As Rapido Trains rolls out their Canadian train sets in HO scale, they were also contracted by VIA Rail Canada to produce some cars for VIA to sell as collectables.  This was a pleasant surprise to many of us and I quickly snatched up a couple.  Much to my delight, they arrived today and they are magnificent!  Here are a few photos, starting with Glacier Park:

And Kootenay Park:

HELP! Someone posted a blog with a link to a shop in the midwest that does DCC Conversions (Tom's Trains?) and now I can't find it. Pease re-post or send me the link (gryhound1@verizon.net) as I need to send some info to them on my Bershire conversions.

Thanks.

Dave C.

In a changing world, one may find that what was once community is becoming more centralized.  You would think that as we continue to add people to our sprawling communities there would be more jobs.  You would think that more entertainment choices would be waiting for you so joining a club couldn't be easier because there would be so much diversification out there just waiting for you.

A month after my first post, I finally get to laying track, starting with the double-track passenger station. I was planning to use Fast Tracks Sweep Sticks + Space Gages to straighten the track and control the spacing, however I discovered that for some reason I only ordered two of the straight Sweep Sticks (ie. 40" total, not enough to lay two parallel 6' tracks. Not really even enough to lay two 3' sections at a time). And here it is, Saturday of a long weekend -- what to do?

Is there anyone out there who uses solely the catenary contact wire as a source of current collected by Pantograph? Both rails wired to same polarity and current pickup from all wheels?

I have pics of my installation attempts...

So far so good!

MonoMetro

Here is my little pet project I've been working on. it's a layout to just "tide me over " until the 20X30 space in the next room over gets cleared out. It is a pretty basic setup, with a quarry (brown hill area at far right in overall shot) and some sort of factory (far left rear track) plus an engine terminal (BL2 and SW9 in fron center) behind that is a lumber yard (front right).

The end of the stage yard that feeds the entire layout.

Some thoughts on the room I have.

Work continues on the mountain section retention pond.  In an earlier post I scratch built an overflow pipe.  In this post I paint & pour the retention pond and add that pipe.