I'm working on a little shelf layout, and I want a small steam engine to run occasionally. It's a switching layout, so I think a 2-8-0 is the biggest I'd go for, and if it's a tank engine that's even better. Since I need to buy basically all my materials and supplies in one go instead of dipping into a built-up stockpile, I'm looking for something on the cheaper end.

Hey,

I'm new here, but have been reading the posts for a while trying to gather a bunch of info to start my new project.

There are no train/hobby stores near me here in Central Texas.  Back in '98 we moved from Columbus Ohio, the home of "The Train Station" on Indianola,,, (a fantastic shop that had everything one could want) where I had a 4x8 built out in the basement.  That was pre- bluetooth, smart phones, first gen Digitrax, etc.  So with that said I am semi-familiar with how this all works.

I have been  using 90+% alcohol to strip plastic models for repainting for a while.  I was wondering if anyone can  share their experience using Denatured Alcohol from the paint store instead of the local drug store brands. What are your normal routines for preparing to paint after stripping,  or maybe you have another method other than alcohol that works well that you can tell me about.

Thanks for your help and thoughts.

Joseph

Welcome to the construction log of  the Erie and Pittsburgh Subdivision. 

The E&P is a layout based off the railroad industry around Pittsburgh, PA in the late 1970s when the region was still producing steel on a very large scale.  The E&P will be including Amtrak, B&LE, B&O, Conrail, Union Railroad, and possibly the P&LE. 

The E&P is a N scale layout running on NCE DCC.