TheRailwire
General Discussion => N and Z Scales => Topic started by: up1950s on September 20, 2024, 07:26:03 PM
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(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/medium_53-200924190455.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=43781)
https://www.westerntrain.com/locomotives
https://www.gopetfriendly.com/blog/pet-friendly-scenic-train-rides/
https://thetracksidephotographer.com/2018/10/11/wrecking-ball/
https://rstrackinc.com/railroads-federal-laws/
https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Chapter_13._Design_of_Steel_Elevated_Railways
/>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TZyDh1WBou0
http://www.jmstructures.com/railcars.html
/>
https://therailmart.com/railcar-flatcar-bridge/
https://therailmart.com/mid-am-equipment-flat-car-for-bridges/
https://cindychinn.com/trains-carved-from-pencils-by-cindy-chinn/
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(https://cindychinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stanley-Steamer-Combo-1400-sig-768x516.jpg)
Now that's cool!
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I didn't make any progress on the layout for a couple of weeks as my wife decided to get new carpet for the 3 bedrooms. This job morphed into replacing all of the interior doors on the main floor, put new trim in all 3 bedrooms, paint all 3 bedrooms, and oh yes put new carpet in all 3 bedrooms and for good measure lets purchase a new sofa and love seat for the living room. The contractor will be here Tuesday. With everything sorted out, a schedule in place and the Open House Tour only 2 weeks away, I took a couple of days and tackled a couple of scenery projects I wanted to get done before the tour.
First up was to finish the area in front of the backdrop in the Gavinsport area. I recently posted about this area where I had cut in a new roadway. To finish this area off, I had to daylight the tunnel portal as my 40 ft Hi Cubes weren't clearing the portal. Used the same solution as the prototype and opened up the sides of the portal. I also didn't like the retaining wall on the left side of the portal, so I ripped it out and added a new rock casting to the left, and also cut into the hillside on the right and added a casting there. Basic ground cover was added and then trees and bushes. Sounds simple but it was about 6 or 7 hours of work and I still need to add some additional ground cover to finish it off. I like to work my scenery back to front, so with the background scenery complete I can move on to ballasting the track and then the foreground scenery.
This photo shows the progress after I had added the castings and new plaster. You can see that the tunnel portal has been filed open to accomodate the HiCubes.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145236-43768456.jpeg)
Here we look toward the left side of the tunnel portal. The casting have been painted and ground cover, trees and bushes have been added.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145341-437731308.jpeg)
In this photo we see the area to the right of the tunnel portal and again the casting has been painted and trees and bushes added. Additional ground cover still needs to be added in this area.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145451-437762483.jpeg)
The second area I tackled was at the throat of the Helix Staging Yard. I had done the foreground and the background but the mid part of the scenery was just a short hillside. I thought it needed a little something so I cut in a small road, added a retaining wall made up of left overs from other retaining walls I had cut. Like most model railroader I never throw anything out, I new all those little 1/2" pieces of retaining wall would be good for something some day. I had a tower I had picked up at an estate sale for free since no one wanted it so it will go in here. When I have a little time it will get a better paint job and of course I added ground cover, trees, and bushes. Here's a couple of photos.
In progress, the road has been cut in plastered and a base coat of paint added. The retaining wall is in place and painted.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924220817-43780919.jpeg)
Here's where we are at currently.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145548-437781903.jpeg)
More info being posted on the Grand Trunk Southern thread.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26250.150
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Carved pencil ...
... that is amazing.
Do you think it is really hand carved, or lazar cut ? In either case, the results are fantastic and I cannot begin to imaging the time involved. Also, one wonders how many Aw Sh**'s were involved before the final result manifested itself.
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I didn't make any progress on the layout for a couple of weeks as my wife decided to get new carpet for the 3 bedrooms. This job morphed into replacing all of the interior doors on the main floor, put new trim in all 3 bedrooms, paint all 3 bedrooms, and oh yes put new carpet in all 3 bedrooms and for good measure lets purchase a new sofa and love seat for the living room.
What ? No bathroom remodel too? Lucky man. Lucky wallet.
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I didn't make any progress on the layout for a couple of weeks as my wife decided to get new carpet for the 3 bedrooms. This job morphed into replacing all of the interior doors on the main floor, put new trim in all 3 bedrooms, paint all 3 bedrooms, and oh yes put new carpet in all 3 bedrooms and for good measure lets purchase a new sofa and love seat for the living room. The contractor will be here Tuesday. With everything sorted out, a schedule in place and the Open House Tour only 2 weeks away, I took a couple of days and tackled a couple of scenery projects I wanted to get done before the tour.
First up was to finish the area in front of the backdrop in the Gavinsport area. I recently posted about this area where I had cut in a new roadway. To finish this area off, I had to daylight the tunnel portal as my 40 ft Hi Cubes weren't clearing the portal. Used the same solution as the prototype and opened up the sides of the portal. I also didn't like the retaining wall on the left side of the portal, so I ripped it out and added a new rock casting to the left, and also cut into the hillside on the right and added a casting there. Basic ground cover was added and then trees and bushes. Sounds simple but it was about 6 or 7 hours of work and I still need to add some additional ground cover to finish it off. I like to work my scenery back to front, so with the background scenery complete I can move on to ballasting the track and then the foreground scenery.
This photo shows the progress after I had added the castings and new plaster. You can see that the tunnel portal has been filed open to accomodate the HiCubes.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145236-43768456.jpeg)
Here we look toward the left side of the tunnel portal. The casting have been painted and ground cover, trees and bushes have been added.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145341-437731308.jpeg)
In this photo we see the area to the right of the tunnel portal and again the casting has been painted and trees and bushes added. Additional ground cover still needs to be added in this area.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145451-437762483.jpeg)
The second area I tackled was at the throat of the Helix Staging Yard. I had done the foreground and the background but the mid part of the scenery was just a short hillside. I thought it needed a little something so I cut in a small road, added a retaining wall made up of left overs from other retaining walls I had cut. Like most model railroader I never throw anything out, I new all those little 1/2" pieces of retaining wall would be good for something some day. I had a tower I had picked up at an estate sale for free since no one wanted it so it will go in here. When I have a little time it will get a better paint job and of course I added ground cover, trees, and bushes. Here's a couple of photos.
In progress, the road has been cut in plastered and a base coat of paint added. The retaining wall is in place and painted.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924220817-43780919.jpeg)
Here's where we are at currently.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2697-200924145548-437781903.jpeg)
More info being posted on the Grand Trunk Southern thread.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26250.150
Really nice blend to the background scene .
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Lots of progress on 20 Prospect Ave this week. The bulk of the structure of the house is done now.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125444-43735560.jpeg)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125448-43743310.jpeg)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125446-43739191.jpeg)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125446-437401733.jpeg)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125445-437371149.jpeg)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/2507-190924125446-437371060.jpeg)
More in the build thread.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49229.45
Craig
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I've been making trees every night. Nothing photo-worthy there yet. But I did visit the Citronelle, Alabama depot this morning.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54011115641_ec777aec7e_o.jpg)
It has been moved about a block from its original location. One hundred years ago, it had tracks on either side of it.
They have an old baggage car and an old reefer there, but they also have this old Frisco shop crane too that just begs to be modeled. Fortunately, I had the foresight to bring along my tape measure.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54011544285_d5cb12b324_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54011544035_46b56ab805_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54011118956_85dd9c6cca_o.jpg)
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So a few weeks ago Tom Garza from Scalesigns.com sent me a beta test of his N Scale modern billboards.
He is introducing them before the grade crossing signal cantilevers, which are coming in November-December.
This double board may or may not be introduced, there will be a single on each side that will have ladders and railings on the
side for board workers. I suggested name plates for the board owner, i.e. Lamar, and Gannett. There are some
bugs to work out and the N Scale, like the HO will eventually have lighting options. All of the boards will have
signage from all of his HO boards on the website.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924155922.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43804)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160110.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43805)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160216.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43806)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924161314.webp) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43807)
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Well, the Altoona N scale weekend was pretty good for me... at least while I was there! (Ed can explain).
I got over to Todd's layout, first time, and was just stunned - particularly in things I didn't know had happened, like the Pittsburgh backdrop upgrade. The fact that Todd is still all DC, Code 80, Atlas switches...and one of the finest N scale layouts of all time, yeah, that I can relate to!
I've probably had the Ross Run logging module underway for maybe....five years? Chris333 was ragging on me to finish it, I really pushed this summer to do that.
You can see how well this links up with the original Hickory Valley Railroad layout (18x36) and Ross Run is 21x42)
(http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Module%201%20sm.jpg)
link: http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Module%201%20sm.jpg
The 30-ton scratchbuilt Climax B and the 25-ton scratchbuilt Shay both got great reaction and ran surprisingly well. The Atlas Shay again shed a crank after about 30 seconds....I just got it repaired tonight. But considering that the Hickory Valley sawmill module was built in 1976, not bad, not bad at all.
(http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Module%202%20sm.jpg)
link: http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Module%202%20sm.jpg
But the scene I was REALLY after was the log landing, I have a prototype photo of this with the W&D Heisler in it, and when desaturated to black & white, yeah, finally got it.
(http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Logging%201%20BW%20sm.jpg)
link: http://www.randgust.com/Ross%20Run%20Logging%201%20BW%20sm.jpg
Altoona has a crowd-selected 'best of show' award named in Mike Phillips honor. Considering the competition (see the Altoona Model Railroaders facebook page to see all the entrants) I was more than a little surprised when I got 'best of show'.
(http://www.randgust.com/Altoona%202024%20best%20in%20show%20sm.JPG)
link: http://www.randgust.com/Altoona%202024%20best%20in%20show%20sm.JPG
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Congratulations Randy! You deserved it! It's like the Grand Canyon, seeing it in pictures doesn't convey its greatness. You really need to see it in person.
(BTW, thank you for being the first one to recognize and thank me for the blood, sweat and tears in getting the Combined T-Trak running after hours of troubleshooting on Saturday morning.)
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Debut of my first Z-Bend module today -- more info here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=58116.msg805998#msg805998
(https://i.imgur.com/SZKQw5P.jpeg)
Cheers,
Ed
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So a few weeks ago Tom Garza from Scalesigns.com sent me a beta test of his N Scale modern billboards.
He is introducing them before the grade crossing signal cantilevers, which are coming in November-December.
This double board may or may not be introduced, there will be a single on each side that will have ladders and railings on the
side for board workers. I suggested name plates for the board owner, i.e. Lamar, and Gannett. There are some
bugs to work out and the N Scale, like the HO will eventually have lighting options. All of the boards will have
signage from all of his HO boards on the website.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924155922.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43804)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160110.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43805)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160216.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43806)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924161314.webp) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43807)
I saw the HO scale ones they got. I like those ones better than the Walthers ones because it's much easier to change out the signs.
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Congratulations, Randy!
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Speaking of Altoona … my only disappointment was that ESU did not have a booth.
I’m guessing that Montoursville PA can’t have been THAT far away, right?
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First pair of LTTX pole flatcars assembled and ready for the layout. 3d printed cars by Sam in Tulsa. Great cars![attachimg=1]
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Got my hinged staging yard benchwork built and attached. Currently held in place by a 1 X 3 brace fixed by 2 screws on either side of the hinge line along the back frame rail, surprisingly strong…
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/6675-220924111321.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43820)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/6675-220924111434.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43821)
Now onto risers, roadbed and track…
Brent
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Fun fact: Poly Scale MILW maroon is a great match for Atlas's EL version ..
[attachimg=1]
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So a few weeks ago Tom Garza from Scalesigns.com sent me a beta test of his N Scale modern billboards.
He is introducing them before the grade crossing signal cantilevers, which are coming in November-December.
This double board may or may not be introduced, there will be a single on each side that will have ladders and railings on the
side for board workers. I suggested name plates for the board owner, i.e. Lamar, and Gannett. There are some
bugs to work out and the N Scale, like the HO will eventually have lighting options. All of the boards will have
signage from all of his HO boards on the website.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924155922.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43804)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160110.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43805)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924160216.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43806)
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/1137-210924161314.webp) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43807)
Those are nice!!
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Hopping between projects like usual I got paint on my Tomix heavy duty flat. The grey is Tru Color dust and the red caboose red.
I used decals from Circus City's Kasgro caboose set for the road numbers and the Red 'n Ready. I still have to add more data decals and find some appropriate LT WT and LD LMT decals, but I'll probably have to carefully piece some together.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/3454-220924174425.jpeg)
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Spent some time working on the tunnel area. Haven't decided if the bright green vines will stay that way or get knocked down a few notches with some paint. I'll give it a few weeks before deciding. Here's an in-progress shot.
Cheers,
Brian
[attachimg=1]
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Speaking of Altoona … my only disappointment was that ESU did not have a booth.
I’m guessing that Montoursville PA can’t have been THAT far away, right?
Actually ESU is now in Colorado Springs, Colorado as of this past summer.
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Hi to Y'all,
Made a bit more progress. Under body details have been added. (Next - the steps for the side doors)
(https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/dsc05324.148183/full)
(https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/dsc05325.148184/full)
Thanks,
Wolf
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Flight2000: Your vines look fine for southern Appalachian kudzu. I don't know about western Washington, or wherever you're modeling.
Incidentally, I saw BNSF 6179 northbound on an NS coal train south of Kenova, WV last week.
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Hopping between projects like usual I got paint on my Tomix heavy duty flat. The grey is Tru Color dust and the red caboose red.
I used decals from Circus City's Kasgro caboose set for the road numbers and the Red 'n Ready. I still have to add more data decals and find some appropriate LT WT and LD LMT decals, but I'll probably have to carefully piece some together.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/3454-220924174425.jpeg)
That looks pretty good.
Coincidentally I picked up the Shiki 801 (Micro Ace A-6576) and was tempted to convert it to a more US prototype as well.
But at the same time I also meddle in Japanese trains... So I may leave it alone.
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Actually ESU is now in Colorado Springs, Colorado as of this past summer.
Ahhhh, now that you mention it, I vaguely remember hearing about the move (and wondering “why?”).
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When I look at those billboards - I'm assuming the actual sign material is included? Or was that yours?
Reason I ask is that a lot of magazines - particularly Kalmbach - had a kitten over reproduction of any copyrighted advertising. They refused my article on Downtown Flagstaff - all my scratchbuilding - because of the "Coca Cola" logos on what was then "Joes Place" in Flag was in photos. Didnt' want to tangle with Coke's lawyers. The fact that I could duplicate graphics to scale size in Photoshop seemed to scare them to death.
Which is another reason why you don't see much of my stuff in magazines. That seemed to me to be over the top. George Selios' stuff was littered with it and it never bothered them then.
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When I look at those billboards - I'm assuming the actual sign material is included? Or was that yours?
Reason I ask is that a lot of magazines - particularly Kalmbach - had a kitten over reproduction of any copyrighted advertising. They refused my article on Downtown Flagstaff - all my scratchbuilding - because of the "Coca Cola" logos on what was then "Joes Place" in Flag was in photos. Didnt' want to tangle with Coke's lawyers. The fact that I could duplicate graphics to scale size in Photoshop seemed to scare them to death.
Which is another reason why you don't see much of my stuff in magazines. That seemed to me to be over the top. George Selios' stuff was littered with it and it never bothered them then.
https://scalesigns.com/collections/billboards I don't know what copyright infringement on those there might be, I will ask him.
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Trademark infringement is clearly selective. The train models they show in photos routinely use trademarks.
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These cars were inspired by different ones I've looked at but none are true copies of any that I've seen.
(https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/24-09-18%20Log%20Car%20Pt%205-13.JPG)
On the 'low bunk' car shown above chains would probably be used to hold the logs on the car. More info, images and print file links for this car ( HERE ) (https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/page-227.html).
(https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/24-09-18%20Log%20Car%20Pt%205-12.JPG)
The car above I call the 'mid-height swivel stake car'. I've see a couple of these and believe they had pins at the bottom of the stakes that could be pulled allowing the stake on that side of the care to swivel down and the logs could then roll off the car into a mill pond.
More info, images and print file links for this car ( HERE ) (https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/page-228.html).
(https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/24-09-18%20Log%20Car%20Pt%205-11.JPG)
The last car has 'fixed high stakes'. The logs would be picked off the care one or more at a time or a huge forklift like a Wagner logstacker (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Wagner+log+loader) could be used to lift the whole load off at once.
More info, images and print file links for this car ( HERE ) (https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/page-229.html).
There are more images and tools one can print to help in painting/detailing the cars on Railwire ( HERE ) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=58528.0)
Sumner
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That looks pretty good.
Coincidentally I picked up the Shiki 801 (Micro Ace A-6576) and was tempted to convert it to a more US prototype as well.
But at the same time I also meddle in Japanese trains... So I may leave it alone.
Thank you,
This was definitely a why not project making it a bit more North American looking. It needed painting anyways.\
I'll have to keep an eye out for that Shiki 801 for a good deal. Pretty cool looking car.
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54011118956_85dd9c6cca_o.jpg)
Anyone up for a scratch build challenge? This reminds me of the classic loading ramp we did all those years ago. There's a lot of there there!
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/9-250924142218.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43851)
Not much for me this week, other than processing the incoming stuff from NSW two weeks ago.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/43/9-250924145451.jpeg) (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=43852)
Lee
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I'm in, of course! I took many more pictures and measurements for those who would like them. This thing was used from the early 1900s through the mid to late 1980s. BNSF donated it in 2006, so it was hanging around the back shops until then.
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Tom Garza Scale Signs is the guest on WHAT'S NEAT THIS WEEK.