Hi all, I haven't been on the forum for a few weeks (holiday season etc), so perhaps still a belated Happy New Year to all of you!

Anyway, started a new project to super detail two Athearn UP C44-9W locomotives. I got these recently via E-Bay, and are NOT Genesis versions, but rather the older style ' bluebox'. They therefore have the fairly crude and simple (but strong) metal handrails. I'd like to replace them with some better looking types (especially the stancions etc should be improved) but I haven't found a set of parts that fit this so far. A lot is available for EMD types locomotives, and I found a set for a Rail Power Product shell, but not yet Athearn. Does anyone have any suggestions, have done it themselves perhaps ? Cheers!

Koos

Hi people --

Just happened to stumble onto this web page, and thought I would share the link with you - it is a pretty good web page on modeling a meat packing plant on a model railroad:

http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Sandifer.../Index.htm

Smile,
Stein

How about a casket maker, shipping raw materials in and finished caskets out to happy, satisfied customers everywhere?

Mornin' all! Thought I'de jump right in with my 1st question here on the Blue since I've been elsewhere. I am working on a church scene on my layout and would like to replicate a stone wall that would border the property. The wall must be of a New-England style and be somewhat decorative. Not just a pile of random rocks. After searching around for a commercially available one to use, I have not been able to find one that suits my tastes. Therefore I will try to cast my own in plaster. I have not attempted this task before and am looking for a quick "how-to" with some tips...Thanks in advance!

Matt

Hello one and all and happy New Year! All I can say is "wow!" has this site changed...(and very nicely I may add). At the urging of doctor wayne I have re-visited and re-registered. I'm not even sure what my old screen name was or is but what the heck. I stopped visiting here several years ago when everything seemed to go awry with this forum and I did not have the inclination to be patient through all the mess, but I see it was worth the wait! Some of you may remember really my only significant contribution to the old Gauge was my "face behind the name" thread which I'm proud to see the concept lives on though under a different title. The set up and topics and subtopics are super and the only downfall is this will keep me slightly longer away from the train room! Since I've been away on another forum, I have also physically moved. Same town but different basement with a house on top. We outgrew our tiny 2 bedroom with a mildewy water problem plagued basement to a nice 3 bedroom with a huge half-finished basement complete with a lounge area, workshop area, unfinished storage/laundry room, and enough space for my under construction 32 x 18 foot railroad with more room for expansion. Best of all, the drainage system etc. has made the basement 100% dry as a bone! The sump pump has never even attempted to turn itself on. Ever! Also want to say an extra special hello to EZdays, n-gauger, 88 fan, dr. wayne, spitfire, and Mr. Pfeil with the superb JGL! I was saddened to learn of Paul Templar's (Shamus) passing and may he rest in peace.

Matt

The RG&S or "Royal Gorge" is my fictional railroad loosely based on the D&RGW.

This is my first attempt at building a layout that is more than an oval on a 4X8. The track plan I am using for the layout is based on the Atlas plan Central Midland. Though I did not follow it closely. I made all of the curve radius large enough to handle a railpower SD90 chassis.



I am not planning on using the yard or sidings from the plan. I have other plans for these areas.

Bench work done.

In preparation for open house all of my car cards got out of place. Or maybe all of my cars got out of place. Anyway, the cars were not where the cards said they were. So I shut down the C&O while I sorted things out. After 2 days of finding cars and matching them with cards, I now have more cards than cars. I don't get it I am missing about 30 cars. Before someone suggests theft during open house. Maybe one but not this amount. I don't know why I am telling you guys about this except maybe some commiserating.

Has anyone ever used (or know someone who has used) "Keystone Locomotive Works corrugated metal roll"?

It is a 5 ft long roll of HO scale corrugated metal.....I was wondering because it is a lot cheaper than Campbell's corrugated metal (which is a great product btw)

Thank You

Here are some hoppers that I have weatherd. I tried several different techniques on these trying to experiment with different effects.