Tag Archives: NMRA

St Louis Refrigerator Car Co. 36ft Beer Car NMRA 2022 Premium Instructions Update: New Special Limited Scheme for July 4th.

BMR’s model of the St Louis Refrigerator Car Co. 36ft Beer Car is commemorating the L-Gauge Modular Standard LEGO® train layout that will be on display at the NMRA 2022 National Train Show Premium Instructions. If you have not reserved one, then read on and see what the car is about and be sure to reserve yours before the 11:59pm EST July 4th 2022 order deadline. And if you have already reserved a car, then skip ahead and take a look at a special bonus scheme for the car that we are only offering for the July 4th weekend.

Test model with printed parts seen at Brickworld 2022. Note red pin stipe has not been applied yet.
Instruction book cover.

The St. Louis Refrigerator Car Company (SLRX) was a private refrigerator car line established on February 3, 1878, by Anheuser-Busch brewing company. SLRX was formed to facilitate large-scale distribution of Anheuser-Busch’s products via the U.S. rail network. The SLRX not only built its own bunkerless reefers, but maintained and operated them as well.

In 1919 the firm was acquired by Manufacturers Railway Company (MRS), another Anheuser-Busch transportation subsidiary that provided switching service to the brewery and interchange connection with the common carrier railroads serving St. Louis.

3D Render of the St Louis car model

BMR’s Limited Edition model faithfully recreates one of the Iconic cars of the St Louis Car Company. This 36ft bunkerless refrigerator car was used from 1913 through to the 1950s. Our model represents this car in its post World War II scheme with white cars sides, an enlarged emblem, and a maroon stripe along the bottom of the car side.

Car with graphics applied.

For this model we are offering the choice of decals printed by OKBrickworks, or a printed parts upgrade on new, genuine parts printed by BrickForge. One decal set, or printed part set will be included in each instruction kit. Each decal or printed part set will come with an individual car number so that no two cars will have the same car number. We are also offering extra decal sets and printed part sets for those who want to build more than one car.

Test model with printed parts seen at Brickworld 2022. Note red pin stipe has not been applied yet.

Special Liberty Bonds Paint Scheme Only Available for July 4th Weekend

Liberty Bonds scheme used during World War One

Of course the “Late SLRX” paint scheme we modeled on the standard car is not the only scheme these cars used over the years. And while digging through archives we found one that we thought was pretty neat. During World War One, many railroads had equipment painted in special schemes promoting causes in support of the American war effort. The Saint Louis Refrigerator Car Company did so by painting an undetermined number of cars in a special paint scheme to promote Liberty Bonds.

A Liberty Bond was a debt obligation issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in conjunction with the Federal Reserve. Also known as a Liberty Loan, it was a war bond, issued in four installments in 1917-18 as a means to finance the U.S.’ participation in World War I and the Allied war effort in Europe.

As a special bonus, BMR is releasing this paint scheme as an add on to the celebrate the United States Independence this July 4th weekend.

We are offering this special scheme in the choice of decals printed by OKBrickworks, or a printed parts on new, genuine parts printed by BrickForge. You will of course still need the standard Premium Instruction Kit to build the model as the Liberty Bonds Scheme is just being offered as a decal or printed parts add on. Each decal or printed part set will come with an individual car number so that no two cars will have the same car number.

Orders Close 11:59pm July 4th

This is Limited Edition Model and will only be available for a one time run of Instruction kits. Pre orders for this model will end on 11:59pm EST July 4th 2022. Once pre orders close, Instruction Kits will be produced to fill those orders. Expected shipping date will be late July to mid August.

Be sure to order your copy of this special model and the bonus Liberty Bonds paint scheme at the link bellow before it’s gone for good.

St Louis Refrigerator Car Company NMRA 2022 National Train Show Products

BMR is celebrating its 5th Anniversary, BMR is attending Brickworld, and We Have a Special New Car for the 2022 NMRA Show

It’s hard to believe, but Brick Model Railroader is 5 Years old this year. Launched on December 30th, 2016 as a LEGO train news and informations website, BMR has grown to include a YouTube channel, a line of custom train instructions, and custom LEGO@ train accessories.

Check out our nifty 5th Anniversary logo.

We’re are still committed to our original purpose of bringing you LEGO train news, showcasing awesome models built by those of you in the train community, bringing you informative articles on building techniques and layout design. Yes I know we’ve been quiet around here lately. Such is life, it sometimes takes you away from things you should be doing. But we ready to get back into the groove of writing some great articles for you. There is some exciting stuff coming up in the hobby this year, and we want to be there to share it with you.

Now let’s cover some of the other cool things coming to BMR.

Continue reading BMR is celebrating its 5th Anniversary, BMR is attending Brickworld, and We Have a Special New Car for the 2022 NMRA Show

Why Am I Here?

Following the AWESOME events of NMRA 2018 in Kansas City last month, there’s been a lot of discussion about what people are trying to get out of the hobby, defined as “LEGO Trains”. Put another way, why are we (you, me, etc.) here? What kind of reward do we seek from this niche hobby within a niche hobby?

Allow me to offer a few of my own thoughts and experiences which remind me why I’m doing what I am.

The participating AFOLs from the 2018 National Train Show

Continue reading Why Am I Here?

NMRA 2018 National Train Show Report

Every year, the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) holds an annual convention in order to provide a place for the membership to meet to continue their association with the hobby in a common forum. The convention rotates to a different city each year, and this year the convention was in Kansas City, Missouri from August 5th-12th. In conjunction with the convention, the NMRA also holds a National Train Show taking place on the last three days of the convention. This train show feature operating train layouts, vendors selling model trains and model railroad supplies, and model railroad manufacturers displaying their new products.

For this year’s National Train Show, several LEGO User Groups (LUGs) and LEGO Train Clubs (LTCs) were given 3000 square feet of space to display their LEGO train layouts. This marks the first time in several years that so many clubs were able to come together for a National Train Show. Participating Groups included KC Brick Lab, the hosting LUG, Texas Brick Railroad, ArkLUG, Twin Cities LTC, OKLUG, PennLUG, IndyLUG, CincyLUG, Pewaukee Road LEGO Train Line, and MichLUG. Also represented was LifeLites, CRR Studios, OKBrickworks, and of course, Brick Model Railroader.

BMR team member Glenn Holland being interviewed for an NMRA video.

Continue reading NMRA 2018 National Train Show Report

Brick Model Railroader on Tour: July/August, 2018 Update

Greetings fans and supporters,

We’ve been pretty quiet on the website but we’ve had a lot going on behind the scenes. We hope you have been enjoying the builder interviews and community spotlights, we certainly appreciate Elroy and Andy for putting some of those together for us. Today we’ll provide an update on BMR premium instructions, upcoming shows (of which there are several before the year is out), and more.

We’ll begin with upcoming shows.

Continue reading Brick Model Railroader on Tour: July/August, 2018 Update