BAPM - Bay Area Prototype Modelers

03/04/2026

Hello BAPM fans! 2026 is rapidly rolling through the calendar and that means it's time - among other things - to start thinking about BAPM!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at St. David’s School Hall, 871 Sonoma St., Richmond, CA 94805. The event will run from 9AM-5PM this year.

We'll have more details to share on clinics and manufacturers at this year's event. Suffice to say we have some great options shaping up.

We're working on some "technical difficulties" with our website right now, but while we get that sorted, watch this space, and make plans to join us this summer!

06/21/2025

Bob Zenk starts in on his multimedia experience about Espee’s 3/4 Dome passenger cars in his session titled “Scratchbuilt in Sacramento” today at BAPM.

06/21/2025

Dave Maffei is schooling the room on weathering SP locomotives at the BAPM meet.

06/21/2025

First clinic kicking off at BAPM today! Come down and join us.

06/19/2025

3D printing has turned into a very viable medium for models, including freight cars and vehicles. Bruce Barney has been doing the 3D modeling and printing thing for a while now, and he's joining us at BAPM this Saturday to talk about his design work and product line at AL&W. Bruce made his living doing design for for Nike in Portland, and he's turned his focus post-retirement to designing and printing rolling stock and vehicles in HO scale (among other things). He'll spend time talking about his process and the models he builds.

Bruce will also have some finished models along for sale, and his new kit versions will make their debut at the RailTrain Hobbies table as well. Bruce's models are always in demand when he offers them at the swap meets in the Pacific Northwest, and this is the first time he's made the trek south with models for sale. Come on by, and get there early - there's a very good chance his table will be empty by noon!

You can see the full clinic schedule here:
https://www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org/clinic-schedule

See you Saturday!

06/17/2025

It wouldn't be a BAPM meet without lots of great Espee models on display. And even better this year, Dave Maffei will be on hand to give a clinic on how he expertly weathers his SP locomotives to represent those hard-working cinder blocks the Espee was famous for.

So if you like them dirty, make sure you're on hand to hear Dave's clinic and see examples of his fine work.

You can see the full clinic lineup here:
https://www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org/clinic-schedule

See you Saturday!

06/06/2025

Anyone who dabbles in Espee passenger train equipment surely knows the name Robert J Zenk. Whether we realize it or not, many of us owe thanks to Bob for the tireless help he gives the model manufacturers - brass and plastic alike - to help them land their SP passenger car (and locomotive!) projects to a high bar of accuracy.

We're fortunate to have Bob on hand at BAPM this year to give a clinic on the development of the SP's legendary 3/4 dome lounge cars, soon to hit the shelves in HO scale form from Rapido Trains Inc. Bob is a master storyteller and will no doubt have loads of information to share on these interesting cars, both in prototype form and - no doubt - the upcoming HO scale model. Come join us later this month to hear for yourselves!

You can see the full clinic lineup here:
https://www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org/clinic-schedule

Photo by Rapido Trains. Hope to see you there!

06/03/2025

Great news, BAPM fans! Jordan Smith and Michael Humbert from Rapido Trains will be at BAPM this year! Make plans to come on down and say hello, and check out some cool new product samples they might have along.

See the website for more information on the event, including our clinic lineup!

https://www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org/

Hope to see you there!

BAPM - The San Francisco Bay Area Prototype Modelers Meet. Fine Scale Model Railroading

06/15/2024

BAPM is TOMORROW!! Saturday, June 15!

Thank you to RailTrain Hobbies for their excellent raffle prize donations for BAPM 2024 - A custom-run Rapido Trains fully assembled RTR PC&F 5258 boxcar finished in SP Indian Red ready for decals, and a $20 gift certificate good for any purchase on their website at www.railtrainhobbies.com

Come to BAPM this Saturday, and have a chance to win these and other great raffle prizes in person!!

Info and directions here: www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org

RailTrain Hobbies

06/14/2024

BAPM is TOMORROW!! Saturday, June 15!

Thank you to 3D Central and Bridge Line Designs for their most excellent raffle prize donations for BAPM 2024 - An Evans Side-Slider Boxcar, a set of 20-foot Sealed Dross Containers, and two of their beautiful 1970s era Gas Forklifts! See a new goodie from 3D Central/Bridge Line Designs too!

Come to BAPM this Saturday, and have a chance to win these and other great raffle prizes in person!!

Info and directions here: www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org

06/14/2024

BAPM is THIS Saturday, June 15!

Come join us and meet Craig Walker from Rapido Trains at BAPM!

Thank you to Rapido Trains Inc. for their most excellent raffle prize donation for BAPM 2024 - A Stunning HO scale Northern Pacific Alco RS-11 with DCC + Sound!!!

Come to BAPM this Saturday, and have a chance to win this and other prizes in person!!

Info and directions here: www.bayareaprototypemodelers.org

Photo Credit: overlandhobbies.com