I also know the feeling, my layout is still in Tennessee (I hope to go and get it between Christmas and Newyear's) and building's, rolling stock...
You might check Harbor Freight for the 3/8 in. heat shrink tubing as I have purchased it there in the past.
You may also consider using BFS (Bull Frog Snot) That is what I use rather than disassembling the loco to install new traction tires.
I would be looking at converting to Micro Trains (MT) couplers as soon as you can they are the best IMO.
The tie spacing and verity of items is why back in 2005 that I chose Atlas code 55 and have not had any issues with any of it!
I make 2 ft. X 42 modules using 1/4 in. plywood on top of a 1 X 4 Frame with 1 cross brace the long way and cover the plywood with 1/2 in. foam....
Noodle Donuts to keep from spilling Paint & Liquid Cement
Carl, How did you make the flame on the flair!!!
I also have a NIB Con-Cor N scale kit 680 - Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant that I purchased back in the early 70's and have never assembled...
I have run both metal and plastic wheels on my layout and do not see any difference between the metal and the MT plastic wheels, but each has...
There are a lot of nut jobs selling on the bay !!
My wife and I will pray for Cynthia and you.
As for Kato not having any issues, that is not true, I got a brand new first run Kato Mike that had bad gears right out of the box, I ordered the...
I have assembled several of them and still have 15 to 20 that I still need to assemble, they were way easier than the Blue box HO kits of the 50's...
My buying has been greatly reduced to some purchases at the train shows I attend and from Fifer Hobby. I use to pick up a lot of train cars by...
WE had our home for sale and the relator held it open, it was a large home and my layout was in the basement and I had about 100 cars on the...
I have always just trimmed the ragged edge off with a #11 x-acto and then laid it and I have laid about 900 ft.
Looks better every time you post an update!!!
MT is the only way for me with those kits.