Los Angeles Area Prototype Modelers Meet-October 5, 2024

[valenciajim2]

I have not had much time for posting or modelling this month, but on October 5th, I attended the Los Angeles Area Prototype Modelers Meet in Bellflower, California. 




As you can see from the above photo, the meet was not well publicized so there were only about 30-35 modelers displaying their models.  While the quantity of modelers was disappointing, the quality of the models was not.  I will post photos of the models as time permits over the next week or so.  

[valenciajim2]

One of the more interesting models was a contemporary BNSF MOW train built by a modeler named J Allen.  The modelling was fantastic, and the pictures really do not do the models justice.


This was the first car behind the locomotive:



Here is the second car:



The third car was a work in progress carrying ties.  The fourth car was a completed car carrying ties.  



The final car carried wheels.




I did not show the locomotive or caboose because they appeared to be commercially available models that were not modified or weathered.

[valenciajim2]

Here are my final photos for today. This is a model of CNW box car that has seen a lot of milage.




Here is a top view of the model:




Here is a side view:



[

[edwardsutorik]

I went to the organizations's website:


www.laapm.org


Not good.

(I am NOT talking about the event or the modeling. I am talking about not posting information about this event, and also leaving up the 2022 notice.)




Ed

[sd40dash2]

Thanks for the embedded photo report, looks like some great modelling on display there!

[valenciajim2]

Oct 20, 2024 11:59:25 GMT -8 edwardsutorik said:

I went to the organizations's website:


www.laapm.org


Not good.

(I am NOT talking about the event or the modeling. I am talking about not posting information about this event, and also leaving up the 2022 notice.)




Ed

I heard about the event from a friend who went to a LHS in the area and they had flyers promoting the event.  I think that was the only publicity.  Most of the people who attended lived in southern LA County or northern Orange County.  

[lvrr325]

Speaking as someone who compiles a list of train shows on another forum, it amazes me groups still only promote with flyers. You don't need necessarily a website for your group, but a Facebook page or something is a must so people can search for your event online.

[stevef45]

Oct 20, 2024 23:25:44 GMT -8 lvrr325 said:

Speaking as someone who compiles a list of train shows on another forum, it amazes me groups still only promote with flyers. You don't need necessarily a website for your group, but a Facebook page or something is a must so people can search for your event online.

This seems to be the older generation refusing to promote to newer. It's like this at the train club I was part of. Older guys just refusing to accept new ideas, technology, drive new people away.

[grahamline]

Oct 20, 2024 23:25:44 GMT -8 lvrr325 said:

Speaking as someone who compiles a list of train shows on another forum, it amazes me groups still only promote with flyers. You don't need necessarily a website for your group, but a Facebook page or something is a must so people can search for your event online.

We used to use local newspaper, radio & TV 'bulletin boards' but those have disappeared. Hobby shops used to put up posters and distribute flyers but those are now few and far between. We now use Facebook, a website, and Next Door. Attendance at our 2024 meet was up slightly over 2023 and 2022. Sales weren't held in 2020 and 2021, and that kind of hurt. The number of people attending seems to be slowly recovering. Our biggest swap meet growth has been with a doubled fee that lets eager shoppers in the door a half-hour early. The swap meet attendance doesn't have the same profile as the local RPM's crowd.

[sp9504]

www.facebook.com/groups/LAAPM

[edwardsutorik]

Oct 21, 2024 14:56:21 GMT -8 sp9504 said:

www.facebook.com/groups/LAAPM

And if I don't care to "join" Facebook? I went to check it out, but got shut out in about 20 seconds.

You don't have join a website. You just go check it out. Stay as long as you want.

If LAAPM doesn't care to have a website because it's so pleistocene, maybe they should just shut it down, instead of leaving it to rot. Of course, really really old people may then be missed; but no loss there.


Ed

[valenciajim2]

Today's first photos show a BN Freedom train locomotive and caboose.  This was one of several BN locomotives that were featured, but when I had my camera out there was a crowd and i could not near enough to those to get any good pictures.

[Baikal]

Oct 21, 2024 16:19:09 GMT -8 edwardsutorik said:

Oct 21, 2024 14:56:21 GMT -8 sp9504 said:

www.facebook.com/groups/LAAPM

And if I don't care to "join" Facebook? I went to check it out, but got shut out in about 20 seconds.

You don't have join a website. You just go check it out. Stay as long as you want.

If LAAPM doesn't care to have a website because it's so pleistocene, maybe they should just shut it down, instead of leaving it to rot. Of course, really really old people may then be missed; but no loss there.


Ed

Free websites & hosting are available.  Just have a single static page with group & event info, contact info & maybe a contact form.  An electronic flyer. 1 or 2-hour setup and then the only thing someone needs to update is info like dates & locations.

Example wordpress.com/free/

[valenciajim2]

Here are some outstanding BNSF locomotives.




Note the open door on the front of BNSF # 8284 above.  




It looks like BNSF 9959 has seen some heavy use.  

[valenciajim2]

Oct 21, 2024 16:19:09 GMT -8 edwardsutorik said:

Oct 21, 2024 14:56:21 GMT -8 sp9504 said:

www.facebook.com/groups/LAAPM

And if I don't care to "join" Facebook? I went to check it out, but got shut out in about 20 seconds.

You don't have join a website. You just go check it out. Stay as long as you want.

If LAAPM doesn't care to have a website because it's so pleistocene, maybe they should just shut it down, instead of leaving it to rot. Of course, really really old people may then be missed; but no loss there.


Ed

My guess is that the age of 75% of the people attending started with a 7.  Hint there were no children, and I'll bet there were a number of people whose age started with a number higher than 7.  There were two modelers who were in their 20-30s who modeled HO scale vehicles and military.  There also was a younger person who had some amazing O scale stuff.  

[12bridge]

There has been a ton of smaller RPM like events popping up in the last 2 years, which is fantastic. I just wish they would advertise them more! This is defiantly a common issue it seems. A slew of the NMRA chapters are doing them also, and they have a ton of potential, they just need...to advertise them!

[edwardsutorik]

The earliest confirmed BAPM (Bay Area Prototype Modelers) event I found was in 2005. I've seen mention of one in 2003, also. So BAPM is about 20 years old.

I stopped going because of Covid, but I expect to go back next year.


Ed

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

It seems in my area, lots of “publicity” consists of the News at 6 on Monday the day after of more events that “if I only knew…” of all kinds.

[Mr. Trainiac]

Honestly, a lot of these RPM meets need FreeMo or some type of modular activity associated with them. I'm a rivet counter as much as anyone on this forum, but 'stare at models sitting on a table' sounds pretty boring to the general public.

Whenever I operate a layout at a train show, people are always asking 'when will that train move'. Then you have to explain to them that it's sitting on a siding or you're waiting for a signal to change. People just want to see trains go around in a circle. RPM is fun for the people displaying their models, but there aren't a lot of activities to do for atendees unless there is a swap meet or modular layout aspect as well. The conferences and presentations that happen at RPM are good for the rivet counters, but can be overwhelming for the casual member. This hobby has difficulty with easing new members into it. Any time someone new shows interest, they get swamped with overzealous rivet counters trying to teach them everything in one day, or get shunned when they want to run unrealistic models.

If you want to attract new members, you need to give them something simple and casual to do. RPM is good for showing what's possible as an expert modeler, but the format of the show is not very friendly to beginners.

[edwardsutorik]

I think RPM is not meant for the general public or beginners. Not that they're kept out, but the whole point and theme IS rivet counting.

To the extent that a modular setup, like some Free-mo people, is mostly like minded, I think it would be great to do such a thing. At the BAPM, there isn't enough room. I think.

That said, I really should bring the possibilty up with the organizers--ya never know.



Ed

[valenciajim2]

The LA Meet has been around for many years. I remember attending it in La Habra where a couple of hundred modelers were in attendance. Then it moved to the Santa Fe Railway station in San Bernardino. Unfortunately, the person who took the bull by the horns to organize the event passed away several years ago, and since then, the meet is a mere remnant of what it used to be.

The first meet I attended was around the turn of the century and there were many younger people in attendance back then.

As to rivet counting, about half the models being shown were nothing more than assembled kits, including a 30 car passenger train, which I did not bother to photograph.

[valenciajim2]

I realize that this is posted on the HO forum, but there were two O scale models that were impressive.

The first is an SP GS-4 steam locomotive in black.  This sucker was massive compared to the HO models that surrounded it.   The exhibitor also brought along a test track.  When it ran o n the test track, the sound was unbelievably loud and clear.

  
The exhibitor also brought this fine observation car.  Although the windows are tinted, when the car was placed on the test track, the interior illuminated to show incredible detail.  

[riogrande]

Wow, that is impressive! You would need a lot of room to have a layout to run those!

[valenciajim2]

While on the subject of SP equipment, here are a number of HO scale locomotives that were on display.

[valenciajim2]

The final picture is of a weathered PFE mechanical reefer.



I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures presented in this thread.

[PeeCee]

Oct 23, 2024 11:25:18 GMT -8 valenciajim2 said:

While on the subject of SP equipment, here are a number of HO scale locomotives that were on display.

Who did the Espee models, Jim?
Did you see a name on the display card?

I attended last year's LA RPM and it was even less attended and with even less quality models than you're showing now.
That's why I didn't attend this year, I guess. A hefty admission price tag didn't really encourage me either.

[gevohogger]

I remember someone here being royally butthurt about some issue with the LA RPM, but I can't find the posts just now. I remember the guy's name, but since this forum allows members to change their names, I can no longer find it in the member list. OR, could be it happened on the old forum.

[valenciajim2]

PeeCee, most of the modelers did not have cards displaying their name, So I do not know who built the models other than the work train. The large O scale SP equipment was owned by a younger person, probably not older than 40.

There are several problems with the LARPM. Lack of publicity, a venue that is difficult to get to in a not-so-great neighborhood and a $20 admission price. They had a mini-swap meet outdoors and I purchased four Accurail 40' reefers for $20 so that offset the price because I otherwise would have paid $20 each for four new undecorated reefers.

[PeeCee]

All good points, Jim.

The mini swap meet last year had some good deals too.  Last time somebody brought in a huge bunch of Proto 2000 gondola kits and they were gone very fast.

I know the host of the LA RPM thing a little, his name is Jeff.
My impression is he is much more businessman than model railroader.  Jeff owns a local hobby shop and does not seem to create any RPM models himself.  He has his thumb in the model railroading 'pie' for many of our SoCal clubs and events.

I've heard several complaints from other respected LA area RPM guys that we ought to do much better for a dedicated RPM event, (lower entrance fee, better attendance, etc.), but other than the infrequent WPM (Western Prototype Modelers) event that comes our way, this is all we have.  Oh well.