3418 Meadow Wood Lane, Crozet VA 22932
Phone 434-823-4809 / Fax 404-591-8682
Email: jsgeare@yahoo.com |
JS Geare & Mike Militello |
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Welcome! This is a web site dedicated mainly to HO model railroading and
model railroaders everywhere, at every age and skill level. Think of this web
site as a train store owned and operated by actual rail modelers. Our vision and mission is the
exact opposite of
most hobby and train shops. Mike and I hope to prosper NOT by
CHARGING AS MUCH
possible, but rather, by CHARGING AS LITTLE as possible. This includes
giving away as much as we can, especially modeling tips, how-to's and
information which would carry a price elsewhere; but here, they're free. And as
to product, we won't offer anything unless we can give you a value proposition
that is unmatched. For more about how
we got started, and the answers to frequently asked questions, Click this Story of
Makin' Tracks! link. To see our shipping, returns, privacy and customer
satisfaction guidelines, click this
Customer Satisfaction Link.
See the "Rail Gleamer"
here.
NEW! Buck's Ballast -
the best ballast you'll ever use! |
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Model Market - the stuff you
need "down there." |
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These links will take you both to our ever-changing inventory of
products we purchase from various sources, plus the basic products every rail
modeler needs, which we keep in stock at all times. What you'll find here
represent a significant value which will in most all cases cost you less than
elsewhere.
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Signs! We have a new page of street and road signs based on
the official standards, and scaled to be appropriate for HO when printed.
Download either as separate images, or a sheet of images ready to print and
cut out. Follow this Signs Page link.
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Specials! Listings of exceptional value;
honest bargains often including close-outs from time-honored manufacturers.
Click this Specials Link.
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New products and Supplies: On a single
page, visit dozens of web sites offering locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scratch
building parts, tools, books, DCC, signals, and more from leading companies
you recognize, or will soon get to know. From the same page, send us a
query for pricing, availability or more information. Click this
new product sourcing link.
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The Basic Materials, Supplies and Consumables: These are the essentials we keep
in stock ALL the time (or try to, anyway): track, joiners, Tortoise
motors, couplers, wheels, trucks, CA glues - and more! Fast ordering, best prices anywhere! Follow
this Quick Pick Link.
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Got Something to Sell? We're all ears and eyes. Click this
sale query
link for more details.
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The Information
Resources |
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Looking for our "No-Fail" Tortoise Installation
Instructions? Your wish is our command! Find them at this
Tortoise No Fail Instruction Link. You'll also find the excellent
instruction from the manufactuer there.
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Six East Steps to Apply Ballast. Click this link for a simple, 2
page, fully illustrated set of
ballasting instructions.
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Articles
Formerly occupying space on this page, they became so numerous
as to deserve a special place of their own. The information you
pay for elsewhere we give away for nuttin'. We cover model railroad
terminology, track installation, types and selection of couplers,
the basics of DCC, ballasting track, modeling short cuts, converting
"toy" cars to good models, making convincing scenery out
of trash, calculating a helix, and more. All, written in plain language, published as
Google Documents so you may copy, print or download. Want to
know "how to?" or "how did it get to be this way?" Follow this
'Splain
it to me link. These articles are being updated
continuously. Feel free to add your own experience and tips - just
shoot me an
email.
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NEWSLETTER: Published 4
times a year, give or take. Real news and info. Not just a
"Here's what I have for sale" thing.
Click here
for newsletters.
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Clubs: New page added for clubs. See who's there, and tell me
if you would like to be added. You don't have to BUY anything -just
tell me you want to come on board. Follow this
clubs
page link.
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World's BEST Model Railroading Magazine: 3 initials, but perhaps NOT the
ones you think. No, I refer instead to MRH (Model Railroad Hobbyist
magazine) which is today's unchallenged leader in providing quality information
and stunning portrayals of modeler layouts. ALL of it for FREE, all delivered by
simple download. Go to the site and sign up. Supported entirely by advertisers,
this publication is exactly what rail modelers need right NOW. And ALL
past editions are online, all free for the taking. Here's the link:
Model Railroad
Hobbyist magazine.
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The Virtual Hobby Shop - As
Close as We Can Get, anyway... |
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An "on-line" hobby shop will probably never be like the real
thing. But we can come a bit closer. In a real hobby shop, an
actual train store, customers don't just point to things and buy. They interact
with the owner and with each other, spend time talking; often just look around
for awhile and get ideas. And the owners freely dispenses information about
products and services provided by others. That's what we are trying to do here.
Yes, if you need something quick, we can do that. But suppose you just want to
explore? Suppose you want to find some previously owned product? Suppose you
want to find a specialist? Suppose . . . well, you get the idea. So, start
by clicking the links below and come back often. |
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- Private Sellers - Check for good new and used private stock from
individuals, including ME.
Want to list yours here? Send us descriptions and
pictures, or links to places which host your Internet sales.
We'll take it from there. Best part: it's FREE!
Just send me an email. Click to see current private
sale listings.
- Scratch, custom built, or unique hand-produced original products and
customizations: Find hand built product of exceptional quality and
value, like the bridges of David Stockwell. If you're such a person, or know
someone who is, we'd be happy to add you or the builder you refer to us (at no
charge, of course). Click to see current listings at our
custom products link.
- New or Unusual: Every now and then, someone introduces a
product which is truly different or innovative. This page reports what we find
and gives you links to learn more. Let us know what you discover, too.
Follow this New or Unusual link.
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