After 30 years of using TV and computer monitor boxes for a paint booth, I finally broke down and built a proper one.  Besides, current versions of TV and monitor boxes just don't have the right form factor.

Anyone know the voltage bulbs Atlas uses in their Trainman HO scale locomotives?

On the advice of a club member, I went in search of an electronics shop yesterday for supplies needed to help convert my older engines to DCC. Not being well versed in electronics, I use a association memory tool to ask for things I am not familiar with; thus, on arriving at the shop, the conversation went like this:

" I'm here on the advice of a friend and need some 'Eric Claption' tape."

" We don't carry anything like that; this is an electronics parts store.

The track is laid down now, so this is the final track plan.  My goal was to create an operationally interesting design without filling up the space with a mess of unrealistic trackwork. I am pretty happy with the results.

I like to use in scratch building. It's called a fret saw. A quick google will give you an idea of what fret sawing is all about. The blade can cut metal, wood, plastic, bone and pearl. It's great for cutting out openings in brass as thin as .010" thick. Here I'm cutting out the bottom floor to make room to mount the gear tower.

Thanks Scarpia,  admonishment accepted - will include pictures in future......  These are my "Givens" which set the scene.

There are a number of givens;

a modular design because I will not be here permanently;

based on a real line in the LNER area (London & North Eastern Railway http://www.lner.info/index.shtml was one of the "Big 4" companies formed in 1923 and becoming part of British Railways in 1947, but its locomotives, coaches, freight vans and buildings still live on in preserved and active use);

It's time to start working on the pass-through into my office for remote staging.  I already have the turnout in place with a Tortoise(tm).  I just finished the landscaped area on the left and glued it in place.  As I was looking at the area I felt like I was being watched!

I grew up about a mile from what my Great-Grandmother said as the "TF". I guess I was about three when I caught the bug, I was about 5 and I asked my mom where all the trains were around here and she said "Josh honey you need to ask Momagene and Papa about that". Being natural for kids that age I walked over to the phone and dialed my Great-Grandfathers home phone number, it rang about two times and then My Papa picked up and the first things that were of of my mouth were "Papa where are all the trains?" and he said. "Hello Josh well...............

NOTE: I have updated this thread since I have found a majority of the pictures. Not all were saved and have marked the one's I totally lost.

I'd like to share a small project I have in progress. I've taken an Athearn Hustler rubber band drive and am modifying it to a gear drive using old Hobby Town of Boston gearing and a car body from Cary Locomotive Works. Both Cary Locomotive Works and Hobby Town of Boston are long gone.

Athearn frame and CLW body: