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This may seem a bit weird at first sight, but I will press on regardless and see what tarnspires.

I was given this Hornby Loco by my next door neighbor (who had only been there a few months and was relocating again), who said he had been carting this "thing" around with him for ever, and seeing as it would not go and he had not unpacked it for years, would I like to have it.

Here are a couple of small semi-scratchbuilt projects. The bulkhead car is an Atheran 40' flat car. I fabricated the bulkheads,painted and installed them.I'm not sure if I'm going to leave the car empty or not.
The fuel tanker began as having two of the same truck. I removed the bodies,cut the frames and extended one of them.The tanker was constructed from stuff I had in my scrap box. It still needs touching up and weathering.
Enjoy-Bob

I'm going to be adding a pair of helicies to my latest layout revision, and I'm trying to decide if I should go with a premade kit (like the one Ashlin Trains supplies) or if I should build my own.

14" radius with a 6" or 8" gain in elevation for one helix (depends on what the final measurements are once I'm done my planning... I'm thinking it will be an 8" change in elevation though)

And if this plan works the way I want it too (which I'm seriously reconsidering this part because of the complexity it will require) is a 20" helix with an off ramp @ "8 inches.

No need for the helix to be double tracked (in fact, I think I'd perfer if it wasn't!)


How hard is it to create one yourself?

I assume it would be as simple as buying a sheet of 4x8 thin plywood, then cutting it up into the strips you need then using four beams @ each 1/4 level attach the strips to each beam for the desired height... much like a 4x8 plywood cookie-cutter layout?

Because if thats the case, it should be fairly easy!

Especially if it's a 2" seperation between levels. The hardest part would be cutting it up no?

All of us are always on the lookout for N Scale vehicles.
On a visit to a friends layout I was admiring some of Mike Cannazzero's autos and upon asking him where he got them I was surprised when he told me they were micro machines by ERTL and were from a series run of Dick Tracy cars in several scales.
They have some Dick Tracy logos on them that are easily removed with the use of a pencil eraser. The Black and white police car has a star on the side that is a sticker and can be peeled off.
These can be still found on the E auction by putting in Dick Tracy Micro.
Here is a comparison to two Classic Metal works vehicles (the pickup and the Plymouth on the left).



This is what the package looks like and some info.
ERTL Disney Dick Tracy Micro Size Car Set No. 2672

The ERTL Company, Inc./The Walt Disney Co., 1990. Made in China.
Set of 4 micro size cars from the 1990 Disney movie starring Warren Beatty and Madonna. Each car measures approx. 1 inch long. Includes Tess’ Car, Tracy’s Car, Police Car and Itchy’s Car.


Mike

In 'Ronville', located somewhere in the CO Rocky Mountains, the narrow gauge Trim Creek & Western RR meets a standard gauge line (loosely based on the D&RGW). At the Western end of the railroad yard both lines disappear into a nearly vertical rock wall of the 'Mineral Ridge'. The SG line enters a helix leading down to a staging yard, while the TC&W starts the climb up towards the narrow gauge terminal, 'Trim Creek'.

My layout is divided by a roughly diagonal backdrop into two parts - a mountain section with the NG terminal and the flat Ronville section. Those two lines mentioned above leave the flat section in a corner of the layout. The situation is shown on the track plan below. And the photo shows the finished portals.

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Caboose collection to come soon

I'm trying to design an HOn3 layout based on the Jerome and Southwestern and I've been using a #6 for all of my switches but am interested in seeing any switch variations that are available (#4, #6, straight and curved). Seeing as how I will not be laying my own track, I'm looking for pre assembled switches and flex track. I know that Shinohara makes HOn3 but I can't seem to find any pictures or specs to help me with my design process. As far as that goes, I can't even find the offical Shinohara website (if they have one). Any help would be appreciated.
Come to think of it, somebody even makes dual guage HO/HOn3 but I can't remember who.

Went to the LHS yesterday to get some turnout ties. I asked the owner where they were and he looked like I had called him a dirty name
He sounded down right hostile and said " I don't stock that anymore, special order only with a $ 5.00 charge ". Then he tries to sell me Peco turnouts. He has always been friendly and helpful before, and no charge for special orders. I couldn't understand his attitude until I looked around some more and saw quite a few shelf's were almost empty. Looks like another place is cutting back on inventory or going under. Tis a sad thing to see.

Loren

I'd like to remove some letterings, specifically the CN logo, off a red Atlas caboose. Is there a way to do this without removing the base paint? Perhaps denatured alcohol on a cotton swab will work?