Its the weekend, but PLEASE take time to vote today and our allies.
We are holding at #24--- Keep pushing!!! PLEASE vote 3 ways daily

a) http://pep.si/uInSz5 to vote via Facebook.
b) Text 109665 to phone number 73774!
c) Open a Pepsi account on their website and vote that way...

Remember to cast other votes for our partners!!! It is making a difference.
PLEASE reciprocate with your spare votes... Be sure and leave a comment that you voted as well.. The top 3 below are NC projects as well...

www.refresheverything.com/fitt​olearnatblackburn Text 109825
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www.refresheverything.com/incl​udingchildren Text 109857
www.refresheverything.com/surf​ershealing Text 109929
www.refresheverything.com/swoo​pwheelchairramps Text 109468

Sorry for this off topic list, but for narrow gauge modelers and fans, particularly in the southeast:

Bottom line is that we are a new museum called the SE Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum. Our goal is to acquire and preserve what very few pieces of SE narrow gauge railroad equipment is left. So far, we have boxcars Carolina & N-W #401, Lawndale #311, ET&WNC #434, motorcars ET&WNC #1 & #2, as well as some other pieces of equipment.

The bodies of most everything has been completely restored, and we need to purchase trucks for the cars.
We have applied for a Pepsi Refresh Everything grant for $25,000 to help continue restoring our collection. We are currently ranked 29th, but need to be in the top 15.

Yes, you log in with your Facebook account (all 5 seconds), but can vote once per day facebook address AND text from your phone.

Please go to http://pep.si/uInSz5 and cast your vote!

For texting, send the message 109665 to phone # 73774.

More info at www.newtondepot.com

THIS IS NOT SPAM... You can vote once per day per email and facebook address...
PLEASE crosspost us and HELP US...

Thanks- Matt Bumgarner (Alexander Chapter, NRHS)

The *BIG* narrow gauge show comes alive in Hickory, NC this week. If you aren't pre-registered, you can do so at the door ($1l0 for the week or $35 day passes)...

Right now we have Over 300 mfg. tables, 17 modular layouts (from as far away as Australia), six historical societies), eight authors, three steam locomotives, two dozen home & club layouts, and nearly 100 clinic slots for historic & modeling subjects.

Check out www.narrowgauge2011.com for all the details.

If you love modeling, you will see some of the premier manufacturers of model RR equipment in the country (Bachmann, Soundtraxx, Micro-Engineering, Accucraft, Blackstone, etc.)


Hope to see you there!!

Matt Bumgarner

Hi everyone-

I am finally tackling my long-planned project of converting the Baldwin 2-4-4T Forney into a semblence of a Porter 0-4-4T that served the Lawndale Railway in rural North Carolina. I have two engines (one for practice, one for my model) and a print out of the exploded diagram. Now, I have some questions that might be rather simple for some of you, but are relatvely new for me and I *REALLY* don't want to screw up these gorgeous engines. OK- jumping into it:

a) The hardest part is modifying the pilot. I removed the pilot truck (easy) but want to shorten the pilot deck in front of the boiler by about 3/8". This means cutting the diecast frame. Will a Dremel cutting disk do this effectively, or should I use a small hacksaw?  If I end up having to glue metal to metal, or metal to plastic, will JBWeld two-part epoxy suffice?

b) Easy question- how to remove the builders plate decals- I'm guessing Solvaset or the like? I guess I could gently scrape with an Xacto but would rather not.

c) I have to remove the air pump and air tanks under the walkways along the boiler, fabricate new walkways, and lower them. This leaves two holes on the boiler that need to be filled in. What sort of putty should I use??   What color (black) and manufacturer matches the Bachmann paint best (have I heard simple Krylon ??)   What finish- flat? satin?

Thanks!

Matt

Hi everyone-

If you haven't done it yet, check out www.narrowgauge2011.com   for information regarding next year's convention. There will be in the neighborhood of 30 layout and club tours, 300+ tables from manufacturers such as Bachmann, Deerfield River Laser, Mt Blue, Accucraft, Micro-Engineering, and four major prototype activities.

Modular railroads from as far away as Australia, Florida, and Pennsylvania will also be on the agenda, as well as around 100 clinics and a model contest that features entries from some of the world's finest modelers.

Last year, over 1500 people attended (from 12 countries no less!) the four day event. This year's convention will be the first ever held in the southeast and looks to be just as exciting as past conventions.

All registration forms and information are available online www.narrowgauge2011.com

Thanks,

Matt

Dusten & DC-


The boilers were indeed American Iron "blue" which synonomously, if not accurately was often replaced with the term "Russian blue". 

FYI, the front color cover of the "Blue Ridge Stemwinder" book was a colorized photo of a black and white photograph. It is a gorgeous cover, perhaps the prettiest I have ever seen, but it is not an actual color photo of the subject.

Matt Bumgarner

Outstanding!!!!  Thanks for the info!

Does anybody know if the fluted domes that come as extras with the 4-6-0 would be interchangeable on the 2-6-0?

Thanks in advance!

Matt

I was merely bumping up an old thread with an update.

Sorry for any confusion.

For those of you who also like the 1:1 scale of these great On30 models, check out www.tarheelpress.com/LawndaleBoxcar for an update on the restoration of this project.

Matt Bumgarner

Thanks Bob,

Yes, I am well aware of the rewards of research. Having written the book on the Lawndale, more than a half dozen others as well, I am well-versed in the field. More than most, I would surmise. And I couldn't agree with you more- If I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted a particular model, providing the drawings, etc would be the way to go.

Unfortunately, I do have other priorities, and not having this material at hand will still not prevent me from posting my wants on a discussion board.

In this particular thread, I was only responding to Dusten's comment, which asked for me by NAME, and mentioned the Lawndale engines. I merely responded with my support. If you and others regard Dusten's comments and support for them as "pestering" then so be it. Dusten has his reputation for being persistent, and I think, quite humorous and self-deprecating. I appreciate his enthusiasm and will continue to support it.

Even without drawings, photos, and specifications.

Matt

No doubt you are correct Mr. Bob.

Unfortunately, in my usual casual surfing of the internet, I generally don't have drawings and plans handy.

That being said, I still think it reasonable to offer what one's preferences and opinions are on a discussion forum and think that nuggets of ideas are stilll there to be found for Bachmann.

Matt

Dusten,

The Lawndale Vulcan 2-8-0 would be a perfect fit on an On30 pike. A few years back, someone made a conversion kit using an HO MDC/Roundhouse 2-8-0. I haven't checked driver sizes, etc, but  I would think it would be in the realm of possibility to already have the frame and running gear ready to go with existing tooling. Given the quick adjacent releases of the On30 4-4-0 models, perhaps an inside frame 2-8-0 is indeed possible.

What say you Mr. Bachmann?

Already, Deerfield River Laser makes a pretty good Lawndale combine kit, the Bachmann gons are VERY close, and a smattering of boxcars is all you would need.

Now, I would also like to see a revised 2-6-0, with the rear driver offset a bit further back than the spacing on the front and center ones. This would allow for an EASY kitbash of the Lawndale 2-6-0, and more importantly, could be dead nuts on for ET&WNC #1 and #2.

Perfect compliments to the 4-6-0 and the Climax (for Linville River Rwy).

Thanks!

Matt

Hi all,

While we are anxiously awaiting the ETWNC 4-6-0's, Deerfield River Laser is now shipping their ET&WNC passenger car kits.

You can buy scale length ones that fit on lengthened Bachmann bodies, or "shorties" that will fit on top of the Bachmann underframes (and under the roofs) without modification.

They tell me that the ETWNC caboose will be out mid-summer as well.

Thanks!

Matt Bumgarner

I'm partial to the Tarheel lines. I think a small inside frame 2-8-0 like one of the Lawndale Vulcans 4 & 5 would be a great addition to the On30 line.