Thanks for the update, Ken.

I agree with p51. There are many forums out there and, like he said, not everyone likes to post on a manufacturer's forum. As for me, I don't care.

One thing to keep in mind is that, in general, On30ers (new word?) tend to be more independent-minded, which I think is the reason they are attracted to a scale that, up until the advent of Bachmann's products, sort of languished in the shadows along with almost all narrow gauge scales that come to mind. This type of modeler will post if they have something to say, otherwise they won't (sort of like Mr. Ed) but they tend to resent it when told that they must do something. Anyway, that's my two cents - half-a-cent at todays rate.

While this forum may not see the numbers of posts as say HO or N, nevertheless I believe that it sees enough usage to keep it viable. Also, Bachmann is still coming out with new products which, in today's ecomomy, says a lot.

Thanks, p51. Since I'm modelling the FEC Kissimmee Valley Extension in an alternate universe, it turns out that the folks that wanted to keep the branch active after it was abandoned in 1947 happened to find this caboose at a price too good to pass up, so they bought it. This way, the little branch is able to provide minimal passenger service from roughly Holopaw to Okeechobee (for all the nitpickers: yes I know the line ran all the way to New Smyrna Beach). Back to reality, I my previous life I rode the Milwaukee Road's commuter service for a number of years in Chicago and grew quite attached to the line. The Bellevue & Cascade caboose is something to sort of feed my nostalgia.

It's too bad that there was nothing like that on the ET&WNC because it really is a nice model and I think you'd get a kick out of it.

Fred

John, glad you like the caboose. As far as naysayers are concerned, I never listen to them and usually just do the opposite. So if they say the caboose is too wide/narrow, I would definitely buy it just to tick them off.

Well, I decided to break down and buy one of the new Bachmann On30 Wood Side-Door Cabooses - in my case #26702, the Bellevue & Cascade livery. The unit just arrived today and all I can say is "Wow!". Bachmann hit it out of the park again with this model. The caboose, which is divided into passenger and freight sections, has a full interior with functioning side doors as well as front and rear doors. The front and rear doors are easy to push open but a bit fiddly to close, so Bachmann thoughtfully suppied a super-fine (thin) stainless steel wire hook to be able to reach in and close the doors. The caboose also has led lighting in the ceiling.

Unpacking the unit and placing it on the test track with power applied causes the led's to light up nicely. I have not had a chance add the unit to an operating train but do not expect any issues since it tracks very nicely around the 15-inch curves and Peco turnouts on my layout.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this model. It is very well done and the construction looks (to my old eyes) to be top notch. I only hope that this is a harbinger of more great On30 models to come. Great job, Bachmann!

Thank's for the invitation, Lee. I don't know whether or not I'll ever get up your way but seeing your layout would definitely be the high point of the trip. As far as the Annual is concerned, I keep telling myself "patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue ..." 

Lee, unfortunately the only opportunity I had to ride the ET&WNC was at Blowing Rock, NC. I enjoyed the ride immensely. Got to ride with #12 pulling the train, no less. So I can't say that I'm very familiar with the countryside of the original ET&WNC. I've driven through Tennesee and North Carolina numerous times, but it was always to get to somewhere else and you don't get much of a feel from the interstates.

Just looking at the pictures of your various articles, I never got the impression of "bait and switch". You've always been up front about the size of the room plus I've studied your layout plan many times in order to orient myself as to what I'm seeing in the pictures. Having been into amateur photography myself (back in the days of film and darkrooms) I know that in smaller areas it is necessary to shoot at wider angles than normal. This wider view may have given the wrong impression as to the size of your layout. BTW, my entire layout is approximately 33 inches deep by 120 inches long, so to me, your layout is huge !

As to achieving your goals, I would say that you have succeeded very well. Having lived in Florida for about 40 years now, and traveling the back roads when I can, I've gotten the feel of the "South" to a certain extent (even though by many, Florida is really not considered to be part of the South) and your layout certainly captures that feeling. In some of the small rural towns down here the ambiance is such that it could still be 1943.

Anyway, thanks for the great articles and especially the pictures. Like I said, I pore over them, sometimes with a magnifier, to pick up all the details.

Keep up the great work!

Lee, I've always admired your layout. I rank it right at the top of my favorite layouts along with Joseph Kreiss' Mosquito Creek Lumber, Model Railroader's Olympia and Dave Meek's Thunder Mesa. Usually, when I need some inspiration or just for fun, I'll go to the back issues of the On30 Annual, or in the case of Olympia or Thunder Mesa, YouTube, and just look at your pictures of the layout and how you composed the scene in the space available and I always come away with learning something new. I'm sure there are other layouts that I've forgotten to mention but your's and the ones I named rank right up there. As a matter of fact, I was inspired to develop the "alternate universe" for my layout after reading what you created for the Stoney Creek. Thanks for sharing all of your hard work.

Thanks for the update, Lee. I've been checking the WRP website every so often but have found nothing new. Oh well, they say patience is a virtue.

As far as the coffee stirrers go, this is definitely a lifetime supply. I usually just stain them with an India-ink and alcohol wash and at the end of the project I give everything a light coat of flat finish to blend things together and cover up any glue spots. So far, I've been very pleased with the results.

Thanks again for the heads-up on the On30 Annual.

Ken,

Sounds like a fairly involved project. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of it. As far as coffee stirrers are concerned, I kept running short also, so I finally broke down and ordered some from Amazon (where else). I got a box of 1000 extra-long (about 7 inches) for around $10 US but that's been at least 3 years ago - who knows what they're going for now. These stirrers are a little wider and thicker than what I get with my coffee, so they work out really well for floors, roof eaves, etc. - basically any place where a little beefier lumber would normally be used. They make great platforms for stations (both freight and passenger) and I have also used them for exterior walls and been very pleased with the results. Best of luck with the project.

Fred

Ken,

Post some pictures when you get it constructed. Also, it might make a good article for the On30 Annual.

Fred

Ken,

Thank you for the video. That is really neat! No power except for gravity - that's almost unbelievable in today's environment. I think that a tramway like that would make a great model, either static or powered, on a narrow gauge railway. Thanks again.

Fred

Ken,

I'm not familiar with the term "aerial tram". Would this be the same thing as the elevated trains in New York or Chicago? Sounds like an interesting project. I would think that the book you bought will certainly help pass the time while waiting.

Ken,

Well, I passed my 75th last March, so hopefully the Annual will get here before my 76th . Like you, I thoroughly enjoy each issue and read and re-read them throughout the year. And, like you, I always either find something to inspire me in my modeling or learn something new. I've especially enjoyed the articles by Lee Bishop (p51) and am looking forward to his article in the upcoming issue. And now the waiting begins ......

Fred

BTW, our 51st anniversary is in Sep.

What a nice surprise! I just received an email from WRP telling me that they are refunding me the $6.57 that I was charged for shipping. Since there was no explanation along with the refund, I can only guess that shipping is supposed to be included in the pre-order price and the system had not been set up for that at the time I placed my order. I originally figured that with the price of everything going up that they were now having to charge for shipping, even on pre-orders. So that makes the pre-order price $30.00, same as last year. Way to go, WRP, and thanks!