Ghetto Trolley.

[highrailjon]

Cutting the rails in with a Dremel tool, what a pain!!!![B)][B)]

[dougdagrump]

Looks great Jon !

[highrailjon]

Then re-plastering and re-painting.
(click on pixs to enlarge)

[More to restore]

Very nice. Well done!

By the way, cutting Lionel rails with a dremel can be easy. I started a few years ago with brown cutting wheels and these were terribly rotten. Everytime I started the bloody thing broke and brown parts flew through the air.
Then a hobby guy sold me a diamond cutting wheel. (Is not so expensive as it sounds). That is perfect! It runs through Lionel track fast and easy and have used it for 3 years now, without any troubles.

[highrailjon]

More, You're not kidding!!! I'm not a big advocate of getting in people's business, but if you're gonna use one of those Dremel tools- by all means please wear safety glasses!!! One of those brown cutting wheels like you're talking about exploded on me, missing my fat head and embedding itself in the wall just above a couple of brass engines!!!!!![:0][:0][:0]

[Dr. John]

Nice modeling, Jon. Very realistic!

[wrmcclellan]

[#ditto]

[highrailjon]

Thanks, Fella's! Here's a farmhouse I scratch built last weekend. You gotta love that country air.[:D]

[laz 57]

JON, looks great love da chicks.
laz57

[FJ and G]

Jon, Ditto on looking great.

(i used cut track gutters a lot quicker by modifying a grinder with a masonry cut wheel attached (same diameter). You just gotta wear protection and have a steady hand as one slip can slice a rail in 2. (but the dremel is better on the tight radius turns).

[dbaker48]

Wow Jon, what a craftsman !!! Looks great !!!

[highrailjon]

Here's a little closer "down home" shot as we say down here!!! The trick is to start with a base coat and then "drybrush" a lighter shade over it.
Click on pix to enlarge

[Anonymous]

FJ&G,

When I cut rail with my Dremel I usually am standing on the floor with the rail laying on the 40" high table.

I feel that my wearing dungarees over thermal underwear precludes the need for wearing "protection", at least when using those small fragile Dremel discs.

HOWEVER, I do recommend wearing EYE protection, such as my eyeglasses.

Maybe you could add some further clarification???[;)]

Tony

[spankybird]

Jon - Great to see you stop by. Out standing job as always.

tom

[More to restore]

You are right Jon,
I still have beautiful safety specs from chemistry school and since nobody sees me in the attic anyway, I gladly wear them when using the Dremel. Especially, brass brushes are effective rust removers, but an hazard for the eye.

Nice layout. By the way, what is that women doing on the steps of one of your houses??? Lets call it realistic scenery....

[sulafool]

You can double up the brown cutoff discs for a little more durability (bigger kerf, tho), or, I've had pretty good luck with the fibre cutoff wheels. Their larger diameter makes it a little easier to get at the center rail. They are fairly long lived, and I haven't had one fly apart yet.

[Roger Bielen]

Dremel has a fiber reinforced disc that hold up a lot better. I started using those after being "peppered" by disc fragments a number of times. Someone also hase a, I think, 2" disc that is best for cutting track.

Great looking photos jon. Where's the red light over the door?

[highrailjon]

QUOTE: Where's the red light over the door?

Carefully examine the right trailer window. It's a mobile operation.[;)]
(click to enlarge)

[Anonymous]

The street trackage looks good - grooved rail is always tricky to get right. Is that one of the Corgi diecast PCC cars with a motor added or another brand?

Regarding the Dremel wheels, I've taken to using their standard cutoff discs as they seem to be fairly robust (chopping off diecast handrails from a OO scale tram to replace them with wire is a pretty good test!) and also don't seem to break up with enough force to cause damage. I wear glasses anyway and keep my head out of the firing line but despite two letting go no damage has occurred.

[csxt30]

HighrailJon : I've been doing some Detective work, & I thought I ought to let you know that the girl standing outside that house, also lives in that trailer !! And she's married, too ! Her husband doesn't know what's going on,yet ! You may have to go over there & talk to her !! [:D][:D]

[highrailjon]

Brit, Yes, it's a Corgi PCC and I have'nt choosen a power truck as yet. Seeing as I laid down two rails it will be a DC motor. Perhaps a Black Beetle truck.

Csxt30 John, LOL!!![:D][:D] Thanks, but no thanks!!! That's what the Vice Squad is for!!!!!! Town rumor has it her "husband" hopped a west bound and has never been seen again.[:0]

[highrailjon]

She must be a good cook, because it's a popular stop.[:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

The Beetle should be a good choice under a diecast car - just make sure to either fit the "dummy" beetle (with pickups but no motor) at the other end or even better a pair of powered trucks.