http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-G-SCALE-PLASTIC-TRACK-NEW-/330504597858?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4cf39bf162    This a link to some plastic track on ebay -go to toys/hobbies-----modelRR/trains---------G scale -----and search track----read a few descriptions, there is a lot of plastic track that isn't labeled as such, also make sure of the brand that you have so it will be compatible. If you follow the link above, when it comes up, click on G scale in the search results then search track. This item was the first on the list that came up for me.   Hope this is some help.....S.B.

  THATS IT ....thanks Bob.....  Don't know what happened, I checked the # and I relayed correctly, I think....Sorry Bill. As we haven't heard from gunrunner yet .....still don't know if that's what he's looking for....but if I wanted or when I want a crane for the layout it will most likely be one or so of these and perhaps a truck based crane, like the one that showed up shortly after the tracked one. By the by .......buy with out fear from Al.... Gotten many things from him thus far and not a problem.....Later All.....S.B.

 The tracked crane I mentioned is back. Labeled"Giant construction crane" the item # if you want to look at it is 110617366221 starting bid is $0 .99  hope this is some help.....later all .......S.B.

I have recently seen on eBay a P&H Mining shovel a 1/32 excavator(listed as a bucket loader)and a tracked construction crane with a fold up boom. The crane shows up from time to time as does the "bucket loader". Just watch for a while under G scale in model RR/ trains. Hope this is some help......later all....S.B.

 The other style has two brass contact strips loosly attached to the inside of the roof area and two more screwed to the inside of the chassis (bottom piece,between seats and top of chassis) These four pieces, two either side, make a wiper style or pressure contact. They each have a sort of bump in them that helps hold connection. If you have all the screws out and the tabs depressed as Jon instrucked then the chassis should lift out and then the seats. My battery powered cars are like this and my track powered cars are as Jon described. hope this is some help......later all.......S.B.

  Shipping from The Favorite Spot is pretty quick on average. never had one come from him in more than a week, and I'm in western PA. nice guy to deal with.....later all....S.B.

 liquid nails my man...liquid nails....Later all S.B.

  The wider you can make your curves, the less wear you'll have on your wheels, just a reminder  ....   later all   ......S.B.

  MR.T , sounds like you got a pretty good start at it, you know you'll have to post pictures from time to time once construction begins. As for the round peg in the flat hole......an anvil, hammer and maybe a little heat followed by the touch of a file or small grinding wheel would get you close. From there I'd solder the blade side in with a butane pocket torch or a quick touch with a propane torch, but that's me. I don't care much for the little soldering either. Going to rewire an RS-3 soon....not looking forward to it but at the same time I can't wait.......later all....   S.B.      PS .......I use an old piece of full scale track for an anvil.....Dad got it when they replaced the tracks in our back yard about 20 years ago      again....Later all   S.B.

 I cant say for usa or others f units but aristo says theirs will handel a 4 ft diameter curve, witch is weird as it uses the same motor block as the u-boat and the RS-3. Keep in mind that there is a world of after market and NOS parts to build your own loco out of a Bachmann 4-6-0, or 2-6-0 or one of them beautiful  mallet's(I want one)Build your own R.R. paint is cheap(ish), have fun with it, and keep your Diesels on at least a 5 ft diameter curve. .....Later all ....S.B.

  Sounds like a neat little lay out....watch the wheels on that geep, the flanges may start to get a little sharp. My RS-3 will run a 4 ft diameter curve, but it don't like it, so i don't make it.  Have fun.....later all S.B.

  Great idea on the hand-me-down man. if you want to make sure it will still be running go check out Berry's drives at http://www.barrysbigtrains.com/Home/tabid/368/Default.aspx with one of these it will most likely be running. Check out the gallery and watch the videos.... pretty impressive I think........later all....S.B.

 Thanks for the info there Joe, kinda thought that it would work. later all....S.B.

  to get back to one of the original questions.... could a rail bender be used to straighten the curves a bit as to make a wider radius? I mean if it can be used to make curves out of straight then why wouldn't it work the other way?....Later all         S.B.

 I knew Bill would be the man for this so I kept quiet....MY TURN..... . if you go to the following http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html, there you will find tips for up grading and prolonging the life of your gen 2 chassis, that is...IF you want to run it and not just turn it over, but then the improvement might bring a few extra dollars from someone that knows what their looking at, but I'd keep it. I have a gen 2, 3, and 5 chassis and I think my gen 2 runs better than my gen 3, at least for the moment. Another option is look up Berry of Berry's Big Trains, his drive units are great. I would be surprised if he doesn't chime in on this. All things being what they are...... it's your set .......do as you wish, just have fun regardless.                  Later all.....S.B.