Chuck Most

Just drove past a house with a lighted Festivus pole in the yard. Literally made my day.

Gas is at a buck ninety-nine (well, $1.98 and 9/10). I can't even remember the last time it was under two bucks a gallon.

There's still a little room for, and possibility of, adding some "strategic mauling".

Anyone can be a corporate executive... all one has to do is check common decency at the door, and do the exact opposite of what your gut tells you is right.

I never understood the way they designed the tires on these kits- seems like they'd work much better if the tires were plastic, or if the vinyl used were a bit harder.

Cool! Did the John Player team ever actually use a C-Series, or was this just something out of your imagination? Either way, it looks great.

Nice... but tell your driver he needs to have at least one hand on the wheel.

You should hear 1225 let off a blast- I was about a quarter mile away the first time I heard it and I still had to cover my ears.

Shaping up very nicely, Robert!

I think I've figured out a way around that...

Good thing it doesn't have that rare and exotic flat black hood, which the factory is apparently out of at the moment.

Here are a few interior shots of a Nodwell Flextrack with a Dodge cab- it has twin sticks.

Yeah, when I sold that, the second it was gone I thought "You know, I never did take any pics of the hinges, door jambs, or seat pattern..."

They'll just cut the part-timer's hours down to 20 (or less) a week. And since practically everyone at a fast food place is part-time, that basically means they'll be making the same amount they are now in take-home pay. I doubt you'll feel be the one feeling the pain, though the way these companies work, who knows? Maybe they'll cut everyone's hours and STILL jack up the prices.

Stacks are in place and fenders are mounted, using modified brackets from a Rex mixer. Getting warmer...

This was the actual locomotive that inspired the story- the Pere Marquette 1225. It was one of several N-class 2-8-4 locomotives built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1941, and one of only two remaining examples today. This locomotive was sold for scrap in the '50's, but saved and put on display at Spartan Stadium. That's where Chris Van Allsburg saw it, and was inspired to write the story "The Polar Express". Actual sound recordings of its horn were used in the movie based on the book. I got to see it come through Ashley, Michigan this year. Quite an impressive machine.

Santa came to my place a few days early...

Some pretty good door jamb/hinge detail shots- http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?140116/H8359

Kind of sounds like Deathwish, but with semi tractors. And Stacy Keech never seems to age- seems like he's looked 40 years old his whole life.

I just got the old Revell 1:48 scale White 3000- looks like it should be a fun little project.

It's an older reissue of a 1:48 scale kit from the late '50's. So while it might be good to go in with low expectations, it's actually pretty good all things considered. These are all the parts- the White 3000 tractor with its multi-piece cab and full interior, and the Fruehauf tanker trailer. No vinyl parts, no plated parts and no clear parts- like all the old 1:48 Revell kits from this period, if you want windows, you make your own. Yes, there's an engine- looks to be the White 477 Mustang six-cylinder gas engine. Chassis has the springs and fifth whe molded in place. The front of the cab has the lights and bumper molded in place, but it also has very nice White script. Decals for tractor and trailer... And the Champion billboard. One side of the instruction sheet, showing the assembly sequence. And the other- featuring historical data on the tractor and trailer, and showing some of the other early Revell kits.

PM'd

The resin one- I'm good on Lonestars for at least the next week or two.

If you decide you don't want that IH after all, I'll gladly give it a new home.