small scum pond
same method as before painted pond scum green

and that's just some stillwater methods, moving water has it's own methods.

poured "water" pond
sealed with plaster and painted

banks finished and debris in place

"water" poured, Woodland Scenics realistic water, lily pads painted on surface.

final seal coat of "Future"

there are many methods and "water" products available, and different methods work better for different situations.
Maybe you could post a pic or two of your pond area so we could better guide you.
completly flat "water" zero depth water on 8 x 8 diorama

You should be able to fit the shell on the new drive, but it may require minor modifcations to fit securely.
exploded view of new version
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H502X-IS001.PDF
parts for chassis are available, but for not much less then you can pick up entire entire loco, and just move the shells.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_154

the wires are coated with clear lacquer insulation, with the part that shows outside of the loco painted black.

My take on  the "Era" categories with some overlap

1) 19th century - pre 1900

2) steam -  1900 to end of WWII, diesels begin to arrive in late '30's
 
3) Transition - 1940's to mid '50's steam disappears as diesels take over

4) 1st Generation -  early '50's to early '60's  F units and early GP's rule the roost

5) 2nd generation -  early '60's to mid '70's GP 20 thru arrival of the dash 2s, also UP's bigger is better loco years

6)  Dash 2 era - formally the "modern" era, mid '70's thru late '90's, intro of dash 2  locos thru SD 60 and comfort cabs

7) Modern era (for now) - late '90's thru now, beginning with dash 8/9s, and other fuel efficient, environmentally friendly locos.

They are Heljan models that were sold by Bachmann
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Structure&scale=H&manu=322&item=&keywords=diesel&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

You will have to contact service dept to check on availability of brushes.
they do list complete motors for $10
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_111&products_id=283

Welcome to trains!
We all started with a circle of track on the floor or dining room table, and grew from there.
While with the included track, you are limited to circle/oval/squared circle track setup, Bachmann has a variety of track sections you can add to make almost any trackplan you desire.
EZ track, as the name implies, is easy to assemble and disassemble, and will stay solidly locked together during use. A bit of care need be taken when assembling the track to ensure the rail joiners connect properly and is explained in the setup instructions.
Atlas DCC equipped locomotives have dual mode decoders that will operate on either DC or DCC powered layouts.
They do, however, have an option to turn DC operation off, but unless that has been done, they will operate just fine on your new layout empire.

The track is the same.
True track has a removable locking plastic roadbed added for easier setup, and is the track system included in train sets by Atlas and some others.

dave,
there are two different types of decoders.
flory is disscussing the Tsunami sound decoders,
and blue is disscussing the standard bachmann decoder, which is what
I'm guessing you have, and the availabe setting are limited
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ez_content/1_Amp_Decoder_Instr.pdf

try running loco with pulse power turned off on your power pack.
IIRC, those dinosaur trollers have an "extended range" switch
which activates pulse power, and that pulse may be fighting with the keep alive
capacitors of the Tsunami sound decoder.

Quote from: jsdranger on August 12, 2011, 09:10:19 AM
r0bert, i am not really sure that i understand what you are talking about when you mention the polarity and point setting.  that may be a bit over my head in terms of language.  can you simplify that for me, make it into train talk for dummies please.  Thank you

As a reference for disscussion lets make the left rail + (pos), the right rail - (neg)
and the left route the thru (straight) route, and the right route the diverging (curved) route.
The points are the two blade like moving sections which direct the train over one route or the other.
A polarized metal frog has the polarity change to match the route that the train will follow to provide uninterupted power to the loco as it passed thru the turnout.
Using the reference example,
with the turnout points set to route the train over the thru route of the turnout, the right point is touching the right rail, and the left point is off the rail.
As the loco crosses the turnout, the right side wheels are passing from the right side rails, via the points, over the frog, and back to the right rail, and with the polarized frog,
it,  like the right rail is (-).
The same is true when the points are set for the diverging route, left point against left (+)
rail, and the frog also has (+) power,
The frog polarity is controlled by some sort of relay or switch, and changes with the setting of the points to match.
The Atlas custom line frog is also electricly isolated from the other rails, so no extra insulators are required, and if you choose not to power the frog, acts the same as the insulated plastic frog on the snap switch models.
     

it has a isolated metal frog that can be energized to proper polarity for the point setting, using Atlas snap relay or other switching system.
the standard snap switch line turnouts have a plastic frog.

The shells on mine are held on by four screws, one at each corner of the fuel tank.