Ron, Super-nice work!!! I'd like to follow in your footsteps with my MTH E6 beauties and will have to revisit some of the OGRF posting that provide the methodology.
Meanwhile, I've been edging into 3RS ("S" for "Sort of") for several years but it wasn't till I saw Rich Battista's "Its All About The Trains" (http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/), that I was all IN! The video is worth a watch just for the trains, 1:1 and 1:48. However, his tips and tricks for added realism are worth twice the price.
SIDEFRAMES: Rich simply uses a Moto Tool to egg-out the truck sideframe mounting holes in order to move them inward and the results are quite amazing - even with "pie plate" O Gauge wheels. The results with scale wheels are truly amazing. I don't want this to be a spoiler, so, please get the video.
Take a gander at these photos to see some results of what Rich has been up to:
http://www.toytrainsontracks.c...8_40C/PhotoPage.html
For new acquistion diesels, Rich now confines himself to MTH "scale wheel" models, almost exclusively. By adding Kadees and moving the sideframes inward, he achieves remarkable realism. There is another very simple trick that adds even more realism but I'll remain silent just to tease you into buying the video. He's also done some amazing things with Lionel models that you'll find inspirational. I'm no match for you, Rich or your ilk but I know a simple solution when I see one.
With all due respect and deference to Bob2, I must agree with you regarding 3 rail reliability. I tried 2 rail HO and N, years ago, and spent most of my time cleaning track and giving trains a little nudge to get the engine(s) over a molecule of dirt. Phooey, I want to run trains not fiddle around endlessly trying to get them to move. Things may have improved in 2 rail, if "DCC" operates on high fixed voltage, but I'm happier with 3 rail because, among other things, I can use the Atlas O 21st Century Signal System in a prototype manner, relying simply on shut the way 1:1 railroads do.
You guys are waaay out of my league but your work is an inspiration and I'll keep trying.
