Common name: Thyme-leaf fuchsia, Encliandra fuchsia Latin name: Fuchsia thymifolia Plant size: 2-4′ high x 2′ wide Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 Cultural needs: Rich, moist, drained soil; sun or light shade Planting Fuchsia thymifolia in your garden railway will surely attract hummingbirds, which love the profusion of magenta tubular flowers from spring […]
Marc Horovitz A Century + Ten of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Freight Cars, 1871 to 19812nd edition, revised and enlargedby Robert E. SloanPublished by BHI PublicationsPO Box 247Cottleville OH 63338Spiral bound, hundreds of b&w photos, 360 pagesPrice: $49.99Web site: www.bhipubs.com In 2000, Bob Sloan published a ground-breaking work on the freight equipment of American’s best known, […]
Kevin Strong 1:20.3 scale, gauge-1 D&RGW Spreader OVAccucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $1,000Web site: www.accucraft.com All-metal model of a D&RGW ballast spreader; working knuckle couplers; appropriate moving parts; two versions available. Dimensions: Length, 17″ over end beams; width, 6″ (wings folded) or 10¼” (wings extended); height, 7¾”. In 1:20.3 scale, this works out […]
Manual left and right gauge-1 switchesPiko, GermanyDistributed in the US by Silvergate Distributors 9755 Birch Canyon PlaceSan Diego CA 92126Price: $59.99 ea.Web site: pwww.silvergatedistributors.com Manual gauge-1 switches; R1 and L1; 30 degrees; plastic ties; brass rails Pros: High-quality materials; solid construction; compatibilityCons: None Piko’s line of G-scale track for outdoor or indoor use is relatively […]
I’M VERY PLEASED TO NOTE that if I was mildly disappointed in Lionel’s scale-detailed GP7 (see November 2008 reviews), the firm’s O gauge rendering of a pinnacle of modern locomotion, the EMD SD70ACe, has more than made up for it in the Department of Wow. The prototype has plenty of detail points to model, and […]
Q Can you please explain the visual and mechanical differences among EMD’s SW-1500, MP15DC, and MP15AC switchers?– Andrew J. Jones, Wigan, England A Electro-Motive’s SW1500, MP15, and MP15AC were all 1,500-hp switchers, but the later MP series were significant upgrades to the older SW models. The SW1500, built 1966-1974, used a non-turbocharged 12-cylinder 645E engine. […]
Q I saw an unclear photo of a Pennsylvania steam locomotive identified as an S2, with the number 6200. Two things caught my eye: the 6-8-6 wheel arrangement, and the absence of any visible cylinders or driving rods. What can you tell me about it?– J.H. Lehman, Dayton, Ohio A The 6200 was a one-of-a-kind […]
Q I saw a big tank car (DUPX 29744) at Wilson, N.C. It was quite long, with four trucks. What products do these cars carry? How many are there, how heavy are they, and why so big? – D. Wescott, Wilson, N.C. A It is a 43,800-gallon, 526,000-pound (gross weight) car owned by DuPont, in […]
Q On many Union Pacific refrigerated boxcars, the reporting mark “ARMN” appears below the UP shield. What railroad is that?– Kevin Margan, Madison, Wis. A Normally any reporting mark not ending is “X” indeed stands for a railroad company (“X” signifying privately owned cars), and UP, like several Class Is, still uses initials of railroads […]
Q On the front of a typical diesel locomotive are six “hoses.” Please define their purpose. Further, above the coupler is what appears to be a shorting hose. What is that? – Howard Beard, New Port Richey, Fla. A What you’re seeing is two sets of three hoses that are part of a train’s air-brake […]
Instead of using spikes or contact cement, Model Railroader contributor Chuck Hitchcock shows you how to use DAP adhesive caulk and topper tape (a material used to insulate pickup truck caps) to lay track. Quick and easy Flextrack […]
Dennis H. Murphy Boy, what a difference a day can make. Let me back up a bit and fill you in on a big change in my life. Well, at least my “hobby life”. I model N-Scale, and really enjoy the building of models for my layout. I use an airbrush to paint most everything, […]
