I finally got mine this afternoon. It was well worth the wait!

Just a few that come to mind:

• EBT 2-8-2 (with blind center drivers for the tighter curve types)
• Baldwin S118-class 2-8-2. That Army took those things all over the world and a few still run here and there
• Re-release of the Baldwin ten-wheelers, to include White Pass & Yukon 10 and 14 (formerly ET&WNC locomotives, the very same prototype Bachmann has already made)
• Release of current On30 cars for the ET&WNC road name applied to match the same 10-wheelers. They tank car is a darned good representation of their tank cars 600 and 604 as they are, just with different lettering

The On30 Conspiracy IO Group has people posting since yesterday that they're getting their copies in the mail this week.
Can't wait to get mine. I hope I don't traumatize too many people as I should be in one shot, as my article is about running ops on a On30 layout (Something Chis asked me to write, at last year's narrow-gauge convention).
I do hope that shot made the cut not because I'm in it, but my wife took that and I so badly want to be able to tell people she's a published model railroad photographer!

I heard the recent Denver Narrow Gauge convention had some manner of outbreak of COVID and I emailed Chris last night with wishes that he hadn't caught it.
He hadn't, thank goodness. But even though I didn't ask (but I'm sure he knew I was wondering anyway), he mentioned the Annual "should be out any day."

Quote from: Ken Clark on September 04, 2023, 11:32:51 PMjust visited White River site, On30 annual due out Oct 1st, hopefully by Xmas

I wouldn't bet an appreciable amount on that. The Narrow-Gauge convention just ended and Chris Lane was one of the movers and shakers for that, so I bet he hasn't had any time for the annual over last month.
I still haven't seen the proof of my article, which I usually get long before publication.
No slam on Chris because he's a great guy and does an excellent job with everything, but he's a one-man band and was dealing with the convention which just ended.

I've seen one and I agree they look great. Sadly, the RR I model (the ET&WNC) never had anything like that, so I can't use one.
But I'm glad you love yours!

I get the point, John, but a lot of modelers don't like a forum from a manufacturer. There are also an almost infinite number of forums and you just can't be on them all...

Thanks again Fred. If you're ever going to be in the Pacific NW, drop me a line and I'll have the layout open for you!
As for the On30 Annual itself, the Narrow-Gauge Convention in Denver is coming up in 3 weeks and Chris Lane is the main guy for that. I have a feeling that's going to seriously hinder his work on the Annual and I wouldn't expect to hear anything from him until it's over with.
I talked with Chris when he came over to my place in September for the Tacoma NG convention and he said he's essentially the white river guy for all the annuals. I didn't ask him if that was by his choice or white river was making him do them all.

Quote from: Fred Klein on August 04, 2023, 01:05:24 AMLee, I've always admired your layout. I rank it right at the top of my favorite layouts along with Joseph Kreiss' Mosquito Creek Lumber, Model Railroader's Olympia and Dave Meek's Thunder Mesa.

Thanks very much, Fred.
The funny thing is among the visitors I got for the National NG Convention in September and the few for the Pac NW NMRA convention in May, several were very familiar with my layout via my articles and online presence. Several said they didn't realize the overall layout was much smaller than they'd envisioned (though none thought of it as bait-and-switch as I usually note how small the room is).

Quote from: Fred Klein on August 04, 2023, 01:05:24 AMAs a matter of fact, I was inspired to develop the "alternate universe" for my layout after reading what you created for the Stoney Creek. Thanks for sharing all of your hard work.

I've gotten a few people over the past few years emailing me with the same sentiments.
I have always considered all layouts to be an alternate reality as nobody can model something in exact scale proportion or have the details 100% accurate. So, if that is so, then it's just a matter of how far you're going to go into your alternate universe.
Most people give generalities to their layout, saying where it takes place and a general era ("transition era" being the most popular as an excuse to essentially run any kind of rolling stock or locos they want and darn the era), and that's usually the furthest they go, if then.
Among the better layouts out there, almost all have a detailed concept and the owner adhered to it. I'm a massive stickler for historical details; that's my thing.
My layout is two things to me:
1. The best representation of ET&WNC country I could make in a small space
2. The WW2 era, namely late summer of '43
But again, thanks, Fred!

Quote from: Fred Klein on August 03, 2023, 12:50:48 AMThanks for the update, Lee. I've been checking the WRP website every so often but have found nothing new. Oh well, they say patience is a virtue.

It is indeed. When you write for magazines, you get used to the waiting.

Quote from: Fred Klein on August 03, 2023, 12:50:48 AMAs far as the coffee stirrers go, this is definitely a lifetime supply. I usually just stain them with an India-ink and alcohol wash and at the end of the project I give everything a light coat of flat finish to blend things together and cover up any glue spots. So far, I've been very pleased with the results.

I essentially did the same on the front that is the biggest part of the back wall backdrop on my On30 layout:

FYI, I was advised that the writers will be getting a digital proof of their articles, but that hasn't happened yet. Normally, once I get a proof, that means they're essentially ready to print. At that point they're usually about a month away from getting copies in hands.

Quote from: Fred Klein on June 25, 2023, 12:35:17 AMAs far as coffee stirrers are concerned, I kept running short also, so I finally broke down and ordered some from Amazon (where else). I got a box of 1000 extra-long (about 7 inches) for around $10 US but that's been at least 3 years ago - who knows what they're going for now. These stirrers are a little wider and thicker than what I get with my coffee, so they work out really well for floors, roof eaves, etc. - basically any place where a little beefier lumber would normally be used. They make great platforms for stations (both freight and passenger) and I have also used them for exterior walls and been very pleased with the results.

I bought the same thing you did. I think most modelers would never run out of these suckers. They're the best hobby value out there for us O scale types!

Thanks, I thought this meant a whole different prototype was being modeled. That's a shame, as the molds are clearly in place, still.
I'd sure love it if they started cranking out some of the earlier locos. For example, the ten-wheelers are really tough to find now that the initial stocks have sold out.

I'd never heard of this. Are there any renderings or prototype ever made?

The new Annual has been announced! Sadly, it's gone up ten dollars for the cover price from previous years.
I haven't gotten the digital proof for my article yet.

Quote from: the Bach-man on May 25, 2023, 12:08:43 AMI spoke with Chris, and he's a little behind due to finishing the K-28 book, which should be a beauty!

I had no idea he was editing that book, but it comes as no surprised to read this. I'm convinced the man probably also fixes the roof when it leaks and takes out the trash at White River, as he seems to do everything else.
As for the K28 book, I have the K36 one (bought at a ridiculously low price at a model train show last fall) and it's great (assuming you have interest in D&RGW 3-foot locos, that is). I assume the same from this new book.