Iron Genesis Models
@irongenesis.bsky.social
This account is focused on early railways, and modeling them. Author of The Locomotives of the West Point Foundry. Check out my models on 3DPTrain here: https://3dptrain.com/pages/seller-profile/iron-genesis-model-works
A fantastic old photo I bought showing a horde of Midland locomotives.
December 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A fantastic old photo I bought showing a horde of Midland locomotives.
Also put some Preiser "1847" crew on the Norris. They seem a little too big for HO, but they work with the also slightly big Bachmann Norris.
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Also put some Preiser "1847" crew on the Norris. They seem a little too big for HO, but they work with the also slightly big Bachmann Norris.
First coat of paint. No idea what these were painted like in actuality, but some vague clues suggest a light colored frame and dark colored body. Yellow tended to hide dust so was pretty typical color for frames and wheels on road going vehicles of the era.
December 2, 2025 at 4:18 AM
First coat of paint. No idea what these were painted like in actuality, but some vague clues suggest a light colored frame and dark colored body. Yellow tended to hide dust so was pretty typical color for frames and wheels on road going vehicles of the era.
First print of the 1832 Mohawk & Hudson RR coach. This was the first step away from the stagecoach style coaches the railroad used in 1831. It looks very much inspired by the Stephenson (of NYC) built horsecars of the same era.
December 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
First print of the 1832 Mohawk & Hudson RR coach. This was the first step away from the stagecoach style coaches the railroad used in 1831. It looks very much inspired by the Stephenson (of NYC) built horsecars of the same era.
photos of cursed locomotives from my collection, post 1.
A Delaware Lackawanna & Western camelback that has inexplicably been converted to a back cab. The more you look at the details, the more cursed it becomes.
A Delaware Lackawanna & Western camelback that has inexplicably been converted to a back cab. The more you look at the details, the more cursed it becomes.
December 1, 2025 at 6:39 AM
photos of cursed locomotives from my collection, post 1.
A Delaware Lackawanna & Western camelback that has inexplicably been converted to a back cab. The more you look at the details, the more cursed it becomes.
A Delaware Lackawanna & Western camelback that has inexplicably been converted to a back cab. The more you look at the details, the more cursed it becomes.
The above photo came to me with this, a photo of a group standing in front of LNWR 2-4-0 locomotive "Premier". Presumably the scenic spot above was found nearby some LNWR station. Photo likely from the late 1880s given the locomotive and the style of dress.
November 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The above photo came to me with this, a photo of a group standing in front of LNWR 2-4-0 locomotive "Premier". Presumably the scenic spot above was found nearby some LNWR station. Photo likely from the late 1880s given the locomotive and the style of dress.
It looks like a normal scene. A quiet, secluded forest, but then you look closer. There, across the river, hundreds of Victorians are staring at you.
Unknown location, photo from my collection.
Unknown location, photo from my collection.
November 29, 2025 at 10:27 AM
It looks like a normal scene. A quiet, secluded forest, but then you look closer. There, across the river, hundreds of Victorians are staring at you.
Unknown location, photo from my collection.
Unknown location, photo from my collection.
One wonders what an adult Calvin would think.
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
One wonders what an adult Calvin would think.
And some shots showing details. It's an interesting build.
November 22, 2025 at 12:05 AM
And some shots showing details. It's an interesting build.
Henry Ford's replica Rocket, built in 1929 by Robert Stephenson & Co. It has not been operated since Henry Ford's death. I took these photos while visiting the museum to do research on the DeWitt Clinton and its replica.
November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Henry Ford's replica Rocket, built in 1929 by Robert Stephenson & Co. It has not been operated since Henry Ford's death. I took these photos while visiting the museum to do research on the DeWitt Clinton and its replica.
Just a fun coincidence, I have two photos of the same locomotive, a P&R Q1b 2-6-4T, taken several years apart. The locomotives operated commuter trains from roughly 1903 until the line was electrified in the 1930s.
November 21, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Just a fun coincidence, I have two photos of the same locomotive, a P&R Q1b 2-6-4T, taken several years apart. The locomotives operated commuter trains from roughly 1903 until the line was electrified in the 1930s.
Some details of the "Liverpool" built by Bury for the Petersburg RR of Virginia. This, supposed to be the first Bury type imported to the US, has a history that's become rather muddled up by 19th century story tellers.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
![A contemporary report of the performance of the Liverpool, which ran on the Petersburg railroad. The [about] 5 ton locomotive had 9x18" cylinders and a working pressure of 50PSI. It hauled a train of fifteen cars and one coach, weighing nearly 67 and a half tons in 1833.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:sci3fsx52uk7yjwrutgc5m25/bafkreicjq2vwqxduxakpzuushhmkssy4eomuuvejv55dgeg5aytdfqvbm4@jpeg)
November 17, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Some details of the "Liverpool" built by Bury for the Petersburg RR of Virginia. This, supposed to be the first Bury type imported to the US, has a history that's become rather muddled up by 19th century story tellers.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This contemporary report from 1833 gives us some useful information though.
This is where I post from.
November 16, 2025 at 5:19 AM
This is where I post from.
Test print arrived. The coach body turned out beautifully. The chassis however needs some tweaks before it'll be ready for sale.
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Test print arrived. The coach body turned out beautifully. The chassis however needs some tweaks before it'll be ready for sale.
Adam Savage recently posted a video about using vintage oil cans. Which raised in my mind, a very interesting question: when did oil cans with a flexible bottom for "pumping" the oil first appear?
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
November 2, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Adam Savage recently posted a video about using vintage oil cans. Which raised in my mind, a very interesting question: when did oil cans with a flexible bottom for "pumping" the oil first appear?
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
Near as I can find, this patent from 1846. The internal spring was an unnecessary complication though.
This drawing, labeled "DeWitt Clinton" has been something of a mystery. It has been published many times, but it varies in many respects from what we know of the actual loco, and my research indicates it almost certainly a concept for the locomotive that went unused.
October 22, 2025 at 4:42 AM
This drawing, labeled "DeWitt Clinton" has been something of a mystery. It has been published many times, but it varies in many respects from what we know of the actual loco, and my research indicates it almost certainly a concept for the locomotive that went unused.
Some ads for the Oldsmobile Railroad Inspection Car.
October 21, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Some ads for the Oldsmobile Railroad Inspection Car.
You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like. This is the ideal locomotive form.
October 17, 2025 at 7:05 AM
You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like. This is the ideal locomotive form.
A photo I took of a U.S. market Wartburg many years ago. The cars were not popular because the small 2-stroke engine, and because of anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. The importer also sold Skoda cars, with a little bit more success.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
October 15, 2025 at 6:40 AM
A photo I took of a U.S. market Wartburg many years ago. The cars were not popular because the small 2-stroke engine, and because of anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. The importer also sold Skoda cars, with a little bit more success.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
I understand the Wartburg was reasonably popular in England.
A little paint makes it look great!
October 15, 2025 at 3:49 AM
A little paint makes it look great!
First prints of new products. Customization for your Bachmann 4-2-0. Now available on my 3DPtrain shop. 3dptrain.com/pages/vendor...
October 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
First prints of new products. Customization for your Bachmann 4-2-0. Now available on my 3DPtrain shop. 3dptrain.com/pages/vendor...
on display in Clovis, New Mexico, this 0-6-0 from 1906. Would make a pretty good model if any manufacturer were interested in making a switcher. A bit outside my era tho.
October 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM
on display in Clovis, New Mexico, this 0-6-0 from 1906. Would make a pretty good model if any manufacturer were interested in making a switcher. A bit outside my era tho.
The general arrangement drawing of Experiment and the model. Some details of the model were filled in using drawings of the Experiment as it was later rebuilt (with a wood burning firebox), as the Brother Jonathan.
September 21, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The general arrangement drawing of Experiment and the model. Some details of the model were filled in using drawings of the Experiment as it was later rebuilt (with a wood burning firebox), as the Brother Jonathan.
This was a fun mini project. Resuscitating a 1950s Varney Docksider. No super detailing on this one, just the basic kit.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
September 20, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This was a fun mini project. Resuscitating a 1950s Varney Docksider. No super detailing on this one, just the basic kit.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Maybe someday I'll do a proper re-motoring and add lettering.
Want an HO scale model of the first locomotive to go into scheduled service in the U.S.? I've got a kit of the Best Friend on my 3DPtrain shop: 3dptrain.com/products/igm...
September 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Want an HO scale model of the first locomotive to go into scheduled service in the U.S.? I've got a kit of the Best Friend on my 3DPtrain shop: 3dptrain.com/products/igm...