There are many versions of Mantua engines. The last reincarnation, before they were taken over by Model Power, had can motors.

Yorkie - we have conveniently omitted the fact that Britain had an operating railway before one started over here. I remember reading in grade school about how the "John Bull" locomotive (British built) had to race a stage coach.

As for most historical I think the votes are counted and the "Beano" wins.

Gene; I agree completely about the Milwaukee Road versus PC. The Milwaukee had a proud history before the decline but PC was doomed from the start. One could also add the Rock Island to the list of "sad demises of railroads." all the reorganizations and color schemes indicated a business with no direction. The same could be said of the New Haven in its last few years.

You cannot compare the Milwaukee Road to the very sad PC.

A friend who is a retired Naval officer told me that the US Navy may be having a destroyer built in Australia. I don't know if it's true but he has no reason to lie to me.

Years ago my neighbor bought an "American" Dodge minivan. It was American alright - North American. It has a big old Maple Leaf on the door frame. It was built in Ontario except for the parts labeled "Hecho In Mexico" and the electronics made in Indonesia.

I suggest people read Tom Friedman's book' "the World is Flat." It is an eye opener.

Bowser can supply the valve gear assembled. That is the trickiest part of the assembly.  You might be able to buy the whole mechanism assembled.

Bowser engines run very well. I've owned about 15 of them in the last 40 years

The frame should be assembled and run in a little before painting. Once you get it to roll freely with the side rods attached you can disassemble and paint the frame. I have seen the frames chemically blackened - works better than paint.

I would buy directly from Bowser. Bowser is a class company and they go out of their way to be helpful.

There is a good article by Charlie Goetz about RTR narrow gauge modelling in the current issue of the Gazette.

Historically I believe the Camden and Amboy was first RR in the country. It may have been swallowed up by the B&O, which by all acounts, is the first railroad with any history to it.

Without a doubt, no railroad history can omit PRR and the UP.

How about "Most Hysterical" - I nominate Penn Central.

My grandfather was in Company I of the NY Fighting 69th in WWI. When it was sent over seas it became the 165th Infantry Battalion of the 42nd "Rainbow" division.

He knew several versons of "Garyowen" including one with bawdy lyrics. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I was too young to learn the words. He also used to sing "Madamoiselle from Armentieres"- again with bawdy lyrics.

Several years in a row I had the honor of marching with my grandfathrer with 69th vets in the Saint Patrick's Day parade behind the regimental band playing: "Garyowen."

On a visit to the B&O Museum I learned that much of the neighborhood around the roundhouse and yard (that is gone) was all owned by the B&O. They are mostly two story row houses.

In a number of places in South Carolina there are small one room buildings built by the various railroads. My dad pointed out some houses that were built by the C&WC (Charleston and Western Carolina) which was owned by the ACL.

Ernie: Your Bachmann trains are made in China.

Pulling a dummy engine will cut down on the number of cars you can run.

There was a company that published "How to ..." books called Arco. They published a softcover book in the 50ies by Frank ellison about building and operating a model railroad.

Frank Ellison was an operator; detailing was secondary. At a time when "Carter's Little Liver Pills" was advertising on radio and TV, Ellision had a building called "Carter's little river mills." He didn't take the hobby as seriously as they do today. He had fun running his trains.

His one big contribution to running model trains was the "smile" - which basically was a block that was a train length. He gauged speed in "smiles per hour."

I wish I still had my Arco frank ellison book.

The Bob Rule picture of EBT #14 made my day - all it needs is some soot!

This video brings back memories of commuting to high school on the "dog" or D train. The best view from the train, for me, was at the front window of the front car, next to the motorman's cab.

I rode a fan trip on the very old low voltage IRT cars years ago, but I am also old enough to remember when they were in service.

A visit to the city is not complete without visiting the Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn.