Links: 300+ Brass Presentations

The list below contains 335 links to posts from our Facebook page. Every brass collector, operator, painter and repairman can learn about proper safety, tools, painting and repair techniques, shown exactly how we do things in our shop. If you would like to learn how to create higher-quality results in your own workshop—THEN YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE !

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Issues That Effect Everyone: Poor Packing Efforts When Shipping; Bad Foam; Zinc Pest; Rotted Drive Tubing, etc.

Let's Be Carful Out There — We Don't Drop Brass Models But Plenty of Other People Do

• 2 slides that show the difference between safe, careful handling and the end result of not doing so. Forget repairs. When models look this bad, it's always less expensive to buy a new model and start over.

Shipping Your Brass Models in a Box that is TOO SMALL

• 5 slides that show how doing a poor packing job makes the repair MUCH more expensive to perform. Please heed these warnings. Hundreds of brass models are destroyed in transit every year because of the shipping box being too small.

Shipping Your Brass Model in a Box that is TOO FLIMSY

• 13 slides showing the damage that happened to an Overland Models 5411.1 UP EMD DDA40X 6936 all because the shipper used a box that was too flimsy, too short, and packed with the WRONG kind of packing peanuts. He saved a dollar or two on the box. But the repairs cost hundreds of dollars.

Bad Foam Alert — Tenshodo's Dreaded Yellow Foam

• 13 slides showing why you want to throw away any yellow foam that's residing in your Tenshodo model boxes. We've even included Tenshodo's WARNING that their foam is dangerous to their models. It actually eats through plastic wraps, paint, and etches itself into the brass metal itself. This foam is amongst the worst ever put inside a brass model train box. Be aware of it.

Bad Foam Alert — This time it's the GREEN Foam in Fujiyama of Japan Model Boxes

• 5 slides showing how this old, original foam is bad news and should be replaced before shipping these kinds of models. Models get heavily damaged or destroyed when they're shipped in this stuff.

Using EVA Foam to Protect Delicate Handrails BEFORE Shipping Models

• 6 slides showing how we cut and placed EVA Foam to protect the delicate handrails on this NJCB New York Central P-2 Electric. Without it, all of those end railings will be broken off during shipment. You can buy EVA Foam at Hobby Lobby and on Amazon.

EVA Foam Protects Railings on Precision Scale Western Maryland Number 6 3-Truck Shay

• 2 slides showing how we used EVA Foam to make certain these delicate parts don't get destroyed when we ship the model back to our client.

Overland Models OMI 3126 Pennsylvania Coal Tower Destroyed in Shipment

• 2 slides show what WILL HAPPEN when one of these models is shipped. This is a model that should be HAND DELIVERED ONLY but the dealer who packed and shipped this model certainly didn't realize that. Those brass legs are far to delicate to survive a trip through UPS or USPS. Look at our images and see for yourself.

Zinc Pest in Cast Metal Model Train Parts and What You Can't Do About It!!!

• 2 slides showing what's happening to diesel drive systems made at Ajin Precision. We recommend to everyone to READ this story so you understand what's happening to some of your models. It's an unstoppable chemical reaction that fractures the metal.

Zinc Pest in the Drivers of Steam Locomotive Models

• 6 slides that reveal the real problem why this model ran so poorly. It wasn't the gear box. It wasn't drivers out of quarter. It was ZINC PEST that cracked and warped the driving wheels making the model wobble as it ran down the track.

Replacement Tubing for Motor and Gearbox Shafts in HO Scale Steam, Diesel, and Electric Locomotives

• 4 slides that show you how our Variety Pack of Replacement Tubing for Motor and Gearbox Shafts can help get your fleet of locomotives running again. We sell it through our EBAY STORE.

Replacement Driver Insulation used to Repair Shorted Drivers in Brass Steam Locomotives

• 1 slide showing the Replacement Driver Insulation material that we sell through our EBAY STORE. It can be used on any scale model, and cut to any length or width to fit the driver you're re-insulating.

PSC 15172 Santa Fe EMD SD40-2 with Medium Length Nose HEAVILY TARNISHED

• 3 slides that show what happens to a brass model when the factory doesn't apply the clear lacquer protective coating.

Brass Mystery Models — Sometimes it take a bit of work to figure out what they are!

• 9 slides showing a variety of models and one of them has a particularly vexing cosmetic problem caused by improper cleaning at the factory that produced it.

"My Model Doesn't Run Anymore" — Guess what? It's largely an Oxidation issue.

• 1 slide that is telling. Oxidation attacks EVERY electrical contact surface inside and outside of the model. If they're not all cleaned, expect your model to run poorly, or not at all. This is the problem that needs to be solved BEFORE anything else. Otherwise, you'll never figure out why your 40 year old model doesn't work anymore.

Understanding All That Can Be Wrong with Your Brass Steam Locomotive Model

• 45 slides examine a Westside Model Company GOM Southern Pacific GS-8 4-8-4 from front to back, top to bottom, inside and out. Every brass buyer should read this story.

Mastering the Art of Soldering Brass Models is about using MORE than one tool!!!

• 1 slide that gets right to the point. If you think you can do even 10% of what we're doing with just a single soldering system, you're wrong. It takes multiple tools with different wattages, different tips, different probes, and different tweezers. It takes both conventional soldering systems AND resistance soldering systems. Soldering models together at the factories in Japan, Korea and China is WAY easier than making soldering repairs to models that are already completely assembled. They were able to do things in a sequential order to prevent parts from falling off as they applied them. Making repairs after the model is fully assembled—is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CHALLENGE. Which is why so many modelers destroy their models trying to make simple repairs with a single tool. They didn't use the right tool or the right technique.

Exploring the Origins of Pacific Fast Mail's "Brass Patina": The D&SL 2-6-6-0

• 5 slides that explain how and why PFM created a patina to differentiate their models in the brass marketplace.

Beware of Samhongsa's Coasting Gear Boxes in Steam Locomotives

• 1 slide showing how the coasting function can be locked out to prevent the models from downhill run-aways and rolling off the end of your test track onto the floor! 

Overland Models OMI 6664.1 BN SD40-2B #7501 Improperly Packed Causes Shipping Damage

• 6 images showing what happens when shippers don't bother to add EVA foam in behind the end railings on brass diesel locomotive models.

O Scale Precision Scale Models EMD SW-1 with End Railing Damage

• 7 slides showing how we repaired the model, then MORE IMPORTANTLY what we did to repack the model to survive shipping back to our client. Everyone who buys and sells brass models should take this advice seriously to prevent more destroyed models.

Custom Painted Models Ruined by Excessive Heat During Storage

• 7 slides you're likely not going to believe when you see them. Do not store brass models in spaces with excessive heat. And be sure you don't wrap them up before your paint job completely cures.

Challenger Imports, Ltd. 2107.1 Great Northern Railway E.M.D. E7A with Faded Paint

• 4 slides show why you should never put your models on display in direct sunlight.

Cleaning Wheel Treads Alone is NOT Enough to Keep Your Models Operating

• 7 slides that demonstrate deep cleaning of steam locomotive tender trucks.

Important Tips on Re-Packing O Scale Diesels to Prevent Shipping Damage

• 13 slides that show how we repacked this beautiful O scale Overland Models Milwaukee Road SD40-2. Without this kind of packing effort large, heaving models like this one would be utterly destroyed in transit.

Safer Packing Methods for HO Scale Brass Diesel Road Switchers

 • 4 slides showing how original packing materials can be easily improved upon to make certain your brass diesel arrives safely no matter where it's shipped.

Safer Packing Methods for HO Scale Brass Covered Wagons

• 4 slides show how much safer it is to repack models with new bubble wrap instead of using the old soft foam that came with the model. 

 

O Scale Brass Model Train Repairs and Restorations

Westside Model Company KTM Western Maryland 3-Truck SHAY #6

• 32 slides showing how we diagnosed and repaired more than two-dozen problems with the drive mechanism that was shorting out while on track.

Division Point D&RGW 01400 Riveted Steel Caboose with Broken Parts

• 2 slides showing repairs to one of the end ladders and the smoke stack guy-wire.

Ken Kidder Ohio Streetcar Body Restoration

• 3 slides covering grit-blasting of delicate brass components.

Key Imports Custom Series #49 Union Pacific FEF-2 and FEF-3 4-8-4 Handling Damage

• 14 slides covering the repairs we made to the locomotive and tender.

King Models USRA 0-6-0 Restoration

• 13 slides showing how we turned an older Japanese-made model into a showpiece that looks like new. This is a good primer on getting a project started in our shop. Making a list of what needs to be done is helpful if you can provide it.

Kohs Pennsylvania Railroad FD-2 Heavy Duty Flat Car 470245 Shipping Damage — Part 3

• 4 images show how we carried out repairs to this very large model.

Kohs Pennsylvania Railroad FD-2 Heavy Duty Flat Car 470245 Shipping Damage — Part 2

• 4 images show how we diagnose the model and plan to make soldering repairs.

Kohs Pennsylvania Railroad FD-2 Heavy Duty Flat Car 470245 Shipping Damage — Part 1

• 4 images show the model after it was damaged in shipment.

Lobaugh Southern Pacific S-12 0-6-0 Soldering Repairs

• 3 slides show a ruggedly built model with a whole bunch of bad solder joints to repair.

NJCB ALCO Diesel-Electric Switcher Frame Extensive Soldering Repairs — Part 3

• 26 slides show all of our soldering work and grit-blasting to prepare this frame for painting by the model's owner.

NJCB ALCO Diesel-Electric Switcher Frame Extensive Soldering Repairs — Part 2

• 8 slides show part fabrication and pre-solder planning.

NJCB ALCO Diesel-Electric Switcher Frame Extensive Soldering Repairs — Part 1

• 4 slides reveal a bunch of loose parts and solder joints needing to be reinforced.

Overland Models OMI 0192 Union Pacific S-8 0-6-0 4466

• 5 slides covering the the use of 3M 06377 Tape for installing DCC components and constant lighting units. Every DCC installer should use 3M 06377.

Overland Models OMI 0219 Pennsylvania Railroad P5A Electric Handling Damage — Part 5

• 2 slides showing how this model finished up after 60 new solder joints were completed.

Overland Models OMI 0219 Pennsylvania Railroad P5A Electric Handling Damage — Part 4

• 1 images showing the model after making 60 new solder joints but before we repainted all the repaired areas of the model.

Overland Models OMI 0219 Pennsylvania Railroad P5A Electric Handling Damage — Part 3

• 6 slides showing exactly how we repaired the pantographs.

Overland Models OMI 0219 Pennsylvania Railroad P5A Electric Handling Damage — Part 2

• 5 slides showing severe damage to the pantographs and how we cleaned the parts prior to making solder repairs.

Overland Models OMI 0219 Pennsylvania Railroad P5A Electric Handling Damage — Part 1

• 8 slides showing damage assessment and diagnosis of all that needed repairs.

Overland Models OMI 0292 EMD F3A Dynamic Brake Hatch Modifications

• 35 slides covering the removal of the F3 style dynamic brake hatch and installation of a newer F7 style hatch. Lots of soldering tips and tricks shown here.

Overland Models OMI 0398 Milwaukee Road ES-2 Electric Switcher Repairs — Part 2

• 6 slides showing how the dreaded ZINC PEST has infected this model's gear box. Could there be a 3D print solution in the future to solve this problem? That's our suggestion and hope.

Overland Models OMI 0398 Milwaukee Road ES-2 Electric Switcher Repairs - Part 1

• 12 slides covering soldering repairs necessitated by handling damage.

PFM Samhongsa Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Pilot Model Repairs — Part 5

• 1 slide showing how this lovely model finished up after repairs and paint touch-ups.

PFM Samhongsa Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Pilot Model Repairs — Part 4

• 8 slides showing a variety of details that needed soldering repairs.

PFM Samhongsa Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Pilot Model Repairs — Part 3

• 7 slides showing a variety of details that needed soldering repairs.

PFM Samhongsa Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Pilot Model Repairs — Part 2

• 10 slides showing how we fabricated and installed a new gear box cover for the forward engine.

PFM Samhongsa Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Pilot Model Repairs — Part 1

• 8 slides showing this one-of-a-kind model being diagnosed for running repairs.

Precision Scale 15136 Pennsylvania Railroad K4s 4-6-2s Pre-Paint Prep

• 21 slides covering the disassembly, chemical and grit-blast cleaning, and bagging and tagging of parts so the model's owner could paint it himself.

Precision Scale 15515 Norfolk & Western Class 'A' 2-6-6-4 Project Preview

• 4 slides showing Matt Dowd from ReSourcedRails.com helping us with a little photography project.

Precision Scale Milwaukee Road Class F6A 4-6-4 Window Glass Installation

• 4 slides talking to the reason we install simulated window glass into models and NOT real glass. Real glass is simply too dangerous in this role. Read our post to understand why.

Scratch-Built Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Eight-Motor Electric 458

• 16 slides showing how we tore down this model and fully prep'd it for paint to be applied by the client.

Sunset Models CB&Q O-5 4-8-4 5629 Crosshead Guide Repairs

• 8 images showing how we repaired this model to be BETTER than factory new.

S Scale Track Works O Scale EMD SW-1 Locomotive Cab Floor and Roof Upgrade

• 17 slides showing how we soldered the roof in place, made the cab interior removable, added the missing truck springs, and repaired the broken hand railings.

The Car Works Illinois Terminal Bay Window Caboose Window Blanking

• 20 slides covering the complicated process of blanking out three side windows.

O Scale PSC N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 Disassembly, Bagging, and Tagging

• 10 slides showing how we did all the pre-paint prep work on a client's enormous articulated steam locomotive. 439 pieces, parts and sub-assemblies are now ready to accept paint—and more importantly—they're prep'd to actually HOLD the paint.

Using Heat Shrink Tubing to Protect Crosshead Guides Before Grit-Blasting or Painting

• 7 slides showing our technique for protecting these nickel-plated parts from abrasive damage. The guides are plated brass. If we grit-blast them, the plating will instantly vanish. So here's an easy-to-do trick to save the plating before cleaning or painting.

O Scale PSC N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 Stripping Off the Factory Applied Clear Lacquer

• 20 slides showing how we do this work safely with the proper respirator and safety glasses. Your continued good health depends on having, using and wearing the proper safety gear whenever your stripping old paint and clear coats, priming, painting and grit-blasting brass parts. Excellent examples here of how to do this work AND stay safe while doing so.

Dealing with Rusted O Scale Drivers on a SRR PS-4 4-6-2

• 2 slides showing before and after treatment to remove rust from mild steel driver tires.

 

HO Scale Brass Model Train Repairs and Restorations

Akane Baltimore & Ohio EM-1 2-8-8-4 Mechanical and Operation Restoration

• 44 slides show the model inside and out and all that we did to make this a very smooth running model once again.

ALCO Models Illinois Central 2-8-2 with Shorting Wheels on the Trailing Truck

• 1 images that talks to a fairly simple problem to repair, shorted wheels on the trailing truck.

ALCO Models Norfolk & Western "Jawn Henry" Experimental Steam Turbine

• 5 slides that talk about the operational issues with this unique model.

ALCO Models Virginian Railway Class EL-2B 6,000 HP Electric A-A Set

• 5 slides describing the YAK-FAT problem within the model's 16 power trucks.

Balboa Scale Models Katsumi Southern Pacific P-10 4-6-2 Motor Replacement

• 11 slides showing how we replaced the original open frame motor with a new can motor, and scratch-built a new motor mount too.

Challenger Imports, Ltd. 2134.1 DM&IR Class E7 2-10-4 Broken Valve Gear Hangers

• 8 slides show what happens when picking up steam locomotive models and putting your big fingers in the WRONG place.

Challenger Imports, Ltd. 2134.1 DM&IR Class E-7 2-10-4 with Missing Headlight

• 1 slide showing how we solved the problem of this model's missing headlight casting.

Challenger Imports, Ltd. 2367.1 CB&Q Class O-5B 4-8-4 5632 Loose Parts

• 6 images covering proper lubrication and loose parts that were making the operation wonky at best. In particular, Samhongsa's motor mounts and torque arms can come loose because of a ineffective mounting system. We cover how to get better outcomes with your Challenger steam locomotives.

Challenger Imports, Ltd. 2376.1 Santa Fe Warbonnet EMD F7 Covered Wagons

• 1 slide that shows how cracked gears can often be repaired without replacing them.

Division Point North DP-7154.33 Canadian Pacific Railway P-2h 2-8-2 Mikado #5433

• 6 slides showing how we cleaned the mollassus-like grease from the main gear box to get this model running again. Models won't run when the grease turns solid.

Division Point DP-8836 Milwaukee Road ALCO RSC-2 596 with Broken Pilot

• 6 slides showing how we repaired a pilot broken off during shipment.

Division Point Saginaw Timber Company 2-6-6-2T Number 4

• 14 slides dealing with drive improvements to the forward engine.

Empire Midland Great Western (Strasburg #90) 2-10-0 Re-Motoring

• 12 slides showing how we removed and replaced the motor and lined up the motor and gear box shafts to create a much nicer running locomotive.

Empire Midland New Haven 800 Class 4-6-0 New Gear Box Installation

• 23 slides covering the installation of a new Boo-Rim gear box including the pulling and reinstalling of that driver.

E Suydam and Company Milwaukee Road EF Box Cab Set Rough Runner

• 3 slides showing how we replaced the tubing connections to make this a smoother running model.

GEM Models Baltimore and Ohio 0-4-0 Docksider Restoration

• 1 slide showing how this model turned out 53 years after it was manufactured.

GEM Models Baltimore & Ohio 0-4-0T Dockside Switcher Contact Cleaning

• 6 slides showing how we cleaned all the contact surfaces to get this little model running again.

GEM Models Ruby Edition Pennsylvania Railroad H-10s 2-8-0 Restoration - Part 2

• 3 slides showing how we turned this horribly tarnished model into one that looks like new again.

GEM Models Ruby Edition Pennsylvania Railroad H-10s 2-8-0 Restoration - Part 1

• 5 slides showing the early stages of this complete restoration.

GEM Models Signature Edition Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 Restoration - Part 1

• 6 slides showing the beginning stages of a partial restoration and partial repaint of one of the finest Big Boy models ever made.

Hallmark Models CBQ EMD E5A Re-Motoring 

• 7 slides showing how we removed the old open frame motor, scratch-built a new motor mount, and installed a new can motor to improve operations.

Hallmark Models Wabash P-1 4-6-4: Cost Estimating a Repair Job

• 1 slide and a length story about job estimating. This is a great primer to help people understand all that can go into an estimate depending on the problems with a model.

Katsumi of Japan Southern Pacific GS4 4-8-4 Re-Motoring

• 14 slides showing how we re-powered one of the most-popular steam locomotives of all time, the Katsumi GS4.

Key Imports Dong Jin ATSF 2298 0-4-0T Shop Switcher Restoration

• 3 slides showing before and after images of this complete restoration.

Key Imports / Samhongsa ALCO S-2 Diesel Switcher Gear Replacement

• 1 slide showing the recommended NWSL gears needed to get this model running again.

Key Imports / Samhongsa D&RGW 3500 Class L-95 2-8-8-2 Decayed Motor Wires

• 5 slides that talk to the decayed motor wire situation and a detailed look inside the model to examine the driveline design.

Key Imports / Samhongsa Southern Pacific AM-2 4-6-6-2 Cab Forward Broken Railings

• 6 slides showing damage to the tender deck and how we repaired and repainted it.

Key Imports / Samhongsa Erie Triplex 2-8-8-8-2 Tender with Coal Bunker Problems

• 6 slides showing how we removed the flakey coal load and cleaned the coal bunker so that a new coal load could be installed.

Key Imports / Samhongsa Custom Series 101 Union Pacific Big Boy 4017 Cracked Tire

• 4 slides show a VERY UNUSUAL problem, a cracked driver tire, and how we solved it.

Key Imports / Samhongsa Custom Series #86 Norfolk & Western J 611 Class 4-8-4

• 1 slide, the value is in the dialogue that describes what can happen inside the model when the motor mount and torque arm are loose or installed incorrectly. A very good read.

MTS Imports North Shore Models Ajin-built CNS&M 203-214 Series M-D Car

• 7 slides showing drive repairs to this colorful Buy War Bonds car.

Nickel Plate Products Milwaukee Road EF Box Cab Electric with Cracked Gear and Broken Parts

• 6 slides showing how we replaced a cracked gear, repaired a broken pantograph, and re-soldered a broken pilot assembly.

NJCB's Very First Brass Model — The New York Central DES-3 Oil Electric

• 6 slides showing the model inside and out with tips on how to make them better runners on the layout.

NJCB New Haven EF-3a Electric Repairs

• 15 slides showing a variety of repairs that this model required. In particular, our soldering repairs should prove enlightening. It's our version of micro-welding.

NWSL Northern Pacific W-5 2-8-2 Gear Box Replacement and Re-Quartering

• 27 slides showing exactly how we installed a new Boo-Rim gear box and re-quartered the driving wheels with NWSL tools. This is a MUST SEE presentation.

NWSL C.D. Johnson #9 2-6-2T Saddletanker with Dirty Contact Surfaces

• 8 slides that explain in detail all of the surfaces that need to be cleaned for this little logging locomotive to run again.

Oriental Ltd. Samhongsa EMD GP9 Intermediate NWSL Gear Replacement

• 23 slides show exactly how we replaced all the cracked gears inside this GP9.

Oriental Ltd. Samhongsa CB&Q EMD E5A Ph. II and EMD E5B Cracked Gears

• 5 slides covering replacement of cracked gears with new NWSL gears and important  adjustments to the slip shafts in the driveline on both sides of the motor.

Oriental Ltd. Sugar Pine Lumber Company 2-10-2T made with Japanese Screws

• 8 slides that include important information about dealing with Japanese style screws with very thin slotted heads. Without the correct screwdrivers on hand, you'll likely lose the screws, or ruin them. Proper sized screwdrivers are the key and they need to by made for Japanese screw heads.

Overland Models OMI 1131 Rock Island Steel Caboose Step Repairs

• 7 slides walk through the process of replacing a missing corner step.

Overland Models OMI 1311.1 65,000 Gallon Water Tower Repairs

• 6 slides that show a typical problem with this model—BROKEN LEGS and LADDER—and how we affected proper repairs to restore this model to BETTER than new status.

Overland Models OMI 1408 Union Pacific 4-10-2 Running Board Step Repair

• 1 slide showing how we replaced a missing step near the front of the locomotive.

Overland Models OMI 1432 CB&Q M-2A 2-10-2 Mechanism Adjustments

• 6 images discussing how this builder's models need both scrutiny and careful adjustments in order to get the model to run well.

Overland Models OMI 1912.1 Cleveland Union Terminal P-1 Heavy Electric 221

• 1 slide that talks to the importance of carefully installing the pantographs that came packed separately inside the model box.

Overland Models OMI 1487.1 Lehigh Valley K6s Black Diamond 4-6-2 Drawbar Replacement

• 12 slides showing what we did to replace a design-flawed drawbar between the engine and tender.

Overland Models OMI 1533.2 Union Pacific FEF-3 4-8-4 YAK-FAT Remediation

• 12 slides covering our process for eliminating YAK-FAT from the drive system of this otherwise lovely model.

Overland Models OMI 1579.1 Union Pacific "S" Class 0-6-0 Drawbar Issues

• 1 slide and a detailed explanation of the problematic plastic drawbars installed at the factory.

Overland Models OMI 1933 EMD SD40 Conversion to a CNJ Prototype

• 11 slides showing how we changed a generic version into a CNJ version.

Overland Models OMI 3466.1 Union Pacific Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Relay Set

• 8 slides showing Power Car truck repairs and our Innocraftsman Mini Drill Press with XY Axis Adjustment Platform. It's a tool every craftsman should have.

Overland Models OMI 4533.1 Union Pacific FEF-1 4-8-4 803 with Trailing Truck Problems

• 9 slides showing how we repaired the trailing truck to keep the model from derailing on curves.

Overland Models OMI 4540.1 Union Pacific SA-C-2 2-8-8-0 No. 3512 Steam Pipe Repairs

• 10 slides showing how the front mounted steam pipes can break loose and how we repaired the situation.

Overland Models OMI 4547.1 RF&P Governor Class 4-8-4 #606 Decayed Motor Wires

• 2 slides and an important explanation about why motor wires fail in brass locomotives.

Overland Models OMI 5081 Milwaukee Road EMD MP15AC Failed Driveline

• 6 slides showing the tools we used to repair failed drive shaft dog bone ends.

Overland Models OMI 5092.1 Union Pacific GE U50C 5000 Roof Repairs

• 11 slides showing how this model was damaged in transit and what we did to improve the packing materials so it won't get damaged again.

Overland Models OMI 6117 Louisville & Nashville EMD E7A Headlight Modifications

• 2 slides showing how we converted the stock L&N model into L&N 791.

Overland Models OMI 6346 Great Northern SDP40 Frame with Botched Soldering Repairs

• 12 slides showing what it takes to clean up a whole bunch of bad solder joints and prepare the frame for repainting.

Overland Models Union Pacific 3-Unit Gas Turbine A-Unit Improvements

• 12 slides showing how we improved the see-through side grilles to look much more prototypical with a very simple addition to the model.

Overland Models OMI AC-1001-1 Milwaukee Road ES-2 Electric Switcher with Bad Gears

• 11 slides showing how we installed new NWSL gears into the trucks of this model. This is a difficult project to undertake account the builder's truck design. But we persevered and despite those difficulties this model is now BETTER than factory new.

Overland Models OMI AC-1000-2 Milwaukee Road ES-2 Electric Switcher with Bad Gears

• 11 slides showing how we installed new NWSL gears into the trucks of this model. This is a difficult project to undertake account the builder's truck design. But we persevered and despite those difficulties this model is now BETTER than factory new.

Overland Models / Ajin Precision ALCO C430 Diesel Truck Repairs

• 5 slides showing how we cleaned and repaired these trucks so the owner could reinstall them and have an operating model once again.

Overland Models Factory Painted Diesels with Broken Cab Sun Shades

• 5 slides showing how to make these repairs without ruining the paint job in the process. 

PFM Samhongsa Louisiana & Arkansas 4-6-0 Cleaning and Running Repairs

• 17 slides showing how we diagnosed, cleaned and repaired this model to make it a good runner once again.

PFM Tenshodo Santa Fe Blue Goose 3460 4-6-4 with Vibration Problems

• 4 slides showing how we identified, isolated, and repaired the vibration problems between the motor and gear box.

PFM Tenshodo Great Northern N-3 2-8-8-0 Safe Handling Procedures

• 3 slides to show how the model should be picked up to prevent big fingers from breaking off delicate parts.

PFM Tenshodo Great Northern Railway R-2 2-8-8-2 with Broken Valve Gear Hangers

• 10 slides explain how these parts were broken off the model and our soldering repairs to make the rear engine functional again.

PFM Tenshodo Great Northern Y-1 Electric Yak-Fat Remediation

• 16 slides talking about Tenshodo's yellow foam AND Yak-Fat problem, and what it took to get this model running again.

PFM Tenshodo Great Northern Y-1 Electric with Bus Bars Jammed Up with Yak-Fat

• 5 slides showing how we got this model running again after cleaning out all the Yak-Fat.

PFM Tenshodo Southern Pacific AC-12 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward with Problems — Part 4

• 27 slides showing how we disassembled and reassembled the drive and model to get her back up and running again. This was not a simple project and if you're not well-versed in brass model design, we don't recommend doing this yourself. When models have this many parts and part dependencies, it's easy to muck things up and lose parts.

PFM Tenshodo Southern Pacific AC-12 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward with Problems — Part 3

• 7 slides showing how we replaced the insulated drawbar between the engine and tender.

PFM Tenshodo Southern Pacific AC-12 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward with Problems — Part 2

• 6 slides showing a deeper dive into more serious problems within this massive Cab Forward locomotive.

PFM Tenshodo Southern Pacific AC-12 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward with Problems — Part 1

• 5 slides showing initial inspection and diagnosis of a variety of operational problems.

PFM United Chesapeake and Ohio 2-6-6-2 Restoration

• 30 slides showing a complete restoration of a model made in 1964.

PFM United Chesapeake and Ohio 2-6-6-2 Mechanism Problems

• 7 images that show all of the problems that keep this model from running.

PFM United Denver & Salt Lake 2-6-6-0 Re-Motoring with a Long Shaft Can Motor

• 5 slides showing how we scratch-built a new motor mount to be able to install a new can motor into an older D&SL 2-6-6-0.

PFM United Standard Gauge Harrington Lumber Company 2-Truck SHAY Repairs

• 11 slides showing the broken headlight, exactly how it got that way, and how we lubricated this model to be operable.

PFM United Standard Gauge SHAY Truck Repair

• 9 slides covering truck repairs on the most numerous SHAY model ever produced.

PFM United Ma & Pa 2-8-0 and Omaha 0-6-0 Models Won't Run

• 1 slide that talks to the process of careful inspection and diagnosis before setting about to make repairs.

Precision Scale Models 15141 Western Maryland Number 6 Three-Truck Shay Repairs — Part 3

• 2 slides showing how we used EVA Foam to make certain the delicate railings we repaired don't get broken again when we ship the model back to our client.

Precision Scale Models 15141 Western Maryland Number 6 Three-Truck Shay Repairs — Part 2

• 8 slides showing the complicated nature of the drive mechanism, how we're going to lubricate it, and some hand railing repairs.

Precision Scale Models 15141 Western Maryland Number 6 Three-Truck Shay Repairs — Part 1

• 7 slides showing a variety of operational problems with this very large SHAY model.

Precision Scale 15272 Great Northern Railway N-3 2-8-8-0 with Front End Damage

• 6 slides showing front engine problems with this large articulated locomotive.

Precision Scale Models 17271-1 Milwaukee Road F7 Class 4-6-4 Streamlined Hudson

• 1 slide that talks to the factory using the wrong kind of solder flux on the wiring when the model was built. This is a common problem across most brands of models made in Korea. If wiring is frayed or broken the entire wire should be replaced or you'll end up with the same problem down the road.

Red Ball Pennsylvania Railroad B6sb 0-6-0 Restoration

• 17 slides showing how we returned this tarnished model back to its original condition in 1967.

SOHO Union Pacific #50 Double Ender Gas Turbine Locomotive — Part 2

• 3 slides showing how the model got damaged in the first place with tips on improving the safety of the models you buy, sell and ship. 

SOHO Union Pacific #50 Double Ender Gas Turbine Locomotive — Part 1

• 2 slides showing before and after pilot repairs.

Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio KB-1A 2-6-6-4 Crosshead Guide Repairs

• 3 slides showing how we re-soldered the crosshead guides back onto the steam chests.

Sunset Models CB&Q O-5 4-8-4 with a Motor Mount, Torque Arm, Stripped Screw Problems

• 5 slides that talk to the problem of screws coming loose within the drive system, a stripped front mounting screw caused by over-tightening of that screw, and what we did to correct both situations.

Sunset Models Great Northern O-8 2-8-2 with Terrible Red Dye Stains

• 1 slide showing just how bad red dye stains can get if the model is exposed to the original red foam that came with the model.

Sunset Models Great Northern Railway O-8 2-8-2 Reconditioning the Clear Finish

• 3 slides showing a model we professionally painted in 1976 and made better in 2024.

Sunset Models Prestige Series Pennsylvania Railroad 0-4-0 Steam Switcher Won't Run

• 13 slides showing how we cleaned and repaired the running gear on this model to get her operational again.

Sunset Models Prestige Series Pennsylvania Railroad Class M-1 4-8-2 Mountain

• 10 slides showing our process to determine why this model wouldn't run and the repairs required to make it whole again. Now, it's BETTER than new.

Sunset Models Southern Pacific M9 2-6-0 Operational Considerations

• 7 slides that talk to the importance of taking time to understand the mechanism before trying to repair it.

Sunset Models Union Pacific 2-8-8-0 3500 Class "Bull Moose" Re-Motoring

• 8 slides showing how we re-motored this large articulated locomotive.

Valve Gear With Missing, Broken or Popped Rivets

• 1 slide showing a repair that's simple to do if you send us just the parts needing to be re-attached to each other.

Westside Model Company AT&SF 4-4-6-2 with Broke Valve Gear Hangers

• 2 slides showing the front engine after repairs were effected, and discussion.

Westside AT&SF 3000 Class 2-10-10-2 Turning Radius Improvement

• 14 slides covering improvements to get this massive model operating on a 30 inch curve instead of a 50 inch curve. It's simpler than you might think!

Westside ATSF 3000 Class 2-10-10-2 Replacing Bad Motor/Gearbox Tubing

• 4 slides covering the replacement of old, brittle motor to gear box tubing with our new heat-resistant tubing assortment that we sell through our EBAY STORE.

Westside Southern Pacific AC-6 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward Pilot Repairs

• 1 slide with customer supplied images showing our work after reinstallation.

Westside Southern Pacific Fire Train Red Dye Stain Remediation

• 4 slides showing the model after we removed the red dye stains and dialogue about assessing your own collection before the problem gets worse.

White Corrosion Underneath Chemical Blackening

• 2 slides showing a problem that can cause bubbling underneath the paint job.

 

Narrow Gauge Brass Model Train Repairs and Restorations

HOn3 PFM Fujiyama DRGW K-37 2-8-2 Front Truck Replacement

• 10 slides showing how we used a combination of parts from Keith Wiseman and PSC to replace a missing front truck on this K-37.

HOn3 PFM United DSP&P Mason-Bogie 2-6-6T Running Repairs

• 12 slides showing exactly why this model no longer functioned and what we did to correct those problems.

HOn3 PFM United Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 Number 20 Restoration - Part 2

• 2 slides showing before and after views of a full brass restoration.

HOn3 PFM United Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 Number 20 Restoration — Part 1

• 5 slides showing the early stages of this full blown brass restoration.

HOn3 Westside Model Company Class 'A' Climax Locomotive with Vertical Boiler

• 4 slides that talk to the cautions you should take whenever working with one of these little models.

On3 Kemtron SHAY 37-Ton Class 'B' Running Repairs and Oxidation Remediation

• 7 slides showing how we disassembled, cleaned, repaired and lubricated this model to get her running great again.

On3 Precision Scale Models 15032 Colorado & Southern #60 2-8-0 Drop Damage Repairs

• 10 slides showing damage to the engine and tender and how we repaired each problem.

On3 Sunset Models / Samhongsa D&RGW Class C-16 2-8-0 #223 Soldering Repairs

• 7 images showing how we made front end and tender repairs to make this model BETTER than factory new.

Sn3 Overland Models OMI 1708 Colorado & Southern #60 Class B-4C 2-8-0

• 13 slides showing how we restored this locomotive model after considerable shipping damage.

 

Professional Painting, Safety Concerns, Tools, Tips and Tricks

Paint Spray Booth Concerns: Filters and Face Mask Use

• 4 REALY IMPORTANT IMAGES HERE. If you're not keeping your spray booth paint filters clean, if you're not wearing a paint respirator with active filter cartridges, then you're rolling the dice with your health. SERIOUSLY, the web is littered with posts of fellows painting with filters so clogged with paint overspray, they may as well not use a paint booth at all. Don't be like them. Be like us, so you can live a long, healthy life and enjoy your models LONGER too!!!

O Scale PSC N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 Stripping Off the Factory Applied Clear Lacquer

• 20 slides showing how we do this work safely with the proper respirator and safety glasses. Your continued good health depends on having, using and wearing the proper safety gear whenever your stripping old paint and clear coats, priming, painting and grit-blasting brass parts. Excellent examples here of how to do this work AND stay safe while doing so. 

Grit-Blasting Equipment and Safety Concerns

• 10 slides showing the exact grit-blasting equipment we use and advice of staying safe while doing this kind of work.

Painting Plated Wheel Sets on HO Scale Brass Locomotive Models

• 1 slide that talks to the different look between plated wheel sets and plated wheel sets that have been properly prepared to hold primers, paints, and clear coats. The goal here being to make the toy-like appearance of plated wheels to look more realistic.

Chipping Paint on O Scale US Hobbies 24 Foot Ore Cars

• 5 slides showing what can happen when the brass metal isn't proper;y cleaned before paint is airbrushed onto the model.

Paint Stripping O Scale The Car Works Illinois Terminal System Class D Electric

• 9 slides that talk to the cautions of stripping old paint off of certain brass models.

Grit-Blasting Five (5) O Scale Electric Coaches and an Interurban Car

• 13 slides showing before and after versions of cars we prep'd for painting.

Paint Stripping an O Scale PSC 15145 Baltimore and Ohio P7 4-6-2

• 11 slides showing the work it takes to remove the old paint from an O scale Pacific.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 11

• 23 slides in our finale showing decal application and final builder shots of our completed work for both the SP C-2 2-8-0 and MK-6 2-8-2.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 10

• 13 slides showing masking of the smokebox and firebox areas of the SP MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 9

• 4 slides showing masking of the smokebox and firebox areas of the SP C-2.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 8

• 6 slides showing mechanism reassembly of the SP C-2 and MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 7

• 19 slides showing strategies for painting drivers and wheels on the SP C-2 and MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 6

• 6 slides showing frame masking of both the SP C-2 and MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 5

• 4 slides covering the masking of smokebox fronts for the SP C-2 and MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 4

• 8 slides showing the pre-paint soldering and prep work on the SP C-2.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 3

• 9 slides showing the pre-paint soldering and prep work on the SP MK-6.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 2

• 12 slides showing the initial challenges of painting an Oriental Ltd. SP C-2 2-8-0.

Professional Painting Two (2) HO Scale Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 1

• 8 slides showing the initial challenges of painting an ALCO Models SP MK-6 2-8-2.

Professional Painting Hallmark Models Rock Island Class M50-A 4-8-2 - Part 2

• 17 slides showing soldering repairs and our final builder shots of the completed model.

Professional Painting Hallmark Models Rock Island Class M50-A 4-8-2 - Part 1

• 8 slides showing the model during disassembly and after grit-blasting.

Professional Painting Tenshodo Great Northern C-1 0-8-0

• 16 Slides covering restoration, pre-paint prep, and partial re-painting.

Professional Painting Key Imports ATSF 2298 0-4-0 Shop Switcher - Part 3

• 8 slides showing more of how we painted this little shop switcher.

Professional Painting Key Imports ATSF 2298 0-4-0 Shop Switcher - Part 2

• 3 slides showing the differences between the painted and unpainted model.

Professional Painting Key Imports ATSF 2298 0-4-0 Shop Switcher - Part 1

• 3 slides showing the model prior to painting.

Hallmark Santa Fe Bulldog Diesel #1 — Discussion on Decal Application

• 1 slide and a lengthy discussion about how to get better results when applying waterslide decals.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 7

• 3 slides showing how everything finished up.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 6

• 4 slides featuring the water tower and sand tower that we're painting.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 5

• 6 slides covering the painting of the water and oil columns.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 4

• 2 slides showing the models after priming with SEM Self-Etching Metal Primer and an explanation of the airbrushes we used to do this work.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 3

• 1 slide showing all of the models grit-blasted along with the facility we use to accomplish this work.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 2

• 12 slides detailing the Overland sand tower we need to rebuild before we can paint it.

Professional Painting: 10 Brass Engine Terminal Structures — Part 1

• 13 slides showing the water tanks, water and oil columns, water bridge, and sand towers that we'll be painting. Some will be weathering a bit too.

NJCB New York Central Wood Caboose 20100 Soldering Repairs and Grit-Blasting

• 6 images showing the differences between a chemically cleaned model and one that has been grit-blasted in preparation for paint application.

Overland Models OMI 1177 Milwaukee Road Bay Window Caboose Grit-Blasting

• 7 images showing the differences between a clear coated model and one that has been grit-blasted in preparation for paint application.

Overland Models OMI 1454 New York Central H10-a 2-8-2 Tender Frame Re-Paint

• 3 slides showing how we repainted a frame that its owner scratched up during soldering repairs.

PFM United Caddo River Lumber Company #11 Shay Paint Stripping — Part 2

• 6 slides showing the the difference between what chemicals and grit-blasting can do when you're stripping paint from a model. Chemicals get some of the old paint. Grit-blasting gets all of it. But there's a good reason we use chemicals first; then grit-blast.

PFM United Caddo River Lumber Company #11 SHAY Paint Stripping — Part 1

• 11 slides showing the model with its original paint job that will be stripped. Pay particular attention to our slide dealing with the insulated side of the drive line. Many a custom painter has ruined a model by not understanding that one side of the telescoping drive shafts is actually insulated INSIDE the shaft.

NJ International Sanding Tower 1700/SD-170 Paint Prep and Painting — Part 2

• 1 slide showing the sanding tower after we applied light weathering, then posed with a pair of diesel switchers that we painted up for the Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer Railway.

NJ International Sanding Tower 1700/SD-170 Paint Prep and Painting — Part 1

• 7 slides showing the entire process of cleaning, modifying, and painting this familar structure.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 20

• 1 slide showing how we finished off this project with our personalized letter of authenticity, tips, and helpful information for the model's owner.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 19

• 4 slides showing how we'll be re-packing this model for safe shipping to our client. After doing this much work to paint one small model the last thing we want to hear is that the model was banged up in transit. That NEVER happens with models we ship.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 18

• 10 slides showing our builder's shots of the completed restoration and paint job.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 17

• 1 very important slide showing what we had to do to paint over the poorly done photo-etching on the tender shell. This was a very time consuming process. Be sure to read our lengthy explanation to get the full benefit of this information.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 16

• 1 slide showing our technique for painting the side rod screws.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 15

• 3 slides dealing with the side rods and valve gear.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 14

• 5 slides showing reassembly of the mechanism and best practices for keeping electrical continuity throughout the engine and tender.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 13

• 3 slides showing painting of the boiler, smokebox front, and tender shell. Pay particular attention to the tender shell and why we had to do to minimize the flawed photo-etching.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 12

• 3 slides covering the brake shoes, tender deck, and another look at the boiler weight.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 11

• 3 slides dealing with the boiler weight, gear box, main rods and valve gear.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 10

• 3 slides dealing with painting the body parts and in particular, the tender shell that has flawed photo-etching.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 9

• 3 slides covering painting of the firebox and masking of the frame slots.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 8

• 1 slide covering the painting of the smokebox and smokebox front.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 7

• 3 slides dealing with the all-important issue of painting the drivers and wheel sets.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 6

• 2 slides showing all of the brass parts after one final cleaning before painting.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 5

• 3 slides dealing with properly preparing the drivers and wheel sets for for painting.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 4

• 9 slides showing 35 more solder joints to make this model whole again before painting.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 3

• 3 slides showing front end repairs and broken piping under the cab.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 2

• 2 slides showing the model disassembled before and after grit-blasting.

Professional Painting: Sunset Models Baltimore & Ohio B-18 4-6-0 — Part 1

• 3 slides included show the initial stages of our paint job.

 

Prototypical Weathering Using Artist Oil Paints

Weathering Four (4) HO Scale Union Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 3

• 17 slides showing how the models finished up, including U.P. 816, 818, 3804 and 3985.

Weathering Four (4) HO Scale Union Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 2

• 5 slides showing our models "baking" in our digitally controlled paint oven.

Weathering Four (4) HO Scale Union Pacific Steam Locomotives - Part 1

• 7 slides showing the initial stages of weathering primarily using artist's oil paints.

Weathering Redux: Challenger Imports 2488.1 Union Pacific 3815 4-6-6-4, Part 4

• 13 slides showing all of our new weathering work that makes this model look so much more prototypical.

Weathering Redux: Challenger Imports 2488.1 Union Pacific 3815 4-6-6-4, Part 3

• 3 slides showing how we neutralized the garish airbrush weathering before beginning anew with our oil paint artistry.

Weathering Redux: Challenger Imports 2488.1 Union Pacific 3815 4-6-6-4, Part 2

• 9 slides showing the tender and cab areas to be re-weathered.

Weathering Redux: Challenger Imports 2488.1 Union Pacific 3815 4-6-6-4, Part 1

• 13 slides showing an airbrush weathered model that we're going to upgrade with artist oil paints.

Weathering Overland Models OMI 5095.1 Union Pacific GE U50C 5023

• 24 slides showing exactly how we weathered this diesel with artist oil paints.

Weathering Overland Models OMI 5410 Union Pacific EMD DDA40X 6902

• 12 slides showing exactly how we weathered this diesel with artist oil paints.

Weathering Four Freight Cars — Part 4 — Final Looks

5 slides showing final shots of our weathering work on all four cars.

Weathering Four Freight Cars — Part 3 — NP Reefer

• 4 slides showing detailed views of the NP Reefer including the underbody.

Weathering Four Freight Cars — Part 2 — PRR Container Gondola

• 3 slides showing how we deal with weathering all of those little containers included with this model.

Weathering Four Freight Cars — Part 1 — Proof Shots

• 3 slides that show how we stop weathering long enough to take pictures to make certain our effects are having the proper impact to create a realistic looking model. Pictures show us what's really there. Our mind's eye does NOT.

 

DCC Related Issues, TipsWeathering Four Freight Cars — Part 1, Tricks, Triumphs and Failures

DCC Installations Done Right - Key Imports UP Big Boy and PSC PRR J-1a 2-10-4

• 3 slides covering the reasons why you want to get your models to run well on your layout BEFORE installing DCC.

PFM SKI Illinois Central 8000 Class 2-8-4 with DCC Installation Woes

• 25 slides showing what can go wrong with a brass steam locomotive when the installer had no business doing so in the first place.

Cleaning Brass Before Attempting Soldering — Part 2

• 1 slide showing how we returned this tender floor to a much neater appearance after covering over all of those swiss-cheese holes in the floor.

Cleaning Brass Before Attempting Soldering — Part 1

• 1 slide showing the difference between tarnished and grit-blasted brass before covering those swiss-cheese holes that someone added to the floor.

 

Mechanical Considerations for Smoother Running Models

Driveshaft Angle and Phasing

This is a short YouTube video. When remotoring old Brass Locomotives make certain to align the driveshaft between the motor and gear box or your model will have gear box wobble and surging during operation. This video explains why. Please be sure to have your sound turned up. The audio portion is far more telling than the video.

 

Old, Rare and Unique Brass Model Trains 

O Scale One-of-a-Kind Great Northern R-2 2-8-8-2 by Kleinschmidt and Pantera

Scratch-Built Great Northern Class O-5 2-8-2 3300 Snow Plow Locomotive

One-of-a-Kind Overland Models 1/32nd Scale Horton Rescue Vehicle

CNW 4-4-2: Our Oldest Operating O Scale Brass Steam Locomotive

DMIR Business Car Northland and Combine W-24 from North Bank Line Boo-Rim

Global Outlet Corporation Santa Fe 5011 Class 2-10-4

World War II Era O Scale Hines Pearce 4-8-2 and Tender

O Scale Great Northern M-2 2-6-8-0 Scratch-built by Myron Gilbertson

Bill Ryan's Great Northern G-1 Class 4-8-0 Mastodon built in 1960 by Atlas Toby of Japan

HO scale brass Micro-Metakit Die Dampfturbinenlokomotive T18 1002 der DRG

HO scale brass Micro-Metakit 98200H DR BR 05 001 4-6-4

HO Scale Brass Micro Metakit German DRG BR52 Armored Panzer Locomotive with Condenser Tender

Three HO Scale MICRO METAKIT and MICRO-FEINMECHANIK M. RAUCHENECKEr Models

HO Scale Trix Fine Art Steam Locomotive Repair Recommendations

1:43 Scale Kiss Modellbahnen German DR 1D1 Henschel & Siemens E 19 Class Electric Passenger Locomotive

 

Odds and Ends

Soldering Z Scale Track Feeders onto Plastic Roadbed withOUT Melting Anything

• 1 slide showing what can be done with 400 WATTS of resistance soldering power applied for 0.5 seconds. Perfect joints every time.

N Scale Key Imports Samhongsa Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Electrical Problems

• 4 slides showing how we eliminated the shorting between the engine and tender.

66 Damaged N Scale Overland Models Union Pacific DDA40X Diesels

• 10 slides showing a large group of heavily damaged brass diesels.

Number One Gauge Fine Art Pennsylvania Railroad Flat Car with US Army Load

• 2 slides showing how we fabricated new brass deck plates to replace the ones missing from this model.

Number One Gauge Fine Art US Army Tank Turret

• 1 slide showing the new gun barrel we fabricated, installed and painted to match the army tank.

Row & Company 'G' Scale Brass Union Pacific Big Boy Tender Coal Pans

• 4 slides that show how we removed the failing coal from these Big Boy coal pans and replaced it with a much more durable material from Chooch Enterprises, Inc.

 

Prototype Images and Information

Our New Book: Twin Ports Trains — Historic Railroads of Duluth-Superior 1870-1970

Burlington Northern Engine Terminal Operations 1970s Superior, Wisconsin

DMIR EMD SD9 129 at Keenan, MN in Heritage Paint 1991

DMIR 2-8-8-4, 2-10-2 and SD9 Diesel Action 1949-1959

Great Northern Railway C-1 0-8-0 831 at Superior, WI in 1958

Great Northern Railway M-2 2-6-8-0 1983 at Kelly Lake, MN in 1953

Great Northern Railway N-3 2-8-8-0 2020 at Kelly Lake, MN in 1953

Great Northern Railway O-8 2-8-2 3380 at Minot, ND in 1956