New Haven, Boston & Maine, and Boston & Albany Railroads – New England Model Trains

I’ve posted this in the early piggyback thread, but thought it might fit here as well.  History and detail on the other post.
The Yale trailer is stock Weaver, the NH trailer is my paint/decal.

Clejan car, completely scratchbuilt from NHRHTA plans published in the Shoreliner (vol.33, issue 1)

Don, Great looking models. As a young man I remember the Yale trucking company and of course being born and raised in Meriden, I remember much of the New Haven. Thanks for sharing those pictures.   Bill

Thanks, Bill.  I used to be in Meriden often, since we had family on View St. and later, Victoria Dr.  My first train trip (age 4) was from Hartford to Meriden, then the climb to View St.!

Looks great Don, fantastic work!

I wanted to build one after reading that Shoreliner article when it was first published, but other models kept bumping it down the priority list. Glad you did it. Where'd you get the decals?

~Chris

Thank you Chris.  Decals were done by a friend,  printed on decal paper at Staples copy center.  The most challenging element was figuring what to use in order to maintain the “see through” aspect of the car, and remain rigid.  .  The solution was to use 1/2” aluminum channel with a lot of cutting and finishing.  I could always do an article but for most it would be watching paint dry.  

Hey Don, View street was in the center of the Polish section of Meriden. My dad was a milk man and I remember running all those streets on the east side of the tracks and right around St Stan's Church. There are  still two great kielbasa manufacturers there but I won't try and spell them here.I still have a daughter, bother and many cousins living in Meriden.  The New Haven always had an RS-3 working out of the North Colony Street yard.

That would be Czapiega’s on Cooper street, right next to the tracks.  Filipek’s I think was near Silver St.  Small world…

Hi Don. This is our Czapiega's and Filipeks rolled together, Its a Korber Pickle factory kit renamed for a friend who has a big appetite for kielbasa.

I bought this car years ago in a lot of 3. It was a 2 rail model with Crown Model Products stamped on the chassis. I finally today added 3 rail trucks and readjusted the Kadee coupler to put it in service.  Also added some weight. It has been upgraded detail wise. First thing I noticed were the doors were like no other I have seen. Some of the molded in details were shaved off and replaced with wire. More scale like stirrups were done.  The brake rigging not really seen was also upgraded. Someone spent some time on this model and did a nice job. It came with an obvious clear coat applied and lightly weathered. I can’t believe someone spent this much time on details and it’s not prototypical. I don’t know a lot about the B&M as far as equipment. A quick search as far as decal suppliers and prototype photos I’ve come up empty. Any info. would be appreciated on this model.