Last Updated on 2023-01-13
My DCC-equiped Pennsy 44-tonner (HO scale) with caboose running on a make-shift layout. Yes, I know that the whole idea of a 44-tonner is to eliminate the need for a second person onboard the locomotive, but it has to move something.
I have a number of model railroading projects going on at this point. Amongst them are the following:
Current Projects
- Pickle Factory, as described below on this webpage
- Four Oaks Milling Company, on Keen Rd, Four Oaks, North Carolina. Back in 1985, while I was travelling from New England to Florida, I got off of Route I-95S to refuel, at the exit for the town of Micro, NC. At the intersecting roadway after the ramp, I noticed the mill, elevators, etc. and thought that it would be a great scene to scratchbuild for my train layout.
- Stilwell's Oyster Car
My current spare time is being spent on developing a 3D model of a pickle plant, to be incorporated into my N-scale model railroad layout. It is little more than a framework at this point. But, I need to develop some industry to justify why there is a railroad on this 24"x42" piece of real estate in the first place.
I will be developing this model in true scale. Once it is completed, I will be able to 3D print it for any desired scale. It will initially be printed in resin for my N-scale layout, then I will print an HO-scale version. You can expect to find these also offered for sale on my Etsy page and my eBay page.
Follow me as I develop this into a 3D model, from the initial 2D plan.
Also on my current list of things to do is preparing a model of a Still Oyster Car.
- The Cannonball, Fall 2014, From research to Model: The Stilwell Oyster Car
- Reinvented American Fare with a KC Flare - The Stilwell, located inside Loews Kansas City Hotel
- Worthpoint, Red Ball Stilwell Oyster Car - a listing entry to tease people.
- Image of the Stilwell Oyster Car, 1897
Useful Model Railroading Links
- Robert's Kusan Trains Layout - including some very interesting information about the Kusan train company. I found this website while researching a Kusan MKT13445 flatcar that is in my collection. (2022-07-31)
- The Train Collectors Association Kusan Model Trains / KMT webpage. Further history about the Kusan Model Trains company. (2022-07-31)
- Allan Gartner's Wiring for DCC. This website has a ton of interesting and useful information on Digital Command Control (DCC). (2022-08-01)
- DCCwiki Digital Command Control Made Easy. This is an Open Source Project. It's goal is to document all aspects of DCC.
Model Railroading Pickle and Vinegar References
- A very interesting article, by the author of Pickle and Vinegar Makers of the Midwest The history and operations of two fascinating industries, for creating a model of a double-tank vinegar car
Leider, David J. (2007, October). Double-tank Vinegar Car. Railroad Model Craftsman, 90-96.