Model Railroading on the Cheap

    I wanted a story of how RR car repairmen sometimes work in the field. I had to scratch build a pair of 20 ton hydraulic jacks to support the car.  I used a couple extra roundhouse ventilators after cutting off the veined rotary on top. Then I drilled a hole for a shortened finishing nail as the cylinder part of the jack and cut portions of RR tie as blocking for leveling below the jack. I should have made a pair of handles on each jack as they are too heavy for one man to handle, but the tremor in my hand that comes with age made it too difficult. I painted them with brushed acrylics. 6-16-15.

    This scene was set in my yard but it could also work on the team track where I witnessed it first-hand in my home town a few years ago.   I wonder how many modelers have a Tuscan red Akron Canton and Youngstown boxcar.

I hesitate to display close-ups like this as it shows the quality of my craftsmanship.