Thanks Paul for responding.  I guess no one else cleans their layout.

I'm not a railroad historian and I'm sure some of our historians can give you better answers, but for the most part wooden box cars 40 feet in length were the norm.  Steel box cars didn't really come into use until after World War II was over and steel was more available. For your time range both 40 and 50 footers would be appropriate with a few of them being steel.  On occasion you might find some older 36 footers being hauled, but they were being phased out during your time period.

Bill

This is a great thread.  That's what this forum is for....keep it up and thanks to all.

Bill

Twice a year I have the drudgery of cleaning my layout, dusting my structures and removing cobwebs from my scenery.  This year, more than ever, it will be a tedious task.  My question is this:  How do some of you clean your layouts without damaging fragile scenery?  I have an abundance of trees, some of which have the first vestages of cobwebs forming on them and all my structure roofs need dusting.....and that's not to mention my streets.  I would greatly appreciate some ideas.

Thanks, Bill

What?  No WiFi?

Well, I guess I found out the answer.  No, it doesn't.  Last night I went over to his house to help investigate the trouble.  The glue had dried by that time and its wetness was no longer an issue.  Being an amatuer crime scene investigator I asked him what all he did between installing the ballast until the present time.  He mentioned that he had wired up that section of track to the B cab on his transformer.  Loooking closely at that I found a very small strand of copper wire touching the opposite terminal....ergo short!

Case solved!  My job here is finished.

Amen Jim.  I lost a Genesis F3 to the floor, followed by my grandson because I didn't turn the chair around.

Paul,

I had one at one time and I would classify it as being fair.  The pit is entirely plastic, and Roger hit the nail on the head, it does flex.  If I remember the pit rails were plastic too and it did not operate very well.  Mine was motorized and it jerked quite often and at times would get in a bind and not even turn.  There is no indexing.  In other words you have to align the track and table visually and that makes for frequent derailments.  However, it does look nice and for $25.00 would be a good buy.

Bill

A friend of mine just called and asked the following question.  Will Elmers white glue cause a short while it is still wet?   He says he was putting down some ballast and used Elmers full strength. (no water as I understand)  This particular branch worked fine before and after the ballast was placed between the rails he turned his transformer on and a short occured.  He runs DC.

I suggested he just wait until it dries and try it again, but I told him I would ask this board.

Thanks, Bill

Bob,

Just as a thought, you might check into some of the local churces in your area.  With so much emphasis placed on Youth Ministeries now, you might find a local church which has a large basement that would love to be host to your club.  There would be adult supervision, a safe and decent environment and most of all a place which would get kids off the streets and into a great and wonderful hobby.

Bill

Bob,

Thanks for posting your link to your club website.  Wonderful craftmanship and well organized.  I might "steal" a few ideas from you.

Lanny,

I have looked off and on your post since you placed it back on June 23rd and a question just came to mind.  How did you remove the original Spectrum sand dome?  Did you use Xacto knives or Dremmel tools or just what?  You do wonderful work!

Thanks, Bill

Gene,

Go to Rixproducts.com.  Their catalogue has many highway bridges available.  I have one and they are a very nice replication.

Bill

Thanks guys for your comments on the PRR K-4, but I was really interested in finding out if there is any unforeseen problems in relocating the headlight on the Spectrum K-4.  I love the detail and performance of Bachmann steam locomotives and would like to incorporate one in my semi-freelanced Rock Island layout.  I don't know if the Rock even used K-4s and it really doesn't matter to me, I just want a clean Pacific pulling my passenger consist.

As an after thought, what are the opinions on an IHC Pacific? Do they perform as well as the Bachmanns?

Thanks, Bill

Kevin,

Thanks, you nailed it!  I don't know why I never think of using Wikipedia.  It's a great source for just about everything.

Thanks again,
Bill