A monthly publication of the8 Scale SpeCial Interest Group

1:64 scale modeling with 1:1 funSeptember 1985

News from the 50th NMRA Convention:

JOHN BORTZ WINS AGAIN !

S MODULE IS THIRD

LARGEST S MODULAR LAYOUT

S TEAM SHOWS OFF

S SCALE SIG FORMED

FOOIScap Ken MacEEn-iie1 or

welcome to the first issue of Essence. Thisis your newsletter, so I will try to stay inthe background and convey your knowledge, yourideas, your hopes with as little distortion aspossible. Of course, all editors are crustyand opinionated, but I will try.I wish we didn’t need a newsletter. It is apoor substitute for those warm easy worksessions and bull sessions when we kick thingsaround face-to—face. Since it is our onlysubstitute between get-togethers, 1ets_try forthat same flavor on paper. Talk to Essenceabout what interests you, or may interestothers. This is your grapevine, your bulletinboard.There is plenty to talk about. who else doyou know that is interested in S or Sn scale?what’s doing in your local group? whatmaterials or products impressed you or gaveyou trouble? Are you looking to buy/sell/swapsomething? Do you have a question? If so,ask it here.This first issue is not typical, I hope. Itis long on first—time Organizational stuff andshort on stuff about modeling and modelers.EDITORIAL POLICY: I will not print abusive ordisparaging remarks, except ones about me. Notinplate or high rail material will appear;there is another special interest group forthat. The focus is on modeling, so there willbe very little space for prototype material.I’ll try not to duplicate the hobby press.Essence will be printed every month. If nostuff is submitted, I will print blank pages.COVER PHOTO: John Bortz’s award-winningdecapod in the 5 Team RR’s yard. Thanks toKen Zieska for sending this picture in time.2 Essence

Coordinator’s Corner Ken MaCkEnzieCoordinator

welcome to the 8 Scale Special Interest Group(SSSIG for short). The purpose of this groupis to provide a focal point within the NMRAof information, ideas, and activities formodel railroaders interested in 1:64 scalerealism.we formed this group because 8 scale NMRAmembers were so few in number that:* we have difficulty getting/staying in

contact with each other,* the NMRA has difficulty finding out what

we think and what services we need, and* potential 8 scale modelers and suppliers

don’t know how to reach us for assist—ance or information.

There are some things we can be doing to helpour hobby:We can locate other 8 scale modelers. Nobodyseems to know how many of us there are, butthe count must be changing fast. Half the Sscalers I know were in H0 three years ago.We can provide information (propaganda?) about8 scale to the rest of the NMRA membership.Ne-can find a way to provide special help andencouragement to modelers and suppliers whoare entering 8 scale.I know it sounds like a lot of work, and itwill be. But if we all do a bit, and weencourage other 8 scale modelers we know tolend a hand, we may help the hobby a little.One thing is certain. We will gain at leastas much from the group as we put into it. Thefellowship of sharing experiences, knowledge,and a common love of 1:6Q scale modeling willbe well worth the effort.September 1985 3

HHAT A WEEK 1

It was the 50th anniverary convention of theNMRA, and 8 scale modelers and supplierscelebrated by capturing more than their shareof attention for 1:64. It seemed thateverywhere you turned there were S scaleproducts, layouts, models, and modelers.JOHN BORTZ capped the week by placing first inthe steam locomotive category of the modelcontest. His entry was an S scale model ofPennsylvania #4617, an 11 class decapod builtlargely from S Scale Locomotive Supply parts.This was the second major triumph for John,who won the Gold Award for his S scale Texastype locomotive at the 1978 NMRA convention inMinneapolis. The decapod was built on commis—sion for another modeler. ”No more”, he says.”I have too much work to do on my own rail-road".DARIEN STEVENS’ 2x4 foot rural scene placedthird in the module category. Her entry scored96 of a possible 120 points in this verycompetitive event. The module was built asresearch for an article on module constructionwhich she is writing for the hobby press.When asked if her husband Paul had providedmuch help, she said: “He held the boards whileI nailed them, and worried that I would smashhis fingers." ‘

S MODULES were combined to form an even largeroperating layout than the one at Kansas Citylast year. Ken Zieska of the Pines & PrairiesS Scale Workshop was one of the additionalcontributors this year. Look for details andpictures in the NASG Dispatch and hobby press.Overland Models, American Models, and the NASBhad side—by—side booths near the S Module andS Team layouts. Near the center of the hall,they created a hub of S scale interest for therest of the public display to revolve around.4 Essence

Towering over the rest of the displays was thebig blue sign over the S Team exhibit. This10x30 foot sectional display railroad in dualgauge was built specifically to publicize Sscale by members of the S/Sn3 Scale workshop.An impressive array of available 8 scalerolling stock was in operation and a displayof S Scale Locomotive Supply detail parts wason hand. Members passed out a brochure(donated by Don Heimburger) which describedthe cost and size benefits of S scale.But the main message was reliable operation.Dmnicon’s 2-8-0 locomotive stole the show byfirst pulling a BB-car train with ease, andthen running UNATTENDED for hours with asecond Omnicon consolidation at the tail end.

Charlie Sandersfeld sold at least a half-dozenof these engines at the show, including oneto John Bortz, who had just won the locomotivemodel contest.LAYOUT TOURS took hundreds of visitors to seethe 8 scale railroads of Bob Ristow and RoyMeissner. Both railroads have been describedin the NMRA Bulletin.THE BEST PART of any gathering of modelers isthe exchange of ideas at bull sessions orclinics. At one of the Layout Design clinicsthe subject turned to the difficulties ofuncoupling in the smaller scales. JohnArmstrong, who likes to kid non—0 scale folks,quipped "Well, you could try machining downyour fingers."At one of the late-night bull sessions, welearned that Barney Daehler had disbanded theS Finescale Special Interest Group. Beforemorning, the determination to form the S ScaleSpecial Interest Group was born. In the nextthree days we got out a leaflet, attended theSIG Coordinator’s meeting, and applied to theNMRA Groups Chairman for SIG status.September 1985 5

CindersRon Bashista of American Models plans toadd two new types of freight cars to hispopular line of plastic car kits:* 52 foot mill gondolas (Pullman—Standard P85)* Offset side two-bay hopper cars.Look for these arOund the first of the year.Charlie Sandersfeld of Omnicon Scale Modelssays his imported consolidation is selling sowell that~he has scheduled the introduction ofan Erie 4—6—0 for March/April. As with hiscurrent 2—8-0, the ten-wheeler duplicates aspecific prototype locomotive, but is arelatively “generic” engine chosen for itssimilarity to ones used on many other rail-roads over a long period of time.Other projects which Omnicon is consideringinclude:* A conversion kit for PA diesel plastic bodyshells, consisting of a high-grade mechanismand detail castings.

* Coined truck sideframes for certain geeps.* Four-wheel passenger car trucks in brass.Jon Stetz walked up to the 8 Team layout atthe NMRA national convention and introducedhimself. He said he was switching to Sn3, wasselling all.his HO equipment at the conventionauction, and planned to bring out a line ofstructure kits under the name of FinestkindMdl’s. (His abbreviation, not ours. Ed.) Fivekits ranging in size from Miner’s Shack to TenStampmill will be available by November. Fordetails, write Finestkind Mdl’s, P.D.Box 25058Overland Park, KS 66810—25052.

8 Scale will prosper and grow if our suppliersdo, so when plans like these are important toyou, let the supplier know you are interested.Ron’s and Charlie’s addresses appear EISEwherein this issue.6 Essence

Wheels and Deals

we will run a buy/sell/swap column under thisheading whenever there is a need. Members areentitled to two free classified ads here peryear; more if space permits.

‘New

.

MembersRon Bashista, American Models

22055 West BrandonFarmington Hills, MI 48024

John Bortz3377 Papermill RoadHuntington Valley, PA 19006

Tom Hawley2311 Strathmore RoadLansing, MI 48910

Dave Jasper8900 Birchwood LaneBloomington, MN 55438

David Koehler303 South Maple StreetDconomowoc, WI 53066

Ken Mackenzie5969 Sugarbush LaneGreendale, HI 53129

Clark O’Shaughnessy1215 MulfordEvanston, IL 60202

Charlie Sandersfeld, Dmnicon Scale Models30 Nitt RoadSouth Barrington, IL 60010

Ken Zieska ‘

11810 52nd Avenue NorthPlymouth, MN 55442-1820

September 1985

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