I use 3M SLS Write-On Wire Marker Dispenser with good results. The more electronics one uses, the amount of wiring seems to greatly increase.  You need a good system to label as you go and the 3M product works for me.

walt

I created a calculator for estimating tonnage ratings for my locomotives. This is spreadsheet based (open office).  Using the estimator is fairly simple. If you know the actual  draw bar pull of your loco , enter that number. There is also an estimator at the bottom if you only know engine weight. 

Next is the Average car weight on ounces. I suppose it could be grams, as long as units are kept the same throughout.

I’m getting to a point with my hand laid track where I need to clean off the tops of the Micro Engineering weathered rail. I’ve read about different methods for getting the best electrical contact and one that I’d like to try is polishing the rail tops super smooth. Not only does this look very prototypical but according to my friend, Mark Roach, it almost eliminates track cleaning (or applying clipper oil, graphite, etc.).

Below are a couple before and after shots of Mark’s technique (photos courtesy of Mark Roach): 

Picked up a new Accurail boxcar at the LHS and discovered that their coupler boxes no longer take a Kadee coupler and spring. or at least not very easily. Tighten the lid down, and well because the box is so shallow you can't tighten the cover down.

Tried assembling their coupler and when adding the coupler box lid things just slide around and fall apart. Any tricks to getting them to go together?

Thanks, Jack