All:
I attended the 2017 Steel Mill Modelers Meet, held in Bethlehem, PA just recently (August 13-16). This is really the event for those interested in modeling steel mills on a train layout. It is sponsored by the NMRA’s Steel Mill Modelers Special Interest Group (SIG), but you don’t have to be an NMRA member to belong to the SIG. While many of the presentations and products for sale are focused on HO, the ideas, tips, and especially the inspiration are independent of scale. Plus, a large number of the attendees are knowledgeable about the steel industry or terrific modelers or both. Clinics presented were:
- Iron & Steel (an introduction to the steel making process)
- Writing an Article for the Journal
- Steel Mill Photography Best Practices
- Plant Specialty Cars
- Modeling Bethlehem Steel Mill Cars
- Treadwelling the ST&D Bottle Car
- Assembling a F and C Slag Car
- Modeling Rolling Mills
- McWane Ductile
- How to Develop a Model for 3D Printing
- Electric Arc Furnace
- Figures and Other Neat Things for your Layout
- Building detailing and electrical systems
The SIG has been holding this meet since 2013. I attended the inaugural meet and the 2014 meet.
I highly recommend this event and membership in the SIG for those modelers who have steel mills on their layouts or are thinking about it. By the way, next year's meet is going to be held in Kent, Ohio.
If you want to learn more about the SIG, check out their website: www.smmsig.org
I included photos of just a few of the models. There were a lot more.
George
