Here's a little follow up:
First to get it out of the way. I'll agree attendance by dealers and modelers appeared poor. I'm guessing 200 plus change registered. Having only attended only 4 NASG conventions over the years, I'm in no position to determine what went right or wrong with planning or execution. The host committee will have to determine that.
Plus, it seems like Wisconsin's having a competition with Illinois in trying to have the most highway construction...
Now, on with the show:
Here's a couple of more pictures of Bob Stelmach's Bachmann 2-6-0 conversion that Casey posted about. First in reference to a pair of SHS stock cars:
The cab height was cut down and some S Scale detail parts added. As mentioned earlier, an article will appear in a future issue of the NASG dispatch.
This winds up being a large small locomotive, but some 2-6-0's were surprisingly large so it's not unreasonable in S. Runs pretty good, too. Bob also installed DCC and sound.
Next on the hit parade, DesPlaines Hobbies was showing off the recently released Fowler Patent boxcar and a partial sample of the upcoming H30 covered hopper.
Like the X29, these are flat kits, less trucks and couplers. Decals available from DPH, they will be included with the hopper. End bracing on the H30 will be stainless steel for strength, to bent and ACCed by the modeler. The H30 is due in the Fall.
As a side note, these kits are made in America.
As I was talking to Ron, I mentioned to problems I had with the X29 kit. He told me the floor casting was a tad too wide and can be corrected with a little sanding. Also, he recommends Testor's Liquid Plastic Cement for assembly. He also offered to replace my kit, but I told him it was OK, I did manage to get it together...
Also shown were some test shots of the SD45:
The SD45 is still a work in progress. Like the freight car kits, the components are also made in America. Ron's waiting on some detail test shots, production will start when he's satisfied. All parts will be made here, then shipped to China for assembly and decoration.
Here's what the convention car looks like:
The MTH reefer was not only available with scale wheels, but with Kadee compatible couplers installed or with hirail wheels and couplers. Two numbers were available, the prototype 50027 and convention year 2014. Convention tagging is discretely on the car end.
Lastly, my surprise of the show, this AM P/S covered hopper painted and lettered for Chicago Great Western. I came, I saw, I bought:
This was done by one of the Minneapolis Pines and Prairies group, Ken Zeiska. The model represents one of five cars built for the CGW in 1964 to transport malt for Minnesota Malt in Cannon Falls, Minn.
Like I said earlier, I didn't find what I was looking for, but found things I wasn't looking for. Plus, it was nice to get out and about.
Rusty