pertains to our layout through tri- al and error, reading, and visiting other modeler’s layouts. Compro- mise should not violate too many of the principles needed to create a functional and realistic model but usually consist of whittling down on what will be included. You may not have enough space to create that double-track main line; you may have to use 10 instead of 15 yard tracks; or you may not have enough real estate to model a large intermodal yard adequately. There is nothing wrong with narrowing the focus or simplifying what you
are after. Sometimes less truly is more, that is part of the “art of non- R-T-R modeling.” You will have to think through what you’re doing, plan a bit, and then compromise some more. What a fun process! Most of us learn about these men- tal exercises while building our first and usually smaller layouts. Having gained some experience with those givens and druthers, we set off on the grand adventure of building the “super layout” — the dream, the bomb, the big Kahuna. Ready-to-run and ready-to-as- semble items allow us to no longer
Postmarks While reading the October 2015
issue’s Postmarks-Letters to the Editor, I particularly took note of the letter about selling appliances from a boxcar and the refrigera- tor car of butter for schools. It re- minded me of something from six-plus decades ago. Near the New York, Susquehanna & West- ern downtown Paterson “Stream- liner” terminal were a siding with a loading dock, a sign that read “Orange Car,” and a parked reef- er from which crates of oranges were sold. The Streamliners were streamlined self-propelled pas- senger cars; one was a single car, and the other was a two-car unit (they had cabs on both ends and did not need to be turned around). They ran from Paterson to the fer- ries to NYC. The Paterson line was a branch off the through main line that served local industry (most notably Okenite Calendar Cable), as well as the streamliners. The streamliners were later sold and replaced by RDC-1s. Eventually, this service was terminated. Jim van Wyk
I first met Bruce Chubb 41
years ago, when, on a business trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I got up enough nerve to call him and ask if I could see the (origi- nal) Sunset Valley. He graciously
have to spend copious amounts of time building specific locomotives, cars, or buildings. We can now concentrate on creating the bigger picture, the scene, the layout, al- lowing us to be far more produc- tive and creative model railroad- ers. R-T-R stuff can be modified, weathered, and reworked just like the models we grew up with in the past. Take a thoughtful, imagina- tive look at the larger picture the “what could be” and remember the R-T-R- models give you more time to achieve those grandiose dreams.
invited me over. Over the years, re- gional and national NMRA conven- tions have allowed for a few guest operating sessions on the latest Sunset Valley – the Oregon Sys- tem. The results of the dedication, technical expertise, organization, and commitment of Bruce to the hobby leaves you speechless when witnessing the flawless operation and beauty of railroad firsthand. It is so good to see Dr. Chubb au- thoring a new series of articles in RMC. I know articles are no sub- stitute for seeing the real thing, but for readers who have not had that opportunity, they all should real- ize what a privilege they have to get inside of one of our hobby’s great minds. Congratulations to RMC and Dr. Bruce Chubb on this lat- est endeavor. This is first class all the way! Phil Haase Grosse Ile, Michigan
The September 2015 Dremel
Award is a neat little caboose! I’m considering doing one like it in TT Scale. I have the Kemtron (fore- runner of PSC) lost wax truck for it. In his description, Richard de- scribes cutting off the cupola with a No. 11 blade. This type of cut can be made with a little less ef- fort using an older No. 11 blade that has a worn tip. Turn the knife
around and use the back of the tip. It will take a little more pressure. You will see a little curl of plastic in front of the blade. You are re- moving plastic instead of pushing it aside as with a sharp blade. The very fine tip of the No. 11 needs to be worn or a small piece broken off for this to work. I have a small plastic bottle to keep old blades in for cuts in thick plastic or grinding one for a particular task. Carl Sardaro
How lucky I was when the Sep-
tember 2015 RMC arrived two days before I traveled to northern Colorado. Seeing that the Colo- rado Model Railroad Museum is located close to Rocky Mountain National Park made it an easy de- cision to pay a visit. What a spectacular layout oper-
ated by a friendly volunteer staff. Obviously, good planning makes visitor access and viewing from two levels a real pleasure. The de- gree of detail in the layout is excep- tional. And what fun to watch the excitement of the kids who were there with moms, dads, and often grandpas. Thanks for the fine article,
which describes the dreaming, planning, building, and now oper- ating of a fun layout to visit. Gerry Feeney
FEBRUARY 2016 11
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