I finally got around to getting more of my RR things out of storage. I found that I still have 2 plastic, HO, Life Like, Swift wood reefers that must be about 20+ years old. They are marked on the und

Ben Hom wrote, "This car is still on the market in Life-Like's toy line, though retooled with a separate 'generic' underframe; both models are common at swap meets or on eBay." Quite interesting since

Ben Hom wrote: "Because a killer mistake only costs you a model that costs $1-$5 at your local hobby shop or swap meet, instead of $15-$25 for an advanced styrene kit or $12-$50 for a resin kit. Consi

Gene Green wrote; Ah, "analysis-paralysis", eh? I knew I had a problem but I didn't know it had a name. Are there any self-help groups? ****************************************************************

Recently there was discussion about chemical tank cars. What accuracy do Athearn HO chemical tank cars have that they were making 15-20 years ago? (I think they were only making the one car type at th

I found it!!! I KNEW I had it packed away,....the August 1987, Model Railroader with the John Nehrich article on kitbashing Life Like Swift wood reefers, and still in good condition too!! I remember b

I'm still on this project of building a 38ft, red, wood, Swift reefer. I finally found (1) set of the Champ decals for this car, #HR-42, after a Nation-wide search. (Champ doesn't have them anymore).

Jim, Sure!! That would be great, either in the files section or both. I have the latest Adobe reader. Thanks, Paul Hillman

Jim, Hum-m-m!! I guess that ain't gonna work on my Brothers MFC-420CN printer. I did a test on some dark paper and it doesn't print white I guess. Maybe they could be run off at a Office Depot, etc.?

Thanks Terry, Guess I'd have to send off for a catalog first. Paul Hillman

Jon, Thanks for the link. I've heard a lot about Sunshine and seen several of their built models. Apparently their adherence to authenticity is superb and the models look great. I've never yet built o

Jon wrote, ",...it is still possible to get white lettering by reverse designing the artwork and printing on white decal paper." ***********************************************************************

Sorry Jon, I guess I was too much into thinking in "reverse" and got your names switched. I see now, maybe, what Art was talking about, through your explanation. That might work best on a 2-tone decal

There is a photograph of a really neat wooden boxcar at Castle Graphics. It is marked, T.C.G. #204, and has handgrabs and a step to the left of the door. The link is: http://www.castlegraphics.com/gra

Tony, TCG, Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend. I have a book, "The Pocket List", paperback, from around 1944 ( ? ), the first pages are missing, showing the TCG as, 44 mls, 1 Loco (Oil), Cars: 142 Frt, 3 Pa

To try to size this car into a scale drawing, are those Andrews trucks with a 5ft - 6in center, or what do you think? I might want to build this car and letter it for one of my private road names. (So

Exactly Charlie, I noticed that one too; thought it was a very interesting car as well. Thought I'd just start with one at a time though. Nice set of RR car photos at that site. Paul Hillman

Ted Culotta wrote; I also just noticed that several of the photos on the Castle Graphics site are copyrighted 2005 Castle Graphics with no reference to the original photographers, such as Paul Dunn or

I guess this question got missed. On the boxcar shown in the Castle Graphics link below, Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend, #204, are the car's trucks Andrews, and what would be the axle center to center,

Gosh Stan, what a surprise!! I took a certain liking to this car and thought that it would be just "another obscure old car", from some long-lost railroad. What a wealth of history and detail about it