Thanks for the information.  I see the new Walthers offering.  Six months out and $170.  Hmmm, I will have to ponder than one a bit.

I'm looking for DM&IR, HO scale Ore Cars, the smaller (26 foot?) version, with the traditional maroon and yellow coloring.  Walthers makes some and I've seen some Roundhouse as well.

I've been scouring the internet, which I know is usually the best way to find things, but I thought I would throw up a flare on this forum as well.

New or used, RTR or kits, I don't really care.  What I am most interested in is finding out what my options are and then making a decision on where to spend my money.  Like I said, I am aware of the current Walthers offereing and have seen a Roundhouse version.  But those are the only two.

Anyone got a bead on these things or interested in selling ones you own?

Parker

Just wanted to say that I finally attempted and finished my first 'Talgo Upgrade' project on an old car I bought on ebay a while ago for my son.  I didn't do it exactly the way that Bob laid out in his excellent post on the subject, I elected to purchase new trucks rather than fool around with the modified talgo (which ended up being a good plan since I broke one talgo while removing it from the car), but the idea was essentially the same.

The trucks are much better (they roll so much smoother than the old ones) and the new Kadee couplers are now compatible with the locomotives we own.  It wasn't as hard as I was expecting it to be, but Bob's instruction was critical to motivating me to even try it.  Thanks, Bob!

One down, eleven more to go!

Good lord.  It's all set now.  I think.

Yampa, my email is in my profile.  It should be available to you if you are signed in as a member of the discussion board.  If it isn't, let me know.

Parker

Well, if you ever change your mind and do write one, you can sign me up for a copy.  If you want to include a dvd with it too, that would be awesome.   

It's interesting that this entire topic came up as I was going to ask if there was a beginner level book that is considered sort of the 'gold standard' of introductions to the hobby.  I'm getting the feeling that such an animal may not exist, or at least that there are many options to choose from.  I'm interested in more of a 'how to' book regarding construction, track laying and wiring rather than a history of railroads or detailed analysis of different eras of locomotives.

Any suggestions?

Just a couple of comments in mild defense of myself, not that I view the above as any sort of attack that requires response, but just for clarity.

I read your entire instructional post on Talgo Upgrades, thought it was terrific, have bookmarked it and will be referring to it once I get my supplies together and get to work.

My response in that thread, which I believe is the one you are referring to, does not suggest that a video would be better.  I was inquiring about the availability of video instruction on a variety of other topics and then wrote that a video would be an incredible 'compliment' to your written work.  I still feel that way.

I have a 4 year old boy at home and an 11 month old girl.  My wife and I both work.  My time to pursue my own interests is pretty much limited to between the hours of 9:30 and 11:00 at night, and my funds are such that I would like them to be spent efficiently.  If I break something, or suddenly realize that I need another supply that I hadn't thought of before, it might be another week before I am able to get back to the hobby store to pick up the item.

I don't want someone else to either think or do for me, but I do want to be able to benefit from others experience and knowledge, and I want to take advantage of all the resources available to me.  This website, and people like you, have provided a wealth of information, advice and inspiration, which I am deeply grateful for.

Parker

Okay, she arrived yesterday and I took her for a quick spin last night.

First of all, I should acknowledge that my disbelief in the low pulling power of the loco that was being reported here truly was born out of ignorance.  This is the first steam loco I have purchased and just the third loco overall.  I have the one that came with a basic set and an RSD-15 diesel.  That was my point of reference.  So when I opened the box, I was a bit surprised at how small the loco is, and immediately thought, 'Ahhh, that's why some are reporting that it will only pull 3 or 4 passenger cars'.  So my apologize for questioning anyone here on what they were saying.  It all makes more sense now.

She looks great.  I had some trouble getting her started (attaching the tender and such) but things went pretty well after a little work.  I hooked up 6 40' reefers to her after running her solo for a while and she pulled them just fine.  They are pretty free rolling cars.  At least I think they are, I don't have too much to compare them to.

Bottom line is that after 3 hours with her, I am so far happy with the purchase.

I have some questions about storage and handling and what is normal operation and such, but I will start another thread with those at a later date.

Parker

You may certainly quote me, though my entire experience with your work is through the pictures you've posted, I haven't been lucky enough to buy one yet.

Additional question:  Some of the pictures you've posted show these structures as part of a larger whole.  Is that your personal layout or a part of a larger communal one?  Also, are you just clearing out some room for new things?  Selling off all your inventory?  Building and selling right away?  Or a combination?  It's none of my business, but I am just wondering.

Yampa, it's 100% true.  Well, I don't know about $60, but $75-$100 is about right.  The ebay store 'thefavoritespot' is selling them (all styles) in two ways, a 'Buy it now' option, which is $110 plus $12 shipping.  Just that price is the lowest I could find them at.  But they also are selling them auction style.  Those are going for above mentioned $75 to $100 dollars (including the $12 shipping).

I purchased one a few days ago that cost me, with shipping, $81.99.  The Russian ones seem to be going for the most.

I will get mine today or tomorrow and can't wait to get her set up and running.  If you are interested in purchasing one, I can't think of a better way to do it.

It's a Branchline model.  Part of their Blueprint Series.  They did a line of 1920's era Billboard Union Refrigerator Transit Reefers.  I bought a few of the RTR cars, but they have a much larger selection in kit form.

http://www.branchline-trains.com/blueprint/reefers/urtx_reefers.htm

I have to say, in the example shown I sort of like the effect.  It seems like a good application of the technology.

But I can certainly see where your concern comes from and I share it.  It's a little like digital music files, which allow for easier storage, sharing and protection of quality but lack a certain warmth and texture.

Yikes, you are 100% correct, Gene.  I noticed it the night after I put it on but sort of forgot about that part.  The ladder on the opposite side is correct, for what it's worth.

The top (unseen) is where the bulk of the glue issue are.  You can't see them from 4 feet away, but they are there.

Oh, and to clear things up from earlier; I did not glue the car the to base.  It could be removed, I'm just nervous to do it because I don't want to destroy it 2 days after finishing it.  In a couple of weeks I'll get back in there and get the 'floating nut' issue fixed.

I hear ya, brother.  Just do what I am doing, buy all the equipment and wait until you get a bigger house.  LOL.

But seriously, there is always the temporary carpet layout option, depending on your circumstance.  Every couple of weeks at my house the 4 year old and I bust out the ez-track, set up a route that goes across the room, under chairs and round the ironing board, run our two (soon to be three) loco's and then close up shop 3 or 4 days later.

A permanent layout is literally 2 to 3 years away.

Here is the picture, maybe.

http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn144/beatthe9ers/?action=view&current=IMG_0991.jpg