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Doug Johnson - 07/18/99 16:32:23
My Email:dojojo@aol.com

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Aluminum siding. I use aluminium offset printing plates from the local newspaper. Can be cut with a utility knife. I use the grooves in a saw table for ridges for some rooofomg, but will look for the paper roller. Keep up the good

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Good site. Do you have any comments about the Barry's Big Train engine and wheel conversion for Bachmann big Haulers. One of our members has one and there is difficulty going over switches. (Vermont GRs

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excellent - very helpful tips on Shays and Climaxes. keep up the good work!

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Thanks for all the help you have given us.Your site is the best thing since canned beer.

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Greetings from the Eternity Diamond mines and Logging RR here in York, England. Both the line and web page are still under construction. The line is G scale and so far does the 2 short sides of the garden. Not much runs yet as I am concentrating on earthworks and have been digging and mixing concrete for weeks now. The fleet so far: No1 Annie a detailed, weathered and sound fitted bachmann shay. No2 Glypta a climax still as it came (only had a couple of weeks) A goose accucraft (owned by my partner who has running powers Progress is slow because I help run the Festiniog Railway in Norht Wales which takes up a lot of my spare time Regards Paul

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Your articles have been a real help, thanks!

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I appreciate all of your posted information. It has been a great help! Thanx

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Geo. Ihaven't seen anything on your site about B'mass's fix for the Climax. I.E., the problem with the drive shafts, binding, and squeaking. B'mann now has a replacement drive shaft that in effect allows the shaft to free wheel and eliminates torque transfer etween the front and rear truck thru the gear box. My climax would slow down markedly on curves along with developing the squeak reported by others. After installing the new redesigned rear drive shaft the binding on curves has been cured along with the squeak. Irv at B'mann can supply the replacement drive shaft. By the way, thanks for your tips on improving the Lionel Atlantic. I've used most of your suggestions on 2 of these engines with good result and now have a couple of engines that run and pull well.

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Great! I never before found so many useful hints and tips about model railroads in one site. Greetings from Germany Bernd

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Thank you for your efforts. You have a very nice site!

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Great web site! I have read, copied and used many of your LS tips I was in HO for many years and your tips have helped in my transition to G scale. Thanks

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Thanks for an interesting sight. I am just contemplating rebuilding my fiance's 10 wheeler and found your article most helpful. I'll let you know how i get on Paul

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Just starting a Civil War era G-Scale layout in my garden. Have plenty of plants need just about everything else, plus help. Interested in kits, or plans for scratch built structures. Like the American 4-4-0 but not sure it falls within this era proper y. E-Mail picked up regularly. Thanks

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What a fantastic site!!! An absolute Godsend for a new-garden-railway-bulilder such as myself. Thanks VERY much, George!

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You've helped me a lot in the last 2-3 years, thanks. Ian

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George Apologies for the geographically confused PS on my last - the snow bamboozled me into thinking Green Valley Lake was a lot further north! Rod

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G'day from Down Under! I came across your site as a link from the Toenail Ridge Shortline - the more I check out sites like yours, the more tempted I am to give up my HO layout and get Large! I bought my elder daughter one of the original Big Haulers for her 2nd birthday (she' now 12) and it has done sterling service around the Xmas Tree each year, but seeing layouts like yours make me want to head outdoors. I am a geared engine freak, and the Bachmann Shay and Climax are cruel temptations, especially for someone whose eyesigh is failing and whose HO Shays, Climaxes and Heislers are getting very fuzzy around the edges! Thanks for your inspirational site - I shall outdo Macarthur and return more than once to explore further. Regards in Railroading Rod Tier PS My daughters' Choir is hosting an Alaskan Children's Choir on their visit to Canberra in a few weeks - I shall ask the girls billetted with us if they know of Green Lake.

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Great Page! Thanks for the advice!

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I am a recent convert from HO-scale to G-scale, and I can't thank you enough for all the valuable and helpful information I have received from your Web site and from your postings at LSOL. Jim C.

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Depend on your site for most technical issues. Find them very easy to understand and follow. i have only been in the hobby 2 years and probably would not be enjoying it as much without your tips. I have used to many of them to name. Also enjoyed traveling to Alaska with you.

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Great Site!! I have the Bachmann R/C Big hauler, which I found second-hand for only £20!! Your tips on It were facinating, and I have installed the capacitor which makes the sound better, it works great!! I am re-painting the loco in Rio Grande Black, It ooks much better than the Green it came in. As i am from the UK I was wondering if you have any other information on the R/C locos? As mine works great.

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Really nice site. I am a newcomer to the hobby and started with an old RC Big Hauler. I have had the RC control upgraded and I worked on the front trucks the front and rear wheels now swivel independently. Will sure be trying some of your Tips. Thanks a l t...Tom

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Just looking for help on Arist Streamline passenger cars. The distance between the cars is too great. I would like to get them a little closer. Is this possible?

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George, I've been to your site so often in the past six months, I finally printed it out and filled a binder with it. The info you and others put out really helps us newbies get started. Keep up the good work. I intend to check back weekly. Randy

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Cool page dude. Need some more pictures though.

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Great site, but I can't find your tips section. I previously checked out your constant lighting tip, but seem to have lost the link to it. You have great tips and I'd like to be able to find them. Thanks. Geoff

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Neat site

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Thanks very much for so much helpful information. one question, do you have the circuit for the aristo/rogers 2-4-2 tender sound unit or do you have a source for the bachman 4-6-0 unit. AJW

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Hi George, I really enjoyed surfing through your pages. I have seen quite a few details on your layouts which are worth beeing transferred on my own rolling stock. (I especially like the weathering of your stuff!) That's all for now! God bless you all! From Germany Manfred

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Hallo, George, you have a very nice Site, very nice and interesting. Best greetings from the old Germany and good luck to you all days !! Your R.Steckmest

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After 50 trips to your site, I felt guilty for using you without signin' in. Thanks again.

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Great site. Found some very helpful infoemation here. I am glad there are people like you in large scale that are willing to share your experteze with thoes of us that are new to large scale. I will visit this site again. Keep up the good work. Without so e one like you many newcommers to largs scale would not stay. Thanks for this site. John Corradini

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Just like to thank you for taking the time to offer this valuable info to the hobbyist. It has beem bookmarked

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I am looking for web sites that have pics and info of the steam trains. I once found a listing that contained many of the trains built, their status, location and heritage, but I seem to misplaced its location. If mabye you know of a similuar site pleas e mail me. PS I loved youre pics, and youre whole page is fantastic!

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Thanks for the great information site. I found it when I visited large scale on line. I found some very helpful information here. Will surely come back again amd again. Once more thanks for your time and effort to be helpful to all large scalers. Well don keep up the good work. Thanks John Corradini

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Thanks for the great information site. I found it when I visited large scale on line. I found some very helpful information here. Will surely come back again amd again. Once more thanks for your time and effort to be helpful to all large scalers. Well don keep up the good work. Thanks John Corradini

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Thanks for the great information site. I found it when I visited large scale on line. I found some very helpful information here. Will surely come back again amd again. Once more thanks for your time and effort to be helpful to all large scalers. Well don keep up the good work. Thanks John Corradini

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Thanks for publishing the plans for the truss bridge. I built one just under 4 feet long during the Memorial Day weekend. Right now, it doesn't go over anything, since my tracks are laid flat on a deck. Some time this summer the layout will be moved in o the garden, and I'll dig a gully for it. Thanks again. --Wayne J.

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Hi George, I contacted you re tips on a Lionel Atlantic and you e-mailed me a link to your site. I have spent several hours enjoying the mass of material you have compiled. Thank you for giving so much of your time in making this amount of information t all of us. I printed off a number of your articles to enjoy later. I'll be sure to check in periodically to browse some more and to swipe some more good ideas. Thanks again.

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Thanks for all the great tips. I'm just starting out in large scale and have learned a lot from your pages! One question though... I followed your methods for "Better Bachmann Sound" and now the speaker emits a constant very low level of noise. I've tripl checked the work and it's correct. Any thoughts on what might be causing the static? Thanks.

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George, very nice web site. I used your plans for the Howe Truss and built a 6 foot bridge out of redwood and stained with redwood stain. I also blackened all the brass so it looks more realistic. I can send you a picture if you can use it. Many thank for a beautiful job.

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Enjoyed visiting your site. It's full of useful information and great pictures. Although my G scale layout has been removed from my yard, It will be rebuilt in the loft of my barn in the future in the hope that it will lessen the maintenance load on me. hanks for the nice web site.

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Unbelievable! I'm in awe of everything; the scope, knowledge, pictures, writing, EVERTHING! I'm just thinking about getting started with large scale trains. If I take the plunge, I'll certainly be back to take advantage of your site.

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Great site. A real plus to a novice like myself. First place I look to answer questions and get ideas. Thanks for making this info available to me

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Great site George, keep up the good work. This is one of the best sites I have been at. I have you in my Favorites folder. Thanks, Dylan

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Wonderful site, full of useful information and interesting pictures of your work. Looks like you enjoy the getting there as much as the arrival. Good train philosophy! Except for a train running around my son's bedroom, I haven't set up my REAL Railroad yet, so I enjoy all your notes on equipment. I have purchased two pacifics with heavyweights for the eventual road, But I am still deciding on power, track & etc. Righ now I am focusing on Aristo Craft track and some form of DCC. I like operations. Thanks again for the ehospitality.

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George, I want to set up a G scale railroad in my garden and would like to know what is the best material to use to so that I can attach my track track to it. Any help that you can provide will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Former Private Car owner: UP 6105,(Dorm. Lounge); UP Natl. Prog.(6 rmete, 4 bdrm, 6 sect. Pullman); UP 6009,(Dorm. Baggage); ATSF, (Business Car #9). Interested in HO, G, 1.5 inch scales, live steam. Amateur Radio Opr., W6QLB. Like old Pontiacs. Work as a Conductor on the UPRR (former SP).

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George; Iam just starting in large scale & use your tips befor buying anything Thank YOU SO MUCH BOBBIE R. ALLEN JR.

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Thanks for the Shay info pages. Very useful. I'm just getting into G scale railroading, but only plan to have a round the room above the doors version. Cheers!

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George, you made my day. I've been trying to solve the mystery of connectivity on an outdoor G gauge layout I'm in the process of laying. Finding your "Large Scale Soldering Tips" is just what I needed after a couple of weeks of frustrating answers to que tions and trying several non-solutions. You are absolutely right about the 100 watt soldering iron. Thanks for a VERY professionally written and well detailed solution to my problem of today. Now I plan on scanning every inch of your site for similar gold n tips.

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Hey george great site !! I own five aristo pacific's 3 blue comets + 1prr k-4 = 1 sr cresent (witch feel in my new pond last summer) and I run the k-4 & blue comet togher pulling my prr heavy weight coaches on close to a 2.5% grade horseshoe curve and the perform falwesely without slipping!!!

larry kastriba - 04/06/99 00:23:26
My Email:strib@epix.net

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this is the best large scale site on the web i have got more helpful hints from your site than i have from 5 years of GR,BTO,and all the other large scale pubs out there Your site is booked marked on my computer keep up the good work

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A great mirror to see the world of Large Scale in. It's my second favorite site! All the best, Lewis Polk

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I've been into G-gauge for just a couple of years now and every single time I find a problem or have a question, I find myself refering to your pages. Now I just check in to see what's new. Thank you very much for all the effort you've put in for all of u .

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You folks might be interested in my site: http://www.choochoocam.com This is my track powered, TV quality, full color video camera for model electric trains For further info contact me through the site or at sgreiner@wwnet.com Skip Greiner

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Built your Howe truss bridge and scaled the sides in half for another.(no upper cross beams, of course) I have 3 wyes and am wondering if something can be added a, to slow the train down before it reverses and b, to stop it for some time(5-15 secs) before reversing? SUPER SITE!!!

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I have been in trains over 35 years but am new to large scale.I like your artical on the Aristo C 16 and think this will be my next loco. the quarter inch to hi is ok with me

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Love your page. I have just started a 1:20.3 indoor layout with B-man Shay & Climax after 25 years of HO. Thanks for the plans for the Howe truss bridge, have been looking for good plans.

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back again, great site ! I'm working on a way to trigger crossing signs, looking at infrared beam, or for a better way... anythoughts ? I dont like the "Lifelike" pressure switch, plus we have 2 main lines, it gets complicated doesn't it ?

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A very remarkable site. Keep up the good work. Thank You

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This is the best site that I've found on the internet, other than the NMRA site. Very informative, as I keep coming back to it for more information. I've had my G scale around my living room ceiling for two years, as I hope to start my Garden Railway outd ors this summer. Trenton, N.J. isn't really into this growing hobby yet.

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i wood like to see pictures

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I am enjoying your site. Keep up the good work. I have two G Scale Bachmann trains sets and I am trying to figure out how to set up a display in a small room. Any ideas on where to find layouts for a room (possibly suspended)?

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very interesting and useful ps have you had any trouble with the electrical pickup from the wheels on the bachmann shay?

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THANKS GEORGE, GREAT STUFF. JUST STARTED THIS BIG STUFF AFTER DECADES OF HO. WHAT FUN! I BOOKMARKED YOUR PAGE FOR EASY CONTINUED REFERENCE FOR MY NEW PARDEE AND CURTIN SHAY. THANKS AGAIN

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George, Great site, many hours of reading ahead of me. all the best from Down Under Steve Omant, Tasmania, Australia

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George THANKS A MILLION for your site and tips. I found that the new onboard 5490 has a 12 v regulator in addition to a 5v regulator. The problem with the new 5490 is that the input current goes from appox 20ma with an input voltage greater than 14 volts to appox 200ma (.2A) when the input voltage is l ss than 14 volts thereby draining my battery much faster when it is below 14 volts.I cut traces and bypassed the 12 reg. to fix the problem. Chuck Haverlah 805 493 1737

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At long last I found a price on a Shay that I could afford. Thanks for all your tips and information. How about some input on sound units that you might suggest? Richard Dahlke Round Rock, Texas

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George: Your site is one of my favorites!! Great information and very nicely presented!! Keep up the great work!! Rich Muth

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George: What is the color of the rerailer on WP&Y #109? The shovel noses have orange rerailers, but from your color pix, it seems to be red or red orange -- definitely much darker/redder color than the shovel noses! thanks Bill Dippert

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Appreciated your pictures of the WP&Y diesels. They confirmed what I saw in Railfan & Railroad magazine about the painting of #109. My LGB version still needs more areas painted green. I appreciated your technical tips section. Even though I have been in model railroading since 1947, there is always something new to learn, particularly in a brand new scale/gage such as I am now in with the outdoor G railway. Bill, the iconoclast, Dippert MMR #93

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Hints on Shay are very helpful.

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Thank you for putting together such a helpful site ! I just started into model railroading this past December and your site certainly addresses quite a few areas not answered from other sources.

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Great site George. As a newcomer to this hobby, I have been able to learn an awful lot about it from your site, as well as reading the workshops at LSOL. Keep up the great work. Jay

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I'm new at this scale and already you have provided valuable tips and guidance. Thanks

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I.m new to the web, so I ope I have the above boxes correct, I like the Wrecks and relics page, I wil see if I can find one for you. Graham

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GREAT

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Love all your info on LSOL and finally had time to visit this site for a moment. Especially like the FAIRPLEX page. I hope that this year my wife and I will get involved with FairPlex. Dwight

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THE BEST LARGE SCALE SITE ON THE NET!!!!!!

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Some of your ideas have been a great help. I put an ell on the blower of my U-25B's to take care of the kinks in the blower tube. Made them from fish tank parts. Keep up the good work.

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I would appreciate some suggestions about making casting molds. I bought 2 lbs of CULINART silicone plastique, haven't tried it yet. I've scratch built a dozen or so logging related cars in 20.3 scale. Photos in Dec. issue of Finescale Railroader, letters to Ed.I want to duplicate hand carved parts."HELP" Thanks DJ

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Thanks for the page!

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Thanks for maintaining your web site. I don't have a garden railroad yet but, am planning to start one this spring. I can tell that your site will be very informative to me - you're bookmarked!

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Not only well organized and thought out but very informative too. Well done!

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Great Site! I'm new at this having just bought a Lionel "G" scale Christmas train, Dec'98, when my wife said we should get 1 car for every year since my daughter was born. As she is only 4, I didn't have much trouble finding Christmas cars dating back o ly a few years. . .but what started as a Christmas train has blossomed!!! We found Marklin MAXI and bought a 1998 Christmas car from them, that was the start of my trouble. There is very little information on the various scales that actually make up what is called "G" scale. WHY?!? Marklin Maxi cars are true Guage 1, with a cale of 1:32. My Aristo Christmas Car is a 1:29 "G" scale. Lionel & LGB seem to be true narrow scale trains at 1:20 to 1:22.3 "G" scale. I don't have a Bachmann car, but I have a USA Trains car which appears to be about 1:29. I love them all, but have started to buy Marklin Maxi cars. We picked up all the Museum Cars they made and plan to keep that up, as well as their Christmas cars which were first produced in '98. I now have 2 locos and some other Marklin Maxi cars. I don't regret the money I spent on other the narrow guage "G" scales, but I don't understand why such an obscure & arbitrary designation is used to describe all these different scales of trains. Why not just call them what they are? Or perhaps we could adopt the european terms of Guage 1, Guage 11m, etc. Anyway, great page, keep it up.

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Hi George- Great Web site!! I'm really just getting started in G scale. We got a Bachmann Big Hauler set several years ago for the kids to use around the Christmas Tree. This last Christmas, I got tired of fighting problems with bad track and electrical connectio problems so I started to search the Web for answers and found your page. What a wonderful find! You have all the answers I'm looking for. Taking your advice, my plans right now are to get some new track (Aristo Brass) probably from San Val unless you can suggest someplace better. I want to overhaul the engine and incorporate most of the tips you suggest. I guess the other thing I need to o is start replacing the plastic wheels with metal ones. It's my dream to be able to start a garden railroad set-up in my back yard sometime in the future. Anyway, thanks for the information, I'll be visiting the Web site many times in the near future. Terry

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You have a terrific site. I am a newcomer to large scale and find your observations the best source of just about everything......

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As a newcomer to large scale, it's great to have your site to check out and learn from. Keep up the great work. Greg

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Great pictures from the garden layout at the LA fairgrounds. Wished I lived in a warmer climate to do it all year, hard to do in Upstate New York with several feet of snow on the ground. Thanx, Scooter

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Enjoyed the photos and am anxious to come back for more info from your tips. You have an exellent website!

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You must be The authority on everything there is to know in G scale. I have seen your comments on the Aristo Forum and truly enjoy reading everything you have to comment on. You are sincerely a huge asset to this hobby.Please keep up the excellent work. I look forward to meeting you someday in my travels. We have an RV and will be in the Las Vegas area for about a week between Feb14 through the 20th. I live in Vancouver BC. Look forward to hearing from you ! John

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so far I have enjoyed most of the work. As a beginner anything others have been through helps. How about advice on what wires to use underground?

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I really enjoyed to tour and have downloaded some of your notes and plan to download more. I have some aristo stuff and am in the planning stages. I have made a decision to go R/C and am going to use aluminum track. Your notes will be extremely helpful. I live in the midwest and my only contact with others sharing the same interests is the Internet. Thank you and it is a learning experience. Paul

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Spent some time lookin' at your new wreck and relics page... great pics... love the old stuff but haven't got any on page (yet) though

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A great Web Site. Keep up the good work!

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real nice site enjoyed the tips, picked up a few pointers. tks

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DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS, CITY OF McALLEN,MEMBER OF THE, RIO GRANDE VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD CLUB, ABOUT 40 MEMBERS. HAVE INJOYED CHECKING YOUR WEB SITE, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.SEE YOU LATER, LYLE.

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Very impressed with your work. Will come back later for a more detailed look, especially at the layout drawings. Thanks for sharing your work via WWW.

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Pas mal du tout et les photos s'ouvrent vite. Leon Dochy Pecq Belgium

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Just satup my own web page was hopin you would link to it . Thanks

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I really liked you website. I too have thought of a garden train, but being that I am into N scale, my backyard would look more like it were mouse infected than a railroad! Good work!

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Just had to drop you a line about your page.I am new to this and just installed a layout in the backyard in the middle of December and have to say your site is the best and most informative,I use mostly aristo products and your page is the cats meow as far as aristo info goes thanks again. Rodney Benner

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Holly %^%$#@, what an IMPRESSIVE site; an excellent job. Keep up the good work. A+ David

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Your information is very interesting and of course enjoy news of other Railroaders. I am starting this spring my second garden railroad.

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Extremely good info, thanks George

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Great technical info. Thanks for the help.

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Great site, George. I've learned a lot and have your site bookmarked for continued reference. Tried out your method of shortening inter-car distance on AC heavywts and it works fine. Need to study your method of programmng TE more...I'm an electronic doof s, I'm afraid.

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Great site, the information is great, and your recent DCC experiences have been a real help!

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best thing i have found yet thanks from a new large scale modeler

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Hi George, What a great site. The tech tips are invaluable. I keep coming back to it when in need. You provide a wonderful service to the model railroad community. Keep up the great work.

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Just wanted to thank you for providing such an extensive body of information for those of us new to large scale. Without your tech tips I am sure many would leave the hobby in frustration. Thanks again.

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Have a starter set. I'm trying to learn all I can about garding/outside trains. I have a small backyard and my train is on my bank in the back yard. The train travels most up more than 2% grades. Any suggestions on weight or traction.

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Very nice. Full of helpfull tips and suggestions.

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thanks, excelent info . in ref to shay. i purchased one 12/97 took it apart as per video screw holes where the cover screw are were ckacked or broken. i glued them back. also after some use the pick up balls sticking in the melting plastic that holds them. i have e=mailed bachma n about problem requesting a power truck housing. thanks again for a GREAT site thomas s. wagner 516 emerson st. phila. pa. 19111 fax 215-745-1370

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Wow!!! great pictures, neat basement, great digest on couplers. I will have to come back to this site to get more information. thanks r

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I've modeled in N and HO, but large scale is new to me. Your site is the most useful I've found so far. I have a couple of Bachman 4-10-0's and a Bachman Climax. Your tips on these will be particularly helpful. Thanks!

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Great site I,m new to this hoppy, and you have a lot of great info that easy to find and follow. I know I will come back here over the next months to help me plan and understand what I need to do to get what I want. Keep up the great work Regards wolfgang

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Just starting out in G Scale and picking up all the imformation I can. I especially appreciate all your work and articles. My backround is an Airline Pilot, USAirways 34 years, A & P Mechanic and Electrician. Using all your information Thanks Eric

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Thanks from one of the newbes--I've been in H.O. for several years but now have the Garden Bug. Your info is quite helpful as I find there are many things that are different between the two scales. I live near Las Vegas,Nv. so if you ever take a trip to " in City" look me up and i'll show you the town. Thanks Again Joe Raines

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Perfect timing. Miriam and I were just wondering why our batteries died so quickly. I'm an electrical engineer, so I think I can handle the power conversion on the passenger cars. We have just recently gotten into model railroading and have the perfect ba kyard (with two fish ponds and a stream) to make a garden. Granted the fish are a bit out of scale for the train, but we'll work that out later. Steve

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I have been working on a Bachmann smoke unit from a Big Hauler. Now I know what may have started the problem. I had left power on the unit and ran it dry. After reading your tip I will have to figure out what next. Nice page and the information is very usefull to newbes like my self. Thanks, Bob

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Im new to the hobby I don't even own any trains at this moment but after seeing your page i have the bug now. thanks for all your support to the hobby p.s. the link to tried and true trains won't connect i think because it starts with wwV instead of www.

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Like your site many usefull tips .Iwell be visting your site often. As anote I have the USA trains locomotive GP9 in Great Northen colors it to has steam genertor vent Had same gear noise after runing a little bit things cleared up ok .Locomotive runs wel pulls good I am very happy with it

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Thank you for sharing all this great info with those of us just starting out. It's great!

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I found this site very interesting with lots of information about model trains. As a beginner to this hobby the most interesting stuff is the maintenance and your personal experiences eith different manufacturers . Currently I have Backmann Gold Rush trai set. I am in a process of installing it in my sons bedroom along the walls below a foot from the celing. The room is 10x12 feet. Please let me know, if there is any manufacture faults in the train set that you are aware-of. Thanks

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Just found your site. Very interesting especially for someone who is brand new to the hobby. I am sure I will return often in the future. John Wilcox jbwilcox@hotmail.com

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Great Site. I am SEARCHING IN VAIN for Lionel L.S. Christmas boxcars from 1995, 1996 & 1997 for my daughter's train. If you have one to sell, or know where I could find any one, please email me.

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Your tips have been extremly helpfull.I am doing battery power with the TRAIN Engineer. I am experimenting with three 6volt lead acid batteries in a FA/FB combo in order to have more speed than a 12volt lead acid battery. It works but appears to be to he vy. Problems keep cropping up with shorts. Please keep up your excellent work. Thanks!

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Re: Alaska I spent a month in Alaska last summer and also rode the WP&YR and Alaska RR. Those GE diesels on the White Pass were built especially for the WP&YR. The conductor on the train was a walking history book, but unfortunately I forgot most of the history of the GE's. As I recall several were sold off during tough financial times. Outside of Fairbanks there is a bed and breakfast "Forget Me Not Lodge/The Aurora Express". In addition to a modern house and an excellent breakfast, Susan and Mike Wilson have aquired two Pullman cars (I believe they were orginally on the UPRR and then he Alaska RR) that had been previously used for hotel rooms by the Denali State Park Hotel. These cars and a caboose have been converted in elegant suites. They have a very interesting video of the overland move of these cars to there current site. We also traveled by car ferry from Valdez to Whittier. To get from Whittier to Portage and the main (only) Anchorage-Seward highway is by an eighteen mile auto ferry. You exit the car ferry and drive on to a series of connected flat cars and have a shor ride thru two long and dark tunnels. Very unique. Enjoy your site.

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Have learned a lot from your site, and keep coming back to pages on turnout control, FA-1/FB tuneups, etc.. Remember reading about diode matrices in Model Railroader at least 20 yrs ago. Keep up the good work, you have helped a lot of people.

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George, a very nice site. I have an outdoor G layout with 120 m. of rails. I run only LGB (up to now). On your page rls/rls_shays.html, I think the second photo is a Class A Climax (see http://members.xoom.com/climaxloco) Greetings from Belgium Patrick

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Thank you for some very informative articles on the Shey. I ,purchased it for my wife last season and am afraid to really touch it. I am a lionel/ mth person myself. My son is into HO. Thanks again.

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Enjoyed your trip on the AR. In Aug '88, we took a Westour on MS Noordam, Vancouver to Juneau, flew to Anchorage, AR'd in front seat first full dome via Denali sightseeing to Fairbanks, motorcoached to Prudhoe Bay. Videotaped VHS the entire rail trip. ...FYI... Enjoying my visit to your homepage et al. Mark

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George, have read many of your "tips" on operational improvements, great work ! I also like doing M/u lash ups, using a "sub-mini" plug and jack system. To deal with directional/polarity problems I installed a switch to reverse jumper polarity only. This allows for one,small device to be used, with good durability.

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George like your page. I may be looking in the wrong place I'm looking for "O" scale LGB Sorry for my edecate Thanks for your help Cody Co.

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Help! I'm very new to the graden railroad hobby. I will begin my layout soon and I have A LOT of questions. Power??? DCC??? I am planning on a large (500 or more feet of track) and I am confused about the best power pack to buy. I am also very intere ted in "wireless" control of my train (an AristoCraft Pacific with four heavyweight cars). I am looking at the Bridgeworks Magnum power pack. I live in Memphis, Tennessee and don't know if track power is best. You make mention of areas of the country w ere track power is not optimum. Is Memphis one of those places? Can you help or can you recommend a book which will help me? thanks for the great information on your page.

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Hello George. Been real busy. Would still like to see your layout.

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Avery nice site have not finished exploring it yet, but it is Bookmarked for my return. Thanks....Tom

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I am brand new to G Scale trains and have found your web site information invaluable. I have printed out several pages for future reference. You have answered many of my questions about roadbeds, tracks, power sources, etc. Thank you very much.

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George I could stay on all night GREAT site. You are really a help for the ``all thumbs` crew. I have some experience with the streamliners and running them with a set of UP F-7ABA I ended up using LGB hook/loop couplers. My layout is indoors, New Hampshire can ave cold weather, so my radii are limited probably 5` to 7`. One expensive fix for running the streamliners were LGB rollerbearing conductive wheels what a difference! Once again thanks for the information I amsure I will visit again. Manny Cardinale

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Great Site... Your hints and other answers for problems have been helpful for years.

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WOW!! I'm jealous. Just started collecting G-Scale. With time and money, and convincing my wife to keep the cars outside, I hope to start construction of my "railroad."

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Great work. I really appreciate the tips and information. As a beginner you have provided a great source of information and cleared up a lot of confusion. Thanks!

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I love your page. Bart Salmons, the Shay Guru was up for the first time yesterday and saw my layout for the first time and sent me a note later says he was giddy with the though that he had a place to run his no. e ,Mallet, IHave 325 feet of main line and I'm shooting for 1000 minium plus sidings. Now my question, what do I need to buy from Aristo so I can run one of my engines on battery power. I have the TE, but it's a waste to have that much track in a sigle folded 8 and only run one engine. I will try to rc two Aristo RS-3's Tom

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Just wanted to add my "Thanks" for the effort you have made and its resulting benefits to the Garden Gauge Community. I am new to Garden Gauge and right or wrong got into it in a big way not having the slightest idea of how complicated this "hobby" is. Without your help, Jonathan Polk's of Aristo, that of the internet "family" and a few local "G" Gaugers I would likely have given up in absolute frustration long ago. Keep up the excellent assistance. It is MOST appreciated. Jerry McColgan, Austin, Arkansas

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Sir: Having retired 5 yrs. ago & received bypast I have gotten into "G" and ponds I ahve started a layoutthat is about 30X40 that will go over our pond and your sight will be very helpful to me. Here in Oklahoma City our wenters are not to bad so I intend to work all year. Thanks again. Vince Ramo OKC

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I enjoy your articles very much, they have helped me alot. Keep up the good job!!!!!! THANKS!

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Excellent Info. Thanks for the service. I am a "Bachmann" man and finding your product reviews are very helpful. Have you tested their 2-4-2 T's Model # 81598 & 81599 ??

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I have successfully used a gallon of brake fluid in a plastic tool box to remove the paint from a Bachmann bobber caboose. However, recent projects involving an Aristocraft flatcar and USA Trains caboose has prompted me to issue the following warning. Although inexpensive, brake fluid as a paint stripper is very messy. Safety glasses, rubber gloves and old clothes are required as a minimum. It is also very slow. Both cabooses (cabeese?) took two days and a lot of messy work with a toothbrush. The flatc r unfortunately did not last two days. After its first soak, it fell to pieces and was not salvageable. The USA Trains caboose also developed a large crack all down one side and half way across the bottom. Many of the plastic grabirons also broke. Fortuna ely the van can be saved and the grabirons replaced. It appears that brake fluid reacts with the plastic in these large scale products and makes it very brittle. Anything under tension will crack or break. Although it can be brushed on and washed off to remove decals or lettering, I do not recommend that yo soak large scale plastic products in brake fluid. Paul Norton OVGRS

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Nice site. Great pics and thanks for all your info here and at largescaleonline

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Very informative. I am just starting out in the hobby and I have enjoyed your many articles. I am having a hard time understanding your wiring schemes. I don't know what all of the symbols stand for. Do the circles represent the diodes and the triangl s represent the relays? What does 10k, 1K and 20 microF stand for? Also do the 3 curved lines represent coil switch machines? Anyway, I hope that I can figure it out. Thanks for the info. Sincerely, Bryan Lilly

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It's simply amazing you've decoded the inner workings of much of the large-scale trains and accessories. Your information is generally more helpful than anything I can get from the manufacturers... thanks

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Excellent pics of the Riverside fall meet! Also very good commentary and notes. Thanks for sharing your fun. I'm a member of the Lake Shore Live Steamers, Kirtland, OHIO

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Thanks for all your tips and incredibly valuable info. I staffed a Union Pacific FA1 using your method, and it went a lot faster and better than my own hacking on a Santa Fe FA1

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Wonderful site, full of information. I am just starting out in garden railroading and I have found your site to be extremly complete and informative. You seem to have a handle on everything regarding "G" scale. I can't wait to attempt my first Howe Trus Bridge. Thank you.

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I have found your site very informative. You have done alot of work that is going to come in very handy to myself and many others in the Greater Vancouver Garden Railway Club located in British Columbia Canada. You must spend all of your free time on your pages, how do you find time to run trains?

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I like your name,and your lack of appology for ENJOYING a very popular hobby. I have an outdoor railroad, always under construction. I have named it JFF & NSI RR (just for fun, no scale intended).I run 136' elevated mainline, with a 10' truss bridge accro s the pond(water garden). I live in Michigan, thus the elevated line. I run all year, Except for 7 to 21 days, when super cold or icey weather prohibits. Keep up the good work Great RR!! John B Pedersen Three Rivers, Mi.

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Great site. Keep up the good work and thanx.

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Mank thanks for your tips on programming the Aristo Train Engineer. What a pity their instruction books are so badly done !

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Thank you so very much for your web site. I'm looking into getting into garden model railroading and you have so many answers for all my questions. there are still lots for me to learn. Your set-up looks really nice.

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Your tech sheets are great.

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Thank you very much not only for the information in your magnificent webb page, but also for your comments on LSOL. Being relatively new to the hobby(1 year), I have been able to learn from that source and from webb pages such as yours. I hope someday I c n help others as you have helped me. Frank Moreno

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Huge amounts of VERY useful info. I am building an indoor layout with Aristo track and switches. Started with a Big Hauler passenger set, added a Spectrum 2-4-2T and 6 log cars (two disconnects) and several other Bachman freight cars. Up 'til now I hav no scenery. Have been "debugging" from an engineering and wiring standpoint. What I read today will solve some problems I have been struggling with. Eventually, I hope to add scenery. My goal is to look like some of the West Virginia logging lines ar und the turn of the century. Again, thanks for sharing this vast pool of info with us newbys.

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thanks for info iam just starting

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George-Have been reading and learning from your tips and comments for a few months now and needed to say thanks. Have been active in electronics here for a bunch of years, but still learn from your well written and thought out info. Thanks and look forward to future developments! The RR here has a few pics on the web at www.rrtrains.com/tour/page2.htm The Wichita area club held an open house a few weeks back and one member had a new Sony Dig. Cam. and took a few shots. Again, you are doing a great job in documenting your findings and it is appreciated! Jack

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George, I just purchased a Bachmann Shay and appreciate your many fine tips! Thanks, Bill

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as someone moving large amounts of dirt in the UK at present its great to see what it can all look like at the end of the day. Very impressive

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George; THANK YOU. I have just finished downloading most of your tips for my reference book. There are a TON of things I will be trying in order to improve the performance of my "AUSABLE VALLEY RAILWAY". You have a GREAT site that I'm sure most of our fellow m delers really appreciate & get agreat deal of use from. I live in London, Ontario, Canada & have been building my layout for about 4 years now with, I'm sure, many more years till completion (as if a model railroad is ever 'completed'). I'm listed in the Largescale Online database for a more detailed 'look' a my pike. Thanks again for a truly fantastic website, it is MOST appreciated. Bill Fry

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Thanks for the tips page ... very helpful ! I just bought a Big Hauler set (Suwanee River Special) from Sams Club for $99. - All the wheels (engine, tender and the two passenger cars) are metal. - There are no wire or springs that appear to touch the rails. It appears to use the the metal wheels to get the power. - I have not opened the engine yet ... but there does not appear to be any bulge (for the gear) between the rear wheels. - The train sound (from the tender) always stops when the train stops. The above seem to contradict some of the findings on the web page ... could it be that Bachmann has made mods to the unit ? I am new to model railroading ... so a dumb question ... I am told that the Bachmann tracks are relatively cheap quality tracks ... which would you recommend (for outdoors / indoor use) ... I have heard some good things about the Aristo tracks ... any suggestions ?

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Great information source not only for beginners.

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George my friend, you amaze me! I have returned for a visit after a few months and you have just expanded to the point of calling yourself an encyclopaedia! Congratulations! And I appreciate the link you have added to the Toenail Ridge Shortline. Phil in Downunder-land

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Enjoy you tips. Some day you need to publish a book with all of them in it. keep up the good work.

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It's great. I love your technical tips most. Thank you

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Nice page. Very informative. Keep it up.

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For myself and on behalf of all the volunteers at the Fairplex Garden Railroad. I truly want to thank you for a GREAT web page. All of your articles are a great help to the G-scale railroader. I have passed several on to fellow garden railroaders.

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This is the best G-Scale-Site I know! Great!!!

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Nice Site. Lots of good content.

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Thanks for your input. You have answered all my questions plus delt with a few unresolved issues for my heavyweights. Have you done any further modification to your cars other than the mechanical ones? On a tech note, your site's color pictures did not print out after page two, your problem or mine, I'm not sure. Keep Those Rails Shining! Ed Finch

Mike Dion - 09/18/98 17:06:37
My Email:mdion@harris.com

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I have an Aristo 0-4-0 and I am struggling with dirty wheels like you mention in your technical tips. You has stated that you were going to attempt to chrome plate the wheels. If you did, how did it work? Any other suggetions?? Great Site!

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I am re-build my garden railroad and your tips are just what I need. Thank you for taking the time to provide the tips. By the way I am looking for a pattern or mold for casting concrete walls with a rock or building block texture. Do you know where th se are available? Again thanks for your help.

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have not seen site yet

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have not seen site yet

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Beautiful railroads and site! Should be very inspirational to many, George! You've got it "bad", indoor AND outdoor! The very best of luck to you in your endeavors! I'll be back often! Thanks. jim

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Your Fairfax Railroad pictures are wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the effort to set it up. We're at the beginning stages of our garden railroad and it is so inspiring.

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Great site and I learn alot.Thank you

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Dear George, I just wanted to let you know, that I agree with many others, this is the best site on the web. And, like many others I'm sure, I truly appreciate the time and effort you are putting forth in an order to help hobbiests around the world. Once again, than you.

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George, Thank you for the great job you are doing for our hobby. I would like to suggest a topic for tech tips: scale distance and speed. Could you write up tips on how to convert your track length to scale length, how to calulate engine speed and references to actual speed different engines could go. I remember seeing a story in a magazine about utilizing a bicycle computer programmed with the dia. of a train wheel to get scale mph, any thoughts? Keith

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Very nice page. Especially like the tips. Have had problems with my RS3 trucks and now maybe I can fix it. Thanks muchly.

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Great Pages and Pictures!!! You have created a very nice railroad. Thanks for your efforts to share it. Tim

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Great web site. I appreciate the amount of work you have put into it and the help it provides large scale community. Thanks.

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Great info. Being new to Garden Railroading it is great to have someone who has "been there" and willing to share the experience and help avoid the mistakes. I'd appreciate your recommendations regarding the various track software packages. Thanks, Jerry McColgan

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KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I REALLY ENJOY IT.YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS. THANK YOU HARRY

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George, I just HAVE to come back so often! Your website is the "gold-standard" in cyber railroad world, as your layout is.

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Just completed a 6' Howe Truss bridge based on your plans. It was an interesting experience. The bridge turned out great. My wife was impressed. Can't ask for much more. Thanks for your input and help to this hobby. We are just starting and your bri ge was my first effort.

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Smile it's another railroad day. I enjoyed my visit. Doin' some cruising as I work up my track plan for my sometime soon RR. Tks

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Hi George, It's been a long time, but I'm back in the USA. My Big Hauler has a broken truck on the tender. So, I'm looking for replacement trucks that are more durable. I also need to learn how to disassemble an LGB 4010 loco.... want to re-do the little critter. Best regards, Matt

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I've just spent one and three quarter hours downloading about 2/3rds of your tips. Haven't read them all yet, but what I have seen looks very useful. I'm writing a handbook for the UK G-Scale society so I borrowed a modem (a s-l-o-w modem) and got a 30 day free internet trial (so my e-mail address is only temporary) to search the web for ideas and info. I'll e-mail you soon re. copyrights, etc on any f your stuff I think I could use.

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moved sound pot on pac.sound tend to water pop valve easer to adj @ turn off use small. volum pot from radio shak inst. in shay top under crank handel use rc chgr. and plug to chg, battery i hide it under now removeable coal. top thanks for scam. on dri er for two switch mach. arsto 5474 works great

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WILL GET INTO IT A LITTLE LATER. I'VE ACCUMULATED MUCH OF THE EQUIPMENT, BUT HAVEN'T DEVELOPED THE COURAGE TO START ON MY OUTDOOR RR. I'VE NO EXPERIENCE, HENCE THE FEAR OF STARTING. MY CONCERNS ARE THE LAYING OF THE TRACK AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRING ETC.

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Thank you for the nice work you given the G scalers it's all so useful Thanks again

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Just tried your fix of using wire ties to hold a Big Hauler 4-6-0 motor in place. The engine is a Plus ET and WNC. Haven,t run it till now cause I didn't want to eat the gears. We've tried many other solutions in our club and I changed countless drive gears or members but the engines always at the gears. So far the ET has operated for over 6 hours and everything seems OK. I pass this info on to our club members that have 10-wheelers. Thanks for the help. Jon

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Just tried your fix of using wire ties to hold a Big Hauler 4-6-0 motor in place. The engine is a Plus ET and WNC. Haven,t run it till now cause I didn't want to eat the gears. We've tried many other solutions in our club and I changed countless drive gears or members but the engines always at the gears. So far the ET has operated for over 6 hours and everything seems OK. I pass this info on to our club members that have 10-wheelers. Thanks for the help. Jon

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Just tried your fix of using wire ties to hold a Big Hauler 4-6-0 motor in place. The engine is a Plus ET and WNC. Haven,t run it till now cause I didn't want to eat the gears. We've tried many other solutions in our club and I changed countless drive gears or members but the engines always at the gears. So far the ET has operated for over 6 hours and everything seems OK. I pass this info on to our club members that have 10-wheelers. Thanks for the help. Jon

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George, I thoroughly enjoy your entire site. It is one of most informative and well-organized sites I have ever visited. Most importantly, it has excellent content as well as navigation, something which many professional sites can't seem to get the hang of. I am new to the hobby of running trains, and I have learned much from visiting your technical tips pages, and continue to refer back to your tips before I purchase more equipment. I am curious how long you spend maintaining the website each month, and how long you spend on the actual hobby portion. Thanks again for providing such valuable information to the large scale community. My visit to your site was what convinced me that I wanted to get into this hobby. Best Regards, Juliet

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Wow! Great site. I'm new to this hobby and I see I can learn a lot from all your tips. Why don't you write a manual with all this information. I certainly would buy one. I'll be back often.

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The Directors of the Chenango Valley Scenic Railway wish to thank you for a great site. We're still in the planning and development stage, but are making steady progress thanks to people like you and the Southern Tier Garden Railroad Society.

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Great pages George, full of very useful information especially for the newcomer like myself. Was very dissappointed when I purchased my first LGB 1200 turnouts and discovered that the loco wacked the frog with a big jolt on every pass through the curved oute. After consulting your "LGB Turnout Tuneup" page, I spent this afternoon fashioning .025" x .25" x 6" brass strips (I notched along the bottom of the strip in order to fit over the ties) and installed them as suggested by Todd Brody. The loco runs th ough the turnouts as smooth as silk now. Thank you very much for posting your pages. I really don't know if I would have come up with that one on my own. What really bothers me though is that LGB continues to manufacture turnouts that don't work properly. I guess in the long run, the brass guard rail will last longer than a plastic one anyhow. Thanks again!

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A great web site. Thanks for your time and effort

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I am new to Garden railroading and am just trying to learn about it. Also deciding if I want to get started with my first railroad.

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You have a great web site. and i am ever so thankfull that you have put so mouch time in it.. Keep up the good work.

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My prayers have been answered indeed! Your site has been a true blessing as I'm new to the large scale moving up from "N" scale. I'm still in shock after viewing all the great information based no doubt on your many year's of experince!Please keep up the ood work!

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Hi George, what a great site. thanks. here is more info for the cheap and dirty corragated siding, Precision Brand makes shim stock 6" wide by 100" long by .0015 among others. it crimps very well when cut in 3" X 6" strips placing the wide side into the crimper . you have manageable strips for roofing or siding. without a lot of the curvature that the aluminum cans create ! i couldnt have done it without you . and it patinas great. thanks shepp

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relly great pages if i have questions on my aristo equipment i look at your site fist thanks ed rouse

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8:15 PM July 14 1998 Hi, great pages of information. I need all of the help that I can get. From my readings of your work I am sure that we have the same love for our hobby and the same kind of problums. Oh I am the one that sent you the note about using the springs on the pl stic hose for the smoke in an FA. T springs that fit best are the ones for the engine trucks and the passenger cars. I just got my first set of the new Astro wide switches and I will let you know how they workout as soon as I get time to work on my layout. Well I have to spend the next two week on location , "I am a television producer" so it will be after the 28th before I can do any railroading. Thank You for a great place to learn. Jerry... If you are ever in Ohio Jerry Beck Vanguard productions 7020 Huntley Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43229 614-436 4610 Home 614-882 0355

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8:15 PM July 14 1998 Hi, great pages of information. I need all of the help that I can get. From my readings of your work I am sure that we have the same love for our hobby and the same kind of problums. Oh I am the one that sent you the note about using the springs on the pl stic hose for the smoke in an FA. T springs that fit best are the ones for the engine trucks and the passenger cars. I just got my first set of the new Astro wide switches and I will let you know how they workout as soon as I get time to work on my layout. Well I have to spend the next two week on location , "I am a television producer" so it will be after the 28th before I can do any railroading. Thank You for a great place to learn. Jerry If you are ever in Ohio Jerry Beck Vanguard productions 7020 Huntley Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43229 614-436 4610 Home 614-882 0355

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Excellent site. Your Track Selection Tips were exactly what I need right now. I plan to go through all you pages and expect to enjoy the learning process. We have an area about 130' by 50' which we are turning into a garden and train yard - 1890 variet . Thanks for your efforts in putting the info out where we can see and understand it.

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I,m planning to start my own garden railroad , yours gave me a lot of ideas.What scale trains do you use,are they ho , n , or what? Please email me and let me know. My email is dpernell@3rddoor.com thanks,jason

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George, The info on digital cameras is outstanding! Thanks, Karl

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Your information is like gold to me concerning the cost of buying equipment needed in this hobby is expensive thanks again

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Read about your site in Garden Railways. Was having the same problems with the Big Hauler as someone else, and the suggestion was made to check here for some good ideas. Glad that I did. You answered many that the folks down the hobby shop couldn't. Appreciate what you are doing for the hobby, and the rest of us poor souls out there who are silently suffering.

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Fantastic site. I will be back as I begin my first venture into Large Scale (retire soon) It has all be N Scale to now (Swiss - sort-of)

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just getting started.this has beena great help

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This is my first visit and by the looks not the last. I have a small railroad in my backyard. A few pictures are on my web page. I have not had a chance to look at all you tip, etc. but will return again. Ray Taylor

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Excellent. I have learned alot about large scale. I am contemplating this scale, because the eyesight is slipping and the fingers just don't work as well as they used to. N scale is getting to me! Thanks.

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Sorry for the duplicate entry, but didn't realize that your guestbook didn't allow for html codes so my "TRAINS PAGE" didn't show up in the original posting. I have been in awe at all the info on your pages! Very fascinating and interesting reading. I a just starting out in G-Scale (got my first G-Scale for a birthday gift in Nov. 1997). Currenty I am using the New Bright G-Scale train sets. I will be back to this site often for more info. I got here from a link from Aristo Crafts website and I'm glad I did! BTW: My actual website is mostly about my 3 cats and I just added my Train page on June 25 with photo's of my current layout. Due to where I placed t and room constraints it's really not a large layout or elaborate, but for living in an apartment it gives me a good start in it! :)

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I have been in awe at all the info on your pages! Very fascinating and interesting reading. I am just starting out in G-Scale (got my first G-Scale for a birthday gift in Nov. 1997). Currenty I am using the New Bright G-Scale train sets. I will be back to this site often for more info. I got here from a link from Aristo Crafts website and I'm glad I did! BTW: My actual website is mostly about my 3 cats and I just added my Train page on June 25 with photo's of my current layout. Due to where I placed it and room constraints it's really not a large layout or elaborate, but for living in an apartment it giv s me a good start in it! :)

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Good news, I'm just getting started in the graden railway world, having purchased a LGB set many years ago. The wife now has the flowers, it's high time I now laid the track. So I am looking for webb sites that may be of help to me!

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What can I say? I seem to run oput of questions before your answers come to an end. Sitting over here in Germany, there is little choice besides LGB. I personally am interested in US railway, history and related stuff, LGB is trying pretty hard but their iew of the US is let's say "touristical". German railway hobby is a very serious thing, you can compare it to collecting stamps (you know: "I have 15 different models from the BR55 series of steam locomotives, six of them were never built, now I am waitin for the one come that has this special third dome..."). Keep up your good work. It's a pleasure to read your comments and hints. By the way - I happened to get an Aristo U25B and almost immediately started "tinkering": My idea: I replaced the two each "h adlamps" on the short hood and above the "switch compartment". The rear ones now are red LED's, for the front ones I installed something brand new over here: real white LED's that make a remarkable forward beam, powered some self-made fixed-output power s pply. The same LED's are installed as double beams between the loco numbers that are lit by four individual 5V-bulbs. Now you can see the light also on the opposite end of the tunnel...Best greetings from the Stuttgart area. Uli Wolff

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Am sure glad I stumbled across your website. Has made good informative sense. But in Programming my Train Engineer, I got stumped. In fifth paragraph, you mentioned "ten keys". No can find, or else I'm really out in left field. Thanks for your excellent w bsite.Will pass on to others in Florida GRS

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Now we have our island - time to get the train~thanks for the tips - will let you know when the railroad is up and running. Stop by and visit.

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I HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU..... I JUST NOW STARTING A NEW INDOOR LAYOUT, MY 2ND G SCALE. i LEARNED A FEW THINGS FROM THE FIRST AND AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE INFO WHAT RADII ARE YOU USING ON YOUR CURVES? I PLANNING ON HAND SPIKED CODE 250 RAIL WITH 42-48" RADII, BUT THIS LIMITS A LOT. BY LAYOUT WILL BE IN A RETANGLE 16' X 24' WITH A 42" X 12' YARD. THE LARGER RADII ARE REQUIRED FOR MY 3 TRUCK SHAY. IF YOU GO TO MY TRACKER-GBS SITE ON EACH WEB PAGE YOU CAN "CLICK" ON THE TRAIN LOGO AN IT WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF MY MODELS. AT ANY RATE I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU I LIVE IN ST LOUIS AND CAN BE REACHED AT 314-725-4477 DAYS 314-530-1797 NIGHTS BRIAN

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Just found your web site. It's Great.As I am getting serious and interested in graden railroads with my grand-son Wanted info for laying and setting new track Keep up the good job. any tips,info would be appriacted. Thanks Alan

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George, Great web site and I like your photos and tips on fine-tuning the equipment. Looks like you have put a lot of work into your railroad. My web site is in development. Hope it turns out as good as yours. Tom Cruse

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Fairly new to large scale. You have a great site, very informative, keep it going Thanks Dale

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George Very good web site, injoyed the photos of your layout. My son Craig and I have been in G-scale about nine years. Craigs in a wheelchair. I try to keep him busy with trains. He runs them and I get to do all the work. Thanks for sharing your layout o the internet. Don

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I received your reply reference roadbed/ballast on the LSOL workshop today and your response was exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks. I now intend to go through the rest of your homepage. When I tried to print out your page on ballast tips the fir t page came out very tiny in the left hand upper corner of the page; the second page came out fine. Is there some way that I can enlarge the type on your first page as I'd really like to print it out so I can read it. The answer is probably an easy one,bu I'm still learning not only about garden railways, but the intricies of the computer as well. Again my thanks, Mark

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George, On behalf of BoxCar Productions I want to thank you for your outstanding web page and your comments about the Fairplex Railroad and our video tape. I would like to send you a copy. Our way of saying thank you. Please e-mail me your address. If at anytime in future you would like additional information on the Fairplex please let me know. I'm also the P.R. man for the exhibit. I have 4 page complete history of the exhibit on PageMaker 6.0(Mac)or a hard copy I can send you. Again a very big than you. Ed Saalig, President BoxCar Productions.

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Outstanding job. Bob Toohey suggested I review your web page and I am really glad I did. I wrote and edited the Fairplex Garden Railroad videotape and we need someone with your talents and photo skills. I look forward to hearing from you. I'm glad you had a great time out at the Fairplex Garden Railroad. I was so busy with the video that I ave not had the opportunity to visit the layout. Thanks for updating me and sharing the layout with the world. I really appreciate that!!! Dennis

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One more hint you might want to add to your line on corrugated metal. As you no doubt have discovered, the plastic frame on the crimper is rather flexible so you can't put enough pressure on to get a deep crimp the first time and repeated runs cause the etal to dish out. The solution I found was to build a metal frame in a modified 'V' shape and drill axle holes at each end 5/8" apart. The axles are press fit but they do come out. Put your frame in a vise and start grinding out flat deeply corrugated met l on the first pass.

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I am essentially a scratch builder so everythig you have here is of interest. I will check back often.

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Hello George, Just bookmarking all the Large Scale pages from your guest book. Karl

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I really enjoy your site, and look to it anytime I have questions about my own trains/set-up, electrics, etc. Thanks for being there.

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Great site, Just got into 'G' scale last year. Starting a layout outside, still under construction. In fact still working out the track plan. Enjoyed you review on the USA-trains GP9. I just pick on of them up my self. Looking for information on installing DCC decoders into the 4 engines I have. Doesn't look like any one users DCC on the big stuff. I'm using DCC on the HO trains I have.

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I very much enjoyed your website. Thank you for providing such useful information on G scale railroads. It will be very useful in my future endevours. Sincerely, Stephen A. Elias

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Greetings from Singapore .Great stuff! Thoroughly enjoyed your site and will come back when more time is available. I'm just getting started with G scale and find your info most helpful.

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Great site and usfull info. am interested in changing over my LGB and Brach to metal wheel. Do you know who makes the exact size other than OEM? Keep up the good work. From a "basher" not a scrachbuilder (but I do admire their work). I take liberties with my last name. Thanks, Ed

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Like the pictures. Some reat ideas for when I finally et to plan a layout.

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Dear George, Many thanks for your greatly appreciated technical tips. I had a chance to visit Aristo's "HQ" last March while at my son's address in Jersey City. Please pass my regards to Maryann and David (thanks again for the lift to Journal Square) Greetings from Be gium. Mike

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Your railroad is the best I seen on the web. I am in G but in a 12 by 24 ft. shed. I buy aristo bachmann and USA and cut apart and rebuilt as trains of 1930 and 1940.The aristo critter is a real buy for rebuilding as a center cab. You have a real railroa ===enjoy running I enjoyed seeing it er

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George - Thanks for all the great information you post. I, for one, appreciate the effort! I recently installed Pacific digital sound upgrade. New ones have connector extension for power wires - they must have read your comments!

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Thanks for the tips, I'm just getting started in garden rail roading. I just hauled in over 40 tons of dirt to raise my 14'x43' planter box. So as you can guess I'm almost ready to start on the tracks and topography of my layout. So I'm looking for any ne ideas!, I think I want to stay around the 18th. century using mining or loging as my main theme. I'm open to any suggestions you may have. I'm still lookine for others interested In G-scale around my home town Phoenix, Az.

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I am just getting into Large Scale, (from HO) What have I been missing? The gear is great and your page is very helpful. The tips that you provide help to make the transition from smaller scales easier as new problems\challenges present themselves in th s "G" Great Scale!.

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It's an excellent site George, not only for newbies, but for any large scale enthusiast. The information you have obviously painstakingly gathered is a real treasure trove of tried and true practices and remedies everyone should appreciate. Thanks a bun h!

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Great site. Answers a lot of my questions. I've been doing a lot of scratchbuilding in Large scale. It is really a lotof digging for info. reminds me of back in the early forties when my father and I scratch built almost everything we used in "O" gu ge. After many years in HO, I've decided to build outdoors. I have plenty of room in the backyard with woods on two side of my yard. Since there are no more baseball fields and soccer and foorball in my back yard, there won't be any messing around. I pl n to use radio control and lay my own track. Thanks for the info. Lou Malandra

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George - Excellent site!!! Now...help!? I read an article several years ago that explained how to lower aristocraft rolling stock to more acceptable heights. By any chance do you know of the article and what magazine it was in, and do you have any suggestions as how to successfully lower aristo stock? Many thanks. Pete

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write me!Grandma was a Schreyer, looking for info on Schreyer family

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always enjoy your site. hope someday to have a layout just as nice as yours. may have opportunity to meet you at garden railways convention

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George-- I don't know you personnally, but I have to stand up and say "Thank you" for all your wonderful tips and techniques for the garden railroads. I have used your pages on the Bachman Shay and am starting to work on my Aristo RS3, using hints from your page. I have had some trouble accessing your page, but I think I found the answer, so I will be spending more time browsing and downloading and printing your stuff. Great Work--I've been real happy reading your stuff. Your page on the Shay was really great, nd it really helped when I had to swap out the smoke unit. Keep up the good work. John Cassidy

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Good work!

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Thanks for the great technical help on your pages. With my site I am trying to show some of the problems I've had, and solutions. You will probably see a fair number of links to your technical pages. One problem I'm having myself with the limited area I have to work in is setting up a reversing wye. Being on disablity pension I don't have money to buy LGB's manual, and wondered if you have a bit more info on how LGB's diode track pieces work. From you diagram I get the impression that AC power is being supplied to the diode bridge??? Thanks Rick

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I only had a few minutes to review the tips on soldering. Your suggestions confirm problems I have had and now know it is not just me having the problems. Good ideas. Good detailed steps. How is the best way to insert the metal wheels without causing damage to the truck. I found some of the axels to be longer than others. What is the maximum length I should have to enable the wheel to rool freely within the truck housing. I would apprec ate your response. Perhaps I didn't look far enough in your ideas.

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Greetings: I recently purchased my first Aristocraft train-- FA1/FB1 engines with 4 Streamliner cars. While generally happy with this equipment, I was not too excited about the big gaps between the cars, and also experienced the spring problem that you mentioned. When I saw your article on the streamliners, I gained the courage to cut 7/8" off of the coupler mounts and switch the springs around (it turns out that the FA1/FB1 springs were too soft, so by simply switching springs from the cars to/from the engines, all of the pieces are now correctly sprung (4 cars and 2 engines were a perfect number for the interchange!). The whole family and I are now much happier about the appearance and ride characteristics. Thanks for documenting your findings! Winston Kriger and Family

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thanks i for the tips

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I'm just getting started and I appreciate all the good tips and info. I'll continue to review your site for updates because your's is the best so far.Thanks for sharing. God bless you!

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Great technical informatio. Used a lot of the information on the big hauler.

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I am new to garden railroad. Your site answera a lot of equipnent questions. Thanka for your timeand help. Do you know of a site that would have historical informationon the southern crescent LTD.

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Hey George, Just checking out the info on the Pacific digital sound. Thanks alot and keep up the good work! Karl PS. Will PWC hurt LGB volage controlled sound? I have a new F-7 and don't want to burn it up. Please don't pick on me about the LGB, I have a major love affair with the F-7 and couldn't help it. It's the only LGB I have. Don't tell Jon and Lewis on me K? :^)

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Can't thank you enough for all the usefull information. It covers a wide scope of subjects that I'm sure will come in handy for anyone considering getting into G Gauge Railroading, or who is presently operating a layout at present. Your tips are an invalu ble aid to helping make a smoother running Railroad. The exploded view diagrams of the various Aristocraft Locomotives were worth downloading and printing. Too bad Bachmann doesn't offer the same service on the internet. Looking forward to any additional nformation you may share with everyone in the near future. You are truly an asset to the great hobby of G Scale model Railroading, both indoors and outdoors. You could write a book that I'm almost sure would sell like hotcakes. Sincerely, Ron Szabo aka propwash

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Thanks for the info on Airbrushing-it will come in handy. Great Links, super web page

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Congratulations on a great website and a big thankyou for all the tips in the lsol and the aristo forums. Really neat stuff. Ring the bell and blow the horn, chapeau to you. Ruedi

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Your site is a great help to a novice garden railroader (and to the experienced too, no doubt). Thanks for the tips and info.

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Between you and Mac I've got the best of worlds Alan

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Great Tips. Also, used your Web page FAQs when I recently updated my page. I have a diagram for putting a Kadee 835 coupler on the Bachmann Shay on my home page in the Large Scale trains section. Nothing else there right now. I need to get some new pictur s of the outdoor layout taken and post them. Been busy with the Fall Convention our GRS is holding. Thanks for all the info you post. Steve in King of Prussia, PA

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1st time visit; just an armchair collector with a field of dreams..... enjoy the info. Thank U

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surfing for large scale rolling stock kits. I like your site and will explore it more.

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Great web site. I'll be back for ideas. Just starting an outdoor RR at the store. Great tressle and great job on the shays. Thanks Terry.

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Very nice site. I have read all of it and saved/printed most of your tips. Thanks for putting so much into your site. Mucho help!!!

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best web page I have seen to date-very informitive keep up the good work

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Thanks for all your tips on Aristo-craft products.

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I really appreciate your articles and have given many of them to other members of the Southern California Garden Railroad Society to help them with their trains. Your articles will also help us with more realistic appearing and operating consists when we re running at the Fairplex Garden Railroad layout in Pomona. Am looking forward to more articles.

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What a Web site, George: You have an impressive array of very helpful large scale information! I expect to bring a small indoor suspended layout to life later this year, and your tech tips will certainly help achieve this objective. Thanks from another late-life HO retread to G :-) Roger R. Sherman in northern Virginia

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Being a newcomer to large scale, I've thoroughly enjoyed your website and your comments on LSOL. You're quite an asset to the hobby. Thanks, Jonathan Pettit Fort Worth, TX

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Just an added thought, I've found The Nature Company Lamp Oil works great in LGB smoke generators. (odorless, clean burning, unscented lamp oil). It comes in quart bottles and is considerably cheaper!

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In the first two months of owning my first G-scale train set, a Bachman Gold Rush set, the power supply failed, headlamp burned out, smoke generator failed, a wire from the front power pickup broke, and the motor gears started to slip and sound bad. Geor e, I've followed all your suggestions here and added a wrinkle or two of my own: improved the engine mount, added weights, added LGB smoke unit, improved sound. I also added an LGB 63193 electrical contact to the rear of the front truck on the engine an another to the rear truck of the tender, powered the sound unit from the track through a Radio Shack 276-1152 bridge rectifier and a LM317 voltage regulator set to 9 volts (sound stops when engine stops), changed the headlight to a Radio Shack 272-1092C 12v microlamp powered by a bridge rectifier and a 7812 regulator (keeps light from burning out so quickly), added steam whistle sound in the tender ith a recording in a Radio Shack 276-1326 20-sec digital voice board (sharing the same speaker as the existing chuff sound unit) powered through the original 9v battery and a 7805 voltage regulator and triggered by a magnetic switch with a magnet in the tracks, added a red LED inside the smoke stack to give a nighttime glow. I also have an Aristo track cleaning car, to which I added an LGB power pickup, inserted bulbs into the rear lights, and added a variety of red and yellow LEDs with regulators, includng a blinking pair aimed down at the track (so it kindof looks like a tr ck welder). I also replaced the cleaning block with a 3M 7414NA metal finishing pad, that's not only cheaper ($1.99 for 4x11 inch sheet) but easily replaceable and cleans better. Then I put a Bachman coupler on one end and left the Aristo coupler on the other. Thanks for a great web site containing much useful information!

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What a fantastic web sight. I am in the planning stages of the Ellensburg, Williams and Western, and I extract a lot of information from your pages. I really like your information on couplers, and the care and feeding of Bachmann equipment is great, as we l as the information on track. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated, and you are indeed an asset to the hobby. Thanks again!

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Tremendous! I stopped by to look up the info on the Truss Bridge and ended up glancing over all the pages. Will be back. Thanks for all the time and effort you have put into making this terrific site and sharing with the largescale community. Sure would m ke a tremendous book. JR

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I appreciate all the research you have done to provide all those technical tips. I applaud you for taking the time to write them up and post them, too!

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What a resource you provide to our hobby, George. As a newcomer, I'm VERY impressed. Thanks. Steve

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I am new to outdoor RR. We moved to Tucson last year from Minneapolis. I have several Big Huallers. Just finishing a walled garden space for the trains.

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Great site, lots of work and it shows. I've got some info I'ld like to pass on. Maybe some day I'll figure out how to set up a web site. Nick..... a little below Normal, Il. (actually Bloomington Il, which is south of Normal.

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I really appreciate your helpful articles. I'm new to g gauge. thank you

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Great tips! It's really wonderful you share these ideas. Since I'm just a novice at this RR stuff I really appreciate the help with helpful diagrams and written instructions. Keep up the good work!

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I'm getting ready to build a G scale railroad in my yard. I looked at your construction pictures and I was very impressed. New Jersey doesn't get as much snow as you so I think outside is a good place to build. Do you think I should chronicle the event on the internet?

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Member of the south Jersey Garden Railroad Society. I wonder if I could re-print some of your aticles in our club newsletter, and let everyone know where you are on the net?

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I hooked up to your link and think it's great that you share your experiences with other folks. I'm relitively new to the hobby and search for info every where I can.I hope I can come back to this site when I get a little more educated with g-scale and share my thoughts.And if you can use them great! if not well it's nice to know someone is listening,keep up the great job and page!!!! Happy railroading!!

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George, I want to compliment you on a fine web site.The GIRR site has been the best in docmentation that I have ever visted. The odd part is that I viewed it back to front ! I just got started that way and stayed with it, guess you now have bragging rights tha your web site is great makes no difference how it is viewed! I want to make another comment about you and your ideas. It is awesomely refreshing to hear you say that it may be out of time sequence by a hundred years, or I run them cause I like them,and effectively, "Its my damm RR and I will run what I want, when I want, the way I want!! How Great. It has been a great Mon morn for me to see someone who is not locked into a mold preset by someone else's ideas. Thanks George and enjoy the fruits of your labor and my only request is keep adding to this site. Tom Eld r (In Cent Ark)

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great site keep up the good work much appreciated fred

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I'm just starting out and found your area to be a great help. I plan to return very often. Thank you for what must be a very large and dedicated effort. bobb

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Been a big help especially with a bachman loco that I nearly abandoned to a landfill with hints that I could refer back to the loco has new lease on life. Tnx and 73 kc4ive

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I have enjoyed reading all the information. It is very informative. I started my outdoor layout April 1997 and the info on artisto-craft 5474 was what I needed. Your Interlock Control System was right on time. But I am hoping that their 5475 will be o t before summer. I have heard that the 5401 may fall at full speed. Do you know anything about this control pack adaptor? Thanks. Keep up the good work.

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George, Simply fantastic! I have left the little scales for the big-trains and am having a ball. I have just started and have decided to go with the Locolinc and batterie power for both the indoor and outdoor portions of the railroad. I do have a question - i have recently purchased the Phoenix sound system for the Bachmann shay and will use it with the Locolinc. Some people are saying I must use opto isolators between the receiver and the sound board and some say its not required. Any input here? Alan

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Thank's for all the great things your doing for us rookies,Eddie

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Hi George, Just wanted to add my thanks for all the helpfull information you have provided to us newbies.Great site and keep up the excellent work. Thanks again.

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I find the information most helpful -- I hope to start a garden railroad this spring. I quit work last spring so as to be ready. Thanks for your site, it's a boon to amatur railroaders such as myself. B.

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Impressive collection of tips and solutions. Try using a 3M metal polishing product on you sanding pole. It works well for us. You might also advise people to NOT use sand paper or emery cloth to clean track - really wears the track. My experence with WD40 is that it will attack some plastics over a period of time - be careful. Fair weather and clear tracks to you. Ken Stanfield - San Diego

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Have been surfing your site for the last couple of hours. Great looking start on your railroad!! Looks like a lot of planning [not to mention HARD WORK] has gone into it. Once plants are in it should be quite a showpiece. I have only been in garden rai roading for about a year and a half and have a folded dog bone approx 8'x20'x24' with two main lines powered by track power [thanx for including your experience with the Aristo track cleaning car], which I have run around the water fall portion of my wate garden. Do you plan to include a water feature? Would love to see more pix of the RR once you start plantings. Jeff.

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George, What do you know about the Aristo-Craft Rogers 2-4-2 ? Will I have to bring power from the tender like I did on the 0-4-0, or do the front and rear wheels pick up power. I have one on order. When I get it, I will then have at least one of each type of Aristo-Craft engine except for the Pacific 4-6-2, which will not run well on my layout. I now have 17 engines that I run, with normally nine on the layout at one time. I am now working on getting all Aristo-Craft rolling stock. Thanks again, Chuck

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George, Thanks again for all of your work. My 0-4-0 is running fine after I wired the tender power to the engine. Also, my remote control system is working great. It is really super to be able to control my trains from any part of the house. It makes t a lot more fun to show my guest the trains. If you will send me your postal mailing address, I will send you some pictures of my layout. As I stated before, my trains run on 16" and wider shelves over my doors and windows. I have two main lines and a yard area in my hobby room. About 350' to 400' of track. Thanks again, Chuck Rovell

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I enjoyed your web site very much. I liked the tip section very much.

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George: I have always defined success as: "Doing what you want to do, when you want to do it." It appears that you have most of us beat! for being such a great friend to all of us. I have already benefited greatly from your work. Best Regards, Ken

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George, My son and I, mainly my son, have a few G scale trains (5 engines and 30+ cars). I'm mainly in HO, but I help him a lot with his trains. For a 12 year old he has learned a lot about electricty and mechanical things from his interest in model trains. I, eing the chief mechanical manager of his railroad, have learned a lot from your tips and information both on your web site and your technical tips on the Aristo-Craft site. We both hope to start an outdoor "garden" layout this summer. I know putting all this experience and tips on the web takes much of your time but I for one certainly welcome it. Thanks for your time and info.

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Nice place to get info. Well done. Thanks

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Great site! Loved your tips! I have also come up with some great ideas for wiring, (especially for mall shows and living room set ups) that enables even electrically ignorant to wire a switch or interlocked set of signals and switches in less than 30 seconds. My Atlantic has 1.5 volt bulbs with a constant voltage unit for the markers and 6 volt krypton bulb headlight with a 5 volt constant voltage supply.

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Great Site, Keep up the good work! Todd

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Thanks for all your information and support.

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Geoge,this is a very helpful and interesting site.Can I ask some questions?i.e.How can I make a power supply that is compatible with both Locolinc and P.H.sound.Also I may have crashed the sound card [PH] the card that I have is a S3005RS3.Any help you co ld advise me on will really be appreciated.Thanks.My E-mail address is;rodfearnley@classic.msn.com All now,Rod

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So nice of you to share your deep knowledge of Large Scale. We are just moving out to the garden (One loop last summer), but have a fairly large collection of LGB and Aristo (Bout 12 locos and 50-60 cars. Thanks again.

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I plan to retire on 1Dec98 and will then get a home e-mail address. My garden railroad, probably to be called "Landluft Bahn," is still in the earth-moving stage. We hope to construct the stream and lake for the area this year and perhaps start laying t ack next year. (Literally translated, Landluft means "country air" but the actual translation is "barnyard air." I hope to have lots of livestock to give the proper ambience.) I have greatly enjoyed your comments on LSOL which I check out each day at w rk. Since I am mechanically declined, I will surely continue to have no end of questions. Here's a couple. (1) Christoph Odzoba (in Switzerland) had a wonderful web sight the link to which I lost when my hard drive crashed. Why not link to him? (2) S nce my wife is a German citizen with friends and family in Germany, we try to go there about every two years. LGB is considerably less expensive in Germany and the stores take credit cards, ship internationally, have web sites with some English, and of c urse have employees who speak at least some English. Why don't Americans buy more of their LGB in Germany? Does that void the warranty? The biggest model railroad store website I have found so far is Schweickhardt (www.modelleisenbahn.com) but I think ore and more German stores are going to the web.

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George, I'm voting for you as the first member of the "Garden Railroad Hall of Fame"! This is really an informative and useful site for anyone into largescale! Thanks much for a super effort!

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I really enjoy your website. I find the information in it very useful. KEEP UP THE GREAT websight, thanks, Marty.

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No web site as of yet, and a flegdling outdoor railroad, but I just listed on IGRD as Purdee-Day Lumber Company in Oregon with pictures forthcoming. Good information on Barry's Big Trains 10-wheeler and Consolidation conversion for B-mann Big Hauler. Thanks! I also like your layout pictures. (Now if I can only convince my wife on the need to double head my Shay like I do my two Porters!)

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George, Thanks for all the great Shay tips!!! I'm a new Bach. Shay owner and reading your site has been Reallllly helpful. GREAT!!! Keep it up and I'll be tuning-in.

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Thanks for the tips and for pointing me to your site. It took me a long time to get to it, but it was worth it. I did have alot of problems accessing different things around the site, but with diligent effort, I managed to get to what I wanted. Keep up th good work and I hope to visit more often. Tim Rose

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GREAT WEALTH OF INFO ! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! JGW J and M Central

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Thanks for the very interesting information. Do you know of any web site for 1:20.3 modelers? I model a 1911ish lumber railroad in that scale in my basement.

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Great stuuf keep up the good work from the Kiwis

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You've done a great service to the whole large scale world by freely sharing your expertise!!!

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George, Great page. I just got the G scale bug at Christmas, when I bought my Grandson a Bachmann set. Now I'm hooked, and want to start building a garden RR. Any recommendations on books etc. would be appreciated. I am reading all your tips, and love your we site. Thanks, Doug Kevis

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I truly enjoy reading your pages. Your tips and insights on trains are very helpful and the family pet pages are great fun. Model railroading has been a family affair here since before I was born, starting with my father and two older brothers in the ea ly 50's. At that time the family was modeling in Lionel and O-scale. About three years ago, I decided to convert over to G-scale and have been very, very happy with my revised hobby. I currently have AristoCraft and USA trains with a small amount of Ba hman. I am now in the process of expanding my basement layout and hope to increase it's size at least three-fold. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and wish to thank you for the time and effort you expend to create your web site. Respectfully, Joe Borso

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This is a terrific web site. I'm now planning my setup. Thanks for the inspiration.

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You're great and do a real service to all levels of hobbiest. Because of people like you I'm just going to have to keep the internet connection. Thanks Again.

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I appreciate your efforts - have found the information helpful.

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Excellent site! Keep up the good work.

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I've enjoyed reading your tips, but I have not been able to successfully print them. Has anyone else had problems with printing? This is the first time I've had problems on the Internet with printing.

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George, Thanks for getting back to me regarding my problem with the Arist-5474. I would like to e-mail to you the specifics regarding my problem with hope that you can help me out. I need your e-mail address. Can you please e-mail it to me at the above e-mail address. Thanks again for your help. Regards, ~Dick Thomas - Syracuse, N.Y.

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just passed through, looking for more news in largescale cyber world: THIS PAGE HAS TO BE BOOKMARKED! Greetings from germany Reinhold

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I'm just beginning to plan my Garden Railroad for this spring. Mine will probably be more garden then railroad (The boss likes it that way). I will be visting your site often--you have a lot of great tips. Thanks, Larry

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Wow!!! Lots of good things to use. Will be taking this address to my club meeting Saturday.

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This web site is GREAT!

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I have hard copied nearly all of your tips. Great material. Thank you for all your effort.

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George, Whoa, slow down. Pretty soon there won't be anything for the rest of us to put on OUR web sites or any questions for the LSOL forum! Just kidding...this is great. I've checked out your info before purchases and then again afterwards to fix or modify what I've bought. And I'm planning on doing so again. Congratulations and THANKS, George Z.

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George, Great site!! Just getting started in garden railroading with a bachmann shay and a few cars. Your site addresses many questions that keep coming to mind. I will be back often. Thanks, Randy Roderick

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Great site. Thanks for all the hard work you have put into it. It has really helped me with my layout. I have sent you an e-mail on another page in which I asked for your help on three questions. Thanks again, Chuck Rovell

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Have just started (in September) with Garden Rail. In fact with any type of model rail - my last was thirty years ago in HO. Have found your tips extremely valuable, but had to comment on one in particular. I have installed a 200' layout in my backyard with Ariso track and six turnouts. The turnouts never worked reliably and after a few weeks outside didn't work at all. I was determined to fix them over the holiday. I took one apart, cleaned it, and had a heck of a time geting it back together. It seemed to work unassembled, but each time I completed the reassembly it wouldn't work. I finally tried backing off the bottom screws by a half turn - presto everything is fine. I wanted to send you a note about this since I'd read your earlier "turnout tips" but apparently you discovered the same thing at the same time. BTW, your note refers to the "three" bottom screws. Mine have four and on most of them, the fourth one doesn't want to come out - is it supposed to be different than the others? Thanks for wonderful pages and tips, especially for us newcomers. - Art

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George, You do such a great job. I enjoy your page and learn a little something every time. Thanks for contributing to our great hobby.

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George: Just browsing around the web. I have a outdoor railroad and enjoy visiting others. My wife and I are just learning about our computer. We have just finally completed our final faze of our production of an authenic telegraph/telephone pole which we hope to market later this month or no later than Feb. It is a scale 24ft high with 2 cross arms 8 insulators per arm with pole steps and cross arm supports. Our insulators come in 10 different styles that are now being used by the RR's and they come in 4 different colors, clear, green, blue and amber. They can be seen on the Del Oro Club G scale RR. We are planning and open house either this Apr l or May and will definitley have them on full display. The reason I picked this particular item to offer is the fact that there is no one out there that offers a scale telegraph/telephone in g-scale. Our insulators are as close to true replicas of the on s now still in use across the U.S. They look just like glass and that is the key to the whole thing. Having 34 yrs experience with the telephone company I felt qualified in this endeavor. If these go over well we will then be releasing a branch line style pole. Well, its been a pleasure chatting with you and keep up the good work on your info column. I look forward to checking it out from time to time. Respectfully, Mike Stewart

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The information on G scale is excellent and very interesting, I really enjoyed reading your comments.

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Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

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George, I always enjoy your comments on the Forum and LSOL. Your tips are great and you are a great help to the hobby. Hope to meet you in Santa Clara this summer.

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Thanks very much for the Shay info. The comment about the sound system is interesting. The shaft on my Bachmann Shay is not driven by the back truck (the pins that lock the bevel gears to the shaft are missing, this must be ok as the holes are missing in the shaft also) so the problem of the drives being 90 degrees out does not seem to apply? (comment welcome). I have just spent some days trying to get a PH sound unit in the shay. The photos included with the unit are next to useless. It alo gives not indication were to fit the reed switches for whistle/bell so I spent some time threading new wires to the fire box. But the main problem is that the Shay runs on a very low voltage, resulting in the battery going flat in the sound unit. The instructions say it requires 10-12V to charge, well at that the Shay is doing Mach 5. If any one has an answer I would be greatfull to know about it. Many thanks for all your time, Andy Knott Letchworth England.

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George, just in case you are tired of the accolades, too Bad! Here is another one. Well done, congratulations on the work and dedication. Your 10-wheeler info is spot-on, especially weighting the pony truck. I wrapped mine in sheet lead. Good site. Happy New Year. Phil

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I enjoy visiting LSOL and your site with all it's info. Keep up the good work.

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Thanks for all the info you provide,it has helped me greatly!

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Great great site. I am just starting out with the garden gauge as I get closer to retirement-2 years.I have the B-Shay,Aristo Pacific,and LGB F7.Your hints will definetly help me get sarted in the garden. I have also been a copier/electronics tech for abo t 40 years so will use your electronics tips. Thanks for your site. Nick

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Just wrote your a comment on web page. Really appreciate your efforts. See my operation on PA Keystone Central Railroad (founded HO 1939) Registered NMRA 1950. To "G" 1993

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George, Thanks for all you do with these pages. You provide a great service to the hobby. I've always believed that when you enjoy a hobby, you should give back to it. You're doing that in spades. I admire that. See Ya Trackside, Nick

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Hi George - Really enjoy the informative articles. Great asset to the hobby. Keep it up. Thanks, Harry

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A very informative and usefull site. Thanks for the info.

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Hey, George, we've conversed over the net a few times thru Aristo's forum. Thought I'd check out your web site. Neat site with lots of technical info. Thanks. C Ya at Aristo!

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George, I've been enjoying u'r help for a long time. Thanks for all u'r efforts. Happy Holidays. Jim Burns.

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Thanks a lot for your site, George. It's been really helpful as I have gotten started on my garden railroad. I did get an error trying to access your reversing tips page. As you suggested, I tried several times but to no avail. The page you were looking for, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/5950/revsing_tips.html, does not exist. Try clicking on the topic below that matches your interests.

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George; Thank you for your continued support . Your commitment and experience is a valuable asset to all of us in Large Scale. Tom Maiorine Brick,N.J.

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Keep up the excellent articles, George. Always a favorite site of mine, as I check back here often.

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Just viewed the new sections. Great, this is clearly what the internet is made for; as opposed to the junk that usually surfaces. Thanks George

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George, Your website is a tremendous asset to the world of garden railroading. I applaud your efforts. Mike Gray

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Great site George. I've met you before at the Aristo Forum.

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At present I don't have a site. However, So years ago, I started a g-scale set from Bachman and am interested in knowing where to purchase track and turn-outs for Bachman track if they exist. Look forward to hearing from you with what ever info. Thanks

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George appreciate the tips and hints great time saver for us clods that have trouble getting the smoke fluid down the stack. Happy Holidays and thanks again. T Weaver

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Great site - thanks for all the tips

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Very good information, Ive just started with G scale trains. Im an HO person First but have been interested in G scale for years. Thank you very much for your web site, Gerard Lukas, Phoenix, AZ

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Nice site, George. You must have too much time on your hands. I can imagine the effort that went into this. Thanks. And lots of good info also.........

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I am using your site extensively for Aristo and a lot of other helpful hints. ??? Do you know if the individual table lamps are supposed to illuminate in the Aristo Heavyweight Diner Car? E-mail me if you get the chance. Thanks Barry Thomason

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Your information was/is very helpful and I do think this is a good service to all. thanks Darryl

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George, this is great. i don't think you have any idea what this means to some of the newbies, as well as some of us oldtime model RR's. It is a lot different when you get outside in the dirt. Ron Wenger, Martinsburg, WV Crooked and Weedy RY, "The route to Poverty"

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Just a short thank you note for have such a great and informative web site for G-gauge. Keep the stream going. Texastrain@aol.com P.S. Try submitting some of the article to the Garden Railway magazine.

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Enjoyed your page thoroughly, especially the tips on the Bachmann ten-wheeler.

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Like about 100 other commenters, I am new to G (old to HO) and find your site great. Thanks for all the help.

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What a find!! Thanks to the Aristo web page, I have found the definitive large scale tech site. You are to be commended for sharing your considerable expertise with the rest of us. Here are all those little tips you hear from people here and there, in o e place, plus a whole lot more. This is the first web site I have ever found worth taking the time to sign the guest book. I put you in my "favorites" list and can't wait to see what you come up with next. Thanks again!!

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Great site, I come back every few weeks just to see what's new. The tips are great! Enjoy talking to you on LSOL. Till next time keep up the good work....Mike

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George, you have a great sight and I have enjoyed lookin at your photos. I also appreciate all your help via LSOL and the Aristo forum as I'm sure many others have benefitted from your experience and electrical expertise. I live in North Carolina and ha e been into large scale for about a year, If there's anything that you need from this area don't hesitate to e-mail me and I'll try to help you out. Thanks again!!! Chuck.

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Great Site

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Being new to the hobby I find that your tips are of great value to me.Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. My ten year old grandaughter picked up a copy of your Large scale coupler tips,That I had made from your site. And after reading it promptly told me that we had to go to the hobby shop and get LGB couplings because Mr. Schreyer said that the work. and the ones I have don't. so it looks like we must make the trip to the hobby shop. Thanks again for all your help. Stan Young

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What a great sight! You have given a lot of really terrific information. I hope to start laying track in the spring, and my only motive power is the trusty 10 wheeler, so your sight is a real help for me! Thanks again. Bill

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George: Great site...pictures, diagrams, etc., and narratives. Wish I had the LGB1600 Tips about 5 mos ago when I was starting construction of my first garden RR. But the Bachmann Big Hauler tips are just in time. Thanks. Bob Waldele

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George - Many thanks for all of the useful info on your page. It's great that you're willing to spend the time to publish all this information on your web page, and share it with your fellow enthusiasts. You have saved me lots of time and trouble on my arge scale projects. Thanks again!

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Im new to large scale but have had tinplate and HO in past. Dont have layout yet but am accumulating stuff for one, initially plan on some indoor modules. Your tips are excellent, they would be a best seller if you published them!! p.s. I live in So. Berwick, Maine (on ME/NH line about 12 miles from coast)

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A fine page. Keep up with the tech hints, they are really appreciated.

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george, it worked! thanks for the help!

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Great information. I am a novice, but I know there is a right and wrong way of doing things. Thanks for saving me hours of troubleshooting and frustration. Mike Viater

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Geroge, Very nice page, been here several times, I guess so has 1 million other people.

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Thanks for a great websight. There is more useful information here than either large scale magazine. I am a member of the Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society (Ottawa, Canada). We have about a dozen hardcore members and another dozen to be converted. We run battery and radio control (usually Aristocraft). Our founding member has about 500 feet of track winding between 3 raised yards (two at 2 feet, one at chest height)in his backyard. We meet for breakfast every Saturday morning and then run trains ti l noon. Our season is from about April to November depending on the winter. Despite this years early snowstorm (now gone) we are still running. I have experimented with different MU cables including the setup you have described. I found the most realiable to be Radio Shack 90 degree phono jacks. The jacks will swivel in the corners but not pull out. I have pulled a 20 car train with just the cabl s when the couplers between my A and B Alco units have come undone. I use the B unit to house the receiver and two 9 volt, C-cell battery packs. The shell and the snap-in battery packs are removeable for quick refueling. One cable carries 18 volts direct rom the batteries to the headlight, the other from the reciever output to the motors in the A unit. These units are always the first on the track and usually the last off. They are "Bruce proof". Bruce the four year old son of one of members is our younge t engineer and prototype tester. Thanks again!

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I enjoyed your site. Lot's of good info and photos. I'm personally new to the Garden variety like being able to see and feel everything. Between you and the others in The Workshop I'm hoping to learn on others experiences. JON

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Hi George, I spent over two hours trolling around your site, it's GREAT! It's a pity that geocities is so slow getting the pictures down, but apart from that I really enjoyed both GIRR's. I still have a few avenues to follow yet on your site (pets and thi gs) and I know I'll enjoy them as much. I've copied your Bachmann Shay hints, and Aristo turnout hints onto a floppy for future reference. Thanks for spending so much time providing a wonderfull site, rather puts my little one to shame. I hope you will en oy mine a little anyway, and perhaps next time I update it I'll include a link to here if that's okay with you. Anyway, best regards from Squirrel Valley, and keep on steamin'. http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/squirrel.valley.rail/sqv1.jpg

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I'm newly retired and new to largescale RR. I have space in my basement 13' x 19' to start my pike. Ido plan to operate multi-level. I do have some space outdoors to put in a small layout when spring comes. I live in West Chester PA a suburb of Phila.

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i like yor site alot. i am in the process of desinging my own garden railroad. right now i have some track laid on the patio and run the trains out there. it consists of Aristocraft and Bachman. i run a U25 engine. The site i have picked out is 12' x 23' aybe a little bigger.I hope to start preparing the site soon. anyway i like your site and sorry for running on like this.

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This is the best web site on the net..I always come here seeking information, and I'm never sorry!! great job George!!

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I read all of your ideas and found them excellent. I am presently in the planning stage of building a garden railway and your site was "information rich" Thanks for going to all this work. It is really helpful to a beginning railroader.

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George: I always read your comments in the forums with great intrest. You are a true resource to the hobby. Thank You!!!! :-) Regards, Bill Andrews

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Thanks for the email! You have a wonderful website, a credit to you and to the hobby! Thanks for taking the time to share!

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George, you should quit your regular job and go into the information business on the webb. You have done a masterful job in helping all those of us out here that are still wandering around wondering how to do things. I thank you for all your help and the reat job you did on the AIRBRUSH section. I am sure there will be many guys out there that will benefit from your endeavors and I just wish I had the capabilities of building a webb site such as yours. Yes, I can paint with an airbrush but when it comes t electronics and computer stuff, I'm dumb as a post so I will leave that up to you. Thanks again for the accolades on your post and keep up the excellent work you are doing, I know all will appreciate it more than you know. Have a good day, Dein Freund, M c :)

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George, you should quit your regular job and go into the information business on the webb. You have done a masterful job in helping all those of us out here that are still wandering around wondering how to do things. I thank you for all your help and the reat job you did on the AIRBRUSH section. I am sure there will be many guys out there that will benefit from your endeavors and I just wish I had the capabilities of building a webb site such as yours. Yes, I can paint with an airbrush but when it comes t electronics and computer stuff, I'm dumb as a post so I will leave that up to you. Thanks again for the accolades on your post and keep up the excellent work you are doing, I know all will appreciate it more than you know. Have a good day, Dein Freund, M c :)

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very good info. enjoyed the details. have extensively modified FA-1s (mods to the smoke unit blowers you may be interested in), heavy weights and NW-2 and painted all to GN colors. h.w. are painted in GN Empire Builder colors. keep up the good work.