Parthia27

I've been totally blown away by really slick US customer service this afternoon. I decided to complete my set of Windy City Rails DVDs by ordering Volumes 6 and 7 direct from CV Productions in the US. I placed my order at about 3.00pm, by 3.15pm I had recieved a 'real' email from the owner thanking me for my custom, also saying that he was on his way to the USPS to post my DVDs, by 4.00pm I had another email saying that my DVDs were on the way. Awsome! Not only was I impressed with the customer service, but also with the shipping cost - just $6, when I add up the total cost of the whole order I'm only paying £5-6 more than if I bought similar DVDs from SPV or Videoscene (though SPV do have a special offer on for Windy City Rails V1 -4 atm). Cheers ChrisM

Just had another excellent experience of customer service from Highball Graphics. Elapsed time from order to delivery in the uk was 6 days. I've also been pretty impressed when ordering from the US from Microscale, Micro Mark, M.B Klein, and Dallas Modelworks. In the UK I have to say that the service offered by Model Junction and DCC Supplies is superb. I have also been extremely impressed by P&H Models (Kadee Couplers, Kadee Wheels, Plastruct, and Detail Associates wire!), though it would be good if they got a website . Cheers Chris M

Thanks Jack, I'll have a look now. Cheers Chris

Jack - many thanks, will have a look now. Chris

Hi Colin, I've also got that article, you're right on about the idea of using the building as a way of getting boxcars on and off scene. In O scale it would be magnificent. So far I've got pictures of CN, DWP, CV, CP and ONR Newsprint Cars going in and out of the plant, CN and ONR cars seem the most common. The Proto 1000 50' Newsprint Car is the best option I've found to represent this traffic atm, I've got CN, CP and DWP examples. I'm also using Intermountain FMC 50' Cars in CN and ONR livery though I don't think they are prototypical for this traffic. I saw a pair of CV and BCR examples for sale recently on Ebay but they were priced way too high! On Ebay right now there are some HO DWP and PGE versions. PGE is way too early and I have both the DWP examples. I'm trying not to do too much in the way of resprays etc as the whole point of doing this layout is for it to be an alternative to the constant fettling with track and rolling stock in P4. I want to build a layout to a decent standard and enjoy it without getting too much into finescale . One question that has been nagging me is regarding the tank cars used by Bloomer Chocolate for the inbound shipping of what I believe is vegetable oil. Do you (or anyone else on RMWEB) have any details on the actual type and owner of the type cars used? Any help would be greatfully received. Cheers Chris

I find it really funny that everyone is suddenly doing Chicago based switching layouts. I'm currently buiding a 9' HO pike along a bedroom wall using a version of Lance Mindheim's 'Skills Builder' plan but with adapted versions of industries based on the Chicago Tribune Freedom plant and Bloomer's Chocolate. I've been fascinated with UP operations on the ex CNW River West line since 2005 / 2006. UP GP15-1s pulling rakes of tagged CN / ONR 50' Newsprint Cars and the opportinity to run tanks and hoppers too was too tempting. It makes a nice change from the BR Blue 4mm P4 stuff I have been on with of late. Cheers Chris M

Funny that I noticed this post yesterday, I was in the Brunswick in Derby on Thursday night talking with Bryn and the othe DEFine boys about 2FS and marvelling at some of the wonderful stock from Colwyn Bay Goods he had bought along to show us.I must admit that I am in awe of how folks build in this scale. If I was starting again I would be so tempted to have a go, alas I am fully comitted to P4 so this is probably one for the next life. TTFN Chris

If it is available in the USA it may be worth trying Lifecolour Acrylics as an alternative to Railmatch. They can be sprayed when thinned with distilled water and there are a number of railway colours available. You might also try something like Iwata Media Airbrush Cleaner if you are able to get hold of it. My wife has used it to thin artists acrylics for spraying with some sucess so it may work. HTH Chris M

For MW Sockets use Shawplan DP47-02 "Multi unit Fittings for Freightliner Class 47's". You get 5 in a pack and they can be easily fettled so that they are mounted as per the prototype (be aware that on some classes the socket is mounted at 45 degrees to the bufferbeam, on others the socket is 90 degrees to the bufferbeam). HTH Chris M

Hi Matt, Good to see someone tackling a Lima 33. There are some really good tips that I have picked up by either talking to or studying the work of other diesel modellers. Dave Furmage, James Wells and Pete Johnson and others have proved to be been great influences on the methods I use to detail my Diesel Locos and take all the credit for the tips below. Markits do an extremely nice blackened turned brass unsprung Oleo loco buffer, I've upgraded my Heljan 26's, 27s and Bachmann 20s and they are a major improvement on the ones originally fitted. Check out the Markits online catalogue, you need to look for part MBUFOLEO on page 18. They also do a sprung version of this buffer which I am yet to try out. Also, if you are looking for other bits such as pipes and jumpers to upgrade your Lima 33, check out the Heljan spares stocked by Howes. They have various sprues available for no more than a few quid each and again are an alternative to making your own. Hornby Buffer Beam detailing packs are also excellent if you can get hold of them. James is right about using 10 thou rod for window surrounds, it's not too difficult to do if you take your time, and you can make a really big difference to your models if you Flush Glaze them using Evergreen 15 thou plastic sheet cut and filed to size. I buy all my plastic sheet and rod from Hobby Holidays. Finish all of the aforementioned with Wire Handrails (I use Alan Gibson .45mm Brass Wire sourced via Mainly Trains), Etched Lamp Irons (bent into shape using Mainly Trains 75 thou Brass Boiler Banding), Etched Wipers (Shawplan) and where relevant other etched details from the Extreme Etchings range produced by Shawplan. I have no interest in any of these suppliers except for being a very happy customer, though I will confess to being friends with Brian Hanson of Shawplan who is also a member of the DEfine Group to which I belong. I hope the above is of help. Cheers Chris Messer