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

Username
  

Password
  





Search Forums

(Advanced Search)

Forum Statistics
» Members: 546
» Latest member: Big Daddy
» Forum threads: 10,039
» Forum posts: 181,417

Full Statistics

Online Users
There are currently 987 online users.
» 0 Member(s) | 983 Guest(s)
Applebot, Baidu, Bing, Google

Latest Threads
The Hobo Camp Fire Is goi...
Forum: Hobo's Camp
Last Post: FiatFan
1 hour ago
» Replies: 104
» Views: 8,622
Photo Fun April 2026
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
Yesterday, 07:07 PM
» Replies: 5
» Views: 436
Trains This Day/Month in ...
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
Yesterday, 10:11 AM
» Replies: 1,033
» Views: 419,736
Current Projects
Forum: HO Modeling
Last Post: LiveSteamer
04-23-2026, 10:02 PM
» Replies: 430
» Views: 209,690
B&O Equipment
Forum: Swap Meet
Last Post: LiveSteamer
04-23-2026, 09:20 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 68
Here's the new and improv...
Forum: Stop here and say "Hello"
Last Post: ngauger
04-23-2026, 12:47 PM
» Replies: 166
» Views: 50,371
Tail End Tuesday
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
04-21-2026, 09:27 PM
» Replies: 438
» Views: 358,801
HO Scale Berkshire Knitti...
Forum: Scratchbuilding and kitbashing - All Scales
Last Post: zzrguy
04-21-2026, 10:52 AM
» Replies: 6
» Views: 1,350
Patched and Restencilled ...
Forum: Shutterbug area
Last Post: bdw9535
04-20-2026, 06:39 PM
» Replies: 61
» Views: 7,895
Big Blue has inspired som...
Forum: Upper Berth
Last Post: TMo
04-20-2026, 06:25 PM
» Replies: 150
» Views: 102,073
2026 Big Blue NASCAR Raci...
Forum: Lower Berth
Last Post: ngauger
04-20-2026, 06:10 PM
» Replies: 29
» Views: 2,677
Juneco/ Keystone Danby sa...
Forum: HO Modeling
Last Post: BR60103
04-14-2026, 07:26 PM
» Replies: 8
» Views: 630
N Scale rolling stock bui...
Forum: N/Z and Smaller Modeling
Last Post: zzrguy
04-14-2026, 04:08 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 254
Building an Overton Passe...
Forum: HO Modeling
Last Post: zzrguy
04-05-2026, 06:39 PM
» Replies: 3
» Views: 598
MRC HO Loco For Sale
Forum: Swap Meet
Last Post: LiveSteamer
04-01-2026, 07:44 AM
» Replies: 7
» Views: 780

 
  B&O Equipment
Posted by: LiveSteamer - 04-23-2026, 09:20 PM - Forum: Swap Meet - No Replies

HO Scale B&O ALCO PA1 & PA1B. Both are powered - Athearn - $80 plus shipping

   

   

Rivarossi HO Scale B&O Passenger Cars - 6 Cars in total - 1 RPO - 4 Passenger Cars - 1 Observation - All Heavy Weights - $70 plus shipping

A couple of the passenger cars don't have the couplers or coupler covers as this is how they were when I bought them 2 years ago. Private message me and I will let you know how to pay.

   

   

   

   

   

   

Print this item

  N Scale rolling stock builds.
Posted by: zzrguy - 04-14-2026, 04:08 PM - Forum: N/Z and Smaller Modeling - No Replies

Micro-Trains Flatcar Build | Quick Load Upgrade & Weathering

Hey guys, welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!

In this episode, we take a break from the big builds and dive into a quick N scale project, upgrading a Micro-Trains flatcar with a custom deck, tarp repaint, and simple weathering techniques to bring it to life.

This is a short, relaxing build—but packed with useful tips for anyone modeling in N scale or HO scale.


Print this item

  Juneco/ Keystone Danby sawmill
Posted by: cnrglen - 04-03-2026, 04:50 PM - Forum: HO Modeling - Replies (8)

I was looking for a small sawmill for my logging camp and found an old issue of Keystone's Dandy sawmill. The was however copied here in Canada by Juneco and that's the model I bought. The kit was advertised and started but complete.

   

However when I opened the box I had my doubts.

   

The wood content in the box seems a bit thin. I do believe that all the metal castings are present and that's what it most important.

   

It is a pretty small sawmil. The footprint is about 4 X 7". Mostly I'm thinking it's a rough-cut sawmill that supplies the logging camp's needs and sends surplus rough cuts to other customers.

   

The first step is to build the foundation beams. A quick inventory of the wood strips  and I found that all those parts were missing. 

   

I did have a pack of scale 8X8 from Mt. Albert scale lumber that fit that was the same size. 

   

I cut all the parts needed and thay went into an Alcohol and India Ink bath. They're currently drying before I start assembly.

Print this item

  Photo Fun April 2026
Posted by: bdw9535 - 04-01-2026, 03:27 PM - Forum: Shutterbug area - Replies (5)

Since our operations group disbanded thinking of doing a new layout.  This should be up and running in no time.

   

   

Bruce

Print this item

  MRC HO Loco For Sale
Posted by: bdw9535 - 03-29-2026, 04:09 PM - Forum: Swap Meet - Replies (7)

I have a HO MRC Alco C420 loco for sale.  $8.00 plus $10.00 for shipping.  There are no coupler screws or couplers.  It runs but is jerky.

   

   

Bruce

Print this item

  Conrail Ho Locos For Sale
Posted by: bdw9535 - 03-29-2026, 03:59 PM - Forum: Swap Meet - No Replies

I have the following locomotives for sale,

Atlas HO Conrail MP15AC #9626, has Kadee couplers and a NCE N141P decoder installed. $65.00 plus $10.00 shipping.

   

   

Proto 1000 HO Conrail GP15-1 #1650, has Kadee couplers and a NCE D13SR decoder installed, $50.00 plus $10.00 shipping.

   

   

Bruce

Print this item

  help
Posted by: jim currie - 03-20-2026, 12:39 PM - Forum: Upper Berth - Replies (8)

i have a atlas number 6 curved turnout that has been giving me fits trains will run through it fine for a while then suddenly they stall in the turnout i have installed numerous jumpers to no ad vale its a nickel silver custom line code 100. i hate the thoughts of shelling out the price of a replacement to have it do the same thing. any thoughts of what night be the problem.
Jim

Print this item

  3D Print and Specialized Decal Supplier
Posted by: TMo - 03-12-2026, 06:33 PM - Forum: Equipment and Supply sources - No Replies

Found a site by accident.  I take that back.  Found a site because I was trying to hunt down a Canadian National bell and bell bracket for my GP35 project. 

The intial supplier didn't deliver, so I did some more searching and found CMR Products | Trains & Everything Else!  They have a ridiculous number of decal sheets with some fairly obscure stuff.  They also 3D print a lot of detail parts including (smack my head) a rock plow that I still need for the GP35.  Their catalog downloads are free and their site is really nice.  Thought I'd pass along the find.  Looks like this is another internet only business that ships from Brookville, PA.  Looks like mostly HO/N and Z gauge products.

Print this item

  Ed Fulasz Hydrocal Drug Store kit #15
Posted by: Ensign - 03-11-2026, 09:28 AM - Forum: HO Modeling - Replies (12)

Hi everyone, this hydrocal drug store kit from Ed Fulasz #15 is a kit that I bought years ago.
Ed no longer sells his kit, but they are still available from "Railroad kits"
Here's what the kit looks like out of the box.

   

The base for the drug store has sidewalks around all 4 sides.
So not needing sidewalks on all 4 sides I carefully cut off 2 of them.
I then glued a piece of styrene to the bottom of this base for extra strength.

   

   

The kit's walls are beautifully detailed with all window and door openings closed.
The kit's instuctions suggest just painting these closed openings black, and then glue the window & door castings over top.
However I wanted to light & add an interior to my store, so I carefully cut out the front walls window & door openings.
I the used 5 minute epoxy to glue the walls together.
I did not glue the walls down to the base.

   

   

Hydrocal is very absorbent so I seal all of my castings with white spray paint first, to help take away most of that absorbency.
You do this by applying several light coats of spray paint, trying not to obscure any of the cast in detail of the bricks.
I then start to apply the paint used to colour the brick. The first colour I used is "Craft smart" Terra Cotta.

   

I then use "Americana" Burnt Sienna thinned out with water as a second wash over top of the Terra Cotta.
It is very important to allow each coat of paint to dry throughly.
I then painted the odd brick here & there with a slightly darker tone.
Then I painted all of the window & door openings & trim using 2 different colours of green.
I also glued into place all of the widows & door castings into their openings.

   

I then added the sign above the front door and to the sidewall.
I then tried using "Robert's Brick Mortar Formula" to the brickwalls.

   

I then went to work creating an interior and LED lighting to this store.
This is how it all came out looking in the end.

   

   

   

Thanks for having a look.

Greg













I then use a thinned out with water "Americana" Burnt Sienna over top of my Terra Cotta.
It is important to allow each coat of paint to dry completely.
I then painted up all of the other details of this drug store using 2 different shades of green.
Also installing all of the window & door castings into their openings.

Print this item

  Building an Overton Passenger Train
Posted by: zzrguy - 03-09-2026, 09:17 PM - Forum: HO Modeling - Replies (3)

Building an Overton Passenger Train – Rebuilding a Budget Steam Locomotive ?
There’s something special about bringing an old train back to life. In this project, we’re kicking off the build of a full Overton passenger train consist, starting with a budget-friendly steam locomotive that turned out to be much more of a project than expected.
What began as a quick repair quickly turned into a deep dive into decoder troubleshooting, wiring fixes, and future lighting upgrades. And honestly—that’s part of what makes model railroading so rewarding.
This is the start of a series that will cover everything from locomotive electronics to detailed passenger interiors.
Let’s get into it.


The Train Show Find
Like many great model railroad projects, this one started at a train show.
I picked up a small steam locomotive for an unbelievable price. At first glance it looked like it would just need a quick fix—replace a plug, test it on the track, and get it running again.
Of course… it didn’t turn out that simple.
Once I opened it up, it became clear that there were a few issues hiding inside:
  • Decoder problems
  • Wiring that needed attention
  • Some questionable previous work
Instead of a quick repair, it became a full troubleshooting session.
But that’s part of the fun—figuring out what’s going on and bringing a piece of equipment back to life.

Starting the Overton Passenger Consist
While the locomotive work was underway, the real goal of this project started to take shape: building a complete Overton passenger train.
Overton cars are classic short passenger cars that look fantastic behind small steam engines. They’re perfect for smaller layouts and branch-line operations.
The build will include:
  • Installing passenger interiors
  • Painting and detailing seats and walls
  • Preparing cars for lighting
  • Final assembly and detailing
Even though some of the interior details may barely be visible once the roofs go on, they still matter.
Because you’ll know they’re there.

Installing Passenger Car Interiors
The first step in the car builds is installing interior kits.
This involves:
  • Fitting the interior components
  • Making sure everything clears the trucks and couplers
  • Preparing surfaces for paint
Interior kits add a huge amount of realism, especially once lighting is installed.
Without lighting, interiors can be hard to see—but once illuminated, the difference is night and day.

Passenger Car Lighting Plans
Lighting is a major part of this build.
The plan is to install LED strip lighting inside the passenger cars so the interiors can actually be seen during operation.
Key goals for the lighting:
  • Even illumination throughout the car
  • Minimal wiring clutter
  • Reliable electrical pickup
  • Warm, realistic light color
Good passenger car lighting can transform a train from something that just rolls around the layout into something that feels like a real operating train.

Painting Interior Details
One of the most satisfying parts of these builds is painting the interiors.
Even though the details may be subtle, painting seats, floors, and walls adds depth and realism.
It’s one of those things that might not jump out immediately—but it makes a huge difference when the cars are lit and rolling behind the locomotive.
Sometimes the best details are the ones that viewers almost miss.

What’s Coming Next in the Series
This Overton build is just getting started. Future episodes will cover:
✔ Decoder diagnostics and replacement options
✔ Installing the firebox flicker effect
✔ Passenger car interior kits
✔ LED lighting installs
✔ Painting and detailing techniques
✔ Assembling the full Overton consist
By the end of the project, the goal is to have a fully detailed, illuminated passenger train that looks fantastic both up close and running on the layout.

Final Thoughts
Projects like this are what model railroading is all about.
Sometimes you start with a quick repair… and it turns into a full rebuild. But that’s where you learn the most and improve your skills along the way.
From decoder troubleshooting to custom lighting installs, this Overton train build is shaping up to be a really fun journey.
And we’re just getting started.

If you enjoy hands-on model railroading, kitbashing, and realistic upgrades, stay tuned—there’s a lot more coming in this series.
? The Overton is about to roll.

Print this item