A Spray Paint Cosy

The Model Railroad Luddite does not have an airbrush. All painting of rolling stock is done outdoors using spray cans, in an area sheltered from wind. Spray paint can be used successfully if the paint is warmed up first. This thins it for a more even application,  increases the available internal pressure needed to propel the paint, and makes the nozzle less prone to clogging. The can is placed in an old baby wipes container, then the container is filled up with hot tap water. After 15 minutes or so the paint is nicely warmed up and thinned. After some shaking it is ready to use.

I only use Rustoleum brand "Painter's Touch" line which is marked as safe for plastics. Be careful, the regular Rustoleum is not! I also write on the can which roads that color is used for.

Blog split!

This blog has evolved into a catch-all, so it will likely be an improvement to split it into two. This blog (The Model Railroad Luddite) will focus on ideas for low-cost or no-cost model railroading, and keeping the hobby simple and non-technical. The new companion blog, Railfanning the Cape Ann Rail System, will be more a tourist feel, and will focus on "railfan photos" of locomotives, rolling stock, and railroad operations. Hope you will follow both and enjoy! - Rick

How to search for blogs by topic!

Finally, and totally by accident, I have found how to search for blogs of a given topic, and how to collate new posts from them onto one page for easy reading.

It turns out that terms you add to your profile become LINKS, and you can click on them to search for bloggers using the same terms in the same boxes - whether it be interests, location, books, movies, industry, occupation. You are really searching for bloggers (not blogs about a given topic), but the result is essentially the same.

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To search for a blog about a topic:

So just add your desired search term to your own profile as an INTEREST, then click on it. Or click on anyone else’s listed interest.

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To collate new posts from followed blogs:

1. Follow blogs of interest.
2. If the blog you like does not have a FOLLOW button, copy the blog's URL to your clipboard
3. Go to Dashboard (from some pages, the link says DESIGN)
4. Go to Reading List (in left column)
5. At BLOGS I FOLLOW click the pencil,
6. Click ADD
7. Paste in the URL
8. On your DASHBOARD (also called DESIGN on some pages), click READING LIST.
9. There they are!

The Oasis

The Oasis is a little bar across from the Amtrak station in Shelby, Montana. It is quite photogenic, especially for its sign offering casino, bar, dancing, and live bait; apparently all at the same time.

photo by Jim Roth

So of course, Kenton has to have one. I picked up a similar little building at our local NMRA meeting's swap table. After some mods and a coat of paint, and some signs cropped from the prototype photo, we give you the The Oasis of Kenton:

Section work car 992

The Cape Ann has two section work cars in MoW service. Each is assigned to one end of the layout. These are used for day-to-day routine work that does not require a full work train. This Tyco 50' flatcar has a caboose body to provide a place to ride and shelter, and the 20’ intermodal container provides secure storage for tools and supplies. They do require special handling - the locomotive must always couple to the caboose end, so there is unrestricted access to the doors of the container. Like all non-revenue equipment, it carries a 9XX road number.

Nick Cook found this similar prototype!

Blue flags at Bolton

Bolton Shops now has blue flag lanterns in place for use when servicing equipment. The shops has five "parking spaces" for equipment - two inside, three outside. A pair of blue LEDs has been installed between the ties at the end of each space, wired to a panel switch. The top of the LED has a cap of black paint to give it a lantern-like appearance. Now when a loco or car is being serviced, the blue flag lanterns can be switched on to alert workers.