Recent content by Mike Hamer

  1. M

    Confused over track plans...

    What is so good about a forum is it offers you the opportunity to share your ideas and seek advice. I was fortunate when I got into the hobby (before the time of Internet forum groups) to have met some very experienced modellers and to be given the opportunity to operate on their layouts. It was...
  2. M

    Your good thoughts....

    Hello Harpo, I'll make sure the students in my class offer a special prayer for you. You are in my thoughts.
  3. M

    Success!!!!

    TJ It never sounds lame. You should feel proud! I was older than you when I got into the hobby and, like you, I vividly recall the joy of watching that train run around an oval of tracks on my dining room table...almost in disbelief that it would actually run! Congratulations! :D :D
  4. M

    Confused over track plans...

    Surround Staging as a possible plan WCFB I've just come across your thread and it seems to me that what you want to create is a model railroad that operates and feels like the one I have already completed...so perhaps my ideas could be of some help if you wish to consider a "unique" option...
  5. M

    Happpppy B'day MasonJar

    Hey Andrew, Belated birthday wishes! Hey, I thought I taught you better than that! Imagine...going on a train without takin' the camera! Hmmm...it'll have to be remedial railfanning lessons for you! Happy Birthday...hope to see you Friday Night! :D :D :D
  6. M

    model train magazines

    Russ provided an excellent reply to your question and Andrew's advice should be well taken as well. I've found volumes of entire years in the "used" section at the hobby shop. One thing is for certain, the year doesn't matter if you want to see some great layouts and get ideas...so back issues...
  7. M

    Dont you hate being ignored?

    Perhaps the most enjoyment I get while visiting the hobby shops in my area is the discussions I have, not necessarily with the hobby shop owner, rather with the other customers in the store at the time. Saturday mornings seem to be a great time to visit the LHS as you will surely meet a...
  8. M

    Freight Cars Question

    TJ...The delron (plastic) wheels do pick up minute particles of dust and dirt and over time it accumulates and is readily visible. The wheels then deposit the "gunk" all along your track. Sure, you can clean the track with a multitude of products, but gunk deposited in hidden areas can be a...
  9. M

    Blastin' out of the tunnel!

    Hey Miles...it's not the people in the buildings who should be covering their ears. It's all those commuters awaiting a later passenger train, #11 "The East Wind" who should take care! In fact, there is a slow order restriction for all trains passing through the tunnel, so this Maine Central...
  10. M

    mountain walls

    Hi Miles. Yes, that was my layout on the cover and lead article. It was a big thrill, for sure! I was also in the Model Railroad Planning 2001 issue where I discussed my surround staging concept. I've decided to throw in this picture to show a more distant shot of the rock cut for our...
  11. M

    Blastin' out of the tunnel!

    While I wouldn't call this "Blastin' out of the Tunnel" ...these two Maine Central geeps have just exited the tunnel and arrived North Dover NH on my layout. The crew will pass the station tracks and exchange traffic with the B&M on one of the sidings in town. This scene is reminiscent of a...
  12. M

    mountain walls

    Thanks fellas for the compliments on the scene. As for the paint...real simple! After the plaster dried I applied a wash of watered-down black with a few touches of brown. This "brought out" the details I had shaped and carved. The talus at the foot of the cut, if I recall, was left over plaster...
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    NMRA Membership

    HI fellas, I know when I joined the NMRA this past year it seemed to take forever for my membership to come through and I, too, was quite perturbed. I was talking with a buddy about this and he reminded me that the NMRA is mainly a volunteer organization...so I didn't get too bent out of...
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    Beyer-Garratt

    A friend of mine here in Ottawa has recently finished a "Backwoods Miniature Kit" of a Garratt. Check the link to our NMRA Newsletter where you'll find his completed model. http://http-server.carleton.ca/~sconley/SLD_mailcar/november_2005.pdf
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    Freight car eras - perplexed newbie!

    Mike, the fellas have provided lots of good resources for you. I recall older issues of Model Railroading magazine (not Model Railroader) where they used to run a series of articles each issue called "Freight cars of the..." fifties, sixties, seventies and so on. While you are getting back...
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