Recent content by XavierJ123

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    How bout a blue sky background???

    Okay, without getting too technical about the way the earth's blue sky has various shades of blue----which color blue did you choose for a background on your model railroad? Which brand & store? hamr
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    starting over

    I think for great inspiration get a copy of "Model Railroading with John Allen".
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    Nail hole making tool for scratch building

    Found an old 1988 Model Railroad Craftsman magazine that talks about a tool that produces nail holes perfectly for scratch building structures. It was a clever little device marketed by Wayne Hume of Vintage Reproductions and looked like a cross between a leather working tool and miniature...
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    Need help on Lighting & power for structures

    Does Radio Shack sell you those wheat bulbs?
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    Need help on Lighting & power for structures

    Roger: So what kind of wire and lights do you use from this #2 feed to light your structures. And have you experimented with different color light bulbs? What do you prefer?
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    Need help on Lighting & power for structures

    Roger: So what kind of wire and lights do you use to light your structures from this #2 feed? And have you experimented with different colors? What do you prefer?
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    Need help on Lighting & power for structures

    I read what threads I could find on this subject, but most of it deals with technical data such as amps, volts, etc. Call me "Simple Simon" or whatever but please just tell me how ya'll are lighting and powering your structures. I noticed on the back of my Tech MRC 280 Train Controller that...
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    Animated Peanut Butter Lid Diorama

    My first thought was "Holy S-----"! You are absolutely amazing. Not to forget to mention talented and a true genius. Maybe you could point me in the right direction for a SIMPLE motor to actuate a pump jack for my HO railroad. A working pump jack has been in the back of my mind for a long time...
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    a sad day

    I don't mean to change the subject but what is the difference between a "rail car" and a "heavy load car"? Seems like there is always something to learn about trains.
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    Gluing wood freight cars together what glue??

    A Warning about Gorilla Glue----> IT FOAMS & EXPANDS. Gorilla Glue instructions call for wetting the project with water and then gluing "with clamps." If you don't clamp, the glue with foam and expand and move your wood pieces that you are trying to glue together. When it dries, your wood with...
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    New Layout Progress

    Looks great and I'm sure it's always a feeling of great accomplishment. Now get ready for the fun part; painting the scenery. I use water base acrylic paints from Walmart or Michaels. and dilute with water. Get some cheap brushes from the Dollar store and have at it. Start with the light colors...
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    New rocks

    Great job! Looks great. I am always looking for new ways to mold/make mountains and rock retaining walls. I have used homemade latex molds of real rock but am looking for a more---------------hmmmmmm-----rugged effect. When I look at John Allen's mountains I feel like a whimp. LOL He used...
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    Acrylic paint for ties OK ?

    Hmmmm, I airbrush acrylic paints on plastic model airplanes with no trouble. Per the instuctions, I do wash the plastic first in mild dish washing detergent, rinse and dry. Not doing so will allow a film on the plastic left over from the manufacturing to inhibit.
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    Young children... what age to start...?

    Well, here's my story. As a kid, I had a ping pong table layout in my bedroom. It was a cheap standard gauge set. I was probably 8 or 10 years old and ran a strand of Christmas tree lights in the little cardboard houses on the train table. I liked to turn the lights out in the room and seen all...
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    layout progress & engine pics

    After seeing your first pic on this thread I noticed your yard backs up against a wall and I thought that would be a great opportunity to place a mirror there to double the size. It's an old John Allen trick that I love. You can see how's it done in the book, "Model Railroading with John Allen".
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