 22 - Orange Empire Railway Museum Behind The Scenes Event, Perris

January 22 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

January 28 - San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Movie Event, San Luis Obispo

January 30 – La Mesa Model RR Club TT&TO 1950’s Operating Session, San Diego

February 4 - Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society Mini Meet, West Covina

February 4 - Los Angels Division Banquet, Burbank

February 11 - San Diego Division Event, Clairemont

February 11 & 12 - World's Greatest Hobby On Tour, Pomona

February 18 & 19 - Great Train Show, Del Mar

February 17-26 – Coachella Valley Model Railroaders/Riverside County Fair National Date Festival. Indio

February 19 - California Express Railroadiana Show, Buena Park

February 25 - Model Railroads Of Southern California Layout Tour #51, Riverside-San Bernardino

February 25 - Roundhouse Gang Swap Meet, San Bernardino`

February 26 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

March 4 - Orange Empire Railway Museum Swap Meet, Perris

March 4 & 5 – Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society Train Show, Bakersfield

March 11 - San Diego Division Layout Tour, Location TBA

March 11 – Coachella Valley Model Railroaders Open House, Indio

March 18 - Los Angeles Division Spring Rail, Whittier

March 18 - Los Angeles Division Swap Meet, Whittier

March 18 & 19 Orange Empire Railway Museum Iron Horse Family Steampunk Carnival, Perris

March 24 - 26 - Calrailfans Trackside Meet, Tehachapi

March, 25 - Western Prototype Modelers Meet, Bellflower

March, 25 - Santa Susana RR Historical Society Swap Meet, Simi Valley

March 26 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

March 31, April 1 - Cajon Division Spring Meet, Temecula

April 1, 2, 8 & 9 - Orange Empire Railway Museums Day Out With Thomas, Perris

April 8 - San Diego Division Layout Tours, Location TBA

April 19 - 23 – Pacific Coast Region/NMRA Convention, Bakersfield

April 22 & 23, 25 - 30 San Bernardino County Museum Train Days, Redlands (Tentative dates)

April 30 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

May 6 & 7 - Railroad Days, Fullerton

May 6 & 7 - High Desert Modular Model Railroad Club Show, Lancaster

May 13 - San Diego Division Spring Event, Vista

May 13 - San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Train Day, San Luis Obispo

May 20 - Santa Susana RR Historical Society Swap Meet, Simi Valley

May 20 - Belmont Shore Lines & Angels Gate Hi-Railers Swap Meet, San Pedro

May 20 & 21 - Belmont Shore Lines & Angels Gate Hi-Railers Joint Open Houses, San Pedro

May 28 Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Open House, Anaheim

June 25 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

July 12-16 - San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Assn. Operating Display, Santa Maria

July 23 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

July 30 - August 6 – NMRA National Convention, Orlando, FL

August 26 - Santa Susana RR Historical Society Swap Meet, Simi Valley

August 27 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

September 9 & 10 - High Desert Modular Model Railroad Club Show, Newhall

September 13-16 – Pacific Southwest Region/NMRA Convention, Ontario

September 16 – Pacific Southwest Region/NMRA Swap Meet, Ontario

September 24 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

October 12-15 - Central Coast RR Festival Layout Tour, San Luis Obispo & Northern Santa Barbara Counties

October 13-15 - Central Coast RR Festival, San Luis Obispo & Northern Santa Barbara Counties

October 22 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

October 28 & 29 - Los Angeles Division Freight Fright, Palos Verdes

November 1, 4 & 5 - Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers

69th Annual Open House, San Gabriel

November 4 - Santa Susana RR Historical Society Swap Meet, Simi Valley

November 11 - Belmont Shore Lines & Angels Gate Hi-Railers Swap Meet, San Pedro

November 11 & 12 - Belmont Shore Lines & Angels Gate Hi-Railers Joint Open Houses, San Pedro

November 26 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Meet, Anaheim

December 2 - Pearl Harbor Day Troop Train Excursion, Los Angeles-San Diego

December 17 - Toy Train Operating Society/Southern Pacific Division Open House, Anaheim

2018

March 3 & 4 – Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society Train Show, Bakersfield

July 30 - August 6 – NMRA National Convention, Kansas City, MO

September 5 - 8 - Pacific Southwest Region Convention, San Diego

 

This Week’s Model Railroad/Railroad Events

For those of you living in Southern California, below are the upcoming model railroad/railroad events that I am aware of for this week. If details for an event were previously posted on my Yahoo group I also included a link to that message. Otherwise, try Googling the name of the sponsoring organization for details…and ask them to send announcements to our group.

Southern California clubs, museums, historical and model railroad organizations are welcome to post a message on their upcoming public events. Or they can send me a message with details.

+++++

January 14 - San Diego Division Layout Tour, Rancho Penasquitos (San Diego)

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10396

January 14 & 15 - Great Train Show, Costa Mesa

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/conversations/messages/10335