Thank you Jack & Steve: I did look at the Proxxon Machine and it looks like another good candidate. One thing did concern and that is its speed (5000 rpm the slowest) when using it with styrene. I am

Thanks to all that have contributed so far. Regarding the concern I expressed about melting styrene, my experience did happen when drilling into styrene which is obviously different than working on th

Years ago, the early 1990's I think, Martin Lofton had an article in RMC kitbashing the SOO Line sawtooth cars into two different MP subsidiary lines cars, one of which had a radial roof. He walked th

I agree with Ed that the minor rib on Hutchins roofs are often exaggerated. Another point to remember is that on FGE./WFE/BRE cars rebuilt with this roof there is no such rib or really crease. My theo

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit I am drawing a blank on how to calculate the % for reducing a drawing done in 1/48 to 1/87. While I am getting over having to ask, can someone help me out?! I was mu

I have built both the Westerfield New York Central and Northern Specific NP stock cars and they are two of my favorite models. I don't remember anything special except there was a little more clean up

To give credit where credit is due, Martin originally included the small stainless steel tubing in his Insulated Type 27 kit. To cut this tubing I have a created a fixture while I cut it with a Dremel

Dennis, Brian or anyone: I have never seen any photographs of the molds or tools used to produce rolling stock, trucks, etc. Would it be possible to post photographs of such items? If something can be

Thanks Jim: I have made patterns for resin kits so I am aware of the process for creating molds for resin. I am also aware of how styrene is molded, having built tanks and planes from about the age of

Thank you Tim, this is sort of what I have in mind. I am realizing I need to be more specific. What I would love to see out pure curiosity is a picture of the cavity in a tool or mold into which the s

As others are leveling I will too. I have four Westerfield R7 FGE reefers w/3 different roofs and two styles of ladders; 2 FGE and one WFE truss rod reefers; a very worked over and modified Ribside MI

Thank you Dennis, this very interesting and I will look forward to the pictures. Among my modeling vices are military subjects. I just measured the hull of Italeri's 1/35 scale 80' PT Boat and it is a

Given what appears to be the industrial overcast and the neat NC&StL sign this is likely Chattanooga or Atlanta. Bill Welch

Dear Dennis & Brian: Than you so much for the time you have taken to take the picture and write the explanations of what we are looking at. I for one have a great appreciation now for the challenges y

This was certainly true Bob of the FGE/WFE/BRE fleet as portrayed in this photo, given the mixed origins/pedigree of the cars in their fleet coming from 30+ builders. The would have ranged from the ex

I am working on a pattern for a resin part that will require an accurate and cleanly cut hole in the center of the part and a friend suggested looking in a craft store. I instantly remembered all of t

Regarding the photo from the second link Buddy has posted, we would note the car on the extreme right has an U/F very much like if not identical to the Bettendorf U/F seen on many PFE cars. FGE also h

This is another photo from South Carolina/Life magazine group with many Southern low side gons. All 3 versions of this car are available in resin kit form. http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=Alf

I have a "Pirate Models" kit of an even earlier Mack bus and similarly am frustrated by the lack of Greyhound decals. Maybe this is something Microscale could be influenced to offer. The Life photogra

Usually when I have to repair a hole, it is because of a mistake I have made either measuring or drilling or both. I like using styrene rod for these kinds of situations. Once I have determined what s