Recent content by Graham Hoffman

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    HOn3 MDC RTR Shays

    This has been an ongoing problem with these engines for many years. The gears crack and as a result become useless. I've replaced them with NWSL gears and have had no malfunctions since. I also wrote a letter of complaint to Horizon, which now owns MDC and Athearn and, of course, received no...
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    MDC Shay Tip Sheet

    Bruce..... I've scanned the "Tip Sheets" (2) and will email to you. If they don't come thru in a readable fashion, let me know and I'll send the original to you. If you follow all the suggestions in Johnston's book, as I did, your Shay will run extremely well. Graham Hoffman
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    How to make real Chains on your handrails

    Details Associates makes a nice pre-blackened 40 links/inch safety chain...item no. SY 2210, available thru Walthers.
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    Badger 250 Airbrush

    The 250 was the first one I owned and I used it for many years for spraying all types of models, wood, metal and plastic. It's not really an airbrush, rather a sprayer. Good for general spraying but not too good for detail work. I have an old model 200 (single action, internal mix) that I...
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    Loco Repair - More Slippage

    NorthWest Short Line makes high quality driveline coupler sets (eg, no. 482-6 for 2 mm dia. shafts) in sizes to fit virtually any shaft size. They are available thru your LHS thru Walthers. Try these if gluing the cups on doesn't work (be especially careful not to let any CA get to the shaft...
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    Caboose leaf springs

    PJB.....Thanks for the info. I'll check into these websites. I agree, Central Valley did have the best trucks available. I have several sets from a couple of decades ago that are in daily use on my layout. One of our club members has a whole drawerful of them still in the original packaging...
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    Caboose leaf springs

    Thanks again Vic. Actually, the ones I have on my caboose are a brass stampings with quite a bit of detail...ribbing, slots, a little tab on each end, and two holes on the top and bottom to fit over the nubs on the side frame. They really look like a spring. I'll keep looking. I'm sure...
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    Caboose leaf springs

    Vic.....Thanks for the good tips. I'll follow up. GH
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    Caboose leaf springs

    Russ.....Thanks for the reply. You're probably right. I have an old (40+ years) Silver Streak caboose that has them, but apparently no one wants to fuss with them any longer. GH
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    Caboose leaf springs

    Can anyone tell me where I can get leaf springs to replace the coil springs in a set of sprung trucks for a caboose. I have searched Walther's catalog with no success. Thanks.....GH
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    mantua 0-4-0 help

    Hi Phillip.....I have a similar Mantua 0-4-0, vintage 1950, that also needsa new set of drivers. I emailed Model Power and this was their reply... Hi; Yes we do . But we are out of stock at this time. When the new locos start to come in stock i'll have the parts too. Try around APRIL...
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    Laying track

    Thanks for the tips, fellas. We'll get at it today and I'll let you know how it turns out.
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    Laying track

    We're ready to lay track on a 7% mountain grade on our club layout. The grade is made of Woodland Scenics foam incline sets overlayed with plaster cloth. We're thinking of either fastening the track with Liquid Nails or just relying on the bonded ballast to hold it down. Any tips or advice on...
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    HOn3 and Old Shinohara Lambert Turnouts

    I have several Lambert/Shinohara HO no. 4 brass turnouts on my layout that I purchased in the late 50's. When I converted to NS track I kept them because they looked good (aside from the brass color) and worked flawlessly. I just purchased a new Shinohara no. 4 today and of course, with...
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    Daily Railroad calendar

    Can anyone furnish me with a website or other address for one of those daily desk calendars with a railroad motif? Thanks.
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