Welcome to Dave's small part of the world!

Next, I guess this is where I toot my own horn, so to say, so here goes. First, I am a Mason 32 degree and hold myself responsible to a higher standard and code. Further, I am a HO/HOn3 model railroader, attaining the designation of NMRA Master Model Railroader #200 several years ago, earned mostly at NMRA model contests. These areas included, Cars, Structures, Scenery, Engineer-Electrical, Engineer-Civil, Author, NMRA Volunteer. I am curently working on Locomotives. I have been a model railroader for well over 50 years. The name of my railroad is MULE PASS & WOODLAND RAILWAY, the logo is a small ass in a circle....no not mine, the cross between a horse and mule! I model mostly logging and mining operations of the north western USA from about 1890 to 1927, a really large interest area where I can get away with modeling almost any thing that seems logical. I use geared locomotives, hence the ebay handle, articulateds, and some rod locomotives, some gas electrics, and other odd items. The more unusual they are the better I like them. Rolling stock of course is typical wood of the era.

I am looking for a very special UNITED (PFM type) steam locomotive for my geared locomotive collection, a United Brass HO scale "The Whitney Co. No. 5", which is what the United/PFM box end lable says. I am offering a $100 finders fee to anyone who helps me locate this United Geared locomotive and it is for sale. If you have one to sell or know of one for sale, please drop me a line.

I started Sierra Scale Models back in the early 1980's when some other model railroaders saw and wanted some of the materials I had been using to build contest and other layout models. I figured that since I didn't need it all for myself, I might as well provide these materials to other modelers, and started selling to supplement my own hobby habit. I have a web site at www.SierraScaleModels.com that has these products along with three other sections of informtion that you may find useful. I had, at first, developed my "wet" weathering fluids line of Sierra Scale Models Rust, Soot, Dust, and Grim in 1984 and started packaging them for sale through retailers like Caboose Hobbies in Denver, Orange Blossom Hobbies in Miami, and a few others. They were favorably reviewed in the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette by Bob Brown. These products were sought after as they were easy to use. After "giving" a certain individual a set of these products at his request, he chose to try and copy them. He now sells his version of Industrial Grade under his own lable. He is basically using concrete color powders, not even close to what our products are. Duplication is a form of flattery I have been told, so he can keep trying to make copies. A few years back I stopped selling the liquid weathering fluids when the postal regulations changed and made shipping more difficult. According to the Post Office the liquid I used was a hazardous material for shipping. I then developed the dry application weathering and primary color packs which, colorwise, matched my wet product colors. These are pigments that are not chalks or nonsticking powders. They are a special blend of materials. You can still use them wet with the mixing of denatured ahocol. Now, I see the same individual has chosen to try and copy this product and market it as well. His are only a poor attempt as they are still cement color powders that he is calling industrial. Honor does not seem to fit his personality. I use my products that I sell under the Sierra Scale Models lable. You can visit my site by going to WWW.SIERRASCALEMODELS.COM and I have some pictures of the products actually used on some of my models. In addition to those pictures you will find articles to build items, photo's of actual railroad trips taken from Austrailia to Austria, and special geared and other logging locomotive related links. At 62 I am the typical model railroader though, a confirmed packrat according to my wife. With regards to my stuff my wife says, it's like trying to pulling teeth to get me to let go of any of it. I say it took to long to acquire it and it won't go easily. Hahahahah Such as it is in this hobby. Write if you have similar interests in railroading and lets exchange ideas.

Other interests and hobbies.
I've been on Ebay since 1997 and love it. I have owned and operated a hobby shop and three other resale or manufacturing railroad hobby businesses in the past starting as early as 1974. For the most part everyone is great and makes it fun, but of course there are some knuckleheads out there still trying to take advantage of the system in more ways than one. To those, I say try to be original, play fair and honorable, it's alot more rewarding, you make more firends, and it takes a lot less effort.

On the lighter side though, other areas that I have deep interest in are Canadian Coin collecting and aviation. In the summer of 2009 I finally said you better do what you have procrastinated over and learned how to fly helicopters. To date I have flown 87 different kinds of aircraft. I have taught American Airlines B-777-200. MD-82/83, and B-737-800 pilot ground instruction for American Airlines and with American Eagle Airlines the Embraer 135/140/145 and ATR 42/72 Ground Instructor. AA gives me the ability to go railfaning almost anywhere, on my time off of course. During a furlogh and before recall I worked for NetJets in Ohio, where I was a flight dispatcher, then in Florida where I was working as a small aircraft flight instructor teaching in everything from tail draggers to light twins. I have been an FAA gold seal flight instructor since 1970 and never tire of teaching new pilots and increasing their knowledge resulting in new pilot certifications. It's fun for me, but as any flight instructor knows the pay is very poor, it's more like a hobby, but life is good. To help pay the bills I also build custom structures for other modelers who do not have the time. I build anything from Scratch built structures to craftsman kits such as Fine Scale Miniatures, Builders in Scale, Master Creations, or less difficult structures. Write me if you have a need. My time is limited to only a few stuctures a year now.

I still do model railroading here and am building a 12 foot by 3 foot logging and mining railroad in two modules that raise from front to back over 12 inches through a series of switchbacks. I am using Digitrax DCC for the first time after years of PFM Power & Sound.((Check my site at www.SierraScaleModels.com)), (Even my wife has come to like railfaning and helped put our internet site together, ok I lied, she did it all). I have also restored an antique cars, a 1922 Model T I restored several years ago and sold while I wss in Key West Florida which I understand still does parades there. I also SCUBA dive, hike, bike, travel, and model railroad. Like most folks I do what interests me at the moment I guess...that's called life.

Well, that's about it for now, write if you get a chance as my email address is like my geared locomotive interest: Climax@Mindspring.com Has been on ebay since: Monday, Apr 07, 1997

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