Central Vermont 40000-series boxcar decals

For this lettering, use Artisan Rail Media set CV-101 HERE

 If you've been less than satisified with the decals included in the Funaro 40000-series boxcars you may want to consider the new decals from Artisan Rail Media specifically designed for these cars. 

For this lettering, use Artisan Rail Media set CV-102 HERE

I've just added two new sets of 40000-series decals to the Artisan Rail Media selection of CV decals - one for the as-built Roman lettering, and one for the stacked Gothic lettering (the latter includes the intertwined CV found on the doors of many of these cars) post-1963. 

These two new sets are only for the 40000-series Howe truss cars (built in 1924). For the later 41000, 42000, and 43000 series cars you can find decals on the web site. 

Post Chattanooga Update(s)!

Christine didn't think we'd sell any of the CV boxcar decals, we ended up selling out of the 1940-63 decals we brought with us! 

We're back from the National Train Show in Chattanooga and we certainly had a great time!

Christine's prize winning entry into the contest - "Hometown Crossing"

I have some other thoughts on Chattanooga that I may share at some point - after all this was the first NMRA National I've attended since 2015 so I'm bound to have some opinions. 

But in this post I want to cover two (actually three!) highlights for the Artisan Rail Media team - We were really excited to announce our second book, Modeling Civil War Railroads by Bernard Kempinski, and the other (better!) half of the Artisan Rail team took first place in the People's Choice Awad in the Arts and Crafts category with her quilt "Hometown Crossing." That makes one NMRA prize winner in the family, and it isn't me ... !!!

Modeling Civil War Railroads, Artisan Rail Media's second book!

About Bernie's book - it will be 120 pages, landscape (horizontal) format, all color (with the exception of a few b&w Civil War era prototype shots) and a ton of new line drawings, plans, and tables and charts. 

Bernie is putting the final touches on the manuscript and photography, and we are on track for a November 2026 release. Check this blog, my Southern New England Railway Facebook page, or the artisanrailmedia.com website to preorder. Look for the web site to go live for preorders sometime later this month - in the meantime we have Modeling Autumn Scenery available.  https://www.artisanrailmedia.com/

Meanwhile, just down the road from Chattanooga ...

Our youngest son Matt, who some of you may remember as a little tyke at train shows or a teenager at some of our operating sessions over the years, took time out of visiting the Atlanta Aquarium to ask his girlfriend the big question. She's a big shark fan, which makes no sense to this old sailor, but I guess it takes all kinds. 

They went to Atlanta supposedly as a birthday trip to see a whale shark - Matt had all this planned and even flew Amanda's sister in from Colorado (she's a professional photographer) to capture the moment. I have no idea how he got the shark to cooperate, but I have to give the boy credit - and Amanda's sister certainly got a great photo for them to remember the moment! 

To answer the inevitable questions:

1. She said "Yes!"

2. We absolutely ADORE her!!

Congratulations Matt and Amanda!!

Modeling Autumn Scenery book and Artisan Rail Media

 
Wow, I see that I haven't posted anything here since November! Yikes! Well, hope anyone reading this had a wonderful Holiday season - and Happy New Year, albeit a couple of months late!

Our new website - Artisan Rail Media - where you can order our new book! 

I have been posting - occasionally - to my Southern New England Railway Facebook group. And you're more than welcome to join the fun there. But I have an excuse for not posting things here - 

When I really get into a project I tend to dive into it, and things like Facebook and blog post updates don't take priority. In other words, I usually float from one project to another - but when I focs - I get really focused. 

For the last few months I've gotten very serious about finishing my Modeling Autumn Scenery book. I've talked about doing this book for a number of years - and have been thinking about it even longer than that! 

This is one of two possible cover photos for the book. 

I'm pleased to say that it is almost done - - to the point that it should be shipped off to the printer sometime in the next two weeks and be ready to ship shortly after that. I'm trying something new - self publishing this book. I considered doing a print on demand option but have been disappointed with the color and printing quality of that approach. 

One of the page layouts for the book. 

A scenery book - especially an autumn scenery book - where color is everything - needs to have the best looking photos possible. So, Christine and I are taking a risk and having the book printed by a print shop here in the US that specializes in short print runs. The test proofs looked great, so we're very excited about getting the book in our hands, and hopefully a LOT of yours! If nothing else we don't want to end up with a garage full of these things!

What's in the book? Essentially it's everything I've learned that I can remember about modeling autumn scenery. Here's the list of chapters: 

Chapter 1: Fall Colors

Chapter 2: Scene Composition and Planning

Chapter 3: Backdrops

Chapter 4: Landforms

Chapter 5: Vegetation and Ground Cover

Chapter 6: Background Trees

Chapter 7: Foreground Deciduous Trees

Chapter 8: Conifers

Chapter 9: The Colors of Autumn

Chapter 10: Autumn Details

Full color. (I've lost count of how many photos). 

Approx. 100 pages. 

And best of all I've been able to include some photos from other models who depict the fall on their layouts. These give some much needed variety to the book, and show how others model other parts of the fall - from early mostly green season, through the peak colors of fall, all the way to the "dead" season. I'm immensely grateful for these friends who have been so willing to contribute to the book! 

Actually, even if you model the height of summer you should be able to find some useful information in this book - just use a lot more green than I do! 

How can you get a copy? Well, we've set up a little business to sell these things (and some other products, more on that in a moment). You can get the book at the special prepublication price of $24.95 + shipping at our new web site - Artisan Rail Media. 

What about those other products? Well, for starters we have Central Vermont boxcar decals, as well as SNE "modern image" decals that we'll list for sale. But first the book must be done!