Note: This is not a 'How To', but a display of a completed 'Scratchbuilt Project' showing what can be done with some materials and time. It does not have to have been judged for AP Points.
Click on small image for the full image
August 9, 2001
As in past years entries in the steam locomotive division were slim, only three. Winner was a scratch build 1/4" scale Hudson (?) that took five years to build.
Connie took two years to build. Started almost the day we returned from St. Paul in 1999. The "old girl" (she was purchased in 1986 for 45 bucks, money went further those days) was never touched as Pennsy H9's with Belparie fireboxes are not found on the Imperial Valley Railroad. Most rolling stock is representative of GN and NP. Connie carries IVRR engine number 102 on the IV. The IV 100 series is reserved for Consolidation type engines. She's an ALCO N-5a, type 2-8-0, representative of 16 built for the Central Vermont.
Appearance deviates from the CV in that 102 is more representative of her GN heritage having a Vanderbilt tender trailing behind her.
Consistent with my performance as "being a bridesmaid and never a bride"
Connie earned second place (my fourth in National competition), Merit Award points (90) and the Testors' Locomotive Finish Award, which, besides a plaque, includes an airbrush.
I think that she looks pretty good. I doubt that Bowser, who built her, would recognize her today. All added on detail is brass and I believe that I've got more money in "super detail" parts than I have in Connie's original costs.
Frank Hermanek
If you wish to submit a photo(s) for consideration, send the photo(s) (no larger than 800x600 please) to rhensley_anderson@juno.com along with a description of how you built it similar to the above.
Page last updated July 1, 2004
This page first appeared on the National
NMRA web site. Used with permission.
