News: Recent News
This page shows a listing of news entries from the past month or so. Click photos to visit the web sites.
Layouts Page Updated
Mike Swederska, Sr shares some of his custom-decorated equipment for his private road name.
New York Central Budd Car Safety Striping by Great Decals!
These are car-end decals, set #WSM-57. Decals with the distinctive New York Central Budd car safety striping, in black, white, and red, in S-scale are available from Bill Mosteller, Great Decals!, 3306 Parkside Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22031. The sets cost $17.49, and include NYC road names and numbers. Each set does one Rail Diesel Car. PayPal accepted. Dealer's inquires welcome. The New York Central's Budd RDCs were delivered without the distinctive safety striping. After car M-498 was destroyed in a grade crossing accident in 1960, the railroad applied the zebra end striping to improve the cars' visibility. Additionally, Penn Central applied these stripes to post-merger New Haven Budd cars. This decal is in memory of Walt Danylak of Syracuse, NY.
S-Helper Service Christmas Items
A new page has been added that lists all the Christmas items that S-Helper Service produced.
The Model Dockyard Closes
The company closed on January 5, 2021. They manufactured several S-scale boat-related parts.
Announcing The New NASG Librarian
Dale Minard has volunteered and has been selected as the next NASG Librarian. Dale is a member of the San Diego S Gaugers club, where he is already serving as their librarian. The properties of the NASG's Mobley library are being collected and sent to Dave Jasper, who will actually store the content. This is expected to be completed by April 2021. Dale Minard and Ted Larson will be working on digitizing the content of the library.
Jan/Feb 2020, 2021 Dispatch PDFs Available
The public version of the January/February 2020 issue of the NASG's Dispatch is now available. Also, the members-only issue of the January/February 2021 Dispatch PDF can now be downloaded via the "Members Only" section.
Layouts Page Updated
Neil Froese continues to make good progress on his sectional, point-to-point modernday layout. He sent in some updated photos, as well as some additional details about his layout.
Product Gallery Photos Added
Neil Froese provided photos of several of his finished Kaslo cylindrical hoppers.
Clubs Page Reformatted
The Clubs page has been reformatted to group the listing of clubs by both their region and their club name. This should make it easy to find a club in which you are interested in joining, or visiting if you are going to be in the area.
Note that since the re-design of the web site in early December, you can now send club photos and detailed layout descriptions of your club's layout(s) to the NASG webmaster for inclusion in your club's page on this site.
Product Gallery Photos Added
Bill Lane provides photos of Train Stuff passenger cars.
ACF Model A Trailer Hitch for TOFC Flat Cars
Mark Charles has had post-transition-era trailer hitches designed. If you are interested in these, please contact Mark. Click to send an e-mail.
Rhett George Passed Away
S-scale modeler and NASG member Rhett George, of Hillsborough, North Carolina, passed away on December 14, 2020 at the age of 87. Dr. George was a professor emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Duke University. The unfortunate news was that his wife, Joanna, passed away on January 2, 2021. They were both members of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers - Carolinas Division. The photo was taken by Jack Ruth, showing Joanna and Rhett working on repairing an AF accessory.
4-wheel Lightweight Passenger Trucks by River Raisin Models
The company announces their next project, the four-wheel lightweight passenger car truck, to be manufactured by Boo Rim Precision. They are producing three different versions, used by a large number of railroads from the 1930s onward. On the River Raisin web site are documents listing which railroads had which truck types starting in which year. The trucks can be ordered now (see their web site for ordering instructions), with a pre-production price of $65 per pair. These brass trucks will be available unpainted, as well as painted in several colors. Click any of the photos to go to their web site.
Mike Schwab Passed Away
Outstanding Sn3 modeler and NASG member, Mike Schwab, unexpectedly passed away due to a heart-attack.
Sn3 Symposium Dates Moved
The Sn3 Symposium has been moved from May to August due to the likelihood that New Mexico is still in a lockdown situation in May.
Updates by Port Lines Hobby Supply
Doug Peck reports that MTH estimates that their 2019-catalog locomotives are scheduled to arrive in February and March, and their cabooses in April. Their track components are also going to be shipped, but they offered no dates.
Doug has received the new Lionel ES44AC Legacy locomotives, and that their new heavyweight passengers cars are due to arrive soon.
Live Events Listing Added
Since it looks like the lockdowns are continuing, a new "Live Events" section has been added to the main Events page of this web site, to offer a listing of events that you can join remotely and still be able to talk to fellow S enthusiasts live. If you know of another live chat or Zoom meeting that occurs routinely and involves S, please contact the webmaster so that we can add your event, too.
Modular Wall System by AcmeDAK
This newly-discovered manufacturer produces items in various scales. They already carry gondola loads for P-B-L cars, non-scale-specific retaining wall sections, short Sn2 tie strips. The company's owner is currently developing a new modular wall system in various scales, including S. He is planning on developing 4" tall and 6" wide wall sections that are 1/8" thick. Various shapes are being proposed (see photo). Each package/wall is $10, with easy online ordering. Shipping is estimated in the March to May, 2021 timeframe. This manufacturer produces items in batches; these are not continuously-in-stock items.
Product Gallery Photos Added
Jim Kindraka contributes photos of his Train Stuff box cars.
Fishbelly Hopper Detailing Parts by Dave's Twacks & Twains
Clay Buckage announces that the following parts for the new MTH fishbelly hoppers are in stock:
1278-05-01 Plate, Top Corner, Hopper, Unpainted each 1.00
1278-05-03 Platform, Brake each 1.00
1278-05-04 Support, Brake Platform each 0.50
1278-05-05 Housing, Brake, Ajax, w/Chain each 2.00
1278-05-09 Divider, Bay, Rib Side each 1.50
1278-05-11 Latch, Door, Left, Hopper, Unpainted each 0.50
1278-05-12 Latch, Door, Right, Hopper, Unpainted each 0.50
1278-06-07 Divider, Bay Offset each 1.50
1278-06-11 Support, Brake Lever each 1.00
1278-06-12 Brakewheel, Ajax, Hopper each 2.50
1278-08-06 Hanger, Brake Line, Hopper, Unpainted each 0.50
Lionel Celebrating 75 Years of The "American Flyer" Brand
The 2021 Lionel Big Book catalog will be released on January 20. It can be viewed online on that date, or you can pick up a copy from your local Lionel dealer. On February 2 at 5pm Eastern Standard Time, the National Association of S Gaugers has arranged, with Lionel's cooperation, a live Internet presentation, "The American Flyer 2021 Catalog Live". Celebrate 75 years of American Flyer trains with Ryan Kunkle, Lionel's Director of Product Management. He will take viewers on a journey to review the exciting new products in the 2021 American Flyer Catalog. Anyone wishing to join the presentation may go to Facebook or to YouTube on that day to join the presentation and enter comments and questions to which Lionel will respond as time permits.
Greenville 5,400cuft Wood Chip Hopper by Seaboard Shops
The company primarily offers HO-scale products, but they created an S-scale version of the Greenville 5,400 cubic foot woodchip hopper, primarily used by the Seaboard Air Line and subsequent railroads.
Kingfield Covered Station Kit by Portland Locomotive Works
Gary Kohler announced that he is going to create a kit for this station in S-scale. Since these are limited-run kits, he would need to know ahead of time how many to produce. If you have not yet expressed your interest in this kit, now is the time to do so. The Kingfield, Maine covered station was originally built for the Franklin & Megantic Railroad, and it became the longest-surviving covered station of the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad. The problem with covered stations back then was the errand sparks from steam engines that caught the building on fire. Click to send an e-mail.
Pacific Electric Cars by Paul Washburn
Early in 2020 Paul Washburn finished two Pacific Electric box cars and a caboose that he built from scratch. A couple of photos have been added of those models.
S-Helper Service Trailers Listing Updated
The listing has been updated based on the final listing that Don Thompson provided.
Two New Structure Kits by Right On Track Models
The company has listed two new kits (to us, at least) on their web site.
New Concepts and Ideas Page Added
Marvin Harger sent in an idea for his lamppost installation. This led to the creation of a new page in the "How-to" section of this web site where modelers can share concepts, thoughts, and ideas they have, to solve a particular modeling problem. Hopefully these will be useful to other modelers as well, regardless of preferred modeling scale.
New Detailing Parts Available by Smoky Mountain Model Works
The company announces several new freight car detailing parts, such as one new door set, one new car end set, and the two brake wheel varieties shown in the photos. Click on the photos to go to the company's web site page that lists all the parts they currently have available.
Paul Washburn Completes His SP 4-8-0
Paul's latest scratchbuilding project has been the SP 4-8-0 #2914, which he has finished. The completed-model photos have been added to his page that shows some of the construction photos he took.
Photos of Bob Nicholson's Layout Added
Two more photos of Bob's custom-decorated equipment were provided by Tom Lennon and Dave Branum.
Model Photos by Brooks Stover Added
Brooks provided some photos of models that he scratchbuilt and kitbashed.
AF #761 Semaphore Parts by Port Lines Hobby Supply
Doug Peck announces that they now have the new replacement parts available for the AF semaphores. Newly available are the signal flag, the screw to attach it, and the pin to link it to the activation rod in the post. Note that the pin and lenses are already included in the flag. Previously available were the lenses, the socket, and the top finial.
Product Gallery Photos Added
Several new and missing photos added to the Product Gallery.
Removing MTH Fishbelly Hopper Peaked Ends
Don Thompson, of the former S-Helper Service, provides information about what the modeler can do to remove the peaked ends from the new MTH two-bay fishbelly hoppers, if so desired.
Two-bay Fishbelly Hoppers Arrive by MTH Electric Trains
Both MTH and Doug Peck announce that these hoppers from MTH's 2019 catalog have arrived and are now being shipped from your favorite retailer.
An SP Flat Car Built by Paul Washburn
A while back (sorry, Paul!) Paul Washburn sent in some photos of an SP flat car he scratchbuilt. Two photos have been added to his scratchbuilding page.
Dick Karnes Shares AF Kitbashing Projects
Dick Karnes shows three AF-based kitbashes he has done.
Photos of Bob Nicholson's Layout Added
Photos of Bob Nicholson's layout were contributed by Jim Kindraka, and several additional model photos provided by Alan Williams.
Bob Nicholson
Robert B. "Bob" Nicholson passed away on August 13, 2020 at the age of 79. It has been reported that his wife passed away just three days before he did. Bob received the highest award that the NASG offers its members, the Bernie Thomas Memorial Award, in 2014. Bob lived in Fort Madison, Iowa. He was a conductor and engineer for several railroads in his career, including the AT&SF, the IC, and the CNR. He retired in 2001. Some had the privilege of knowing him personally, but a good number of S-scale modelers got to know Bob "virtually" through his participation in the Yahoo! Groups "S-scale" discussion mailing list. All in good fun, he was known as "string boB". The "string" part was because he believed in running his layout without all the complicated electronics, such as DCC. He wrote his name backwards, so as to differentiate his e-mails from all of the other Bobs on the list. For one of the NASG Conventions, Bob Werre had Bob pose in front of a real locomotive with a rope attached to the engine's coupler, to make it look like he was pulling the engine, an elaborate inside-joke about his nick-name on the mailing list. Bob was a fun person and enjoyed his hobby. He created his own layout and named his railroad the "Shabbona" Railroad. Several S-scale modelers were able to buy his equipment in recent years and will have a model of "his" railroad that he worked on, running on their layouts.
Erie Diesel Decals by Great Decals!
Bill Mosteller, owner of Great Decals!, announces decals for Erie diesel hood units and switchers from the 1945 through 1969 period. The part number is #64-876 for the S-scale version. The decals are $6.95 each, plus $2.00 shipping. Each set provides road names, road numbers in yellow and white and differing fonts, yellow stripes, and heralds, and two styles of nose heralds (short and long). The artwork is Microscale's #876, re-sized for S-scale and produced by them for the late Douglas Miller. Click to send an e-mail.
Moved Home Page Photos Description
The home page photo descriptions have been moved to the Welcome page.
Patterson, NJ Model by Todd Architectural Models & Layouts
A new S-scale shallow-relief structure is available. It is based on a still-standing factory in Patterson, NJ.
PE Design & Manufacturing
This company offers tools for use with restoring engines, cars, and track.
Pacific Rail Shops Master List
John Verser, former owner of Pacific Rail Shops, sent in a master list of all the PRS kits produced. Given that information, our web site's listing of the PRS cars has been updated. We had almost all of the cars listed already, but the entries have been updated with the missing data and details.
Photos Added for Tommy Robichaud's Layout
Bill Winans sent a couple of photos of Tommy's layout.
W&OD 70 Series Interurban by First Person Scale Models
This is a 3D-print file (only) for a Washington and Old Dominion 70-series interurban (prototype photo on this web site). The car was custom-designed by the designer (a young man attending college in the D.C. area) for an S-scale modeler. Rather than getting into the business of printing and shipping these models, the designer has made the design files available for sale. If you have a printer or access to one, you can choose the level of detail you want based on the printer used, using these files. The files will generate the model shown in the CAD drawing, so you will need to provide the chassis and the running gear to complete the model. The W&OD operated in Northern Virginia from 1912 through 1968. The line was created out of the merger of other lines that started as early as 1855.
