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July 2011

- Building a helix
- Speedbashing
 N Scale empire! - Homemade lumber loads

Al Frasch’s BNSF - Selling trains on eBay

and lots more, inside ...

Page 1 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Front cover Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ▶
 Front Cover: Al Frasch’s N scale BNSF
layout qualifies as an “empire” in
every sense of the word. We feature
Al’s 800 square foot double-decked N
scale layout in this issue. Learn what a
double-decked N scale layout built for
operation looks like!
Modelers! - Click any of the logos above to visit a sponsor’s
web site and find products that could help with your model
ISSN 2152-7423
railroading projects. Tell them: “MRH sent me!”
Editorial Staff
Joe D. Fugate, Publisher
Charlie Comstock, Editor Sponsoring Advertisers - There’s also our Hobby Marketplace!
Columnists Our sponsors get extra visibility with
Richard Bale, News and events
John Drye, N scale the MRH web audience (49,000+).
see page 26 ...
Lew Matt, Narrow gauge and shortlines
Les Halmos, Modular railroading For more model
Special Correspondents railroading
Jim Duncan, Layouts and operations
Byron Henderson, Layouts and track planning products, including
Production hard-to-find items,
Patty Fugate, pasteup and layout also see our
Joe Brugger, copy editing
Mike Dodd, copy editing Hobby Marketplace
Technical Assistant on page 26.
Jeff Shultz

Advertising Account Manager

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 Table of
Main Features contents Columns
24
Applying makeup
53
Home-made lumber loads 83 Fish Market
Scenery Scene: one evening project! Easy loads for your bulkhead flats Lite and Narrow
by Charlie Comstock by Steve Pirosko by Lew Matt
HO All scales

Al Frasch’s BNSF Building a helix 90 “Pane” of it all

27 Double-decked N-scale empire
61 Modular Adventure
One modeler’s experience
by Charlie Comstock HO by Art Houston by Les Halmos
N

Speedbashing eBay for model railroaders - part 3 96 Conrail ZTS Layout

40 73 Selling model railroading stuff on eBay
Getting Real
Making R-T-R your own in record time by Mike Rose
by Joe Fugate
HO by Matt Snell All scales

105 Utility Poles

51 Wheels, weights and couplers 80
First Looks: Comme-N-tary
Car Shop: Rolling stock tuneup A-Line car weights by John Drye
by Charlie Comstock Aux-Box
HO All scales
by Charlie Comstock and Jeff Shultz
109 July Model
Other Features Railroading News
MRH News and Events
by Richard Bale
10 Attention to detail 18 MRH Q - A - T
Editor’s Soapbox by Charlie Comstock Questions, Answers and Tips 123 Achieving Balance
Reverse Running
26 Hobby Marketplace by Joe Fugate
13 MRH Staff Notes
Follow us at X2011W
125 Derailments – Humor?
15 Subscriber-only extras
Bonus downloads

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Page 9 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Advertisement Visit Model Train Video web site Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 EDITOR’S SOAPBOX: Attention to Detail
Details are like salt and pepper ...
Reader

Remember when?
About the Feedback
(click here) 
Editor

L
egally bland – isn’t that the
name of a movie? I suppose
not, but it easily could be. I
think the producer might have been
inspired by some plywood model rail-
road layouts.
I wrote about creativity a few months
ago and how it leads to unique model
railroads. There’s another path to
uniqueness, and that’s details. Details
are the salt and pepper of model rail-
Charlie Comstock has been a roading. Nicely applied they:

regular columnist, author, and editor 

Help set era and locale
of Model Railroad Hobbyist  a story
Tell
Magazine since its inception. 
Help make a layout seem bigger
It’s difficult but possible to go over-
To learn more about Charlie, board on details – so much going on,
viewers don’t know where to look next!
click here.
I think a high but sane level of detail-
ing really draws viewers into a layout. I
Up the Creek: October 2009
like to create what I call micro-vignettes

MRH back issues, always

(see Up the Creek in the Oct 2009
MRH), each of which should hold a
viewer’s attention while their eyes take
it in. By not overwhelming them with
details in each area, viewers stay sane
while the scenery leads them from
one vignette to another, which leads to
available!
another, etc. The progression of scenes

Page 10 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Editor’s Soapbox - Editorial Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 makes a layout seem larger than it is (a Add people! Get some unpainted folks
good thing for all but the largest of lay- and practice painting clothes on them.
outs) because it’s broken up – you don’t People standing, people waiting at a
see it all at once. bus stop, people in line for a hot dog,
workers on loading docks. Cut off an
What kind of detailing? The list goes on arm and reposition it to get different
nearly forever! If your buildings don’t poses. A motorcycle cop telling a driver
have signs, start there, then weather “they’re in a heap of trouble!”, store
those buildings. Add pallets, boxes, bar- clerks ringing up purchases, dancers in
rels, crates, or drums on loading docks a low dive with continuous entertain-
or along the team tracks. Litter them ment, young couples out for a stroll, old
with busted metal strapping, scrap folks relaxing on a park bench, taggers
wood, and maybe some broken glass. defacing whatever is handy, train crews
How many kinds of automobiles, in cabs and cupolas, brakemen on the
vans, pickup trucks, buses, and trucks ground, repairmen at the RIP track, etc.
should there be? Go a little nuts and How about someone riding an ani- A
mated bicycle or motorcycle? D
add working headlights, taillights, and
V
blinkers to them if you dare! Don’t forget sounds! Radios blaring
E
from open windows, cars honking at
Speaking of lighting, add some scale size R
each other in traffic, engines revving,
streetlights. Paint scale width stripes T
a riveter banging away (tat-a-tat-tat), I
on roads and add crossbucks, wigwags,
ships’ whistles and gulls at a seaport, S
or a fully animated crossing guard with workers yelling while they unload E
sound and flashing lights at grade cross- trucks – the possibilities are endless! M
ings. Don’t forget expansion joints and
E
cracks in concrete roads! Roads in town Study period photos for ideas, or go
N
likely need curbs, sidewalks, manhole outside and take a good look at some
T
covers, fire hydrants, phone poles, stop local railroad facilities. Once you
(and other) signs, stop lights, storm start seeing the detail, everywhere
drains, and parking spaces. you go will give you ideas. Salt and
pepper forever!
Finish your scenery with bushes, trees,
forest debris under trees, static grass,
rocks at the bottom of a cut, flowers,
weeds, talus slopes, etc. Plant some
weeds or grass next to tracks or all over
some lightly maintained spurs.
Caterpillar tractors might be pulling logs Reader
around a stump-filled logging scene. Feedback
Perhaps a monster John Deere tractor is (click here) 
plowing a field – are your fields fenced?

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Page 12 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Advertisement Visit Fast Tracks web site Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Notes from the

MRH Staff
Last issue’s ratings
Follow us in Sacramento,
Drum roll please! The five top-rated
Win an iPad, Getting Real articles in the June 2011 issue are:
rebooted, and more ...
4.6 eBay for Modelers - auction
strategies
Reader 4.5 Cascade Southern in N
Feedback
(click here)  4.4 Build a Tank Load for a Flat Car
4.3 Reverse Running: hobby
innovators? A
We’re going on the road for the 2011
4.5 One evening project – Crates D
convention season, so if you’re com-
Issue overall: 4.8 V
ing to one of the major model rail- E
roading conventions below, it’s likely It’s crucial for us that you continue to R
you will see some MRH folks there: provide ratings for articles. It’s your T
chance to let us know what floats your I

NMRA National Train Show
boat (or train)! S
(Sacramento, CA) - Jul 7-10, 2011
E

National Narrow Gauge Convention Follow us in Sacramento M
(Hickory, NC) - Sep 6-11, 2011 E
Not going to the NMRA National N

Fine Scale MR Expo Convention in Sacramento? No mat- T
(Peabody, MA) - Oct 12-16, 2011 ter! You can still follow us and some

RPM Conference 2011 of the convention highlights via our
(formerly Naperville meet) (Lisle, IL) web site, or on Facebook and Twitter.
- Oct 20-22, 2011 We hope to periodically post some

Craftsman Structure Convention quick video on YouTube, as well as post
(Mansfield, MA) - Nov 2-6, 2011 some images on our web site blogs.


Trainfest If we see anything really cool or amaz-
(Milwaukee, WI) - Nov 11-14, 2011 ing, we’ll post a picture or video clip
of it as soon as we can.
Make sure you stop by and say hello!
The first show we’ll be attending as
Win a free iPad!
you read this is the NMRA National We’re giving away a free iPad 2 loaded
Train Show in Sacramento, CA. with all the back issues of MRH at the

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 Getting Real will be written by a num-
ber of different prototype modelers so
you’ll be getting lots of perspectives on
this style of modeling.
Mike Rose kicks off the new Getting
Rslaserkits
Our 7th year of suppling quality kits to the
model railroading community. With kits in five
Real in July. We hope you’ll enjoy our
new approach and the extra diversity it scales from O to Z.
Sacramento Train show. If you’re com- should bring.
ing to the train show, make sure you
stop by and fill out your entry for the We’re looking forward to it!
free drawing!

You don’t need to be present to win, New eReader edition

but if you are present and you win,
we’ll hand your prize over right then With this issue, we’re adding a new
and there. edition to our lineup of eZine ver- A
D
sions: our new eReader edition.
The iPad’s a near-perfect device for V
reading MRH. You can literally read This version is for color eReader
E
MRH in your easy chair, in bed, or in R
devices like the Barnes & Noble Nook
the throne room! You can also play the
Color or the Amazon Kindle Color
T
I
HO Log Lodge
video or animation content as well. Also in N and Z scales
(coming soon). S
Just the ticket for that lake side resort or mountain ski resort.
Experts are saying in another 2-3 E
years, tablet devices like the iPad will The eReader edition is essentially a M use it with a few of our log cabins and out house kits for that
become the standard method of read- E rustic get away.
very simple PDF with nothing fancy,
ing magazines. N Kit includes 1/8” thick bass wood walls, interior frame work,
so it will render on a low-end eReader
T laser cut windows and doors plus Northeastern standing seam
without a problem. None of the
roofing. Floor can be made removable so you can detail the interior
hyperlinks or media do anything,
Getting Real rebooted
If you’ve been paying close attention,
but you can read the magazine quite
nicely with this edition. Custom Laser Cutting
you may have noticed our Getting See our web site for drawing requirements
Real prototype modeling column has If you want something more com- Call for pricing if you need drawing done.
been missing in action the last few plete for reading MRH on an iPad, No job to small from one to 1000
months. Marty McGuirk has stepped you’ll want to download the Standard Dealers welcome
www.RSlaserkits.com
down as our prototype modeling col- Edition for the Mac. 5145 Gaffin Rd. SE
umnist and we’ve been courting other Salem, OR 97317
contributors for the column. We’re committed to making MRH PH: 503 371-4290
work with all popular digital media Fax 503 585-0850
We’ve decided to try something new reading devices, lettting you read it My helper at work
with Getting Real. on-the-go any where, any time! Our granddaughter Bri click here
Future model builder

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Thursday, March 24, 2011
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 MRH
Questions, Answers
and Tips

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS the assigned helper engine (see fig-

ure 1). Typical prototype examples
Q: How does a wye track work? include Cajon Pass on the Santa Fe and
How do I build one? Can I use a 24” Sherman Hill on the Union Pacific.
radius in HO for a wye?
An engine enters via one leg of the
A: Railroads typically use a wye wye and then backs out of the other
track for two purposes (visualize the Figure 1: Here’s a traditional wye used to turn locos. The stub-ended
leg onto the main line, now pointed leg needs to be longer than the longest loco. How the track is gapped
letter “Y”): in the opposite direction. The three
and wired depends on whether you’re using dead frog (insulfrog) or
To allow trains from a branching track switches of a wye can be less
track to go either left or right on live frog (electrofrog) turnouts. You’ll want to wire the tail track as a
expensive and simpler to maintain
a main track. The Western Pacific than a turntable. reversing loop, either with reversing contacts on the wye turnout with
wye at Keddie is an example of DC, or use an auto-reversing booster with DCC. For more on reverse
this. A wye can take several configurations, loop wiring, see the Mar/Apr 2010 issue of MRH, page 30.
As a turning facility for single ended based on the space available. Some
locomotives or cars. For instance, wyes may have the two switches off the
snow-clearing equipment like plows main line placed closer together and
and rotaries are single-ended. the top legs of the “Y” actually cross tight radius curve. You can often find To build your wye, begin by deciding
over each other.
In the steam era, railroads sometimes this sort of wye at branchline junc- what the function of the wye is. Is it a
built wyes with just enough room to Another configuration uses an angled tions where the branch exits the main junction point where trains come or
turn the longest locomotive, usually wye (figure 2) where one leg has a at an angle. go from two separate directions onto

Page 18 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • MRH Questions, Answers and Tips, page 1 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 2: Space-saving angled wye. Watch the radius on the tighter
leg and make sure it’s large enough to accommodate the equipment
that will be using that route.
a branch line or other subdivision? Will go as tight as a 22” radius on the tight A
your wye be used to turn entire trains, leg in HO. However, a 24” radius is safer, D
an engine, or a Pullman sleeper so the and a 26” is better still. V
room windows face the “scenic” views E
on your railroad. The New York Central “Cross-legged” wye: One each #4 or R
for example, turned Pullmans so pas- #6 track switches, one #4 wye switch T
sengers looked out on the Hudson River and either a 45- or 60-degree diamond. I
rather than facing the bluffs. Unless you’re working in very tight S
E
Here are some guidelines for con- quarters and know what you’re doing
M
structing a wye, depending on the type with trackwork, this wye can be tricky
E
you need: to get operating properly. See MRH, N
Issue 1, page 19 for a picture of a “cross- T
Traditional wye: One right turnout,
legged” wye (model-railroad-hobbyist.
one left turnout, and one wye turnout.
com/magazine/back-issues).
For a tighter radius wye in HO with 24”
or tighter legs, use #4 turnouts. For a For a more thorough discussion of
wye with 25” to 28” radius legs, use wyes, see the John Armstrong book
#6 switches. For a broad radius “high- Track Planning for Realistic Operation
speed” wye with legs more than 28”
(Kalmbach). — Jim Duncan
radius, use #8 or larger switches.
Angled wye: Use two #6 turnouts on Q: I’m using Kadee uncoupling mag-
the broad leg, and use one #4 turnout
nets on my layout but the magnets
to exit the main onto the tight leg. If
you don’t plan to operate long equip- on my main line keep causing false
ment such as 6-axle diesels, full-size uncoupling on my trains. How do I
passenger or TOFC/auto racks, you can fix this?

Page 19 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • MRH Questions, Answers and Tips, page 2 Visit Alpine web site Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 A: Stop using uncoupling magnets. I don’t recommend using magnets A: I have used several products to build For curves I make a template of the
While I’m saying that slightly in jest, anywhere – main line or switching roads on my GM&O Eastern Division. planned curve using poster board or
you should serously consider not complexes. Today’s free-rolling cars For major concrete highways in HO, 24” x 30” flip chart paper. I put the
using magnets. In these days of DCC- aren’t especially compatible with I prefer using 1/8” hardboard like poster board or paper on the layout
uncoupling magnets in the track, and Masonite cut to 4 inches wide. and rough cut away anything that
equipped engines, walkaround throt-
the false uncouplings are frustrating. won’t realistically be a part of the
tles (radio or tethered), and walk-in Before installing the road section on curve and then rough trace the center
They can turn an otherwise enjoyable
layouts, operators are often up close the railroad, I give it two coats of gray line of the roadway curve.
operating session into a something of
and personal with their trains. This can primer – any of the 99 cent spray cans
a pain. After removing the posterboard/paper
be especially true when running on the work fine. I usually have the boys
from the layout, I refine the center line
main line, so it’s easy to insert a “pick” A magnet might be okay in one or two at Lowe’s/Home Depot rip cut the
into a smoother curve using a flex-
into the couplers and give a quick twist locations that are impossible to reach Masonite for me into the 4” strips.
ible drafting tool (just Google “flex-
to uncouple. with a pick. If cars sometimes uncou- ible drafting tool”. Here’s one from
A 4’ by 8’ sheet yields eleven 4”
ple unexpectedly, do what prototype Amazon.com, for example. - ed.)
strips and a left-over of about 3 1/4”,
A bamboo skewer can be used as a crews do – blame it on “bad track”
which I use for narrow roads or drive- I measure 2 inches either side of the
pick, and plastic picks are available (smile). — Mike Dodd
ways. Masonite at the big box home center line (for an HO road) and make
commercially. Using picks instead of Q: What’s the best material to use for improvement stores usually costs a reference marks every few inches. I
magnets allows crews to uncouple building roads and streets? Are there little less than $10 per sheet. That’s 88 move the drafting tool (still holding the
anywhere they like, instead of only in a commercial products available, or do I feet of straight pavement, around 88 center line shape) and trace the edges
specific spot. need to build them from scratch? cents per foot. on either side of the center line.
Advertisement

Page 20 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • MRH Questions, Answers and Tips, page 3 Visit Jeff’s Trains web site Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Next, I cut out the template and use it practice. That seems pretty strange to
to trace the form onto a suitable piece me, plus I have a photo of a real NYC
of Masonite. Finally I cut the shape F-M locomotive with two 4-wheel
out of the hardboard with a jigsaw. I trucks. Did I get suckered into buying a
sand and smooth the edges and paint phony model that someone kitbashed?
it with the gray primer. I then airbrush A: Your model is legit, but it is a C-Liner,
it with a shade of concrete color not an Erie-Built. In the 1945-55 period,
appropriate for the age and period of Fairbanks-Morse built two series of
the road. I use hot glue to set it into diesel locomotives that, at first glance,
place on the layout (see figure 3). are very similar. First came the Erie-Built
If you want a mangled look to your that had two A-1-A (6-wheel) trucks.
pavement edge to show extreme age In 1950 Fairbanks-Morse launched the
and wear, don’t sand or smooth the C-Liner series with the same body and
edges but carefully peel away any a slightly longer nose. The C-Liner was
chips along the pavement edge left by available for freight service with two B
the saw. Lightly sand into these divots (4-wheel) trucks or for passenger ser- Figure 3: Jim Duncan uses Masonite hardboard to make concrete
before priming but don’t over-smooth vice with the combination of a B truck highways on his HO GM&O Eastern Division.
as you’ll want the edge to look ragged. at the front and an A-1-A truck at the
rear. (New York Central had eight pas-
For shorter road segments, I prefer senger C-liners, numbered 4500-4507. Q: What’s the best brand of paint The revised Badger Modelflex (bad-
1/16” sheet styrene. I especially like EMD built 60 FL9 diesels for the New for airbrushing? Is one better than gerairbrush.com/Modelflex_3.asp) also
styrene for road approaching a grade Haven that also had a B+A-1-A wheel another? works very well fresh from the bottle.
crossing as it shapes into a natural climb arrangement and there may have been
up to the railroad grade. similar export locomotives as well. -ed.) A: The “best” paint depends on the Floquil enamels (testors.com/cat-
user – some people get along with egory/133504/Floquil) lay down nice
Both styrene and hardboard are easy The 3 axle truck was to help support the Scalecoat, some like PollyScale, some and have a very long shelf life. They
to scribe for expansion joints or cracks. additional weight of a steam generator like Floquil. All are good quality and also brush in addition to being good
For well-aged concrete roads I like to for heating passenger cars.
give good results if you follow the for spraying.
use Krylon Camouflage Tan. Color Place
Life-Like produced an F-M Erie-built manufacturer’s instructions.
Primer Gray (available at Walmart) also Tamiya makes great paint, but not in
in their Proto 1000 line approximately
makes a very nice newer concrete color Tru-Color Paint (trucolorpaint.com) is railroad colors. Testors’ Model Master
10 years ago. It was a relatively short
and at 99 cents a can it’s hard to beat! prodution run that used a new body paints are very easy to work with but
the successor to Accupaint and sprays
— Jim Duncan shell mounted on Life-Like’s ALCo PA the colors are geared to model car and
beautifully fresh from the bottle.
Q: At a swap meet, I got a pretty good chassis. At about the same time, Life- aircraft projects.
deal on an HO Fairbanks-Morse Erie- Like Canada released a C-Liner with PollyScale (testors.com/cat-
built decorated for New York Central, B-B trucks. egory/137367/Railroad_Acrylics) Because people, airbrushes and spray-
my favorite railroad. When I got home Based on your description I’m guess- usually needs to be thinned to the ing conditions vary so widely, the best
and looked it over more carefully, I ing that your model is a passenger consistency of low-fat milk for spray- solution is to buy a bottle or two of
realized it had a 4-wheel truck in the C-Liner with a B+A-1-A truck arrange- ing but can also be brushed – nice if different kinds and experiment on scrap
front and a 6-wheel truck in the back. ment introduced by True-Train of you want to stick to one line of paint projects to find out which is the best fit.
A friend says that is correct prototype Canada about 2006. — Richard Bale for everything. — Joe Brugger

Page 21 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • MRH Questions, Answers and Tips, page 4 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Q: Even though I’m using broader
curves (36”) on my HO layout, can I use
a tighter radius in hidden trackage, like

TIPS
a 24” radius? Is that a bad idea?

A: Using a 24” curve radius in HO is not

a bad idea if your engines and cars can
navigate the tighter curves. Test this
before hiding the track. Remember that
long rolling stock hangs out more on ▲ Figure 2: A broad variation in
tighter curves, so check to be sure the wood tones can be created us-
overhang won’t hit anything on adja- ing: Raw Sienna, Mudstone and
cent tracks. Quaker Grey from Delta Ceram-
coat. The two tall gray blocks will
Also make sure to check that your cou- become tool cabinets
plers operate reliably on the 24” curves.
Body-mounted couplers may cause long ▼ Figure 3: The figure on the
cars to derail on tight curves. platform is resting on com-
mercial details, while the crude
As you can see, the track radius you wooden crates do a fine job of
use depends on what equipment you filling the freight house.
intend to run, and hidden track should
be even more foolproof and derailment-
Figure 1: Cut wood scraps into various small
proof than visible track. sizes and shapes. Use a scale rule if you want,
or pose a few figures and other details with the
The very first issue of Model Railroad wood to keep the right sense of scale.
Hobbyist (model-railroad-hobbyist.
Simple HO crates from wood scrap
com/magazine/back-issues) published
“Powerful New Curve Insights for Any A great way to create details without breaking the
Scale” showing how to determine the bank is to use simple wood shapes. Save your fancy
right radius for your trains. details for prominent places and use these in the
background or inside structures.
For short equipment like 0-6-0 steam
engines and 40’ boxcars, curves of 24” For my crates I selected three sizes of wood ranging
radius are fine in hidden areas, and you from ½” square to ¼” square. I sawed the sticks into
can use broader “cosmetic” curves out small cubes and rectangles, sanding away any fuzz or
in the open where they will look good. splinters. Next I stuck the wood bits onto my paint
stick – a long stick covered with tape, sticky side out.
But trying to run long engines and long To color the crates I selected three shades of paint to
cars on tight curves is asking for trouble. simulate different types and ages of wood. The col-
— Joe Brugger and Mike Dodd ors I used were Raw Sienna, Mudstone and Quaker

Page 22 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • MRH Questions, Answers and Tips, page 5 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Grey from Delta Ceramcoat. Simply
squirt a drop of each on your palette GET $25 PER TIP
and begin painting the wood shapes
using the colors as they are. Next, We pay $25 USD for each
tip we publish. So send in
begin gradually mixing the colors
your modeling tips to Model Railroad
with your brush, giving you a wide
Hobbyist and we’ll get your payment
range of wood shades and tones.
to you upon acceptance.
I used the straight Quaker Grey to Just think, for only a few minutes
make a tall ‘metal’ tool cabinet. Note effort, you could fund your next piece
that I made more than one. I may of rolling stock – or even pay for an
only use one now but I’ll have anoth- entire train if you send in several tips
er on hand for the next place I might and we publish them!
need one. This goes for the crates If you include any photos with your
too. Make more than you think you’ll tip, we pay a bonus of $10 per photo
need now while you’re at it. we use with the tip.  A
D
After the base color is dry it’s time V
to add simple detail. I painted small E
dabs of white on several crates. Once R
this dried I wrote packing instructions T
on those slips. Actually I just made I
little lines and dots on the white S
squares with a fine tip mechanical E
pencil. You can also use the pencil to M
create additional detail on the crates E
like arrows and framing detail. N
T
These are by no means ‘super-details’,
but they work fine to fill the spaces it’s dry, carve out the center with a
seen through open doors and give hobby knife, going deep enough to
the impression that this is a working allow for roof-top details like horns.
freight house. With a little imagination you can
— Galen Galimore make holders for just about anything
you model. — Michael Dunne
Make your own custom holders
Get yourself a scrap piece of wood
or heavy cardboard about the size of
your longest locomotive. Now spray Reader
Great Stuff expanding foam onto the
Feedback
(click here) 
board, usually in two layers. When

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 Figure 4

Applying Makeup their boxes. But they’ve been getting

impatient and want to run around on
These come in tubes in different vis-
cosities (Figure 2).
Finger painting and the layout during the daylight hours
I’d seen a neat idea for holding people
without embarrassment.
painted people? while they were painted – glue them Figure 5
– by Charlie Comstock Well, that’s not quite true. Actually I’d to a wooden holder. I tried a few
like more people on the layout, but people using this method (Figure 3) –
I’ve been putting off their coming out Walthers’ Hob-E-Tac worked well for
Reader
party because pre-clothed, the num- attaching people to clothespins.
Feedback
(click here) 
ber of people required would run into
some serious $$$, and I had little con- However, many of the folks picked
fidence in my ability to paint-on their for paint jobs were on sprues. People

E
ver since Adam and Eve’s clothes myself. from the Preiser “sitting people” col-
misadventure in the Garden lection were firmly attached to the Figure 6
Finally I decided just to get on with sprues so I decided to try painting
of Eden people have needed it. I had a few boxes of Preiser people
some kind of clothing or cover- them while still attached. These peo-
stashed away. I pulled them out and ple were all cast in white plastic.
ing. Since fig leaves are few and far decided to try something different.
between on the BC&SJ, I’d been put- Instead of using PollyScale or some Start painting with lighter colors and
ting off a major clothing-painting proj- other model train paint, I would progress toward darker colors. I found
ect for all the naked people lurking in attempt to use artist’s acrylic colors. that a mix of yellow, red, and white

Figure 7

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 8

Page 24 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • The Scenery Scene - Applying Makeup, page 1 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 produced a reasonable Caucasian flesh I gave the fat guy a dark blue jacket
color. White and burnt sienna also and very dark slacks, while the older
works. I mixed the paint using a chunk lady got stockings and blond hair
of pink foam as a palette. By mixing tiny (Figure 8). I kept working on them
amounts at a time, colors will vary from adding more colors. It was a challenge
Figure 9 batch to batch, which I think is good painting the lady’s red high heels
(unless you’re painting an army where without getting red all over her stock-
everyone is in the same uniform). ings! She appears to be dancing with
the fellow next to her (who only has
With the faces and hands done, I skin paint – so far) rather than sitting Figure 12
mixed some red and white and painted (Figure 11).
a pink dress (Figure 4) following the
Figure 10 pink with brown hair and some tinted When the paint dried, I cut their umbili-
stockings (Figure 5). I used a few cals with my special despruing nippers
touches of black to simulate shadows and painted the soles of their feet so
up the young lady’s skirt (Figure 6). the white wouldn’t show. (Figure 13).

Then I hit the other figures on the sprue. I’m no Michelangelo, but from a dis-
The fat bald guy got a red shirt, an older tance the results are okay and it only
lady received a lavender dress, and the took an hour to put clothes on five peo-
other fellow got black hair, a lavender ple. A few tubes of paint should suffice
Figure 11 shirt, and red tie (Figure 7). for hundreds of people.  Figure 13
Advertisement

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 Model Railroad Hobbyist - Hobby Marketplace

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 Built for Operations
Al Frasch’s N-scale
– by Charlie Comstock; photos by the author
BNSF
Pilchuck Division

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

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 Y
ou say you like operations? MRH: 800 feet of double deck N-scale! MRH: I bet! You live on Whidbey Island Figure 1 (previous page): Who
How many miles of mainline How long is the mainline? north of Seattle and the local popula- says an N-scale can’t railroad can’t
does your layout have? How tion is a bit sparse. Have you had trou- look great and operate smoothly?
Al: 16.5 miles of mainline plus lots of
about 16+, with 11 sidings, and ble getting operators to come out here? Late afternoon sun slants in as a
extra trackage.
scenery that’s nearly complete! BN switcher deals with the needs
MRH: That’s plenty of track. Are you Al: One reason for building 800 sqft of of some industries in Everett. The
Welcome to Al Frasch’s basement,
having regular op sessions? double deck N-scale was to give op- chain-link fence is a nice touch in
home of the N-scale Pilchuck Division
Al: We run op sessions about once a erators a reason to come here. I have the UPS truck loading area.
of the BNSF. I first saw Al’s layout dur-
ing a layout tour at a Pacific Northwest month. I started on May 11th, 1998 people taking the ferry from the main- Figure 2: The Amtrak Cascades,
Region (PNR) convention in Lynnwood, and we progress one day each ses- land and Port Townsend (at the north with leased Talgo equipment and
Washington (just north of Seattle). I sion. The layout keeps up to 14 or 15 tip of the Olympic Peninsula). Some an Amtrak F40PH, arrives at a
knew immediately that MRH needed people very busy. come across Deception Pass, an hour busy Stanwood station.
to come back.
MRH: I’m here with Al Frasch in his
double-decked N-scale railroad em-
pire. Al, would you tell me about your
layout?
Al: It’s a May 1998-based, Seattle, Wash-
ington to Vancouver, British Columbia
railroad. The mainline is 150 miles in
reality compressed to 16.5 miles here,
double decked using a helix
MRH: What made you choose N scale?
Al: That decision was made back in
the mid ‘90s when the only space I
had was a very small bedroom. After I
moved into this house it seemed wise
to use my existing investment in equip-
ment and create another layout in the
same scale.
That layout started feeling like trains
were running in circles, while at the
same time I was becoming more inter-
ested in operations.
MRH: So you took over the basement?
Al: Yes, I moved into the basement and
now have 800 square feet instead of
300 square feet.
Figure 2
Page 28 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 2 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 3: The North Skagit Turn,
heading south to Burlington, pass-
es a sandlot baseball game at Bow
– shouldn’t they be in school?

Al: Yes, the track goes north through

Everett to Stanwood, Burlington, Bell-
ingham, and across the Canadian bor-
der into New Westminster, B.C.
MRH: So you’re not modeling a rail-
road on Whidbey Island because there
are none.
How did you pick Pilchuck Division for
your layout’s name?
Al: The name came from Mt. Pilchuck,
a mountain just east of Everett that
you can see from Delta Yard. The Pil-
Figure 3 chuck division doesn’t actually exist.
This area is really a part of three other
and a half car trip. They seem to think switched out. Five or six local freights There’s plenty of work. We run four-hour divisions: Cascade, Scenic, and the Se-
the trip is worthwhile. originate there, making it a very busy sessions and don’t even come close to attle divisions.
place. Aside from the yards, the dis- finishing all the jobs that are available.
MRH: I see you have car card boxes and patcher controls everything else. I call it the Pilchuck Division because I
car cards and waybills to manage car MRH: Which part of the BNSF are you wanted a name that encompassed the
routing. How do you control which trains MRH: You aren’t using a full CTC sys- modeling? entire area I was modeling rather than
run where? Do you use a dispatcher? tem to operate the signals? divide it up into separate pieces.
Al: Basically it’s Seattle to Vancouver
Al: We have a trainmaster who sets Al: No. The signals are operated direct- MRH: I assume it was useful to model
B.C., but I don’t actually model Seattle
up the trains and assigns jobs to the ly by the dispatcher. They’re only red a place near your home so you could
or Vancouver. Not modeling the yards
crews. Once assigned a train, we have and green – we don’t have any signal easily visit the area and shoot photos
in those places saved a lot of space.
a dispatcher (who sits upstairs) who logic of what’s there?
controls all the signals and issues track MRH: Like absolute permissive block? The center of the layout is Everett, Wash-
ington, where Delta Yard is located. Al: Well, I don’t really model exact
warrants via radio to control train
Al: No, no APB or ABS. I used to have a There’s a junction to Spokane at the locations except in a few cases. The
movement on the mainline.
system where I was using red and green yard. It takes a good 40 to 45 minutes names of all the industries are in fact
There’s also a yardmaster who con- LEDs just to keep people from approach- to go around the layout once, from Se- industries that did exist, but they
trols everything in Delta Yard which is ing an occupied section of track. Now it’s attle to Vancouver, if the crew is obeying didn’t necessarily look the same as
a major part of the operations plan. all controlled by the upstairs dispatcher. speed limits. That’s a big if, sometimes... they do now. I have started scratch-
We have three or four manifests that We operate using Digitrax DCC with radio building some buildings to look like
come into Delta Yard and need to be throttles, which works well. MRH: Everett is north of Seattle? actual structures along the way. Origi-

Page 29 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 3 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 nally I wasn’t doing that. The names
of the towns are correct so anyone
familiar with the area will know which
towns are north or south of their cur-
rent location.
MRH: There are some photo backdrops
down on the bottom deck. Were those
actually taken of the mountains in the
area?
Al: Not quite. I got some pictures of
the Olympic Mountains and printed
them in 4’ banner lengths, then glued
them to the wall. Some I took off
the internet here and there, and still
others I shot as panoramic photos,
put them into Photoshop, stitched
them together, and printed them in
4’ lengths. They’re purposefully kept
fairly low because from eye level on
the layout, you don’t really see a huge
mountain poking up in the air. It’s go-
ing to be about the height these are.
MRH: So you model the scenery here
from an on-layout viewpoint rather than
from a giants-in-the-aisle perspective?
Al: It makes it good for photography.
But remember, the main point for the
whole layout is operations and there’s
a whole lot of things that I don’t worry
about that might upset a rivet counter.
I don’t weather track, I don’t weather
the locomotives , I don’t super de-
tail the locomotives (I did detail one
loco but you can’t see it – besides the

Figure 4: Fore! Train crews have

learned to keep the cab windows
closed around hole number 9!
Figure 4
Page 30 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 4 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 5

equipment gets handled a lot and the ran trains around and around for the Al: It takes a lot longer to make a trip Figure 5: Who says you can’t get
details would get destroyed). visitors and people really liked it. But around the layout, too. It also takes at good detail in N-scale? Check out
least 10 to 12 people to run this layout. the auto-rack unloading ramp from
No, my sole purpose for this layout is I was starting to think, “Once you’ve
Train Cat Models.
operations, that’s the main drive. watched it go around in a circle for the MRH: I really like operations myself. It
500th time, now what do you do?” seems to me that if you spend a lot of tives and the modern era it’s even bet-
MRH: When did you get started in op- time building a layout, you ought to use ter – I have trains that run with 30 or
erations? Which layout was that? This The next week was when I started it for something, but not everybody 40 cars which is almost long enough.
is the fourth layout isn’t it? looking at my space and thinking I agrees with me on that point. It would be nice to have 100 car trains
Al: This is the first one for operations. should build a bigger layout. Al: Some people also look at N scale like the real thing.
In 2004 when the NMRA national con- and think “Operations with N-scale? MRH: You’ve got 16 scale miles of
MRH: So now instead of running a
vention was in Seattle, my upstairs How can you do that?” It works just track, why don’t you have 100 car
layout, in a 300 square foot room that train in circles, you use track warrants fine! I like to promote the concept that trains?
was basically finished, was on the to regulate the movement of multiple N scale operation works very well. In
layout tours and it was pretty nice. I trains at once. fact, if you like modern diesel locomo- Text continues on page 33

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 to Sumas
track on shelf in stairwell

Al Frasch’s
Burlington depot

Burlington Mt. Vernon

down up

Pilchuck Division
Fig 3
Fig 11 Layout Statistics

BNSF
of the Upper Era: May 1998
Level
Locale: Pacific Northwest
farm
Puget Sound Pipe
hot box
detector

Style: Proto-freelance
Cover
Stanwood
Fig 8

Bow
Fig 2 Configuration: Double
paper
Montana Flour Cargill Grain Terminal
deck with helix
mill

Cascade Skagit
Scale: N
Piling Bulb Co.

A Trackplan: Point to point

B with connecting staging.
Bellingham depot
Helix
Alcoa - Intalco Works Size: 38’ x 25’
wind

Minimum radius: 20”

turbine

Fig 5
Track: Atlas code 80
Georgia Pacific
Bellingham
Turnouts: Atlas #6 and #4
Warehouse
American Bellingham Lynden Farm
Bellingham Yard Auto Sales Plumbing Supply

Cherry Point spur

Control: DCC - Digitrax
radio
Elevations: 43” (lower
level) to 59” (upper level)
loco storage
Seattle staging Vancouver passenger

Roadbed: 1/2” plywood

down up
staging
Spokane
Fig 10 Fig 12

topped with 1” foam

A
staging below
main staging

l Frasch retired from 30

Edmonds Intermodal Yard Fig 15

years of teaching high school NW Ship Supply Lower Staging: 13 tracks ranging
mathematics and moved to beau- Far West
Tires
golf driving range
Level from 10’ to 23’ in length.
tiful Whidbey Island in 2002. Coca-Cola
Distributors Edmonds
Crown
Dist.
New Westminster, B.C.
Imperial
Caskets Mainline: 16.5 scale miles
He’s been Involved in model rail- depot Euro-Asia
transload Helix: 5 laps, double track
roading since the early ‘90s and
golf course - hole 9

started the Pilchuck Division of

Edmonds
office Wesco Labatt passenger BC Publishers
Glacier Sand Industries Brewery station
and Gravel

the BNSF, his fourth layout, in the

summer of 2004.
24” grid
Washington
Fig 9
Al enjoys hiking and biking
to Boeing Nexus Marine Furniture Mfg. Consolidated Lee Evergreen Everett
A
Bakery Grocery Transfer Lumber
depot

when the weather permits and Mukilteo

Fig 7
Helix
B
not to scale
will travel almost anywhere for
to Spokane

Fig 13
Fig 1
Fig 4 North Everett
a good operating session. He UPS Marysville
Zoom in to magnify
shares his home with two cats – Eve Ind. Fig 14 Fig 6
details
Everett
but doesn’t negotiate with them Grizzly
Tools
LPG Supply
Delta Yard - Everett yard office

for layout space! depot

Truss Imports loco service and
car shop steam powered tourist track
Bekins Cold Storage

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 Figure 6: Delta Yard in Everett is
the main classification yard on the
Pilchuck Division.

Al: No, these are Micro-Trains equiva-

lent couplers. I use code 80 track, it’s
more than a bit out of scale. However
when you’re a lone operator, the reli-
ability of code 80 is a good idea. So far
it’s worked out very well.
I think that if you do a decent job of
painting and ballasting the track it
helps hide the too-tall rails.
MRH: Is there a particular brand of
track you use?
Al: All the track and turnouts are Atlas.
MRH: All the turnouts are #6?
Al: Well, there are a couple of #4s in
very tight locations but they’re most-
Figure 6 ly #6s. I haven’t hand-built any yet,
but there is one section where I re-
ally need a curved turnout and I’ll be
Continued from page 31 Al: Maybe a maximum of one or two MRH: Which brands do you favor? scratchbuilding that one in the future.
other than operator goofs. 90% plus of
Al: Ones that look good! Actually Atlas MRH: Those truck mounted couplers,
Al: I tried a 75 car train once and the the problems are because people don’t
– a lot of Atlas. I like the ExactRail stuff do you have problems backing long
couplers pulled apart on the helix. It was return the switches to their green posi-
just too much weight. I do run a 50 car that’s coming out, the Fox Valley cars are trains through a turnout?
tion. I use all Caboose Industries ground
coal train which gives the dispatcher fits really wonderful. I use pretty much stan-
throws and I have their handles painted Al: Usually not. I can usually back up a
because only 2 of the 11 sidings will hold dard Accumate trucks. They’ve got truck
red and green – the crews are supposed 25 or 30 car train unless there’s a un-
it if it has to clear the main. mounted couplers but I have no trouble
to return them back to green after pass- der-weighted flat car in it. Those cars
with them. The reason I like Accumates
MRH: And since it’s a coal train it ing, but that doesn’t always happen. sometimes want to pop off the track.
is because if somebody destroys a cou-
needs to take the siding a lot? MRH: Do you do anything to your pler while trying to uncouple – which is But most of them I can back up with-
Al: There are a lot of meets which are trucks, wheelsets, and couplers to pre- easy with the skewer method, I just pop out any trouble. Not as good as you’d
‘interesting’ shall we say... pare your cars for the layout to make out the old truck and put a new one in. want.
them more reliable?
MRH: I guess! Back to reliability, how MRH: HO Accumate couplers have a MRH: Have you considered body
many derailments do you get during a Al: 90% of my rolling stock is straight scissors action. What about their N- mounting couplers instead of truck
session, excepting crew errors? out of the box. scale couplers? mounting?

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 Figure 7: The southbound manifest
from Everett rolls by the turnout
in Mukilteo leading to the Boeing
plant in Everett. The SP loco and
train have just negotiated the 6%
grade of Japanese Gulch.

Al: Yes, but that would require replac-

ing every truck with new trucks and in-
stalling Micro-Trains couplers on both
ends of over 500 freight cars. I’m not
too excited about the work or the ex-
pense. What I have works and I prefer
not to mess with things that work.
MRH: Would you like a bigger layout?
Figure 7 Al: This layout is definitely on the mar-
gin of being too big for one person to
maintain and operate. Luckily I run
enough trains around here on a weekly
basis – if I do something with a piece
of track for instance, it can take 25
minutes to run a train around to that
spot to test it. That means I check the
track and trains frequently so I find
problems right away.
MRH: So you don’t have any shortcuts
that let you avoid some of the long
way around?
Al: I purposely didn’t do that. I don’t
like spaghetti layouts and shortcuts
feel like that to me.
MRH: What about scenery? Modeling
the area you’ve chosen you need more
than one or two trees.

Figure 8: Cascade Piling in Bow

supplies wood and concrete pilings
for the docks along Puget Sound
and throughout the Northwest.
Figure 8
Page 34 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 8 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 9: Rolling under the road- a lot more trees than one thinks to
way which connects to the ferry at populate a forest.
Mukilteo, the Vancouver to Seattle MRH: In N-scale, each square foot
Through Freight will have to take the needs about 4x more trees as HO.
siding at Edmonds to let the north-
Al: And about 10x as much as O-scale.
bound Sounder meet its schedule. It’s incredible. We get away with mak-
ing them smaller. My deciduous trees
Al: I’m kind of jealous of those people
are about 30 or 40 foot tall, close to
from the Southwest! It’s all brown and
their proper height. Unfortunately my
they put a couple of bushes here and
fir trees and pine trees are not to scale
there.
-- real trees would be about 150’ or
MRH: They do need a lot of sagebrush! about 10”, but trees that tall would
look almost out of place on my layout.
Al: But here in the Northwest we have
I use trees to hide the track in a lot of
trees. There are 8,000 of them on the
places to break up the track. It makes
layout.
the runs feel longer that way.
MRH: 8,000! You counted them to
I group the trees in regions. For in-
make sure?
stance, there is a cluster of deciduous
Al: Close. Commercial fir trees, there trees, then a cluster of conifers. The
are only about a thousand of those. idea is to make it feel like you’re trav-
Then there are the good-old Woodland eling some distance from one area to
Scenics pine or fir trees and there’s a another rather than two feet.
couple thousand of those. The major- MRH: Do you model anything like new
ity, about 5,000 of them are hand- growth over a clear-cut?
made from sesame bloom.
Al: I included a couple of those with
MRH: You made these yourself? stumps although I don’t like clear-
Al: Yes. I know how many there are cutting.
because I bought sesame bloom in MRH: How did you pick your deck
bundles. I know how many trees I heights?
could get out of a bundle and how
many bundles I ordered. In an evening Al: Well neither one of them is ideal.
I could sit and make 35 or 40 of them When you commit to a double deck
ready for dipping and flocking. It defi- layout you know you’re not going to
get ideal heights. I wanted at least 16”
nitely took awhile!
between the decks and I didn’t want
You sit there making 60, 70 or 80 trees the top deck any higher than 59” be-
and you’re thinking wow, this is cool, cause of my height – I wanted to be
I’m going to fill a whole big area. Then able to see it to work on it! I started
you start planting them and after may- with my top deck height then dropped
be a square foot you’re done. It takes down 16” to 43” for the lower deck.
Figure 9
Page 35 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 9 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 MRH: How much grade is there on the MRH: But the helix was a problem?
layout itself? Al: The helix was the first thing I built.
Al: Except for the helix, zero. My inten- Then the layout wasn’t level anymore!
tion before going to two decks was to There’s a 65’ grade at 1.7%, which is
have it absolutely level so I could run two scale miles.
hundred-car trains. MRH: Of course the region you’re
Figure 10: Al paints green and red modeling is pretty flat...
marks on the handles of his turnout Al: That’s the reason I was OK with no
ground throws to make it obvious to (visible) grades. I try to make the ter-
the crews which way is the ‘normal’ rain next to the track go up and down
direction. Crews are required to rather than the track to give the illusion
return turnouts to ‘green’ after pass- of a grade. After I put the helix in, it oc-
ing. Northwest Ship Supply opened curred to me I could have put some up
its new World Headquarters in May to 1.5% grades here and there and still
and requires 4 to 5 boxcars per day. been able to run long trains.
Video won’t play? Click here to play it on YouTube.

Simulated Hot Box Detector

Things don’t always go right on a Hot boxes are extremely rare on a
railroad. Sometimes knuckles break, model railroad, especially N-scale, so
drawbars get pulled, and hot boxes or the detector circuit is user program-
dragging equipment problems occur. mable to specify how often problems
are reported. The programming is
Al’s op sessions get treated to a dose simple, but it’s recommended to keep
of realism with a trackside detector the number of reported issues low to
from Boulder Creek Engineering. avoid tieing your railroad up in knots
This piece of electronics uses sen- with trains limping to the next siding
sors placed in the track to detect to set out failing rolling stock!
passing trains. It counts the number Al reports that his crews seem to like
of cars and reports the number of this device as it helps spice up an op-
train defects found using an audible erations session.
voice. The voice is very similar to
that of a prototype detector except
that they use radio to broadcast Click here to play
their report rather than a speaker. sample defect report

Figure 10
Page 36 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 10 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 11: The Pilchuck Division
is dotted with little scenes like
this one near Samish.

The ruling grade is the helix -- no doubt

about that. I purposely made the helix
very large for N-scale so I could keep
the grade down but still get the deck
separation I wanted. The radius is al-
most 30”, something that would work
for HO. The wide radius keeps the grade
down and it gives me room to reach in
if any equipment ever had problems like
a derailment in there.
MRH: I usually get derailments in the
hardest place to fish stuff out!
Al: Oh, you mean tunnels where you Figure 11
didn’t give access points? If you give
access to the tunnel you’ll never have
problems in there. We all know that.
MRH: What about layout lighting? under the upper deck to augment the around on top of the benchwork and to see where changes could be made
Al: Originally I was using C9 Christmas lighting on the lower deck. They do drew my trackplan full size, on that. than if you’re using a CAD program.
tree lights. help, but the upper deck does cast a And no mistakes in room measure-
MRH: On top of the benchwork?
shadow from the lights in the ceiling, ment creep in and cause trouble!
MRH: That was pretty dim wasn’t it? otherwise I’d make the ceiling lights Al: On top of the benchwork using ac-
Al: It was very dim even with a light brighter. tual turnouts as templates. MRH: Is the layout finished yet?
every 3”. It was amazing how much Al: No, there are still plenty of places
I’d like to move the fluorescent fixtures MRH: So the subroadbed is all ply-
electricity they used and how much where I can add things and there are
heat they generated. Then I read on in the ceiling farther out over the aisles wood?
so they would illuminate the lower modifications going on all the time.
Joe Fugate’s website how he was light- Al: The benchwork is 1x4 boxes with
ing his layout with 25W bulbs every 2’. deck more evenly and add some more MRH: Well, thanks for having us!
3
/4” plywood on top and then 1” foam.
I tried that but it was still not enough. lights under the upper deck too. But
After I drew the full-size plans I invited
So I went to 40W compact fluorescent that would be a lot of work and I can’t Al: My pleasure! 
people over to critique it. I gave them
bulbs every 2’ and it’s much brighter. seem to get motivated enough to start.
pens and said mark what does and
MRH: That’s the ceiling lights. What MRH: How did you do your track plans? doesn’t work. When they were done I
about the lights under the upper deck, cleaned it up and pinned it up over the
Al: Well, there’s really only one way
are those are still Christmas lights? layout and laid the track to look like it.
to put benchwork in this room. I built Reader
Al: Yes, I took some of the lights I re- the benchwork, then I bought a roll Doing things full-size helps visualize Feedback
moved from the ceiling and put them of Kraft paper and laid it all the way what you’re really getting. It’s easier (click here) 

Page 37 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Al Frasch’s BNSF, page 11 Go to Trackplan Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Bellingham
golf course
Everett

sewer pipe Mukilteo

Everett (duck under)
Figure 12 Figure 13

Figures 12 to 15 show what an 800 square foot, double-deck N-scale layout looks like.
That’s a LOT of N-scale layout. Modeling the Pacific Northwest means a LOT of trees!

Alcoa - Intalco Mt. Vernon

Burlington

North Everett
tourist Seattle -Vancouver
intermodal staging
railroad Delta Yard
yard
Everett Spokane
staging
Marysville
Figure 14 Figure 15
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 Advertisements

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 Speedbashing
Using Ready-to-Run to Complete a Project Faster
– by M.R. Snell
Photos by the author

Figure 1: You can’t buy this unique “smurf blue” BNSF unit
anywhere, but Matt Snell shows you how to speedbash a Ready-
to-Run model into this one-of-a-kind loco – all in record time!

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 Transform a Ready-to-Run high quality models available straight the unique blue ‘smurf’ scheme, I question now arose – could I model
model quickly into something out of the box. As HO scale now set- studied the locomotive from a differ- this scheme using a R-T-R model?
tles into a Ready-to-Run format, many ent perspective. Like many modern Could I modify one the same way as
unique for your layout by the prototype did, rather than start-
of us may lament the loss of the kits era schemes, this one simply adds
following this example ... we were familiar with, while contem- home road graphics over an existing ing with an undecorated locomotive?

O
plating whether HO scale will become paint scheme rather than repainting With a little open-mindedness, an
ver the last several decades a ‘cookie cutter’ format. While the the entire locomotive. In this case a
in the hobby, we’ve seen a
revolution in HO scale prod-
shift to R-T-R (ready-to-run) may be GATX locomotive wearing EMD’s blue, “Could I modify
a hindrance in some respects, such white, and black lease scheme has
uct development, transforming the as kitbashing and painting, it can also had its markings replaced with BNSF one the same way as
hobby from one of scratchbuilding to be used to our advantage through logos and numbers. This required only the prototype did,
employing R-T-R models to help speed minimal repainting to obscure the
Reader projects to completion. GATX markings.
rather than starting
Feedback
Recently while contemplating the con- Presently unavailable in any form
with an undecorated
(click here) 
struction of a BNSF GP38-2 wearing other than painting and decaling, the locomotive?”

Figure 2: Matt started with this standard Athearn GP38-2 model.

Page 41 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Speedbashing, page 2 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 experiment was undertaken using a “Day one of the
R-T-R Athearn GATX GP38-2 as a test
subject. Soon it became clear that not experiment began
only could this project be done using with studying the
a R-T-R model, but I could also save
detail differences
untold hours not having to apply the 3
color paint scheme. between the BNSF
Join me in this journey into prototype, and the
Speedbashing, as I transform a factory Athearn model ...”
decorated mass market model into a
custom locomotive in only 3 evenings! R-T-R releases, partial detailing is fac-
tory installed leaving the remainder
Evening One to be completed by the purchaser.
Day one of the experiment began When altering a R-T-R model this can
with studying the detail differences be both a blessing and curse, as the
between the BNSF prototype and detail can save time but also inter-
the Athearn model tailored to a mass feres with the modifications you are
market. Typical of most Athearn trying to make. Figure 4: Matt used a #17 X-Acto blade to remove the factory air horn.

Figure 3: In just 3 evenings of simple alterations, Matt bashed this unique Figure 5: After cutting off the factory air horn, Matt left the mounting stem in
model for his layout, based on an actual prototype. the hole to fill it. A little putty and paint will hide the hole completely.

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 “The second day of horn mounted atop the cab, a staple cementing the horn in place from and a trainline air hose on each pilot
of many of Athearn’s R-T-R locomo- the underside of the cab. Then I cut (Figure 7).
the experiment would tives. While this was once a standard it off flush with the top of the roof
Once the basic details were in place,
truly test whether a mounting location, many roads have using a #17 X-Acto chisel blade.
items specific to this locomotive,
chosen to mount their horns atop the This allowed the mounting stem of
R-T-R piece could long hood to aid in preserving the the horn to fill the resulting hole in
such as radio antennas, ditch lights,
snowplows, and an aftermarket horn
be transformed into a hearing of the crew. To replicate the the roof. To complete the repair, a
casting were added to the locomotive
BNSF prototype, the cab mounted small dab of putty filled in the seam
custom model ...” horn would need to be removed, around the stem. Both stem and transforming the body from a mass
revealing the downside of factory putty were then sanded even with market model to one specific to the
In this instance the model had factory the roof surface, leaving only minor BNSF prototype.
installed detail (Figure 4).
installed grabirons on the long and
paint damage which was easily
short hoods. None of these impeded Removing a large part such as an Evening Two
touched up with an airbrush (Figure
the project, but rather helped to airhorn will generally leave a gaping
5 previous page, Figure 6).
speed it up saving the time of drilling hole in the body of the locomotive. The second day of the experiment
several dozen #80 holes and installing However the damage can be mini- Now detailing of the locomotive could would test whether a R-T-R piece
wire formed grabirons. mized by utilizing an old modeler’s be completed. I installed basic details could be transformed into a custom
trick – using the mounting stem left off at the factory, such as lift rings model. The factory lettering would
On the opposite end of the spectrum of a detail part to fill the hole left at each mounting dimple cast into have to be modified leaving a sur-
is detail which is improper, such as the by removing the part. I began by the roof, coupler lift bars, MU hoses, face suitable for ‘rebranding’. There

Figure 7: Matt installed ditch lights, coupler lift bar, train air line and MU
Figure 6: Matt added an after-market air horn mid-hood to match the hoses to the loco pilot – transforming this model into one specific to the
BNSF prototype. Matt also added lift rings to the hood. BNSF prototype.

Page 43 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Speedbashing, page 4 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 are many ways to remove factory several times until it was semi-rigid,
decoration, and this project requires yet long enough to hold firmly. Both
removing only the pad printed GATX the sandpaper and locomotive surface
markings while leaving the 3 color were wetted down. Then the GATX
paint scheme intact. This required markings were gently sanded, using
tight control over what is removed. small circular motions. I took care to
One quick and effective method is sand only the markings evenly with-
to wet sand the markings until they out gouging (Figure 8-9 next page).
are either removed, or smoothed out The white lettering color began to
with the paint layer they have been bleed across the blue painted surface
applied to, allowing them to be easily of the locomotive body, indicating the
painted over. lettering was being removed, while
The first step in rebranding the loco- the paint under it was still intact.
motive was to cut several narrow To insure that I could properly see
strips of 1500 grit automotive sand- the area being worked on, I cleaned
paper, folding each strip over itself it using a damp paper towel, then Figure 9: On the smooth cab area, Matt carefully wet sanded and
removed the lettering while leaving the body paint intact.

Figure 8: Matt cut narrow strips of 1500 grit automotive sandpaper to Figure 10: Removing the lettering from the hood area using the
use for evening two’s paint removal tasks. sandpaper strips is more challenging, since the body shell is so uneven.

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 rewetted it. I continued this process repainted, the coating of paint will
until the lettering was removed. cover any remaining slivers of letter-
ing. This can also be used to conceal
While wet sanding is an effective
any portions of raised printing left on
method for removing factory letter-
the surface of the model.
ing, it also has several downsides.
First it is difficult to remove pad print- The second downside is that the fac-
ing around depressions in the mod- tory paint will be left with a ‘cloudy’
el’s surface, such as between hood appearance. This is a result of minute
doors and around latches (Figure scratches left in the paint surface by
10). Fortunately in a project such as the sandpaper. While this may seem
this, where a locomotive has been to ruin the surface of the model, it is
rebranded, it is not critical to remove to be expected. The use of small strips
every bit of pad printed lettering of sandpaper will confine this discol-
(Figure 11). The concept is to pre- oration only to the areas where the
vent the pad printing from showing lettering was removed. Since we’re
through the new paint as solid raised
Figure 12: Here is what the lettering looked like on the smooth cab areas
lettering. Once the area has been Continued on page 47 ...
before wet-sanding.

Figure 13: After carefully wet-sanding the smooth cab sides area, the
Figure 11: Here’s the result after Matt wet-sanded the hood sides with lettering has been quite effectively removed with little damage to the
the 1500 grit sandpaper. Remnants of the original lettering remain. original factory paint.

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 Figure 16: After masking and spraying the hood side, here’s the result.
Figure 14: Wet-sanding the nose to remove the lettering also works quite Matt deliberately used a paint one shade darker than the model to get
effectively, with little if any damage done to the factory paint. the hasty patchwork look of the prototype paint job.

Figure 15: Matt masks and sprays the tough hood area to remove the Figure 17: Here’s the patchwork paint on the cab side. Again, Matt wants
last remnants of the factory lettering. This is actually not unlike what the to duplicate the patchwork look of the prototype so he used a blue one
prototype did! shade darker than the factory model.

Page 46 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Speedbashing, page 7 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 “Locomotives a coat of ‘patch paint,’ further obscur-
ing any remnants of GATX ownership
that have been while readying it for the new BNSF
rebranded without numbers and logos. Locomotives that
full repainting will have been rebranded without full
repainting will generally show signs
generally show signs of ‘patch painting’ – painting over
of ‘patch painting’ ...” former owners markings using a color
closely matching the base color of the
Continued from page 45 ...
locomotive yet leaving a difference
following prototype practice, the visible under close examination.
affected areas will be painted with Each area to be patch painted was
a color closely matching the body. masked using a combination of blue
Once applied, the scratches will be painters tape and standard masking
easily filled, leaving a smooth surface tape then airbrushed with multiple
suitable for decal application (Figures thin coats using a paint mixture one
12-13, and Figure 14).
shade darker than applied at the
Now that the GATX markings have Athearn factory. This method allows Figure 19: Matt sprayed the model with Testors’ Gloss Cote to prepare it
been removed, the model is ready for each coat to dry quickly preventing for decaling.

Figure 18: Here’s the patchwork paint Matt used on the white nose.
Again, the slight color variation to the model is deliberate, to duplicate Figure 20: On evening three, Matt applies Shellscale numberboard decals
the prototype’s patchwork look. to the loco’s number boards.

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 any paint from bleeding under the Once the ‘patches’ were in place a
masking, and once the masking quick spray of Testor’s Glosscote left a
has been removed, leaves obvious surface suitable for decaling, complet-
‘patches’ indicating the locomotive ing the paint work which was allowed
had received a quick rebranding from to dry overnight.
another owner (Figures 15-18 previ-
ous two pages.

Parts Listing
Athearn #80187 - GATX GP38-2 Floquil Reefer White
Detail Associates #1022 - Ditch Lights Testor’s Gloss Cote spray
Detail Associates #1508 - MU Hoses ELS Trains Decals - BNSF White/Blue
Detail Associates#1803 - Sinclair Antenna Lettering (for lease locomotives)
Detail Associates #2206 - Lift Rings Microscale Decals MC4339 - Yellow Data
Detail Associates #2212 - Coupler Cut Levers Reflector Stripes
Details West # 155 - Snowplow Shellscale Decals #108 - EMD/GE 8” White
Numbers & Black Numberboards
Details West # 190 - Air Horn
Shellscale Decals #114 - Alco Style White
Details West # 275 - EOT Antenna Figure 22: Matt applied number decals onto the black Shellscale number
Numbers 
Floquil Conrail Blue board backgrounds.

Figure 21: Matt applied the large BNSF logo and some yellow sill striping Figure 23: Matt applied some blue BNSF “lease loco” decals to the loco
onto his model. nose where he had painted a patchwork block on evening two.

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 Advertisement
“... this experiment shop for a quick coat of weathering,
completing this custom locomotive in
showed how much only three days (Figure 21 next page)!
time could be saved While the methods I used will hardly
by starting this apply to every situation we encoun-
ter as model railroaders this experi-
project with a Ready- ment has proven that keeping an
To-Run model ...” open mind can enable us to make
our modeling easier by taking advan-
tage of current manufacturing trends.
Evening Three We can either curse the darkness or
take advantage of the light, riding
Day three of the experiment would
the R-T-R wave to make our modeling
prove just how much time could be
easier and faster while allowing us to
saved by incorporating a R-T-R model
accomplish more in our limited hobby
into this project as all that remained
time – in effect “Speedbashing”! 
was decal application and reassembly
(Figure 19).

I began by reapplying the black num-

berboard backgrounds using Shellscale
EMD/GE numberboards, allowing
these to fully dry completely before I
moved to the sides of the locomotive
(Figure 20).

Once again the R-T-R factory decora-

tion sped things up as the white and
yellow sill striping required apply-
M.R. (Matt) Snell has been a mod- Their “Conrail New Jersey Divi-
ing only the yellow portion over the
el railroader and railfan for 30 sion” layout has been featured in
solid white stripe of the factory paint.
years. His interest in railroading Great Model Railroads, Rail Mod-
Completing the sides were new cab
grew while growing up in New el Journal, and in the Allen Keller
numbers and large BNSF ‘wedge’
Jersey surrounded by freight and Great Model Railroads DVD se-
logos applied to the long hoods. The passenger rail lines.
numberboards were completed using ries. Matt has had articles in Rail-
a combination of white Alco style and Presently residing in Ohio, Matt road Model Craftsman, RailModel
8” EMD numbers from Shellscale. and his wife Debie share the hob- Journal, Scale Rails and Model
After applying the blue BNSF logo Reader by, modeling the area he grew up Railroader, as well as online at
to the nose the handrails were rein- Feedback in: north-central Jersey. railroad.net.
(click here) 
stalled and it was back to the paint

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 Figure 24: Here is Matt’s finished “speedbashed” GP38-2 for you to spin
and study from all sides. Just click it with your mouse to spin it.

Page 50 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Speedbashing, page 11 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Figure 3
Fine Tuning or Tangent car but they look decent,
have good lettering, have more robust
1/2 oz. sizes which makes it easy to
determine how much to add.
Rolling Stock details, and are considerably less
Figure 2 shows all parts, both from the
costly. When I set up an assembly line
for better running I can put together a bunch of Accurail
kit and extracurricular, that I used to
build this PFE reefer.
– by Charlie Comstock kits quickly – a plus when I’m in
increase-the-fleet mode. I start by weighing all the parts (figure
Reader To ensure the result is a good running, 3). The NMRA car weight standard for
Feedback reliable car I use some extra parts. HO is 1 oz. + 1/2 oz. per inch of length.
(click here)  So this 6” long car should weigh 4 oz.

Metal wheelsets roll better, don’t As it happens the parts for this car Figure 4
attract as much dust, add weight (including couplers and metal wheels)

A
ssembling a freight car kit can and lower the car’s center of gravity. weigh 3.9 oz which is awfully close to
be an enjoyable way to spend  found Kadee couplers to be reli-
I’ve the desired car weight.
an evening or an hour or two, able and use them exclusively when Figure 4 shows the A-line self-stick 1/2
depending the kit. I have long used assembling kits. oz. weights I use to add additional mass
Accurail freight car kits to build up  the car is light for the NMRA car-
If to cars.
my rolling stock fleet. They may not weight standards, I add self-stick lead I like to wash the car bottom and
have the detail of a Kadee, ExactRail weights from A-Line. These come in trucks and spray them with a light coat
Figure 5

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 6

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 NMRA gauge
of Krylon flat black to cut the shine. Let
the paint set up and then insert the Wheels fit perfectly
wheelsets. in their slots
I assemble the car bottom per direc-
tions but clean up sprue marks with
a small file. Accurail castings are usu-
ally flash free (figure 5). Once the glue
holding the ribs and brake gear dries I
use a mill file on the top of the floor to Figure 11 Figure 15
Figure 7 remove any protrusions (figure 6).
Walthers’ Hob-e-Tac works well for
gluing the steel car weight to the floor Coupler height
(figure 7). I use spring-loaded clothes matches!
pins to hold it in place.
Older Accurail kits use plastic bolster
pins to hold the trucks in place. DON’T
use these. They are prone to falling out Missing hole for
and causing derailments. Instead I use the brake staff – I
The dangler should drilled it out with
Figure 8 #2 self-tapping pan head screws (figure
just touch this shelf a .021 bit.
9). Using screws instead of the plastic – too high. Figure 12 Figure 16
pins gives you precise control of how
tightly the trucks are attached to their
bolsters (figure 10). I leave one truck Kadee pin adjustment pliers.
just loose enough to pivot easily. Leave
the other a little looser allowing it to
wobble a bit. This creates a 3-point
suspension that lets the car roll over
ACC the staff
track irregularities. in place using
No wheel vendor is perfect so check the a toothpick to
Figure 9 gauge on all four axles (figure 11). Gauge apply the glue.
should be as close to perfect as you can
see. If not, get another wheel set! Figure 13 Figure 17
Coupler height is vitally important. I
use a Kadee gauge to ensure it’s cor-
Apply a tiny
rect and adjust the dangler height if Blackening the drop of ACC to
needed (figures 11 to 13). brake staff wire the hole in the
Finally I use a black marker to color that underside of
brake staff. The hole for it was too tight the brake wheel
so I drilled a slightly oversize hole for it, then stick it on
then cemented it in place using gap fill- the end of the
ing ACC (figures 14 to 18). brake staff with
tweezers.
Voila! Another car ready for weathering! 
Figure 10 Figure 14 Figure 18
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 Home Made Lumber Loads

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

– by Steve Pirosko
   Photos by the author

Make lumber loads for separators. But these loads will do in Once you scale them to size, the sepa- Apply a very thin coat of white glue to
a pinch until you find the funds or the rator line between vertical loads is a the backside of the logo sheets and
your center-beam flat time to do more detailed loads. 3-point thick black line for HO. The place a block on the sheet, making
cars in no time! “rigging” is a vertical 0.25-point line. sure to keep the vertical and horizon-
You may find that in the end they tal lines square. I find it easier to use a
never get replaced with more detailed thin ruler to create the first fold before
To make the wood blocks I use .50”

H
kits because they look darned good on applying the glue.
ere’s an easy method to make a freight car as is! thick plywood cut to length and height
removable lumber loads to fit the various size cars. Adjust the
for your center-beam flat You need two things – a computer to sizing and spacing of the logos and
cars or any other car. These loads do print out the logos from various web- lines to make an exact fit for your spe- Figure 1: Having center-beam flats
not have the detail of the kits you sites and some wood blocks cut to fit cific car. It may take a bit of trial and loaded with lumber makes your
can build that install as individual your cars. I have included some lumber error with your printer, but usually railroad more interesting since it’s
loads, with all the string and wood load pages with this article. close is good enough. now moving freight to market.

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 Now wrap the sheet around the block
to attach all the sides, trim the excess
off and fold the ends like a wrapped
package.
Presto! You now have a load of lumber
to deliver to your customers!
Check out the lumber load wrappers
for various companies on the following
pages. 

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

Figure 3: You would never know all that’s underneath this paper are
scraps of 1/2” plywood. As a stand-in, these loads look quite decent,
and they sure beat hauling around empties.

Steve Pirosko has been model railroading since

he was 16 when his older brother bought him
a Tyco train set for Christmas. He has had sev-
eral layouts over the years, and one of his main
interests is prototype operations. He models a 13
mile portion of the Canadian National Grimsby
sub from the Niagara River bridge to just past
Merriton, Ontario.
Steve’s other interests include playing hockey
and riding his motorcycle. A former long-time
Quality Assurance Manager in the automotive parts manufacturing
Figure 2: All you need are some scraps of 1/2” plywood and a business. He resides with his wife Becki of 29 years and their two teen-
computer printer to make the paper wrappers for these loads. aged sons in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 4: Weyerhauser lumber load wrappers.

In January 1900, Frederick Weyerhaeuser founded Weyerhaeuser Timber Other enlargements are
Company with 15 partners and 900,000 acres (3,600 km²) of Washington tim- available for other scales
in the bonus downloads
berland purchased from James J. Hill of the Great Northern Railway. In 1929,
for the July issue:
the company built what was then the world’s largest sawmill in Longview,
Washington. Weyerhaeuser’s pulp mill in Longview, which began production CLICK HERE ...
in 1931, sustained the company financially during the Great Depression. In
1959, the company eliminated the word “Timber” from its name to better
reflect its operations.

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 5: Andersen Pacific Forest Products load wrappers.

Other enlargements are

available for other scales
Andersen Pacific Forest Products Ltd. is a Japanese style high-value custom-cut
in the bonus downloads
sawmill located in Maple Ridge near Vancouver, British Columbia. This company for the July issue:
manufactures high-quality lumber from yellow cedar, western red cedar, Doug-
las fir, sitka spruce, white spruce, hemlock, and balsam, with a focus on shop CLICK HERE ...
and high-grade logs. Established in 1993, through a process of continuous up-
grading and supplementary land acquisition, APFP has established recognition
as a specialty mill manufacturing consistent high-quality lumber.

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 6: Tembec load wrappers.

Other enlargements are

available for other scales
Tembec was created in 1973 in Temiscaming, Quebec by the people of the
in the bonus downloads
town in an effort to keep the local economy from collapsing. The mill was for the July issue:
purchased by the town, and Tembec was born. The Company has grown from
its original mill in Temiscaming with a few hundred employees into an inter- CLICK HERE ...
national company with operations in both North America and France. Tembec
markets its products worldwide and has sales offices in Canada, the United
States, China, Korea, and Japan.

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 7: Timber West Forest Corp. load wrappers.

Other enlargements are

available for other scales
in the bonus downloads
TimberWest Forest Corp. was incorporated on January 31, 1997, and acquired for the July issue:
portions of the business of TimberWest Forest Limited on June 23, 1997, and
the private timberlands of Pacific Forest Products Limited on December 10, CLICK HERE ...
1997. TimberWest runs contracted harvesting operations, and both grows and
harvests second-growth timber. About 85% of TimberWest’s annual private
land logging is done in second-growth Douglas fir and hemlock stands.

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 8: Alberta Pacific load wrappers.

While the Alberta Pacific (Al-Pac) project was announced in 1989, it wasn’t
until 1991 that the Alberta government chose Al-Pac from several competi- Other enlargements are
available for other scales
tive bids. The company started operations in 1993 under the ownership of
in the bonus downloads
Crestbrook Forest Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Kanzaki Paper (later for the July issue:
acquired by Oji Paper Company Ltd.). Alberta-Pacific quickly established itself
as one of the leading producers of quality kraft pulp, while also attempting to CLICK HERE ...
be environmentally responsible in its operation. After acquiring Crestbrook’s
shares in 1998, the private company is now solely owned by Mitsubishi Cor-
poration (70%) and Oji Paper (30%).

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 Full size for N scale (54%)

Full size for HO scale (100%) Full size for Z scale (39%)
Figure 9: West Fraser Timber load wrappers.
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West Fraser Timber Company is a Canadian forestry company based in Ques- Other enlargements are
nel, British Columbia that was founded in 1955. West Fraser produces a va- available for other scales
riety of softwood lumber products which are sold into the North American in the bonus downloads
and export markets. With more than 28 sawmills in British Columbia, Alberta, for the July issue:
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both domestic and global clients.

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 BUILDING A HELIX – One Modeler’s Experience
I
– by Art Houston built the original helix for my the helix, allowing it to feed three dif- the new Central Division of the
   Photos by the author first Grande Pacific Railroad ferent levels. However, my new track Grande Pacific RR.
as described in this article. plan does not involve using the two Follow along now as I describe my
Fortunately, the construction I used mid-helix switches that remain. helix construction process.
allowed me to dismantle the helix I just operate the helix today as
Building a 10-turn helix is and move it wholesale to my second part of a long straight run that is
not rocket science – and Grande Pacific Railroad that’s now
located in Houma, Louisiana. Figure 1: Art built this 10-turn double-track helix for his Grande Pacific
if you build it right, it can Central Division HO layout – and then later moved it lock-stock-and-barrel
This is a double-track 10-turn helix to his new layout, more-or-less intact! Follow along as Art shows you how
last you a lifetime ... with some switches mid-level that exit he did both the original helix and the relocation to his new layout.

Reader
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 STEP 1: Make a Cutting Template

Figure 2: Art’s 1/4” Masonite cutting template covering a 120 ° arc. Figure 3: Art added marks every 22.5 ° to the template to aid in
making curve sections as long as needed on the plywood.

For the first step we created a 120° arc cutting template for the helix sub-
roadbed plywood out of 1/4” Masonite hardboard (figure 2). The one
shown in this picture is a 36” outside and 33” inside radius track center.
There is an additional 3” to the outside and to the inside to protect any
equipment in the event of a derailment. Total width of the template and
each piece of Helix sub-roadbed is 9”.
Note the marks I added to the template every 22.5 ° running across the
template in figure 3. These marks allowed us to get whatever combination
of length of pieces we needed and to mark the ends and get them square.
I cut the track center marking notches in the template using a router.

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 STEP 2: Cut the Plywood Using the Template

Figure 4: Assistant Dave Abramson marks the 1/4” lauan plywood Figure 5: A section of cut out sub-roadbed for the helix. Art cut 81
with all the sub-roadbed pieces, using the template as a guide. such pieces of sub-roadbed for this 10-turn helix.

Here in figure 4, Dave Abramson, my right hand, lays out the pieces on a pieces to make one complete circle, we need to cut 8 pieces of the 1/4” lauan
sheet of 1/4” lauan plywood using the template. We tried to get the maxi- plywood and then later laminate them together using carpenters glue, stag-
mum number of pieces from one 4 x 8’ sheet of plywood. It also helps to have gering the joints in the two layers to get one complete seamless circle of 1/2”
a large metal square available as a ruler drawing aid. plywood.
We screwed together three sheets of plywood (making a 3/4” thick sandwich For this helix we cut out 81 sections of sub-roadbed (figure 5). We did make
of 3 sheets) and cut three sections of sub-roadbed at a time with a jigsaw (fig- two modified sections since we have switches coming off mid-helix in addition
ure 5). to the top and bottom.
I used two sections of 1/4” sub-roadbed laminated together with carpenter’s
This helix rises 4” per turn. On the 36” radius track, a complete turn is about
glue to make a 1/2” roadbed sandwich that has no splice plate joints. By stag-
gering the joints in the two laminated layers, I don’t need any splice plates, 18.8’, which means a 4” rise is about 1.87% grade. (A 36” radius is a diameter
which simplifies the construction of the helix tiers. of 72” and 72 x 3.14 [pi] equals 226” or 18.84 feet.)
Since this method uses the two laminated layers, we needed to cut two sets
of sub-roadbed pieces for each tier of the helix. In other words, if it takes 4

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 STEP 3: Prepare for Assembly

MATERIALS AND TOOLS To start putting this all together, we need to first give it a little thought and
planning. My 10-turn helix raises the track elevation by 38”. You can make
your helix as many turns as you like. My helix raises the trains from 24” to
ITEM COMMENTS 62” in elevation on the current Grande Pacific Model RR.
Carpenter’s glue (yellow not white) Buy a gallon and save. If you are going to do a helix this big, keep in mind this thing will be heavy.
Code 100 flex track I use Atlas. No one will see it once the In my case, I had to go back and reinforce the whole thing to get a level base
helix is covered in scenery, so code 100 after it was built, which was tricky – it would have been far easier to make
is fine. sure I had a good level base to start with. Nothing like 20-20 hindsight.
Track nails I glued down track initially. Do not do You will need a lot of materials and a lot of clamps. Figure 6 has the materi-
this - use track nails instead, and don’t als list.
press them down too tight. I have had to First, I made a starter piece as a straight section leading into the first curved
go back and apply track nails to glued piece, so that it makes it to the first 1/16 turn. The next two pieces have to
sections that later came up due to be done at the same time.
expansion.
1/4” lauan plywood You will have to calculate how much
based on how many turns you want in
your helix.
1 x 2s Use these to make the risers. The risers
cannot have knots, because of notches
that need to be cut in each one. You can
see I used 16 risers. If I did this again, I
would double it to 32 risers for greater
stability.
Plastic trowel with notches Use this to spread the glue.
Soldering iron
Solder
Solder paste
Rail joiners
Cork roadbed
Orbital sander
Push pins
Bucket loads of patience Don’t underestimate how much of this
you will need.

Figure 6: List of materials and tools.

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 STEP 4: Assemble One Tier-Loop At a Time

Figure 7: Able assistant Dave Abramson laminates each tier-loop, Figure 7a: We laminate two 1/4” layers of lauan plywood sub-
leaving the one laminate joint between each tier-loop unglued to roadbed together using carpenter’s glue and clamps to get one 1/2”
allow easy disassembly of each loop later for doing the trackwork. plywood sandwich. By staggering the joints in the layers, no joint
Notice how Dave is offsetting the joints between the two 1/4” splice plates are necessary.
laminated layers by about 50%. The result will be a strong 1/2”
helix sub-roadbed with no splice plates.

To start assembly of the helix, we laminate one complete circle at a time, This allows us to separate each tier-loop circle to easily add the cork roadbed
but we do not join the individual tier-loop circles just yet. In other words, we and track. With each of the 10 laminated tier-loops still easy to work with indi-
leave the overlapping area at the end of each tier and the start of the next vidually, doing the trackwork part is a lot easier than trying to reach into a 4
unglued end lose – we do not laminate them yet. inch space with your hands and with tools.
But we do keep building up the laminated tiers until we get all 10 levels lami-
nated. It’s very important that you leave the laminated joint between each
tier unglued!

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 STEP 5: Assemble One Tier-Loop At a Time

Figure 8: Gluing down the cork roadbed on the bottom tier-loop.

Once all the tier-loops have been laminated (all except one overlap joint
between each tier-loop (which we have left unglued for now), we take all the
sub-roadbed loops apart and start on the bottom tier-loop with laying the Figure 9: Laying the track on the bottom tier-loop. The switch at
cork roadbed and track. The process goes like this:
bottom was removed when I moved the helix to the second Grande
1. Glue down the cork on one tier-loop using yellow glue and push pins, and Pacific Model RR. Both lines go to staging, one is East Staging and
let that dry. the other is West Staging.
2. Once dry, remove the push pins and use the orbital sander to lightly sand
the cork top and joints smooth. other track rail joint loose [every 6 feet], to allow for the most optimum track
contraction and expansion, which is what we recommend. - MRH Ed.)
3. Vacuum up the cork mess.
6. Add the next tier-loop on top of the previous tier-loop, gluing the laminated
4. Lay the Atlas flex track in place on the cork using push pins to temporar- sub-roadbed joint this time between the two tiers. Taking this approach puts
ily hold it in place. Fix the track in place using track nails (not glue or caulk). the sub-roadbed track laying out in the open so it’s easy to do, laying the track
Leave the track nails ever-so-slightly lose. Do not press down too tight, allow as you work your way up the helix sub-roadbed levels.
the track room to “breathe”.
It’s best to do this work on a solid and level benchwork location where the
5. Solder each rail joiner. I pre-solder two pieces of Atlas flex track at a time, helix will go permanently. Trying to move an assembled 10-tier helix with all
and then bend the 6-foot section into place on top of the cork roadbed. This the roadbed and track from one place to another without damage is not easy –
helps eliminate kinks at the joints when done this way. Place the movable do not underestimate how heavy an assembled helix with sub-roadbed, road-
rail on the Atlas flex track to the inside. (Or alternatively, you can leave every bed, and track is!

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 STEP 5a: Assemble One Tier-Loop At a Time

Figure 10: You must side-mount switch machines in a helix, since

there’s no room under the sub-roadbed for them.
Figure 11: Here you can see how this turnout allows exiting the
helix part-way up on the final assembled helix.

On my helix, I have switches exiting the helix, in this case, off helix tier level 4. In my current operating scheme, these switches are always thrown to the helix
I have a switch at 3.5 turns and another at 4 turns that allows trains to enter route. But the point here is, it’s easy to get off or on the helix with a turnout
and exit the outside track of the helix at these points (figure 10). part-way up (figure 11).
Keep in mind, you cannot mount a switch machine underneath the track on
a helix. I cut some laminate sections with an extension on them to provide a
shelf where the switch machine can be mounted.
I use Circuitron’s remote mounting kit and I modify it to operate the Tortoise
machines off to the side on a shelf. I cut the cable guide into two pieces and
use .022” piano wire for throw rods. I run the piano wire under the track by
removing a slot in the cork roadbed and I put a short 90 ° bend in the wire
and press it into the hole in point throwbar.

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 STEP 6: Raise the Helix Tiers into Position

Once all the helix tiers have the track laid

on them and have been glued together,
it’s time to raise the tier-loops into posi-
tion in preparation for adding the perma-
nent riser supports.
The sub-roadbed starts flush with the top
of the benchwork joists. At a quarter of
the way around the bottom tier, we added
a 1/2” spacer between the bottom sub-
roadbed and the top of the benchwork
(adding the 1/2” sub-roadbed on top of
the spacer makes the total rise equal 1”).
Then half way around the bottom tier we
added a 1.5” spacer (rise of 2”), then we
put a 2.5” spacer at three quarters of the
way around (rise of 3”). Finally, at one full
turn, we used a scrap of 1 x 4 as a 3.5”
spacer, to get the total rise of 4” after one
complete circumference of the helix loop.
From there it’s just a matter of using 1 x
4 scraps to raise all the tiers into position.
Since a 1 x 4 is 3.5” tall, this plus the 1/2”
of laminated luan equals a 4” rise, or a
grade of 1.87%. We raised the helix with
two people, one lifting, starting from bot-
tom and the other person placing the 1 x
4 on edge at each 1/4 turn until we got all
the way to the top.

Figure 12: With all the track laid, the helix tiers were temporarily raised into place using scrap 1x4s.

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 STEP 7: Add the 1x2 Risers

With the tier levels raised into position, we added

the 1x2 permanent risers to hold the levels in
place. We used 16 risers at 8 points around the
loop, with an inside and an outside riser at each of
the 8 locations. If I were to do this again, I would
use 32 risers placed at 16 points around the loop,
not 8.
Each riser has 1/2” slots cut 3/4” deep along
the wide dimension of the 1x2 (which is halfway
through the 1.5” width of the 1x2). We temporar-
ily clamped each riser in place and then marked
where each slot would go. All 16 risers were cut at
the same time using a radial arm saw.
We did not glue the risers to the lauan, as the sub-
roadbed fits snugly into its corresponding 3/4”
deep slot. We glued just the top turn into its slot
at the top of the riser – this allows for the expan-
sion and contraction of the wood through the sea-
sons. We trimmed the bottom of each riser flush
with the benchwork after screwing it into the joist
with two 2.5” long dry wall screws (make sure to
drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the 1x2 riser).

Figure 13: Helix, with all the 1x2 risers added.

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 STEP 8: Integrate the Helix into the Rest of the Layout

Figure 14: Entrance to the bottom of the helix, via a wye. Note the Figure 15: Tier level 4 exit to the middle deck benchwork, with the
outside track helix exit turnout at tier level 4. beginnings of the middle deck taking shape.

With the helix itself finished, integrate it into the rest of the layout track-
work at the top and the bottom, and along any midway points where you
exit the helix.

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 STEP 8: Integrate the Helix into the Rest of the Layout Continued ... Epilogue: Moving the feet off the floor, it creates an inner
core well over 6 feet high in which
Grande Pacific RR Helix
you can easily stand.
to a New Home
Similar to the first time we constructed
I moved to a new home and disman-
the helix, we installed 1x2 risers and
tled the original Grande Pacific RR. I
raised the helix into place again.
kept the helix by removing the risers
and bundled the 10 layers as a flat The fan in figure 18 (next page) forms
spiral stack of sub-roadbed and track. an important part of air movement
The helix was stored like this standing in the room. It takes cooler air on
on end for over a year. To move it we floor and throws it up to the ceiling
rolled it around, and once in the lay- and forces warmer air into the air
out room, we slid it up onto the new conditioner.
benchwork to get it into place.
I built the building housing the new
When I tried to move the helix, I Grande Pacific expressly for a model
found out exactly how heavy this railroad. The white outlet in figure 18
thing really is. The central core open- is for everything but railroad, while the
ing is just over 11 feet across. Once brown outlet is on four separate cir-
Figure 16: Here’s how I integrated the top of the helix into the placed on benchwork that’s several cuits and is for the railroad only.
upper level on my previous layout.

Art Houston has been surrounded by railroads

since birth, because several family members
were in the railroad industry. He had his first
layout at age 9 and has built over 14 in his life
time. He has spent a large amount of time in the
hobby developing and promoting operations in
the model railroad world.
Art is a graduate of LSU, and is a commissioned
officer in the US Army. He also had long fruitful
careers in insurance and Phillip Morris USA. He
lives in the Houma, LA area, with his wife of 45
years who is still willing to put up with Art playing with trains.
Art is also an NMRA member, and a member of the Mid South Model RR
Club. He is currently building the second version of the Central Division Figure 17: I collapsed the helix and added straps to it so we could
of the Grande Pacific Model RR (grandepacificmodelrr.org). Art is always more easily move it. Here is the helix in its location on the new layout’s
looking for new, or fellow modellers with his interests. benchwork.

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 Figure 19 shows the tracks coming off original orientation, and it has had
and on the helix. At this point, you are six switches removed – yet it’s still
at yard limits of staging. Track to left doing what it was built to do over a
is a reverse loop for the bottom level. decade ago! 
Where the scenery ends, there will be
a backdrop with tunnels. You will not
be able to see the helix at some point
in the future.
Figure 20 shows the helix in its sec-
ond home as of October 2010. The
layout main line is complete and the
helix works great. If you build a helix
right the first time, it should almost Reader
last you a lifetime. The relocated
Feedback
(click here) 
helix has been turned 180 ° from its

Figure 19: Bottom entry/exit to the helix on the new Grande Pacific RR.

Figure 18: Fan in the center of the helix core for air movement. Figure 20: The relocated helix in its new home as of October 2010.

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 In part 3, MRH publisher Joe number of purchases and establish a
Fugate demonstrates how to sell record of being reliable and trustwor-
thy by paying quickly. After you get a
your model railroading goodies couple dozen purchase transactions
in the world’s largest continuous under your belt with positive feed-
running flea market: eBay! back, then you can move on to selling.
It’s best to start with a few inexpensive

for Model Railroaders S

elling on eBay takes some under- items worth about $20 or less. That
standing of how eBay’s specific way you can establish your reputation
flavor of auction works if you as a trustworthy seller.
want to get the best results and to
Having built up some eBay history with
fetch the best price for your wares.
a positive rating, you can move on to
To really understand selling on eBay, selling more expensive items and peo-
Reader
Feedback
Part 3: Selling you first should learn how to be a
savvy eBay buyer. We covered the
ple will trust you.

(click here)  — by Joe Fugate ins-and-outs of eBay buying in parts 1 It all starts with research
and 2 of this series.
To do well selling on eBay, you need to
Now that you are an experienced have a good sense of the value of what
eBay buyer, you’re ready to move into you are trying to sell. To know that, you
selling on eBay. must do some research.
Some have learned eBay well enough For instance, I have two E&C shops box
they both buy and sell on eBay and cars I want to sell. I model the 1980s
make good money doing so. In this ar- Southern Pacific and the paint scheme
ticle, I’m assuming you aren’t wanting on these cars is from the early 1990s,
to make eBay selling a business ven- just before the Southern Pacific sold out
ture, but that you’re more of a casual to the Union Pacific. So these cars are
seller. Turning eBay into a business is too new for my railroad.
beyond the scope of this article.
Before I list these cars on eBay, I research
their value by doing some searches on
Building your eBay rating E&C Shops cars others are selling.
Figure 1: Selling If you plan to sell items periodically on
I find most E&C Shops kits sell for be-
on eBay takes some eBay, it’s important to build a positive
tween $8 and $15 (figure 2), so I elect
understanding of how eBay rating before you start selling any big
to set the price for my cars at $10 – ac-
works, so it’s best if you first become ticket items of $100 or more in price.
tually $9.99 to keep the price every-so-
a somewhat savvy eBay buyer. Parts 1 and 2 That’s another reason it’s best to start slightly on the $8 side of $10 instead on
of this series taught buying, so now let’s learn to sell on eBay! out as a buyer first. You can make a the $15 side.

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 I also note that shipping runs from
free to $7. Shipping tends to be some-
thing of a “dance” on eBay.
Some will make the shipping free, but
then jack up the asking price of the
item, while others will make the price
of the item really low, and jack up the
shipping in an attempt to make their
money on the shipping.
I prefer a middle-of-the-road approach.
I like to set the product price to an at-
tractive lower-end price, but charge a
moderate amount for shipping. In my
case, something less than $5 but more
than $4 sounds about right to me.
The total cost of most E&C items be-
ing sold comes to $14-$15 dollars with
shipping, so I’m right in the middle
with a $9.99 price and say $4.50 for
shipping. Plus psychologically, $9.99 as
the item price looks better than $10+.
Once you get savvy to selling on eBay,
you realize setting your item price can
involve something of a strategy. You
want to fetch a decent price for your
items without either overcharging peo-
ple or giving things away for nothing. Figure 2: To set my asking price for the E&C Shops cars I want to sell on eBay, I first search for other
Another important key to selling on E&C Shops cars and see what they’re selling for. Most are selling for $8-15, and I’m interested in a quick
eBay is to take good quality photos of sell, so I set my price at the lower end – $10. Actually, I make the price $9.99 for the physchological
the items you wish to sell. benefit of being under $10. I also note shipping runs from free to $7, but the free shipping items have the
higher prices (the seller just bundled the shipping into their asking price). I elect for something in the $4 -
$5 range as reasonable, given my bargain basement product price.
Top priority: good photos
If the item you’re selling looks attrac-
tive, you’ll typically fetch a nice price
for it, which just makes good sense.

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 That means you need a decent digital Figure 3: Full
camera and some basic photography disclosure on eBay is
skills. If you can take a reasonably nice important, so when
photo of the item you wish to sell, I took the photo of
you should do well selling it on eBay. the kit box, I wanted
It’s also important to be as honest as people to see the box
possible about the item you’re trying show some wear. But
to sell. If it has a defect, be up front the contents inside
about the defect and include a clear the box are in great
photo of the defect. condition, which is
why I also wanted
As long as you’re honest about shar- to take the photo in
ing and showing the defect and adjust figure 4, below.
the price accordingly, you will still find
modelers interested in the item – and
you may even have a bidding war if
more than one person wants the item,
defect and all!

Protographing my boxcars
To prepare for listing my E&C box cars, I
take some good digital photos of them. Figure 4: At a swap
The kit boxes have some wear on them, meet, I’d want to take
and they also have a few drops of gray any kit I’m thinking
scenery paint from having been stored of purchasing and
under the layout. look inside. It’s no
different on eBay.
I take two photos of the kits. First, I take
That’s why I laid out
a photo of the kit boxes so eBayer’s can
the contents of one of
see the box wear – I don’t want any
secrets here (figure 3).
the kits out and took
this photo. This makes
I also open up one of the kits and lay it abundantly clear to
all the contents out and photograph any potential buyer
that for people to see. I want to dem- what they’re getting
onstrate the kit itself is in pristine shape for their money. Such
(figure 4). photos helps any eBay
I try to think in terms of what I’d like to sale go smoothly and
see if I were at a swap meet and was in- fetch a good price!

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 terested in this kit. I’d want to open up
the box and examine the contents.
I mount the camera on a tripod an-
dmake sure the photos are well lit
and in focus. I snap the images and
pull them into Photoshop for some
quick adjustments to make them
look their best.
Avoid retouching the photos. You
want people to see the items just
as they are, not as some highly air-
brushed distortion of reality.
Finally, I downsize the photos from their
massive 14 megapixel size to something
reasonable like 1900 x 1200 or so using
save for web inside Photoshop.
Once I have my item photos, I’m
ready to set up my eBay listing.

Setting up my listing
To set up my listing, I log into the eBay
site and at the top right click the menu
entry Sell > Sell an item.
I’m first asked to determine the catego-
ry for the item, so I type in HO Southern
Pacific SP boxcar – and eBay recom-
mends a list of categories to chose from Figure 5: eBay makes it easy to establish the category for your listing. The listing process starts with this
(see figure 5).
panel asking you to enter some key words about your item. Based on what you type, eBay suggests the
I select: likely categories for you. E&C Shops is too small of a vendor to have its own category like Athearn or
Model RR, Trains > HO Scale >Other Bachmann do, so I select the Other category from eBay’s list of recommended choices.
The other categories are vendor-spe-
cific, like Bachmann and Athearn. E&C
Shops is too small of a vendor to have
their own category, so Other is the best
choice in this case.
Continued on page 78 ...

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 Helpful eBay links   Figure 6: The key to a good
title is to think “search terms”.
Set up a favorites folder marked eBay and place these I started with the phrase
links in it for easy and quick reference.
you see here, and then later

Advanced search page: changed it to “HO boxcar 50’
pages.eBay.com/search/items/search_adv.html Southern Pacific SP 286022
E&C Shops” to distinguish it

Search eBay stores:
from my other listing of road
pages.eBay.com/search/items/search_stores.html
number 286028. If people

Announcements and news: search for “boxcar”, “E&C”,
announcements.ebay.com “SP”, or “Southern Pacific”,
they’ll get a hit with this title.

Discussion boards:
pages.eBay.com/community/boards/index.html

Leave feedback:
pages.ebay.com/services/forum/feedback.html

Rules and policies:
pages.ebay.com/help/policies/overview.html

End my listing:
pages.ebay.com/help/sell/end_early.html

eBay fees:
pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

eBay Answer Center:
contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CustomerSupport
 tips to selling on eBay:
77
skipmcgrath.com/auction_sr/77-tips-tools-selling-ebay.shtml

Auction hints and tips newsletter:
AuctionBytes.com

Insider secrets to selling on eBay:
reviews.cnet.com/4520-10165_7-5674079-1.html

Buying on eBay quick tips: Figure 7: eBay makes it easy to upload any number of photos of the item(s) you’re selling.
ebay.about.com/od/buyingeffectivel1/qt/be_ataglance.htm Generally at least two images of the item are advised. The first image is free, and each
additional image costs 15 cents. I also opted to go with Gallery Plus for another 35 cents,
since that allows people to display the pictures in a larger format, which helps sales.

Page 77 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Ebay for Model Railroaders - part 3, page 5 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 ... continued from page 76 Figure 8: You can choose
between two listing options with
I then get two options for entering a eBay – I prefer the More listing
listing: More listing choices, or Keep it choices option since that gives
simple. I select More listing choices (see
me more control over the look of
figure 8).
the listing.
The info eBay wants includes:

Title: HO modern boxcar South-
ern Pacific SP E&C Shops (I later Figure 9: Grading allows you
changed this slightly, see figure 6). some fine-grained categorizing of
your item quality. For these E&C

Condition: New
Shops kits, I selected C-9 Factory
Used was my other option, and this is
New since the kits are new and
a new unassembled kit, so New it is,
even though the box is a bit worn. in pristine shape. I didn’t select
C-10 Mint since the boxes are

Grading: C9 Factory New - Brand New worn, although the kit contents
eBay provides a 1-10 grading sys- are brand new.
tem for item quality, and C-9 fits
this item the best since it is new,
although not in mint condition be-
cause of the box wear (see figure 9).

Photos: See figure 7.

Description: See figure 10.

Listing designer: Default style.

Visitor counter: Basic style (default).

Starting price: $0.99

Buy it now price: $9.99

Duration: 3 days (default is 7 days).
Figure 10: Here’s the description I entered for each of these E&C Shops box cars. It’s important to describe
In this case, I wanted to sell the items
the item clearly and to point out any flaws such as the box wear. It also helps give pontential buyers more
fairly quickly.
confidence if you can explain a sensible reason why you’re selling the item(s). Since I have two very similar

Payment type: Paypal (default). listings, I also wanted to minimize confusion by clearly specifying the road number on each car.

Return policy: Allow returns for up
to 7 days after the buyer receives
the item.

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Refund policy: Money back, buyer No one took me up on the Buy it now
pays return shipping. option, so the sale of both items be-
came a bidding war. Once the dust
At this point, the eBay listing costs settled, I sold both cars to one person
me 15 cents. I review the mockup of for $7 and $7, and shipping of $6.
my listing and opt for the Gallery Plus
option, which provides larger images Actual shipping costs were $5.50 and
of the item for an additional fee of 35 eBay charged me 50 cents, so I made
cents. I pass (don’t select) any of the $14 from cars that were otherwise just
other listing enhancement options. gathering dust in my stash! 

My listing costs me a total of 50 cents.

Reader
I check the box that says, Save this list-
Feedback
ing as a template use it to sell similar (click here) 
items. Finally, I click the List your item
button to submit my listing to eBay. Video won’t play? Click here to play it on YouTube.
I use the sell a similar item link to cre- Figure 11: I use the Sell similar
ate the second listing for the other kit item link on my first listing
I have, road number 286022. confirmation page to easily enter
the listing for my other almost
Reviewing the listings identical E&C box car. This made
quick work of listing the second
Once I’ve created both listings, I go re-
road number, 286022.
view them using the My eBay menu on
the upper right and select Selling.
I can see both entries, and I can easily
track views, how many people added Figure 12: Here’s how my final
the listing to their watch list, and any listing looks on eBay for road
bids placed. number 286022. The listing
Now, I just wait for the auction to run for road number 286028 looks
it’s course and see how it does! virtually identical. If no one
takes advantage of the Buy it
now option and instead opts to
Auction outcome bid on the item, the Buy it now
So how did my auction do? option will disappear and the item
reverts to an ordinary auction.
I got one question asking if I would do
combined shipping, to which I said,
“Yes, $6 if you buy them both.”

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 A-Line Car Weighting System
It’s easy to add weight to a reefer or
boxcar. If you can get inside it, use the
self-stick weights (Figure 3) sticking
them to the car floor. Otherwise add
sheet lead under the car bottom.
A covered hopper is a little tougher.
Try pouring the 5/64” lead shot into
the car and securing it with white
– by Charlie Comstock glue. If the car top is already glued

Y
in place, drill a small hole in an
ou’ve got a new flat car and
unobtrusive location in the bottom
it looks great. But to your
of the car, pour in the lead, then
dismay it doesn’t always stay
plug the hole with a bit of styrene or
on the track. The wheels are in gauge possibly some Squadron White putty.
and pivot properly. The couplers This method also works for tank cars.
are the right height. What’s going Some modelers reportedly don’t
on here? What about weight? The even bother gluing the weights and
NMRA recommended practice 20.1 just let gravity distribute the weight
says HO cars should weigh 1 oz. + across the bottom of the car.
1
/2 oz. per inch of length. The car
is about 8” long so it should weigh An open hopper is another
about 5 oz. Out comes your postal problem car when it comes to Different styles of A-Line lead weighting products.
scale – Whoops! It only weighs 2.5 adding additional weight. If you Check out the A-Line web site at ppw-aline.com
ounces. Could that be the issue? can disassemble the car or if you’re
building it yourself, try putting sheet
Consistently weighted cars are good lead in the sloping end plates. 
for operations, especially if you like
long trains. A fly-weight car near the Reader
head of a 40 car train is likely to have Feedback
problems staying on the track particu- (click here) 
larly through tight curves and turnouts.
A-Line, a division of Proto Power
West, offers lead in several styles:
CAUTION!
Lead is poisonous and will do bad
sheet, pourable, and self-stick weights
things to you if ingested! ALWAYS wash
pre-cut into 1/4 or 1/2 ounce segments.
your hands thoroughly after coming
Adding extra weight to that flat car is in contact with lead! See a doctor im-
a good application for sheet lead. Turn mediately if ingested. Don’t leave lead
the car over, cut sheet lead to size and where children or pets can find it.
glue it between the underbody ribs.

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 AUX-BOX DCC Appliance – An Unusual Name for a Useful Device
with different power
inputs – the switches
are optically-isolated
from the DCC controller
to prevent short-
circuits through the
AUX-BOX. The AUX-
BOX documentation
– by Jeff Shultz notes that it provides

T
no circuit breaker
he AUX-BOX, from the protection, so if it is set
MRH Sponsoring Advertiser up to turn track power
TrainTek, brings DCC control on and off, you should
of your railroad to a new level. At its have a separate circuit
most basic, the AUX-BOX is a set of 8 breaker device. Several
programmable, 30V/3 Amp-capable are recommended,
on-off switches controlled through including the EB Series
your DCC system, done in the same Circuit Breakers from
manner as a stationary decoder. MRH Sponsoring
With the AUX-BOX, you can throw advertiser NCE, the
turnouts, turn on and off lights and Digitrax PM42 Power
animation, control track power, and Management System,
do just about anything else that can and DCC Specialties PSX
be controlled by an on-off switch – Series Intelligent Circuit
and even more. Breakers.

The AUX-BOX is connected to the What sets the AUX-

DCC Power Bus for control, and is BOX apart from simple
programmed and controlled as an toggle switches is that
Figure 1: The Aux-Box circuit board.
accessory through your DCC system. as a DCC device it’s
The AUX-BOX supports accessory/ programmable. You can use each switch independently
stationary DCC addresses between like that you can set them separately as well. The system as a SPST device or group them into more complex
1-2044, and uses 12 addresses. You currently has 8 switches, with the additional 4 addresses switches – using all 8 switches together you can create
can set the first address and the AUX- for future expansion – according to the documentation a 4PDT switch, such as would be used to create an
BOX will automatically fill in the next there are provisions for four additional 8- Amp switches. isolated programming track on a section of track on
11. If you don’t want them in order All switches can run completely independent systems a layout. Switches can be set to “reverse”, where the

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 switch will open in response to a using it to turn on an amusement
close command, and vice versa. This park railroad (Z scale on my HO
is used to create DPDT and 4PDT scale layout) with a a fixed voltage
switches, where one side will be on transformer.
when the other is off. You can also
set switches to flash – like a strobe, The AUX-BOX can be used to control
or combine two switches to flash powered turnouts, both with power
alternately – like a crossing signal. direction and controlling a turnout
The flash rate can be modified motor. Because different types
through values in their CVs. of turnout motors have different
requirements in power, the AUX-
BOX switches can also be set to turn
“With the AUX-BOX, on for a specific amount of time,
you can throw turn- in seconds (between 1 and 255).
Controlling multiple yard tracks in
outs, turn on and off this manner can also be done by a
lights and animation, dispatcher using JMRI’s Panel Pro on
a PC attached to the DCC Controller.
control track power,
The AUX-BOX is 7.45” W x 6.75”H
and do just about (189.23mm x 171.45mm) in size and
anything else that comes with a one year warranty. It
retails for $119.95.
can be controlled by
It’s available at the AUX-BOX website:
an on-off switch – auxboxdcc.com 
and even more.”
The AUX-BOX also includes
connections for two photocells Reader
(not included) to automatically Feedback
control switches – the photocells (click here) 
replace the DCC address for the
switch or switches they are assigned
to. The inputs are self adjusting
– no calibration for ambient light
conditions needs to be made. The
documentation describes using
this feature to turn on a carnival
display when someone walks near
it. In a similar fashion I’m looking at Figure 2: The Aux-Box includes a 28-page User’s Guide.

Page 82 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Aux-Box DCC Applicance, page 2 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 THE LITE AND NARROW:
Mortenson’s Fish Market
Ramblings on Narrow Gauge and
About our Branchline Modeling
narrow gauge and
branchline columnist

Lew Matt is a published writer,

photographer, and illustrator whose
work has appeared in many model

K
railroad hobby magazines. evin Hunter, mastermind of feisty Norwegian sea dog - but that is Figure 1: Mortenson’s Fish Market
Berrett Hill Models, another story). and Wharf is a busy place, as the
Click here to learn more about Lew. (berretthill.com) and one of workers put the finishing touches
the movers and shakers of the MAD Fishmongers, merchants who buy the
fisherman’s catch and merchandise
on the new building while trying to
Module group’s scenic Free-mo get fish orders together for a rail
layout, scratchbuilt an excellent it to the population, dominated the
fresh fish market in most areas along shipment to Baltimore.
waterside module with an interest-
ing O scale building for his wharf the east coast of the U.S. for centu-
scene, Mortenson’s Fish Market. This ries. It has only been a few decades
building is modeled after a typical since the last of these colorful entre-
Eastern Shore or New England, small preneurs have disappeared from the
fishmonger complex found along mainstream food chain. Independent
the coastline from Maine to South fishmongers are now likely to be
found only in smaller communities. Reader
Carolina. Kevin named the build- Feedback
ing for Geren Mortenson, a pillar of (click here) 
the MAD Module community (and a

Page 83 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • The Lite and Narrow column, page 1 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 The building was constructed from under humid conditions. The windows
.040 styrene board, overlaid with are Tichy creations, let into the walls.
cardstock that was computer printed The same shingles were used on the
with shingles. Kevin used 3M spray removable roof.
adhesive to attach the cardstock to
The interior walls are fully detailed,
the styrene.
and will eventually be lighted and
A humidity problem developed: when detailed as a wholesale fish market
the paper gets moist, it swells and with lots of wooden crates to hold
bubbles or wrinkles appear on the iced fish for shipping, a counter to dis-
surface. When the paper dries out, play the iced fish for sale, and people
everything flattens out again. Kevin’s busy rushing about moving crates,
next building will be made from foam selling their catch and bidding on
core with the cardstock glued on with quantities of fish for restaurants and
PVA. This structure may prove to be grocery store fish counters. Of course,
more compatible with the cardstock around Chesapeake Bay, a raw oyster

Figure 3: The front of the building is on the north side, facing the wharf.
The boss is discussing a fish delivery with a local fisherman, while a
worker hauls ice to the waiting railroad car. Looks like someone dumped
some ice on the deck, probably from the new fish cart.

bar is a prerequisite to doing any sea- The ice is made from poly beads
food business. used to fill stuffed toy animals. I tried
While Kevin is busy accumulating and cutting the pieces smaller to better
fashioning those many small details represent crushed ice, but the poly
that evoke the atmosphere, spirit and pellets seem to be able to absorb all
pace of the fishmonger’s business and the impact from tools and retain their
building, I built a fish cart as one of the shape. So far, a blender, used dry and
major details to support the scene. wet; a food processor, meat grinder
The cart presented here is the laser kit and a Xuron cutter have proved
manufactured by Train Troll ineffective.
(traintroll.com).
The fish are modeled using the heavy
In many Northeastern localities, fish
carts were used to transport ice and aluminum that wraps Kraft cream
fish from the boats to the fishmonger’s cheese, cleaned in lacquer thin-
Figure 2: The paint is just drying on the Tichy windows as we look at the place of business where the fish would ner, inked with colored Sharpie and
south side of the building. If you look carefully, you can see through the be butchered, iced and packed for rail Pantone indelible pens, then washed
building as the interior hasn’t been fitted yet. or truck delivery to a retailer’s store. with thinner to blend the colors.

Page 84 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • The Lite and Narrow column, page 2 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 ...

Manicure scissors are used to cut out MAD Module group. The ground
the shapes of the different fish. (More cover is typical of the MAD Module Building a Fish Cart for
on this later!) ground cover.  Mortenson’s Fish Market
Kevin used lots of wooden coffee stir-
rers to fashion the deck of the wharf
area. The boards were hot-glued
onto the scale timber framework
to give the wharf some flexibility to
endure the bumps and shakes from
traveling around for display by the

Figure 5: The finished Train Troll fish cart really adds to the scene at
Mortenson’s Fish Market. The ice is made from poly beads used for
stuffing kid’s toy animals.

I
saw the ad for the Train Troll for the entire project. I would recom-
(traintroll.com) fish cart about mend some additional bits of infor-
the same time I saw the almost mation to make a better model.
completed Mortenson Fish Market,
built by Kevin Hunter. I decided this Use a light gray alcohol-based dye to
was a great detail for the fish market stain the wood parts while they are
and sent off for one to try. still connected to the sheets of thin
wood. All of the parts that repre-
The kit comes in a sealed plas-
sent iron were stained with a reddish
tic sleeve with the directions and
Figure 4: There is a lot of activity at the main doors as the workers sheets of thin wood with the parts brown dye. The four pieces used for
begin to install the interior details, while a carpenter fastens the last of neatly laser cut. The directions are the iron rim of the wheels are the
the paper shingles to the styrene walls. It takes a lot of coffee stirrers adequate and I was able to follow exception. I stained those black and
and BBQ skewers to make the wharf and pilings for Mortenson’s Fish them and wind up with a completed later, after the piece was assembled,
Market. model. I used Elmer’s white glue touched them up with a black Sharpie

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 pen. The brass axle and handle were thin, sharp blade made clean work of
soaked in “Blacken It” until they were the separation with no chance of split-
a nice, very dark brown-black color, ting the wood. A single swipe with a
then set aside until they were needed. fingernail file cleaned off any remains
of the attachment point.
The side and end support pieces
were assembled while the sides The brass wheel axle and handle
and ends were still attached to the were pushed through their respec-
boards. The instructions call for using tive pieces to size the holes while
the small tick marks engraved on those pieces were still attached to the
the sides and ends to align the sup- board. The additional board around
ports. My failing eyes required me to the piece helped to keep things from
extend those tick marks all the way breaking. I positioned the back of
across the sides and ends and out the holes in the cart’s handles over a
onto the wood around these pieces small washer and pushed the brass
so I could see them better. pins straight down through the hole.
The washer kept a good solid back-
The Exacto #11 blade is too thick to Figure 7: The wheel rims are separate pieces, two to a wheel, front and
ing behind the small cross section
effectively cut the small connecting back, and should be stained black.
of wood, so the piece didn’t crack.
pieces holding the parts to the sheet,
This method results in a perfect
so I used a single edge industrial razor
blade to detach all the parts. The Continued on page 88 ...

Figure 6: It is easier to stain all the parts while they are still attached to Figure 8: A very light coating of dilute white glue will permanently attach
their sheets. the rims to the wheels.

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 Figure 9: Small tick marks are engraved into the sides and ends to Figure 11: The kit quickly and easily forms into three subassemblies, the
locate the support bars. The marks were extended to assist with the wheels, the body and the handles with reinforcements.
fabrication.

Figure 10: The brass axle and handle are pressed into their holes while Figure 12: The finished cart, looking from the right side.
the wooden handles are still attached to the sheet

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 Continued from page 86 ...
interference fit with no need to drill
or to hold the brass pieces and wood
together with glue. The same process
was used to push the wheels on the
axles.
After the cart was completely
assembled and the glue set up,
about 30 minutes, I carefully
touched up any areas with light
gray dye or a Sharpie marker as
needed. I will (some day) modify
a 1/48 worker to be the “official”
pusher of the cart. With the cart
full of ice and fish, it looks perfect
at Mortenson’s Fish Market.

Figure 13: The finished cart looking at the left side and rear.
Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

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Page 89 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 MY MODULAR ADVENTURE: Having fun a module at a time
The ongoing story - The “Pane” of it all!
Reader .005” thick clear-styrene sheets from clear styrene would be the best solu-
About our Feedback Evergreen. I tried several other meth- tion, and it is a product I am quite
ods, like using canopy glue in each familiar with.
Modular columnist (click here) 
pane, but decided against it for several
Evergreen sells their .005” styrene in
reasons. One was the sheer amount of
Window treatments can windows that I had to cover, and that
4”x 6” sheets, so I had to come up with
be a “Pane”, or several, meant a lot of “Pane” (pun intended).
a way to simplify cutting all the “glass”
as we will see in this The other was, I felt the look was too
I needed. I also had to figure out how
installment ... to glue the styrene glass in the win-
“oldish” for what I needed.
dows. The following step-by-step pro-
Introduction I started out by counting the number cess will illustrate my method. So on
of windows I would have to add glass we go with the task at hand!

W
indow glass can be simu- to. That came out to a whopping 251,
lated in several ways. My most of which required 3 panes per
preferred method is to use window. This confirmed that using

Les Halmos has been a

model railroader since 1979.
He’s been involved with set-
ting modular standards for
the NMRA since 1981. In
2001, he founded the Free-
Modu-Rail Group and has
been active in promoting
­Free-mo module standards.
Click here to learn more about
Les.

Photos and illustrations by

the author unless otherwise
credited.

Figure 1: – Machine shop walls with “glass”.

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 STEP 1: Assembling Tools and Styrene Used for the Window Glass

Figure 3: Clear .005” styrene sheets.

Figure 2: All these tools are available from our sponsor Micro-Mark
(micromark.com), the suction tool in the picture is an older model. if you go
to their website you will notice a new version which is a lot more flexible
than mine.

Figure 4: Stainless steel cup (2 for $1.00 at the Dollar

Store), Micro Brush (made by Microbrush International
(microbrush.com/hobby/products/ultrabrush/benefits.asp)-
these are available from your LHS or dental supply
stores), and canopy glue. I add a few drops of water to
the canopy glue, which makes it more manageable when
applying.

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 STEP 2: Cutting the Clear-Styrene

Figure 5: I measured the inside dimension of each type of window, Figure 6: – I taped the 4”x 6” styrene sheet to the template, cut out
and drew a template, because there is quite a lot of cutting ahead. long strips then individual panes!
This template represents only the 5 stalls I am working on, and will
have to be repeated for the other 10 down the road. Am I having
fun yet?...You bet!

At this point, I wound up with quite a few individual panes

for the different windows. I stored them in one of my “Plano”
plastic containers, which can be found in the “Hunting/Fishing
section” of your favorite Walmart or other department store
(figure 7).
I found out while cutting the styrene, there was some slight
slippage. Some panes would have to be adjusted along the
way. A sharp blade and several light passes when cutting keeps
slippage down to a minimum. Figure 7: Plano box keeps all parts secure and separated.

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 STEP 3: Figuring Out How to Glue the Individual Panes in the Windows

Figure 9: The Tichy windows are

slightly offset, so using three
separate pieces of “glass” makes
them seat better. At the same time
it makes them look more realistic. It
also increased the number of parts,
and tested my patience. So far so
good. I have a lot of patience when it
comes to modeling!
I used canopy glue, which also
is used by model aircraft and
diorama modelers, for airplane
canopies and other windows. The
glue becomes tacky fairly rapidly,
and is transparent when dry. I tried
several methods of applying it to the
Figure 8: The individual panes for the machine shop walls, test windows, and finally found one way
fitted and laid out ready to glue. that worked well for me.

Figure 10: I apply a small

amount of the canopy glue to
the mullions with the micro
brush.

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 STEP 3: Figuring Out How to Glue the Individual Panes in the Windows Continued ...

Figure 11: Then I use the suction tool to place each

individual pane. That took quite a while for all the
windows, but the result was worthwhile. I don’t know
what I would have done without that suction tool.

Figure 12: When I figured I was finished, I suddenly realized that I forgot to
thread the lampshade wires in the clerestory windows, not to mention install
the “glass”…Oh well, what’s a few more hours of “FUN.” Once that was done, I
was finally ready to permanently install the walls.

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 STEP 3: Figuring Out How to Glue the Individual Panes in the Windows Continued ...

Conclusion...
Oh... you noticed that I have not started the
assembly yet. Very good observation, but
not to worry, it will be in my next column.
Before I can assemble the stalls, I still
have to find a way to thread the clerestory
lampshade wires through the four stall
trusses, and through the roundhouse floor.
Between now and and my next column, the
gears are grinding wildly in my head, but I
think I have found the solution. The wires
should be as well camouflaged as the ones
in the machine shop.
So if you are interested to see how that
works out, come on back and check out my
next column.
I think I’ll name it “Final Partial Assembly
Finally”. Or maybe not… we shall see.
Thank you for reading so far. Based on your
feedback, I’m glad that you are enjoying
Figure 13: All the parts lined up in a row. The next step is to assemble the five stalls.
this series. I’ll try to make a few videos of
the assembly for my next column. 

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

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 GETTING REAL: Mike Rose’s Conrail ZTS layout
Adventures in Prototype Modeling

W
Follow the progress as hen Joe Fugate Since my articles, in-person clinics,
About this issue’s
Mike merges the old with approached me about and thoughts tend to lean towards
prototype modeling the new on his layout ... doing a column for MRH, I a what’s-happening-now mode, this
thought, “why not?”, it’s like an arti- and likely subsequent columns will
columnist cle. But really, it’s not, in that an arti- detail the planning and execution that
Reader
cle has a defined beginning, middle is going into the final layout expansion
Feedback
(click here) 
and end, whereas a column is more of at my house.
an ongoing saga, at least in my case!

Figure 1: Right off the 1990 Conrail ZTS diagrams,

this drawing shows the relationship of tracks and
buildings that is inspiring the following series of
photos. I’m condensing the number of West Yard
tracks (and I actually have one more East Yard track!),
and eliminating Middle Yard entirely. I’m also taking
a lot of license in how the chemical yard tracks come
off the switching lead while trying to preserve as much
Mike Rose has over 70 operating interest as possible given the space I have.
published articles in the
hobby magazines, as well as
contributed photos and essays
to a number of prototype
and modeling books. Mike’s
a regular on the Prototype
Modeling Meet circuit, giving
clinics on a variety of model
railroading topics. 

Mike’s also the owner of Mike

Rose Hobbies (mrhobby.com). 

Photos and illustrations by

the author unless otherwise
credited.
Figure 1

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 Last summer I had my second annual over and over and my fleet of locos
operating session. It’s annual because ran flawlessly over the entire layout.
each one reveals so many things to me All was fine until two friends showed
that I need a year to incorporate any up with sound-equipped locos, and
changes I want to make! the finicky nature of them showed up
every flaw in the track work, particu-
On the first one, I was convinced that larly the turnouts.
the layout had evolved sufficiently So I embarked on a program to re-
from both a completion standpoint vamp all the old Walthers/Shinohara
as well as a quality standpoint that Code 83 pre-DCC-friendly turnouts I
we could actually run trains in mul- had, and also to tweak every single
tiple, and we did. I’d tested everything other turnout to perform properly.

Figure 3: Taken right off the CR ZTS diagrams, the inside tracks will be for
chemicals to the paper plant. The far left track, along the building itself, is
labeled “stock prep,” whatever that is is!

The Shinoharas required me to iso- because I have yet to run a train at

late and power-route the frogs, which my own op sessions! I’m just too busy
made a huge performance difference. enjoying railfanning and watching
But since I’d been using Hankscraft multiple things happening all over my
turnout motors rather than Tortoise layout, and of course the inevitable
machines with built-in contacts, I minor problem-solving that goes on
needed to fabricate custom mounting during the op session itself.
brackets for pairs of microswitches
that would be actuated by the swing
arm of the linkages used. To say this But the question of “when are you
was more than a minor project is defi- going to get rid of your pool table
nitely an understatement! and build the final layout expansion”
seemed more timely after the op
Figure 2: I’m experimenting with bridge and abutment locations. The old Enough about the last op session. For session was over. After all, I had not
abutments have been largely removed, including the old center pier. I’m the most recent one, the trackage and played pool in so long that having that
on the fence about putting rocks and brush in the middle where it used to turnout tweaks I performed paid off much real estate tied up was no lon-
be, or wiping it out for a more standard but perhaps more boring channel. in a largely flawless operating session, ger appropriate. Soon the table was
Note that the double stack clearance issues with the stock Walthers and watching the success of what was on Craigslist, and sold almost immedi-
bridge have been addressed just like the prototype would have, with top going on triggered other thoughts in ately. (I knew I should have asked for
girder modifications. my mind. By the way, I say “watching” more money!)

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 Layout design began within two So far all goals have been met, or at
weeks of the op session and contin- least they are underway. First, a little
ued for about two months. I enlisted about the prototype and how it influ-
the services and advice of several enced the design concepts, along with
close friends who always have good some background.
ideas, and a lively debate ensued.
While my layout was originally
Eventually I exercised “CEO” veto
designed and conceived as a proto-
power and steered the design and
freelanced layout due to the room
input towards what was consistent
constraints I had, over time it evolved
with my own vision and also limited
into being based on a segment of
the disruption of the existing layout to
Conrail that was formerly Lehigh
an acceptable level.
Valley. The modeled segment runs
The design goals were as follows: from Pittston, Pennsylvania to the
Make the best use of the space for- Southern Tier line in Waverly, New
merly occupied by the pool table. York and runs through some of Figure 4
the most scenic territory I’ve ever
Maintain aisle space and not create a
traffic jam problem with the humans. witnessed.

Extend the main line to get more run. The curvy nature of the line that runs
along the Susquehanna River, backed
Solve some pesky scenic issues on the
existing layout. by steep wooded hillsides, was ideal
for model railroad representation, and
Rearrange the town names for a more in many cases the aisle of the layout
prototypical order.
room represents the river itself. In
Create a new and scenically interest- fact, in many areas I have either mod-
ing area. eled or am planning to model at least
Do something operationally
rewarding. Continued on Page 102 ...

Figure 4: The two sharply curved tracks lead to the two groups of
warehouse tracks between the buildings. The West Yard, dubbed
“Charmin Yard”, is also shown, along with a mainline crossover that
showed up on the track diagrams. No room for Middle Yard unfortunately.
Note that I used a crossing that is not on the prototype diagram to get an
extra track in place.
Figure 5: The crossing deviates from the prototype, but solves a problem
of placing hard-to-locate tracks. It was the catalyst for talking to Jim
Lincoln about building custom track. Figure 5

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 Figure 7 Figure 9

Figure 7: I always find it useful to use stand-ins for buildings when trying Figure 9: Here we see how the cut-out lauan roadbed was used as the
to understand track arrangements. template for cutting the birch plywood sub-roadbed.
Figure 8: This view shows how I traced out all the track arrangements on Figure 10: Central Valley turnout ties permitted curving where needed to
the lauan plywood prior to cutting. insure proper track flow.

Figure 8 Figure 10

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 Figure 12

Figure 11: Jim used real wood ties and Proto 87 Stores (proto87.com)
metal tie plates for some of the connecting track between his hand-
built turnouts.
Figure 12: This is Jim Lincoln’s work, a beautiful hand-built custom
crossing that makes the industrial sidings work at Mehoopany for me.
Those are 30” radius curves crossing each other.
Figure 13: Here you see the town of Meshoppen fleshed out, raised 2”,
Kintner Milling located, along with streets, other structures, and a stream
that will be visible in other shots after this. Note how masking tape has
been used to get the concept of the hillside slope angle of repose. This all
resulted from a visit from good friend Mike Confalone.

Figure 11 Figure 13

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 Figure 15

Figure 14: At this point they need gapping, but we continue to be very
happy with the elusive “flow” of the track with Jim’s custom turnouts.
Figure 15: Jim showed up with a pre-made assembly of four custom
curved turnouts, which fit perfectly with the crossing he’d already made
Figure 14 and installed.

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 Continued from page 98 ... tracks that indicated all the industries
served. Best of all, the maps were
two or three inches of water at the
current as of 1990, the heart of my
bottom of a small embankment rather
modeling era. While this presented
than the standard fascia most folks
challenges, it also freed me up from
use. That way layout pictures will typi-
certain decisions and enabled me to
cally not have the tell-tale triangle of
green-painted Masonite in the photo focus on representing the prototype
corner that you see all too often. This as fully as possible.
is just a personal pet peeve and some- One area that caught my eye was
thing I wanted to avoid. the track chart of Mehoopany,
A year or so ago I stumbled across which featured the huge Proctor and
Conrail ZTS maps online, which gave Gamble plant there. This plant pro-
me a visual representation of every duced Charmin toilet paper, Pampers
mile of the entire Conrail system, diapers, and Bounty paper towels.
including all sidings, and a key to the Located on the bend of a river, it

Figure 16: This is the prototype of using a slide switch to hold the points
and change the power polarity to the frog. It worked flawlessly, but I had
to invent a lot of methodology to do it, and I don’t want to repeat this 20
more times! Now it’s time to streamline it. (100mm Macro shot)

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 Figure 17: Jim Lincoln came by for much of a Sunday and began to
install Z-scale throwbars in place of the old PC board ties he’d originally
installed. This view shows the completed assembly with a first coat of
paint and a little ballast that Jim just couldn’t wait to install!

immediately looked like the end of a lot of ground with a massive industrial
peninsula to me! complex, and although I could go on
and on, let’s just say I was sold!
This is a significant source of traffic
even today, and during my modeling The pictures will tell part of the story.
era, there were 100 outbound boxcar Look for ongoing updates in what has
loads per day. There was incoming been an interesting and fulfilling pro-
traffic for the pulp used (boxcars), and cess for all involved.
chemical tank cars and covered hop- Look for more Mike Rose “Getting
pers as well. Real” columns in future issues...

There were also three different yards

that supported it, double sidings that
went inside the plant to the warehouse
shipping area, the ability to cover a

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 Some Further Thoughts by scale speed to cover the entire layout. line from Pittston, Pennsylvania to to model, the curvy nature of the tracks
Mike... I’m estimating perhaps another two the Southern Tier in New York in as it follows the winding Susquehana
minutes at least when the new penin- 1990. The addition of the peninsula River, combined with the steep, thickly
When I first built my house, half the ap- wooded hillsides of anthracite country,
sula is included, but I have not yet done project caused us to re-think that a
proximately 34’x34’ basement was ear- lend themselves to aisles and bench-
this test. bit and we re-arranged the towns to
marked for the layout. It seemed like a work within a basement very nicely! 
even more closely follow the proto-
lot of space back then, but at this point My original goal for the layout was to
type in this area. As a result, south
in time the layout now occupies about do a “proto-freelance” short-line in
staging now represents Allentown,
80-85% of the basement. There are Pennsylvania, which would give me the
Pennsylvania, and north staging is
two removable bridges, and while the freedom to run just about any defensi-
Sayre, Pennsylvania.
concept of the layout is point to point ble model of locomotive. Times change,
north-south, staging represents both much of it based on railfanning and Pro- I railfanned all over Pennsylvania and
points of the compass and completes to-Meet experiences, and I’ve moved to love the variety and rich availability of
the eventual loop around the entire a much more prototype-based concept the main line and short line railroads in
basement. Prior to the construction of right down to the time period and lo- that state. I also love the geography and
the peninsula, it took 13 minutes at a cale, which is the former Conrail main look of the scenery. On the line I chose

Figure 18: This is the mostly finished

version of the bridge scene that is the
transition from old to new sections of the
layout. Shown are the prototypes of the
abutments created for this bridge by Russ
Greene at New England Brownstone.

Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

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 COMME-N-TARY: Utility Poles
Tips for modeling this common right of way detail in N Scale
Modeling in the hobby’s most eNgaging scale
About our
N-scale columnist Reader
Feedback
(click here) 

Improving and modifying out-of-

the box N scale utility poles ...

U
tility poles are a little like the postman; often
there but seldom noticed. Although these
poles are disappearing from today’s railroad
right-of-way, they were once as common as 40’ box-
cars. And, like those boxcars, although they look
similar, there are many variations.

A Little History
How is it that these poles ended up along the
John Drye is our N scale
railroad right of way? Samuel Morse (the inven-
editor and columnist.
tor of the telegraph) was contracted by the U.S.
Click here to learn more about Congress to build a telegraph line from Baltimore
John. to Washington in 1844. His initial underground
attempt proved a failure so he strung the wire on
overhead poles. He followed with an advertise-
ment for:
“700 straight and sound chestnut posts with the
bark on and of the following dimensions to wit:
‘Each post must not be less than eight inches in
diameter at the butt and tapering to five or six
inches at the top. Six hundred and eighty of said
posts to be 24 feet in length, and 20 of them 30 feet
in length”.
Morse’s success prompted telegraph companies to
look for land to lay a network of lines between cit- Figure 1: This line of poles shows the variety inherent even in modern
ies. Turns out, land for this grid was already there. utility poles.

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 The first railroad to offer use of its right of way for a tele- along the tracks and telegraphed the first train order
graph line was the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company in in 1851. Prior to the telegraph, trains operated strictly
Pennsylvania where poles were installed beginning in 1850. The in accordance with timetables and often had to suffer
New York and Lake Erie realized the utility of having the lines considerable delay waiting for a late opposing train.
That, or risk an unscheduled meet. With the stringing
of telegraph lines, an interesting approach to model
(and real) railroad operations was born. Those poles
(and their replacements) were used through at least
the end of the 20th century and are still there in many
cases, even if the wires are gone.

Prototype Poles
Prototype utility poles are about 40 feet tall and buried
to a depth of about six feet. Poles are usually spaced
about 80-100 feet apart in cities and towns (sometimes
much closer to accommodate branching utility lines or
drops to customers), and between 150 and 300 feet
along RR lines (closer on curves, longer on tangents).
They can reach over 100 feet high in order to provide
clearance over intervening obstacles. They are har-
vested from forests all across North America from red
cedar, Douglas fir, lodgepole, red, and southern yellow
pine. More than a dozen companies supply poles to
railroads and other customers. They are often deliv-
ered by rail (but that’s another story).
Poles can have as many as six crossarms to carry 30 or
more separate wires. Each wire is attached to the pole
by means of a glass insulator. The insulator is often
white although green, blue and other colors are also
used. As the wires have disappeared, collecting the
excess insulators has become quite a hobby. Examples
can readily be found at memorabilia shows or on the
internet. Some poles include distribution transformers
(that trash can-looking cylinder atop the pole). Many
are supported by guy wires, especially end poles and
poles that carry branching wires. For additional sup-
port, sometimes a push-brace pole is attached at
Figure 2: The rust on these transformers shows that the poles and wires an angle to the first. Especially today, poles also can Figure 3: End poles often have one or
have been in service for a while. carry wires down the length of the pole to connect to more wires to stabilize them.

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 underground wires (Morse’s problem
with such wires having been solved in
the interim).

Simple Enhancements for

“Kit” Utility Poles
Any model right-of-way up through
at least the end of the 20th century
ought to be paralleled by a line of util-
ity poles. Traffic density usually deter-
mines how many wires are carried,
and thus the number of crossarms.
Several companies, including Atlas,
Bachman and MRC offer such poles
with a varying amount of detail and
number of crossarms. The Atlas kit
(the poles only need to be separated
from the sprue and painted) is a good
place to start. The “kit” includes 12
poles, all with three crossbars, carry-
ing a total of 18 insulators.
First step is to correct the shiny plas-
tic out-of-the box look. Today’s poles
often have a greenish tint, reflecting
the chemical preservatives used to
extend the life of the pole. Creosote
was often used through the end of
the 20th century, producing a black-
ish tint and strong odor. Take a look at
photos from the period you are mod-
eling. The poles will be there in the
background in many images; lurking,
just like the postman.
For most periods, spray painting with Figure 5: The Atlas poles are easily modified by removing crossarms or
a medium grey color is a good start. insulators or even rotating one or more crossarms 90 degrees to allow
Figure 4: With a little effort, the Next step is to select a greenish, branching wires.
appearance of the Atlas utility poles blackish or other appropriate color.
is much improved. Painting the Dilute the paint about 50% and apply
insulators white and replacing the Reader
generously over the grey undercoat.
plastic shine with a more grimy, Feedback
The idea is to let some of the grey (click here) 
railroady color is all it takes. show through.

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 Once the paint dries, select (or mix) century medium to heavy density the owner. The wires can disappear Summary
a color a few shades lighter than the mainline. That’s great for my PRR lay- in photos with the right light or back-
poles. Take a stiff, wide brush and pick out. However it is easy to modify the Whether the linemen on your railroad
ground so your railroad can explain
up just a little paint. Wipe most of it poles for less-busy trackage. string wire or not, Atlas or other manu-
that “the light isn’t right” to see your facturers’ poles can be improved or
off with a towel. Then dry-brush this The top one or two crossarms can be wires. If, however, the light is right, modified with a few simple techniques,
shade over the pole using light, verti- carefully carved off to create a one or
cal strokes. After a bit of practice, this there is a pretty good product to ensuring uninterrupted power to the
two crossarm pole. It is also easy to represent the wires. “E Z Line” from railroad and on-line industries.
will achieve the mottled, weathered carve off the insulators for two or four
look of prototype poles. Berkshire Junction is thin, springy Here is a great website for more infor-
wires per crossarm.
Insulators and Other Details thread that does a great job of repre- mation about the details of utility
Poles with only one or two crossarms senting wire. The flexibility reduces poles and the various sorts of wires
Next step is to paint the insulators. are also useful for lines that parallel they carry.
the chances that a stray 0-5-0 will
White is probably the most common country roads and city streets.
color, but a few green or other colors bring down a whole section of poles. See this URL for more:
can be included for a little variety. Take
Wire or No Wire? The wire can be attached with a small annsgarden.com/poles/poles.htm#tjp 
a very small brush and carefully apply The last question is whether to string drop of thin glue. The job is tedious
your favorite color to the insulators. the wires on the poles. That is up to but effective.
Small metal braces support the
attachment of the crossarms to the
poles. These are usually a rusty metal
color although many seem to have
once been painted black. The same
small brush can be used to pick them
out. Some of the Atlas poles have a
transformer cast into the crossbars.
Unfortunately the casting process
allows detail on only one side, so the
transformer looks like a trash can
split down the middle. This is fine
if the pole is facing away from the
viewer. Otherwise, the cast-on trans-
former can be carved off and replaced
with a full cylinder from plastic rod.
Either way, the transformer should
be painted green or grey or another
appropriate utility color. A little rust
will illustrate that the poles have been
in service for a while.
Modifying the Poles
for Low Traffic Lines
The three crossarms on the Atlas Figure 6: Empty hoppers rumble past a line of utility poles on my N scale layout. A little paint makes it easy to produce
poles are appropriate for a mid-20th a realistic row of this common lineside detail.

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 MRH, Mr. Audo acknowledged that he has no experience in the model railroad
industry, adding that he is looking forward to a crash course in the hobby at the
National Train Show in Sacramento this month…

It appears unlikely that River Point Station will be able to deliver any of the
HO scale Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, and 1950 Ford Fordor models it
Reader
Feedback announced earlier this year. RPS executive Ronald Elsdoerfer said the prob-
(click here)  lem with the Dodge brand is an unsustainable licensing and fee structure. He
added that although River Point Station had already secured licensing for the
Masterpiece Ford models, that too is now in doubt. While foreign entities can
sell a variety of unlicensed North American prototype vehicles at aggressively
low prices, ethical American operators, such River Point Station, are obligated to
comply with the copyright laws of the United States – which in this case prevents
them from offering a competitively-priced product…

Deluxe Innovations is now the authorized distributor of products imported by

S&R Models including heavy equipment vehicles and container handling equip-
ment made by Fujimoto. The models are made to 1:150 scale which is generally
acceptable for N scale (1:160) scenic use.

For details visit deluxeinnovations.com ...

Wiseman Models (wisemanmodelservices.com) has purchased the inventory

and tooling for the precision brass products of The Back Shop from the estate
of David Braun. Wiseman has also acquired N Scale of Nevada from the family
More Changes at Athearn/Horizon. Horizon Hobby is searching for a senior
of the late John Coots, who is best known for establishing SS Ltd. Owner Keith
executive to oversee Athearn Trains. The previous director, Paula “Gwen”
Wiseman is dedicated to keeping some of the better cottage industry specialty
Mueller, departed in early June after just 18 months on the job. Mueller report-
products from fading away. In recent years, Wiseman has also acquired Walker
edly had no prior experience with the model railroad industry. Luann Crowley,
Models, Thomas Yorke Products, and SS Ltd. Trucks…
a Horizon vice president, who managed production scheduling and dealt exten-
sively with Athearn’s Chinese suppliers, has also left the company. The career
opportunity posted by Horizon calls for a director of operations to be based in Atlas has organized the Branchline passenger equipment it purchased earlier
Long Beach, California, with responsibility for the development, design, engi- this year, and is now selling passenger car kits acquired in the transaction. See
neering, and production scheduling of products under the Athearn, Roundhouse page 112 for details. Paul Graf, Atlas’ chief operating officer, said the passen-
and McHenry brand names. The job description calls for significant interaction ger car tooling is now en route to its overseas manufacturing facility where the
with Asian suppliers. Experience in the business of model railroading is a plus, molds will be sampled and a production schedule established for a run of the full
but not mandatory. line of passenger cars…

Meanwhile, MRH has confirmed that Horizon executive, Victor Audo, has been Brian Leppert will soon announce the addition of a USRA Andrews truck to Tahoe
appointed Interim Director of Proprietary Railroad Products. In an interview with Model Works’ highly-rated line of HO scale freight car trucks...

Page 109 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Old Yardmaster - Industry scuttlebutt, page 1 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 ExactRail now has printed instructions for assembling its undecorated Northern. Prices begin at $19.95 for a single CD. Owner Peter Arnold said addi-
P-S 7315 waffle boxcar kit. They are available for download at exactrail. tional subjects under development include Burlington Northern ALCo diesel
com/p-s-7315-waffle-box-car-undecorated... Locomotives.
And speaking of ExactRail, the Provo, Utah-based company is looking for a
designer with both print and web experience. Resumes should be sent to John
Pestana at [email protected]...
Rapido executive Bill Schneider says he will have updated samples of their new
HO scale General American wood reefers available for inspection at the National
Train Show in Sacramento this month…
Western Prototype Modelers chairman Tim Costello, reports that a full Railroad
Prototype Modelers meet will be conducted in Sacramento during the 2011
NMRA National Convention. In addition to the usual model displays and RPM
camaraderie, presentations by nationally-recognized modelers and historians are
scheduled. The RPM room will be active from noon until 8 PM on July 6 and 7 in
the Sacramento Convention Center Complex, 1400 J Street. Complete details on
the week-long NMRA convention can be found at x2011west.org...
Our thanks to Buck Dean, an official of the Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Air
Line Railroads Historical Society, who called our attention to an error in last
month’s news report. We intended to say that Athearn would be releasing its
new GP9 locomotive decorated for Seaboard Air Line, however, in our excitement
(and with no thanks our spell-check program) it came out as Seaboard Airlines.…
Frenchman River Model Works (frenchmanriver.com) has introduced scale
More errors popped up last month in our report on new decals. We erroneously wooden barrels in HO, S and O scale. Details of the one-piece, cast-resin barrels
said that the rivets, louvers and grillwork on Micro-Mark’s new decals were com- include fine wood graining. The barrels are unpainted and come in packs of six
posed of resin. We subsequently learned that Micro-Mark is using a proprietary priced at $5.00 for HO, $6.50 for S, and $8.00 for O scale.
material other than resin. Also, we failed to inform readers that the new decals
continue to be available at the introductory price of $9.95 for a package of two Also new are unpainted resin-castings of wooden crates sized for S and O scale.
sheets. We apologize for the confusion. For additional details, or to order, visit These join the previously-released HO scale versions. Cast-in details include nail
micromark.com... holes and wood graining. HO crates are six for $8.00, S scale are six for $10.00,
and O scale crates are three for $6.00.
Now let’s take a look at this month’s wide assortment of new products…
Microscale Industries (microscale.com) has introduced a new adhesive and
primer that will make it easier for model builders to bond slippery engineering
NEW PRODUCTS FOR MULTIPLE SCALES plastics, such as Delrin, to other materials. Microscale’s new products include
Prototype Railroad Images (rrimages.net) produces and sells a variety of photo- MicroPrep which is used as an undercoat before applying paint or MicroBond to
CDs of railroad subjects. Subject matter covers diesel locomotives, cabooses, the high-tech plastic.
MoW equipment, and freight cars of all types. Each CD focuses on the equip-
ment of a particular railroad. Currently available are CDs for Western Pacific, NJ International, Inc. (njinternational.com) has HO and O scale Powered Blue
Sacramento Northern, Tidewater Southern, Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, Pacific Flags that, like the prototype, serves to warn operators not to move the pro-
Electric, Northwestern Pacific, San Diego & Arizona Eastern, and Burlington tected car. The flag moves from horizontal to a vertical position and has an

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 illuminated blue light at the top. HO units are priced aftermarket DCC decoder and sound system. Bachmann’s 2-4-2 was inspired by
at $9.99, O scale units are priced at $19.99 each. a prototype Baldwin built for export as well as domestic users. Paint schemes
Additional details are available at N.J. International’s include unlettered black, unlettered black with red windows and white pin-
web site. stripes, unlettered green and black with white pinstripes (shown), and Lyn –
Southern, a scheme inspired by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway that served
Devonshire County in West England. The model has an MSRP of $325.00 each.

LARGE SCALE PRODUCT NEWS

O SCALE PRODUCT NEWS
Alkem (alkemscalemodels.net) is selling kits for this 19th century
switch stand suitable for O, On2, On3, and On30 stub turnouts.
Accucraft (accucraft.com) has intro-
The 1:48 scale kit uses a fold-up design to simplify construction.
duced this 1:32 scale live-steam
The lever arm and the pivot point have two positions to allow
model of a Southern Pacific GS-5
the stand to control a conventional two-way stub turnout, or a
locomotive. Handcrafted of brass three-way or double-slip stub turnout. The modeler is given a
and steel, the 45mm gauge model choice of four different types of targets in each kit. They may be
requires a minimum radius of 10 ordered direct through the above web site at $9.99 each.
feet. It is available in black as well
as in the distinctive SP Daylight
scheme. Features include ball bear-
ings on all axles, and working Walschaerts valve gear. The limited edition model
is priced at $5,000 each.

Aspen Modeling Co. (theaspenmodelingcompany.com) has expanded its line of O

and S scale figures with the addition of an exceptionally well-sculptured steer. The
cast resin body comes with a choice of three heads: looking left, right or down. Each
version of the unpainted model sells for $8. Other critters in the Aspen line include
a buffalo, pack mules, grazing cow, bull, longhorn cattle, sheep, and horses in a vari-
ety of positions and harnesses.
Bachmann (bachmanntrains.com) has updated its 20-year old large-scale Big
Hauler 2-4-2 with metal gears, metal gearbox, diecast siderods and trucks. Protocraft (protocraft.com) has brass models of a 1922-era wood-sheathed ice-
A convenient three-position, center-off switch has been added to provide a refrigerator car that follows a prototype built by AC&F for ART, NWX, and URTX.
choice of operating to NMRA standards or normal large-scale modeling prac- Many of the prototypes saw service well into the 1950s. Handcrafted in Korea by
tice. The locomotive comes with a factory-installed speaker and is ready for an Boo-Rim Precision, the models are available in O scale as well as Proto:48 with a

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 choice of either Simplex arch bar or Bettendorf-type trucks. All wheelsets have ribbed
backs and are made of sintered metal. Couplers are not included, however, the cars
are designed to accept either a Protocraft or Kadee® coupler box. The cars are priced Athearn Trains, division of Horizon Hobby (athearn.com), has announced two
at $279 each. new road names for its HO scale Genesis series EMD GP7/GP9 locomotives
due in March, 2012. The GP7 will be available in Santa Fe’s black scheme with
zebra stripes. The GP9 will be decorated for New York Central with a gray body
HO SCALE PRODUCT NEWS and lightning stripes. Each road name will be offered in four numbers. Features
include wire grab irons, etched grilles, operating headlights with microbulbs, and
several road-specific details. Standard DC versions will have an MSRP of $179.98
each, while units equipped with a DCC decoder and Tsunami Sound™ will be
$279.98 each.
Athearn will have a significantly upgraded version of the old MDC 24’ ore hop-
per car in December decorated for Bessemer & Lake Erie, Missabe & Iron Range,
Lake Superior & Ispeming, and Milwaukee Road. In addition to a removable
injection-molded load of raw ore, the cars will feature a heavy cast metal under-
frame, metal RP25 wheelsets, and McHenry knuckle couplers. Each road name
will be available on individual cars at $18.98 each, and in four 6-packs, all with
different car numbers. That’s a total of 25 numbers for each road name.

Atlas Model Railroad Company (atlasrr.com) has combed through and reorga-
nized all of the finished-goods inventory it acquired from Branchline earlier this
New items from Accurail Inc. (accurail.com) this month include an HO scale
year and has submitted a list of the available passenger car kits to its dealers.
kit for a Texas & Pacific 50-ton offset-side two-bay hopper car at $13.98 each.
The original Blueprint series featured authentic paint schemes, and easy con-
Additional new items include kits for 55-ton USRA two-bay hoppers decorated
struction. Details provided on all kits include full interiors with scale window
for Boston & Maine, and Norfolk & Western at $12.98 each. Accurail also has a
glass, appropriate roof vents and air conditioning ducts, correct body details
CNJ 41’ AAR steel gondola available singly at $13.98, or in a 3-pack with different
such as belt rails and rivet patterns, correct air condition system (ice-activated,
car numbers at $39.98.
steam-ejector, or Pullman’s own mechanical and brine system), complete

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 end-details such as operating diaphragms, uncoupling levers, and appropriate air,
steam, and signal lines. Underframe details include appropriate generators, air
tanks, steam traps, and brake rigging. All Atlas Branchline-series passenger kits
are $39.95 each. The seven car types available now include:

Pullman 6-3 sleeper (6 compartments, 3 drawing rooms) is currently available in

8 road names including Seaboard’s “Glen Crag” (Atlas #B5617) shown above.

Pullman 8-1-2 sleeper (8 sections, 1 drawing room, 2 compartments) in 10 road

names with full lettering and car names including PRR “Centhill” (Atlas #B5022)
shown above.
Coaches include this 80’ paired-window layout decorated for Baltimore & Ohio
(Atlas #B5702). A Milwaukee Road version is also currently available.

Pullman 10-1-2 sleeper (10 sections, 1 drawing room, 2 compartments) available

in the Missouri Pacific Eagle “Lake Fortuna” scheme shown above (Atlas #B5210)
plus 16 additional roads.
This 80’ single-window coach is available now for 10 roads including this
McGinnis style New Haven version (Atlas #B5117). The prototype of this model
was built by Pullman, ACF, Standard Steel and others for the New York Central
System. Cars of essentially the same design were built for many other railroads.

Pullman 12-1 sleeper (12 sections, 1 drawing room) shown here decorated as
Norfolk & Western “Sunstar Rose” (Atlas #B5334), also available in 21 other road
names.

Bachmann (bachmanntrains.com) is offering this “modern” version of a clas-

Pullman 14 section sleeper is available decorated in 11 railroad liveries including sic 4-4-0 American locomotive with DCC and no sound at $300, or with DCC and
the NYC “Park Point” (Atlas #B5404) shown above. Tsunami® by Soundtraxx.® at $445.

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 The boiler, chassis, and frame of the HO scale model are diecast metal. Other
features include a cog V-belt drive system, operating headlight, a detailed back-
head, and painted engineer and fireman.
It is available decorated for Louisville & Nashville #144, Southern
#3858, Seaboard #106, Great Northern #124 (green & black), and B&O #1401.
The model is also available unlettered, painted black with graphite smoke box
and firebox.

Bowser Manufacturing (bowser-trains.com) is taking preorders for an ALCo

Blackstone Models (blackstonemodels.com) is taking advance reservations
Century C-628 diesel locomotive that will be produced from revised tooling. The
for an HOn3 scale East Broad Top 3-bay hopper car. The three-foot EBT hauled
HO scale ready-to-run model is in Bowser’s Executive Line of deluxe models that
a variety of bulk freight during its six decades of operation but the main traf-
feature such details as MU Hoses, air hoses, windshield wipers, operating head-
fic was always coal. Blackstone’s ready-to-run cars are expected to have their
light, window glass, can-motor with flywheel, blackened nickel-silver wheels with
usual attention to detail including wire grab irons, full brake and underbody
RP25 flanges, and knuckle couplers. Decorating schemes include two road num-
rigging details, Vulcan trucks, and factory installed couplers. Multiple decorating
bers each for Lehigh Valley (snowbird), Lehigh Valley (Cornell red), Delaware &
schemes will be offered at $54.95 each as well as weathered at $59.95 each.
Hudson (above), N de M (Nacionales de México), Hamersley Iron, L&N, and FCP
(Ferrocarril Del Pacifico). A choice of operating systems include standard DC at
$189.95, and DCC with SoundTraxx® sound at $299.95. Availability is scheduled
for January 2012.

Broadway Limited (broadway-limited.com) has announced a new Southern

Pacific class AC5 4-8-8-2 Cab-Forward steam locomotive. BLI has produced Cab-
Forwards in the past, however, models in this new release are the first to be
offered with the new Paragon2 sound and control system. Principal features Bowser is also taking preorders through July 15 for January delivery of 3- and
include dual-mode DC and DCC operation with back-EMF motor control, and 5-car sets of Trinity 53’ RAF53C spine cars. The ready-to-run cars will feature
recordable DCC operation for automated playback. Additional features include plastic and die-cast metal construction, chemically-etched walkways, position-
synchronized puffing smoke, prototypical operation for headlight and cab light, able hitches (collapsed or raised), and Kadee® couplers. The 3-car set will be
ABS plastic body with die-cast chassis, all-wheel drive and pickup. The MSRP is priced at $99.95, while the 5-car set will be $164.95. All units will have unique
$499.99 each. car numbers.

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 Brass Car Sides (brasscarsides.com) is preparing HO and N scale photo-etched
brass sides for the Great Northern 1947 Empire Builder and 1951 Western Star.
The project will include streamliner sides for GN and CB&Q’s lunch-counter-
lounge-dormitory car, and GN’s Lake series cars built to Pullman plan 7498. The
brass sides include the original full skirting with etched line details and grab iron
holes. The center skirts may be removed to model the cars in their later appear-
ance. The HO sides are sized to fit Walthers Empire Builder Ranch and Lake din-
ing car bodies. N scale sides are designed for use with the American Limited
Models core kits. Visit the above website for additional details including pricing
and ordering requirements.

Grandt Line (grandtline.com) has a limited supply of HOn3 Colorado & Southern/
Rio Grande Southern steel underframe stock cars. The kits are available in a special
2-pack at $50 direct plus shipping. Visit the above web site to order.  

InterMountain (intermountain-railway.com) plans to deliver an HO scale P-S

5277 cu ft exterior-post boxcar early next year decorated for Railbox (original
scheme), Railbox (late scheme), BN, CSX, RF&P, SSAM (Wisconsin Central) St.
Mary’s, and Valdosta. The cars will have etched metal crosswalks and will be
priced at $33.95 each.
InterMountain will also deliver an HO scale milk car next January/February that
will feature an etched-metal running board, wire brake rigging, and wire grab
ExactRail (exactrail.com) has released another run of HO scale Pullman-Standard irons. Road names will be Borden’s, Dairymen’s League, Whiting Milk Company,
7315 cu ft waffle boxcars. Road names on this second release of the 60’ car Chateau Martin, H.P. Hood & Sons, and United Farmers. It will also be available
includes L&N NW, BNSF, DT&I, CSXJ, ATSF, and the Southern scheme shown here. as a maintenance of way water car for GM&O, and Illinois Central. The MSRP will
An undecorated kit is also available. The car comes with Kadee® #58 couplers, be $32.95.
and 100-ton ASF ride-control trucks with 36” machined wheels. The Platinum
series car has an MSRP of $32.95. Motrak Models
(motrakmodels.net) has
released a new HO scale
laser-cut kit for a small
GHB International (ghbintl.com), an established importer of a variety of maintenance-of-way
models including HO and O scale traction equipment, has announced plans shed. The kit is composed
to import an HO scale model of the 1937 Reading Crusader that operated of laser-cut wood walls,
between Jersey City and Philadelphia. Like the prototype, the GHB train set will laser-cut peel-n-stick 3-tab
consist of a streamlined 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive and five cars including a diner, shingles, and Tichy doors
two coaches, and two observations (only the locomotives required turning at and windows. Instructions
each terminal). The DCC-ready locomotive will be offered in road numbers 117 include a template for
and 118. Availability is expected late this year or in early 2012. Pricing informa- assembling pallets. The finished structure is 3” tall, and has a footprint of 5-1/2” x
tion is pending. 2-1/2”. The kit sells for $38.00 plus $8.00 shipping to any US or Canadian address.

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 Precision Scale Co., Inc. (psc1.virtualfocus.com) has announced a project to
import HOn3 scale models of D&RGW head-end cars, including an RPO, baggage,
M.T.H. Electric Trains (mthtrains.com) is quoting a fall delivery date for a new and combine car in a variety of paint schemes found on the prototype from the
HO scale GG-1 electric locomotive. Features of the metal die-cast model include 1930s through the 1960s. The combine and baggage cars will be available both
LED lighting, remotely controlled Proto-Couplers that can be triggered with any with and without a cupola. The cars are being handcrafted in brass in Korea by
DCC controller (available on Proto-Sound 3.0 equipped models only), motorized Boo Rim Precision Company. Pricing and availability dates are pending.
automatic pantograph operation, and a 12-volt 5-pole skew-wound motor with a
flywheel. The GG-1 will be available in eight paint schemes including PRR-Tuscan Red Caboose is preparing two versions of its general-service drop-bottom gon-
red with 5 stripes, PRR-Tuscan red with single stripe, PRR-Brunswick green with dola for release early next year. Cars with steel sides will be available for Illinois
5 stripes, PRR-Brunswick green with single stripe, PRR-silver scheme, Amtrak, Central-Mainline, D&RGW, Milwaukee Road, and Southern Pacific – all in a choice
Conrail, and Penn Central. The model will be available with either Proto-Sound of six road numbers at $33.95 each. A composite version with steel sides and ply-
3.0 for both standard DC and DCC operation, or with Proto-Sound 3E+ for 3-rail wood extensions will be priced at $36.95 each. Road names will include Southern
AC operation when using the Märklin DCC system. Both versions have a retail Pacific (beet service), SP&S (woodchip service), and Western Pacific (woodchip
price of $419.95 each. service). The last two cars will be available in six different numbers while the SP
version will come in 12 numbers. Red Caboose models are distributed by Inter-
Northwest Short Line (nwsl.com) has a new kit to convert a Bachmann® Mountain Railway Company at intermountain-railway.com.
Spectrum® 3-truck HO standard gauge Shay locomotive to HOn3. The conversion
project is for experienced modelers, and while instructions are included in the
kit (#2730-6 at $44.95 each), NWSL owner Dave Rygmyr cautions that unless you
are an advanced modeler, you may want to consider having the complex conver-
sion done by a professional builder. The kit includes a Sensi-Press tool specially
made for this conversion, and a V-plate to facilitate removing the factory axles
from the wheel. If a Sensi-Press is not available, the tool can be chucked in a drill
press. The brake parts are lost-wax brass castings and the axles are machined
from brass and Delrin. The special styrene bolsters in the kit were produced
using Rapid Prototyping (RP) – a good example of how complex parts can be pro-
Rapido Trains, Inc. (rapidotrains.com) has announced new Via Canada paint
duced in low-volume without the expense of machining a metal mold. According
schemes for its HO scale LRC (light, rapid, comfortable) coach and club car. The
to Rygmyr, if a metal mold had been required the conversion kit would not have
Canada logo and large waving flag, seen here, were applied to the prototype in
been made. Only a limited number of the conversion kits will be made and there
1998, and the new VIA 1 logo was added in 2002. Rapido says its latest edition
will be no further production. It will not be cataloged and will not be advertised.
will feature post-1992 interior colors, and the slightly darker exterior blue and

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 yellow shades used in recent years on the Bombardier-built prototype. The cars are available exclusively through Rocky Mountaineer Vacations at https://sou-
have an MSRP of $74.95 each. Information on availability is pending. venirs.rockymountaineer.com/rmv-c-55-heritage-collection.aspx. The collection
includes a baggage car, Red Leaf coach, and a Whistler coach.

Cast resin projects currently under development at Smoky Mountain Model

Works include an SAL class B-7 40’ boxcar with turtleback roof with special Silver
Meteor decals, and an Erie-Lackawanna transfer caboose. Details on the HO scale
kits should be available soon at smokymountainmodelworks.com.

Rapido has released HO scale Canadian Pacific coaches in both the CP Block (top)
and CP Rail Action Red (above) decorating schemes. Check with your dealer for
immediate availability since these models arrived slightly ahead of schedule.
Stella Scale Models (stellascalemodels.com) is selling an HO scale craftsmen kit
for Snyder Milling Company. The still-standing prototype was built in 1899 in
Nazareth, New Jersey. Originally known as the Flory Milling Company, the name
was changed to Snyder in 1939. Stella’s kit is composed of three stand-alone
structures with laser-cut walls, roof cards, shingles and acrylic window glazing.
Details include resin building foundations, retaining walls, roof vents, waste bin,
barrels, trash cans, and brooms, plus Tichy windows and doors. Footprints are
4-1/4” x 12” for the main building, 3-1/2” x 5” for the barn, and 6” x 6” for the
elevator. The elevator has an angled wall for installation along a curved track and
the structures can be arranged in a variety of ways to fit available layout space.
The kit is priced at $274.95 plus $6.50 shipping and handling. Free shipping is
offered until September 1, 2011.

Sunshine Models has a number of HO scale resin kits on their long-range pro-
duction schedule including, automobile cars for Soo Line 75400 series outside-
braced 1-1/2 door cars from the 1920s and ‘30s, Illinois Central 40’ and 50’
square-corner automobile cars, Wabash 1920s-era 10’ IH outside-braced auto
cars, and similar single-sheathed auto cars from the CNW, Pere Marquette, and
Rapido and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations joined forces to create these hand- Missouri Pacific. Prototypically-accurate boxcar kits under development include
some Dayniter Coaches in the distinctive Rocky Mountaineer paint scheme. They Cotton Belt 20000 series 50’ car with ACR sides and an 8’ single door; Mather’s

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 tallest boxcars for AC&Y, GM&O, MRS, and Trona; and a slightly shorter version of
the car for Ball Line. Stock cars on Sunshine’s schedule include a CNW car rebuilt
with Viking roof and Dreadnaught ends in1927 from single-sheathed boxcars, an
ATSF rebuilt stockcar, and a series of Fowler 8’ IH boxcars that Rock Island con-
verted to stock cars after World War II. Sunshine does not have a presence on A delivery date of January 2012 has been announced for several Walthers prod-
the Internet, but pricing, kit details and ordering information is maintained by ucts including new road names for this Platinum Line™ Difco® 100-ton pneu-
Jim Hayes at sunshinekits.com. matic dump car. Decorating schemes will include British Columbia Railway, CP
Rail, Chicago & North Western, DMIR, Green Bay Western, and L&N. The MSRP
Sylvan Scale Models (isp.ca/sylvan) will soon release new HO scale vehicle will be $34.98.
models including a unique Southern California Helm’s Bread truck, and 1933
Willys coupe, sedan, and panel trucks.

Walthers (walthers.com) has released three new HO scale ready-to-run passen-

ger cars decorated for a variety of roads. A 24” minimum radius is recommended
for the cars, which have an MSRP of $64.98 each.
Additional freight cars due next January include a Platinum Line™ 46’ USRA steel
gondola decorated for PRR, B&O, NKP, and NYC. It will be priced at $24.98.

In addition to the PRR-Fleet of Modernism scheme shown here (Walthers #932-

15255), this Pullman-Standard 85’ streamlined smooth-side 4-4-2 sleeper with
skirts is also available for PRR-standard scheme, CNW, NP, and NYC.

An HO scale model of an Evans 50’ boxcar will be available in January 2012 deco-
rated for Canadian National, Conrail (blue with Penn Central patch), Conrail (U.S.
The Pullman-Standard 52-seat coach shown here for the Nickel Plate Road Savings Bond scheme), and Western Pacific. The MSRP will be $19.98.
(Walthers #932-15304), is also available decorated for ATSF, Chicago & North
Western, Denver & Rio Grande Western, PRR, Rock Island, and Union Pacific. The Walthers has set a January delivery date for Proto 2000® EMD SD9 diesels deco-
85’ car will have either fluted or smooth sides as appropriate to the prototype road. rated for BNSF (BN patch), Conrail (PRR patch), Southern (phase 2), and Southern
Pacific (phase 1, black widow). Notable features include 14:1 helical gears, LED
constant and directional headlights, metal grab irons and lift rings, and a high-
torque can motor. The HO scale ready-to-run model will be available for DC
operation at $199.98, or with SoundTraxx® DCC at $299.98. This January release
is in addition to a production run due this October of SD9s decorated for BN,
Chessie/B&O, D&RGW, and Great Northern.
This 73’ Pullman-Standard baggage car is available for Canadian National,
Chicago Great Western, Great Northern-Big Sky scheme, GM&O, L&N, and A Proto 2000® model of General Electric’s U28/30B (with technical specs similar
Kansas City Southern (Walthers #932 15055) as illustrated here. to the SD9) is also scheduled for release next January. It will be decorated for

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 CB&Q (U28B phase 2 in Chinese red and gray), L&N (U28B phase 2 in gray with
yellow nose), Conrail (U30B phase 1), and Western Pacific (U30B phase 1 in
green & orange). The HO scale ready-to-run model will be available for DC oper-
ation at $199.98, or with SoundTraxx® DCC at $299.98.

N SCALE PRODUCT NEWS

ExactRail (exactrail.com) has released an N scale PS-2, 4427 cu ft cov-

ered hopper car decorated for BNSF, TLDX (Archer Daniel Midland), TLDX
(Continental Grain Company), and Milwaukee Road, as shown here.
Features of the ready-to-run model include an etched stainless-steel roof
walk, McHenry knuckle-sprung trucks, and Athearn 100-ton trucks with
machined 36” wheels. The ready-to-run model is priced at $24.95.

InterMountain (intermountain-railway.com) plans to deliver an N scale P-S

5277 cu ft exterior-post boxcar early next year decorated for Railbox (original
Bachmann (bachmanntrains.com) has introduced a DCC-equipped model scheme), Railbox (late scheme), BN, CSX, RF&P, SSAM (Wisconsin Central), St.
of an EMD GP7 diesel locomotive. Electro Motive Division introduced the Mary’s, and Valdosta. The cars will have etched metal crosswalks and will come
prototype of the first generation of general-purpose locomotives in 1949. with MicroTrains® trucks and couplers. The MSRP will be $19.95 each.
Bachmann’s N scale ready-to-run version comes with an NMRA-compliant InterMountain will also deliver an N scale milk car next January/February that
DCC decoder (for speed, direction, and lighting), and LED lighting. Paint will feature an etched metal running board, wire brake rigging, and wire grab
schemes include PRR, Chessie, B&O, and New York Central. Clinchfield and irons. Road names will include Borden’s, Dairymen’s League, Whiting Milk
Union Pacific models will also be available with dynamic brakes. The ready-
Company, Chateau Martin, H.P. Hood & Sons, and United Farmers. It will also be
to-run model has an MSRP of $109.00.
available as a maintenance-of-way water car for GM&O, and Illinois Central. The
MSRP will be $19.95.

Centralia Car Shops is preparing new tooling for a modern smooth-side

Kato USA
baggage car that will be released after the first of the year in 16 road names
(katousa.com)
and schemes. The list includes Amtrak, Chicago Great Western, Burlington
has a limited
Northern, Chicago Northwestern, CB&Q, Delaware & Hudson, Canadian
quantity of
National, Illinois Central, NYC, Great Northern, GN (Big Sky blue), Penn
N scale Kobo
Central, Rock Island, Northern Pacific, Union Pacific, and Milwaukee Road.
Custom Jet
The Milwaukee car will be available in one car number, all others in two
RDC’s for
numbers. All versions are priced at $49.95 each. Centralia Car Shops models
immediate shipment at $295.00 each. The N scale model replicates the
are distributed by InterMountain Railway Company at intermountain-rail-
one-of-a–kind New York Central M-4979 Jet-Powered RDC built in 1966.
way.com.
Equipped with a pair of J47 boosters, similar to those used on Boeing’s B-47

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 Stratojet bomber, the modified RDC-3 broke land-speed light-rail records 40’ boxcars with roof hatches. Visit home.comcast.net/~jerryglow/decals.html
with speeds of over 183 miles per hour. Kato’s N scale version comes with for ordering instructions, as well as a current list of railroad decals available.
DCC to control speed, horn, and jet engine sound with variable levels for
jet engine. The headlight, tail lights, and flickering booster ignition light are A price increase on all Microscale (microscale.com) decals became effective
also controlled by DCC. July 1, 2011. The company said they have been avoiding making the change
for some time but the ever increasing cost of raw materials could no longer be
absorbed. On a more positive note, Microscale has released three new letter-
ing sets this month including HO scale decals for The Great Northern Empire
Builder from 1920 to 1950, including Pullman-owned cars. New HO and N
scale lettering sets are available for Union Pacific 57’ ARMN rebuilt reefers and
TRINcool reefers, also Illinois Terminal Railroad second generation locomotive
stripes. Almost ready for release are Amtrak Anniversary locomotives schemes
including the F40PH.

Mount Vernon Shops (mountvernonshops.com) has HO and N scale decal

Here’s an early look at Kato’s KCS Southern Belle SD70ACe due to be released sets for PRR class ND, NDa, N6a, and N6b wood cabin cars. The lettering is
in late July. The same SD70ACe production release will include a rerun of the for the period preceding the introduction of the Shadow Keystone scheme in
popular George Bush locomotive from UP’s Heritage Fleet. 1954. Division and region assignments for the entire Pennsylvania system are
included. The HO set is priced at $15.00 and contains sufficient material to let-
Trainworx (train-worx.com) is soliciting reservations now for delivery in ter up to 12 cars. The N scale set is priced at $5.00 and will letter one car.
December of new 4-bay open hopper cars decorated for Seaboard System,
Conrail, Norfolk Southern, and two Illinois Central paint schemes: with split-rail Underground Railway Press sells a wide variety of structure signs including
logo in red, and with bold ICG lettering. decals for an extensive collection of T2 Ghost Signs made from photos of real
signs. Each decal set includes 4 to 10 pre-weathered signs of various sizes. The
sets are available in HO at $5.00, and O scale at $8.00. The entire collection is
NEW DECALS, SIGNS AND FINISHING PRODUCTS illustrated in URP’s 2011 catalog, which also lists hundreds of scale drawings
for sale. Plans are available for logging, mainline, narrow gauge, traction, and
shortline railroad equipment, and related structures. To obtain the catalog send
CustomTraxx (customtraxx.com) has introduced an upgraded decal set for
$2.00 to Underground Railway Press, PO Box 814OM, Brevard NC, 28712.
Lehigh Valley Transit. The decals are intended for use with KND Enterprises HO
scale resin-cast 700 and 1000 series steel interurban cars. Set CN-1030 is priced
WrightTrak (wrighttrak.com) has HO scale decals for B&O class M53/M53A
at $13.95.
wagon-top boxcars. The Baltimore & Ohio Historical Society has approved the
accuracy of the decals, which are priced at $5.00, plus $1.00 shipping and han-
Jerry Glow has designed an HO dling. 
scale decal set for IGA to fit a
MiniMetals delivery truck. The set
sells for $5.00. Glow also has an IGA
Super Markets store sign to fit City DISCLAIMER .....
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Model Railroad
Classic market structure. It is priced Hobbyist or its sponsors. Every effort is made to provide our readers with accurate and responsible news and information,
at $2.00. New railroad decals under however, neither Model Railroad Hobbyist or the writer of this column can be held responsible for any inaccuracies or
typographical errors that may inadvertently appear in this column.
development include ACL and SCL

Page 120 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Old Yardmaster - Industry scuttlebutt, page 12 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Selected Events ILLINOIS, COLLINSVILLE, (St. Louis area), August 5-6, St. Louis RPM Meet.
Vendor displays and operating FreeMo layout. Clinicians include Rob Adams,
Ed Hawkins, Chuck Hitchcock, Keith Jordan, Daniel & John Kohlberg, David
July 2011 Lehlbach (Tangent Scale Models), Nick Molo (Moloco), Clark Propst, Dave
CALIFORNIA, BAY AREA, July 10-14, Bay Area Garden Schroedle (Protoweathering.com), and Mont Switzer. Gateway Convention
Railway Society Convention, self-tour of approximately 50 Center, One Gateway Drive. Info from John Golden at golden1014@yahoo.
garden layouts. Info at bagrs.org. com (812) 929-7181, or Dan Kohlberg at [email protected].

CALIFORNIA, McCLELLAN, (Sacramento area), July 13-17, VIRGINIA, LYNCHBURG, August 13, Lynchburg Rail Day sponsored by Blue
National Summer Steamup, headquartered at Lions Gate Ridge Chapter of NRHS. Train exhibits, models, displays and slide shows. For
Hotel, 3410 Westover St., phone 916-643-6222. Includes details visit blueridgenrhs.org.
operating small-scale live steam equipment from around the world. Send WASHINGTON, SNOQUALMIE, August 19-20, 17th Annual Northwest
inquiries to [email protected]. Logging Modelers Convention, Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street.
Vendor displays, model contest, vintage machinery, clinics and layout tours.
CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO, July 3-9, Combined NMRA National and National Additional info from Clark or Lloyd at [email protected] or phone
Association of S Gaugers Annual Conventions, Sheraton Grand Hotel. Info at 310-951-9097.
x2011west.org.
Future
CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO, July 6-7, Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet (in
conjunction with NMRA National Convention). Includes RPM clinics and model CANADA, ONTARIO, October 2, 2011, 7th Annual Muskoka MR Layout Tour.
displays (no contests). Sacramento Convention Center Complex, 1400 J Street. Twenty home layout tours from N to G scale in Alliston, Beeton, Stroud,
Info at x2011west.org. Orillia, Severn Bridge, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville. Tour maps
available September 1. For info contact [email protected] or Al Crisp
CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO, July 7-9, National Train Show, Sacramento at [email protected].
Convention Center. Info at x2011west.org/trainshow.html.
CONNECTICUT, ORANGE, October 9, 2011, New Haven & Derby Model
CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, through July 29, Railroad Summer Camp for Kids Railroad Club’s 19th Annual Model Train Show at High Plains Community
at San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park. Sessions Center, 525 Orange Center Road. Vendors, operating layouts in HO, N, T, S and
include museum tours, railroad history, railroad workbooks, railroad safety O gauges, clinics, door prizes, food, ample free parking and wheelchair acces-
education, diesel/steam engine mechanics, and assembling a model railroad sible. Info at newhaven-derbymodelrailroadclub.org.
freight car. Registration open for six 5-day sessions in three different age ILLINOIS, LISLE, October 20-22, 2011, RPM-Conference (formerly Naperville
groups. Details from Olga Cortes at 619-696-0199 or visit sdmodelrailroadm. RPM). Produced by Joe D’Elia. Speakers TBA. Hickory Ridge Marriott (630-
com/#/summer-camp/. 971-5000) railroadprototypemodelers.com.
ILLINOIS, ROCK ISLAND, July 21-24, Train Festival 2011, train rides, cab tours, KANSAS, BENTON (Wichita area), November 5-6, 2011, Railroad Prototype
caboose rides, exhibits, and family fun. Info at trainfestival2011.com. Modelers Meet, Benton Lions Community Center, 150 S. Main Street. Info at
midcontinentprototypemodelers.org.
August 2011
MARYLAND, ELLICOTT CITY, September 1-4, 2011, Steel Mill Modeler’s Meet,
CALIFORNIA, BUENA PARK, August 7, Railroadiana & Transportation Show, Turf Valley Resort. Includes layout tours, seminars, models, and displays
UFCW Hall, 8550 Stanton Avenue (at Crescent Avenue). Info at californiaex- focusing on modeling steel mills in all scales. Sponsored by Magarac Society.
press.net. Info at peachcreekshops.com/2011steelmeet.php.
FLORIDA, THE VILLAGES, August 20-21, Rail Expo 2011, model train and rail- MARYLAND, TIMONIUM, October 29-30, 2011, Great Scale Model Train Show
roadiana show, Lake Miona Rec Center, 1526 Buena Vista Blvd. Info from Alan & Railroad Marketplace at Maryland State Fairgrounds. Produced by Howard
Goldberg at [email protected]. Zane and Ken Young.

Page 121 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Old Yardmaster - Industry scuttlebutt, Selected Events, page 14 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Selected Events Continued ... Future 2013
MASSACHUSETTS, MANSFIELD, November 2-5, 2011, Craftsman Structure NEW MEXICO, ALBUQUERQUE, June 6-9, 2013, Rails Along the Rio Grande
Convention, Holiday Inn. Info at csc11.net. 2013, NMRA, Rio Grande Division 6, Rocky Mountain Region Convention at
Marriott Pyramid North. Layouts, clinics, tours, train show, opsig sessions,
MASSACHUSETTS, PEABODY, October 13-15, 2011, The Fine Scale Model UPRR modelers showcase night, BNSF RR modelers showcase night, banquet
Railroader Expo, Holiday Inn. New event includes extended paid clinics from and more. Info from Al Hobey at [email protected]. 
experts including Lou Sassi, Dave Frary, Bob Hayden, and Bob Mitchell. For
clinic fees and additional details visit modelrailroadexpo.com.

MICHIGAN, LANSING, September 24-25, 2011, American Heritage Festival,

sponsored by Lansing MR Club, includes operating club layout, HO modu-
lar layout, working blacksmith, wood carvers, wagon rides, and tour of
Woldumar Nature Center. At former Grand Trunk Western Millet Depot, 5309
Old Lansing Road. Info at lmrc.org.
About our news and
NORTH CAROLINA, CARY, October 27-30, 2011, NMRA Mid-East Regional events editor
Convention, Embassy Suites Hotel at Raleigh-Durham-Research Triangle East,
201 Harrison Oaks Blvd. Info at mer.nmra.org. Richard Bale writes our news
column under the byline of The Old
NORTH CAROLINA, HICKORY, September 7-10, 2011, 33rd National Narrow Yardmaster. He has been writing
Gauge Convention, Hickory Metro Convention Center. Layout tours, clinics, about the model railroad trade for
vendor displays, prototype events and narrow gauge camaraderie. Speakers various hobby publications since the
are Trains editor Jim Wrinn and David Pfieffer from National Archives. 1960s.
Headquarters hotel (Crown Plaza) is sold out. Visit web site at narrow-
gauge2011.com for information on alternative hotel space. He enjoys building models,
particularly structures, some of
OHIO, MOUNT VERNON, September 17 thru Oct 6, 2011, exhibit of “Life which appeared in the June 2006
Along the Line,” original railroad photography of O. Winston Link, at B&O issue of Model Railroader magazine.
Depot, 507 West High Street. Hours and fee information available at mount-
vernondepot.org.

VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA BEACH, September 17-18, 2011, NMRA Tidewater Send us your
Division Annual Train Show, Hall D Virginia Beach Convention Center. Info at
nfr-nmra.org.
product
announcements
Future 2012
If you are a hobby manufacturer with a product
MICHIGAN, GRAND RAPIDS, July 29-Aug 4, 2012, NMRA National Convention announcement, just click here and submit your
and National Train Show. announcement to us.
Reader
Feedback Our web site and free magazine reach
PENNSYLVANIA, MALVERN, March 23-25, 2012, RPM-Valley Forge Meet. Info (click here) 
continues to grow, so get on board with this
at phillynmra.org/RPMMeet.html. new media train that’s hard to stop!

Page 122 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Old Yardmaster - Industry scuttlebutt, Selected Events, page 15 Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 REVERSE RUNNING: Doing the hobby well: Achieving balance
Stepping outside the box with a contrary view
Givens and dru- layout was shown at all, it was all-too- weathered locomotives are not super-
thers tend to be often a Plywood Pacific. detailed. Aim for balance! Aim for a
personal choices. consistent look and don’t waste time
No one can dic- But the hobby has evolved since then
on doing anything in excess. Seek a
tate them for to focus a lot more on building nice
balance that gives you time to enjoy
you. You need layouts. I like to think of it as “model
all parts of the hobby!
to reach down railroading in the large” and I believe
inside, pull out it’s an approach that’s more enticing That’s what I love about Al Frasch’s N
your desires, and to potential model railroaders. scale layout that’s the cover story in
then sort them this issue. While Al’s layout is not su-
As the owner of a large basement em-
into “required” perdetailed, it is consistently detailed
pire myself (my HO Siskiyou Line takes
or “optional.” everywhere! The first thing I noticed
up about 1100 square feet), I can tell
when I visited Al’s large N scale layout
But by taking the time to write down you a large home layout project is an
was: the whole thing looked finished.
Reader exercise in balance, to be sure.
your givens and druthers, you can fo-
Feedback Unfortunately, the hobby press tends
(click here) 
cus on what matters and not fret over I must set priorities and focus on what
things that are optional. to focus on layouts more toward the
matters most or I could become over-
superdetailed end of the spectrum
— by Joe Fugate whelmed. And feeling overwhelmed is
The givens and druthers example because they take good close up pho-

I
no way to do a hobby!
n today’s fast-paced world, with layout design suggests a secret tos. But when you visit those layouts,
there’s no end to the demands to achieving balance in the hobby: it’s At its heart, that’s what Allen McClel- generally you will find they’re far from
on our time. Doing the hobby setting realistic expectations. land’s “good enough” philosophy is all finished.
well can be a tough balancing act. about. It’s about how to do a larger
For instance, having a large layout – Not Al Frasch’s layout. It looks “done”
hobby project well, but not get over-
and I define “large” as being over 500 everywhere. Nothing was super-
The layout design concept of “givens whelmed. New modelers entering
square feet or over 50 square me- detailed, as a closeup photo of the
and druthers” is one good example of the hobby would do well to heed the
ters – but also expecting contest-level layout shows. Still, a consistently
balancing hobby issues – in this case “good enough” concept.
detail on everything probably isn’t finished-looking layout is a sensory
how to create a balanced, yet statisfy- realistic unless you have way more So how does the “good enough” phi- delight to behold.
ing layout design. resources than the typical hobbyist. losophy look in practice?
I applaud Al Frasch for achieving a
A given is something that just is and The model railroading hobby started Don’t bother detailing the backs of masterful sense of balance with his
not subject to change or debate. A out being about nice models. You can buildings that no one will ever see. layout. While it’s not superdetailed,
druther is a desire, wish, or “if there’s tell that by looking at model railroad- Don’t bother putting underbody it’s still a rare achievement that needs
any way” hope. But in the final analy- ing magazines from the 40s and 50s. detail on all your rolling stock since to be celebrated and put forward
sis, if it just doesn’t work, a druther Many of the photos published where that’s generally not visible anyhow. as an excellent example of how to
can be jettisoned. of nice individual models. And if a And don’t worry that your nicely- achieve balance in the hobby! 

Page 123 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Reverse Running Editorial Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 Clickable Advertiser Index Page Clickable Advertiser Index, continued Page Clickable Topic Index Page
Accu-Lites . .................................................... 25 Railpub ......................................................... 26 Derailments .................................................. 125
Alpine Division Scale Models ........................ 19 Rapido Trains ............................................... 7 Editorial – Editor’s Soapbox .......................... 10
Aux Box DCC.Com ........................................ 39 Rslaserkits .................................................... 14 Editorial – Reverse Running . ........................ 123
Backdrop Junction ....................................... 26 Rusty Stumps ............................................... 23 First Look – A-Line Car Weighting System..... 80
BLMA ............................................................ 3 TAM Valley Depot . ...................................... 16 First Look – Aux-Box Appliance..................... 81
Canyon Creek Scenics . ................................ 103 The Fiber Optic Store .................................. 26 Internet – Ebay for Model Railroaders III .... 73
Clever Models .............................................. 26 The Fine Scale Model Railroader Expo . ..... 102 Layouts – BNSF Pilchuck Division......................... 27
Layouts – Getting Real....................................... 96
Craftsman Structure Convention . .............. 89 The Scotty Mason Show . ............................ 26
Locos – Speedbashing ................................. 40
Dallas Model Works .................................... 4 Train Videos and Parts ................................ 49
News – July Newsletter ................................ 109
Digitrax ......................................................... 6
Bonus Extras ................................................ 15
ExactRail . ..................................................... 5
Q and A – MRH Questions, Answers, and Tips .... 18
Fast Tracks . .................................................. 12
Rolling Stock – The Car Shop ...................... 51
Jeff’s DCC & Trains . ..................................... 20
Rolling Stock – Home Made Lumber Loads .... 53
Litchfield Station ......................................... 13
Scenery – Applying Makeup ......................... 24
Micro-Mark .................................................. 11
Structures – The Lite and Narrow . ............... 83
Model Trains Video ..................................... 9
Structures – My Modular Adventure . .......... 90
Monster Modelworks .................................. 26 Structures – Utility Poles .............................. 105
Nano-Oil ....................................................... 15 Staff Notes .................................................... 13
NCE ............................................................... 17 Trackwork – Building a Helix . ..................... 61
Pline . ............................................................ 26 ———————————————————————————
RailMaster Hobbies ..................................... 39 For the love of model trains Other – Cover ............................................... 1
Other – MRH Sponsors ................................. 2
Coming in the August 2011 issue Other – Table of Contents ............................ 8

Modeling with the new rivet decals

Nick Muff’s amazing Kansas City layout
Building a prototype-based loco roster
Derailments, humor,
Modeling an A-frame turntable
Coupler tune-up tips
and Dashboard on
New one evening projects next page ▶
... and lots more!

Page 124 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Index • Coming next issue Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀  ▶
 DASHBOARD

Derailments humor (allegedly) Toggle Full Screen

Printer-Friendly Version  
 

Download PDF Version  

 
 

Exit Document

Three guys go hunting. Bill, Ben and Barney. Bill goes out first to hunt his deer.
When talking to
hobby vendors,
Bill’s hobbies are hunting, fishing and mountain climbing.
One hour later Bill returns to camp hauling a trophy buck! “How did you get that
big buck so fast?”, chorus Barney and Ben.
“Easy”, says Bill. “Walk, walk, walk, find the tracks, follow the tracks, walk, walk,

please remember
walk.” “Bam! I shot the buck.”
“I’m gonna get me a trophy too!” Ben hollers, and off he goes. Ben’s hobbies are,
hunting, fishing and hiking.
30 minutes later Ben struggles into camp with an even larger buck than Bill’s!

to mention MRH.
“How did you get that huge buck so fast?”, exclaim Bill and Barney.
“Easy”,says Ben. “Walk, walk, walk, find the tracks, follow the tracks, walk, walk,
walk.” “Bam! I shot the buck.”
Barney can’t believe it. “How am I gonna beat that”, he mumbles, as he sets off.
Barney is a model railroader.
5 minutes later Barney limps into camp, bruised, battered and bleeding! “Barney
what happened”, shout Bill and Ben. Reader
“E-E-Easy”, Barney stammers. Walk, walk, walk, find the tracks, follow the Feedback
tracks, walk, walk, walk, BAM! I got hit by the afternoon train. (click here) 

If you’re the first to submit a good bit of humor and we use it, it’s worth $10!

Page 125 • Issue 11-07 • Jul 2011 • Derailments • Dashboard Tell a friend ... Contents Index  ◀