New York Central Modeler 4th Quarter 2015

One of the best resources on the web for any New York Central Modelers.  Check out the New York Central Modeler publication from the New York Central Historical Society.  The link is below!

https://nycshs.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/nycentralmodeler4th2015final1.pdf

"Tis the Season"

Well today is the first day of Autumn and the "conventional" annual return for most modelers to their layout rooms, no longer distracted by call of the blue sky and bright sun, beckoning yard work, various family outings and the annual summer vacation.  Personally, I never really take time off from my modeling activities.  Every season brings new opportunity to experience or participate in some aspect of  Model railroading or Railfanning.  

It has become somewhat of a tradition for our family to take a foliage excursion each fall.  The photo above was shot by my wife, Katie, in 2008 just outside of Tobyhanna, PA on our return trip to Scranton.  It was an amazing day of fall foliage behind some nice steam.  

Last year, we were able to visit the Arcade and Attica RR and again had a great time "peeping" behind some classic steam. 

 

This year we probably won't be able to make an excursion because of the recent birth of Patrick, but we are anxiously looking forward to attending the Syracuse train show in November and this year we are going to try and visit the RIT "Tiger Tracks" show in early December.  More to come on the shows in an upcoming post.  Enjoy the photos and Welcome back! 

New Publication Available on ADK division

My copy of "The New York Central in the Adirondacks" by John M. Ham and Timothy R. Mayers arrived yesterday.  I have not had much chance to dig into it because our son, Patrick, was born yesterday too.    

The book has over 400 photographs and the captions tell the story.  It looks like a great 
read and I recommend a purchase from the New York Central Historical Society:

http://www.nycshs.net/The-New-York-Central-in-the-Adirondacks-by-John-M-Ham-Timothy-R-Mayers_p_659.html

or the Save Mr. Webb's Railroad website:   

http://www.savemrwebbsrailroad.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6076524

Custom Paint Projects RS-3 and NW2

The NYC pooled Alco power on the Line East with heavy servicing out of DeWitt in Syracuse.  As a result the Pennsylvania Division was almost exclusively handled by Alco motive power.   I also happen to be preferential as a modeler to Alco's and my roster represents my "enthusiasm" for all things Alco.

With that, I am working on three, Alco RS-3 models, all painted with the Cigar Band scheme to represent NYC motive power between 1960 and 1965, prior to the renumbering of motive power in 1966.   I have finished the first unit, NYC #8246.   To follow will be NYC # 8293 and # 8313.

Starting in 1948, the New York Central purchased a 1000 HP Switcher from EMD, known as the NW2.  These units were classed as DES-13a through DES-13k. Most of these units were painted for the Indiana Harbor Belt subsidiary of the NYC and, as most EMD units, the vast majority saw service on the Lines West of Buffalo.  However, Broadway Limited Models makes a very nice NW2 fully equipped with sound and so I was able to finish a custom paint of NYC #8805.

New Rolling Stock arrives

Four new boxcars arrived today for the layout.  The first two cars are Atlas 50' Double Door Boxcars, New York Central Lot 907 B, which were initially built by DSI in 1961.  Prototype Numbers 43500 to 43947.  

Two additional 40' Youngstown Door Boxcars also arrived today.  These are Athearn models and represent the "billboard" style cars of the 1950's.   Of particular interest is the second car, TRBX 91035, which was the Timken Roller Freight Car, which was used to demonstrate the advantages of roller bearing trucks as opposed to friction bearing that was prevalent at the time.