Dear Kyle,

Truly impressive!  What kinds of glue do you like to use for your "mixed bag" of materials? Or do you have a general purpose adhesive?

Also, how do you prepare the squeeze bottle surfaces to accept the paint? Is you paint acrylic or oil based?

Best Wishes, Jack

Dear Sheldon,

Great tips and I will file them for the future!  Too, do you think reaming the tender trucks would make much of a difference?

Dear Paul,

I think I saw in Micro-Mark that they have 1/4 oz lead weights on a sheet with sticky backs for trimming models, airplanes, etc. Too, Rich Cormier suggested to put lead shot into small balloons before placing the weights where you want.  A good tip, don't you think?

Best Wishes,  Jack

Dear Rich,

Thanks for your thoughts. I called Micro-Mark yestiddy, 5/08/07 and was informed the sale of the USRA 2-6-6-2 goes to 6/12 (I think). So if anybody wants one, there it is.

Best Wishes, Jack

dear Steve,

Nice pix. Could you tell me which camera you used, lens info, f stop, aperture, settings, etc?

To everyone, is that a 250 ton crane? If so, there is one in Altoona at the Railroaders Museum, on display. My friend Ted and I are due to take some pictures soon. We will post any good'uns.

Best Wishes, Jack

Dear Mark,

Thank you, and sorry for my "dumbestness."

Best Wishes,  Jack

It's OK to vent. Glad you got it off your chest.

Best Wishes, Jack

Sheldon,

Howse about a new song title: "A Pickup and a Hick Up on the Hill"

Best, Jack

Dear Friends,

Can anyone tell me where the "flaw" is?

Best, Jack

My two cents, not related to MAP.

Paul at Lin's Jxn has been very helpful with me on the telly when I had newbie questions. He offered at any time to answer all questions, even for me who lives far away. Seems like a very nice man. So, he will have my business.

Not being in retail, I do not understand MAP. However, I do know customer service, and therefore have filed your comments re: BLI.

Best. Jack

Dear Gus,

Ditto for me. Would like to deal with you directly, if possible.

Best, Jack

Rich,

Not to hijack this thread, but how do you like your Mantua?  Especially compared to the Bachmann?  Micro-Mark has one of those babies for sale, too, although it is a 2-6-6-2T.  Both can negotiate 18" radius curves.

Too, that birdshot in a balloon is a neat trick!

Why could you not cast a TBSP of lead, or similar size, then trim it to fit a sand dome, etc? Sheldon mentioned moldable lead. I presume this is similar to Al foil, and "scrunchable?"

Best, Jack

Dear Friends,

Thanks for the heads up to Micro Mark!  When was this beastie made by Bachmann?  It is not listed in the current catalog.

What decoder would you install or recommend for basic ops, not sound?  I am not interested in sound in this lass.

Thank  you kindly.

Best, Jack

Hey, Shel!

Perhaps you should charge us for this stuff!! See what you started?!!!

Best, Jack

Dear Rich,

Thanks.  Could you ask him to contact me off line so I could get one of  his track cleaners?  Much appreciated!

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Guys,

Certain language is not to be used in public forums. I think you know what I mean. Would you please limit comments to railroading items?

Best Wishes,

Jack