From several off-list posts to me re: fitting proper axle lengths into trucks, it has been pointed out to me that there is a common presumption that minimum axle end play means maximum rollability. Tr

and and There is no doubt that weight can make a difference, not only because of mass, but even more so because the weight of the car itself can alter the geometry of the truck. Please note that the L

Re: the recent thread on finding ribside car models, below is a post just received on the Milwaukee Modelers List. Clicking on the URL tells all. IMHO, the lettering and decoration from Fifth Avenue i

I have been gone for awhile, and this may be an old thread. Garth Groff's warning of the self destruction of high acid (read wood-pulp) papers is so true, that we can anticipate the disappearance of a

Ambroid produced this very car as an HO kit at one time. I have only once seen these Ambroid models built up, and they were gorgeous- a tribute to the fine modeler (who lurks on this list) who like th

Another wonderful meeting with a bunch of pretty fine and generous people- in my mind an extraordinary aggregation of some of most refined and knowledgeable modelers in the field. I even got my good a

Ben Hom provides the following dead-on observation- This eminently simple advice is the secret to the best of all possible worlds: a very finely detailed and finished model that not only will continue

Thorny subject, for sure. Do not be so hard on the libraries, which are almost universally under-funded, and at the same time have to exercise a legal and ethical stewardship over collections that may

Tony Thompson announces a new book, but completely neglects to tell us which ink-stained wretch might indeed be the author. Denny

Chuck Yungkurth is dead right in his understanding of where responsibilities and accountability lie in publicly owned or non-profit museums. The "owners" are the public at large, and the trustees hold

Tony, you must have some misunderstanding. There is a perception here that uncorrected places the CSRM in an undeserved bad light. The CSRM cannot, and ipso facto does not sell, dispose, or even retur

Tony Thompson observes- If nothing else, the distinction is made clear to the donors (of Steam Era Freight Car (:-), and other materials) in the written Gift documentation to either institution that t

About ten years ago, about fifteen of us took our track motorcars and were treated to a comprehensive Sunday tour of all of the trackage in then very active Concord Naval Weapons Station on the north

My understanding of the first ammunition box cars at Concord were second hand single sheath cars, some of which went on to a third life restored to their original liveries at the Western Railroad Muse

Yes, you will not believe Zientek's Hobby Shop/Tavern until you see and visit it. It is "pure Chicago", as is its slightly gritty neighborhood. If you are visiting UC (University of Chicago, not Calif

As a convenience for those from out of town attending Winterail in Stockton, CA 12 March, the California State Railroad Museum Library will offer extended hours on the preceding Friday (11 March). The

"Steve Fuchs" <fuchst900@...> writes- Salt was commonly transported in bulk in wood house cars near the ends of their lives- most commonly single sheathed varieties, but also almost-retired wood

Ben Hom writes- Hm-m-mm. This is ringing no bells as yet. There is no car remotely of this description in my Red Ball catalogues (M. Dale Newton 1941, Howell Day 1958), nor in J.P. Barger's all time R

In the early';50s, Athearn produced three 40' stamped steel models of this car, each with a distinctive paint scheme: 1) Red with while center band, # 37250, -2, -3, -4, -7. There were several differe

Reportedly, Irving Athearn admitted later that he had no idea whatsoever whether or not the Timken freight car was at the Railroad Fair, and (by implication) he in fact had no idea what the car actual