I'd really like to get started in the hobby, with a focus on the western logging industry of the 20's or 30's.  I'm having a horrible time (as a newbie) finding an affordable source for Shays in particular or other logging locos in general.  I've been dreaming of doing this for three decades, and now that I have the time, it looks as though it may have "inflated" beyond my reach.  Could anyone give me some direction/advise on sourcing these locos?  If I can find them at all they're like $1200 or unpowered.

Well unfortunately my Everman Layout has been demolished. I was happy with my layout but my operation ideas have changed.

The old layout was great for a switching job but the prototype only ran a train in this area. I really want to get into operations for multi people and that just wasn't going to work. If I could get people over there was only one train to run and that was no fun. I also wanted to be able to run the FWWR 6 axle locomotives also. They also are having more foreign power over their rails and wanted to add that capability.

So down it comes:

We had talked about using dricore or carpet on the basement floor. I did a search and the main issues for train rooms is feet comfort and also possibly less damage to something that hits the floor. I have to do something with the floor. My original plan was grinding and painting and carpet in the aisles. That won't be enough. I got over 1200 sq feet of train room and lounge area to cover. The lounge is carpeted with used carpet and no pad and its very cold on the feet.

I have been using surface textures from internet sources for pavements and other things printed on my home HP printer and applied to the layout. Here is an example of an asphalt parking area that I used by the brewery main building.

so i have an atlas gp7 that i am working on converting to a gp7b, the frame of the engine has a nub on either side where the cab used to be and the are quite tall (around 1/2"-1") what can i use to cut this? I have a Dremel, drill press and little table saw thing. Would the drill work as a set of close holes then filling out the leftovers with the Dremel? Any help would be appreciated.

Now I can start laying track

My short line the Iolanthe & Utpoia (IOU) will have a single 2-8-2 as its main power. But an intetchange with the New York Central will allow me to indulge in 4-6-4 Hudsons i want at least one of each type, bullet nose, shovel nose, and unshrouded. I will have to dcc and possibly remoter all three. In N scale it's Con Cor-Rivarossi or nothing. But im realy looking forward to my passenger train opetstions.

Hey everyone, 

move been trying to program a few of my new locomotives. I'm using JMRI with a digitrax PR3 programmer. I'm using up to date software and just updated the firmware on the PR3. I have two MTH Yellowstones I'm trying to program and also two brand new BLI SD9's. The error I get is no response from locomotive. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to get them to work. This set up has been working for every other loco, Digitrax, Bacmann, older BLI etc.. 

Hi!

I made this video tutorial on how to make a very realistic Pine tree in less than one minute. It´s a well known and proven method in five simple steps of making Pine trees for any scale model railroad layout by using Spirea flowers. Quick and almost for free for your model railroad / Railway, tabletop fantasy or diorama scenery.