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The Chicago O Scale March Meet is coming to the Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois on March 19-22, 2026. Check out features, schedule, admission and hotel at MarchMeet.net. This is the biggest OS2R show in the country. Do not miss it.

Nickel Plate O Scalers will meet during the show to discuss NKP projects and exchange ideas. We will use the small conference room.  Ask at the registration desk for time and location. Bring your questions, ideas and news.  Attend the NKP O Scaler meeting and get a coupon for a free drink at Saturday evening’s social hour, held in the lobby.

Two NKP O Scalers will be doing clinics at the show: Nick Bulgarino will present a clinic on “power on board” (battery powered locomotives).  Daniel Raible will present a clinic on 3D printing (and also bring 3D printed NKP parts for sale).

Nickel Plate O Scaler Skyler Shippy will be running NKP equipment on the Detroit Club’s large modular layout.  Check it out.

David Vaughn will bring inventory of all the parts being gathered for Nickel Plate steam upgrades and will have milled brass frames to replace the as-delivered zamac frames on Overland berkshires. Steam, passenger, diesel and more O Scale decals; Mars lights, S-1 lead trucks, sand domes and lids and a dozen more parts for upgrading your NKP berks; All for sale; stock up.  David and others at the Show will have Nickel Plate engines and cars for sale. David is at Tables A3-A5.  Stop by and say hi.

Also available for sale at the show will be models of two Nickel Plate stock cars, one single and one double deck version. These 3D Printed models were designed by Sarah Griessenböck and will be produced by Smoky Mountain Models (Jim King) and will sell for $195, with decals (less trucks and couplers). See David Vaughn at Tables A3-A5.

Nickel Platers are encouraged to bring models to display in the Model Contest on Saturday. Let people know what we can do!

Tell your friends – O Scalers or wannabees, Nickel Platers or others – about the Show. Check it out at MarchMeet.net.   See you there.

The recent issue of the NKPHTS Magazine with the RS3 coverage reminded me that back in the 1980s, Weaver announced a plastic RS3. I ordered mine from THE TRAIN STATION in Columbus, Ohio and eagerly awaited its arrival. I got an undecorated model. At the time I was a member of the NMRA Division 6 layout group at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. This included a large O scale 2 rail layout. Several of us purchased RS3s.
The 1980s was a time when O scale modeling was between the old blacksmith-machinist Central Loco /All-Nation era and the new Atlas, Weaver, etc. RTR era. We were excited to see the new Weavers.

I got mine and I can’t remember if I ever ran it. If I did, it wasn’t much. Some others got RS3s, and they started out being good units but over time the usual cracked gears showed up and other issues. Luckily, modelers figured out how to make repairs and upgrade the engines. P&D Hobbies did wonderful things for them. I remember getting a P&D upgraded drive unit.

Fast forward to today. When I read the RS3 article I remembered my old Weaver. It’s been in the original box since I purchased it. I also never used the upgrade kit. I began to wonder what it would take to make mine an NKP unit.

It’s not the correct “phase.” Mine has louvers and the NKPs did not. I believe their units were a Phase “5” with no louvers and cut outs in the sides. This would involve a lot of work. I also understand that some outstanding and expensive mechanism upgrades are now available. With 3D printing of parts an option, I’m sure others could come up with the proper numberboard, class light brackets, headlights, Mars light, and the side ladder, etc. Maybe some of those are already available.

The HO folks now have a really nice Bowser RS3 that is NKP specific. I think O scalers should have the same!
Let’s hear some of your ideas!

The Nickel Plate Society Company Store (NKPHTS.org) is showing the freight house as sold out in O Scale. (described in an earlier blog.

If there is sufficient interest, we can lobby for a second run. Express your interest by leaving a comment with contact information. thanks.