Jimgress
@jimgress.bsky.social
I will not shut up about mass transit
The end of the Key system and the Sacramento Northern's passenger service is my villain arc. It is exactly why I have a garden railroad. I am building #modeltrains 100% out of spite.
California deserves an interurban electric that connects downtown Sacramento with downtown Oakland or SF transbay terminal via the (now) much larger towns of the East Bay... Oh wait we ripped it up like morons in 1955.
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
February 6, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The end of the Key system and the Sacramento Northern's passenger service is my villain arc. It is exactly why I have a garden railroad. I am building #modeltrains 100% out of spite.
The past ten years of consumer level 3D printing have been astonishing. It's why I'm so excited for G scale modeling despite it's niche position in #modelrailroad culture.
N-scale color printing is primarily a matter of high dimensional precision. Things have to fit together. Did you guess the prototype? The model is exact, but the paint scheme is not, that is just a test bed to train my color printing skills
February 6, 2026 at 9:12 PM
The past ten years of consumer level 3D printing have been astonishing. It's why I'm so excited for G scale modeling despite it's niche position in #modelrailroad culture.
While Bachmann released a new catalog today, you wouldn't notice much "Large scale #trains" other than $230 hoppers. Meanwhile in a year you'd see a dozen or so high quality models from just 2 makers, 512 Designs and RandyMower. #3DPrinting makes obscure #modeltrains scales thrive.
January 29, 2026 at 6:21 PM
While Bachmann released a new catalog today, you wouldn't notice much "Large scale #trains" other than $230 hoppers. Meanwhile in a year you'd see a dozen or so high quality models from just 2 makers, 512 Designs and RandyMower. #3DPrinting makes obscure #modeltrains scales thrive.
Fan of old timey western #trains ? Well modeler "swright3" has uploaded a gorgeous 1:20.3 Fn3 Combine that would look great next to your LGB D&RGW wood coaches. Yet another lovely example of #3Dprinting making #modeltrains more accessible. cults3d.com/en/3d-model/...
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Fan of old timey western #trains ? Well modeler "swright3" has uploaded a gorgeous 1:20.3 Fn3 Combine that would look great next to your LGB D&RGW wood coaches. Yet another lovely example of #3Dprinting making #modeltrains more accessible. cults3d.com/en/3d-model/...
The newest #modeltrains releases in G Scale aren't from major manufacturers, but 3D printed designs. Not 1 but 2 different SD9 models have been released online for free, by 512 Designs and BAGRS president Roger Nicholson. Further proof that 3D printing is the future of garden #trains scales.
January 19, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The newest #modeltrains releases in G Scale aren't from major manufacturers, but 3D printed designs. Not 1 but 2 different SD9 models have been released online for free, by 512 Designs and BAGRS president Roger Nicholson. Further proof that 3D printing is the future of garden #trains scales.
It's Friday. That means you can start thinking about running #trains tonight. Just think about a weekend where you just watch this #modeltrain roll back and forth across a tiny garden bridge.
January 16, 2026 at 8:43 PM
It's Friday. That means you can start thinking about running #trains tonight. Just think about a weekend where you just watch this #modeltrain roll back and forth across a tiny garden bridge.
New #modeltrain day. As my usual M.O. I got a worn out #train and need to print new siderods, new trailing truck, new trailing wheels and redo the entire main shell to look like the Southern Pacific A6 Atlantics.
January 16, 2026 at 6:45 PM
New #modeltrain day. As my usual M.O. I got a worn out #train and need to print new siderods, new trailing truck, new trailing wheels and redo the entire main shell to look like the Southern Pacific A6 Atlantics.
Gotta love some convincing ground cover for your garden railway. The combo of low growing plants and consistent trackside elements like service line poles goes a long way. #modeltrains
January 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Gotta love some convincing ground cover for your garden railway. The combo of low growing plants and consistent trackside elements like service line poles goes a long way. #modeltrains
My toxic #modeltrain trait is finding 3D printed #trains and pairing them with a Southern Pacific equivalent that still operated in 1941. Printable Railroads released a 1:22.5 scale 4-4-0 Jupiter that would require only *some* mods to become a Class E-23 of which only 3 remained on the roster.
January 13, 2026 at 6:21 PM
My toxic #modeltrain trait is finding 3D printed #trains and pairing them with a Southern Pacific equivalent that still operated in 1941. Printable Railroads released a 1:22.5 scale 4-4-0 Jupiter that would require only *some* mods to become a Class E-23 of which only 3 remained on the roster.
The best part of #trains and #modeltrains is when the real trains look like models and the models look like real trains.
January 12, 2026 at 3:36 AM
The best part of #trains and #modeltrains is when the real trains look like models and the models look like real trains.
Hey O Scale folks out there, is there a common piece of rolling stock, locomotive or other aspect of your scale that is historically expensive and not budget friendly as new? Seems like this Atlas offering is a rare win for rolling stock compared to Lionel #modeltrains #trains #modelrailroading
January 8, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Hey O Scale folks out there, is there a common piece of rolling stock, locomotive or other aspect of your scale that is historically expensive and not budget friendly as new? Seems like this Atlas offering is a rare win for rolling stock compared to Lionel #modeltrains #trains #modelrailroading
When garden railroads go for realism, they go hardddd. Chehalis Western Garden Railroad dropped this construction site image and I'm still enamored with all the weathering and detail. #modeltrains #trains #modelrailroading
January 6, 2026 at 8:18 PM
When garden railroads go for realism, they go hardddd. Chehalis Western Garden Railroad dropped this construction site image and I'm still enamored with all the weathering and detail. #modeltrains #trains #modelrailroading
Every time I stray outside of the model train posts here I'm reminded about all the flaws that #bluesky inherited from #twitter namely the ones reflected as "I want a village but I don't want to be a villager." Lot of people still want quick answers to community, all benefits no awkward negatives.
January 2, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Me and 3 rail don't get along since I keep getting humbled by this 1990 K-line. New transformer arrived, but even with new track it just kept sputtering. Guess it's time to take apart I think...just as I hear a pop and the magic smoke come out. And...then it starts running? wtf #modeltrains
December 25, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Me and 3 rail don't get along since I keep getting humbled by this 1990 K-line. New transformer arrived, but even with new track it just kept sputtering. Guess it's time to take apart I think...just as I hear a pop and the magic smoke come out. And...then it starts running? wtf #modeltrains
I don't think you're a human with a heart that pulses if you don't get teary-eyed by the end of this essay. If you are of the persuasion of "didn't cry while watching Titanic" I present to you the video series that will be your Titanic. And not just because of a ship, you'll cry over a single cable.
Slapstick and terror on the high seas | Fool Time, Part 3 of 4
YouTube video by Secret Base
youtu.be
December 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I don't think you're a human with a heart that pulses if you don't get teary-eyed by the end of this essay. If you are of the persuasion of "didn't cry while watching Titanic" I present to you the video series that will be your Titanic. And not just because of a ship, you'll cry over a single cable.
If you ever wanted to know the state of G scale "popularity" in the #modeltrains world, consider that I've now seen this barely-half-second shot of a modded Piko locomotive in an Ulta ad about a dozen times on various groups/forums. #modelrailroading
December 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
If you ever wanted to know the state of G scale "popularity" in the #modeltrains world, consider that I've now seen this barely-half-second shot of a modded Piko locomotive in an Ulta ad about a dozen times on various groups/forums. #modelrailroading
If you ever need to know what I'm like, just imagine the Wolverine-in-bed-looking-at-photo meme but it's just me looking at the Iowa Traction Baldwin Westinghouse steeple cab out there still doing its thing. #trains
December 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
If you ever need to know what I'm like, just imagine the Wolverine-in-bed-looking-at-photo meme but it's just me looking at the Iowa Traction Baldwin Westinghouse steeple cab out there still doing its thing. #trains
Hey #modeltrain nerds. I'm being dumb. I'm failing at running this early 1990's K-line because I am using the wrong transformer. I don't run O-scale so I don't understand, do DC motors run off inverted AC power? Do I need a $250 Lionel AC transformer to make this work without it running sketch?
December 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Hey #modeltrain nerds. I'm being dumb. I'm failing at running this early 1990's K-line because I am using the wrong transformer. I don't run O-scale so I don't understand, do DC motors run off inverted AC power? Do I need a $250 Lionel AC transformer to make this work without it running sketch?
Props to the #modeltrain comments who helpfully explained why Lionel won't make the train from Wicked. The logistics, tooling, niche appeal etc make it a wildly impractical monstrosity. However my 1 final point, which is above scrutiny, is that Lionel won't do it because they are cowards. Thank you.
December 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Props to the #modeltrain comments who helpfully explained why Lionel won't make the train from Wicked. The logistics, tooling, niche appeal etc make it a wildly impractical monstrosity. However my 1 final point, which is above scrutiny, is that Lionel won't do it because they are cowards. Thank you.
Hey #train nerds can I get a viking roof appreciation post going? Post your favorite rolling stock roof designs! (this niche post brought to you by Bluesky: the platform for weirdos with hyperfixations with niche audiences in the triple digits.)
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Hey #train nerds can I get a viking roof appreciation post going? Post your favorite rolling stock roof designs! (this niche post brought to you by Bluesky: the platform for weirdos with hyperfixations with niche audiences in the triple digits.)
"but the Wicked #train is impractical" Yea but they made a full size mockup plus Jeff Goldblum has a smaller wind-up version too. FFS you make stupid cash grab #modeltrains all the time and there's fucking Wicked branded green Mac N Cheese what are you doing Lionel how do you suck at licenses?!
November 30, 2025 at 5:35 AM
"but the Wicked #train is impractical" Yea but they made a full size mockup plus Jeff Goldblum has a smaller wind-up version too. FFS you make stupid cash grab #modeltrains all the time and there's fucking Wicked branded green Mac N Cheese what are you doing Lionel how do you suck at licenses?!
Look we had over a year for Lionel to make a #modeltrain of that batshit Wicked locomotive and yet NOTHING. This cringey-ass #train company is too good for Wicked but can drag out the corpse of The Polar Express with uncanny Tom Hanks for two decades past that films cultural relevancy? Get real.
November 30, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Look we had over a year for Lionel to make a #modeltrain of that batshit Wicked locomotive and yet NOTHING. This cringey-ass #train company is too good for Wicked but can drag out the corpse of The Polar Express with uncanny Tom Hanks for two decades past that films cultural relevancy? Get real.
Yet another stunning #3dprint G scale locomotive designed and printed by the talented Michal Brož. With garden scale #modeltrains being prohibitively expensive and limited in stock, printing trains at this scale opens the doors for entry-level DIY hobbyists that simply hadn't existed before.
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Yet another stunning #3dprint G scale locomotive designed and printed by the talented Michal Brož. With garden scale #modeltrains being prohibitively expensive and limited in stock, printing trains at this scale opens the doors for entry-level DIY hobbyists that simply hadn't existed before.
All non-CDL trucks should be forced to be limited to a maximum height nose that matches sedans so people will stop buying trucks as pavement princesses and 90k vanity symbols. Exemptions for business "work trucks" are issued as limited permits like hunting permits and regulated by local counties.
November 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
All non-CDL trucks should be forced to be limited to a maximum height nose that matches sedans so people will stop buying trucks as pavement princesses and 90k vanity symbols. Exemptions for business "work trucks" are issued as limited permits like hunting permits and regulated by local counties.
Half of American drivers' liscenses should be revoked and driver testing should be as rigorous as Finland's with winter and rain training. Maximum age for drivers. Mandatory minimum jail time for vehicular manslaughter of pedestrians and cyclists.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Half of American drivers' liscenses should be revoked and driver testing should be as rigorous as Finland's with winter and rain training. Maximum age for drivers. Mandatory minimum jail time for vehicular manslaughter of pedestrians and cyclists.