Jim Beetzwrote: You are right that their web image of this set is terrible, but in fact the second row of placards at the top of the decal are pretty nice "half black" empty placards. I could

Paul, Thanks for the folder. Empty. Waiting for approval? Probably. I look forward to the results of your 'archaeology'. And keep us posted on when and where the clinic will be presented.

Hi guys, I checked The Train Shop for the 87-975 decals. No joy. (They did put them on their order list however.) Due to Tony's comments about MicroScale not having them right now I

Some additional information on Placards. I have been doing research for an article on placards. My former career was teaching Hazmat so I had an interest. The earliest placards I could find were from

Chuck,  Good point they come in different types and sizes that can be used for modeling,plain wire and either flatwound or round wire wrapped strings to choose from,flat and wound can be used for

Elden, I can't remember where I just read this, but a significant amount of US to Russia "lend-lease" was shipped out of Oregon ports on Russian flagged merchant ships - remember that Japan and

Jim Betz wrote: Yes, that was very common. I have seen them with and without railroad emblems. I suspect there were commercial producers of placards, just as there are today, and many

Ashley Pollard wrote: Absolutely. The underframe is the USRA design, but closely follows AC&F practice and is similar to AC&F underframes of much of the 1920s. I used it for my tank cars with

I agree with you. Recent events have disappointed me and I will no longer pre order. If I miss out, so be it. My life well go on. Jan

Folks, it appears that the concept of pre-ordering models months before they are manufactured is becoming standard in some areas of our hobby. I understand that this is a safety feature for

Jim I have an image of an "Explosives" card that is lettered for the Minneapolis & St Louis. So it would appear some railroads had their own cards printed. I also have an image of several cards that

Thanks Richard, I recall Jon's really well done clinic at Cocoa Beach two years ago regarding the kit. That was my first visit to Cocoa Beach and I'm afraid I absorbed more about the kit and assembly

Thanks Tom and Rupert, I shall investigate the Sunshine offering when I get back home. Regards, Charles Hostetler Goshen, IN

Hi Rob, I always bend my own grab irons. It seems that the commercial never match exactly. Many of them use too heavy wire or a material that is too hard to clip without chipping my good wire

Hi Jim, Avery makes self adhesive white and transparent labels in various sizes designed to be run through laser or inkjet printers. I use #8660 clear inkjet labels for Christmas letter addressing,

Brian, I was looking at blueprints the other day of two-level Dalman trucks (with you know what railroads marking in the lower right corner to sweeten things). If you need the blueprints to get

As a musician I've used many retired guitar strings on models, .008" mostly on standard grab irons since they are much tougher than brass of the same thickness. E Strings (smallest on most guitars)

Another alternative to brass wire would be phospher bronze.  This wire bends very well and makes great grab irons.  You can find some at: http://www.tichytraingroup.com as well as other sources.

Tony, ===> THANKS !!! <=== As you know I model "the transition era" for about 95% or more of what I do. The timing of your post and blog entries are 'spot on' for my

Ashley, Yes, this has been discussed here many times. The tank can be used with a type 27 frame (IM) to build the WWII USGA tanks. The frame can be used to model a series of NATX tanks (for which