JAMO

I'm surprised about the SW1500. It's available from the Steam station to download for TS2017. It's maybe a fresh news... Yes, TSW uses always CSX locomotives. I don't know why. CSX is maybe the sponsor??? That's strange. TSW looks very nice with a lot of details.

Soo good F, GP, CF and SD. Soo nice! Thanks Jordan! @Northroader: nice atmosphere!

Virtual trains counts! I like to use Trainz and to build/modify routes and operate shortlines with Alcos.

Before to spike the turnouts, I've soldered the wires.

Ya-Ya is easier to tell than A1A-A1A

I've found a closer view of my N scale NW-2. I share it. And a photo of my GP-7: a re-routed ATSF TOFC train through the SJV railway.

very nice views Ray!

Thank you Jack! I like to draw track plan too. I think the track plan is the most important thing when designing a layout. A good design is the key for a good operation. In France I see a lot of people who don't think enough to operation when they conceive a layout. I've learn a lot in the English exhibitions.

Jack, I like your first track plan with the spur in the right foreground. It's very interesting for switching cars easily.

Your green with yellow stripes and a red plate looks like a SNCF engine. A WDT chassis with a styrene body: good idea! I stay tuned!

It's a lot of work to reduce the length of the head. I've modified 3 packs at this time. Now, I take the time. No problem if the result/the end is far. The pleasure is to model. I guess what you say

Yes, they are. They have square shape. It's easier to catch the rail. They don't turn on themselves. And they are very strong: they stay straight. I like them.

In HO scale I have numerous GP and F units from Kato, Atlas/Kato and Stewart Hobbies. In O scale I have a GP9, a SW9 and several F units (to upgrade). I like this GP10 chose nose (Paducah shop). I've heard Intermountain will release it soon.

I've open it (like for the Alcos) to share our photos, not for any else idea. It can be a good subject for discussions. I've learnt thanks to these threads. Thank you for sharing with us.

The spikes' heads are too long so I shorten them. ...

A little N scale NW-2 painted for the SJV

All is said. After the Alco thread, I permit me to open a thread about EMD models we have and we can show and share.

Many thanks to anybody. Next... I've installed the turnout on the ties. ...

Yes you're right, in O scale is easier to make turnouts than in HO and in N/OO9 scales. But it's longer...

The rails soldered on the PCB ties, I've made the baseboard in plywood. I use a Fasttrack template I've taped to the plywood. And I've cut the shape of the wooden ties. It's easy now to glue the ties.

Carbon-black-side Carbon-dark-black-side

We know exactly the same problem in France: 7 mm scale French models are very expensive and some of them don't run very well. I think we can use the "dark side" terms. "Dark side" can be said too when a French modeller don't model French trains: he is on the dark side...

Yes the Fasttracks templates are excellent. I don't have bought the metal templates: too expensive and no necessary. The paper templates are enough good for me. My frogs are hand made using the code 124 Peco rail. I use a small belt sander to file the rail. It's very useful and easy to do. I solder the rails together to obtain a stronger frog.

The track and the turnouts Once the woodwork was done, I started to make my track. Firstly, I made my ties using a thin board of bass wood. My band saw was a great helper to do that job. I downloaded and printed the turnout templates from Fast Track. They are very useful! To build the turnouts, I used "second hand" rails from my stock (Peco flextrack code 124BH) and PCB ties I've made. I know the Peco code 124 rail isn't a flat bottom rail but I have a lot of them in stock. So I decided to use that. No more fees. ...

The big pipe for air circulation was a problem so I decided to hide it. I don't need any access. In the foreground, you can see the old HO fiddle yard. ...