Page 10 - March April 2000

I’ve been struggling with orange and dark green, and find it is like using coloured water. (Yes, I know that’s what it actually is, but you know what I mean!) Sensing trouble after the first coat, I tried first spraying a passenger car with matt white primer, which left a perfect surface with nothing to show through. The (completely undiluted) orange even had great difficulty covering over this. The dark green, oddly enough, wasn’t much better. I’d be interested to hear if others have had problems, or if it is only some examples that do this.
A small tip regarding removable coal loads...
These often get a matt, dusty, grey look to them after a while, but an easy way to restore the “gleam” and blackness is to remove them from the car (or tender) and puff a couple of light coats of satin black car aerosol over them. It makes them look like recently loaded coal instead of burnt coke!
Robert Warren of Clearwater, Florida, sends this local newspaper item...
...telling us why our HO standard track gauge happens to be 16.5mm, or near enough!
“Points To Ponder”
In his weekly column on Sunday, January 23rd, Edwin A. Roberts, Editorial Page Editor of the Tampa Tribune, writes about what we know to be the standard measurement of space between two rails which is universal on this continent. We have abridged his comments are as follows:
“The railroads of the world have a major flaw that is usually outside the area of general concern because it is hopeless but not serious. Therefore, the subject does not lend itself to productive discussion, but why the flaw is there is not without interest and the same may be said for its space-age repercussions.
Rails are only 4 feet, 8.5 inches apart, a curious and foolishly narrow measure when a wider one would have permitted greater passenger comfort and enormous additional efficiencies in hauling freight. But it is an odd person who, at this late hour, would suggest
ADVERTISING IN ROUNDHOUSE:
Please send “BEANERY” (private sales, exchanges and wants) adverts. to the Editor. Insertions are free of charge though it is traditional to donate a small percentage of receipts from successful sales (particularly those involving larger sums) to the Region. COMMERCIAL/TRADE advertisers: send enquiries as to rates, deadlines and other details, to John Sammans, 32 Oker Ave., Darley Dale, Matlock, DERBYS. DE4 2GN
PLEASE MENTION ROUNDHOUSE WHEN REPLYING TO ADVERTS - PRIVATE OR COMMERCIAL.
UNCOUPLED CARS
From Region Librarian Calvin Everitt to A Member Unknown!
“Would the member from the North East who ordered several intermodal magazine articles and some books from the British Region Library please get in touch. I have your copies but unfortunately I have lost your name and address. In addition if there are any members waiting for books would they also get in touch to remind me.”
Alan Corkill sends a few notes to round off the Grain discussion:
“The article ‘Prairie Skyscrapers - Wood Crib Grain Elevators’ by Stafford Swain, was in July 1983 RMC, not 1985 as thought. It has drawings, text and colour photos. 33,000 Fowler patent o/b wood boxcars were built for CPR - beat that for sheer numbers! Survivors were in series 170069-193121 according to Morning Sun CPR Color guide.
3,500 CPR versions of the USRA 40’ o/b wood boxcars, with Murphy 7-8 corrugated ends and Burnett floor mounted grain hopper doors, were in series 230000-233499. ‘Canadian Railway Modeller’ had a drawing but I can’t locate the issue at present. Later, the grain doors were removed and the cars renumbered in the 234000-238560 series.
The USRA design had normal ladders but CPR fitted separate rungs, to confuse modellers! But I did see a car in work train service fitted with normal ladders - at Revelstoke 1985.”
Alan also informed me (back in January) that Van Hobbies of Vancouver are importing eleven versions of HO brass CPR Hudsons, including the Royal Hudson.
A final (for now) comment on the grain articles, from Paul Doggett...
...who mentions that at times lumber doors were found in pressed steel car ends. Of his several pictures of these, the latest appears to be of a 1957 MILW-built car.
Acrylic paints...
Does anyone have any comments, good or bad, on Badger Modelflex acrylic paints (particularly when airbrushed).
BEANERY
FOR SALE:
NMRA Contest winning East Falls HO Modules plus extension section, overall size 13ft 6in x 2ft, free standing, fully scenic, complete with 2 control panels, 4 handheld controllers plus locomotives and freight stock. £950 complete. Contact Mike Lenz on 01606 44959
or email MLenz20284@aol.com
WANTED:
HO Westside Fleetwood Series ATSF 4-8- 4, with wrong 12 wheeled tender, and no box.
Also...
EXCHANGE:
HO. I have Westside UP ‘7000’ 4-8-2 with “Young” valve gear, near mint, un- painted, to swap for identical loco with “Walschaerts” valve gear; will accept un- painted, or black, but not gray. Must be mint or new. Cash adjustment if neces- sary.
Contact Joe Halsall 01704 538441
SURPLUS:
1/29th Scale Waterslide Decals available due to minimum size order for custom- made roadname. N & W diesel locos. Pre- and Post- 1964 liveries on same sheet. One sheet per loco. Cost £5 each, or £10 for three.
Peter Prydderch 0161 439 4888 or ppltd@hotmail.com
FOR SALE:
Model Railroader magazines from 1938- 1939-1940-1941-1945-1946-1947. These are almost complete years but some are just odd copies. Some in fair condition. Most in very good condition. £1 to £3 each, plus postage.
Contact George Reffin on 0116-2716105 after 6pm.
FOR SALE:
Belt Railway of Chicago videos...
1) Inside the Belt Railway of Chicago 60 mins. £10.
2) Belt Railway of Chicago West End 90 mins. £12.50. Also various other tapes. Contact Bob Scott 01202 252518
10 ROUNDHOUSE