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The Fireman's Seat

By Robert Bell, Division 15, Assistant Superintendent

Fireman Seat
Greetings!! I hope that everyone has recovered from the holidays and that you are getting ready for or 17th Annual
train Show, on February 23rd and 24th. We should have some new vendors this year, so come out and get inspired.

“Rubber Gauging” is a somewhat derogatory term used by some, in reference to a model railroader modeling in two or more scales. If you have an HO, N or O-scale layout in your house, and have a large-scale garden railroad outside, then you are a “rubber gauger”. I am a “rubber gauger”, and proud of it. My “serious” modeling is in HO/HOn3, with the emphasis on the HOn3. However, with the affordability and fantastic running characteristics of the Bachmann On30 stuff, I am also able to dabble in ¼-inch scale (O-scale) narrow gauge. Modeling in two scales is great. If I get board/stuck in one scale, I bounce to the other. This seems to keep those “creative juices” flowing and can help alleviate frustration while waiting for inspiration, new information, or that next new model to hit the shelves. In my case, right now I have no room for my HOn3 layout, so I am building a “coffee table” layout in On30 (more on this layout in a future column), until such time as funds permit me to build a garage big enough to house a layout and my various shop tools. Of late, I have become “stuck” with this endeavor, and some new info has come to light for a project in HOn3. So, back to HOn3 for the time being, until such time that I either finish the HOn3 project or get really inspired to jump back to the world of On30. Oh, I know there are those of us out there that truly have a “one-track” mind, and can focus purely on one railroad and one day in that railroad’s history, and I can appreciate that. I can even envy that. But, that is not the way I was made. For me, I am what I am, and thatis a “Rubber Gauger”, and I like it that way.

In the March Fireman’s Seat, I’ll discuss “Rivet Counters” vs. “Freelancers”. Until then, remember: It’s your club - get involved! Let’s play trains!

Prototype Rails 2007

By Robert Bell

I attended the Prototype Rails meet in Cocoa Beach, FL, Jan.5th, 6th, 7th of 2007. I have known Mike Brock, Marty Megregian, and Lou Ullian for years, and this was the 7th time they have put on this meet. Each year it gets bigger, and the “river of inspiration” was at flood stage this year, with over 260 attending, over 45 clinics, about 10 vendors, and around 400 models on display. This meet is really not that different than any other model railroad meet, except that the models there are not judged (just viewed and appreciated). The overall emphasis is on prototype railroads and how to model various aspects of them. Several nationally known modelers and authors gave clinics on designing layouts for operation, detailing, weathering, rolling stock, building kits, and scratch building. My friend and renown diorama builder, Brian Nolan gave an on-going demonstration on painting and weathering buildings and related clutter as found on his displays. His work is truly phenomenal. The models displayed included work-in-process, various pieces of motive power and exact replicas of rolling stock (down to the rust patterns). The day before the meet began; I participated in a 4-hour operating session on Tom Wilson’s multi-deck, HO-scale, Pittsburgh & West Virginia RR. This was the first time I had visited his new layout, and the operating crews and yardmasters were kept busy with switch lists and dodging highballing through freights. This model railroad definitely has operations in mind. I most enjoyed learning some new modeling techniques and the camaraderie of old and new friends while at this meet. Weatrhered box car Not new, shiny, or “out-of-the box.” This Branchline boxcar was detailed and weathered to match the prototype car protypeto box car Picture of prototype box car featured in the June 2003 issue of Rail Model Craftsman.