Category: News

Pete Mesheau sent photos of the PLW Texaco Gas Station. Thanks, Pete!

PLW is announcing that SP Narrow Gauge drop-side gondolas and SP Narrow Gauge domeless tank car 61 will soon be added to the product line. The drop-side gondola includes PLW printed 3D hinges and latches. Both cars are body only kits and do not include detail parts, trucks or couplers. The kits are suitable for either On3 or On30.

Contact PLW for more information and release dates.

Since most of America is stuck inside…how about some photos of built PLW kits??!!

Let’s start with a spreader built by Dave Etchells.

NO PRIVATE EVENT THIS WEEKEND. The Midwest Show Private Event scheduled for this Friday and Saturday has been postponed. PLEASE do not travel this weekend to the venue as Ohio is now under “shelter in place” status. And be sure to inform your fellow model railroaders that the show will be scheduled for a later date. Check back on this website for additional rescheduling announcements. The PLW crew is asking that you stay safe and stay healthy!

The SPNG was where all the leftover equipment from the other SP narrow gauge ended up when they closed down. The SP bought most of their equipment from the Carter  Brothers factory in California. The standard boxcar was 28ft long. They were modernized by the SP so they looked somewhat standardized. After WWII they were renumbered and kept in excellent condition by the Bakersfield shops. Some had openings for Perlite loading. During the last two years, several were rebuilt with top hatches. An internal a-frame floor and low-set side hatches for unloading. They were “narrow gauge covered hoppers” for all practical purposes.

Kits do not include trucks, couplers or detail parts. Can be purchased pre-painted/lettered or not painted and lettered. Also have a choice of road numbers.

The first kit is $45. Kits 2, 3 and 4 are $38.00 each. A 5 pack of kits is $190.00. All kits postage paid.

The 2020 Midwest Show will not be postponed as originally posted. The show will NOT be open to the public. Vendor and participate registrations will be honored for Friday and Saturday. We apologize for the confusion.

Show times: Thursday setup – any time after 4:00pm. Friday setup – 8:00am to noon. Friday show opens at noon and will go to 7:00pm. Saturday setup – 7am to 8am. Saturday show opens at 8:00am and goes until we are tired!
Mini-Bunch meeting and awards about 3:00pm Saturday afternoon.

Updates: Vendors will use EAST entrance. Room A has its own entrance. The gym does as well. Public will use the WEST entrance. Please do not use the SOUTH entrance as it is an exit only door.

Vendors-Dealers-Manufacturers: Wiseman Model Services, Mini Highways Scenery, Portland Locomotive Works, Crusader Rail Services, CMR Products, Peterborough Railroad, John Fiala, Russ Haigh, Walt’s Models, Tom Hoermann, Tom Jansen, Chris McChesney, C&D Model Engineering, Al Judy (O Narrow Gauge), Charles Pravlik, Steve Riddlebaugh, Dave Ross, Doug Sandmeyer, Jeff Schumaker, Rocky Mountain Trains, Darryl Sleszynski, Arden Car Works, Waynesburg & Washington Railroad, Friends of the EBT, Corry Rails (Class A Climax), Bill Logan (OR&W), Ted Weise, NMRA Division 1, The On30 Guy (RC), Mohawk Design shirts and apparel, Silver City Models, Dennis Vaccaro, Western Rails Company

Clinics: Matt Woods (Iron and Timber) scenery – hands on clinic at their tables, Randy Allio – Pan pastels at his table, Same Swanson at his table, Rick Rowlands – J&L Porter #58 (2-foot gauge) – room to be determined

Layouts: HAVOC, David Keith Sn2, NMRA Division 1 N-scale, CMR T-Trak, Bill Vollmar On30, Warren Judge Sn2 Elk Creek Lumber, Jeff Paxton 7/8 live steam, Hon30 Great Lakes

The Midwest Show is quickly approaching – March 27 and March 28. Only 4 weeks until another fabulous two days of narrow gauge railroading!! Vendor tables are going quickly and almost sold out. Please contact Gary Kohler this week if you need vendor tables and/or to register for the event.

** Coming back this year is Wiseman Model Services. They did mention the release of several new products and other goodies.
** Narrow gauge historical, preservation groups: Corry Rails – bringing back the only surviving class A Climax, The Waynesburg & Washington Railroad (locomotive & coach restoration), Friends of the East Broad Top with up-to-date info on the EBT purchase and the Youngstown Steel Heritage group with their 2-foot gauge Porter #58.

** Also attending is the Executive Director of the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation and the President of the NMRA.

** There will be several new layouts this year plus a great line up of clinics, as well as vendors, manufacturers, model contest and displays.

Due to unforeseen circumstance, the Midwest Show will be held at a different venue this year. The new venue will be the Greenford Space Center located at 7600 W. South Range Rd, Canfield, OH 44460.

Set up can begin anytime Thursday afternoon. Set up will continue Friday morning 8am to noon.

The show will open to the public Friday at noon and run until 7pm. Saturday hours will be 8am to 2pm.