Atlas posted some time ago a list of part numbers to be used for fine replacement handrails for the first generation Gensets.
http://www.atlastrainman.com/HOLoco/tmho...ndrail.htm
It did just try it and the new fine handrails are listed on stock and orders (e.g. mine ) are accepted.

I did not find the handrails in the Trainman parts department but they will popup if you search for "genset" in the parts store.
Each set of handrails sets is listed $7.95. Not a bargain but the old thick handrails need to be replaced.

Now that I found out the hard way that a shelf layout in an apartment that im renting is not a great idea, the next one will be a module layout for sure. I always disliked modules because of the gap that usually seems to be pretty noticeable but I saw an ad for Kam Konnect <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://kamkonnect.com/index.htm">http://kamkonnect.com/index.htm</a><!-- m --> in MRR and it looks like their system locks in place pretty tight maybe eliminating that gap a little better. I'm just looking for some opinions from those who have or have built a modular layout. Is what they offer worth the money theyre asking or could I find something better in a module layout how-to book? I've never built one before so I could use all the help I can get. Having a modular kit with pre-cut parts and plans seems convenient to me but in the end might just be paying for convenience. Thanks in advance.

I think the current Bachmann tank car is old tooling, and for quite a while I think they only used it for their track cleaning tank car. However, lately they've brought out some new road names in an ordinary tank car version, which are pretty inexpensive at discount. Here's the one that caught my eye, a Tidewater Oil car:


  TWOX 1367.jpg (Size: 160 KB / Downloads: 1071)

I'm pretty sure I have a DVD with archival film from the 1930s showing a train on the New Haven with one of these. I went poking around to see what other information I could gather, and I discovered that the Strasburg Rail Road has a car painted for Tidewater in its charter freight train set, and beyond that, I'd taken a photo that showed the car on a visit in 2006:


  TWOX 1368.jpg (Size: 229.36 KB / Downloads: 1087)

The Strasburg car is numbered TWOX 1367, while the Bachmann is 1368, but the lettering is otherwise identical, down to weigh dates. I assume Bachmann followed the Strasburg car. I don't know where the orange dome came from, and now I'm going to have to watch my DVD to see if my memory is correct. If there's no orange dome on the prototype, it's no biggie to paint it black. The Strasburg equipment roster says its car was built by General American, and they got it from NJT, where it had been a CNJ fuel car. I think the Bachmann car is a generic sorta-kinda.

I keep wishing the manufacturers would put out models credibly lettered for Strasburg, or some of the cars they have in their collection. At least this is a good start, and I'm delighted to have it.

Below are links to two short video clips from the Model Citizens: A Documentary Project website operated by San Diego-based documentary film maker and journalism professor Sara Kelly.

Sara has begun interviewing model railroaders and railfans from around Southern California about our hobby and the fascination trains have for so many of us. Eventually scores of people from all phases of the hobby, including layout owners, club members, hobby shop operators, model railroad photographers, collectors and others, will be interviewed for this documentary with many of the video interviews appearing in the eventual movie.

San Diego: A Moving View
At about 0:50 this clip features an on-board ride on the San Diego Model Railroad Club’s HO layout.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://vimeo.com/83910454">http://vimeo.com/83910454</a><!-- m -->

The Layout Move Redux
This is a clip about moving a layout from Glendale to San Diego.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://vimeo.com/77322608">http://vimeo.com/77322608</a><!-- m -->

The project website is:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://modelcitizensmovie.com/">http://modelcitizensmovie.com/</a><!-- m -->

As the project progresses more video clips will appear on the Model Citizens website.

Bob Chaparro
Moderator
Model Railroads of Southern California
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Model_Railroads_Of_Southern_California/">https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Mod ... alifornia/</a><!-- m -->

Hello Folks!

A long while ago i got a basket case of an Rivarossi UP 4-8-4, not complete and some parts like the tender shell and pilot truck were missing. As i am not an UP man or an enthusiast of big big steam, this basket case remained resting in pieces until a few days ago. A friend of mine, who also owns an loco of exact the same type and manufacturer, have had the idea to make out of these 1 and 3/4 engines one engine which runs.
With old Rivarossi stock you have a couple of problems:
- deep flanges of traditional toy train style
- traction tires, unfortunately all of them were mounted onto the wheels of the left side
- old motors drawing a lot of amperes an with a nasty running culture
- high speed gears, this also a typical toy train feature

What's to do?
1) turn down the flanges in accordance to NMRA to a height of 0.6mm
2) remove all wheel with traction tires and replace them with thoses without rubbers
3) replace the gears to create a higher gear ratio
4) substitute the motor with a modern can type with less draft an more output
5) make new cardan shaft between motor and gear
6) make an 8-pin DCC socket according to NMRA


Here a new axle gear was mounted. The Rivarossi axle was turned down at the center portion to enable the mounting of the gear with a bore of 2.6mm to press fit it.
Otherwise after the mounting of the gear a thin bushing was mounted onto one axle stub to correct the axle diameter to 3.0mm as it was before turning.



The other part of the gear. A new worm mounted onto the old shaft. A pair of shims under the bearings will adjust the correct mesh between worm and axle gear.

Before, factory mounted: gear ratio was 1:16 with a module of 0.6
After conversion: gear ratio is now 1:29 with a module of 0.4
The new gears are from Roco and made out of technical plastics.



Here the new can motor is glued into place. Lateron there will be an additional screwed bracket to fix the motor.
A new cardan shaft was made with parts out of the grab box.
It is now ready for fitting the electric stuff.

Lutz

Most of you will not have read this news yet :

Roco announces the S160 of the USATC, called "Rattlesnake", for H0 scale.

look at this link : http://www.flipgorilla.com/p/23023990364...4711720/24

Perhaps the wheels size cloud become a problem and the wheels of the model are not 100% compatible to US wheels size.

We have to wait for more informations.

I came across this - an alternative to Scalescenes Buildings that modellers may find useful OO, HO and N
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/building-kits/?ap_id=brm">http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/buil ... ?ap_id=brm</a><!-- m --> also usable as background buildings

A couple of years ago I bought some equipment from DoctorWayne with the intention of running it on my HO layout. I have been backdating my era of choice and am now running steam almost exclusively. The units being rendered surplus they are now available for sale to interested parties. I don't know what I paid for the RS11s, I paid $100 for the SW and caboose. Here are a couple of photos...









The RS11s should probably stay together, as one is powered (Atlas) and one is a dummy (Life Like, de-motored). I would like for these items to go to someone here on the forum and this is the only place I have them up for sale. I am asking $50 for the SW+caboose, and $50 for the twins. Make me an offer, I am a reasonable guy. Thanks!