Dear Don,

Great reminiscences.  I had to think how to spell that, sort of like Mississippi !

We lived in Warsaw when first married in 1985 and went by Valpo on the way to Chicago to get pizza on many Sunday's.  Very fond memories.  I work on dogs and cats for a living so the puppy story was a hoot.  If you ever try this again, put the puppy in a sack and toss it into an open boxcar.  Just make sure you make the train !

Best Wishes,

Jack, Altoona, PA

Howdy!

I can verify there is a lot of traffic on two lines!  On a particular Friday ~1000, about four years ago there were four consists side by side at the AMTRAK terminal "downtown" Altoona. Very impressive.

Hi,

Would the Aristo TE work here ?  Sheldon ?

Dear Friends,

Anyone remember the LED kit, battery powered that came as a string of LED's that fastened or were taped to the inner roof of the shell ?  It seems to me this was mentioned here a few years ago, or perhaps on the LS forum.  Thanks.

Jack

Dear Rich,  Good link. Thanks. Best Wishes, Jack

Very nice and thank you.  Quite nostalgic.  I used to see the trains run through the Conway Yard (PA) as a lad and listen through an open window to trains being built all night in the 1950's.  I remember seeing a Decapod sitting in the round table one night in the late '50's.

Dear Ray,

I should have stated the moveable layout will be G scale, since I have a WF set and an Aristo Sesame St. set with a 2-4-2 Rogers and slope backed tender.  Both run very well.  In my small abode, following the DEE-vorce there is limited space. When we shared the Border Collie, the 3 chillen and dog would romp, and the stuff would fly !  I usually get bored with a permanent layout, thus want to do something that I can modify at whim.  The HO modules from various manufactures intrigue me, but do not have that much storage.

Best Wishes, Jack

Dear Ray,

I had seen Carl's website a few years ago, but had forgotten it.  Thanks for the advice.  What I would like to do is to put Bachmann and Aristo track on semi-permanent foam slabs painted to look like ballast and construct a twisted line of track in my living room that the kids can take apart or re-route easily, run under or over stuff, run with TE and battery power.  Will let you know how it turns out.

Dear Ray,

Howdy.  From Carl's book I am hoping to get some micro ideas to see if I can modify them to use for a temporary living room floor layout for my kids with G or O gauge.  Right now I do not want to make a permanent small scale layout, preferring the larger stuff, but not having a space to dedicate, you know ?  I do have several boxes of custom painted HO rolling stock and engines, Erie and Lacawanna with which I do not know what to do.... Perhaps a small HO layout would be in order.

Dear Ray,

You are both nice guys.  Hope your wives appreciate you !  My first foray into foam tunnels worked well, except for the flaking of the plaster.  Over the years I have accumulated an array of foam boxes, small to large.  I had cut off the ends of some smaller boxes and glued them together for the tunnel frame.  These boxes were large enough to let a small G scale engine pass. The ends I cut out in a rough arch design to simulate stone.  Then to that I glued irregular foam pieces over which I applied plaster soaked paper towels.  Worked well.  Strong and light, looked good.  I am content to use this instead of cardboard due to water resisence.  The problem was flaking plaster.  I even designed a tunnel for the corner of the room with a 45 degree split to keep it in 2 pieces to take down after Xmas.  Seems to have worked well.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Ray and Jim,

Indeed very interesting.  Last year I made a few tunnels for my G scale under the Xmas tree.  Foam boxes cut and glued, relief with pieces of irregular foam glued all over, then covered with paper towels soaked in plaster.  Was a little too heavy and the plaster flaked.  Someone here, perhaps Jim, suggested dry wall plaster.  Will try that next !  The point is the foam was quite strong and fast to work.  I will get Carl's book and give a small layout a try.  Great idea !

A good 4th of July to our friends here and across the border !

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Rich,

Great tip !  Someone had found this a few years ago, and I downloaded it and promptly forgot it !  Very good information and practical.  Thanks a million !

Best Wishes,  Jack

Dear Barry,

As you are the go-to guy, is there now a newer version than V.5 for the Annie?  My last Annie is a WF.  Saving my shekels to get a BBT !

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Rich,

On this board there is only one curmudgeon, TOC !

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

Found this on a recent youtube search.  Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8g01-uCTpg

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Guys,

I have not bought anything onlilne for about 10 years.  Never had too good luck dealing with the "NYC" or the "New England" dealers, meaning they only want to sell you stuff, but not discuss part numbers.  How would you ensure getting an 825xx Porter ? 

Best Wishes,

Jack