The Home Machinist!

Peter, thanks for your quick response - I have been unable to locate your website. I have a small "fleet" of cars of the period and would like to show off at least one of them with your Fox trucks. I have no problem obtaining the wheelsets. Can you quote price and lead time for a set? My e...

Peter, can you furnish a complete pair of your Fox trucks, for 7-1/4" gauge? PM me, if you prefer. Many thanks!

I have two coal-burning live steam engines in 1-1/2" scale, and have experimented with anthracite over the past 10 years. The slow burning nature of anthracite, taken with its required greater (than bituminous) draft, makes it undesirable for these engines. Blending at various mixtures (all les...

Here in at my home in VA I have approximately 2400' feet of 7-1/4" track (1-1/2" scale), with many main track curves through an old-growth forest. The line is laid with cedar ties and ballasted with crusher run, with surface and elevation maintained. Rail is a mixture of Culp (115#/yd. sca...

In 2009 I had commissioned Rappahannock Boat Works (RBW) to build a 24' fantail steam launch "Sunnybank", which was designed for safe operation on the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Consideration of stability and efficiency was paramount. Sunnybank was fitted with an ASME Code 200 boil...

I am interested in your switch stand castings and related parts. Can you furnish a photo?

I'm pleased to advise this morning I have heard from Terry Rider, who is still building cars at Rio Grande Associates. I now believe we'll have the needed flat cars completed, however belatedly. To all concerned - the readers, the above responders, the others who took time to contact me offline, the...

I am wondering if Rio Grande Associates is currently in business, and if so, is Terry Rider still running the business? Here's why I'm asking: In January 2010, I asked him to build two flatcars and one other car, the flats were needed for June delivery and this was agreed upon when ordered and recon...

Adam, having two of Frank's 4-4-0's (SR 3783 and DL&W 988), I am very pleased to hear of your acquisition and plans to return this engine to "as built" appearance and condition. As you may already know, he often worked with prototype erection prints accumulated in the 1940's and 50's, ...

I have been in this hobby for approximately 15 years and own two copper boilered steam engines (1-1/2" scale) which have given good service. I have refrained from using "additives", although will occasionally use white vinegar to dissolve trace salt/mineral deposits. I understand that...