Model Train Journal

I found a set that measures 59" in 17/64 scale. Close enough - but I would have preferred Lobaugh Berkshire, at just over 57" in that scale. I might keep looking - while I order the frame material. On a different subject, and not to clutter up other current posts - I may shoot some orange ...

EBay notwithstanding, these things seemed to be a dime a dozen. I had a difficult time passing up bodies, some with trucks and trolley poles, at shows for $65 each.

And best of all, they are, unlike a lot of International stuff, well soldered, substantial brass.

Well, I bought it. Hopefully they pack the boiler separate from the mechanism. The photos show an undamaged boiler, but the comments say it is not bolted on, just resting. I think I have a boiler front and pilot, but if not I know how to make them. I also have a complete set of flanged drivers, so t...

Takes two minutes to load anything around here - could that be caused by 231 guests? Me too - considering the M1 offered by Trainz - to add to my collection of things to do. I really like the M1. I think of all the models now either burned to a crisp or submerged in flooding - the evening news has f...

Here is what that looks like: To clean rust off old Lionel tubular track, you can soak the pieces in a 5% white vinegar bath for 24 hours to dissolve the rust completely . [1, 2] Vinegar Soak Method • Submerge the track: Place the rusty track pieces in a shallow plastic or glass container and cover ...

Welcome to 2-rail. Most of us have graduated to nickel silver or steel rails. I have one loop of steel rail, and I use 320 "wet" sandpaper coated with a kerosene derivative similar to Wahl clipper oil to clean the rail tops. I just let the sides rust. Older Lionel track is tin plated steel...

Well, bump! This thing has been running around my test loop for a half year. It is ugly, dirtbag, not detailed, and without prototype, and yet there is something about it that pleases me. SW just sent me a book with a serious bunch of photos of the SP MM-3 - ex Verde Tunnel & Smelter 2-6-6-2 Mal...

I might change the title to reflect Dennis' major contributions. That is an intriguing collection of old antiques needing a helping hand. Go back to page one and check out the GS-4 - any possibility that Lobaugh actually produced something like this? The plan was, in early 1941, to bring out a GS-3 ...

Those Blomberg trucks are works of art.

Yes, slow around here - Martin and I are carrying on about some relatively obscure stuff on the 3-rail side, which is also, sadly, moribund.

But cheer up - at least for 2-rail, we are busier than OGR.

I just checked. It is all on page 1 of this thread. Seven years ago they "solved" it with urethanes from Hennings. Now apparently an outfit in Wisconsin - The vision line sounds doable and i guess i can understand the elongation of the screw hole when i see it? Summerville Trains in Butler...

By the way, my dentist buddy has a scanner that is accurate enough that he no longer has to stick that giant tray of wax in one's mouth to get an accurate tooth shape. I have no doubt that it could scan a casting with the same accuracy. The question is only cost, and the availability of a metal 3D p...

I saw that. And Hennings is going to do another production run of urethane side frames.

I never buy stuff to resell - and I amnot desperate for a die cast GG1.

Now if they made a die cast PA or E7 I might be tempted. Maybe.

Nothing. It would be worthless to me. As it is, with no shortage of really nice bronze GG1s around here, a good JLC body with pantographs - I would give a hundred bucks. I think I can afford to wait. https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-PNsoTmjg5ERwYdyJK2nnTU4PbJCADm4kNk3Vd5RrK2R6lZKR80nap6Sktc3H...

Another hobbyist bought a JLC GG1 on eBay, and upon unpacking the truck side frames disintegrated. OGR post. I see these things - only out of the box for photos - $750. Is that what they are worth with crumbled side frames? I am ready to restore one with beautiful lost wax castings, but not ready to...

I just asked Apple AI - they list the Max AC-8 as a good model. I happen to know that the Max AC-8 is an inferior model, unlike the AC-4 and the 4-10-2, for example. I have a Max SP MT-4, and consider it high quality. If the M1 is similar, I might go for it. Minimum radius is an interesting topic. I...