Painting

For creating your own hard-to-find locomotives or building a one-of-a-kind piece of rolling stock, custom-painting is the way to go. For any paint job, a down payment of 50% is required upfront with the remaining 50% due upon project completion. Due to the uniqueness of every paint scheme, lead times can vary significantly from project to project as can the price. Contact me with what you have in mind and we can start to discuss specifics are there are far too many variables to list here, but some estimates are listed below.

Locomotives

Basic locomotive paint schemes start at $100 + decals and go up to $300 + decals for the larger locomotives with complex paint schemes.

Rolling Stock

Freight cars come in many shapes and sizes so it is hard to give pricing estimates, but prices start at $40 + decals per car and go up from there.

General Information

All prices include the cost of paints, masks, and other related materials. Price estimates do not include the cost of decals. Decals will typically run $30 per sheet, plus any design work that needs to be done if the design hasn't been done before. I exclusively use industry leader Michael Vickey for my decals, but can use others on special request.

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RC/Sound Installations & LED Conversions

Most RC/Sound installations can be in and out the door in 72 hours or less.

Plug and Play RC Installs: $25

Includes installation of your receiver into your plug and play locomotive. For receivers that have on-board sound, this will also include installation of a non-premium speaker. A premium speaker can be added for an additional $15.

Some links to remote control products are listed below for your convenience.

Non-PNP RC Installs: $85-125

Typically $85 for diesels and $125 for steam locomotives with a tender. This include converting the locomotive to remote control with a toggle switch for battery/track power. Price includes all switches, connectors, reed switches, magnets, and adapter boards. RC receiver and remote are not included in the price.

Some links to remote control products are listed below for your convenience.

LED Conversion: $20

Convert the incandescent lighting in your locomotive to cool or warm LEDs. This service will be required for some Revo installations. Price includes labor and all materials for most conversions including any additional circuit boards required for voltage rectification and regulation.

Sound Installation: $40

Adds the sound system of your choice to your locomotive. Includes complete integration with your RC system or installation into your standard DC locomotive with the sounds triggered by way of reed switches. Price includes labor and small parts such as connectors, wires, and switches but does not include the cost of the sound system.

Some sound systems are listed below for your convenience. When ordering, be sure to include the required locomotive sound in the notes field to expedite installation.

Recommended Accessories

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Services

Detailed descriptions of the various services I offer can be found by clicking on the links below. To inquire about a particular service, please contact me and I should get back to you same day.

All prices include labor and the little things like switches, LEDs, connectors, paint, etc. They do not include the big things such as receivers and decals.

Please contact me before sending me anything to be worked on. I may be busy or on vacation so make sure I'm available first.
All shipping & insurance costs are the responsibility of the model owner - local drop-off/pickup is always welcome. I charge actual USPS shipping.

RC/Sound Installs & LED Conversions

Did your last Revo installation cost a small fortune or come with complimentary duct tape? It doesn't have to. My electronics work is fast, professional, and much cheaper than the other guys.

Custom Painting

Can't find that Union Pacific E8 or have a custom scheme in mind? I use the best paints, decals, and techniques in the hobby to make sure custom paint jobs turn out as close to "factory" as possible.

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Polls

Once per month, the GScale.Net Facebook group conducts a poll to ask our members a basic question about the hobby to gauge trends over time.

The same question is asked during the same month each year and the responses are recorded below once the polling period has closed. Click on the year to go to the actual Facebook poll. However, note that the numbers may have changed slightly as people may have voted after the polling period closed. Membership in the GScale.Net Facebook group is required to view and participate in the polls.

January

What type of coupler do you prefer?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Kadee -- 60 (46.9%) 112
Aristocraft Knuckle -- 28 (21.9%) 42
Hook & Loop -- 16 (12.5%) 36
Bachmann Knuckle -- 7 (5.5%) 15
LGB Knuckle -- 5 (3.9%) 10
USA Trains Knuckle -- 7 (5.5%) 10
Other -- 5 (3.9%) 8

February

What diameter curves best represent your mainline?
Response 2016 2017 2018
4' -- 3 (4.7%) 4
5' -- 2 (3.1%) 6
6.5' -- 1 (1.6%) 0 (0%)
8' -- 8 (12.5%) 25
10 -- 19 (29.7%) 42
12.5' -- 0 (0%) 8
15.5 -- 1 (1.6%) 2
16.5' -- 15 (23.4%) 20
20' -- 1 (1.6%) 26
>20' -- 14 (21.9%) 1

March

What scale vehicles do primarily you use on your layout?
Response 2016 2017 2018
1:16 -- 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
1:18 -- 1 (.02%) 2
1:20 -- 2 (.03%) 13
1:22 -- 2 (.03%) 2
1:24 -- 29 (48%) 61
1:25 -- 1 (.02%) 1
1:26 -- 1 (.02%) 0
1:32 -- 6 (9.8%) 14
Other / Mixed Scales -- 19 (31%) 69

April

Who is your favorite manufacturer?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Aristocraft -- 69 (34.1%) 62 (31.3%)
Accucraft -- 14 (6.9%) 8 (4%)
Bachmann -- 23 (11.3%) 16 (8%)
Hartland Locomotive Works -- 2 (.9%) 1 (.5%)
LGB -- 45 (22.2%) 45 (28.7%)
MTH -- 2 (.9%) 1 (.5%)
Piko -- 3 (1.4%) 6 (3%)
USA Trains -- 44 (21.7%) 47 (23.7%)

May

What is your preferred style of turnout control?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Manual -- 86 (78.8%) 135 (71.4%)
Electric -- 13 (11.9%) 40 (21.1%)
Pneumatic (Air) -- 11 (9.1%) 14 (7.4%)

June

Which category best describes what you model?
Response 2016 2017 2018
European -- 5 (2.7%) 10 (5.8%)
Early Steam -- 10 (5.5%) 6 (3.4%)
Late Steam -- 13 (7.1%) 5 (2.9%)
Modern -- 47 (25.9%) 31 (18%)
Narrow Gauge -- 45 (24.8%) 36 (20.9%)
Transition Era -- 61 (33.7%) 84 (48.8%)

July

What best describes your railroad sub-roadbed?
Response 2016 2017 2018
PVC Ladder -- 8 (6.95%) Poll Open
Float in Ballast -- 71 (61.73%) Poll Open
Concrete / Brick -- 17 (14.78%) Poll Open
Wood -- 19 (16.52%) Poll Open

August

What scale do you prefer to run?
Response 2016 2017 2018
1:29 44 (55.7%) 65 (59%) Poll Open
1:24 13 (16.5%) 10 (9%) Poll Open
1:20.3 10 (12.7%) 17 (15.4%) Poll Open
1:22.5 9 (11.4%) 13 (11.8%) Poll Open
1:32 3 (3.8%) 5 (4.5%) Poll Open

September

What kind of track do you use?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Brass 61 (79.2%) 148 (83.1%) Poll Open
Aluminum 7 (9.1%) 10 (6.9%) Poll Open
Stainless Steel 5 (6.5%) 14 (9.7%) Poll Open
Nickel Silver 3 (3.9%) 5 (3.4%) Poll Open
Plastic 1 (.12%) 1 (.7%) Poll Open

October

What power source do you use?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Track Power 48 (48%) 127 (64.46%) Poll Open
Battery Power 36 (35%) 60 (30.92%) Poll Open
Live Steam 8 (8%) 7 (3.60%) Poll Open

November

Do you keep the boxes for your G scale trains?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Yes 41 (77.3%) 146 (66.36%) Poll Open
No 1 (.2%) 20 (9.09%) Poll Open
Some 11 (20.7%) 54 (24.54%) Poll Open

December

What code track do you primarily use on your railroad?
Response 2016 2017 2018
Code 332 56 (90.3%) 144 (89.44%) Poll Open
Code 250 5 (8%) 10 (6.21%) Poll Open
Code 215 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Poll Open
Other 1 (1.6%) 7 (4.34%) Poll Open

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Hobby Shop Directory

Listed above is a map consisting of all G scale hobby shops in our directory. A flat list of the shops represented above is also displayed below. On the map, click on a marker near you to learn more about that railroad. Click and drag on the map to move around, and either use the mouse wheel or the controls at the bottom-right to zoom in and out.

To add a hobby to the directory, send me an email or join our Facebook Group and post it there. Please include at a minimum the store name and address. For a shop to be listed, it must sell at least some G scale./p>


United States

Alabama
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Southerland Station 2362 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 533-4720  
Flordia
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Colonial Photo & Hobby Inc 634 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 841-1485
Georgia
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
HobbyTown USA 840 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 426-8800  
Legacy Station Trains Toys & Hobbies 4153 Lawrenceville Hwy #12, Lilburn, GA 30047 (770) 339-7780
Riverdale Station 6632 GA-85, Riverdale, GA 30274 (770) 991-6085
Illinois
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
RLD Hobbies, LLC 873 Funkhouser St, Albion, IL 62806 (618) 446-2970  
Iowa
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Reindeer Pass Railroad 5220 NW 8th St, Ankeny, IA 50023 (515) 984-6946  
New Jersey
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
The Model Railroad Shop 290 Vail Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 968-5696  
Ohio
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
G Scale Junction 570 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056 (740) 967-7300  
Pennsylvania
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Nicholas Smith Trains 2343 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008 (610) 353-8585
Joe's Train Station 21 E Street Rd, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053 (215) 322-5182
Warrior Run Locomotive Works & Raceway 481 Beaumont St, Warrior Run, PA 18706 (570) 881-9823  
Utah
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Hobby Stop, LC 327 East 1700 South, Suite 10, Orem, Utah USA 84058-6986 (801) 226-7947
Washington
Store Name Address Phone Email Website Facebook
Eastside Trains 217 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 (425) 828-4098

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G Scale Railroad Directory

Listed above is a map consisting of all the G scale railroads in our directory. A flat list of the railroads represented above is also displayed below. On the map, click on a marker near you to learn more about that railroad. Click and drag on the map to move around, and either use the mouse wheel or the controls at the bottom-right to zoom in and out. For railroads with actual addresses, you can zoom in on their marker and switch to "Satellite View" using the controls at the top-left to view an actual arial image of the railroad. Remember, not all railroads are tagged by an exact location (Some are tagged as being in the center of a city or area), so be sure to contact the railroad owner before visiting.

To add your railroad to the directory, send me an email or join our Facebook Group and post it there. Please include at a minimum the railroad name, city, and a short description. The full address is not required. It would also be beneficial to list a way for potential visitors to contact you, such as a website or Facebook page.


United States

Alabama
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Deadwood Central Huntsville dave.roesler@comcast.net
TBD Somerville tnwhite@sitepearl.com
Arizona
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Arizona Big Trains Operators Phoenix
Tucson Garden Railway Society Tucson
California
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Orange County Garden Railway Society Orange County
Colorado
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
The Denver Garden Railroad Society Denver
Illinois
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Chicago Area Garden Railway Society Chicago
Chicago Botanic Garden Railroad Chicago
Flordia
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Mt. Meterbox & Bare Sands RR Pierson
Georgia
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
L.P & C.L Railroad Marietta
Pick N Grin Sugar Hill
Louisiana
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Little Hickory Railroad Jackson maczilla1@bellsouth.net
Maryland
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum Maryland
New Hampshire
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
New Hampshire Garden Railway Society Manchester
New Jersey
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Pocono Mountain Garden Railroad Society Northern New Jersey
Kittatinny Mountain Railroad Wantage mtclimb@ptd.net
Ohio
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Northern Ohio Garden Railway Society Akron
Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society Cincinnati
Columbus Garden Railway Society Columbus
Easton Express Railway Columbus
Miama Valley Garden Railway Society Dayton
Mill Valley Northern Railroad Marysville
Buckeye State Garden Railroaders Uniontown
Riverside Railroad Club Warren
Oklahoma
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Tulsa Garden Railroad Club Tulsa
Pennsylvania
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Smoke & Oak RR Harrisburg Area
South Eastern Pennsylvania Garden Railway Society Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Garden Railway Society Pittsburgh
Susquehanna Valley Garden Railway Society York
Tennesee
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Nashville Chattanooga Garden RR Nashville
Utah
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Utah Garden Railway Society Ogden
Virginia
Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Tidewater Big Train Operators Norfolk

Canada

Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
Guelph Jct. Garden Railway Guelph ericrepaci@hotmail.com
Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society Ottawa

Hungary

Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
NOHAB Apartment RailRoad Badacsonytordemic

Norway

Railroad Name City Email Website Facebook Youtube
The Alaska Connection Lorenskog ivaraas@yahoo.no

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Crest Electronics

Electronics

Product Product # Manual Quickstart
Train Engineer Revolution CRE57000 Download Download
Revolution Receiver w/ Sound CRE57002SS / CRE57002SD Download x
Train Engineer Base Station CRE57004SD Download Download
Revolution Base Station / Super Receiver 2.4Ghz CRE57005 Download x
RCC Remote Switch Device 2.4Ghz CRE57074 Download x
Capacitor Board CRE57076 Download x
Non Plug-n-Play Adaptor Board CRE57078 Download x
PWC to Linear Board CRE57091 Download x
Guardian Battery Charger CRE55610R Download x

* X = Document either does not exist or is not applicable.

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Aristocraft

Locomotives

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
0-4-0 Switcher Download Download
2-4-2 Rogers Download Download
2-8-0 Download Download X
2-8-2 Mikado Download Download Download
2-8-2 Mikado (Live Steam) Download Download
2-8-8-2 Mallet Download Download X
4-6-2 Pacific Download Download
Center Cab Diesel Download Download X
Dash 9 Download Download Download
Doodlebug Download Download Download
E8 Download X
Eggliner Download Download Download
FA1 Download Download X
FB1 Download Download X
Lil' Critter Download Download X
GP40 Download X
PCC Trolley X
Railbus Download Download X
RDC1 X
RDC3 X
RS3 Download Download X
SD45 Download Download
U25-B Download Download X

Tenders

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
Long Tender Download Download
Pacific Tender Download Download
Slopeback Tender Download Download
USRA Tender Download
Vanderbilt Tender Download Download

Passenger Cars

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
Heavyweight - Baggage Download
Heavyweight - Combine Download Download
Heavyweight - Railway Post Office Download Download
Heavyweight - Pullman Download
Heavyweight - Coach Download Download
Heavyweight - Diner Download Download
Heavyweight - Observation Download Download
Streamliner - Baggage Download
Streamliner - Coach Download Download
Streamliner - Diner Download Download
Streamliner - Observation Download Download
Streamliner - Dome Download Download
Sierra - Coach Download Download
Sierra - Combine Download Download
Sierra - Observation Download Download
Smoothside - All Download

Freight Cars

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
100 Ton Hopper Car Download Download
Covered Hopper Download Download
20' Box Car Download
20' Flat Car Download
20' Gondola Car Download Download
20' Tank Car Download
40' Steel Box Car Download Download
40' Steel Reefer Download Download
53' Evans Download Download
Bobber Caboose Download Download
Bulkhead Flat Car Download Download
Classic Box Car Download Download
Classic Caboose Download Download
Classic Flat Car Download
Classic Gondola Download
Classic Hopper Download Download
Classic Reefer Download
Covered Gondola Download Download
Drop End Gondola Download
Flat Car (Stake) Download Download
Long Steel Caboose Download Download
Piggyback Flat Car Download
RoadRailer Download
Searchlight Car Download
Single Dome Tank Car Download Download
Snow Plow Download
Stock Car Download Download
Track Cleaning Car Download
Triple Dome Tank Car Download Download

Sets

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
0-4-0 Freight Download X
0-4-0 Passenger Download X
Eggliner Download X
Lil' Critter Download X
Rogers Freight Download X
Rogers Passenger Download X

Buildings

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
Covered Bridge Download X
Covered Waiting Platform Download X
Signal Bridge Download X
Trestle Download X
Truss Bridge Download X
Victorian Barn Download X
Victorian Station Download X
Watch Tower Download X
Water Tower Download X

Electrical

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
3.5 Amp Power Supply Download X X
Accessory Reciever Download X X
Basic Train Engineer Download X X
Cooling Fan Download X X
DCC Pin Assignments Download X X
HO Train Engineer Download X X
Installing Smoke Control Board in C-16 Download X X
On-Board Camera Download X X
Power Pack Download X X
Reversing Unit Download X X
Switching Power Supply Download X X
Train Engineer 75Mhz Download X X
Train Engineer 75Mhz (2) Download X X
Train Engineer 27Mhz - 1994 Download X X
Train Engineer 27Mhz - 1996 Download X X
Train Engineer Revolution Download X X
Walk-Around Train Engineer Download X X
Wiring Adapter Download X X

Track

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
#6 Switch Diagram Download X X
30 Degree Crossing Download X X
Railbender Download X X
Switches Download X X
Track Download X X
Track and Wheel Gauge Download X X

Misc.

Product Manual Parts Diagram Kadee Installation
8-Pin DCC Port Conversion Download X X
Ball Bearings Download X X
FA Wiring Diagram for RCC/DCC Download X X
FA1 - OLD Download X X
FB1 - OLD Download X X
Log Car Download X X
Mikado PCFPC Schematic Download X X
On-Board Reciever Download X X
On-Board Reciever Wiring Diagram Download X X
Pacific - OLD Download X X
SD45 - Parts Diagram DRAFT Download X X
Using Accessory Reciever w/ LGB Download X X
Warranty Download X X
Wire Download X X
* X = Document either does not exist or is not applicable.

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