NASG
Store
News
Events
Clubs

2024 NASG Convention Summary

The "Susquehannock II" Convention

Named after one of the PRR's lesser-known passenger trains, the 2024 NASG Convention was held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from July 17th through July 20th, 2024. The unique aspect of this Convention was that this was the first time that we held two Conventions back-to-back in the same location. A total of 209 people attended the event, which was about the same as last year's attendance. The Convention was brought to you by the Lehigh Valley S Gaugers.

Most photos can be click to see a larger version of them.

See the September/October 2024 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch for two reports about this Convention, one from a "regular" and one from a first-time attendee.

Venue

The event was held at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey, in Harrisburg, PA.


photo © Bill Lane
 

Convention Car

Because the focus of the 2024 NASG Convention was the Reading railroad, the Convention group commissioned American Models to create two Reading Convention cars. They were a green and a red Reading box car, class XMwa. These were part of the 110-car series of class XMw box cars that the Reading rebuilt starting in 1953. These were 40'6" cars with a 10'6" interior height, and had 8-foot, 7-panel Superior doors. They were rated to carry 50 tons and had a 3,898cuft capacity. These cars had the large, orange-background "DF" label on them, which indicates that they had the damage-free loading system by Evans Products, Co. installed in them. These rebuilt cars lasted for another 20 years. Two cars were commissioned, one was the green car, #18088, rebuilt in 1956, and the other the red car, #18034, rebuilt in 1953. They were available with either hi-rail wheels and couplers or scale wheels and couplers. Both cars sold out during the Convention itself. A limited re-run was commissioned after the Convention due to their popularity.

photo courtesy of Norman Bos
photo courtesy of Norman Bos
 

The Vendor Hall

The Vendor Hall is, of course, one of the big attractions for the NASG Conventions. Both manufacturers, retailers, and individuals offer their wares for sale. You'll never know what you'll find. Vendors in attendance were as follows (in alphabetical order):


A panoramic view of the vendor hall (1 of 2).
photo © Joe McGee; used by permission

A panoramic view of the vendor hall (2 of 2).
photo © Joe McGee; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Joe and Shirley Calamia, of American Models, displaying some of their recently-released cars and engines
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Jeff Wilson, formerly of Hoquat Hobbies
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Richard and Donna Neely, of Neely's Train Shop
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Alan Loizeaux, of Empire Trackworks, displaying examples of some of his track components
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Steve Wolcott, of Pre-Size Model Specialties, displaying his company's S-scale car kits
photo © Jim Kindraka; used by permission

Ben Trousdale, of Benn Central Shops, displaying his 3D-printed hoppers, printed by 3D Central
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Ben holding up two of his 3D-printed hoppers
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

Ben Trousdale working on one of his kits
photo © Jim Kindraka; used by permission

Robert Ristow visiting with former NASG Company Store manager Roy Meissner
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

Paul Raham selling some of his wares.
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

Tentative Product Announcements

Ben Trousdale is considering making his 3D-printed hoppers available through 3D Central. No formally-announced plans at the Convention. However, they were later formally released (see this page).


photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

Simon Parent displayed his 3D-printed ACF Type 27 (ICC103) riveted shell tank car. It is an early version, and the final kit is expected to be sold through Pre-Size Model Specialties. No formally-announced plans at the Convention. However, they were later formally released (see this page).


Simon Parent's planned tank car.
photo © Jim Kindraka; used by permission
 

Amish Country Tour

Wednesday, July 17

This all-day tour visited Amish country, which included a tour of an Amish farmhouse and school, lunch at a Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbord restaurant, and a tour of Amish farmlands.

 

Stewartstown Railroad Excursion

Wednesday, July 17

This afternoon tour of the Stewartstown Railroad, a historic Pennsylvania short line just 48 miles south of the hotel, featured a 7.4-mile line that was chartered as a "farmers railroad" in 1884 and is a common-carrier still operating under that charter. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, it is being reconstructed by an all-volunteer labor force to continue serving the community. The chartered train consisted of the 1943 Plymouth "Mighty-Mo", an open car (with roof), and a caboose. The ride was planned to go to the current end of Class-1 track, which includes the dramatic Deer Creek Valley, where the line is cut into a shelf in the steep valley wall, with a 2% grade back to the station. However, it was cut short due to a storm hitting the area the night before the excursion and a large tree having fallen across the tracks. The planned photo run-bys and the tour of the historic 1912 station were still able to be done.


Our motive power was the Mighty Mo, a 1943 Plymouth that has been serving the Stewartstown since 1960. It pulled a train consisting of an excursion car built on an ex-PRR flat car and the ex-UP blue caboose.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission

The trip was cut short due to this large tree having fallen across the tracks from the previous night's storm.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission

There was plenty of time to peruse the various equipment under restoration, including two of the line's four Bethlehem Steel-built passenger cars built in the 1920. These are the first two cars being worked on, both veterans of the Reading Railroad's famous Iron Horse Rambles in the early 1960s.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission

The engine and caboose at its yard.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission

A view out of the caboose during a previous visit to the railroad that Jim Whipple did.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission
 

Ice Breaker

Wednesday, July 17

A great place to meet all of the attendees in a more casual, relaxed environment.

 

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern RDC Trip

Thursday, July 18

We took a bus to Reading, PA, then boarded the RDC cars of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad to visit the railroad shops at Port Clinton. After a shop tour, we boarded the train for a further tour of the railroad to the Reading Outer Station and the town of Jim Thorpe. You can see a slideshow & video by Hugh Sinn on YouTube of portions of this trip.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Bill Lane (left) and NASG President Jim Whipple
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Roger Gerhart; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Arriving at the borough of Jim Thorpe, PA
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission
 

The Ladies' Report

Each NASG Convention always has something for the ladies who accompany their "train nut" husbands to the Convention. These may also include non-rail-related extra-fare events, such as the Amish Tour this year. Helen Robichaud, Bristol S Gauge Club Vice President, provided this report about what the ladies did at this year's Convention.

Helen noted that a Women's Hospitality suite had not been designated at the Convention. She contacted Jamie Bothwell, who was quickly able to remedy the situation and identified a room for them. Thursday evening, several ladies were able to gather for spontaneous and spirited card games while the vendor hall was open. The same room could not be used the next two days due to the Convention clinics, so Helen enlisted Jamie's help again in identifying another room which could be used for Women's Hospitality suite for the rest of the Convention. Signage and word-of-mouth helped notify Convention attendees of the new location. Others were able to use the air-conditioned room to do some reading and cross-stitching while the vendor hall was open. Local shopping was a choice for several women who met at the suite.


Both Friday and Saturday there was a challenge to complete a puzzle in under two hours.
photo © Helen Robichaud; used by permission

Success!
photo © Helen Robichaud; used by permission

Carol Haladyna made arrangements to take a group of women to visit the local Civil War Museum.
photo © Carol Haladyna; used by permission
 

NASG General Membership Meeting

Saturday, July 20

Since the NASG, Inc. is a corporation, it is required to have an annual membership meeting. At this meeting the NASG Board of Trustees (BOT) reports any decisions made while they themselves had their annual private BOT meeting, pass on any other news, and open the floor up for any member discussions, questions, and issues. If a vote is taken during this meeting, it becomes part of the official NASG records.

 

Banquet

Saturday, July 20

The banquet kicks off the last evening's activities with a delicious first-rate meal. Members get to know each other and visit with friends during the meal. The banquet is followed by an auction, hosted by Jamie Bothwell.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission
 

NASG Awards

Saturday, July 20

The NASG offers awards for outstanding service in which members have participated, helping the NASG and S-scale grow, during the previous fiscal year. You can see all of the details about these awards by visiting this page.


Bernie Thomas Award: Carl Rudolph

Charles Sandersfeld Manufacturer's Award: ScaleTrains

Perles/Heimburger Publication Award: Bill Clark

Josh Seltzer Electronic Media Award: Dan Dawdy
 

Auction

Saturday, July 20

Members are encouraged to bring items to the NASG auction, which takes place immediately after all of the formalities of the last evening of the Convention have completed. Ten percent of the proceeds of the auctions provide additional revenue for the NASG, but it is really the entertainment value that makes it all worth while. Jamie Bothwell, our auctioneer, is hilarious!


Jamie starts the evening's festivities off with the announcements of the annual NASG awards, followed by the contest awards, and then the auction.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

During the auction, Jamie recognizes a bid offer for the item that assistant Jeff English is holding up.
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission
 

Clinics

Building Turnouts

Dave Heine

Friday, July 19

Dave, a very accomplished turnout builder, showed how he builds turnouts, including dual-gauge ones.

 

The Miller Switcher

Jace Kahn

Friday, July 19

The original S diesel switcher was based on an early ALCO S4. Jace addressed the variations that came about in this legacy model.

 

Where is Dead Rail Today?

Darby Marriott

Friday, July 19

Darby provided an update related battery-powered locomotives.

 

The Joy of Modeling Short Lines

Jim Whipple

Friday, July 19

Jim expounded on the advantages of modeling a short line, offered a survey of the real ones with an emphasis on those in Pennsylvania, and discussed how to model them in S-scale.

 

Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines

Bill Lane

Friday, July 19

Bill guided us through one of his special-interests with great photos and lots of information.

 

Light Modular Layout Design

William Monaghan

Friday, July 19

With new techniques in mind, Willy showed how to build light-weight portable modules that can be transported anywhere.

 

Civil War Railroading

Dr. Stephen Law

Friday, July 19

Stephen took us through the United States Military Railroad's connections during the Civil War from Harrisburg to the National Capitol in Washington, D.C.

 

Simple Modifications to American Flyer Trains for Added Realism

Michael Byle

Friday, July 19

Mike took us on his journey to refresh vintage American Flyer equipment including re-imagining the models and making improvements to the electronics of these classic trains.

 

Reality and Model Railroading for an Engineer

Michael Byle

Friday, July 19

Michael covers his personal and family history with railroading, working on a track gang, and civil engineering for rail construction projects together with lifelong modeling.

 

Four Different Coil Cars

Jim Kindraka

Saturday, July 20

Jim provided some background on hauling steel coils by rail and the different kinds of cars used from the 1990s to 2019. He also talked about working with Scott MacKenzie to design files in 3D to build S-scale models of different coil car designs.

 

One Car Circus, Shop Safety, Estate & Insurance Considerations

Dr. James Soberman

Saturday, July 20

James addressed these three subjects in short segments. They are all extremely important things that we need to consider.

 

Cold-casting Custom Model Parts for Modelers

Dr. James Soberman

Saturday, July 20

James provided an in-depth discussion of the tools he uses to cast parts for model railway purposes.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission
 

Model Contests & Displays

See the September/October 2024 issue of the NASG's The Dispatch for more photos.


The Frank Titman Award (Best of Show) went to Bill Geracci for his New York Central Shark, which he built from scratch. He won 1st place in the "Master Craftsman Diesel & Electric Locomotives" category for this model.
photo © Hank Worrell; used by permission

Bill Geracci's display set-up.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

This model by Ed Cubick won 1st place in the "Craftsman Diesel & Electric Locomotives" category.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Ed Cubick won 1st place in the "Craftsman, Diorama" category for this model.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

The 1st place for the "Master Craftsman, Structures" category went to Charles "Buff" Buffington for his Doozy Light and Lamp Company building.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Contest model by Hugh Sinn. photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Norman Bos won 2nd place in the "Craftsman, Kit & Converted Freight Car" category.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Third place in the "Craftsman, Kit & Converted Freight Car" category went to Hugh Sinn for this box car that carried cement bags.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Contest model. photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

This year's "Greeley's" contest, sponsored by Jamie Bothwell, was to build a model out of the laser-cut wooden kit that Jamie offered as part of last year's clinic.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Jamie Bothwell displayed these two passenger cars (not part of the contests). These are American Models cars (a L&N sleeper on the left and a CN sleeper on the right) for which Jamie replaced the sides with his own laser-cut styrene. In the foreground is a Union Station roof and one end.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

For display only, this is an original American Hi-rail casting for a 1925 75-foot EMC Gas Electric car.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

For display only, an RS-27 under construction.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Special Display

Bill Lane and Hugh Sinn decided to have a special table featuring models built by Frank Titman, creator of Lehigh Valley Models and owner of the famous Spiral Hill S-scale layout. Frank enjoyed the Reading railroad, so this seemed fitting.


Both of Frank's Blue Comet engines together in one location!
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

More Frank-built models.
photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

Bill Boucher's Royal S Circus train was displayed thanks to the Bristol S Gauge Railroaders club.


photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

Layouts

Both the Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers and the Pittsburgh S-Gaugers brought their layouts, set up in the vendor hall in the hotel. The first set of photos are of the Pittsburgh S-Gaugers' switching layout.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

A narrow-gauge steamer switches the yard. On the left is the standard-gauge switchback that leads into the industrial area.
photo © R. James Whipple; used by permission

This photo of the Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers' club layout.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

NYC FA-2 A and B-units running on the layout
photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

These are photos of Willy Monaghan's S/Sn42/Sn3 portable switching layout, which he brought to the show. Willy focuses on the turn-of-last-Century modeling.


photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Bill Lane; used by permission

photo © Jeff Madden; used by permission
 

The end-of-the-line for this year's Convention.


photo © Bill Lane
 
Layouts
Product Gallery
How-to
Resources
Site