It's been a while since we had a challenge of any kind, I know folks are busy and may not have the time to devote to one, but I'm just wondering, that's all. Does anyone have any ideas of what we can do for a new challenge? Not too clever, not too complicated and given enough time that even those that are super-busy with other things can participate. We used to have at least one or two challenges a year, that may not be realistic in today's world, but I thought I'd test the waters anyway.

Anyone have any ideas?

WPMA-29 passes empty container flats as it makes it's way through Chestnut Neck.

Bruce

   

Can anyone recommend a good dremel that I could purchase in the Toronto area? I'd be looking at stores such as Canadian Tire or Home Depot, etc. I'd be mainly using this to neatly and evenly cut pieces of plastic. If possible, I wouldn't want to spend more than $50-70 if that's realistic. I'd mostly use this for model trains but there is, of course, the chance I'd use it for other jobs.

I have some 00 scale British coaches that I'm cutting up and reassembling to make them more realistic. Cutting these with a hobby knife is do-able but messy -- and it's very easy to make an error.

Thanks in advance, Rob

Hello,

a few years ago, exactly said 2017, i purchased this loco:


There were many little bugs with this model loco which kept the price on an comparably low level.





Some missing and bent parts like the railings on the pilot deck.





Or a absent rivet of the valve gear.


Besides of these bugs listed above, the model was running jerky and was jamming although a coreless coil motor was fitted.


Lutz

How to bridge open areas of the layout to connect and keep continuous the main lines in a way to provide access to internal walkways within your layout. It always starts out with duck under bridging. Yes, here you are a younger person building a larger layout using all the space you have. Solidly constructed bridging sections work perfectly for you. Nothing moves and everything stays in place. Ah, the wonderful world of Model Railroading is now yours.
 Things change! A hurried attempt to pass under the main line has caused a red painful bump to appear on your forehead. It all happened so fast there wasn’t much to remember but the cause, the attempt, and the result. Well, something needs to be done! The information available in layout-related magazines and books all point to one fix, a removable or hinged track section.
  My first attempt actually worked rather well. My 2 track bridge hinged down. When lifted it fits up into a restricted place where no left or right movement was possible. Once up at the correct height, a metal supporting piece hinged up underneath, and a pin held it in place allowing no movement in any direction except slightly up to allow for the metal support to be un-pined.
   Next, I saw in a railroad magazine a gate type of movable bridge hinged on one side allowing 90 degrees of movement creating a swinging gate. Well, I abandoned my lift-type bridge to build a swinging gate type. Now knowing what has happened I should have remained with the lift type. I am certain I can get my swinging gate type bridge alining better after some more additional work.
frank

   

Is anyone for trying another video chat? The last one didn't go too well, just me a Lutz and I felt sorry for Lutz having no one else to look at but me and doing it at 1:00 AM his time. We broke it off after about fifteen minutes since I really don't have that much to offer and it was way past Lutz's bedtime anyway.

So, we can try again if anyone is willing. Someone pick a date and time, for me, most any day this or next week would work, I like 7 PM Eastern time, making it five Arizona time.  Who's in?????

I was going though my inventory of Evergreen styrene strips and was taken back a bit when I saw some of the price tags. They go like this per package over time:

$1.99 (haven't a clue how long ago)
$2.19
$2.59
$2.99
$3.79 (what I paid a few weeks ago)

Many years ago I went into a building supply store and picked up a box of nails that had probably six or eight price tags on top of each other. I can't remember now what those prices were, but I do remember peeling them up to see. It's insane how prices can jump over the smallest of things. Just look at gas prices right now.

Hello,

by watching such TV series as "Highway Thru Hell" and "Heavy Rescue 401" on youtube, i saw a lot of trucks in Canada which were quite different from from their US conterparts.
This inspired me to kitbash some trucks as decorative pieces for put in modern era.




My first attempt was this heavy delivery reefer truck.
Cab and chassis are from Walthers, the box body and the reefer set were out of my truck grab box. The frame was cut and stretched by means of plastic profiles. Most models of rigid truck models are way too short.









This is the result.


Lutz

Got an e-mail from Kalmbach today saying that effective today as long as you have a subscription to the print edition we can also get the digital version through Zinio.  I'm wondering if this is the first step in eliminating the print edition altogether.  Several years ago I had a computer magazine subscription that shifted to all digital through Zinio.  The interface was klunky and slow.  Maybe they've improved it by now.  In any event, I prefer to have the print version.

Here's the e-mail:

We are excited to announce the digital edition of Model Railroader magazine will now be included with your print subscription!

The April 2021 issue will be live on our partner’s site, [u]Zinio.com[/u], this Friday, February 19. If you do not already have an account with Zinio using this email address, go to [u]Zinio.com[/u] and create an account now. When the issue becomes available, you will receive an email from Zinio providing a link to your Zinio library to view the digital issue.
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If you have not already registered on any of our websites, go to [u]ModelRailroader.com[/u] and register now. When you are registered and logged in to the site, you will be able to access online subscriber benefits, such as:
•Track Plan Database
•Cody’s Office Videos
•And more!
 
We hope you enjoy this exciting new benefit of your subscription! We look forward to bringing you even more of the content you love, both inside the magazine and on the website.
 
Enjoy!

The Model Railroader Team
 
P.S. Coming soon, the [u]ModelRailroader.com[/u] website will have a new home on [u]Trains.com [/u]– the one destination for modeling how-to and railroad history and news. With the relaunch of Trains.com, print magazine subscribers like you will be able to access the digital edition of Model Railroader magazine as part of their subscription right from the website! You’ll also get early access to every new issue before the print issue arrives! We’ll let you know as soon as the new site is ready.




Tom

Taking a break during the safety training program.

Bruce