Welcome, Guest
You have to register before you can post on our site.

Username
  

Password
  





Search Forums

(Advanced Search)

Forum Statistics
» Members: 504
» Latest member: igxc
» Forum threads: 9,985
» Forum posts: 179,893

Full Statistics

Online Users
There are currently 2766 online users.
» 0 Member(s) | 2763 Guest(s)
Applebot, Bing, Google

Latest Threads
The Hobo Camp Fire Is goi...
Forum: Hobo's Camp
Last Post: sir james
1 hour ago
» Replies: 1,261
» Views: 325,079
Current Projects
Forum: HO Modeling
Last Post: LiveSteamer
1 hour ago
» Replies: 273
» Views: 96,060
Trains This Day/Month in ...
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
2 hours ago
» Replies: 771
» Views: 171,537
SP gray
Forum: Upper Berth
Last Post: jim currie
10 hours ago
» Replies: 0
» Views: 14
Rainbows in the Lehigh Va...
Forum: Layouts
Last Post: TMo
10-22-2025, 03:29 PM
» Replies: 530
» Views: 236,960
2025 Big Blue NASCAR Raci...
Forum: Lower Berth
Last Post: ngauger
10-22-2025, 02:18 PM
» Replies: 91
» Views: 23,419
Tail End Tuesday
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: TMo
10-22-2025, 11:49 AM
» Replies: 399
» Views: 212,367
Photo fun, October, 2025
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
10-21-2025, 07:57 PM
» Replies: 12
» Views: 779
Trying to figure out manu...
Forum: Upper Berth
Last Post: cnrglen
10-17-2025, 08:37 PM
» Replies: 6
» Views: 422
Conrail
Forum: Swap Meet
Last Post: jim currie
10-13-2025, 04:55 PM
» Replies: 8
» Views: 1,770
saved caboose
Forum: Upper Berth
Last Post: ngauger
10-10-2025, 05:26 AM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 264
3 PGE diesel projects
Forum: HO Modeling
Last Post: TMo
10-06-2025, 11:35 AM
» Replies: 17
» Views: 4,855
Here's the new and improv...
Forum: Stop here and say "Hello"
Last Post: FiatFan
10-04-2025, 06:16 AM
» Replies: 85
» Views: 19,994
Charlie b's layout
Forum: Layouts
Last Post: jim currie
09-29-2025, 11:43 PM
» Replies: 1,300
» Views: 453,487
ebay
Forum: Lower Berth
Last Post: jim currie
09-26-2025, 09:02 PM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 936

 
  The all in Athearn Blue Box Switcher upgrades and repairs
Posted by: zzrguy - 11-14-2024, 09:31 PM - Forum: DCC - Replies (2)

1. In this project, we will modernize this Blue Box model by installing a decoder and LED lights using a Digitrax DH126 and two 3mm warm white LEDs.

Print this item

  M,N,O... P hoto Thread III
Posted by: ezdays - 11-14-2024, 07:08 AM - Forum: Shutterbug area - Replies (110)

It's been some time since we did this alphabet photo thread. Almost four years, so on a whim, I thought maybe we can do it again.

Here are the rules that Mikey established for our second run, no need to change them now:

Post a railroad themed photo containing a subject that begins with one of the Alphabet letters, e.g.: S: Station C: CSX P: PRR etc.

Rules:

1 - Post a photo you took, alphabetically A to Z ---- then start again with A.

2 - After you post your photo, you must let someone else post a photo before you can post another one.

3 - Enter a text line with the letter and what you are presenting. e.g: T - Ties, G: GG1

4 – The photo can contain anything that represents the current letter, but it must be railroad related, either model or prototypical. Also, road names are allowed, so if you have a “Zephyr” – we’ll be waiting for it to appear somewhere after the “Y” word

5 – Try NOT to repeat pictures in the same run of the alphabet. You can however use that Santa Fe diesel engine for “S” in one run, then “W” (warbonnet) in the NEXT run through….

6 – Pictures that have been previously posted anywhere (even in the original M N O P hoto Thread) on Big Blue are welcome and we encourage “inside photos” e.g. “Big Blue Boxcars” and “GERN” to be included

7 - Photos of private road named rolling stock and engines are encouraged.

Print this item

  BLI SD-40-2 in Burlington Northern
Posted by: cnrglen - 11-11-2024, 06:53 PM - Forum: HO Modeling - Replies (12)

Another project for a friend:
   

It's a broadway limited imports SD-40-2 that was custom painted in BN and then weathered. He bought it at a swap meet and is unhappy with the original paint/weathering.

There was a few extra details added with some glue spots. I also think that some of the original paint is brush painted and not very good. This would also explain the heavy-handed weathering job, trying to cover the poor paint job.
Anyway, he wants it repainted in the same BN colors, without the weathering.

   

I did manage to get it apart. The shell actually comes off the chassis easily by removing the coupler screws. THe handrails were a friction fit so I just had to pry a bit to get them off. The long hood popped of but the short hood and cab took a bit more persuasion. The cab glass came half out. I'll see what happens after I strip the paint down.

   

I placed all the handrails and other details in a container. I'll see about stripping the paint on the handrails later.



Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
   
Print this item

  (Mike) Tyson Rayles - 11/7/2024
Posted by: ngauger - 11-10-2024, 04:33 PM - Forum: Tyson Rayles - Replies (2)

From ezdays:

I post this with tears in my eyes, but our good friend Mike Goad, known to us all as, Tyson Rayles, passed away Nov. 7th. We all know that Mike has been sick for some time and he did keep in touch as to how he was doing, basically saying that this was inevitable. His stepson Vince just sent me the news.

Mike was a good modeler, a downright good person and a mentor to many of us modelers. The last that we heard from him, he had dodged the ravages of a recent hurricane, this illness he could not dodge.

RIP my friend.....


From ngauger:

We all learned something from Mike.  He was always a great contributor here. His many posts and threads were always positive and helpful, even if they were just a picture of an engine he built and/or painted. He started numerous threads that were always a joy to see and review from time to time. 
As always with our Fallen Flag Member, I'll copy all his threads below, for reference.    
Based on his profile he was 77

RIP my Friend...

Print this item

  Some very sad news
Posted by: ezdays - 11-10-2024, 04:07 PM - Forum: ezdays (Don) - Replies (7)

I post this with tears in my eyes, but our good friend Mike Goad, known to us all as, Tyson Rayles, passed away Nov. 7th. We all know that Mike has been sick for some time and he did keep in touch as to how he was doing, basically saying that this was inevitable. His stepson Vince just sent me the news.

Mike was a good modeler, a downright good person and a mentor to many of us modelers. The last that we heard from him, he had dodged the ravages of a recent hurricane, this illness he could not dodge.

RIP my friend.....

Print this item

  Photo Fun November 2024
Posted by: bdw9535 - 11-01-2024, 03:34 PM - Forum: Shutterbug area - Replies (11)

Mannheim Yard YPMA-02 classifying cars.

Bruce

   

Print this item

  Proto 2000 SW7 Erie Lackawanna NCE SW9-SR Decoder install
Posted by: zzrguy - 10-30-2024, 09:25 PM - Forum: DCC - No Replies

Ok so let's bring this classic LifeLike Proto 2000 into the 21st century by adding an NCE SW9-SR decoder for Walthers / Life Like SW8/9/1200 and LED lighting front and rear.

Print this item

  Natural Metal Finish
Posted by: zzrguy - 10-24-2024, 07:57 PM - Forum: HO Modeling - Replies (1)

Hey, all I'd like to refinish a set of Athearn Streamliner, and I'd like to give them a natural metal finish. Has anyone here used MR Metal metal finish.

Print this item

  Bowser C628 DH 126ps decoder install
Posted by: zzrguy - 10-24-2024, 03:32 PM - Forum: DCC - No Replies

Well, I dug out one of my favorite engines to do a decoder install but sadly the sound decoder I wanted to install seem to be out of stock at this time, so we put in this Digitrax DH126.

Print this item

  Graffiti Idea
Posted by: ngauger - 10-15-2024, 07:53 AM - Forum: O/G and Larger Model Railroads - Replies (5)

I just saw the Skateboard Art stamps, so I got the idea that if cut correctly postage stamps could be used for railroad graffiti.
   

I imagine it would work well in O scale too.
Here are a few stamps and a Scooby Doo and a BB-1 from Star Wars on a few cars:



Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
           
Print this item