Re: Place you orders for flex track
Micro Engineering has purchased the Tomalco flextrack mold and other tooling and the Tomalco company as well.? I suspect the ME flextrack will be identical to the former Tomalco track.??
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Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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Re: Place you orders for flex track
This is somewhat confusing.? I had thought ME produced the Tomalco track for Tomalco to sell.? Are they competing with their primary distributor?
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Thanks, Bill, for all your efforts.?
Dave McBrayer?
Auburn, CA?
——————
Forwarding Jon’s email below. It is all 100% real now.
?
Call 636-349-1112 or
orders@...?
?
Thank You,
Bill Lane
Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987
See my finished models at:
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale!
?
See my layout progress at:
Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join!??
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
?
From: Jon
[mailto:jon@...]
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:52 PM
To: Bill Lane
Cc: BRIAN JACKSON;
dan.mastro@...
Subject: S Scale Flex Track.
?
Bill,
?
We now have the S Scale flex track in our system and are taking orders. The numbers and retail price are as follows;
?
Un-weathered
?
10-142??????????????? Code 100? ??????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6
10-144 ??????????????? Code 83?? ????????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6
10-146 ??????????????? Code 70??????????? $75.00 for a bundle of 6
?
Weathered
?
12-142??????????????? Code 100???????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6
12-144??????????????? Code 83 ??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6
12-146??????????????? Code 70??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6?????????
?
?
Pass the word and we will get to it before too long.?????????????
?
Thank you,
?
Jon Dwiggins
Owner
Micro Engineering Company
660-651-1931 (cell)
636-349-1112 (office)
?
--
Dave McBrayer
Auburn, CA?
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Re: Place you orders for flex track
Thanks, Bill, for all your efforts.?
Dave McBrayer? Auburn, CA? ——————
Forwarding Jon’s email below. It is all 100% real now. ? Call 636-349-1112 or orders@...? ? Thank You,
Bill Lane
Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987
See my finished models at:
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! ? See my layout progress at:
Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join!??
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
? From: Jon [mailto:jon@...]
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:52 PM
To: Bill Lane
Cc: BRIAN JACKSON; dan.mastro@...
Subject: S Scale Flex Track. ? Bill, ? We now have the S Scale flex track in our system and are taking orders. The numbers and retail price are as follows; ? Un-weathered ? 10-142??????????????? Code 100? ??????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6 10-144 ??????????????? Code 83?? ????????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6 10-146 ??????????????? Code 70??????????? $75.00 for a bundle of 6 ? Weathered ? 12-142??????????????? Code 100???????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6 12-144??????????????? Code 83 ??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6 12-146??????????????? Code 70??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6????????? ? ? Pass the word and we will get to it before too long.????????????? ? Thank you, ? Jon Dwiggins Owner Micro Engineering Company 660-651-1931 (cell) 636-349-1112 (office) ?
--
Dave McBrayer
Auburn, CA?
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Place you orders for flex track
Forwarding Jon’s email below. It is all 100% real now. ? Call 636-349-1112 or orders@...? ? Thank You,
Bill Lane
Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987
See my finished models at:
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! ? See my layout progress at:
Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join!??
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
?
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Show quoted text
From: Jon microengineering.com [mailto:jon@...]
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:52 PM
To: Bill Lane
Cc: BRIAN JACKSON; dan.mastro@...
Subject: S Scale Flex Track.? Bill, ? We now have the S Scale flex track in our system and are taking orders. The numbers and retail price are as follows; ? Un-weathered ? 10-142??????????????? Code 100? ??????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6 10-144 ??????????????? Code 83?? ????????? ?$75.00 for a bundle of 6 10-146 ??????????????? Code 70??????????? $75.00 for a bundle of 6 ? Weathered ? 12-142??????????????? Code 100???????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6 12-144??????????????? Code 83 ??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6 12-146??????????????? Code 70??????????? $78.00 for a bundle of 6????????? ? ? Pass the word and we will get to it before too long.????????????? ? Thank you, ? Jon Dwiggins Owner Micro Engineering Company 660-651-1931 (cell) 636-349-1112 (office) ?
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
One of the Hoboken Shore 44-tonners has been preserved by the NJ railroad historical group
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I thought the "Union Terminal" track plan by John Pryke would scale up to S Scale well.? It is in his book "Building City scenery".? My thought would to be to add an electric float bridge like they have in New York City with a small yard then into the
city.? I just got a 44 Tonner from Jace that would be the perfect locomotive for it.
?
Scott McDonald?
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
Just the ticket with a half-dozen idler flats to use across the float apron.? RMC has had several articles on waterfront railroading.??
I don't do urban themes (quite the contrary), but I have always been vaguely tempted by the set of Morning Sun books with all?
those tug and barge photos.
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I thought the "Union Terminal" track plan by John Pryke would scale up to S Scale well.? It is in his book "Building City scenery".? My thought would to be to add an electric float bridge like they have in New York City with a small yard then into the
city.? I just got a 44 Tonner from Jace that would be the perfect locomotive for it.
?
Scott McDonald?
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
I thought the "Union Terminal" track plan by John Pryke would scale up to S Scale well.? It is in his book "Building City scenery".? My thought would to be to add an electric float bridge like they have in New York City with a small yard then into the city.? I just got a 44 Tonner from Jace that would be the perfect locomotive for it.
?
Scott McDonald?
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Operations On A Smaller Layout
For anyone looking for a car routing scheme for a smaller layout, I have an article in the February 2025 Railroad Model Craftsman on the 'card draw and switch list' system I use on my BC&G.? The system has provided many hours of operating fun on a layout with limited switching 'spots'.
Brooks Stover
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
I can attest that great fun can be had with relatively small footprints (especially when high-quality turnouts are used.)
?
I hope those who have trains running will send to NASG for "layouts" section.
?
Those not running yet -- whats the roadblock? Where can you get some help and get going?
--
Mark Charles
Ann Arbor, Mich. USA
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
Very nice!? An interesting and well done variation of the original plan.
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Rich G(ajnak)
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
Bob McCarthy owned a layout (built by someone else) very similar to the Gumstump & Snowshoe; he brought it to a Savannah RPM many years ago and I took the attached photos of it :
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John D
Scaler164
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On 03/07/2025 10:24 AM EST Rich Gajnak via groups.io <rustytraque@...> wrote:
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I've always been fond of Chuck Yungkurth's Gum Stump & Snowshoe.? I was building an expanded version (2'x10') in HO before I switch to S.? My fist S Scale railroad was an even greater expansion on the concept when I unfortunately had to tear it down to make way for some basement work. (Sorry no pictures exist of the S version...)
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Rich G(ajnak)
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
I've always been fond of Chuck Yungkurth's Gum Stump & Snowshoe.? I was building an expanded version (2'x10') in HO before I switched to S.? My first S Scale railroad was an even greater expansion on the concept when I unfortunately had to tear it down to make way for some basement work. (Sorry no pictures exist of the S version...)
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Rich G(ajnak)
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
I've long been fascinated by John Armstorng's Pratt Street Manfacturers' Railway, attached. ?Designed to fit 22-1/2" x 12' in O scale.
Also check out Rob Chant's track planning blog:
Charles Weston San Antonio
On Friday, March 7, 2025, 08:06:49 AM CST, JGG KahnSr via groups.io <jacekahn@...> wrote:
Perhaps the ultimate choice for me (if I ever get that far) is included in Arendt's book; having long owned a hard copy of it, I just picked up the CD for it at the local train show a week or two ago.
I have liked the idea since I first saw in the RMC issue back in the 1970's.
I believe the original Gumstump and Snowshoe was the late Chuck Yungkurth's rethinking of his friend Bill Livingstone's around the room single track point-to-point (whose name escapes me just now) which had appeared in MRR earlier.? Both are free-lanced from
the same geographic area as my fictional Ceres and Canisteo—southwestern New York State and northwestern Pennsylvania, a short line also supported by lumbering traffic.
Hi Tom
If you are looking for a small switching layout plan there are hundreds if not thousands to choose from. You didn't say how large a space you want to fill.
The easiest way to go is to find a prototype track drawing at a small location and simply copy it. That's what Tony Koester calls a Layout Design Element. In my case, the small end-of-branch at Port Dover,
Ontario appealed to me. See below. It ended at the Lake Erie shoreline and had only six turnouts. For space considerations, I combined the fish plant and coal dealer spurs into one. What you see below was removable from my layout and travelled thousands of
miles to dozens of train shows.? For all of it's simplicity, switching a train could take a half hour or more. Especially if done at prototypical speeds and using prototypical practices.?
Two good websites to check out are those of Lance Mindheim ( )
and Carl Arendt ( ).
Lance has written numerous articles about prototypically operating deceptively simple track layouts based on actual locations. His modelling and photography are superb.
I'm a big fan of tiny layouts and the late Carl Arendt built a massive website for micro and mini layouts. Even if you are not pressed for room, the problem-solving ideas in these clever plans are transferable
to larger spaces.
Cheers
Jim Martin.?
p.s. I too always had a hankering to build the Gumstump and Snowshoe.
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Re: S Scale switching layout plan
Perhaps the ultimate choice for me (if I ever get that far) is included in Arendt's book; having long owned a hard copy of it, I just picked up the CD for it at the local train show a week or two ago.
I have liked the idea since I first saw in the RMC issue back in the 1970's.
I believe the original Gumstump and Snowshoe was the late Chuck Yungkurth's rethinking of his friend Bill Livingstone's around the room single track point-to-point (whose name escapes me just now) which had appeared in MRR earlier.? Both are free-lanced from
the same geographic area as my fictional Ceres and Canisteo—southwestern New York State and northwestern Pennsylvania, a short line also supported by lumbering traffic.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Tom
If you are looking for a small switching layout plan there are hundreds if not thousands to choose from. You didn't say how large a space you want to fill.
The easiest way to go is to find a prototype track drawing at a small location and simply copy it. That's what Tony Koester calls a Layout Design Element. In my case, the small end-of-branch at Port Dover,
Ontario appealed to me. See below. It ended at the Lake Erie shoreline and had only six turnouts. For space considerations, I combined the fish plant and coal dealer spurs into one. What you see below was removable from my layout and travelled thousands of
miles to dozens of train shows.? For all of it's simplicity, switching a train could take a half hour or more. Especially if done at prototypical speeds and using prototypical practices.?
Two good websites to check out are those of Lance Mindheim ( )
and Carl Arendt ( ).
Lance has written numerous articles about prototypically operating deceptively simple track layouts based on actual locations. His modelling and photography are superb.
I'm a big fan of tiny layouts and the late Carl Arendt built a massive website for micro and mini layouts. Even if you are not pressed for room, the problem-solving ideas in these clever plans are transferable
to larger spaces.
Cheers
Jim Martin.?
p.s. I too always had a hankering to build the Gumstump and Snowshoe.
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Re: Benn Central Shops Kit Instructions
Your usual immaculate work. ?Nice job Ben. ?Hope you are well.
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On Mar 6, 2025, at 10:38 PM, Ben via groups.io <pickycat95@...> wrote:
? Instructions for the PS 4750, PS 3000 and 4180 Airslide are now available on the NASG web page.
?
https://www.nasg.org/Gallery/reports/Hoppers/ByManufacturer/indexBenn_Central_Shops(notset).php
?
Ben Trousdale?
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Bob,
I signed up with Grouper through the NMRA, I think last year when the program started. I just received my first check from Grouper yesterday. I think it works through your medical insurance. I know Grouper asks me every month whether I did something or not.
Dave Heine
I've been a on-off-on member of the NMRA several
times.? I first became a member when a year's dues (1966?) was
$3.00.? You received the standards & RP stuff, info, a
yearbook, and a brief monthly newsletter from your region
(Thousand Lakes in my case).? I was supposed to also get a NMRA
track gauge but I still await that!
After that for several years I was largely "dark"
as I was trying establish my professional standing in the photo
world, college, marriage, relocating etc.? As that was beginning
to happen, I contacted our local S group, the NASG, and the NMRA
with it's localized group.? More recently I've had to dig deeper
for the yearly dues, and sometimes that just didn't happen.?
Yesterday, I received notice that 'I was missed'
from the roster again.? Now retired and "living" on my BBB
commission--yah right! and my SS was always tight.? So I wrote
the gentlemen regarding my having to drop my membership with
uncertain times to come.? He replied last night where he stated
that the NMRA had a program they partnered with called Grouper
so one could utilize HMO/ PPO or other medical group coverage to
cover that.? I applied and I or my region isn't joining that
effort!? I don't know the reason but it might be worth it for
our more seasoned NMRA or perhaps even our NASG members to help
with the dues as part of your health plan.?
So at this time, nothing is going to happen, but
perhaps some of you can make it happen!
Bob Werre
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Perhaps it isn't NMRA or your region that isn't participating in Grouper but whichever Medicare Advantage or supplement plan you use.? Not all of them use Grouper, any more than all of them use Silver Sneaker or similar gym membership programs.
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I've been a on-off-on member of the NMRA several times.? I first became a member when a year's dues (1966?) was $3.00.? You received the standards & RP stuff, info, a yearbook, and a brief monthly newsletter from your region (Thousand Lakes
in my case).? I was supposed to also get a NMRA track gauge but I still await that!
After that for several years I was largely "dark" as I was trying establish my professional standing in the photo world, college, marriage, relocating etc.? As that was beginning to happen, I contacted our local S group, the NASG, and the
NMRA with it's localized group.? More recently I've had to dig deeper for the yearly dues, and sometimes that just didn't happen.?
Yesterday, I received notice that 'I was missed' from the roster again.? Now retired and "living" on my BBB commission--yah right! and my SS was always tight.? So I wrote the gentlemen regarding my having to drop my membership with uncertain
times to come.? He replied last night where he stated that the NMRA had a program they partnered with called Grouper so one could utilize HMO/ PPO or other medical group coverage to cover that.? I applied and I or my region isn't joining that effort!? I don't
know the reason but it might be worth it for our more seasoned NMRA or perhaps even our NASG members to help with the dues as part of your health plan.?
So at this time, nothing is going to happen, but perhaps some of you can make it happen!
Bob Werre
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David McBrayer
Bill Lane
John Degnan
Charles Weston