To: Broadway Limited Imports
From: Jim Dufour
Subject: USRA Light Mikes

Greetings,

It was called to my attention by a number of my readers that you are planning to produce at least one run of USRA Light Mikados in HO scale. This is great news! Are you aware that the Rutland Railroad rostered a small fleet of these locomotives? You might also be interested to know that the Rutland, despite being a relatively small road, still warms the hearts of an enthusiastic and dedicated group of modelers. (I offer this web site as proof.)

Through the years we, the "Rutland Faithful", have assisted a number of model manufacturers and brass importers with their Rutland projects, supplying research and photographs, and virtually all of these projects have resulted in successful models in the marketplace -- a win-win situation! Among these manufacturers would be Railworks, Athearn (who did a version of their Genesis USRA Light Mike lettered for the Rutland), Intermountain, Atlas, Westerfield, etc.

Perhaps we could persuade you to add the RUTLAND to the list of roads that you will be producing? I am sure that it would be a good seller! If you should decide to do so, please feel free to contact me. I would be glad to help in any way that I can.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Dufour, editor
Remembering the Rutland

Windows can be a Pane (sorry)
(03/07/04)

Note: the following note is from good friend and expert modeler Bill Keay.

Have you ever noticed the variety of side window panes used on the Rutland vans? Just using the #25-#35 series as an example, I have seen photographs showing cars with all single pane windows, cars with one 4-pane window, as well as cars with one 2- or 3-pane window. This all probably varied further depending on time period, as well.

Just by chance, I recently discovered that Grandt Line's "Outfit Car Window" (Grandt Line part no. 5059) is a perfect fit for the side windows on the recent Railworks models. This casting is of a 4-pane window, but one could easily modify it into a 2- or 3-pane window as was found on many of the Rutland vans. Thus you can adapt an Overland, Railworks or other model to have the correct window configuration.

O Scale Rutland 70-Tonner Article in RMC
(09/01/03)

Trevor Marshall writes to mention that his two-part article on modeling the Rutland GE 70-Tonner #500 in O scale will be published in Railroad Model Craftsman. It is a two-part article and includes instructions on the installation of DCC and sound. Part one is in the October 2003 RMC.

Rutland Mikes Announced in Brass
(08/18/03)

Brass importer Division Point has announced a run of HO scale USRA Light Mikados that will include a Rutland version. The subject page on their web site includes an image of Rutland 34. A summer 2004 release date is listed.

Railworks Update
The Vans Have Arrived!!!
Trucks are available separately
(08/10/03)

Pilot models shown above.

The Rutland three-window vans from Railworks have arrived and should be on your dealers' shelves (or better yet, in your hands) as this is typed. The examples that I have seen are beautiful! The colors look right, the details are amazing (how about those curled, tin awnings over the windows?), the lettering is crisp, and the trucks roll like the bearings just had good dose of oily waste added by a car knocker. Once again, Railworks has raised the bar for importers while delivering a model of exceptional quality from the roster of a relatively obscure railroad to a small but dedicated group of fans. Everyone wins!

Those of you who would like to swap out the trucks in order to more accurately model a particular van should be aware that Railworks has also imported examples of all the trucks used on this run (Arch Bar and the two versions of cast trucks). I would also suggest that this is a good way to upgrade the accuracy and rolling quality of earlier brass runs and kit-bashing projects in your collection. Needless to say,. these trucks would look at home on the cabooses of many railroads other than our beloved Rutland, so don't be surprised if these trucks sell out quickly. They are available from Crown Custom Hobbies. For details and pricing on these and other unique detail parts contact Bob Lehmann at Crown Custom at 631-692-8053. Crown Custom, of course, also handles all runs of Railworks models.

The New York Central cabooses have been assigned catalog numbers as shown:

Details on Consolidations and Ten Wheelers

The Rutland G34 Consolidation run has been revised. (see table below). These are due during the first quarter of next year.

And the BIG NEWS!
Reservations are now being taken for the Rutland F-11a 4-6-0 Ten Wheelers (see table below). These, along with a run of similar NYC F-12a's, are also due during the first quarter of 2004.

The locomotives will feature directional constant lighting, installed working knuckle couplers, window glazing where appropriate, correct number blocks for applying your own number, and factory-applied lettering. Whew!

More neat stuff available from Railworks:

Highball Graphics Releases Rutland Steam Decals
(03/02/03)

Jim Abbott of Highball Graphics wrote us to announce the release of their HO scale Rutland steam decals. The set is Highball Graphics part number L-167. According to Jim, "It will do two models and is $6.00. [The set] also includes the white centers for the axle ends" of the drivers. We all know what a pain these can be to apply with paint and brush. Check out the Highball Graphics web site at http://www.mgdecals.com/.

Atlas Announces O Scale Rutland Steel Caboose
(03/02/03)

Steve Wagner wrote to mention that Atlas plans to release an O-scale model of their extended-vision, steel caboose painted for the Rutland in two numbers, available in both two-rail and three-rail versions. You can visit the Atlas web site at http://www.atlaso.com/ for more information.

Democracy in action:
Westerfield's Rutland Box Cars are Imminent!
(02/17/03)

Heads Up! (or is it down???)
Kadee Releases Another Rutland PS-1
via Steve Wagner
(01/01/03)

Kadee has just released a second run of their beautifully-executed PS-1 in the Rutland green-and-yellow scheme. This time the road number is 248. The model is rendered "as built" in 1956 with 7-foot, 5-panel Superior doors. The model features a "galvanized" roof. The Walthers stock number is 380-4905 and the list is $34.95.

A sidebar from yours truely: Did this web site have anything to do with Kadee's decision to do number 248? I can only speculate. But I have to believe our earlier PS-1 Forum and subsequent editorial may have played a role.

O Guage Rutland Offerings
by Rome Romano
(10/27/02)

I am not sure how many of our Rutland friends model in O Gauge, but a local hobby shop has a number of Williams #FC36 O-gauge 40' boxcars done up as Rutland #105. From what I was told, someone ordered "a bunch" and never showed up to purchase them. Although this is not a model of an actual PS-1, it may be "good enough" for some High-rail pikes (like mine!). It is available from:

Rensselaer Trains and Hobbies
102 Troy Road, Rte 4
E. Greenbush, NY 12061
tel. 518-477-7676
Hours: 10am to 5pm (closed Sunday and Monday)

Upcoming models from Weaver include:

Rutland PS-1 #400 (expected spring 2003)
p/n U2135S - 2 rail w/ plastic trucks & couplers - $33.95
p/n U2135SD - 2 rail w/ die cast trucks & couplers - $43.95
p/n U2135LD - 3 rail w/ die cast trucks & couplers - $43.95
p/n U2135L - 3 rail w/ plastic trucks & couplers - $33.95

Rutland RS-3 (expected spring 2003)
p/n U5544S - 2 rail $279
p/n U5544L - 3 rail no sound -  $279
p/n U5544LP - 3 rail w/ sound -  $329

K-Line has two Rutland offerings:

p/n K691-4161 - Rutland flatcar w/ Unknown Soldier load
and a "green & yellow" flat car with a Vermont Marble load

New England Railroad Data Booklets
by George Dutka (via the Backshop list)
(10/27/02)

I self-publish New England Railroad historical data booklets. I have a series of these booklets that could help modelers and historical buffs. These are available in limited quantities.

New England Railroad Heritage Series:

Volume 1...40 pages, structure plans, maps, equipment notes, passes, railroad history facts...CV, Rutland, D&H, Maine Central, B&M, NH and HT&WRR $5.00 US postage paid.

New England RR Data-packs:

Data-Pack No. 1...CV Railway operating diagrams, 1989, 40 pages, station by station. $5.00 US postage paid.

Data-pack No. 2...Rutland Ry papers...a collection of stationary used by the Rutland in the latter years. 24 pages of forms, tags, and train operation forms...Fund Raiser...profits from this data-pack go to the Rutland Railroad Historical Society...$3.00 US postage paid.

Data-Pack No. 3...Brattleboro, Vt. 36 pages of maps locating industries, railroad maps, TT, notes and drawings...$5.00 US postage paid.

New England Railroad's Papers...40 pages of interesting stationary used by the B&M, MEC, Rutland, CV, St.J&LC, NH and BAR...$5.00 US postage paid.

I am currently working on additional titles.

Published by:
George Dutka
1007 Griffith St
London, Ontario,
Canada
N6K 4B8

Railway Design Associates Vermont Passenger Station
via Jeff Ashworth
(10/19/02)

I believe Railway Design Associates HO scale kit No. 103, Vermont Passenger Station, is actually the Rutland station at New Haven, VT. I also think that RDA is no longer in business. If anyone has missed out on this kit, they may be interested to know that Model Railway Post Office, Hewitt NJ (telephone orders at 800-328-6776) still lists this kit in their latest direct mail flyer (received 9/30/02). The listed price is $15.95 Anyone who would like to see what this kit can look like should refer to photo 5 in the Don Janes' layout article in 2001 Great Model Railroads (Kalmbach).

- Jeff Ashworth

  O Scale Green Hornets?
(10/06/02)

According to my good friend John Young the Locomotive Workshop will be releasing an O scale Rutland 4-8-2 Mountain in kit form. The cost is rumored to be in the $695.00 neighborhood and requires a deposit of $75.00, which probably starts the process of "building" the kit. Call or write to the Locomotive Workshop for further details....and then tell me what they are so I can get the word out!

The address is:

Locomtive Workshop
9 Route 520
Englishtown, N.J. 07726-8218

The telephone number is 732-536-6873.

Finally! Rutland Green-and-Yellow Milk Car Decals
(08/20/02)

Ralph A. Notaristefano of North Shore Depot has just released a new decal set in HO scale for lettering the Rutland's wood milk cars in the late steam/diesel era green and yellow paint scheme. This all-new set includes numbers and material to decorate either a #350 (ex-DL&W) or a #340 series milk car. The decal printing is crisp and clear. The herald is correctly scaled and readable and may be used for other modeling projects. History, directions and prototype photos are included. The set sells for $3.95 plus 85 cents for shipping and handling.

Make checks payable to Ralph A. Notaristefano and send them to:

North Shore Depot
3 Jay Court
Northport, New York, 11768-1915

telephone NSD at 631-757-3087.

Model by Scott Russell

Steam Shack keeps it going!!!
(08/11/02)

Roger Dumas of the Steam Shack has received a new batch of NINE new InterMountain PS-1's painted for the Rutland, with at least two kinds of doors different from the ones on the last batch. These cars are of the same quality as the recently released 400 series except these have Kadee instead of the Intermountain couplers. The new cars include:

• #104 from the first series with the 7 foot Camel door
• three numbers from the 105-199 series with 5-panel 7 foot doors
• three numbers from the 200-299 series with 7 foot 5-panel doors
• two in the 300-399 series with the 8 foot 7 panel doors (a first for Steam Shack)

All have correct data and printing for their particular road number, etched metal roof walks and brake stands, correct trucks, correct brake wheel and metal wheel sets. They are all weighted and assembled by Intermountain.

Pricing:

• $35.95 each.
• Set of 5 $160.00.
• 6 or more $31.50 each.
• Set of all nine $275.00.
• Shipping and insurance $5.00 each. 5 or more $15.00.
  

The numbers available are 104, 127, 159, 168, 239, 256, 288, 345, 376. According to Roger, "We did our very best not to duplicate numbers of previously run Rutland cars by us or anyone else."

Click here to read a product review of a previous run of these cars.

(Image below is from a previous run. My thanks to Steve Wagner for the heads up --jrd)

Yoder Models GE 70 Tonner in O Scale
by Trevor Marshall
(08/11/02)

Rich Yoder at Rich Yoder Models has loaned me a pre-production model of his O scale brass GE 70-tonner. Based on the pre-production model, it's going to be a fantastic unit. And with Atlas O doing the RS-1, and a good starting point on the RS-3s available from Weaver, Rich's 70-tonner is the final piece for someone wishing to model the Rutland diesel fleet in O scale.

The pre-production model nicely captures the lines of the prototype, and the modeling is crisp. All bending and soldering work is clean and well executed. The coupler cut levers are set up to actually work, if one wanted to add San Juan working couplers, for example, and the model will be available in standard O scale (two rail) and Proto:48.

This is a pre-production model, and there are changes to be made. Rich tells me the slope on the hood from cab to front is too steep and will be corrected. As well, he plans to have more work done on the sideframes.

The biggest change will be a full cab interior, which the pre-production model lacks. This will be most welcome, as the locomotive's large windows make it easy to see inside. I have only done a cursory comparison of the detailing on the model to that of Rutland 500, but it looks good so far: The model sports the twin headlight and the two sets of louvers on each side of the body, two sets of three on the engineer's side, and a set of three and set of two on the fireman's side. For Rutland 500, the single-chime horn would have to be removed and replaced with a more correct horn, and its location moved slightly. I've just checked the Microscale online catalog and they make O scale Rutland diesel decals (Catalog #48-618).

Inside, the model has a powerful can motor -- it will pull the walls off the train room, I suspect. It draws surprisingly little current, even under load -- well under half an amp in our test. All eight wheels are powered via an engineering (slippery) plastic chain drive, and the engine is quiet and smooth through all speed ranges. Rich is considering replacing the chain drive as he thinks it's too noisy. I thought it was nice and quiet as is. The motor will also get a flywheel, although the pre-production model runs wonderfully without one.

Pickup appears to be four-wheel, but wipers could easily be added to the other four wheels if required. I had no problems with power pickup during my test run.

The model will retail for $299 (U.S.) -- comparable to most better O scale plastic diesels. Pictures of the preproduction model can be seen at http://www.richyodermodels.com/, and Rich can be contacted via e-mail at: richyoder@richyodermodels.com.

-Trevor Marshall
Toronto Canada

Highball Graphics Update
(08/04/02)

It may be time to dig out those HO and O scale milk car projects in your closet that have been languishing due to the lack of proper decals. Highball Graphics has continued to add to their catalog with the additional milk car decals, with more promised in the near future. The word on the street is that the Hood's cow placards (two versions, even!) are the most accurate yet.

Here is the text of an announcement from Jim Abbott via the Milk Train list on yahoo:

Hello Milk Car Modelers! Just a note to let you know I have added 3 new Milk Cars sets to the Highball Graphics line. First is Set# F-191 B&M #1900-34 50' Black Steel Milk cars. I did this set to compliment the recent release of the REA style Express Reefers from Walthers in HO Scale. With a few small modifications this car will represent the #1915-34 single door cars. The set will also do the #1900-14 double door cars if someone gets brave and wants to build one. The second is set# F-193(HO)/FO-193(O) Hood's Dairy "Grade A" Milk Cars with the large Cow herald. and the third is set# F-194(HO)/FO-194(O) Hood's Dairy "Dairy Experts" Milk Cars with the Cow herald and banner. All of these sets can be seen and ordered at http://www.mgdecals.com/. Any questions feel free to email me at info@mgdecals.com. More sets are in the works so stay tuned!

Thank You and Happy Modeling!!

Jim Abbott
Highball Graphics

Rutland Railroad Historical Society 2002 Convention

Atlas O has announced an O scale RS-1
from Trevor Marshall
(04/20/02)

Atlas has announced an O scale RS-1 and will do a factory-painted version for the Rutland in a "limited edition".  Scroll to the bottom of the url below. (The photo is, I believe, the HO version).

- Trevor in Toronto

http://www.atlaso.com/ors1.htm

RCS now available from BCW
(03/24/02)

John Greene reports that all of the available kits produced by Rutland Car Shops are now available from Bethlehem Car Works. Mike and Randy are still working on future RCS kits and as they become available they will be sold and marketed by BCW. For a complete listing of available kits contact BCW at:

Bethlehem Car Works
263 Parkview Drive

Souderton, PA 18964

Phone: 215-721-3006

Fax: 215-723-2542