Train Fun at Philly Express

Steel mill model at National Model Railroad Association, Mid Eastern Region Convention

I just returned from the NMRA MER Philly Express Convention held in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. It was a great time to visit with other model railroaders, learn some new skills and explore area railroads. The first evening of the convention found me presenting a clinic on building my elevated railroad at CB Train Junction. Attendees were engaged and there was interesting discussion that led me to possible resolution of my overload problems.

The next morning started with more clinics. I attended a couple on scratch building and one animations. They were all excellent. The afternoon was an excursion with my wife to visit the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown, PA. This is an abandoned Reading short line from the 1800's that was renovated through the work of dedicated investors, volunteers with the assistance of government grants and loans. While it is a work in progress, the results so far are amazing. While they have acquired a steam engine, our train was pulled by a diesel decked out in blue livery that gleamed in the sunlight.

Locomotive 5128 that pulled our excursion train. Holiday car is on adjacent siding

The grounds are a work in progress that includes extensive stone features including fountains, rails and statues. Mucha additional stonework is in crates pending installation. This promises to be a wonderful place to visit and enjoy when it is finished.

The train consists of beautifully restored coaches including a presidential car, a sleeper cabin "Beaver Car", parlor car "Storm King", lounge Car "Maine Central" , dining car "Lion Gardiner", observation car "Diplomat", deluxe coach "Dawn Treader". Everything was utter perfection. The woodwork details, upholstery, and light fixtures are elegant. Some windows are stained glass and stained glass accents the exterior of many cars.

Stained glass accents and windows on restored cars. Gas lights add to the ambience.

The interiors were beautiful. We had lunch in the Beaver Car which had individual sitting areas, though the pull-down bunks are not operational. The service was excellent by staff wearing white coats serving food and drinks.

My wife ready for lunch to be served. The setting was elegant.

After lunch we toured the train as we travelled the countryside over two wood trestles and one steel trestle. The ride was smooth because they had just rebuilt the track and the views were enjoyable as the tracks follow streams.

Interior of the deluxe coach "Dawn Treader"

I would recommend this excursion to anyone looking for an enjoyable elegant rail journey.

The following day included many clinics, of which I attended two before I departed for an operating session on Steve Salotti's New York Susquehanna & Western HO layout. The layout wraps twice around a hand-dug basement in two levels with a challenging climb between them. It is beautifully landscaped and operates on Digitrax DCC. It can handle up to 12 people at a time operating the layout, and we had about 9 in my session.

Steve Salotti MMR New York Susquehanna & Western

My first train was a Ford plant local that switched out cars at the Ford Plant including coal for the power plant and parts for the assembly building and other drops and pickups. This session was my first time using switchlists with a yardmaster and dispatcher, so it took me a few minutes to get the hang of it, but all cam e out well.

My second train was and extra that had to traverse the entire layout. I would guess that is about 100+ feet of track including the climb to the upper level. I encountered a little difficulty with the borrowed throttle I was using, and had to replace it midway through the job while obstructing the operations for a bit. But all were good natured and patient and it came out well in the end, though, mine was the last train to finish.

Z scale T-trak modules, while not finished, were certainly something new.

After returning, I visited the vendor and display hall as well as the White Elephant Sale and picked up a couple things. There was also a display by the American Civil War Railroad Historical Society that was interesting and educational. There was something for everyone. The conference closed with the banquet on Saturday night with a riveting presentation by John P. Hankey, a historian, curator, and railroader. HIs presentation was about how to restore the relationship between the model railroading community and the prototype railroad industry. He cited the historical close cooperation between modelers and railroaders in the 1950' s through the 1970's, where most railroad executives were model railroaders and

cooperated with the model railroaders and many Class 1 railroads had layouts that would travel to events around the country. He offered to put the leaders of both together to explore opportunities. I hope the leadership takes him up on it.

All in all, it was an excellent event. I would encourage everyone to think about joining next year. The next MER convention will be next fall in Newport News, VA, so plan on it. Also think about the NMRA National Convention that will be held July 27 to August 2, 2026, in Chatanooga, Tennessee . There are lots of opportunities. Come by the shop and we can chat.