The caliper has two scales, one is HO scale and will go down to 1/4", the other is 1:1 inches down to .001. Andy

Edward Sutorik wrote: Wood gondola floors were more common than steel ones in the steam era, for the exact same reason that wood decks were used on flat cars: loads and cribbing were more

Stray not far from the topic, dear friends. Deep elephant doodoo awaits you... Want to see a lovely 1930's runby of a PFE reefer block? See "Hitch Hike Lady" on Netflix instant watch

And many flat cars had steel decks, or partial steel decks. And some gondolas had 1/2 wood - 1/2 steel "nailable steel floors" -- the old Revell/Concor gondola has a beautiful version of this,

Right. It's easier to remember that with 87.1 scale, and a digital caliper that breaks an inch into 1000 parts, that each part is a scale .0871 inches (and .048 in P:48 and .064 in S scale) So to

The 2-1/4" tongue and groove yellow pine decking for flat cars, plain box cars and gons came to Topeka Shops in large bundles from saw mills in East Texas. No doubt since most of the gon and hopper

Back in the transition era, which most of us model, many gons had wood floors. Even in the steel trade many had wood floors. I don't know what the proportion of wood to steel was, but big roads like

I posted the following in the MFCL. I'm also interested in how the matter was dealt with "back in the day": Someone on the Atlas forum asked about wood floors in gons--in particular, Railgons. I

The problem arises when people internalize the incorrect scale factor, then apply it to large dimensions. Example: A nominal 40'-6" freightcar is 486" long. Properly scaled, that's 486/87.1 = 5.580

Another new web page has been added: future HO resin kits. Go to link below. http://www.smokymountainmodelworks.com/future_HO_kits.html Contact me off-list if you have questions, etc.

Andy Harman wrote: It is indeed fascinating and also incorrect. Try multiplying or dividing (the appropriate value) by 87. Tony Thompson Geez, Tony, do you have to make everybody squirm about what

Richard replied: Indeed, and neither is a surprise on a PRR stock train. More interesting to me is the 3rd PRR car with what appears to be a black (car cement?) roof and door. Regards Bruce

--- On Fri, 4/22/11, lnbill <fgexbill@...> wrote:   <The trailers I have seen for "Water for Elephants" about circus life which open today, April 22, shows freight

Larry, The Erie Lackawanna Historical Society has reprinted a number of diagram books for the ERIE and for the DL&W. You should visit the ELHS web site and view the options in the "store."

The trailers I have seen for "Water for Elephants" about circus life which open today, April 22, shows freight car prominently in the background. Reese Witherspoon is one of the human actors. Bill

A new page has been added to my web page: photo-etched details. Click on the link below to view images, descriptions and related prices. The switch stand targets, chains and PRR caboose window

Amazing, This is the first photo I can actually say I have seen with PRR Stock cars in a train on the property and not on a siding idle or off line... But I just wonder what is trailing that MP stock

Not to be confused with raildata@...! :-o

I'm struck by the fact that no one has mentioned using a micrometer instead of a caliper. The caliper is certainly convenient, but I have always used a micrometer for everything under an inch. I

Dennis wrote: Good point. But I think if someone multiplies instead of dividing by 87, they should be able to tell they got a bad answer <g>. Tony Thompson Editor, Signature Press,