Modeling topic
A diesel on my steam layout. Bachmann 70 Ton
My grandpa operated one of these up to his retirement years. I remember him taking me and my brother to work with him. I wish I was old enough to take pictures. Since I have many shays like he operated, I decided why not the diesel?
Field Testing the "Universal" Throttle
3D Printed Log Loader
I found the files for this on Thingiverse, though it was listed as and included files for a steam shovel. It was also set up as 1:48, so I multipled it by .55 when I printed it to make it HO scale. Printerbot Play printer. The roof is styrene and tin foil.
Cricut experiment.. making detail parts.
With all the cool stuff that I have seen using the cricut machine, An idea hit me. Why not try to make detail parts. I have an old Athearn bluebox caboose that has those old end rails, so I thought about making the end rails closer to what is on the more modern cars. I started by scanning the end railing off a Walthers International caboose. Then using paint.net I modified the image to fit the Athearn car. Then using Inkscape I saved the file in the svg format needed by Cricut.
Question about the use of extruded foam board insulation on benchwork
I've been following posts regarding the use of XPS foam on layouts. Some of the comments mentioned that the material releases small amounts of gas and that it shrinks somewhat. Is this a long term issue or does it only occur shortly after it's made? The Owens Corning web site mentions that their product has a linear shrinkage value of 2% max. That translates to 1.92" over the 8' span. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

A Trip to the Rock Mountain Train Show 2018 (3 March)
I went to the Rocky Mountain Train Show in Denver Today, March 3, 2018. They say it is the "Largest Train Show West of the Mississippi." I really have nothing to judge by. It is big and there are lots of kids. Took a bunch of pictures with my smart phone. Some good pictures, some not so good. Should have taken a better camera. Oh, well...
First picture Just after getting into the main hall:
Challenge to all serious model railroaders!
At one club's last Ops Session I was really impressed by a long passenger train that actually had a lot of passengers, so now I am issuing a challenge to all serious modellers: Wouldn't it be great if every lead unit in a consist, every lone loco on the point, and every caboose on the tail had crew members? Let's get that idea rolling, starting with me! John Colley, Sonoma, CA

Working on the Railroad....Again....update.... sorry....here are the piccies
Following are fotos of the yard and shops module that represent the town of San Esteban on the Norh Fork mining district branch of the Montezuma, Snake River and Northstar RR. No where near completion, these are progress shots only. Following TOMA principles, I've constructed the first of 2 modules for the yard and town, this one being 8 feet long by 2.5 feet wide with a small peninsula that will hold the Round House and shop area.

Working on the Railroad....Again....update
Following are fotos of the yard and shops module that represent the town of San Esteban on the Norh Fork mining district branch of the Montezuma, Snake River and Northstar RR. No where near completion, these are progress shots only. Following TOMA principles, I've constructed the first of 2 modules for the yard and town, this one being 8 feet long by 2.5 feet wide with a small peninsula that will hold the Round House and shop area.
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