I finally got one of my tank cars--the "narrow frame"- UTLX--there are a bunch of "Giblets" in a plastic bag--looks like journal  box covers, placard boards, and some sort of small things.

Is there supposed to be a diagram as to the locations of the placard boards?  Should there have been some blind holes in the bottom of the running boards?   I assume that the locations of  these are the same as the "frameless" or "Van Dyke" cars--so I can check one of the Grandt On3 kits I have, but not everyone has one on hand for reference. 

Thanks--Glenn Joesten

I don't often get on this list--so please pardon me if this question has already been asked.

Is there a "quick & easy" conversion of the On30 reefer from the HO coupler usually used to the Kadee 803 style coupler--I'm changing one to On3

Thanks--gj

One car I'd like to see in the Spectrum series is the "Narional Dump Car", the "Drop-bottom" or "GS" class that the Rio Grande had a bunch of--in fact there were at least two versions--Grandt Line has done both in On3.


gj

My K-27 arrived this afternoon--and the second thing I did was install Kadee couplers.  Here's how:

Tender is a drop-in fit of a #830. Right on the money for height using the Bachmann pocket. 

Spoke pilots are a bit harder, as the mount is higher.  The #830 fits, but is high.  It needs about a 1/8" shim between the top of the pocket and the coupler box--perhaps use the box lids that you don't use with the Kadee 830's.  The uncoupling pin must either be cut off or bent to clear the pilot.

The plow pilot is going to be another project entirely--but I understand that John Sipple from Model Railroad News  is bringing a #464 with plow  for Sam to puzzle out. 

GJ

I see that the B'Man is coming west to the WGH Show in Sacramento--wish I could make it, but it's a four-hour trip one way in good weather and between here and there is happening the worst storm in several years, according to our weather reports.   

The board has been out for the past day or more--glad it's back--I had a message that I couldn't get to--

Well, B-man-- hope you enjoy our end of the country.   gj

I like the "Scrooge Collieeries" lettering on the On30 hopper--will/is the same paint job to be done on the Big Hauler hopper? (not the Spectrum)--that one definitely belongs below the tree.

these may have been pushed into the back ground by all the to-do on the K-27, but when are the tank cars coming out?

For those who nave not yet seen it, Bob Brown gives the Bachmann Forneys a very good commentary in his Editor's page in the May-June issue of the Gazette.  Looks like you really impressed him!  gj

Just got an HOn3 Blackstone Models K-27 (with the Tsunami sound)--I apparently need to re-read the instructions to run it n DC--but then observation here is that it is apparently made in the same factory as the Bachmann Spectrum HO and On30 locos, going by the way it is packaged and the format of the parts diagrams. gj

 Several have suggested they might like a model of the SP #1 GE 50-ton diesel.  Rich Yoder is sounding out the market, per his ad in the March-April Gazette. It will be brass, so a bit more expensive than Bachmann, but this may be the only way to get one.  I have one ordered, but he indicates he has to get a certain number of orders before committing to building them. gj

Finally got my March-April Gazette.  There is a good article on 30" gauge Forneys--several pages, lots of photos. 

Also a great article on detailing up a Porter.  gj

(Hey--I like being able to go back and edit my post!)

I just got a Spectrum #88097 F&CC boxcar.  It is nicely done and matches well with my Hartford and AMS cars.  Except when it comes to coupling.  I hadn't noticed previously how rough the Bachmann knuckle couplers.  I have Kadee's on most of my 1:20.3 locos, and the Hartford cars, and Accucraft couplers on the AMS cars.  The Kadee and Accucraft couplers will couple with each other, but neither will couple with the Bachmann.  I thought that perhaps the new line might bring a refined coupler, but the contour of these is pretty rough.  At least they are at proper height now.

gj

I know that there are some British modelers out there--does anyone know of a (preferably US) source of British Railways colors? I would prefer Floquil.  I need a bottle of "Great Westerrn Cream".  This seems to be close to the cream color that San Francisco Municipal Railway ("Muni") used on their cars.  I am rebuilding an LGB New Orleans car to as close as I can get to a Muni car, green and cream.

Thanks in advance.

Well, I dug into the On30 rail truck yesterday and now it is On3.  Not much slack in the pickup wipers to work with--and I think I'll order some axle stock from NWSL to beef up the pilot truck.  gj