In this project, we see a firmilliar sight: one of the tinplate cars intended for my friend. This car is beyond an affordable restoration considering its a gift, so after a idea popped into my head I asked if he minded my doing something else with the carbody than restoring it to rolling condition. After getting the OK, I did more thinking. Here's the plan. We're all firmilliar with the idea of old train cars being used as diners right? But they're always older cars than the current era as would make sense.

Greetings all,

This question aimed mainly at Aussie modellers - can you recommend a supplier of phosphor bronze strip suitable for use in making extra wiper pick-up contacts on a brass HO loco?

I have an HO Pennsy 2-8-2 L6 electric loco with four driver pick-up one side but only two rear driver pickup (one flangeless) on the other. I need to get power from the front flanged driver.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks

John (nikko)

Every now and then a friend of mine who buys and sells at area train shows will give me a repair job if something needs repair to sell. I just got a Joueff train set to repair.

Any one know a good source of parts?

Thanks MARK

I have just spent the last two weeks trying to drill umpteen #79 holes for the grab irons on a Tichy USRA box car kit. Nine broken #79 drill bits later with some bit ends stuck in the hole I was drilling I am totally frustrated. 

Looking at Jack Burgess's perfectly lined up grab irons on the latest (June 2015) Getting Real article on his  Yosemite Valley box car prompts me to ask what is the secret for drilling all those holes?