Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday. May you all get everything on your list. I can't wait to see the pics of peoples holiday hauls.
I will be spending Christmas with my family, which means cleaning up wrapping paper all day long.

Matt

Hi everyone!
Sure is nice seeing the Ol’ Blue again!
Lots of old familiar faces here too!
Got an e-mail inviting me to check it out…Glad I found y’all (again)
I’ve taken a hiatus fom model railroading for the last year or so…I’ve retired from my day job, & I’ve been exploring some other interests, etc…
But I still have that 60 square foot HO layout under construction in the basement…it’s been on hold for a while, but I think the “retired life” may bring me back around to it eventually!
Good to see everyone! Good luck with the new site!
I’ll talk atcha soon!

-Drew-

Tonight's episode covered the Barnum and Baily circus train, at a length of one mile, the world's`longest privately owned train. Quite an interesting presentation.

Ok this is where all you lucky people get to look over my shoulder as I stumble through the construction of my new portable Z scale layout.

First up here are two pics showing the basic construction of the layout table.There is nothing fancy about it but it will be nice and sturdy.

First pic is of the table top. It is nothing more than a 1/4" plywood handy panel sanded one side.



The top will be covered with expanded polystyrene (you know "blueboard"). I haven't really decided what thickness yet though I am leaning toward 2" so I can get some decent below grade scenery.This will be surounded on all 4 sides by masonite.


Second pic is of the bottom,here I splurged some and bought a better grade of material.The framing is of premium grade wood that used to be called screen stock because that was the origonal intended use of this very stable and straight wood. The framework is attached to the plywood top with 1"drywall screws.



The trackplan is going to be pretty simple not much more than a single loop with a couple of sidings for good measure.Anyway now you've seen the start of it.

Lots of folks have been asking me how make those cool pics that I post.
Some ask why?

Well since my layout is in the attic, and with a sloped roof, I have no room for a backdrop. So instead of being embarrased by showing my models, with roof joists or cheesy wood paneling as a back drop, I Photoshop real life backgrounds into my pics. In my opinion, having my models, in front of real life backgrounds, make my models look real. And I've been known to fool some folks into thinking that they are real. Questions like, "Where was that taken?", or "I've never heard of the Southwick and Winsted..", or even better, "The New Haven wasn't even around to own an SD70(regarding my retro paints...But thats another story).

To start with, you need a good, photo editing program. You maybe able to do what I'm about to show you with the program that came with your digital camera, but they usually only give you enough tools to fix exposures, crop out unwanted portions.
I prefer using an aftermarket program, such as Corel, or what I use Microsoft Picture It v10. There is a couple that you can download for free from the internet. These programs have tools you can use for fixing your pictures, but also have extras, to cut out individual objects, add shapes and text to your pics, and even save in different formats, and pixel sizes.

I'm going to demostrate using the Picture It program.

The first is to take a picture of your model. Make sure that all the objects are sharp and in focus. I'm starting by using a picture of my S&W SD35 and GP38. You can see, that the raw picture the background is un interesting.(Click on pic to see larger)

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I'm boarding Amtrak in the morning, if it shows up before noon anyway, for a few weeks in the Northwest. I'm ticketed on 49, the Lakeshore Limited, to Chicago and 27, the Empire Builder, from there. My first train is currently running over two hours behind schedule across New York. If I get on the train and have power to watch DVDs on my computer at my seat I don't care how long it takes! Otherwise, it's going to be a long two days. We'll see where this adventure takes me... Anybody up for lunch at Chicago Union Station tomorrow?

~BS

I have a request for some of the Lionel guys.
In 1949 at the tender age of 6 my dad bought us an O gauge Lionel set for Christmas. It was not an inexpensive set. It came with an operating log car, operating milk car,and several other cars that I can't remember.
It was the full "O" with the tall track and bigger radius curves. It had a crossing gate and there were 2 remote switches, which might have come separately. The caboose was one of the PRR style.
It had a big steam locomotive with smoke and whistle and magnetraction. I can't remember the wheel arrangement.
Now I'm sure it was a standard set and I would like to see what was available so I could perhaps duplicate it for a Christmas train in the next few years.
Can anyone be of some help?
Charlie

I have noticed we are missing Spankybird. Has anyone tried to contact him?
I miss his pictures too.
Charlie

Hi guys, I FINALLY got Athearns 53' Wabash Duraplate Trailers after being on pre-order for since May 2008, i got 5 of the 6 sets i ordered, 1 of them has still not been released and is due to ship to me when it becomes in stock where i pre-ordered them. This is the WERNER Enterprises 53' trailer 2 pack, hopefully it will be shipping to me soon lol

So, as promised, here are the pictures of the trailers i got. I have to say, these trailers are BEAUTIFUL and ALMOST worth the wait LOL The small lettering is fair, being legible for the most part (in the pics below, if you cant read the lettering, its mostly due to the fact that i didnt get it focused right lol)

ALL the trailers come with 2 different trailer numbers. For each trailer there are 2 sets available, each set containing 2 trailers with 2 different trailer numbers, making a total of 4 different trailer numbers for each company in the current run by Athearn.

(Yes i used the same cab for all the trailers, i was too lazy to switch to a new cab for each of them hehehe, and also, i realize the landing gear for all the trailers are in the UP positions lol, i have not decided which trailers i will keep lowered for docks and which to raise for on the road)


KNIGHT Transportation










Schneider National










SWIFT Transportation










The DART Advantage










US Express Enterprises

There will be a new industry on the W.C. & T. RAILROAD producing some of KY.'s finest Bourbon. They have discovered a method to use the Flux to produce what they call MaltFlux. It is claimed to improve the flavor and aging time to improve the product.

This is the start of 4 new cars for the industry (N-Scale) The first 2 are a tank can and a gondola. They have only been painted and decaled so far. I need to figure out something on the ladders on the tanker as it hides the sign of MALTFLUX. Any ideas? The gon has gear sign stating RAW FLUX, any body know the correct color of raw flux? Weathering, new trucks and couplers will come later.