I model the Carolina & North-Western, a short line on the Asheville Division of the Southern Railway.  My fleet is:

1 Spectrum 2-8-0
1 Spectrum 4-4-0
2 Spectrum 4-6-0
4 Atlas/Kato RS2
1 Atlas/Kato RS3
1 Atlas/Kato RS11

For the nearby Alexander Railroad ( www.alexanderrailroad.com ),

I have

3 Spectrum 44 tonners
1 Atlas S3
2 Atlas S2

The Spectrum 4-4-0 is an OUTSTANDING locomotive from a looks and operational standpoint; however, it struggles pull two 80' coaches on a flat grade, so you should be close with 5 cars.

There is nothing even in this engine's league with other 4-4-0 offerings from anyone, and it really is sweet sitting next to a couple of Spectrum
4-6-0's.

Matt

A **SMALL** 2-8-0 resembling an SR K-class consolidation.

A nice 4-6-2 Ps4 as mentioned above would be great as well.

Matt

Andrew,

Overland Models did some Southern Railway K's a few years back. They pop up on eBay from time to time.

You might want to join the Southern Railway Historical Association (www.srha.net). There was a two-part article in their newsletter within the last year or so about converting a Spectrum 2-8-0 into a more presentable SR locomotive, including a valve gear treatment.

While the current spectrum 2-8-0 really ushered in an era for superbly priced and excellent running steam engines, us SR-fans long for a smaller-boiler/correct cab/Southern valve gear unit.

Matt Bumgarner

I wondered if it might be for housekeeping or updating reasons as well; however, as webmaster for several sites, we don't take down the old one until the new one is ready.

Then, we do an FTP (File Transfer Process), and the entire site is changed within minutes, not hours or dozens of hours.

To me, it appears that the server which actually hosts this website is physically going down.

Again, just curious. Any comments Mr B? Because you really do an excellent job on this site and it is a real service to the hobby.

Thanks!

Matt Bumgarner

Does anyone else have trouble, seemingly once a month, when this website goes down for 8-24 hours at a time?  Happened to me last night (Friday, 2/29), again.

Just curious.

Matt Bumgarner

Miles-

Because I was here! And I wanted to see how friendly and knowledgeable folks were.

Both tests passed with flying colors!

Thanks,

Matt

Can anyone advise me of the scale length (or real of the prototype) of Mt. Blue #556-558?

Thanks!

Matt

Can anyone provide the scale length of Bachmann's On30 gon, boxcar, and coach?

Thanks

Matt Bumgarner

I don't have access to a local hobby store that carries the "annual"- I am assuming it is a Carstens publication?

Anyone out there that has it- can you summarize the article and its relative level of difficulty? I would ask someone to scan the article and email it, but that might involve a copyright issue, so I wouldn;t want that.

Thanks

Matt Bumgarner

Ernie-

YES, it is a bad idea to put smoke in a burning building, and for the same reasons it is bad in a locomotive. The smoke will end up depositing an oily residue over your layout, your track, your rolling stock and your room.

BAD IDEA. BAD IDEA. BAD IDEA.

I have seen some pretty realistic smoke created with whisps of a cotton ball and paint.

Matt

Pardon my posting about an Atlas product on the Bachmann board, but I find you folks are generally more helpful here.

Does anyone know if:

a) Atlas RS2 and RS3 underframes are identical?
b) Can I **EASILY** drop one of the older bodies onto one of the newer underframes that feature LEDs and DCC ready equipment?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

If I were the CFO, I would look at past history and what the Ten-Wheeler did for making G-scale so popular. Considering that the drawings, etc for the loco and rolling stock already exist, I think I would push along these lines for my next On30 foray.

Plus, in On30, there ain't nuthin' purtier than ET&WNC #12 would be! Or 10, 11, and 14 for that matter!

Matt Bumgarner

Can anyone point me to a good online tutorial for hand-laying On30 track? If not, can you describe the process to me here?

I am planning on building a point to point layout and have certainly identified Micro-Mark's flex track and turnouts, but I am intrigued by their Code 83 rail as well.

As best I can tell for handlaying (which I won't do on the turnouts), one needs to solder two parallel rails together with PC board ties at some interval and fill in the space with stained ties.


So my questions first are:

1) What interval should I solder the PCB ties?

2) Anyone have a good source for the wooden ties? I saw rail, joiners, gauge, spikes at Micromark, but no wood ties.

3) I am planning on putting the track on a foam base (The Lawndale Rwy did not have a heavily ballasted line). However, I am afraid that the force required for a spike to puncture the wood tie will more than likely force the tie deep into the foam.

4) Assuming I can can a spike into the tie without deforming the foam, should I use a drop of glue or other material to hold the track down. I'm not real sure how well the spikes will grip in the foam.

Yes, I could elminate a lot of this by going with the flex track, but I've done enough HO to be flex'd out and On30 looks big enough for me to actually see the spikes, and it looks like it might be fun. Or not.

Thanks for any assistance,

Matt Bumgarner

Does anybody out there make any older style fluted domes for the 2-6-0?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Matt Bumgarner