John, I explain that I am into railroad research and "yeah, I play with trains also". And I look straight into their eyes when I say this. If we at my house I'll offer them a copy of

Gentlemen, Back in March 2017 on the old list, some discussion of the first run of these cars suggested that the paint schemes were likely authentic due to use of photographs and ACF paint records

Hi Dave, Thanks. Pax, Ralph Brown Portland, Maine PRRT&HS No. 3966 NMRA No. L2532 rbrown51[at]maine[dot]rr[dot]com

I tell them that what I do in my hobby is on the lunatic fringe of the lunatic fringe. Paul Catapano Winchester, Va.

Ralph, AFAIK the Bowser arch-bar (74326, 74325) is based on the 2D-F1. And their Crown truck on the 2E-F2. Dave Parker Riverside CA

Alas, it seems we’re a much misunderstood lot, but most of the uninitiated have no clue what they’re missing! Speaking describing the hobby or things pertaining to the hobby, however, does any

My wife would say I build museum quality models. JimH

"model trains" - I might get a weird look, but there's rarely any follow up. which is fine with me. "surfing the web" seems to be the most popular leisure activity in the entire world now :-( --

The classic conversation: "You're what? Oh, trains. How many sets do you have?" When I say "None", they're usually totally non-plussed. Explaining about building freight cars sometimes lasts a few

I’m making an operational scale model of the New Haven railroad in New Britain, CT following WWII. It usually goes into a bit of discussion about how different New Britain was before the RT 9 and

Looking to buy an Intermountain HO undecorated and unstarted complete FP7 loco kit number 49993. Would also consider their kit with sound, 49993S Thanks, Allen Cain

UP 4-8-8-4 4014 made its first mainline run on Wednesday pm and Thursday am from Cheyenne, WY to Ogden, UT for the sesquicentennial of the Transcontinental Railroad. As a UPRR aficionado and

I just tell them I'm a model railroader and proceed depending on their reaction. Some are curious and some are humored. The nasty ones I just ignore and explain there are many types of hobbies. Some

Guys, when someone asks you what is your hobby, what do you answer ? Or how do you briefly describe your hobby to a "layman" ? John Riddell

John there were also some Fe-Q cars rebuilt into Fe-V Series 66200-66700 1935/36 (number of cars ?) rebuilt with steel sides and auto loaders inside. Also 51 class Fe-U cars were modified into Fe-W

After I retired a couple of times, my daughter suggested I create a website as something to do. She suggested Sunshine Models. I received a reluctant OK from Martin and that's where the website

Hello Steam Era Modelers: We are pleased to announce that Westerfield Models is having a Multi-day NATIONAL TRAIN DAY SALE and A ONE DAY SALE to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the

Robert Amsler, Jr. asked: "I am looking for some 2D-F8 Pennsy trucks. I don’t like the Kadee trucks because I don’t think the sprung trucks look prototypical. I have looked for Bowser and Red

Micahel, Brilliant. Many thanks for the idea! Lawrence Rast Fort Wayne, Indiana

I am working on two Westy Classics, ATST Bx-11 and Bx-12 with raised roof. The 1955 photo I have of a Bx-11 shows the corner rods still in place. I wanted these to have relief or stand away for the