Craig,

Doggoneit, he has a Heljin roundhouse.  That is very interesting about the Walthers.  Usually their Cornerstone products are very good.  I would like to know the same thing you asked about.  Whether you may have gotten a unique bad kit or whether this problem is pervasive in the kit.

If this thread starts to move to the distant pages, bump it back every now and then.

Sorry I couldn't help you.

Bill

PS:  You know as an after thought why don't you call Walthers and see if they will accept a return.  I ordered a turntable from them several years ago and it was way beyond my modeling abilities.  I returned it and got a credit with no problem at all.  They were very nice about it.

Thanks guys....I got what I needed.

I would like to ask any Bachmann European forum members a question about rail travel in the UK and Europe.

My wife and I are thinking of taking a trip to Europe either late this year or next year.  I would love to go through the chunnel from England to France, but on the websites I have looked at there is no mention of that route.  The sites describe the Europass and the countries you can visit and the Britrail pass mentions only travel in the UK.

Does anyone know how one goes about purchasing a ticket for chunnel travel and can you direct me to a website?

Thanks, Bill

Craig,

I have a friend who has the Walthers 3 stall version.  I'll get hold of him and see if he had the same or similar problems.  I'll let you know.

A neat effect I did a while back was to use N scale cork roadbed. After seperating the strip, I ran the strips in the direction I wanted and glued them down.  This left a gap about a quarter of an inch wide between the two sections.  I filled the gap with dirt right out of my back yard and smoothed it out.  I then came back with white glue to secure the dirt, added my track and then sprinkled on the ballast.  What this gives you is a roadbed with a very low profile and the edge of the cork extends only a slight distance from the edges of the ties not like the HO scale cork that seems to wide for branchline use. I used this section as an old spur and when finished out with ground cover and sifted dirt, looks like an old abandoned line.  Give it a try...you'll be surprised.

Dennis,

If you get a chance pick up last month's issue of Model Railroader at a hobby shop near you.  There are many articles in past issues about ballast and scenery you would enjoy reading.  Basically you need to mix some white glue, water and a drop of liquid detergent in a spray bottle.  Place your ballast on your track in between the rails and on the shoulders while dry.....smooth it out with your finger or a soft brush and lightly spray the mixture on your track. Wipe off the mixture from the top of your rails. LET IT DRY!  If you find some bare spots then go back and repeat the procedure again.  Be sure and clean the tops of your rails after you spray the mixture on and also clean out the track webbing on the inside of your track.  This will prevent derailments. If you have any switches (turnouts) make sure none of the ballast has imbedded itself into the points.

There are a couple on e-bay, but they are not undecorated.  Bid on them and if you get them...paint 'em.

Jack, one thing you might want to do is clean the wheels on your cars.  Quite often grime can get on your axle and wheel treads and this always causes greater drag and a resulting lower pulling ability.  Also if you buy some metal wheels and replace the plastic ones...this will help quite a bit.

It represents cinders.  Apply a very thin coat of diluted white glue and sprinkle it on.  Put it anywhere you think it would look good on your locomotive and tender.  Also try a little on top of your cars and in your engine yards if you have any.  It's just a little added detail that Bachmann provides.

Jim,

Thanks again for your great advice and the pictures.  No, you weren't late if offering your suggestion.  I plan to start construction this summer and I'm trying to accumulate as much information and pictures as I can before I get to the hammer and nails phase.

Thanks also for your Saskatoon link.  As a matter of fact, I have it saved as one of my "favorites".

Bill

As brought out on another thread....stay away from break fluid.

FEMA has been using Lidar for the past 4 or 5 years to develop new floodplain maps. Their plan is to re-map almost the entire United States.  It's a great new technology that has many, many benefits not only for railroads, but insurance and flood mitigation too.

Harold,

Great work as usual.  Are you sure you don't work for Woodland Scenics?

Jim,

Great picture!  Is that a DCC controler you have in your hand?  What brand do you use?

Bill

CMGN...thanks for that reply.  I was considering using sheetrock on my new layout.