Irv, If you want to “try before you buy”, see if you can find a maker space somewhere near you. These places often have large laser cutters, 3D printers and other tools you can use for a nominal

Stopped in Caboose Stop Hobbies today and picked up a Kadee 1583 - Arch Bar "HGC" caboose trucks. The one prefix is for the 'plastic' trucks. Never cared for their metal trucks and like these two

The NYC underframe Larry King describes was credited to Rosco B Kendig, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the NYC pre WW1; I’ve seen a couple of NYC drawings where this is referred to as the Kendig

Rich, ditto Staffan's comment. Thoroughly enjoyed the writeup and pictures, and look forward to more in the Modeler's Pages. Doug Polinder Seguin TX

Irv, The 5-10 Watt lasers are not fit for what you want to do. They are more for engraving or cutting thin materials like paper. Cutting ability is determined by two things, laser power and

I have a couple of 100 watt lasers, but they are in no way lower cost. Mine are US made Universal Laser Products machines. New, they are in the $40,000 range. What I funny, is that I have been in the

You're on a roll with gondolas. Fine build of an interesting prototype. The tie down loops are a bonus detail. Bob Allan Omaha

Great Job on those cars Rich! You going to talk about them at the ‘Modelers Retreat’ next month? Clark Propst Mason City Iowa

Looking good Lester, thanks for blogging and sharing Fenton

Richard Remiarz's GN flatcars and his acquisition of a 50 watt laser have each left me somewhat awestruck. He has also reminded me that for the past month or so, I've been wanting to find out more

Nice model, Les! Thanks! -- Brian Ehni From: <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of Lester Breuer <rforailroad@...> Reply-To: <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023

An early model 80 tonner with long frame would be awesome but since the railroads didn't really use them I doubt it would happen. Plus the 80 tonners have slightly longer truck wheel base and I

On Wed, Feb 1, 2023 at 04:46 PM, jace6315 wrote: An SS car in total was cheaper to buy than a DS car but at a heavier weight.That does not appear to be the case with the USRA cars; Ike posted a letter

I think Larry's point 5 about NYCL using the same underframe on multiple car types explains their philosophy; they wanted a more universal frame that could be used on a variety of car types,

I thought Tahoe, too, but checked and no joy. Kadee has archbar leaf spring caboose trucks in their HGS material. Todd Sullivan

Yes. I think tahoe….

Archbar caboose trucks - Kadee No. 583. Todd Sullivan

I'm painting a caboose and noticed the one I had done years ago has the wrong trucks. Does anyone make a archbar leaf spring truck? I'm not too picky other than that... Clark Propst

Umm, we could operate your layout? Joe Binish

Thank you Staffan. I took photos while I built these cars, so I will write articles in the future. Sincerely, Rich Remiarz Sent from Mail for Windows