Author Archives: timf

Building the 120 Ton Wrecking Crane – Part 1

I have a Walthers 20 Ton crane model that I had never built. I finally decided to paint and assemble it, and this is how it turned out. It looks okay I guess, but a bit simple and toy-like. Then … Continue reading

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Useful Links

I decided I’d make a page listing the web sites and on-line stores that I use for research and for purchasing model railroad material and supplies. First off though: If you can buy what you need at a local hobby … Continue reading

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A Few More Freight Cars

As I baby sit the laser cutter (can’t really leave it run alone, there’s a good risk of fire,) I’ve been building more freight cars. Mostly I buy cars that I think look interesting. Cars that catch my eye with … Continue reading

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Hawley Brothers Machine Shop

A while ago I was gifted a couple of large boxes of model railroad stuff by a friend. It had belonged to her husband and he was no longer interested in it. Most of the stuff inside was junk, but … Continue reading

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Adding More Ground Cover

I seem to have gotten over the hump and I am starting to work on the layout again. I decided where Western Crate was going to be located so I put down some ground cover there.

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Build Update

Well, I haven’t made a build update for a long time. And there is a reason for that. My hand built turnouts are giving me troubles and I got disgusted and stopped working on the layout. If you read my … Continue reading

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A Couple of Seaboard RR Box Cars

I picked up a couple of Seaboard kits the other day and just finished assembling them. They are not super-detailed so assembly was quick. The first is an Accurail kit of a 40′ box car. Seaboard #23164.

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10/08/2020 Photo Dump Update

I realized that I’ve been posting a lot of photos over on my Facebook page and on the Model Railroad Forums site, but neglecting my blog. I feel kind of like the blog is for larger posts with more detail. … Continue reading

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Upgrades for Consolidation 1246

I have this 1980’s vintage Tenshodo model of a GN Consolidation. It’s a pretty nice looking model so a while ago I replaced the motor and installed a Soundtraxx DCC decoder. But it never really ran very well. A couple … Continue reading

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Western Crate

This is a Bar Mills kit to build “Crown Crate”. I followed all the instructions, but changed the name to something more suitable for Montana. Since it’s a Bar Mills kit, it’s a little fiddly to build. But the end … Continue reading

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