While I'm avoiding the half-time show from the Super Bowl, I figured I might put away a few of the trains I had carried to the Amherst Railway Society Show in West Springfield, MA last weekend.
In the process I was reflecting back on many of the new models we saw in S last weekend: 1) River Raisin Models -- samples of the upcoming Sharks (http://www.riverraisinmodels.com) boy were they sharp looking and ran really nice...see RRM's web site for photos of the Shark samples. I believe they will also put in an appearance at the O Scale West Plus S meet in two weeks. And don't miss their announcement of The Milwaukee Road Rib Side Cabooses. 2) PEM Trucks new 40' Container & Chassis -- it seems every year the choices for S intermodal modelers get a a little better. In 2004, Des Plaines Hobbies brought us ready to run Gunderson Husky Stack models. Some of our club members took advantage of the fact that Des Plaines had them for sale at this year's show to add some more to their rosters. We also have ready-to-load 20' bulktainers and container kits from DPH as well. This year it was Tonkin Replicas release of a ready-to-load 40' Cargo Container and Chassis in their PEM Trucks (1:64) models line. S Helper Services had them for sale at the show, and club members added several of them to our well cars. They add some nice weight to the well cars that really improves tracking. For those who have not yet seen them, see my Husky Stack page at http://www.sscalenews.com/huskystacks for several photos added after the show. And I believe S Helper Service still has a few left if you have not obtained yours yet. 3) One of the neat sights on the Bristol Club layout was the sight of a club freight moving eight S Helper Service flatcars with Stuart light tanks. We can always count on S Helper Service to bring out new loads for their flat cars. They also had sample models of their upcoming flat cars with pipe loads and their new reefers. Hopefully these will all arrive soon... 4) Ragg's...to Riches (http://www.raggstoriches.biz/) was showing off their new structure - Aladdin General Store. Available in S scale along with many of their other structures, this is one super detailed structure especially when the detail kit from Turner Model Works is added. After reading Gerry Evans' article on their F.D. Work & Co. building, I was curious how they could top that structure. But they have! Now if I can just find a spot for one on my layout... And a final comment about the show -- while this is one of the largest model railroad shows in the country (paid attendance was 20,799 this year over the two days), there also seemed to be more interest in S this year. With all the S modelers, manufacturers, and dealers who attend this show, perhaps we'll name this the S Winter Fair (especially since the show is held at the site of large New England fair - the Big E.) Regards Michael ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Greene Dunstable, MA, USA Member: NMRA(Life), NASG, Bristol S Gaugers, The 470 Railroad Club National Assoc. of S Gaugers http://www.nasg.org DCC Corner http://www.dccinfo.com Maine Railroads http://www.mainerailroads.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
