Bay Area Prototype Modelers 2015

On June 20, the annual Bay Area Prototype Modelers (BAPM) meet was held in the multi-purpose room of St. David’s Church in Richmond, California. An all-day affair, the large room with tables for model display was supplemented with a clinic room in which several talks were given. Even though it was a very nice, sunny day outside, about 100 modelers showed up for a pleasant day of viewing and discussing models. Most years, I attend this meet and always enjoy it. The 2012 meet was covered in a prior blog post (you can see it at this link: http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/06/bapm-bay-area-prototype-modelers-2.html ).
     One of the most interesting displays was presented by Robert Bowdidge, showing how he has produced several SP cars for which there is no commercial source. These included the CS-35A flat car, the F-50-4 flat car, and the W-50-3 Hart convertible ballast car. All were made with a home 3-D printer. The photo below shows his display of completed cars, and he also showed a partially complete car so that the printing process could be appreciated. I tried to take close-up photos of details and did not get very good results, but the models certainly are superbly detailed.

     One of the most striking displays of freight cars at the meet was the group of weathered and graffiti-ed reefers by Tim Keohane. Here is just one example.

     Rickey T. Hall brought quite a few specially-painted locomotives, all beautifully done, and I was especially struck with this group of Bicentennial paint schemes for Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific.

     Paul Chandler was at the meet, and brought his completely scratchbuilt Burro crane, which is motorized. The photo probably does not do justice to the outstanding quality of detail on this model.

     It is always interesting to see younger modelers at these meets, particularly when they too have brought excellent models. Jonathan Izen was one of those at this meet, and brought two really nice models of Richmond Pacific motive power (from the roof of the building we were in, you could probably see the RP’s trackage). This SW1200 was formerly MoPac 1268. Even the cab-side logo was crisp and readable.

     Nearby was another outstanding group of models, these by Henry Baez. Among my favorites in this group was the flat car loads. In this photo (you can click to enlarge), the hold-down clamps are beautifully modeled.

     As I often do, I brought an entire SP train of 15 freight cars, pulled by a Consolidation and trailed by a cupola caboose. Here is an overview of it.

     I always enjoy this kind of RPM meet, because there is just an amazing amount of conversation among the different tables, modelers asking things like “how did you do that” or “what’s the prototype” or “is it a kitbash” and so on. Looking around the room, you can watch everyone appreciating what they see, and in most cases learning a few things at the same time. As hobby experiences go, it is one of the most positive ones I know of.
Tony Thompson