I may have missed this earlier, but do any of you have any thoughts on mounting Kadee 803's on the On30 Climax.  I've converted the engine to On3, and the couplers need to be mounted in the top slot to match the other On3 rolling stock.  I think I can chop apart the shank and file it down to fit in the slot, but I'm wondering if someone has a better idea.

The query about modeling Wisconsin railroads in the transition era got me thinking about post-1960 steam operations in the U.S.  There was in fact a fair amount of steam still around through the 1960's, well into the second generation diesel era.  I'm going to rattle off a few operations off the top of my head.  This is by no means even close to being a complete list, but just a sampling of what was out there should you wish to mix steam and diesel on you layout. 

Buffalo Creek and Gauley RR – 3 2-8-0's, steam ended in 1965.
Crab Orchard and Egyptian RR – Illinois short line – 2-4-2 and 2-8-0.  Steam ended in 1986.
Denver and Rio Grande Western RR – Operated its narrow gauge lines with a large group of 2-8-2's until the end of 1967.
Rockton and Rion RR – Quarry line in South Carolina – Operated a pair of 2-8-2's into the late 1960's.
Reader RR – Arkansas short line – Operated in freight service into the mid-1970's; tourist service continued into the early 1990's.  Freight service with 2-8-0 and 2-6-2. 
Virginia Blue Ridge RR – Short line in mid-Virginia – Operated into the early 1960's with a 2-8-0 and a U.S. Army 0-6-0. 
Northwestern Steel and Wire – Steel mill operation in northern Illinois – Operated a group of 0-8-0's until about 1980. 
Mobile and Gulf RR – Mississippi short line – Operated a 2-6-0 until summer, 1970.
Mississippian RR – Mississippi short line – Operated a pair of 2-8-0's until about 1966. 

Good to see this old friend back in the traces again.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=357883&nseq=2

For those who care about such things, No. 630 has Southern valve gear.  As you might deduce, this valve gear was developed by a SR master mechanic and was used on a fair number of that road's locos.  Interestingly, the EBT's 3 heavy Mikes also have this same valve gear.  The light Mikes have Walschearts. 

I see that the HOn2 1/2 0-4-0T's are in.  Anyone had a chance to assess how much trouble it would be to regauge them to HOn3?  The Plymouth is pretty easy to wide-guage. 

Check out this youtube item from Germany.  The display is 1:32, which is standard gauge models on Large/G scale track.  Would like to know what they are using to generate the smoke. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+q3L3omzOxjQ

Here's a link to a pic from Railpictures.net at the Western Maryland Scenic RR shops.  Note in the background another loco - this is ex-Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain No. 38, a 2-8-0 that in more recent years put in tourist time on the Knox and Kane and Gettysburg railroads.  http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=322088&nseq=20
The loco is now owned by the Everett RR out of Holidaysburg, PA.  It was in decent shape, despite minor damage in a shop fire.  From the looks of things, she may be not too far from being runable again.  Here's a link to No. 38 in service in 1953.  http://www.bbandbrr.com/hbtm/photographs/equipment/locomotives/hbtm_eng_38_000.aspx

BTW, this would be a nice prototype for a model of a medium size Consol.

Anyone out there had the gumption to try and widen the Ten-Wheeler to On3?  Any particular problems, like the cylinder block being too narrow?  I'm contemplating acquiring one becuase they are neat, but I don't need it turn into a major project to widen it.

Guys:  You might want to check this out.  Some really great eastern narrow gauge modeling following EBT practices.  http://tinyurl.com/TRRFreight

There will be a two-rail O scale train meet/sale at the firehouse in Strasburg, PA on Saturday.  Hours are from 9 to 1.  They had one there earlier this spring as well.  Rich Yoder is the show host.  There is often stuff of interest to narrow gaugers as these events, and it's only $5 admission.  And of course, there is real steam right down the street!

Got word today that Hal Carstens, publisher of Railroad Model Craftsman and Railfan and Railroad magazines, passed away on Tuesday.  He was in his 80's.  RIP to a pioneer in the railroad press field.

Just saw the new "Logging Skidders" at my LHS, and they are really nice.  Most logging guys would call them Donkey Engines rather than skidders.  Either way, if you have need for a small vertical boiler steam engine with cable winches, these are a great value for about $12 bucks a pair.

This would be a neat loco in On30, even though none of these critters made onto this side of the pond.  The prototype is 24" gauge.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=267412&nseq=9

The new 45-tonners are being delivered.  Saw some at my LHS.  VERY nice--run very slow and smooth.  There is provision underneath the airtanks for a mini-speaker for future sound installation.  Go buy!

FWIW, I stumbled across a prototype 45-tonner working in a pipe fabricating plant in McKeesport, PA last week.  They interchange with CSX (ex-P&LE).  Painted a faded green.

A reminder--the annual narrow gauge meet is this coming weekend in Kimberton, PA (near Valley Forge).  Lots of modular railroads from Nn3 to 1:20.3, lots of dealers with lots of goodies.   

Found this NZGR loco on Railpictures.net.  I believe it is 42" gauge, but would be a close "what-if" for an EBT Pacific.  http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=230114&nseq=4

I suspect most of you on this board are familiar with this magazine.  If not, you should find it.  Lots of nice narrow gauge stuff.  The lastest issue has an article on the Moguls up on the Maine two-footers.  It reminds that a model of a loco like the Sandy River's "Old Star" would be a really neat model to do in On30.  The outside frame design distinguishes it immediately from the C&S Mogul, and it would fit in well with the rest of the line.  I know plans are available.  A quick history--the loco was built originally by Baldwin for the Laurel River and Hot Springs RR in North Carolina.  The road went bust before being completed, and the loco was sent to Maine where the Wiscasset and Quebec was going to buy her.  However, the W&Q turned out to have a cash flow problem and couldn't pay for her.  The Sandy River bought it instead.  It was eventually rebuilt under Maine Central ownership into a 2-6-2. 

Did you see the MSRP for the new 4-4-0's with sound--$400.00 .  That is one manisfestation of what happens when the value of the dollar drops like it has over the past year or so.

I know I'll probably be slapped around, but Mr. Bachmann, how about considering an On30 Beyer-Garrett?  Granted, we never had any on this side of the pond, but there were lots of examples elsewhere in the world in most any size you like, from 2' gauge on up.  I'm sure that there would be a big market overseas, and maybe a surprise market here in the U.S.  For those unfamiliar, go here for photos of a South African 2-foot gauge Garrett model.  Scroll down past the roundhouse model:  http://www.cimarronworks.com/The_Cimarron_Works_Gallery_Page.htm

I need a Leapfrog unit to control an old Soudtraxx DC throttle unit I am acquiring from a friend.  These devices convert the infrared signal from the hand-held controller to a radio signal, which is transmitted to a receiver you place in front of your base units where the signal is converted back to infrared.  It gives you complete walk-around freedom with no worry about wires or aiming at an infrared receiver.  I have the base station--I just need the small transmitter unit that goes on the hand-held.  I haven't seen these marketed in a couple of years (they were actually intended for the TV/hi-fi folks who wanted more flexibile control of their units from anywhere in a room).  Any help from anyone out there?