December 2011

December 2011
Volume 80, Number 7

Special features
44 Perspective: When life imitates art by Karl Zimmermann
When SMS Rail Lines began handling switching chores in an industrial park in 1994, they chose to operate with a pair of first-generation Baldwin diesel switchers. As the railroad’s success has grown, so, too, has its roster of long-out-of-production Baldwin diesels.

54 Mary Cay’s Christmas gondola by Wayne Wesolowski
Built as a planter, this decorative, scratchbuilt, six-foot gondola is strung with lights and filled with gifts during the holiday season.

Modeling
46 The Scenery Clinic: Pt. XVIII: An industrial district by Paul Scoles with Walt Appel
Join us this month as we start a new project and the authors share some tips and techniques for modeling an industrial scene.

49 How to scratchbuild a handcar shed by Tracy McKibben
Based on plans used by the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway, this project is a great choice for someone looking to scratchbuild their first structure.

56 Modeling the B&O’s St. George float bridge by Tom Griffiths
Based on a prototype in Staten Island, this HO scale float bridge is designed to mate with the car float featured in last month’s RMC.

68 Building easy sub-roadbed by Richard Todd
This method uses one-inch strips of hardboard laminated together to form spline roadbed.

73 RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award: Kitbashing a modern Trinity aluminum covered hopper by Eric Miller
A combination of parts from an Atlas covered hopper and a Walthers coal hopper resulted in this interesting HO scale model.

77 Modeling a PRR camp car by Chip Syme
Starting with a Branchline Pullman sleeper kit, the author explains how he modeled a Pennsy bunk car ready for work train service.

80 Scratchbuilder’s Corner: Something for nothing by Bob Walker
The author reflects on his years of collecting spare parts, and the uses he’s found for them.

Prototype
82 The pickle industry and railroading by David Leider
Chicago was once the center of the pickle industry and railroads played an important role as the business grew.