Some Random Tuesday Tips

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - well, I've had these photos kicking around for a bit for future "Tuesday Tip" posts, but since they're (almost) self-explanatory, I figured I'd just go ahead and post them. Even if my captions are a bit wordy, they shouldn't approach "thousands" of words.

So, without further ado, here are a few tips you might find helpful....

Here's how I store my collection of styrene strip and stripwood. Just a bunch of paper towel tubes in a cardboard box. Fits nicely under the workbench, and I can take it down to the layout room as needed (saving lots of trips up and down the stairs)

This is how I mark where feeders are needed, though since this photo was taken, I've started using red pins as well as white to correspond to the wire colors I use for my feeders.

Speaking of feeders, when soldering feeders to rail, make sure that the feeder is - um - soldered to the rail and not just melted into the plastic tie.

This next series of photos shows my sophisticated method for preventing rolling stock from rolling off the layout.

I just drill a hole and insert a finishing nail centered between the rails so the coupler hits it.

I have two lift outs and one drop bridge, so I need a bunch of these.

Pretty low tech, but very effective (and MUCH better than nothing!)

Finally, if your airbrush starts pulsating - and especially if it's a Badger Model 200 - check to be sure the teflon washer (which goes between the spray head and the main body) hasn't been lost. Ask me how I know. I went ahead and ordered (what I hope is) a lifetime's supply. And then, once they'd all arrived, I found the missing washer on the layout floor. Naturally.

Let me know if you find any of these tips helpful - better yet, if you have any favorite tips to share please let us know in the comments!