everydaygoodz has nice working lampposts, which are generally $1 a pop.

If I were you, I'd just run power through the rails and string dummy catenary wire - it seems to be the easiest thing to do!

Thanks, everyone, for all your help. I have an old Atlas / Kato RS3 underframe that I will try to fit to the shell. If not, I'll probably rewire the motor, as described.

Thanks again!

UP's shade of gray is called "Harbor Mist", so if you see a bottle of paint marked with that, you'll know it's the right shade.

Yeah, it's DC, not DCC. Sorry I forgot to mention that - I'll go turn the trucks around, and see if that makes any difference.

UPDATE: After examining the trucks, I realized that they're geared in such a way that it would be impossible to reverse them. Thanks for the idea, anyway.

Anyone else have a theory?

Hi guys,
I recently bought my first brass locomotive, an older Alco Products RS-2. It's detailing is awesome, and runs okay (for a brass locomotive, from what I've heard.)

My problem is this: When it runs, it moves in the opposite direction that every other locomotive of mine does.  This means that I can't lash it up with another locomotive, and if running alone it would complicate operations a bit.
I know this was a common problem before NMRA standards - does this mean this brass loco is significantly older than I thought?
Is there a simple way to fix this problem?

Thanks,
-Paul

Sounds like you had a fun time!

Rubbing alcohol also works, and if you want to strip more paint than just a number, use a pencil's eraser dipped in the alcohol.

Walthers Cornerstone re-issued their steel mill kit series a year ago.
www.walthers.com

If problems persist after filing the points and inspecting it with a gauge, weight the pilots. They may be too light.

I agree- Model Railroader has been dumbed down, even in the 5 years I've been subscribing.

I like RMC much better, its articles are for the "true" model railroader.

BTW, in regard to product reviews, I find "Model Railroad News" to be a source to for in-depth, and honest, reviews.

Quote from: uncbob on June 10, 2009, 06:35:00 PM
Took a bigger pic

Uncbob-
Check out how much an identical Rivarossi Lehigh Valley 4-6-2 is running for!

Have you tried the Atlas track plan designer Freeware download? It can help you with designing a track plan, although some aspects of it are non-intuitive.

Woodland Scenics sells some cacti in their 'Scene-O-Rama' line.

If you're looking for something nice n' small, check out Bachmann Spectrum's 45-tonner. It's a good runner, from what I've heard, and is nicely detailed.