Search results

  1. R

    The Tower 55 / T55 Mess

    Here are a couple of pre-orders I placed (before my self-imposed ban on all futures pre-orders): TOWER 55 - CANADIAN PACIFIC ES44AC #8728 FACTORY PAINTED RED AND BLACK, LETTERED, LIGHTS AND DITCH LIGHT. $284.00 Thank you for your deposit amount of $50.00 processed on July 11, 2007 Current...
  2. R

    Happy Birthday & Merry Xmas to Me

    My 60th birthday was May 20, and I finally got my birthday presents today (!). Best present: Trainz "Railroad Simulator"! I'm installing it (on my laptop, since I'm mostly interested in using it when I'm away from my real trains when I'm on the road on business) even as I write this (on my PC)...
  3. R

    Plywood vs. Humidity

    I'm trying to decide whether to use 3/4" birch plywood for the "surface" of my next layout which I'm planning to be a "domino"-style modular layout and I am concerned about how well 3/4" birch plywood will hold up against the humidity variations in the Midwest. I'm thinking about attaching...
  4. R

    Have I Plateaued (Rolling Stock)?

    After three years in acquisition mode I'm beginning to think I've bought virtually all the rolling stock and locomotives I want for my model railroad. Even the ads aren't all that enticing these days. I look at them (the new Athearn FP-45s in HO, for example) and think, "very nice, but do I...
  5. R

    Lone Wolf Operators:

    How often - if ever - do you have more than one train running simultaneously on your layout? My current layout construction project is designed as a point to point, with an option for continuous running, either single or double-track main line, so the most trains I can run at the same time is...
  6. R

    Do You Model the Alaska RR?

    I just came back from a rail trip in Alaska. I saw so many modeling possibilities! I especially liked the frreight car barges I saw on the ocean part of the trip. I'd like to correspond with other HO modelers interested in the Alaska RR. Thanks!
  7. R

    Leftovers...

    I ended up with a few 'leftovers' after building the benchwork for the Big Layout. and rather than toss them, I decided to build a little testbed for trying new things out before "importing" them to the BL. It's also very relaxing and provides a diversion when the larger project begins to seem...
  8. R

    Kansas City Southern Grain Hoppers

    As I was driving east on Highway 210 this afternoon near I-435 I saw three sidings near the KCT grain elevator that were full of these KCS grain hoppers, looking very clean and new. Gorgeous! I know they've been done in N scale (the pic is actually the model, not the real deal), but does anyone...
  9. R

    eBay Does It Again

    eBay announced on Wednesday 5/7/08 that they will no longer allow feedback withdrawal. Details and rationale are posted on eBay's announcements board: May 2008 This is the latest of the many "bold changes" eBay has instituted recently that, IMHO, have had an adverse effect on both the buying...
  10. R

    "Canadian Railway Modeller" magazine

    If you subscribe to this magazine or even just pick up the occasional copy, I'd like to solicit your opinions before I decide whether to order back issues or subscribe. Post to this thread, PM or email -- all comments and opinions are appreciated.
  11. R

    Replace Warped Hardboard With???

    After two years of using hardboard as a [seemingly] humidity- and temperature-proof subroadbed, all of a sudden, on my new, "big" layout, I've got a world-class case of rollercoaster track! 90 feet of @#%&*! Now what do I do? This stuff was attached to a 2x4 framework attached to the walls with...
  12. R

    Rail Joiners Kato HO to Atlas?

    I need to link a main line laid with Kato Unitrack to a yard lead laid with Atlas flextrack and Peco turnouts. The track has all been matched in terms of height. What are the possible options for connecting the two mfgrs' track? Kato rail joiners are too small to fit the Atlas track and Atlas...
  13. R

    Are There Any "Good" Model Railroad Magazines?

    I've seen (and participated in) a number of threads over the last little while where the majority opinion of the posters is that "mainstream" model railroading magazines (like MR & RMC) are not worth the price of a subscription. If you subscribe (pun intended) to this viewpoint, are there, in...
  14. R

    Did you buy ...

    Did anybody besides me buy a copy of Model Railroader's most recent Special Issue: "HOW TO BUILD REALISTIC LAYOUTS: TOWNS & CITIES"? If so, what did you think of it?
  15. R

    Lengthening an Atlas Turntable?

    I need a turntable long enough for steam locomotives, but I don't want to have to "dig a hole", so I wondered if I could somehow lengthen an Atlas turntable? Has anyone done that or does anyone have any thoughts about how I might go about that? I think the Atlas TT is about 9" diameter, and for...
  16. R

    Extreme [Layout] Makeover?

    Maybe the model railroad magazines could fight their slumping circulation numbers and declining ad revenues by adapting popular TV programming themes. For example, they could start running a regular feature called "Extreme [Layout] Makeover" where they take someone's mediocre (by their...
  17. R

    Where are the Great Young Model Railroaders?

    I just found out from another thread that the legendary V&O (Virginian and Ohio) that was built by Allen McClelland is no more. On this month's Scotty Mason podcast he interviews Tony Koester and Tony says that Allen and his wife have bought a smaller home in a retirement community and are...
  18. R

    O to On30 Diesel Conversion?

    I'm building a switching layout as my first foray into On30 and due to space limitations, I'd like to use a small diesel switch engine (e.g., an SW-1) instead of a steam loco (I know it's probably not prototypical). How hard would it be to convert, say, an Atlas O 2-rail DC switcher to On30, and...
  19. R

    Where's Your Layout?

    An idle thought as I'm sitting here in the house, 100' away from my train room, the temperature outside is 14 degrees, and tomorrow it's supposed to snow/sleet/freeze: Where's your layout? It seem like the most popular spots are Basement Attic Garage Spare room Detached building Elsewhere No...
  20. R

    Martin Johnson Mfg. Domino Style Bench Work

    Has anyone had any experience with Martin Johnson Mfg.? Model Railroad Accessories | Model Railroad Tables | Model Railroad Portable Tables | Model Railroad Hobbyists | Railroads Their website advertises Modular Model Train Tables - 2' x 4' domino style bench work that can be set up, locked...
Top