My first attempt at a "How To" video demonstrating my technique for polishing the stock Athearn wheels.

Also, I will show you how to add extra electrical pickups for better pick up!

What specific or general elements make a model railroad GREAT? In the same respect, what makes a model railroad NOT SO GREAT?

A couple recent posts started by JoeF got me thinking about these things... I'll start by listing my thoughts on the subject, starting from the ground up. I am by no means a master modeler or anywhere close. These are observations I have made over the past 25 years (off and on) of model railroading, based on layouts I have seen in person or print. These are things that ANY modeler can achieve without much skill or talent (both of which could describe me).

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I have just purchased a 2nd hand Kato SD40 for $54.  Research suggests that this particular model was first released in Apr 91 and that there were potentially some issues with reliable track pick up.  I then discovered this website http://www.dufordmodelworks.com/katohardwire.html which dealt with rectifying the pick up problems. Despite the flaws, I was keen to grab this item as their reputation for great running is very high. The item arrived in good shape but without any documentation.

I decided to restart my small diorama for displaying various locos and rolling stock.  I thought that a dual-gauge piece of track would be interesting, but lack the skills for making it convincing.  Then I decided to embed it in concrete, so the ties are not visible—problem (I hope) solved.

Jared's video of a friends layout in Baton Rouge , La. This is another great use of sound and video to create a great video. 

I'd like to add a lighted drumhead for my Nickel Plate Road passenger consist, but can only find N scale and G scale versions; no one seems to made an HO scale lighted drumhead. Does anyone know of a square HO scale drumhead that I can convert using NKP decals I have? Basically, a simple opaque or frosted surface on which to adhere a blue lettered logo is what is needed.

Took this photo in Morris today. I think they are lost.

My best guess here is that this is bridge traffic.