Bruce, I agree. This photo I've included is a shot of a Ready-To-Run Athearn diesel, unmodified except for the weathering applied by Gary Christensen. Gary builds incredible

Competitions and judging inspire and motivate some people, but not everyone. I once submitted a model of an Irish freight car, for a competition. I saw only one boxcar had been entered for a contest

Years ago, when I lived in Pittsburgh and participated in the NMRA’s Division 2 of Mid-Central Region, we sponsored an annual “Shake the Box” contest in which the entrants were challenged to

Also look at using Screw Machine / Stub Drills as they are shorter than Jobber Length drills. This helps with the problem of bending / breaking drills. -Hudson

My paint booth was published in the NMRA Magazine in April 2011. The only change is that I replaced the noisy pancake compressor with t dual Iwata compressor. I included a photo of the paint handles I

Jim to bend grab irons that are similar I use a caliper for measurement, drill if necessary, grab iron jig cut from .040” sheet styrene to bend straight grab iron, clearance gauge .025” (grey

Ron, Seriously? A couple of points. First, with respect to contests. If that's your thing, fine, but it's never been mine. While I certainly appreciate feedback on my models, I have never built them

Glen Several modelers have mentioned they use lazy susans with their paint booth. I do too but I built several simple “jigs” to hold wheel sets, trucks, and freight cars while air brushing

 Hi Phillip and List Members, We'll never know factually, but its hard to image it would have been washed off by anything other than the next rainstorm... Claus Schlund

Nelson/all, My set up is similar to what others are saying - here is what works for me. With respect to lighting ... I lined my spray booth with white matt board - and added one of those 14" (?)

My go to wheelsets for TMW trucks are Rapido Code88. -- ------------------- RJ Dial Mendocino, CA

IIRC, Brian Leppert tooled the Tahoe trucks to best fit the Intermoutain axle lengths. http://resincarworks.com/tahoe.htm Eric Hansmann Murfreesboro, TN

I like the idea. I remember when model building contests actually had good attendance. i guess the great ready to run has taken over. The only way you improve skill is building again and again. ron

Dennis, Thanks! - Jim in PNW

The graffiti on the car is very interesting, would it have travelled with this graffiti or would the strike breakers have washed it off after it crossed the picket line? ( which I assume the guys

Glen, I chose a standing booth as it is more comfortable to me for airbrushing, I sit most days at work, and I don’t plan on painting for more than 30 minutes at a time. The limited time involved

Wasn’t that strike in 1934? Tony Thompson

I use Intermountain wheel sets. Gary Laakso Northwest of Mike Brock

Having a quite a number of wheel sets on hand from various manufacturers, can someone tell me what wheel sets work best with Tahoe truck frames? Seems a shame to not use what is on hand versus buy

Charles, I wouldn't doubt the 1938 date too much. The strike is well documented, and Hitler was already in power for 5 years by this time and certainly on the radar - especially for the "left" in the