West Island Model Railroad Club

06/07/2026

The next installment from member Jack on Tracks:

Welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!

In this episode, work continues on my large HO scale industrial building as we move into the next phase of construction. The interior is complete, and now it's time to tackle the exterior weathering, wall assembly, and structural framework that will bring this scratchbuilt factory to life.

Using multiple gray wash techniques, dull coats, and weathering methods, I transform plain walls into a realistic, aged industrial structure that looks like it has been standing alongside the railroad for decades. I also begin permanently assembling the building, discuss adhesive choices, and start planning the internal steel support system that will define the final appearance of the structure.

In this video you'll see:

✅ Realistic industrial building weathering techniques
✅ Using Vallejo and AK paints for aged concrete effects
✅ Multi-layer wash applications for depth and realism
✅ Dull coat finishing and blending techniques
✅ Scratchbuilding tips and lessons learned
✅ Structural planning for steel framework and girders
✅ Model railroad industry construction techniques
✅ Solving unexpected build challenges as they happen

This project is quickly becoming one of the most ambitious scratchbuilding projects I've attempted, and you're seeing the entire process—from mistakes and problem-solving to the finished model.

Whether you're into HO scale railroads, structure building, weathering, kitbashing, or scratchbuilding, there's something here for every model railroader.

Welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!In this episode, w...

06/02/2026

From our member Jack on Tracks:

In this episode, I upgrade an Athearn 50-foot flatcar with a beautiful real wood deck kit from Berkshire Valley Models (formerly American Model Builders). Along the way, I show the complete installation process, including deck fitting, modifications, painting, weathering, truck maintenance, wheel upgrades, and final detailing.
This project wasn't quite a simple peel-and-stick installation, so I'll walk you through the adjustments needed to make everything fit correctly, including notching around the brake wheel housing and lining up the deck properly.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/24/2026

Two eastbound freights simultaneously enter the Arrival yard during the IslandOps 2026 session. The A&W was designed almost two decades ago to handle such heavy traffic.
Tom Kretschmer video

04/19/2026

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the West Island Model Railroad Club hosted the afternoon session for Island ops. Over 40 operators packed the West island and enjoyed running a variety of different jobs. Thanks to all who joined to make this yet another successful island ops. See you next year!!!

04/11/2026

The UP 4014 official schedule of stops can be found at the UP website below. The route for the eastern leg of its travels has not yet been released, but the plan is to have it in Philadelphia on July 4th for the 250th Anniversary celebrations.
Congrats to the UP marketing department. Given the pending merger of UP and NS, this kind of publicity is priceless!

Union Pacific connects 23 western U.S. states, providing safe and efficient railroad transportation, freight shipping and logistics.

04/08/2026

Steam in the anthracite coal region June and July!!

Tickets being sold by the Reading & Northern Railroad are for the four Reading & Northern semiquincentennial excursions, NOT the Union Pacific Museum trip scheduled for June 14, 2026.

01/30/2026

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the West Island Model Railroad welcomed renowned railroad photographer Dan Munson. Along with his assistant Doug, he shared incredible insight into photographing both model and prototype railroads—an inspiring experience for all.

01/21/2026

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An Update on the current status of a well known model Railroad .........

Update - Rensselaer Model Railroad Society / New England Berkshire & Western
From: Benjamin Hom
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:18:36 PST

All - Wanted to pass on an update on the status of the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society’s New England Berkshire & Western layout.

All but one section of the layout has found homes. Three sections of the layout have been chosen to be preserved by the current Society (two being the main section of Troy and the other being State Line Tunnels); the South Troy sections are going for display at the Hudson Mohawk Gateway, and other local Capital District sections to the Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway.

Other iconic sections are going to clubs or layout owners in the Capital District, some structures are going to the Boston Museum of Science yearly display layout, and other structures are going to distant locations as far as South Carolina.

The best rolling stock has been retained for the club; remaining member equipment has been returned or donated to the Society for retention or sale. The existing DCC system will be sold, with the proceeds going towards a new state-of-the-art LCC/DCC system. The club’s new home is in the ’87 Gymnasium.

Some materials, including kits and hobby supplies have been retained for the Society, along with archival materials related to the club itself and the Delaware & Hudson, Rutland, and New York Central prototype.

Remaining material, including miscellaneous books, railroad paper, mixed structure and rolling stock parts, and kits will be sold this weekend by the Northeast Region of the NMRA at the Amherst Railroad Society Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds (The Big “E”) in West Springfield, MA this upcoming weekend, Saturday and Sunday 24-25 January. The last layout section will be raffled off at the show. If you're going to the show, head to “RPI's New England Berkshire & Western Collection / NMRA-NER” in Better Living Center Booth 29a – more information on the show can be found here:
https://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/index.php

A well-deserved “thank you” goes to project leader Stan Ames ’72, and members Doug Dederick, Greg Whittle, and Tom Amrine for weeks of effort getting layout sections ready, sorting through boxes of books and supplies, and everything ready for the show this weekend, and salvaging material and knowledge for the current club members. This is not the fate that any of us wanted for the last incarnation of the NEB&W – it represents a time when RPI was at the forefront of the hobby, and pioneered concepts, including the Railroad Prototype Modelers movement, that continue to shape the hobby to this day. The volunteers deserve much credit for making the most of a bad situation.

Ben Hom '89

01/14/2026

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We wanted to share this photo of Jason at Trainland where he met the lovely West Island Model Railroad Club! Jason and Rapido will be at many events in 2026 so make sure to check back on our socials for where we will be heading to next. Join the team (and Jason!) at our first event of 2026 at the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show, Jan. 24th and 25th.

12/26/2025

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