Deitrich's model

[Fred W. Schneider III]

Now you'ns understand partly why I like Bob's model.  And the picture
still doesn't do justice to the fine weathering job.  When you stand
there and see that car in the flesh, it looks exactly like the worn out
look that was West Penn in 1950.  In reality, it looks like a authentic
car, covered with rust, weathered paint, and coke oven dirt.   The
digital camera actually boosted the color saturation.

For those of you not familiar with the East Penn Traction Club, the
members have developed standards for modules.  Many of the fellows have
created track modules that will fit comfortable in their own homes
(usually basements), but which, because of the standardization, can be
bolted together at "meets" resulting in track that goes on forever.  I
would imagine, at some of the meets, enough people have shown up with
modules to create an HO gauge mainline 50 to 100 feet long.  There are
also 0-gauge modules.  A finally, there is one member, who models PTC
cars in 1/2 inch to the foot.  He arrives with the Market Street
elevated in a truck, which is erected, and over which he runs creatures
like an original PTC MKFD 1907 car, a 1960 Budd car, a 1923 double end
street car ... all off third ran.  I would expect his mainline is 40
inches off the floor and 200 feet long.

Keep tuned to the East Penn home page for dates when a meet is
scheduled.  The best of all have been there own ever-other-year events,
which are attended by people from all over the country.  I think the
next one is 2001?  I've frequently met Roy King from Dallas, Mac
McCarter from Arizona, and many hundreds and hundreds of east coast
people there.  Then make sure you come to see Bob's West Penn car.  And
his Pittsburgh 4300 isn't too shabby either!  Of course, the models and
model judging are only a part of the fun.  The sales tables are great
too ... haunted by all sorts of people with the money their wives don't
know they have.  So y'all come next time.  Bring check book, cash, and a
MAC card and take home books, models, maps, pictures, you name it.