Malachi 1:6-11

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mantua HO scale 0-4-0 "Shifter"...

...a gift from an online friend. They came with the simple drive rods of most toy trains but, for a couple dollars, one could buy the optional full valve gear kit...




Before...


...after.
Sadly, when they were first offered, the slide gear was made with zinc castings that were prone to becoming brittle with age from crystallization or "Zinc-mites", the bane of all model train collectors and enthusiasts. This set was no different, obtained in the usual box lot of goodies I'm always looking for...


However...I found that the later plastic ones were a fairly easy retrofit. The peened rivet that held the original to the slide rod keeps a good grip when carefully pinched into the plastic one and the hole is already predrilled...

A full set of valve gear makes for a much more complete looking steamer, and would please the original giver of the model who, like me, is a tinkerer of the first order and an old school modeler as well...



Yes...this old girl now sports one plastic, and one cast slide rod but, since you can only see one side at a time, I figured no one would notice that the other is of a different material. I do have a plastic south paw rod should this one decide to go south on me in the future.

Mantua HO scale 4-6-4 Heavy Pacific, circa 1980...

...a nice runner--when you can get juice to the motor--they are plagued with contact issues that come from a combination of zinc castings, steel axles and brass wheels working against each other by their various corrosion and rust abilities. The older ones have a separate bell and hanger that protrudes over the smoke-box and headlight. They are now offered under the Mantua Classics name by Model Power.

One way to improve pickup is to remove as many contact points as possible, bringing the electricity to the motor is as directly as one's abilities and materials on hand are able to muster. I made these pickups with some strip brass, 2 round terminals that fit around the bolster and some wire...








Knowing modelers will immediately see the impending screw-up--since fixed--...unknowing modelers get to find out on their own...

The fix works great, completely bypassing the zinc floor of the tender and the trucks, though the original source points of power remain. Adding 3 ounces of lead helps it stay in contact and track better.

Zephaniah 3:8-17

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Athearn HO scale 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific, introductory ad 1959...

Back in the 50s and 60s, the running joke in the industry went something like this:

Salesman- "Look boss, our model of the Onion Specific 460 Grobnick we announced earlier this year has proven very popular with modelers over the last six months."

CEO- "That's great...I guess we'll have to actually design and manufacture one now..."

In Athearn's case, they did in fact make them but, their mechanism proved so unreliable, that they went though a complete redesign that took almost two years to complete, delaying this model until 1961...


Word is that several of these early Hi-F drives did escape the factory, though no one has ever seen one. In the world of HO, it would truly be worthy of the words "rare" and "highly prized".

Gem Models, 1964...

In their quest for legitimacy in the eyes of other adults, model railroaders turned to Mel Torme to show the world that...well...by golly, we don't play with toys, we're a real hobby. It happened with Micheal Gross (Bert in 'Tremors') in the 80s and again with Rod Stewart in the last couple of years.


Sound ridiculous? No more than those who name the Name of Christ pointing to Tim Tebow or Chuck Norris as brethren, as though star power legitimizes the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a place for real people with a real message...not some haven for folks too dim to believe in evolution or moral abstracts.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.--(1Corinthians 1:18-25)

HO scale picket fencing...

One way to improve one's model work is to stop looking at an item as the end all/be all for your layout. With careful cutting and joining, a picket fence can fit your model's specific needs, rather than building your model to fit the stock item...


...stock piece positioned for measuring...


...necessary lengths are cut, fitted and glued, mounting pins drilled and installed and gate positioned where I want it...not where the manufacturer put it...


...final result, a fence any neighbor would be proud to chat over the day's events. Use a small amount of cement and give it plenty of time to set...

...and, yes, I straightened the two corners after the pic was taken--the only time stuff like that shows up...sigh...... ;-P

Mid South Model Railroad Club, Baton Rouge, LA...

I like this layout--but--I detest sound systems...yeesh.

Northwest Short Line 18 ton HO scale Shay...again...

It just looks better here than it does sitting on some white paper...its empty eye socket now filled with an M.V. Products .166" light lens.

Psalm 37:7-11

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Pittmann, K.T.M. Sagami...

...a box full of model railroading history came my way, filled with open framed wonders of yesteryear, gear boxes and can motors including Sagamis, which haven't been available since the Kobe, Japan factory was destroyed in the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.

They come from the estate of a modeler who obviously knew what he wanted in running qualities and pursued that end thru the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. I will eventually feature several of the older motors to show the evidence of balancing the armatures that used to be done before precision motors became available and affordable.

This is just a small sampling of what came my way...

Woodland Scenics burns down...follow up...

From an online source...

Woodland Scenics Recovers Quickly from Fire at Manufacturing Plant

Woodland Scenics experienced a fire at their manufacturing plant in Linn Creek, Missouri on Thursday, January 5, 2012. The determined cause of the fire was the failure of an electrical motor. Osage Beach Fire Department and several other central Missouri fire departments assisted, responding quickly and containing the fire.

The fire took eight percent of Woodland Scenics total facilities. Manufacturing and shipping operations in other buildings continued even as the firefighters fought the blaze. Several employees temporarily displaced by the fire, returned to work Friday morning to assist with clean-up and resume business operations, and many continued to work through the weekend. All employees were back to work Monday morning, January 9.

“While we still have some clean-up to do,” said CEO Dwayne Fulton, “our dedicated Woodland Scenics team has pitched in 110% to make sure we continued with business as usual! We are most grateful that no one was hurt. Friends and customers from all over the world contacted us to offer their encouragement, prayers and help. We are very appreciative and humbled by this outpouring of support.”

Alabama 21, LSU 0...still hurts...

LSU 0, Alabama 21...

13-1

Ken McMillan's West Hades & Beelzebub S scale 4-6-2 Pacific...

...an unbelievable chance find in an Edmonton, Alberta pawn shop, a piece of model railroading history that is one of the scratchbuilt masterpieces of yesteryear...

From the PNR NMRA Region 6 Highball, Summer 2010, page 6...

Ken McMillan Passes

Ken McMillan passed away on May 31, 2010 at the age of 86.

Ken built and operated the West Hades & Beelzebub - a mostly scratch-built S scale layout.

His prize-winning brass steam engines were controlled with a home-built CTC-16 system.

The entire layout operated flawlessly.

Who can forget dumping live ore loads in his automatic rotary dumper, complete with a working kickback track?

The craftsmanship on the layout was surpassed only by Ken's hospitality to guest operators.

Several of us were honoured to take part in operating sessions late into the evening, the first exposure to operations for many.

Many of us also remember Ken's voice - he was known in some circles as "Edmonton's Frank Sinatra" - and was a frequent singer at Edmonton-area karaoke bars.

One of the treats of the 6th Division spring meet in 1978 was Ken's after-banquet singing.

Ken will be remembered fondly by all who had the good fortune to know him

---Mark Johnson






---owner photos

Amos 5:6-15

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Athearn HO scale Hustler diesel, Yellow #60...

...and then there were three in my stable. This one, a recent online purchase, shows what NOT to do when re-wiring an Athearn locomotive. Like most Athearn owners, the modifier replaced the metal clip contacts with more direct wiring to the motor from the frame...


Unlike most modifiers though, they left the brush clip on the plastic motor frames, essentially melting them into the motor...sigh...


It runs, but maintenance will be a kick...

UPDATE: New upper clip, new wire and terminal, a soldering job that would make my 8th grade shop teacher proud...much better.

Pittmann Electrical Developments Company...

...the source of most motors in American model railroading through the 1970s for both manufacturers and hobbyists. A large box lot of old motors coming my way made me realize that there is very little information out there on these little machines.

Matchbox Pierce Velocity 100' Aerial Platform...

As a fireman's kid growing up, what can I say? It sure stands up to most HO trucks offered out there. Its only detraction...the boom is 45' long and reaches 35' in the air, a good bit shy of the 100 foot mark on both counts.

Woodland Scenics burns down...

...a well respected and long time manufacturer of various forms of scenic ground foam and kits.


---unknown photographer

Quite a loss to the hobby, I hope they fare well.

UPDATE: From Trains.com

"Dear all,

As you may have heard we have experienced a fire here at Woodland Scenics and there is good news and bad news. The good news is that no one was hurt during the fire or evacuation process. The bad news is that it took out a couple of our manufacturing buildings. However, and fortunately, there is more good news than bad.

We encompass multiple buildings that are spread out all over the town of Linn Creek. We only lost two of those buildings and those two contained just a small portion of our manufacturing facilities. Our shipping department, warehouse and corporate offices were spared any damage, as were most of our manufacturing buildings, so it is business as usual.

Thanks for all your concerns.

Respectfully,

Gale Cousins
Director of Sales & Customer Service
Woodland Scenics"

Mantua HO scale CM&PS RR. 2-6-2 Prairie...

...coming in for the New Year....


My plans for this blog remain unchanged from my original mission statement...the year promises to be an interesting one on all levels. I earnestly pray the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ carries you, my readers and followers, through the coming year.

Amen.

New Heaven, New Earth

We are coming to plead now with one whose arm is not shortened, and whose ear is not heavy. Renew your strength as you think of him. If you have doubted the ultimate success of Christianity, renew your strength as you remember who it is that has sworn by himself that surely all flesh shall see the salvation of God. You are coming to plead with Jesus Christ. Be silent, and remember those wounds of his with which he has redeemed mankind!

Can these fail of their reward? Shall Jesus be robbed of the power he has so dearly earned? The earth is the Lord’s, and he will unsheathe her of the mists which dimmed her lustre at the fall, and he will make this planet shine as brightly as when she first was rolled from between the palms of the omnipotent Creator. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Think of that, and renew your strength. Hath not the Lord said concerning his beloved Son, that he shall divide the spoil with the strong, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands? Shall it not be so?

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Solemn Pleadings For Revival", delivered January 3, 1875.

Amos 5:4-15

For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

A Encouraging Word for the New Year

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” — Joshua 1:5

The consolation given to Joshua would be exceedingly suitable in the presence of his enemies. He had spied out the land, and he knew it to be inhabited by giant races, men famous both for stature and strength. The sons of Anak were there, and other tribes, described as “great, and many, and tall.” He knew that they were a warlike people, and expert in the use of destructive implements of war, such as brought terror upon men, for they had chariots of iron. He knew, too, that their cities were of colossal dimensions — fortresses whose stones at this very day surprise the traveler, so that he asks what wondrous skill could have lifted those masses of rock into their places. The other spies had said that these Canaanites dwelt in cities that were walled up to heaven; and, though Joshua did not endorse that exaggeration, he was very well aware that the cities to be captured were fortresses of great strength, and the people to be exterminated were men of ferocious courage and great physical energy.

Therefore the Lord said, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” What more was needed? Surely, in the presence of God, Anakim become dwarfs, strongholds become as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and chariots of iron are as thistle-down upon the hillside driven before the blast. What is strong against the Most High? What is formidable in opposition to Jehovah? “If God be for us, who can be against us?” They that be with us are more than they that be against us, when once the Lord of hosts is seen in our ranks. “Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Though a host should encamp against us, our heart shall not fear: though war should rise against us, in this will we be confident.

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Strengthening Medicine For God's Servants."