Dear Forrest,

The opening song of "The Blues Brothers."

"She caught the KT, left me a mule to ride."

Best Wishes,  Jack

Dear KT,

Much obliged !   On another side, did she leave you "a mule to ride ?"   

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Bill and John,

Do you think the female plug in the engine might be loose ?  Never took a 4-6-0 apart to look at one.  Does anyone know how they are fastened inside the engine ?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Jens,

What is the operating system ?  Could you please provide a website ?  Thank you.

Jack, an experienced canoeist !

Dear Jens,

Very fine video.  Love that smoke !

Perhaps this is off subject, but what kind of beer were you drinking ?

Best Wishes,

Jack
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA

Dear Hub,

Not sure if you are a train nut with previous experience or not.

Would you consider going to a train expo/show in your area?  That way you can see stuff up and running.  Model Railroader magazine (I think) has a list of shows by state.  If you would let us know the region and state where you are, the experts on this panel can better inform you about local train shows.  The Great Train Expo is a lot of fun, and you might meet our own Mr. Bach-man !

Having raised 4 children, I would agree with the Brio or similar wooden push sets.  Lots of fun, and good for little hands.

As you get more experience, you can make up your mind.  Would suggest you find a local train club or two and get a feel for the gauges.  Too, if you get to Strasburg, they have a nice G scale setup they let the kids run.

Local Hobby Shops are a great source of information, too.

Best Wishes,  Jack, Altoona, PA

Dear Mark,

Impressive !  Did you say you are building this for outside application ?  How do you plan to affix the track ?  If in a warm climate, do you anticipate problems with track expansion and contraction ?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Hi, Guys. 

I remember several years ago The Old Crustacean mentioned the plating would wear off the Annies' drivers and improve traction.  Of course he runs  his stuff outside and a lot, I believe.

My point is, an older Annie with no plating should have better traction.  I do not know if this would make a problem with double-heading, especially if it were the slower engine.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Nut,

Very cool !  Love that kind of smoke. Too, did you see the libation that gent was drinking ?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Bill,

Not to highjack this thread, but I have a related question.  I have an Aristo TE that I want to install in the "Indy."  Is the installation similar to the Annie ?  If so, would you please send me the PP presentation ?  Thanks !

jsmvmd at aol period com

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Steve,

This topic has come up frequently in the past.  Many fixes have been posted here.

Too, George Schreyer's tech tips reiterate what has been said here, including BBT's classic fix for the front truck.

http://www.girr.org/girr/

Best Wishes,

Jacl

Dear Don,

Yours is the better suggestion !  I forgot how nice basswood is.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Mr. B !

In the words of Eddie Murphy, "Lookin' good, Lewis !"  "Still such a looker" (MIB II) after all these years.

Best Wishes,

Hazel

Dear Friends,

Has anyone tried using balsa wood for a trestle project ?  It seems to me the structure would be strong enough to handle any reasonable weight if properly engineered.  Too, it would be easier to work with.  Notwithstanding, I do love a good piece of wood.  Never having tried redwood, does it cut nicely ?  Worked construction in south Jersey many moons ago, and the local wood was cured hemlock, full cut.  What a marvelous wood, easy to work with, nails drive like into butter, holds like iron.

Thanks and best wishes,

Jack

Dear Joe,

I would have to add "magnanimous" to Barry's remark.  Are these guys good, or what ?

Best Wishes,

Jack