Weekend Photos - August 2026

[webenda]

...massive thing, isn't it...

Yeah

EMD SD90MAC
Total length (over pulling faces): 80 ft 2 in (20" 1:48 scale)
Maximum weight is 435,000 lbs (3.93 lbs in 1:48 scale)
and the locomotive can negotiate curves with a minimum radius of 209 feet for a single unit. (52.25" in 1:48 scale)
Source: https://www.sd80mac.com/sd90mac/stats.html

Williams SD90MAC
Total length (coupler to coupler): 18" (72 ft 0 in 1:1 scale)
Weight: 5 lbs (552,960 lbs in 1:1 scale)
Minimum radius: 12.75" (51 ft in 1:1 scale)

My layout is built on a hollow-core door. Compared to your carpeted layout, you could call mine loud, but not L-O-U-D.
In fact, the Southern Streak set is rather quiet because all the cars weigh from 3 to 4 oz, have plastic wheels, and I disabled the rattle can in the Choo-Choo Rattle Tender.

[healey36]

I didn't make it to IPMS Nationals this year, but my friend Mark did. Here's a pic of a scratch-built 1/72-scale IJN seaplane tender which he considered best-in-show:



Some very nice work, that. I wonder if the Kawanishi H8K "Emily" was scratch-built or from a kit...I'll have to ask.

Photo courtesy of Mark Stille

[healey36]

"Compared to your carpeted layout, you could call mine loud, but not L-O-U-D."

My carpet-over-3/4-inch-plywood layout isn't too quiet either. It generates quite a racket, likely due to the fact that I screwed the track down through the carpet into the plywood. I don't mind it, but it makes hearing the person next to you a challenge.

[healey36]

Here's the builder's photos of the seaplane tender's construction:

https://imodeler.com/2019/01/akitsushima-scratchbuilt-japanese-seaplane-tender-in-1-72-scale/

[webenda]

Here's the builder's photos of the seaplane tender's construction[/url]

I was impressed with the photo you posted, Healey. I often wonder how these things (impressive models of anything) are made.

Thank you for the link to the build. Jeff Groves started with Evergreen sheet. Now I am doubly impressed.

[webenda]

Yeah, that'll work!

[bluelinec4]

Digging through a box of my old photos, found this shot of Allegheny Central #1286 at Frostburg, Maryland, back in October 1990:



In the early days of the line that would become Western Maryland Scenic, the ex-Canadian Pacific #1286 spent some time hauling excursions up Mt. Savage to the old C&P depot at Frostburg (#1309's task today). Just 15 years earlier I'd spent hours with my college roommate watching the last of the WM's AlphaJets round Helmstetter's Curve a few miles south, descending from the summit. Wish I'd shot some pics of that.

Is it me or is Allegheny spelled wrong on that tender

[healey36]

I guess that’s the way owner Jack Showalter spelled it, lol.

I’ve seen it spelled numerous ways.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

There's at least 3 correct spellings dependent on what state you might be in

Allegheny tends to be used in PA
Allegany gets used in NY
Alleghany gets used in MD and VA

Other variants probably exist.