The use of heavier material for the lower panels of steel ends has been common practice since before WWI. In 1914 the A.R.A recommended that if the end was of a single piece of steel it had to be no l

The name of Frank Hodina's company is Resin Car Works. Complete details on the acid tank cars including pricing and ordering instructions will be posted on the RCW website when the models are ready fo

I spoke with Frank today and he has everything ready except the etched metal components. He is hoping to have everything ready to release by mid January. Richard Bale

Richard Hendrickson 1931-2014. Dr. Richard Hendrickson, prolific author, noted historian, and long-time promoter of prototype modeling passed away unexpectedly on June 28. Hendrickson died of a heart

Bill... You may find the information in this handbrake article useful. Go to http://mrhpub.com/2013-11-nov/land/#110 Richard Bale

The A.A.R. Safety Standards for running boards for box and other house cars as published in the 1919, 1931, 1940 and 1946 Car Builders Cyclopedia states: “The ends of longitudinal running board shall

Ted Hollow launched Train-Master in April 1968. At the time, he had his hands full managing his other business - Balboa Scale Models. In August the brand name was legally changed to Train-Miniature mu

Hi Don... For an explanation of the problem with double-board roofs and the solution provided by the introduction of the combination wood/sheet metal/wood roof, see page 227 of The American Railroad F

For a look at a prototype Feasible drop shaft brake visit http://mrhpub.com/2013-11-nov/land/#118 Richard Bale

Geared hand brake mechanisms were introduced in the early 1920s, and by 1936 when this photo was taken, they were fairly common. The brake wheel on the car is an Ajax model 3059 which was produced ste

Wonderful photo. Note the missing rung in the sill step. Richard Bale

Al Kresse wrote: _Please explain to me the Car Builder's Cyclopedia differences between Dreadnaught , Dartnot , and Dartnaught end-panels. i run across new descriptions all the time. Yesterday, in a d

In May 2013 Model Railroad Hobbyist published an article by Richard Hendrickson that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about freight car trucks. To access the free article go to http://

Stewart Lundhall should read Stewart/Lundahl. Sorry for the sloppy error and I plan to have a serious talk with my spell checker. Richard Bale

Model Die Casting (MDC), the manufacturing end of Roundhouse Models, was established just before the outbreak of World War II. After the war, MDC owner Clarence Menteer became very aggressive in the H

Bill... I am sending a page from my prototype parts scrap book that has images of seven vertical hand brakes with bottom mechanisms directly to you. I hope it offers some help. Richard Bale _

Is it possible that Martin was thinking Peacock when he wrote Handcock? National Brake Company manufactured geared handbrake appliances under both the Peacock and Champion-Peacock brand names. Richard

To view Greg Komar's catalog of decals go to: http://www.greatdecals.com/GregKomar.htm Richard Bale _

Thank you Tony... for once again demonstrating the value of an editor. Indeed, the correct spelling is Francis. Richard Bale News Editor Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine mrhmag.com _

Bill... At the time Ted Hollow (Frances Edward Hollow) was developing Train Miniature, he, Al Armitage, and Richard Hendrickson were all living in San Diego. Tom Ayres, who handled the advertising and