As always, one of the premier highlights of the 1997 1/87 Vehicle Club's annual convention held in Dallas, Texas, this year was the press conference held for manufacturers and the modeling press. Press representatives included Chris Lane from Model Railroading magazine, Ed Ryan from Rail Line News, Tom Yagerhofer from Toy Trucker and Contractor, and Jeff Wilson from Model Railroader magazine. A very special "thank you" goes to Chris Lane and publisher Randy Lee of Model Railroading for the special 1/87 vehicle insert they have done the past couple of years that is scheduled to appear in the March issue of the magazine to coincide with the club's annual convention. The magazine also donates prints of the insert section to the club to include with the newsletter to members published following the convention. The club truly appreciates this tremendous support from the folks at Model Railroading magazine.

Manufacturers represented this year were A-Line, American Prototype Models, American Precision Models, AWM, Boxcar Hobbies, Brookfield Collectors' Guild, Crescent Station Models, Don Mills Models, Enviroscale, E-R Model Importers, Ertl, Heiser's Models, Le Mans Miniatures, Lonestar Models, Morem, Promotex, Puget Sound Casting Services, Reitze, Resin Unlimited, and Walthers.

A-Line had their 53' Utility reefer (refrigerated trailer) with sets of Market Transport, Stevens Transport, Werner Transportation, or C.R. England Transportation decals at the show. Owner Joe D'Elia also was showing samples of their Pines 28' smooth side trailer with Yellow Freight System "billboard" decals. These make really outstanding models. A-Line is now packaging their trailers with decals in response to modelers' requests.

American Prototype Models had white metal casting air dam and side fairings designed to fit the Herpa/Promotex Mack CH600 truck tractor. They also had samples of some "factory kitbashed" refuse compactors mounted on US prototype trucks (Kenworth T600A, Ford LTA9000) that they are selling.

American Precision Models had samples of their GM transit bus painted in several transit company schemes. They also announced their next bus release to be a Flxible Clipper model. This will compliment their previously released Flxible Vista model. They also announced plans to produce the 1960-1987 GM transit bus (known as the "fishbowl" for its unique front windshield).

AWM produces German prototype automobiles. One of the more interesting ones is a Volkswagen Beetle with opening truck and engine compartment.

Boxcar Hobbies was present representing modeler Dennis Aust and showing some absolutely incredible heavy machinery hauler trailers. The models shown included lowboy trailers of 60 and 80 ton capacities. Each included the appropriate jeep and/or booster dollies. These have to be seen to appreciate the detail built in. Limited availability, but mighty impressive!

Brookfield Collectors' Guild was showing their die-cast P&H 4100 mining shovel. This is the type used in open strip mine operations. It is a HUGE model that will dwarf any model in the same scene in a very prototypical fashion! Expected delivery is August 1998.

Crescent Station Models had several interesting model kits from French manufacturer NARWAG. I found the  Navistar 5070 Paystar truck tractor resin kit of an oilfield truck prototype to be particularly unique.

Don Mills Models showed their 1952 Kenworth "Bullnose" cabover tractor kit in resin. Check the New Products section for a photo. Also at the show and the next release from them is a 1956 Mack B-73 tandem axle truck tractor in resin.

Enviroscale had their scale pavement product on display. This stuff is made from real asphalt (if my notes are correct) and really looks like asphalt. Try it out!

E-R Model Importers announced new models of a contemporary Ford Crown Victoria and vintage tow truck based on their 1950 Chevrolet pickup truck model. We have pictures of both of these in our New Products section. Also scheduled for release this summer are state police cars of various vintages based on their Dodge Monaco and Chevrolet Caprice models.

Ertl had their diecast Kenworth T600B and Peterbilt conventional truck tractors and trailers in addition to their farm tractor models on display. Ertl announced plans for an extensive line of farm equipment including a combine and attachments for the tractors, a John Deere loader and backhoe with a lowboy trailer, a refuse compactor body mounted on a truck chassis, and a heavy duty tow truck.

Heiser's Models produces military models from the 1930-1945 era in resin. Paul Heiser is working on more American prototype models including M4, M4A1, and M4A3 Sherman tanks.

Le Mans Miniatures is a French manufacturer of 1/87 scale auto racing models. Ford GT MkII, Porsche 908, Ferrari 333, Dodge Viper Le Mans, and Ford Escort Rallye versions were some of their models on display

Lonestar Models announced their latest project is a 43' Wilson prototype hopper-bottom grain trailer; expected delivery is August 1998. This comes on the heels of their very successful Barrett cattle trailer, Trailmobile flatbed, and lumber truck body. Lonestar also has begun packaging detail parts; the line currently includes their own 5 spoke trailer wheels (with great detail) and tires, marker lights with photo-etched frames, and mud flaps in black or white. The wheels are all new tooling and not another manufacturer's wheels repackaged. Check your hobby dealer for these real soon!

Morem is a manufacturer of cast white metal vintage auto racing cars. We should have a product review available real soon.

Promotex had several new paint schemes on existing truck models announced for the show. New England Motor Freight Mack CH600 and trailers, Overnite Transportation tractor and trailer, and SPUR tanker truck are boxed in a single set. Also available is a Ford LTA9000 and trailer mounted concrete mixer and drop deck equipment trailer pulled by a Freightliner cabover. A Navistar single axle tractor with red beverage trailer (no markings) is also available.

Puget Sound Casting Services was showing their two new fire truck pumper units. One is the resin pumper body mounted on an Athearn Kenworth W900 chassis and the other is the resin pumper body mounted on Puget's own resin Mack MR series cab and chassis. Both available as kits or built. Puget Sound has approximately 40 different resin cabs available, most are priced at $5.00 each.

Resin Unlimited announced their Seagraves hook and ladder fire truck. The kit has a hollow resin cab, full interior details, and a photo-etched ladder assembly that may be modeled in either raised or lowered positions.

Walthers showed their latest revision to their resin vehicle series, the Checker cab with hollow interior. The Walthers representative stated that the production of the solid cast resin vehicles has most likely ended and all their resin vehicles will be now have hollow interiors, a welcome bit of news. Walthers had a questionnaire at the show to gauge interest in a planned auto industry series of railroad related buildings and kits (targeting 1966 and 1996 year model vehicles). Also on the survey were specific models that might be produced in injection molded plastic (GOOD NEWS).

We look forward to seeing everyone back again next year in Portland, Oregon for the 1999 convention, March 5-7, 1999!