Modeling general discussion

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Ballast question..

Fri, 2017-02-24 16:34 — A. C. Hubbard

I have been making my own ballast out of crushed granite/ rock dust. I get my supply at Home Depot.. It runs about $13 for a 50 pound bag. The bags are seasonal. That all being said, does anyone else use this method? If so, I am looking for alternate sources and as always good prices... Thanks in advance.

24 comments

Op Sessions in Northern California

Fri, 2017-02-24 07:14 — parkerlocoworks

Every year we go back to see my family in California, specifically Marysville. This year I'd like to try and find a local op session to attend if the timing works out. Is anyone here at MRH in that area that either hosts or attends op sessions? We will be in California from June 14-21.

I came across a link from the Layout Design SIG covering layout tours from the 2011 NMRA Convention that was hosted in Sacramento, nearly all of these layouts are within a short travel time from my parents place.

http://www.ldsig.org/node/314

Another SQ8 mini camera video....

Thu, 2017-02-23 06:15 — Onewolf

Modeling general discussion

Based upon feedback on other message threads here (Thanks Rick!), I recently ordered an SQ8 micro video camera for shooting track level videos in order to check/verify track-work on the layout I'm building.

Train Directions

Wed, 2017-02-22 15:33 — chasclark@hotmail.ca

Hi,

This may sound like a stupid question but I would like to know if there is a rule governing the direction a train travels on a layout. If you have double tracks both lying in an east and west direction, does the top track have trains running east to west with the bottom track running trains west to east or vice versa? I would appreciate being given some advice on this matter before I start building my first layout in HO scale. Thanks

4 comments

SICK of (working on) Hoovertown! - but it's finally in place

Wed, 2017-02-22 13:27 — rickwade

Man, am I sick of working on Hoovertown. Thank goodness that it's finally in place as "Level 2" scenery! I've made the module removable so that I can upgrade the area (if I ever get around to it).

This first shot shows all of the buildings and I hope to replace one day with scratch built structures. There will be a warehouse in the foreground. The big hole is where I will mount the light controllers so I can adjust the light levels. It will be covered with scenery.

Midland Belt Railroad - West Allen Street industrial shelf layout

Tue, 2017-02-21 03:07 — danielb

Hi everyone,

I don't think I've posted here before regarding the progress on my HO scale urban industrial layout, and I hoped that the members here might find it interesting. It's an American layout, UK style, but is still very much a work in progress. :)

Asking yourself a Difficult Question

Sun, 2017-02-19 17:37 — Jackh

Last night while doing house hold chores the question popped in to my restless mind, "if you didn't have any MR equipment at all, but knew everything you do about trains and MRing, what would you get?" My answer was narrow gauge of course without a doubt.

That was a stunner. Then upon reflection it shouldn't be. I will pick up a copy of the Gazette to read before any other. When looking through any MR magazine I will look at a NG article before the rest. I have a bit of HOn3 and 2 non running On30 locos. Lots of standard guage HO.

Alco Truck Chain

Sun, 2017-02-19 15:17 — musgrovejb

Modeling general discussion

Looking at images of ALCO C420s in preparation of modeling an undecorated model. Noticed on the left front truck is a couple of chains that look like they are tied into the brake mechanism.

What purpose do these chains serve? Are they part of the locomotive's "manual" brake system?

Joe