For modeling steel cable, don't use sewing thread—it has stray fibers that look ratty, especially after painting. Instead, use beading thread. This material is thermally bonded, so there's no fraying. Example product: Beadalon WildFire .006 inch (0.5mm) thick, in black, light grey and other colors. Available at Michael's and most craft stores.

I finally decided on the Zize of my layout. A mere 30 inches wide, L shape, length 77.5 inches on the short and 126.5 on the long. Now I've just gotta come [ ... ]

or why did I decide on Z-Scale model railroad.   

    I had been dabbling in N Gauge off and on since 1974, when I gave [ ... ]

I am a bit timid about certain things, making changes to my layout among them.  I note that my previous blog entry said I painted the layout was in [ ... ]