Model Forum / General / Railroads / December 2003

I just bought my first non-toy loco, an Atlas Dash 8-40BW. It comes
with a built-in DCC decoder. My first question is how do I pop the top
on this loco so that I can get access to the decoder? It has some
delicate detailing so I don't want to break anything trying to get it

Can anyone point me to a Web site where I can find track plans, photos,
etc... of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie.  I am interested in modelling the
P&LE deisel era.  I know that the main HQ of the P&LE is in Station
Square, Pittsburgh, PA.  I would like to model this area.  But I ...

Has anyone have Graham Farish class 37's Coal, Petrolium, Metal sectors for
sale in good quality.
Thanks Paul

can any one tell me of the dates for the model engineering exhibition at the
end of this year in london its been many a year since i have been.
Ian Gearing

Hey Modeler's
Do you have some old box cars you don't use?
Do you have some rail yards that could use some yard buildings?
Check out the Polo page.  You might be able to do something

First I have a few questions regarding the Athearn SD-50.  In the add, it
says that the grabs are metal.  Does this mean that there are not any
molded-on detail parts?  Also, should I expect an undec from them?
Also, I have a few of the RPP SD-60 shells.  How difficult will it be, ...

I had my first exposure to the new Broadway E-7 last Thursday night.  The
one I was exposed to was the CB&Q version.
I am glad that I didn't buy one.  The front end looks "funny".  There seems
to be too much angle and slant to the windscreen, but that is not the part

BLI has pre-production shots of the SP cab forward on their web sites. Looks
a fine loco for all SP steam fans. I like the touch of the exhaust splitter
over the double chimney. (At least that's what it looks like to me -
cognoscenti may correct me, if they wish)

 Saw a couple of them today;   ...ran fine, LOUD sound system
(is there a volume control in analog mode?). I thought the cast-on
piping on the boiler looked rather unconvincing. I will probably get
one but it is going to need some help in the detail dept. The

Found this and was wondering if it was a good deal?
http://idealdiscounts.net/lionel_ballyhoo_bros_circus_train_o_27_scale_ready_to_
run_electric_train_set.html
Reatils for $299  they have a 10% off coupon
Need to order a train set before CHristmas anyone have a better deal?

If anyone knows about this model, tell me if this is feasible:
It is basically an interurban car body as a diner and the body is about
3/4" wide by about 4" long. I assume one side along the back of the
diner does not exist and is part of an other structure. I was thinking

I have read posts saying pirating is not stealing. I have been a
victim of pirating. I purchased at $10,000 a business with rights to
original models and the "Ultimate N Scale" logo. Now I find that
Father Nature is selling the same products under that logo. My sells

I have a problem with my coaling tower that requires some welding, can
someone point me to a suitable circuit to flash a couple of blue LED's
please.
TIA

 I have a 'high boiler' version of the above Spectrum engine, and I
assume the Soundtraxx DSD-150 and a speaker will be needed to  put a
sound decoder in this guy.  It appears that there is no special decoder
like with the 2-8-0 and 2-10-0.  I looked at the 2-8-0 decoder, but the

Just got myself a DCC system (EasyDCC wireless)& am getting ready to wire up
a loco to test it with. If I were to convert the Austrains 80 to DCC do I
need to do anything special as far the the lighting is concerned. I've got
an NCE D13SRJ decoder & would like (I think) to have ...