Here is a link that shows how to make your own India Ink, for those of us that want to do 'everything' them selves. :-)

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5366005_make-india-ink.html">http://www.ehow.com/how_5366005_make-india-ink.html</a><!-- m -->

One of the ingredients mention is Gum Arabic, a substance extracted from tree saps.
Here is one way to get a hold of it :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWK844">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWK844</a><!-- m -->

You could also try a health food store, pharmacy etc.

I recently acquired a Stella Scale Models Martins Creek station/yard office. It is such a nice kit, and so easy to build, I thought I'd try to write a review for it. The building walls are cast as one piece, as is the roof, and they are incredibly detailed. Assembling the kit for the most part is a matter of painting. Here are pics of the wall unit, the first shows one side as it comes, the other shows the other side, and you can see I removed material below the window in order to build a loading door there.

   

   

I wound up also doing this on the other side. The very informative instruction sheet mentions that there is evidence that a wood platform surrounded the structure, but that there are no photographs of it. One of the indicators that such a platform existed was that what were once loading doors were converted to windows, as the model comes. Also, there were 2x6 timbers around the structure which could have supported a platform, this detail is on the wall unit, you can see them just below the first course of stone. Actually, the bldg is not built of stone, but prefab concrete block cast to look like stone. They were a concrete color. The building was apparently used as a yard office on the prototype, but since my layout is freelanced, and I needed a freight house, I elected to scratchbuild the wood platform, and loading dock doors.

Here is a pic of the roof

   

I just found the fotostream of the Library of Congress on flickr. On pages 294 through 302 are some very interesting color shots of the ATSF and CNW from the 1940s. Eye candy for fans of the steam era: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/page294/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of ... s/page294/</a><!-- m --> .

Hi guys,

My buddy is going to start laying some track down on the layout i designed for him (Steel Mill Layout). He has the benchwork built and bought some rolled cork, glued it down and now is ready for trackwork. He has the plan printed out in 1:1 scale (done on a plotter).

He's asked me to post on the forums asking for help on how to correctly wire a layout. Hes doing DCC, and there are 2 reverse loops in the plan. We know where to isolate the points and were going to be using 2 of the Digitrax AR-1's (one for each loop). Basically he is wanting to know the correct way to wire the layout, isolate the gaps correctly. Questions like the length and gauge of the feeder wires and the gauge of the bus wire. How often (every 12" or so?) do you put feeders in?

Any and all help is going to be appreciated, this is going to be a learning experience for both him and I, since i have never done this either lol. Were looking for some expert advise and how-to's here, and i know there are many guys here who know what there talking about and know how to do it right the first time around

Thanks in advance!!

Some of you may remember me from The Gauge just before and while it was Zealot. A few years ago I started a shelf layout in my 2 car garage (which is still being used as a 2 car garage). Several folks at The Gauge cautioned me about the heat, humidity, cold, and bugs that I would have to contend with. I went ahead and got as far as laying all the track and putting in the ballast. Then after battling the spiders and elements for awhile, I put the layout on hold because we were considering moving. Now, that we have decided not to move anytime soon, I decided to build a climate controlled building in the backyard for the layout.

I will be able to use about 90% of the shelves/layout I already have, which is about 70 feet. There will be another 100 feet added on, so it will be a fairly big layout.

Here are some photos of the concrete compnay working on the foundation. The building is about 40 feet x 20 feet. I plan on doing all the framing, roofing, and electrical myself. Will definitely hire someone to do the brick exterior. Anyway, will be playing construction worker for a few months before I actually get back to the layout.

Hey, it is good to be back!

Not sure where to put this but this is as good as any. As most of you know I am starting a Gern industry on my layout. I think it is operating now. Here are some picks of my Gern fleet. Maybe more to come.















Thank you Dr. Wayne. I have enjoyed doing this and look forward to servicing this industry.

My family & another family are planning to ride one of the Christmas trains on the Credit Valley Explorer (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.creditvalleyexplorer.com/">http://www.creditvalleyexplorer.com/</a><!-- m -->) this December.

I've browsed their website and done a little searching but haven't too much in the way of the history and background of the various locos and coaches. Being a rail-fan, I’m curious to find out what kind of diesels and coaches they’re using, from what period (1950s?) and which former railway.

We’re looking forward to this trip as it should be especially scenic. We’re planning to board at Inglewood and, while the trip only takes an hour or so, we should get some good views of the Forks of the Credit/Cataract area.

Thanks,
Rob

This is the place, you've found the thread that you can post all your big blue party pictures in. Yes, Big Blue will be one year old on Dec 17th, and we've talked about the celebration and given the guidelines about what we're looking for right here PARTY THREAD

So, have at it. We're looking forward to seeing what you've done to celebrate.

the guys in chat wanted to see what i was working on, well here it it .

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