Does the NMRA still hold the trademark to the Gorre & Daphetid and Devil's Gulch & Helegon, John Allen's wonderful creations? What about the Alturas & Lone Pine (Whit Towers' classic HO scale railroad)?

I'd initially thought it rather arrogant of the NMRA to trademark either of these classic roadnames. I hope the motivation was to protect their historical significance, and not to use the trademark to bludgeon modelers who might want to freelance a piece of G&G or DG&H rolling stock.

So I decided I really wanted to try doing something at this years NMRA convention. After bouncing ideas around in my head I thought why not go and do it on the youth in the hobby. This was a great idea for two reasons. 1.  I am a youth and 2. It is always a controversial and popular topic. I am thinking of basing it around what I have done and the youth I have seen in the hobby. Along with some of my cheapo solutions to common or usually found problems.

I always get a warm feeling when I read of others having great support from suppliers of products, so when I get excellent service I am compelled to acknowledge this to others.

I needed to send in a dodgey Econami 100 to SoundTraxx for a look-over. I received back a brand new item just last night, no questions asked.

The round trip to the USA and back to Australia took just over 2 weeks. Pretty awesome.

We had a train show in our area today. Last night I was talking with my wife and letting her know that I was going to stick with HO. And that I would be selling off the N and O scale stuff I had picked up occasionally. "OK she says but don't sell the N scale because I want to build a small 2x4 layout to go under yours." Sure if that's what you want, was my reply.