Folks:
In what is becoming a habit, I have bought the August 06 RMC and found it had actual content...if this continues I just may take the drastic step of subscribing...
The article on modifying a Mantua 2-8-2 was excellent. It's the kind of thing that used to inspire me when I read my collection of back issues. Turning parts with a hand drill! Reshaping and tapering the boiler with a fracking hand file! Wow. I take off my hat to that Bailey guy. He's got big brass ones. I mean, just think about filing all that zamac. That's amazing. But...that's the best part of an article like this. If somebody was able to do it, then other people can too...it makes you want to try to do something similar. That's what hobby magazines are for, dangnabit. The articles on plugging a $47.95 flashing beacon unit into a $199.95 AC4400CWBBQ are all well and good but once in a while the soul craves a good bit of blacksmithing.
By the way, is it true that late Tyco 62" drivers were filled in between the spokes? What is the current Model Power reissue like?
One minor criticism is the lack of mention of a suitable currently-made gearbox to replace the Mellor unit used...NWSL has plenty of good candidates, though.
The automobile article is a good bit of basic stuff, and addressed an occasional failing of model pikes -- the cars are from only the modeled decade and all too new and shiny. Gotta have yer old beaters.
Finally, the O scale Southern layout was decent -- but the locomotives were wonderful. They look absolutely right for neglected late-era steam power - they have the perfect dull, dirty brown-black that old machinery gets. The author should do a weathering article, seriously. The appearance of two engines in one scene going different directions was actually a minor shock -- seeing two very real-looking models in a situation rather uncommon on the prototype. I just can't stress how good the weathering was, given the era.
Cordially yours: Gerard P.