Interesting... I've actually got an American Limited kit for an Airslide hopper around here somewhere... a little assembly, change out the klunky airbrake system for a nice Grandt Line set, some San J

You asked "Did I leave anyone out?" Yup... Probably the most important... Pere Marquette, which in 1948 was merged into the Chesapeake and Ohio, which owned Rougemere yard right next to the Rouge Work

Al, There was a couple: Union Belt of Detroit (PRR, C&O/PM and WABASH) and Detroit Terminal Railroad, both of which are gone now. Bill Daniels

Allen I don't recall any yard in the Detroit area being called "Oakman". The one I knew (too well!) back in the day was called (at least by us) "Fullerton Yard" due to it's location just south of Full

Guy, The two most likely carriers would be either Pere Marquette (after 1948 it would be the C&O) or the New York Central. Both lines served the River Rouge plant. Now that I think of it, in 1930 the

Steve, I'm not disagreeing with you on this, but this is the first time I've heard that anyone other than the PRR used 152 lb. rail. Bill Daniels San Francisco, CA ________________________________ To:

Bruce, Tanks a lot for your report. Bill Daniels San Francisco, CA ________________________________ To: "<STMFC@...>" <STMFC@...> Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2013 11:30 AM Subj

I seem to remember hearing about 152 lb. rail, now that I think of it. I must have picked up the wrong number from a certain Veterinary Professor down south! I know that nothing that heavy was ever us

That is, if you have one... which is most likely why you say that it "Partially" solves the problem. I don't know how many they imported over the years, but I've never seen one. Not that I've seen tha

Now that I've had a chance to think about it, my latest thought on rail weight is that not only is rod pounding an issue in the choice of rail weight, but also the frequency of trains on a particular

Not a problem for freight (or passenger) cars, Andy, but what do you do for locomotives... especially steam. That gets to be a real problem. Bill Daniels San Francisco, CA ____________________________

I'd be willing to bet that the branchlines that used the I's were also laid with 156 lb rail. But, the era of steam ended before I started to get out, so I can't say for sure. But then at 63 years of

Mike, I was referring to the old S-4 standard wheels (the ones that were around before the RP-25 wheels). AFAIK, since the RP-25 wheel is STILL the recommended practice, the standard should still be t

Or, more likely, you aren't old enough to remember it, Tim... Bill Daniels San Francisco, CA ________________________________ To: STMFC@... Sent: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:01 AM Subje

David, I would humbly disagree with you regarding both of your comments. First of all, the PRR used their 156 lb. rail on their mainlines throughout Pennsylvania, on both the Middle Division and on bo

I think that both sides have a point, but then both sides are also off base. For example, Arved asks if real couplers don't have that phosphor-bronze spring, why should a model coupler have one?" Well

Scott, Intermountain has always offered kits of their car models, often at a substantial discount from the RTR line. Most of them are unpainted (some are painted but not lettered) and I'm surprised to

Sure looks like they are unloading sand. If so, it will be taken to a dryer before it can be loaded into the dome. Before seeing this I was under the (apparently mistaken) thought that all of the Sant

Thanks, Al. I know Byron did the masters for your PRR X23 kit, and they were outstanding (I really need to build mine someday...) Bill Daniels [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Greg, Your comment makes me wonder... is Pittsburgh Scale Models (Byron Rose) still around? I've got one of his flatcar kits here, and Byron mentions a scale-sized coupler pocket. Bill Daniels San Fra