Twin City Model Railroad Museum

• Date: 7/19/17
• Destination: Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul, MN
• Amenities: model train layouts in all sizes, library of modeling and historical resources

Berkshire Scenic Railway #6126

• Date: 7/8/17
• Destination: Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Hoosac Valley Service, North Adams, MA

• Power: Boston & Maine RDC-1, 1955, Budd Co.

• Distance: about 8 miles (rt) of New York Central's former North Adams Branch line
• Amenities: narration covering the history of rail operations in the area, refurbished combine and caboose (outfitted as office, gift shop, and staff areas), themed rides (by schedule)

• The "North Adams" a former Baltimore & Ohio combine car
• Pullman Standard caboose, 1942, served as NH C-537, Penn Central 19842, and Conrail 19842

"Birthday in the Burbs"

Birthday in the Burbs

My first T-Trak module. Initially inspired by a Bouncing Castle found on Shapeways.com, with general landscaping modeled after a few different residential areas in the Springfield, MA area. 

Components

• Bouncing castle, slide, and sandbox 3D printed from Shapeways.com
• House and light post from Model Power
• Cars by Kato
• Fence laser-cut by Bar Mills
• People, trees, and other scenic elements from Woodland Scenics

Techniques / Takeaways

• WS Ready Grass Mat - does not shape / adhere to slopes
• 3D printed items are porous and require multiple coats of paint
• The WS tree kit results are more interesting than the ready-made classic trees 

New Orleans Public Service Car #850

• Date: 7/4/17
• Destination: Shoreline Trolley Museum, East Haven, CT

• Power: New Orleans Public Service 850: “The Streetcar named Desire”, 1922, Perley A. Thomas Co.

• Distance: about 3 miles (rt) of the Branford Electric Railway's track
• Amenities: additional trolleys and rolling stock, guided tour of the museum's equipment yard, interactive exhibits on the operation and mechanics of trolleys, exhibits on Frank J. Sprague's inventions and contributions to electric rail operations

Valley Railroad No. 4

• Date: 7/1/17
• Destination: Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Essex, CT

• Power: Valley Railroad No. 4, Mikado 2-8-2, 1920, American Locomotive Company

• Distance: about 12 miles (rt) of Valley Railroad track
• Amenities: additional rolling stock and locomotives, special seating cars (including the caboose), optional 1¼-hour riverboat cruise on the Becky Thatcher

New York Transit Museum

• Date: 6/25/17
• Destination: New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn, NY
• Amenities: exhibits detailing the creation and operation of NY's Subway system and public transit, a collection of vintage subway cars

Naugatuck Railroad 2203

• Date: 6/10/17
• Destination: Railroad Museum of New England, Thomaston, CT

• Power: Naugatuck Railroad 2203 GE U23B Diesel, 1977, General Electric

• Distance: about 14 miles (rt) along the Naugatuck River
• Amenities: additional rolling stock and locomotives, exhibits with history of operations in the area, visit to Fascia's Chocolates

Shelburne Falls No. 10

• Date: 5/27/17
• Destination: Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, Shelburne Falls, MA

• Power: Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway No.10, 1896, Wason Manufacturing

• Distance: about a quarter mile in the old Buckland Freight Yard 
• Amenities: exhibits on history and restoration of No.10, a pump car you can ride, a 1910 Central Vermont Caboose (being restored)