I'm thinking about a new piece of equipment, but I only have space (and money) for one.

I'd like a 3D printer and I'd like a laser cutter, but don't know which to get, soooo....

If you could only have either/or a 3D printer or a cutter, which would you buy, and with what rationalle for the decision?  And if you already have one, what would you recommend?

Norman

I closed and locked the train room door this afternoon.

But before jumping to respond, that statement is not negative.  On the contrary, it is a very positive development.  Not since I was a teenager at home have I had a dedicated train room.  Over the years, I've made shelf and desk top layouts, challenged myself to construct an N gauge layout inside an IKEA coffee table and built a couple of modules, had several intercontinental moves and the trains have followed me in a shipping container.

There is an interesting Photo-essay on the BBC this morning - Empty American Railways

http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-40341771

There are some very atmospheric views of structures and locations, with barely a train in sight.

Exploring Mr Sanderson's website, there is a whole album of what to me look like "F" series locomotives, under the heading Fallen Flags.

http://john-sanderson.com/fallen-flags/

NW

_{(Photo courtesy of PA)}

At 06:00 BST on a fine and sunny Sunday 23rd April (10pm Pacific time Saturday) there was once only gathering of four trains and 5 iconic locomotives on the British East Coast Main Line (ECML) north of York.

I am building a Fremo module of a Canadian grain handling facility.  Not modeling any one in particular but using details from several.  However I am struggling to find some of the trackside details, like these hand thrown  switch machines in 1:87 scale.

Has anyone found a way to reduce the postage cost of an eBay purchase to a manageable and sensible price???

I wanted to buy a set of four Kadee 58 couplers.  I found the item on eBay, at US$4.05.  But the cost of postage to the UK, WITHOUT customs, and in the UK the Post Office charges $10 for every inspection, is $32.80.  This makes a total cost of $46.85.  I am not buying! (eBay Link).

I am being "encouraged" to create an outdoor layout in 00/H0 scale.  Most outdoor layouts are larger scales, but I have many locos and rolling stock and don't want to change.

One problem (among many) is the sustainability of the track.  I am running an experiment at the moment in one of my orchards with some pieces of Hornby, PECO and Marklin track to see which stands up the best to the climate.

I don't think a side by side experiment over 12 months has ever been done - or if it has, reported on - before?

I have picked up a Factory Direct Trains DCC Trackmobile on eBay for a very reasonable price.  It only comes with a single working knuckle coupler.

Has anyone come across or completed a conversion to add a second coupler so it can work from both ends?

I am researching modules at the moment.  A lot of Freemo modules are built and exhibited in Europe.

However, one module I found, with a short video on YouTube is of a working Tornado, complete with thunder and lightning.  This was on display at Trainfest 2015 in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

I came across a report in the Italian Tuttto Treno magazine on a huge American themed FreMo-E module event held in late 2015.  This is a video of just one module:

The description in German reads: