PhilM

Thanks Mick, that is really useful!

Thanks Steve - that's just what I need. Shame they dont effect the pony truck as it currently looks like it sits at a funny angle. Thanks again.

I bought a 2nd hand L1 and it is missing the 2 assembly bolts that attach the chassis to the body. The front one also appears to be important for the operation of the pony truck. So I need to acquire at least a front one. They look like they are different lengths on the maintenance leaflet with the front one being shorter. Unfortunately, as the loco is out of stock and the bolts have no part number, Hornby can't even tell me what size they are! I assume they are probably fairly standard parts and not unique to this loco. So can anyone tell me what size they are please and/or where I might get some? Thanks.

Check out the amazing number of switching moves required to serve this warehouse. The incredible range of different box cars including a GATX straight out of the box is also encouraging for those of us that cant stop buying. (495) OHCR 4098 shoves boxcars into warehouse & clickety clack to Newark with train formerly known as MVT - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbA18TO9IWo

If I patched one like this people might doubt my modelling skills! NREX 2500 www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=102764

Great ideas - thanks both. The MJRX looks like is is painted to not show the rust!

I have recently bought a Conrail SD35 with the intention of patching it. As far as I can find out no Conrail SD35 ended up as a leaser or on a shortline. I don't mind it being unprototypical (it's my layout etc) but I would like a "might have been". So can anyone advise on a suitable leasing company or possibly a shortline that might have acquired such this loco for a layout nominally located in Illinois/Indiana in the 90s or early 2000s? I know there are plenty of leasing companies it is just a question of which might be more likely to have an SD35. I would prefer a lease to a shortline although I have Illinois Railway and Indiana Hi-Rail locos already. Thanks.

What is the best source of Tangent models in the UK? Or alternatively what is the best supplier to get them shipped from the USA?

Really informative Dave - thanks. Does it mean that you cant switch a single (or small number of) hazmat cars without using a handy "safe" car as a buffer? That adds a bit more interest to switching operations.

Thanks Doc!

I assume that there is a requirement in the US for barrier cars between locomotives and hazardous loads - there often seems to be a ratty covered hoper in front of tank cars. Does anyone know the rules? I cant seem to find anything on google but I might be using the wrong terminology!

Very sorry if I have missed it somewhere but is there a definitive list of the Hornby models and what combination of cab roof, tender, cab cut-outs and brakes they have? And am I reading it right that they only produced 1 version with the original profile roof and that is no longer available? If so surely they will release another at some point, with stove pipe even?

Thanks both for your help. The capacitor (assuming it is one) is completely unmarked. But I think I will take the risk!

Hello I recently bought a bunch of decoder related items off ebay and it included a TCS T1-KA decoder and something described as a capacitor. The latter has no distinguishing marks and is wrapped in yellow green plastic. It looks the right size for a capacitor and it has a blue and a black wire coming from it - the same colours as the decoder. So my question is if I wire it up to the decoder do I risk frying the decoder?

Thanks everyone

I have a couple of whitemetal kit built locos that require new pick-ups and sorting out to get them running smoothly. It is quite beyond me; I have tried and not made a good job of it! Any recommendations or offers?

Wonderful modelling. Is the grain auger scratch built or a kit?

Thanks both. It is certainly a TCS box. I thought I bought a couple of TCS decoders secondhand about a year ago, used one and put the other in a "safe place". Now I cant find it, but did turn up this - trouble is it doesnt look like anything on the TCS website and has no distinguishing marks on in it to give a clue. It is not the same as the one I used at the time which was a DP2x but it has a similar number of electronic gizmos on it. what would happen if I plug it in and try it?

This is going to seem like a really stupid question, but is this a decoder and if so does anyone recognise the make?

Thanks both Nigel - I like the idea!

I have a RTR GP35 that has never run well and eventually gave up he ghost. If I take the motor out and leave the light board in place with a decoder will the lights work on dcc? I suppose I could just take all the innards out and run it in the middle of a consist.....

Recently acquired from BN and awaiting patching, Indiana Hi-Rail #4252 is captured at Perardua Park, Bordough IL

I unfortunately pre-ordered a weathered version and cant stand the weathering particularly on the loco wheels. Has anyone got any tips on how to tone it down a lot using brushes and arylics preferably? Thanks

I have had my eye on Behr scrap in Rockford Illinois. It is not that much bigger (in modelling terms!) than your plan and it has its own locos eg http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/NebraskaZephyr_19Jul2011/Behr502_SeminarySt_RockfordIL_19Jul2011?full=1 http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/centercab,rockford/Timeline