Weekend Photo Fun 12/11/15 HONGZ

During 1979-1980, the NMRA had fundraiser train to build a headquarters building in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  I don't know how many were sold (at least 59.)  I don't remember what the cost was, somewhere around $250-300 (a decent piece of change back then) if I recall correctly.

Ironically, the set was made by AHM/Rivarrossi, which didn't conform to NMRA specs...

The set included a USRA Heavy Pacific, using AHM's Jersey Central Blue Comet paint masks:

With NMRA graphics, such as they were:

The passenger cars used Great Northern styling and lettering, except for blue and gray instead of green and orange.  Except for the RPO, the cars came with interiors, but no illumination.

RPO:

Pullman "James J. Andrews":

Diner "Lookout Mountain":

Pullman "William R. Fuller":

Observation "Missionary Ridge":

Plus, an authentic certificate of authenticity and a nifty-keeno plaque:

A model kit of the proposed headquarters building was also offered:

Building a permanent headquarters seemed a good idea at the time, but the building eventually proved to no longer suit the needs of the organization in the modern world and they moved to new digs in Soddy Daisy, TN.  The headquarters building was sold to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in 2013.

Rusty

chessie1971 posted:

Here is a couple of new n scale items coming next week. Post away guys and gals. 

Nice transfer caboose!  I'm always amazed at the detail in N-scale.

Here we have the "train around the tree", N scale style on an end table in the living room. The circle is composed of Atlas 9 3/4" radius curves. The train represents a typical way freight during the very early stages of Conrail before any equipment was renumbered or repainted. We therefore have an interesting mix including CNJ motive power with a Reading caboose along with freight cars representative of the era. Leave it to me to be prototypically accurate even around the Christmas tree.

Bob

The Baby Ruth freight cars were obtained from the Micro-Trains web store. The candy bar can be purchased from your LCS (local candy store)

TrainsRMe posted:

chessie1971 posted:

Here is a couple of new n scale items coming next week. Post away guys and gals. 

Nice transfer caboose!  I'm always amazed at the detail in N-scale.

Thanks!!

Beautifully done layout, N5CJohnny!

Chessie, thanks for starting this every week.  I always look for this thread.

My latest N-scale buy, a Kato switcher.  I had the dealer put a Rapido coupler on one end, so it can move cars from any road.

Thanks TRAINSRME.

My last new engine purchased from Vince. Vince will be missed at future Yorks!

I have a bit of bonus coverage this week. Saks Fifth Avenue has an HO loop set up in one of its Christmas windows this year. I was able to photograph it during our traditional holiday season trek into the city yesterday. I was lucky to have the chance to grab a shot as the crowd was absolutely massive.

Bob

Twilight and a PRR RS-1 freight heading west.

Nice shot Jonny. Judging by the pictures of your layout you've been posting, it appears you have a double track mainline. Am I correct?

Bob

Bob, yes that is correct I have double track that are independently powered so I can run two trains at once.  I had also installed a Kato double crossover to Atlas track that I already owned. As you probably know Atlas and Kato had different connectors, so I ended up soldering the rails together for a smooth transition from Kato to Atlas track. This setup has worked well for me for years, so I decided not to change out my Atlas track for Kato. I also have a single track that switches off from the inside loop using two Atlas switches and runs by a station. So if you count the Kato double crossover as having four switches, I have six remote switches on my layout.