~ Early Web Links ~

North American Prototype Modelers (NAPM) is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based HO scale model railroad club founded in 1977, dedicated to building and operating one of the finest model railroads in the country. The site covers the club's history, permanent layout facility, membership requirements, and their commitment to high standards of prototype modeling.

Railfaneurope.net is a comprehensive European railway server catering to both train enthusiasts and travelers looking to explore Europe by rail. The site offers information, pictures, stock details, and timetables covering railways across the European continent.

Part of Richard Percy's ESPEE Modelers Archive, this page catalogs all AAR car type codes from the October 1989 Official Railway Equipment Register, covering everything from boxcars to gondolas with detailed classification descriptions. An invaluable reference for Southern Pacific railroad modelers and prototype enthusiasts looking to accurately identify and model freight car types.

Everbloom is a floral-themed clique connecting webmasters who share a love of flowers, where members adopt a flower name and join a growing community of digital gardeners. With a poetic, nature-inspired aesthetic and a small but active membership list, it invites visitors to join, grab link codes, and leave a note in the guestbook.

Joel Donkin's personal homepage introduces this Australian registered nurse and outdoor enthusiast through a thumbnail sketch of his life growing up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. The site covers his passions for horses and riding, bushwalking, canyoning, firefighting, and his work with St John Australia as a Nursing Officer.

Trainorders.com is a comprehensive online community for railroad enthusiasts, featuring thousands of photos, videos, and discussion forums covering everything from Western and Eastern US railroads to steam, passenger trains, and international rail. Members can share trackside media, browse a library of historic railroad content, and participate in lively discussions about both real-world railfanning and model railroading.

Stan Pope shares a heartwarming account from Ron Morrison, Cubmaster of Pack 240, detailing how he created hundreds of natural wood plaques for a large district Pinewood Derby race. The page includes photos of the plaques drying on a sidewalk and links to manufacturing procedures, offering practical inspiration for other scout leaders.

Cascade Bruce shares decades of railroad photography spanning the 1970s through the 2000s, capturing trains across Wyoming, New York, Oregon, and beyond with an eye for scenic composition. The site includes personal reflections on a lifelong passion for rail history, riding, and photography inspired by legends like Richard Steinheimer and O. Winston Link.

Straer's personal site, titled 'The Hobbyist,' welcomes visitors through a whimsical portal guided by their AI-style assistant character 57-R-43-R. The site has a mysterious, atmospheric tone hinted at by its tagline 'The Past Knows You' and its participation in 'Weird Web October,' suggesting a creative hobbyist space with eclectic interests.

Alan Silverstein's comprehensive guide to rock tumbling covers everything from quick-start rotary tumbling to building a custom 31-inch truck tire tumbler and hand polishing techniques. The site is organized into detailed subsections addressing vibratory tumblers, miscellaneous Q&A, and a dedicated tumbler shop, making it a thorough reference for both beginners and enthusiasts.