Modeling general discussion
ScaleTrains exclusive business deal with BNSF
I was watching the ScaleTrains announcement of their new GEVO production run just now. It was mentioned that ScaleTrains had signed an exclusive business deal to be the only mrr manufacturer to be able to offer the BNSF Heritage unit.
I found this to be quite savvy and a smart business move. Will be interesting to see how Athearn and other manufactures respond and what exclusive deals they may try to work out with railroads.
rear truck on tender melted off a
Given the locomotive and tender are wired together, and that fact I just watched the truck on my rear tender meltaway sitting on the track that I was working another locomotive on. I wonder it anyone familiar with replacing the rear truck on an given tender?
Wow, On30 freight car prices!
I am amazed at what Bachmann is charging for Freight Cars! Coming from HO, I have almost nothing but kit built freight cars, more than 160 for which I paid from $3.00 to slightly less than $20.00 for. I understand that the majority of model railroaders today don't want to take the time to build a kit, anymore, that's their choice.
Bachmann feels the market value of their On30 freight cars should be between $54.00 up to $63.00 and cabooses at $73.00 and passenger cars at $82.00!

Finger Flicking - Pros and Cons
There has been lots of discussions on "Finger Flicking" of turnouts as an Alternative to other methods.
Personally I dislike this method but I would like to get others opinions.
From my experience I have come up with a a list of Pros and Cons.
PROS
Cheap
Simple
Low Maintenace (no wiring etc)
Clean Fascia/No Control Panels
CONS
Unrealistic
Damage to Scenery/Details by clumsy people
Broken switch blades

Need help finding sizes of actual packages for Peco Trunouts
I have tried contacting my Distributor and Peco itself, and they have yet to reply. I am hoping in the MRH Forum Community, some may have in their collections unopened packages for certain Peco Turnouts (today's "bubble" packaging, not the boxes). The reason I need the dimensions is I'm trying to figure out if I can fit a selection of these turnouts on the display Towers I have for the track that I use at Train Shows. I want to make sure these items fit before buying them only to discover they won't fit. So thanks in advance.
Scalecoat I
Hi everyone,
I am planning on painting several brass locomotives with Scalecoat I in black, green, and graphite primarily. Do you have any tips or techniques, especially with cleanup? I shoot a Paasche VL and have attached manuf. information to avoid duplication of information.
Thanks ahead of time!
1. Disassemble model completely.
2. Thoroughly clean all parts to be sprayed, using any type of household dish soap such as Dawn™ detergent. Clean and rinse with extremely hot water. Air-dry all parts.
Soldering Station
Hi Folks:
I currently have a weller soldering iron, but I really want to upgrade to a soldering station since I"ll be doing rail soldering, Adding power drops, as well as soldering through hole components on to circuit boards
Micromark features this one:
https://www.micromark.com/Electronic-Soldering-Station
as well as this one:

Weekly Photo Fun - Aug 23-29, 2020
It's another week . . . post 'em if you got 'em. There were a few late-comers in last week's post. Check them out, then come back here afterward.

Butyl Cellosolve - Same as..
This is more a question to Joe F, but anyone can help. Is Glycol Ether EB the same as Butyl Cellosolve, which I believe is a registered trade name for Glycol Ether EB?
Reason I'm asking is that Butyl Cellosolve is currently out of stock on Amazon, with no know date it will be available again, while Walmart is advertising it in gallons for $35.00, and next week delivery.
From what I've read, it seems that they are one and the same, but I could be mistaken. Just wondering.
Marshall Smith
Filling in the gaps
A fine good Day/ evening to all reading this little post.
after Gaping the cross track I made I found that there are some Modelers that fill these electrical gaps with something to prevent possible contact when rail might expand.
what is your experience like? Suggestions welcomed. I have heard a drop of regular cyanoacrylate, Gel cyanoacrylate, Gooo: that rubberized stuff, Index card material...
the rail is code 100 rail and the gap? An index and a half card thin
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