Jim Miller

Raymond, Do you have wheels on all the Bachmann hopper cars?. Metal wheels will add a lot of weight to pull up a grade..............Jim

I'm sure one MTH bigboy could pull 63 cars on level but I'm not sure about a 1.8% grade and besides I had to justify to my wife why I needed a second one. If it looks to be too easy I can add another 25 100 ton hopper cars, what a drag that will be........Jim

I guess I'll have to make room in the train barn this spring. Can't wait to double head with my present BogBoy to pull 63 2-bay hopper cars................Jim

Looks like Scott got his container of track today. Wow, high prices. $15 to $16 per foot for stainless. .............Jim

Try here.......Jim http://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/lgb/parts-and-electrical-components/electrical-components-and-controls/

From M. Wolfe A Message From Mike Wolf On The MTH G Scale Big Boy "The G Scale Big Boy should be out in June 2016. We re-tooled the Tender to make it an Oil Tender as the 4014 Big Boy that is being restored will use. We have added a SMOKING WHISTLE as we had on the G-Gauge Triplex. So when you blow the whistle in DCS smoke will come out of it. It has two powerful DC Motors. Every G-Gauge Collector will need this engines as it is the most famous MTH has ever built. It will now come with PS-3 Sound System that now includes all the DCC Functions. All MTH prior G-Gauge Steam Engine had PS-2, which didn't have DCC." MTH G Scale

A Message From Mike Wolf On The MTH G Scale Big Boy From M. Wolfe "The G Scale Big Boy should be out in June 2016. We re-tooled the Tender to make it an Oil Tender as the 4014 Big Boy that is being restored will use. We have added a SMOKING WHISTLE as we had on the G-Gauge Triplex. So when you blow the whistle in DCS smoke will come out of it. It has two powerful DC Motors. Every G-Gauge Collector will need this engines as it is the most famous MTH has ever built. It will now come with PS-3 Sound System that now includes all the DCC Functions. All MTH prior G-Gauge Steam Engine had PS-2, which didn't have DCC." MTH G Scale

check Bachmann web page, they sell a lot of parts. http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_69&zenid=uh00eipab7dmg68hskjemkoii6 http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_623&products_id=8435 .......Jim

So you need to add about $25.00 per car to have couplers and metal wheels..........Jim

Got this email from CREST ELECTRONICS...............Jim A Message From Crest Electronics spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) spacer (1K) Dear Crest Customers,spacer (1K) I’m pleased to let you know that all of our merchandise has been re-ordered and on the way to us by the end of February. Actually, the Revolution and the O Gauge rollers will be here by the end of January and the Rail Clamps and G Gauge metal wheels will be here by the end of February. I’m here to answer your questions during the weekdays and of course our consistent web site at crest-electronics.net is available 24/7/365. Our product has been proven to be most reliable and the Revolution has been flawless in production by robotic surface mount machines. We have a surprise reveal to show you at the ECLSTS, so make sure you visit our booth at the show. As usual our dealers will have a full supply of merchandise at the show, so remind them what you will want to pick up there. We have not done new sounds yet, but our engineer still threatens to do this as soon as the other reveal product is done. The Revolution is a staple product now as the G Gauge community knows that it works well and is easy to maintain. Our selected computer chip is made by Texas Instruments and its use is expanding into many other industries guaranteeing a long production life. You may call me at 201-565-6069 9-5 m/f and e-mail be through our website. Please put your e-mail address in the body of the letter, as I do not always get the info with the forwarded letter. I look forward to seeing you in York. Yours truly, Navin Shievedayal

Jerry, last date posted was May 31, 2016.....

Does Piko rolling stock come with knuckle couplers? ..............Jim

Its not so much the weather but the change of seasons, all the fall leaves and acorns to clean up in the spring and ballast repair after a heavy rain. I deal with the weeds with roudup and always have a sprayer tank full and ready to go. Of coarse there is the ocasional damage from fallen tree limbs a deer stepping on track. All and all it is like operating a real railroad. With me it is all about running trains so I set up some track on my side porch in the fall. This year I set up a double loop and when it is very cold outside I just run the trains while sitting inside the kitchen door with a hot cup of coffee. ........Jim

Five stars!............Jim

I place smallish cars just after the engine, such small tank cars, gondola, or flat car, then start placing hopper cars and then box cars. The Aristo 2 bay hoppers look great.........Jim

all engines are 1/32 MTH and all freight cars are Arisro 1/29.

Another source for wheels........Jim http://www.ozarkminiatures.com/scripts/prodList.asp

Here is one source for both, Kadee...............Jim http://rldhobbies.com/kadee.aspx

Jerry, They sure are great engines, I have the GS-2 Western Pacific and modified it to run on battery or track. I did the battery conversion so I could run it on other peoples layouts. Always a crowd pleaser! I have even used it on Christmas layout under the tree because it has split/hinged drive system and handles R2 curves with ease. You will surely enjoy this Loco. .................Jim

there was an article in garden railways. I'll see if i can find it......Jim

Hey Everyone, The first of two track containers will arrive soon. It contains mostly brass and some SS track. The second container, which is almost ready to ship will have all of the switches and the rest of SS on it. Also, we now have rail joiner packs of 100pcs. On the list below most of the MSRPs are set at 2012 pricing. Please call me at 201-738-9032 or email scott@polksgenerationext.com to hear about your stores discount. Thanks, Scott ITEM DESCRIPTION MSRP GXT11350 RERAILER TRACK $29.00 GXT11900 JOINERS(12PACK)BRASS $12.00 GXT20035 SS RAIL 8FT (12pcs) $605.00 GXT20199 SS RAIL JOINERS (12) $12.00 GXT20199B SS RAIL JOINERS BULK (100) $65.00 GXT30030 USA 1' BRASS STRAIGHT TRACK $165.00 GXT30033B USA 1FT STRAIGHT TRACK TIE(48) $95.00 GXT30060 USA 2' BRASS STRAIGHT TRACK $331.00 GXT30090 USA 3' STRAIGHT TRACK $497.00 GXT30122 USA BRASS CURVE TRACK 12.5' (16PCS) $551.00 GXT30130 USA CURVE TRACK 16.5 DIAM $726.00 GXT30195 USA 60" STRAIGHT TRACK $830.00

I have an AA set of MTH PA's and only one engine has DCS board and the other is a slave. And if you have a PB unit the control is passed thru it from control engine to slave engine by means of ribbon cables. Will the Norfolk Southern - AA Set - (#4271 & 4270) - (Proto-Sound 3.0) be the same? ...................Jim

They keep on pushing them back so they can deliver the new run of BigBoys by Dec 2015.............He He Ha Ha................Jim

Ray, I found out that Quicktime does not work in Chrome. Thanks, I did manage to view it in IE browser.....................Jim

Bob, Can not open video. What is the format............Jim