Writing instructions is just as hard as designing and manufacturing the kit. I have been at for 35+ years and many times I have to remind myself to write the instructions as if a new modeler was

Kurt, Always watch the adjectives--the rule says "business" "practices." You'll need to define not only "practice" (very difficult) but couple it with "business" (impossible!). I would suggest that

I have built a good number of resin kits by several of the manufacturers. I have even been able to assemble an early F&C open hopper! While these kits do not intimidate me, the lack of information

Mr. Hayes? That was my father. Please call me Jim. The Sunshine aluminum boxcar kits are 63.1 - 63.5 for RI, Alton, M&St.L, C&O, NKP. The flyer can be viewed via the Flyers by RR page of my

A fine point, I guess, but wouldn't criticizing a deliberate decision by a manufacturer not to include instructions be tantamount to criticizing one of their PRACTICES, and thus forbidden? Likewise,

BOY, do they pile!!!!!!  Dennis

Charles Slater writes: "Now you know why Al does not produce anywhere the number of different kits that Martin does. If you want 2 or 3 kits a year we could spend a lot of OUR TIME writing

Malcolm Laughlin wrote: Hello? What were they thinking? Maybe cars per mile? Otherwise it's astoundingly exaggerated. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA 2906 Forest

Thanks to Larry Kline and all for the very helpful answers! John Thompson for was center from pp Schnabel car. there. shipment

As an addenum to Malcolm's NYC details, the Cambria & Indiana connected with the NYC (at Manver or Mentcle, PA, I think). Coal from mines served by the C&I in central Cambria county may have gone

Al Westerfield wrote: Now we come to it. Charlie Slater doesn't have to answer those phone calls and letters. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA 2906 Forest Ave.,

Tim O'Connor said I only get really annoyed when Martin sells a car but doesn't include a single good photo of the particular prototype in the kit! Tim, Well said, AND exactly what started this

Most people here will never have ordered any Railyard Model kits, but you would be pleased to do so -- not only are the castings just about the best I've ever seen, but tke kits come with a CD-ROM

But I think Charlie's point is that most of us have built a few cars and know the basics. Instructions should mention the order of construction (if that's important), special items (like formed foil

Al - It saves a lot of explaining over the phone, by email and letter and that equals more time to do other things. - Al Westerfield

Why is it noteworthy Tony? Maybe it's only footnoteworthy... For example, it's entirely possible that the Milwaukee was issued patents for its designs, to try to gain a competitive edge. U.S. railroad

Here they are, Jerry. StLB&M 11012 was at Brownwood, TX in April, 1952 (Chet McCoid photo, Bob's Photo Service collection). StLB&M 11721 was brand new at DeSoto, MO in June of 1951 (Joe Collias

Charlie Slater wrote: "Now you know why Al does not produce anywhere the number of different kits that Martin does. If you want 2 or 3 kits a year we could spend a lot of OUR TIME writing

Instruction videos are great, but Al does not make one for each kit produced. He did one which is a general instruction for all kits. Quit complaining and go build those kits that are piling

Speaking of which, I'm almost done building a Westerfield kit: not my first of his, but my first since Al put up his on-line catalogue. I can't say enough for the in-progress photographs. With a