Finally, Markers for the Office Car Special

 One of the curious parts of modeling office car passenger trains is that each car has a defined role in each train, as opposed to repeated roles in different trains.  This is to say that the goal of a freight car is to create 'plain jane' sorts of rolling stock, where in an OCS train, each car is a gem - memorable and unique in its own way.  

The one thing missing from the Onondaga Cutoff OCS was a train to bring up the rear - to 'carry the markers' as it is said.  Technically, a train requires a powered vehicle equipped with a headlight and with its rear end protected by a marker.  Markers can be cabooses, red lamps, or a headlight on low beam settings.  So, we needed working red marker lights on a formal inspection car.  And now, we have one:  introducing CR 7, my custom Conrail inspection car.  

Each of the cars in the OCS is special for a different reason, and the prototype includes cars similar to this but quite a bit modified from their original appearances.  Given that several prototypical models are currently under development for Conrail 1 (a six-axle open-end observation car like this one) and Conrail (a closed-end theatre car equipped with a gigantic glass window on the rear end), I had a choice to make.  I could kitbash a close faximile of Conrail 2 or 3 or 4, all open-end cars like this, which would take 50 hours or more.  Or, I could take one of the new Broadway Limited Imports plastic open end obs cars, based on a PRR prototype, and create a stand-in car that will carry the load for now. 

I decided to take the latter route and number the car into an open spot on the roster.  While a 'foobie' as the rivet counters will note, it will look the part, fit the bill, and leave me with more than 40 hours of time with which to improve the layout this fall.  

But, for some reason BLI only lit the markers on the closed end of the car, which while neat doesn't help those of us that will be using it as it was intended.  So, I added working rear markers, wired to terminals provided on the PC board.

With that done, the lights work in concert with the other lights that are on/off via a reed switch on the board.  Very clever, BLI - but next time, if  you include markers that work, make sure they're on the obs end!  

To further add to the plausibility, I changed the bearing covers to roller bearings reflecting what Conrail did to all its cars in the 80's and 90's.  I also added figures as needed.  

 

Next, I removed most of the rivets to give the car a more modern welded appearance.

Finally, it got my custom Conrail Pullman Green paint via my airbrush, and then was decaled using Prime Mover Decals set for Conrail executive equipment.  

The resulting car, visible at the top of the post, is exactly what is needed with working markers now to be the last car of my OCS. I am excited to have a completed train, and when more cars come to market, they can be added easily.  For now, we are ready for service!  

A Guest Appearance

 Sometimes things work out in ways hard to see coming.  And so is the pattern in 2025 forming up.  As it turns out a family trip to see relatives in Australia will cross paths with the 2025 annual convention of the Australasian Regional National Model Railway Association, and allow a sort of guest appearance for the OC as one of the clinics featured in the schedule.

A full accounting of the presentation will be available several weeks after the convention, so you will be able at a minimum to see the slides and presentation as it will be after the live convention on Saturday August 23.  

More to come on this in what has been a remarkably unpredictable 2025!

The Time Warp

One of the best things about digital images is that you sometimes come across them in folder and get to enjoy a quick look at the past.  They're buried on the PC somewhere, or in the cloud, or wherever and occasionally you just run into them while looking for something else.

There is always something in those folders that makes me smile.  Here's NS 212, the Atlanta, GA-to-Croxton, NJ daily piggyback train on April 29, 2006.  Back in that era, conventional cab leaders were fairly common on 212, and today's had NS C39-8 8655 leading.  This was awesome back then and even more so looking back now.  

This image was made very nearly 16 years to the day from my first experience trackside at Pattenburg, NJ.  Pattenburg had quickly become a favorite place for me to spend time.  Those 16 years seemed like a long time back then.  Today I realize that April 29 2006 is 19 years from 2025!  A lot has happened. Time plays tricks on us and making images of railroads is one of the portals where time can seem to bend in our minds.  

This scene is similar today but the C39-8's are long gone from the NS locomotive roster.  I am glad I made time to make this image, and glad to run across it today browsing for some documents at lunchtime.  

Good thing there is plenty more to find!

The Long View

This hobby of ours is a long-view hobby.  At least for my case, it has stuck with me my whole conscious life, while other hobbies have come and gone again.  This long view requires diligence and a commitment to mindful appreciation of what we are modeling.  But, it's endlessly interesting and fun, too, so it doesn't feel like something to rush through.

Part of a longer game is that we remember things that impressed us even from decades past.  In the pages of Model Railroader magazine, I recall having seen some beautiful maintenance equipment on Michael Tylik's modules, one shot even on the cover of MR.  Years later I was told those models are from a company called Custom Finishing, a tiny firm whose kits were hard to find and even harder yet to assemble.  

A few months back, though, I came across a collection of them by Jerry Britton, and Jerry was downsizing his collection.  I made an offer which was accepted and the models now live on the OC.

 Here's the scene now, after some painting, weathering, repair and modernization of the cast-metal ballast tamper and tie handler crane.  Add in some Mt. Vernon shops decals, and we are set!

With fabulous 3D printed models coming on strong and with secondhand brass models like the single-track Jordan plow behind the tamper, these little cast metal kits complete the scene.  It's been more than 30 years in the making to get them on the Onondaga Cutoff, and seeing that come to life has been a really rewarding part of the long view.  

Don't be afraid of long term goals!  Keep your eyes and mind open, and you get your chance finally to make it happen.  

Memories and Place

Memories drive a sense of place.  Memories, to me, are a powerful motivator for life going on, and for the ups and downs and majesty and wonder of it all - and the despair that can haunt the shadows of the brightest days.

It's July of 1994, again, in this image.  Typical hot humid summer day and gray sky in New Jersey, and I am testing out my driver's license - then about 7 months old - for my first ever trip to watch trains at Ridgefield Park.  We hoped at Mark's suggestion to see some NYS&W trains there, but besides a few NS engines at rest, they were quiet.  Conrail however put on a show on the River Line.  At the end of the afternoon this train, led by SD40-2 6438, came to a stop right in front of us.  The crew got in a van and left, and so we took the opportunity for this photo.

 This image was made on slide film, and shows three 17-year-old kids having a good time.  

Life today gets complicated, but shots like this make you remember a simpler time, and remind us all that everything changes.  A good chunk of the passion behind the OC is remembering such times.  Every time has its place.

And that is ok.  

An honor, again

This is one that never gets old - seeing the Onondaga Cutoff on the cover of Model Railroader magazine!

 This is the third time I have had this honor, and each time it reminds me of the long and fascinating journey of this hobby and how it weaves into and out of life.  For me and for many railroading is in the blood, so to speak, and seeing our work be featured is a great feeling.  I hope in creating content like this that young people today can be inspired like I was when I was a child.

Life this year has been a crucible again - a fervent mix of responsibility to family, work, community, finance, and hobby, all of them intermingled and with little time to spare.  It was time to change internet providers, time for a new (to us) car, a time of banks changing hands, extra projects (even including a strike) at work while dealing with scarce funds and insecurity amongst managers, all while maintaining the house and layout.  'Life the 40's' as regular readers know is a constant theme here.  And 2025 is living up to the expectations!

With this sort of intensity we blink and weeks or months pass.  And in any case it is harder and harder to think things through or reflect on faith in others or in coming together when there is no time for it.  I am hopeful that this wonderful experience of another MR cover will help me look back on this era and be reminded that good things can come at any time.  Do the work, try to make what you are doing a bit better each time, and with a bit of luck, a new door can open.

I am grateful for the opportunity and for all the assistance and inspiration that has made the OC what it is.  I hope this continues the work of giving back!

The Big Test!

 There comes a point in any big project where it's time to give it a go - 'kick the tires' so to speak, or give it a try.  Well, we got to that point here with our new lift bridge - time to see if it actually works.  I recorded a video of our first opening - Here we go!

Well, alright!  Not bad for a first test, and while we have some adjustments to make I am thrilled at the progress.  Now, we get all-rail access to the new storage staging at Peat Street Yard, and we do it without the need for a duckunder.  Instead we have an actual, functional lift bridge!

As you can see here, it's powered by a cordless drill with a 3/4" socket wrench, and can easily be moved up or down as needed.  This will allow a walkway to stay open but also occasional all-rail access to the new staging area.  

Plenty more to come, but this is a game changer for us here on the Onondaga Cutoff.  Lots of new variety coming soon!