Over the years, I've made a number of attempts at modeling Iowa Interstate GP38-2s.  I've never built one I'd consider anywhere close to "perfect", but the just-released Athearn Genesis model, factory-painted for IAIS, is close enough that my search for something better is over.  I thought it might be interesting to show the progression over the years.

Propane began shipping in 1952 by rail according to my research to date.  I am trying to determine what railway cars would have served a propane industry in 1967.  Box cars for individual cylinders is my guess, but higher volume would require a pressurized tank car?  Does anyone know?  Tx.

My next entry is my nearly completed Seattle and North Coast Kato F7.  I have not done any custom painting in a very long time so I am pretty impressed it turned out pretty well.  I have some minor details to add such as a roof beacon, winterization hatch, and some MU hoses, and a decoder.  This was fun to do since no one has done a commercially available unit in this scheme in N scale.

Scratchbuilding an n scale car float apron

By Shawn Newkirk

My home layout is a hybrid of the old Seattle and North Coast railroad and the BNSF branch out to Anacortes, WA.  For the Seattle and North Coast segment I really wanted a static car float operation so I decided to try my hand at scratchbuilding one.  I already had a laser cut car float so all I needed was the apron to connect it to.  The process only took a few evenings and uses all commercially available materials. 

to run, and show them off.  My basic plan is a 2 x 4 sheet, as shown here.  One small industry or museum center, an interchange track, and a spur that dead-ends at the end of a standard gauge line, allowing easy deliveries of new equipment.  (Also to show off the size difference.  The other piece of standard gauge track will hopefully be incorporated into a future layout.)

Good Morning, 

I am at the juncture of putting together 8' x 16 " long pieces of 1/8 masonite as the backdrop on the layout. Where the sheets meet I inevitably have a 1/8 to 1/4 inch joint. I back the joint with a piece of plywood support that is glued and screwed. Now the question

I just installed the wiring for my 3 modules. I'm using 14awg stranded for the bus and 18awg solid for feeders.  I stripped one end and made an L shape so it would fit against the rail better. I've seen a lot of modelrailroaders do this. However, when I tried to squeeze the end flat it wouldn't budge. I barely made a dent in the wire. Did I get the wrong type of wire? What is a good brand of wire to get? And where can I get it? It's very stiff and difficult to hold against the rail when I try to solder it.

​You know if we modeled an abandoned railroad we could save a lot of money not buying locos and cars.  Look at all the time saved on wiring too. 

Here's some shots of my new-ish MOW yard in my bedroom, and what's hangin around.