Went to the RPM show. Saw Brad S and Steve H.'s models. Pics are great, but the models have even greater impact in person, just wow... Met forum member Ray Wells today, another bonus... Bought 4 cds worth of Frisco pics from Ed J. Stoller. After finding out I was interested in the Frisco, I knew we were going to hit it off when he asked if I knew where Seligman MO was (its only my hometown, ha!). He knocked 33% off after the chat.
Holy smokes what a beautiful job on Brad's RPO!!! Makes you think you're standing in the depot watching the Sunnyland pull in!! Tom G.
Just wonderful modeling from Brad, Steve and all. I have never been to an RPM meeting. I bet there is some jaw dropping stuff.
Pics were the best I could do, tight quarters, lots of foot traffic and a cell phone camera. This table was very popular.
A photo of Steve's MKT caboose on a float behind the truck was shown on the "St. Louis Railfans and Modelers" Facebook page with appropriate expressions of awe and wonder among the comments.
Thank you!! I tried that page but it wasn't public. I took a bunch of pictures and will get them up here when I get back home. I took pictures for Brad also and will add them.
Thanks for showing those pics! We had a great time for sure. Brads RPO is a great piece in person too. Tom you would enjoy an RPM show for sure (as would any modeler) lots of great models, clinics and vendors. Also 3 layout tours each year. All well worth seeing. Steve
Hey guys, here is a small sample of some St Louis RPM activity from our weekend. I would highly recommend this for any of you. There is never much of a FRISCO presence on the model tables but there is a few members from this forum that attend. The difficulty is finding each other when we don't know faces. I got lucky because Brad Sloane recognized my models and set up beside me. He was great to meet and talk to. His models were great as well. His flat car with two M4 Sherman tanks garnered a lot of attention, as well as his RPO and SLSF steam. I also met up with Ray Wells and Greg Stout. The first night in town we went by what had been the Lindenwood yard. Plenty of trains but all signs of the frisco shops are long gone. We did go past the two bridges we knew still had signs of it heritage. They have just built a little observation deck by the Shrewsbury bridge for train watching. It includes a small story board as well. Enjoy, Steve
End of the yard in Lindenwood: Shrewsbury: This is what 80 years of FRISCO train chasing looks like. Jerry Hurt Brad's work: Brad's steam: #7 Don Wirth paint:
A few more here: FRISCO table: Former FRISCO yard: Among the layouts tours was Eric Brooman's UTAH BELT. One incredible layout: Beer train on another tour layout: Osprey just released a book on building a super detailed SW1500 by Tony Sissons, this is the model from the book. The book is well worth it for anyone thinking of a switcher build: My oldest boy Nic was the table tourguide: Hope you like these,see you next year!
Don't know which I like the best: the turtleback, heavyweight car or the 4300-class Mountain. Thanks very much, Steve, and big applause to you and Brad for representing the Frisco and Frisco-folk. Looks like you had a swell time-your Dad, too. I have the old FMIG article that he did on modeling one of the ex-ATSF cabooses that I hope to use for my own conversion. Best Regards,
I think around 500 attendees. Several hundred models. It seemed like less vendors and manufactures there though. A lot of people are only there Saturday it seems. Quite a few more models on display Saturday than the pics here on Friday too. Mask Island was not there. He has been before. So no decal sales. Overall a good time though for sure. It's in July next year.
It was a good show, and for ten dollars, an excellent value. Unfortunately, the one-day admission fee was twenty dollars. GS
Guys, I had a great time and I know Ray and Ron did too. It was nice to finally put a face with some of the names on the site. Steve, Nic and Jerry are great folks and it was a blast talking everything from Frisco, trucks, occupations and many other things. Steve's models are even better in person, you definitely get a better feel for just how massive they are. I guess I will take a different opinion, but I would spend the money tomorrow to have such a great time again and look forward to next year. Steve, I'm already looking forward to seeing what you have new for then, (379ex). As far as the baggage express goes I can give a narrative if anybody is interested, it wasn't really all that difficult. I also want everyone to know that the spot #7 is Don Wirth's handy work, work as beautiful as it demands to be seen. One other thing, on our way back Ray mentioned it might be nice to list a few of the passenger cars on the market that can fairly easily converted to Frisco cars. Once I get going on this I can list a few on the webpage if anyone has any interest. Brad
Brad, that list would be ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, especially since most all of our passenger equipment has never been directly available. I, for one, will need that to build cars to populate even the small consists of the Sunnyland and Memphian for my River Division layout.
