The test model that I ordered from Shapeways arrived yesterday.  Note the white object inside the shell, that is a block of foamcore.  The walls are so thin that the material flexes, the foamcore is a press-fit and keeps the walls from bowing inward.

My grandson has the Bachmann/Spectrum 82153 Special Class J 4-8-4 Norfolk and Western #611 in N gage that has been very troublesome. On his earlier layout, a simple double oval of Bachmann track from a Bachmann train set, the loco ran fine until after perhaps a couple of hours of use when it suffered a mechanical problem that stopped it dead. The drivers somehow got out of sync in their connections to the other drivers. It went back to Bachmann for repair and was replaced with a new one, as best I can tell.

I am having a hard time finding a decent Porter Hustler or an equivalent critter in n scale do they exist?  How hard would it be to build one?  I think finding a motor that small would be the hardest part.  Any help and or ideas are appreciated.

Not one to be left behind, the subsidiary of the New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy, the Otter Creek Falls Coal & Lumber Rwy is receiving some equipment from the Lilliputian Rail Equipment Broker. An 0-6-0 switcher, an 0-6-0 Plymouth diesel, Brill Trolley and the tender from the 0-6-0 engine. But, there's always a "but", the caboose right along with the side rods, coupler and some hand railing were confiscated by rail fans when the crew parked the train and went to lunch.