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Randy, I agree with you on scaling from a photo, it is easy if you know the true size of at least one object in the photo. For structures I use doorways and windows as they are pretty much standard sized. And like you, I use wheel diameter and car length as good indicators. <hr noshade size="1"> For those who have not scratch built but would like to try your hand at it, just keep in mind the scale you're doing. For instance HO is 1:87 meaning that if the prototype is 87 feet long then the model would be one foot long. A 50' boxcar would be 0.5747126 feet or 6.8965512 inches [:D] (about 6-7/8") in length. Take 1 divided by 87 which gives you one scale foot. (0.0114942). Then multiple that by the length of the boxcar, 50', which gives you 0.5747126 scale feet. To get inches from feet multiply the scale feet by 12. In this instance 0.5747126 times 12 equals 6.8965512. The decimal equates close to 7/8". Here's a great site for conversions. http://www.onlineconversion.com/ Now lets convert a photo. You know that a 50' boxcar model is 6-7/8". When you measure the boxcar in the photo it is only, for simplicity, 3-7/16" then you know that the boxcar in the photo is half the size of the model you want to build. Therefore all measurements from the photo need to be doubled (multiplied by 2). If the photo measurement, lets say, is 2.29884 (close to 2-19/64) then the boxcar in the photo is only 1/3 the size and all measurements must be multiplied by 3 to get the correct size for your model. I use a "cheap" digital caliper (mine cost less than $20) to measure photos. This gives you decimal numbers for greater accuracy. Then convert to fractions only if needed. I hope this has been a help. It may sound difficult at first but after you convert a couple measurements you'll see how easy it is. Scratch build - you'll enjoy it!
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