It occurs to me to wonder if these gun flats didn't also go to Watervliet Arsenal? I believe that that is where the guns were first made. The history of the Arsenal indicates that they served the Navy

Ben, I was a machinist at Naval Ordnance Station Louisville. We had working in our shop two fellows who had gotten transferred from Watervliet when the Arsenal had a reduction in forces. I based my co

An active naval shipyard in wartime could soak up 100% of the available skilled tradespeople in the nearby area. Locating a facility in a rail-served area with available laborforce and utilities makes

Speaking of hides, is there a source for HO WAG "Sole Leather Line" boxcar decals? I'm thinking of the single sheath wood cars like 5201. Pratt truss style, like the L&N had. Was there an original own

I seem to have heard that it was those O&W hoppers that got Heinz into making relish. Mickey O'Brock got a case of Euchred Figs for the idea. Chuckles (Chuck Peck)

Rather than the score and rod method, it might be easier to use Archer weld lines. It'll need repaint either way. Chuck Peck

Tom, you have been luckier than some. After waiting six months or so, I inquired about my order. Jerry replied that he showed it as having been sent months ago. So I'm out my money and no decals. It w

Check out Great Decals dot com. Bill Mosteller has his decals there as well as links to many other decal suppliers. I have not tried them all but those I have actually delivered. Chuck Peck

The L&N diagram book shows 15000-15799 as built ACF in St. Louis year 1946. It does not give a lot number. For those wanting the details, all had Miner hand brakes and Murphy solid steel roofs. 15000-

My observations are largely limited to L&N hoppers as that was what I mostly saw coming through Louisville KY, my hometown. L&N used a black tar like stuff inside their cars which was very flat gray/b

It's an interesting contrast between Tonys observations and mine. Some possible factors come to mind. Frequency of loading/unloading. Cars in short haul service would get that scouring action more oft

Most certainly, Steve. The original question specified coal hoppers. Many products would leave distinctive residue and weathering patterns. Iron ore, taconite, broken limestone, river rock, etc. I nev

Depending on the value and lack of replaceability of the decals involved, having them privately scanned and duplicated may be the most certain way of getting a good application. It at least gives you

Does this RMC planbook identify the L&N car? A road number for instance? Chuck Peck

Sorry, can't help. Found two cars of that number but one was 28 years too old and too small. the other was all steel. L&N loved to rebuild and renumber. Chuck Peck

Doug (and others in the neo-polar regions) Hope you are using Kadees or Sargents. Those McHenrys get brittle below zero. Conductors get grumpy when they leave those warm little stoves to change knuckl

Was our buddy Mike the one they told "Just light the fuse and run like hell!"? Chuck Peck

Lot of interesting stuff here. The damaged roof on the IC car on the left. No grab or step on the left side of boxcars. Ant then those boxlike things on the caboose roofs with the slot on the upper si

Folks, I'm still looking for a picture of a DFFX car. Marks are for Durkees Famous Foods with a large DURKEES on the side. Handled edible oils, mostly soy. Did a search of the group archives, found wh

If you don't wish to try slitting the film, you could separate a small portion of new Solvaset and dilute it 50/50 with the old weaker Solvaset and try that mixture. If not quite right, add another po