Model Railroading > Narrow Gauge Live Steam during Sacramento NG Convention

This past weekend, the well-known US model railroading magazine Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette held it’s annual convention in Sacramento, CA.    As part of their ‘Layout tours’ schedule, Ken Burns of Salinas, CA. decided to organize a large gathering of narrow gauge live steam at the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers in Rancho Cordova, CA.   On Friday and Saturday afternoons we ran trains for the convention attendees as well as the general public on Saturday.
 
The meet represented the largest gathering of fine scale narrow gauge live steam in quite some time.  A special effort was made by Bill Boller and Bruce Swanson to bring as much of Ron Schmidt’s former and current equipment as possible, and on Saturday Ron himself showed up to partake in the activities, and despite being wheelchair bound, Ron was all smiles and very happy to see his friends and his equipment being enjoyed.   Ron has either influenced or directly had a hand in a majority of the equipment present.  As a prototype researcher, model engineer and patron of the arts to other professional model engineers, his hand looms large in our rarified group.
 
I brought my own engine and train and it was received well as a ‘Gazette style’ backwoods logging train with shorty cars and one of three West Coast narrow gauge trains being represented.

A full gallery is here:
http://gallery.mikemassee.com/-/galleries/live-steam-backyard-railroading/narrow-gauge-convention-meet-at-svls

and some highlights for TO posted here.  

Also, here is a partial list of locomotives and rolling stock.

All models are in 2.5" scale, 7.5" gauge unless otherwise noted:

Colorado Narrow Gauge -

D&RG C-16 #268 Bumblebee – built by Bill Boller as part of group build with Ron Schmidt, Peter Moseley and Stan Marhsall
D&RG C-16 #278 – built by Ron Schmidt
DSP&P #45 – the “fourth consolidation” started by Stan Marshall as part of the above group build, and completed by Ray Bejerum.
C&S #10 Mogul – Built by Rudy Van Wingen, Once owned by Ron, rebuilt by Peter Moseley and friends and now owned by Anthony Duarte of Eccentric Engineer
RGS #41 – Built by the Burns family, with parts and input from Ron Schmidt and the C-16 group build
D&RG C-16 #223 – built by Jimmy Booth (of P-B-L models) with help from bill Boller, Peter Moseley and Ron Schmidt.
D&RG K-36 #487 – Built by Bart Pond and Tom Miller along side #482 and jointly owned by Ron Schmidt and Bill Boller.  
RGS #20 – Built by George Berg of Texas from Tom Artzburger castings, rebuilt by Jack Bodenmann and owned by Doug Maywald. (pictured)
RGS #22 – built by Dave Fontes from Tom Artzburger castings.
D&RG C-25 #375 in 1.5” scale 4.75” gauge – built by Jeff Smith of Branch Line Products.   Jeff makes very good sets of drawings for D&RG freight equipment, one of which I used to build my boxcar.
An RGS-20 based locomotive lettered for a home railroad.   
Pacific Coast Railroad 4-4-0 American built by George Potter

West Coast Narrow Gauge -

West Side Shay #15 – Commissioned by Ron Schmidt and built by Richard Ulin.
Freelance MEG Steam Wendy 0-4-0 in 3" scale, built by Jim Hoback, remodeled by Jeff Badger, rebuilt by Mike and Don Massee in 2010.  3rd Wendy completed from Dougal Hubner’s plans and castings.
George Potter’s 4-4-0 Pacific Coast Railroad American

Notable rolling stock –

Coach and combine cars commissioned by Ron Schmidt and built by Richard Ulin
West Side freight and log train – built by Bill Boller, Bill Banta and Richard Ulin
D&RGW Caboose 0589 built by Bill Boller, influence and parts from Ron Schmidt
Gondola 9548 built by Ron Schmidt
Coach 284 and Combine 212 commissioned by Ron Schmidt and built by Richard Ulin
Gramps Tank Car built by Tom Miller                                            
Flat 6517 built by Ron Schmidt            
Box 3000 built by Ron Schmidt              
Gondola 1249 built by Ron Schmidt     
Gondola 1646 built by Ron Schmidt    
Working D&RG flanger by Jeff Smith in 1.5” scale / 4.75” gauge.
C&S Bobber Caboose #1008 in 3" scale built by Don and Mike Massee


Photo 1: West Side Shay #15
Photo 2: Jimmy Booth's C-16 #223 with Wyatt on the throttle.
Photo 3: Detail of Jimmy Booth's weathered D&RG stock car.
 

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: Overview of part of Steam Bays on Saturday Morning.

Photo 2: Another steam bay overview from the opposite corner.

Photo 3: Ron Schmidt (seated) and L to R, Bill Boller, Ray Bejerum and Peter Moseley.  Behind is #268 in bumblebee colors, #278 and Jimmy's #223.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: K-36 pulling a very long passenger train.

Photo 2: C&S #10 on the move.

Photo 3: Jeff Smith and his 1.5" scale 4.75" gauge C-25.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Ray Bejerum's DSP&P #45 originally started by Stan Marshall.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: Three C-16's.

Photo 2: Ray steaming up Ron's #278.

Photo 3: 1.5" scale D&RG flanger by Jeff Smith

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: Interior of coach car built by Richard Ulin.

Photo 2: my 3" scale C&S Bobber caboose #1008 (the owner of the real 1008 finally got to see it on Saturday)

Photo 3: RGS stock car

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: My Wendy 0-4-0 and 'Gazette style' logging work train at the truss bridge.

Photo 2: engineer's point of view.

Photo 3: A little farther down the line at sunset.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: West Side Shay #15 working the grade at Twin Bridges.

Photo 2: Matt Thomas' 4" scale Shay outline (powered by gas motor) at same location.

Photo 3: Matt's giant 'ride inside' caboose built for his daughter.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: Dave Fontes' RGS #22 leaving the steam bay.

Photo 2: Doug Maywald and his RGS #20.

Photo 3: Shay and K-36 in passing.  Both very impressive engines.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Thanks for looking!

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Left a few out that should be included, RGS #41 with Aubrey as engineer, also better view of C&S #10 and Dave Fontes RGS #22.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Wonderful. 

Thank you for showing them.
They were wonderful photos of some wonderful models!
Graham.

Excellent photos!

Awesome stuff!

Several years ago at Maricopa Live Steamers in Phoenix I got a chance to really look over the 268.  I have seen many very nice engines but the detail of 268 including the backhead header were beyond belief.  What  a fantastic engine.  Everything about it told you that were looking at the full size 268 of the Rio Grande..

The difference between men and boys is the price, and size, of their toys!

Looks like tons of fun!

I had the opportunity to ride behind the K-36 on Friday. What an impressive engine. Listening to it work up grade, was really impressive. 

You forgot the cute little indistrual Chole running around in your list.

Oh yes and glad to see Ron there too I miss his visits when he used to come up to Train Mountain.  Immagin that the Burns crew was there somewhere too plans changed could not make it. Boyd in Chiloquin