Every day when I operate if a car causes problems or locomotive does something stupid the offending unit comes off the layout and gets inspected. All wheels get cleaned and gauged. Graphite to the couplers, coupler drop down pin get painted black and tipped in white. Then the unit goes to the sink for a bath. Since I color my own, I know that the dulling agent is tight and brush and water will not hurt the decals or finish. I don't dunk steamers.?
Since it is a small to medium size layout it has a 112 cars on the layout that work comfortably. My hat is off to all you guys with layouts bigger than mine with more cars and locomotives. The daily maintenance must be a lot keeping the whole thin looking good and running good.?
I will say that my layout fits almost all the criteria that was talked about in the the survey. One that was not mentioned that drives me away from a layout when visiting is dust on rolling stock. It is hard to see on a scenic layout but it looks terrible on locomotives and rolling stock.?
Something else to ponder. Steamers, why do we refer to them a she or her? Its because they have the same personalities as a woman. They operate perfectly for days and days. Then you wake up one morning and the same steamer you had been running starts to throw fits. WHY? No reason just wants to be cantankerous. Just leave it alone and run a different steamer and come back a couple days latter and she runs perfectly. Hmmm. Just crazy. Almost makes you want to go diesel.?
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Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
