…In addition to raising a family, my dad had a passion for O Scale model railroading. During retirement, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of building and completing a spectacular model railroad layout, helped by many friends and family and enjoyed by thousands of visitors…
Last issue we ran an article on Warner Clark’s The Maumee Basin Lines. We screwed up here and left out some important items such as Rich Bougerie, who is responsible for all the scenic artistry and photography…
…I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania…For the most part, the West Penn System was very rural in nature while Pittsburgh Railways (PRCo) was quite urban and centered on the city of Pittsburgh…But the PRCo did have two substantial interurban operations…
The Amtrak “Superliners” are unique. Dating from the late 70s, they are nostalgic cruise ships on wheels…”Atlas” has released these vehicles, their shimmering dome cars and luxury diners as excellent models. The mighty Superliners are to be obtained, if at all, only as a shortened version or as an exceptional expensive small series model. So it doesn’t help anything, scratchbuilding is once again the order of the day…
I had just finished cleaning up the layout getting ready for visitors last March and was looking for a bench project to do. Amy asked about a Christmas present she gave me this past year, the Berkshire Valley Models #210 1934 Tank Truck. Well, that was something I could do without messing up the rest of the basement. So I started the kit…
The Ausemy and Eastern Railway is a short line carrier based in the town of Ausemy, located somewhere in the upper Midwest. I created this fictional town to serve my goals of creating an O scale 2-rail layout that was large enough for interesting operations for one to four persons and small enough reach a stage of completion within a few years…
…I have been building and designing things most of my life and have learned some hard lessons. Dan has purchased a 3D stereo lithography machine, and I have been helping him with some design and drawing. He asked me to talk about some of that in this article, and that should be of interest to those of you who like the discussions about why I did things the way I did…
We are adding a new feature: The “New Tracks”After Show with moderator, Clark Kooning MMR…Clark Kooning MMR, has agreed to moderate an official “After Show” segment that will be a part of our regularly recorded “New Tracks”show. That means that everyone on Zoom and YouTube will be able to see and participate in it…
Another Step Forward for “New Tracks”
“New Tracks”is now a member of the Hobby Manufacturers Association…
Subscribe to our Website and YouTube Channel
…Please subscribe to our website, newtracksmodeling.com. You will need to verify the confirmation email…
…subscribe to our YouTube channel, New Tracks Modeling, click the BELL and hit ALL…
Want to Help? Volunteer to participate in a segment of our show, or help produce our Zoom/YouTube shows.
We are fortunate to have three new volunteers helping us produce our shows. Chris Smith, Dennis Kamper, and Kris Blackmarr. Thanks to all of you for your help.
Everyone who watches our shows has a contribution to make. Offer your help in participating or making and producing our Zoom and YouTube shows, or help with our website. Any amount of time and help you are interested in providing is greatly appreciated. Contact me at jimkellow@newtracksmodeling.com and let’s discuss.
Our “Build Along” Modeling Experience gives you a personal mentor. Join in for a great learning experience
Kershaw Models – Starting February 9, Paul Reeves, owner of Kershaw Models, will team up with Martin Breckbiel MMR to build his O scale kit called Stanzack’s Bar…
Sea Port Model Works – Starting February 23, 2022, Bruce Nickerson, owner of Sea Port Model Works, will start building his kit #H136W, a Waterline kit of a 53’ Coastal Steam Passenger Ferry in HO scale.
Hunterline – Starting March 30, 2022, Rick and Maureen Hunter will start building and weathering a Hunterline 50’ Queen Post Covered Bridge.
Wit and Wisdom Models – Starting April 6, David Vaughn, owner of Wit and Wisdom Models, will team up with Jim Murphy for a Build Along of one of his new John Armstrong inspired kits – the “Nighthawks Cafe”
Conowingo Models – Starting May 25, 2022, Chris Course, owner of Conowingo Models, will be building one of his new kits. The kit is called “THE KELLOW STATION”
“Watch Me Build” – These segments are meant for modelers who want to share their modeling efforts and discuss their modeling techniques so others can benefit.
October 6, Kris Blackmarr started his soapbox modeling series. This is great modeling; presented in detail, by a talented modeler. Join us and see how he builds his models and why he calls them soapbox models.
Contact me by email at jimkellow@newtracksmodeling.com, or if you would like to discuss your idea by telephone, you can get my contact information off our website
“Ask A Modeling Question”
These segments are where viewers can ask modeling questions and get answers from other modelers on the show…
…Martin Breckbiel, MMR building a Van’s Car Shop and a Train Craft kit. If you have an old kit and want to participate, let me know at jimkellow@newtracksmodeling.com.
“Let’s Go To The Hobby Shop”
Meet local hobby shop owners who may become your new best friend…
If viewers have a hobby shop you recommend to be on our show, or you are a hobby shop owner who is interested in being on our show, please let me know. There are not many hobby shops left around the country and I believe they need to be recognized and supported. So please tell me about your hobby shop at jimkellow@newtracksmodeling.com
Anita Walter from California was our first hobby show owner on our June 9 show. I hope you were able
to meet this lady who brought back so many great memories of past hobby shop visits for me…
Mainline Hobbies on July 28
Nick’s Trains on August 7
Mike Zucker, owner of Spring Creek Model Trains, on February 23, 2022
Steven Elliott a member of the NRHSA Board of Directors and owner of Fundemonium hobby shop on February 9, 2022
…when my own boys vacated the room I had built intended for a layout, I thought the time had come. My wife suggested that if I wanted to do something with model trains, maybe I should think about something that made money…
York Modelmaking offers a laser-cutting service tailored to the needs of model railway scratch builders…We started in 1969, manufacturing architectural and museum models…
John wrote: “Just to give you a quick history of the company. My Dad was a photographer and often took pictures of Glasgow based steam trains in the fifties and sixties. This interest lead him to making his own layout and he looked into different ways to make model loco nameplates. The etching process was the best way and from this idea PPD Ltd. was formed…
Now let’s meet some Talented modelers and see some of their model building
Patrick Rivard
…I was introduced to the hobby when I was in my early years. As usual, I received a Lionel train set for Christmas. This of course got me interested in the hobby for years to come…
…I started a hobby shop from my home in the late 80’s, specializing in model trains, especially G scale…
George Downer
…My model railroading interests started on my first Christmas when my grandfather gave me a Lionel train…
…I’m a scratch builder and my primary building material has become cardstock…
John Jensen
…I have owned Jman Laser Crafts for a little over a year ago…
…Scratch building is great when you don’t have money. That’s a good lesson l learned, along with don’t be afraid to try different materials, techniques, and ideas…if you start with something that was going to get chucked and you mess it up and need to throw it away, what did you really lose? You spent some time and gained free education. If it worked it’s a win, win, win!.
…15 months ago I invested in a laser and revamped a piece of my shop. My business is still a labor of love that might pay me 50 cents an hour. But Jman Laser Crafts was born. 1/48 Scale scale architecture is where I focused most of my efforts.
That scale happens to be O Gauge railroad and small scale dollhouse. Worldwide, those are two of the most popular hobbies…
As I have moved to 1/48, I just out grew my work area.…
…Greg Green has helped me with a couple wood working projects, this project turned out to be a multi month undertaking and Greg hit it out of the park.
The goal was what looks like a jewelers work bench….
Now let’s talk about modeling!…After the first of the year, we will get it (a website) turned on and you can see what is available….
Modern Era O Scale will see two kits being available after the first of the year. The Thrall RailGon and the FMC ABOX will be the first kits….
…We will be adding to the line by offering some detail parts to improve available cars or for scratch building. First part is an etch running board for the Atlas PS 4427 Covered Hoppers…
…Twin Star Cars has been busy with detail parts and other items…We have Rock Island etched heralds for the F units. One other item is a four sheet set, for all things, Rock Island…
…This is a model of another motor car, a gas-electric passenger car. The car appeared in a painting by Larry Fisher, titled “Late Arrival At Hamilton Station”…
…Like the American Standard Car gas-electric kit, of which I have several, the prototype is a St. Louis Car Co. product, so initially I thought it would be an easy build…However…I realized that there were a number of changes that had to be made to leave a convincing rendition of the prototype…
Remember, it’s free and nothing to sign up for. And don’t forget to tell your friends!
We’re putting the “modeling” back in Model Railroading!®
The micro layout in the video was a kids Thomas Train set. I built a small micro layout and converted it to dead rail using a RC car 2:4 GHz system. I painted the cars Read more…
The driving force All about our initiator Jim Kellow. What media tell about us Do you like us, tell it to others… Coming soon Press kit Do you want to share, let us make (k)it Read more…
