2021 virtual tour of the Virginia Midland (4 videos)

Here are my 4 videos for the James River Division NMRA meet I did a few weeks ago.

Enjoy!

 

I haven't dropped off the map!

Been a long time since I posted on this blog.  The layout is still going, but very slowly.  Most of my posts have been on Facebook, since it is a lot easier to post over there.  Hope everyone is being safe in this pandemic that seems it's never end.  My teaching job is even tougher than normal and it's more work than it's ever been.  So you can see that spare time is very rare these days.  Here is a diorama that  built last week for a train show last weekend.  It was the first show we've had since February.  The diorama was built to highlight my buddy, Greg McComas's line of HO products.  His MAC rail products has many products including the EOT's and flags for the ends of trains.  Make sure you check out his line of products and tell him that Shannon sent you!  Google for MAC Rail Products or copy and paste this link:  macrailproducts.com

Winter Timonium, MD show in 2 weeks!

Its that time of the year on the east coast for train shows.  The Springfield, MA Amherst show is this weekend and then Feb 1st & 2nd We have our Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MD.  While I've never attended the Springfield show, the GSMTS is a whole lot closer and I'm on the staff.  Our October show was one of the biggest Fall shows EVER and looking like this winter show is going to be huge show and thousands of people through the doors.  Hope to see you there and as always, I'll have my excess for sale right behind the entrance doors at Makin' Tracks.

New wireless soldering iron: with 10% off coupon code!

I was contacted back in November by gentleman that liked my blog and was wondering if I'd do a review of soldering iron.  He was going to send my a free one to try if I'd do a review on it.  The soldering iron is not just an ordinary iron but a wireless one.  It is the Iso-Tip Quick Charge Cordless Soldering Iron Kit: Model #7700.  I didn't even know they made wireless ones and if they did, they'd be expensive.  So I got it from him very quickly and I actually had several soldering projects to do, mainly decoder installs.  All I can say is wireless is the way to go.  No more getting that cord caught on corners or knocking over things on your workbench.  It's hot within 10 seconds and cools off quickly.  Best of all, you don't have to worry about it getting left on.  The push button control works perfectly.  It comes with 2 soldering tips and you can order just about any type.

I highly recommend this soldering iron because it easy to use and definitely affordable. It would work even better on soldering track wires due to the cordless feature.  I actually have to use it on some new feeder wires on the layout real soon.  Glad I have this now.   I will never go back to a wired one again.

If interested, here is the website: www.iso-tip.com
Model #7700 @ $50.95
Use virginiamidland10 for 10% off your order.  Hurry because this offer ends December 31st!

The soldering iron on it's charger. The red push button is used to heat the iron.  Push and hold, it heats up.  Let go, it cools.

The red button rotates so turning it up and holding the button heats up the iron and the it cannot be pushed if it's not in the up position.

This is the basic tip it comes with.  Easily removable.  It also comes with another tip.

Fall Great Scale Model Train Show next weekend: October 26th & 27th

Next weekend is the big show in Timonium, MD!  The Great Scale Model Train October show is the biggest in the Mid-Atlantic.  Show hours are 9-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.  The weather looks perfect for a train show that weekend, fall like and a little rain!  Hope to see you there next weekend!  I'll be headed up on Thursday afternoon to staff the show and help my buddy Mike at Makin' Tracks.  Virginia Midland Shops will be selling extra cars and locos there.  Make sure you stop by and say hello. 

All show info can be found here:
Great Scale Train Show Info

That time of the year...

Well after a very warm and dry start to the fall season, we have finally had some "fall like" weather here in central Virginia.  That only means one thing: model railroading season is upon us!   It's that time where we get back into the swing of projects or pick up where we last left off on some.  It also means train show season too and if you know me, I'm a regular with the most of the shows in the Mid-Atlantic area with Makin Tracks.  We have the our Great Scale Model Train Show (north of Baltimore) coming up in 3 weeks too.  This ironically it is our next show. 
Info can be found here: www.gsmts.com

Here are the shows we will be at:

Oct. 26-27   Great Scale Model Train Show       Timonium, MD
Nov. 9-10    Neuse River Model Train Show      Raleigh, NC
Dec 14-15   Greenburg Train Show                    Chantilly, VA
Dec 28-29   Greenburg Train Show                    Virginia Beach, VA
Jan 18-19    Greenburg Train Show                    Richmond, VA
Feb 1-2       Great Scale Model Train Show       Timonium, MD
Feb 15-16    Greenburg Train Show                    Hampton, VA
May 2-3      Great Scale Model Train Show       Timonium, MD

Projects ready to go!  Actually these were completed already!

2019 Mid-Atlantic RPM Meet is in the books!

Last weekend, the 2019 Mid-Atlantic RPM Meet was held near Baltimore, MD.  We had a great meet and we heard nothing but good things on the few changes we did this year.  We had over 150 people take part in the meet in some shape or form and we are hoping to have even more next year.  The original founder, Norm Wolf even flew in from Utah to check it out.  I've uploaded my pics for the meet and as I have done for all of them, posted on my Pbase account.  For details on the  2020 MARPM, check out www.marpm.org

https://pbase.com/vamidlandrr/2019_midatlantic_rpm_meet_in_baltimore_md

A few of my prototype models at the show.  I need to do some new ones!