Weekend Update 12/25/15

[rodsup9000]

I used my lathe and mill today     Made steam and sand domes. First I used an end mill to round the bottom of the domes. Then chucked it in the lathe. Spot drilled and threaded a hole for mounting. To turn the sides I used one of Max's ideas and cut the profile in the tool. So both domes are a different dia., but have the same profile.

They ARE NOT mounted to the correct sized tube. They fit the correct tube.

Then I needed a whistle and pop valves. I have a brass kit with perfect sized ones, but didn't want to robb the kit of them. So I tried to copy on the lathe. Have to use a magnifying glass to see the edge of the cutter    After I noticed I need 2 pop valves and remade those as seen above.

The brighter parts are mine. Took about 3-4 hours for all this and my mistakes 

  Those look great Chris. I can only imagine that the 3-4 hours was a lot of fun with a magnifying glass. I really like the radius on the domes. You did a nice job on grinding the tool. I've ground a lot of tools over the years and can have more time in grinding the tool that it takes to turn the part. 

[peteski]

Made me laugh out loud, Richie. Very Monty Python-esque.

+1 (on both counts)

I wonder is "sometimes" means during an emergency (as when an automobile is trying to cross just as the train is approaching).

[draskouasshat]

+1 (on both counts)

I wonder is "sometimes" means during an emergency (as when an automobile is trying to cross just as the train is approaching).
[/quote

By law in a quiet zone, it's whenever the train crew feels it's necessary for the safety of the public to warn of an approaching train. Quiet zones are merely a suggestion but they do cut down on the noise.

[mark dance]

Merry Christmas everyone!  And best wishes for a joyous and prosperous 2016...

Work continues on my representation of the Castlegar station...the roof and awning segments are just set in place for the photos.  My hope is when they are painted flat black with a bit of grey highlight (modified Ed technique) the size of the shingles will be visually reduced.  I do like their 3D relief however.








md

[bnsfdash8]

Working on this for a customer:

[BCOL 747]

Reese, nice work on the SD70ACE!

Did you start with the Kato or Fox Valley model? Did you lower the headlight?

Chris

[Mark W]

I was able to completely ballast Hobson Yard over the past few days.  The goal before the Great Train Show next weekend was to simply have the yard operational.  Turn's out, it's going to be 100% scenic'd as well! 





The real yard for comparison.

[bnsfdash8]

Reese, nice work on the SD70ACE!

Did you start with the Kato or Fox Valley model? Did you lower the headlight?

Chris

Thanks! It's a Kato. I didn't lower the headlight on this one, the customer just wanted a repaint.

[mu26aeh]

Got my MT SW1500 wired after getting another decoder.  More in DCC section.

20151226_160955 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

[BobRunty]

I used my lathe and mill today     Made steam and sand domes. First I used an end mill to round the bottom of the domes. Then chucked it in the lathe. Spot drilled and threaded a hole for mounting. To turn the sides I used one of Max's ideas and cut the profile in the tool. So both domes are a different dia., but have the same profile.

They ARE NOT mounted to the correct sized tube. They fit the correct tube.

Then I needed a whistle and pop valves. I have a brass kit with perfect sized ones, but didn't want to robb the kit of them. So I tried to copy on the lathe. Have to use a magnifying glass to see the edge of the cutter    After I noticed I need 2 pop valves and remade those as seen above.

The brighter parts are mine. Took about 3-4 hours for all this and my mistakes 

Nice work Chris. You need to turn some firecracker antennas.

Bob

[Mike Madonna]

OK, I'll go. Posted in the engineering thread, the genuine, honest-to-gosh start of my actual model railroad layout. It would be further along, but I ran out of rivets after the hardware store closed early yesterday. Benchwork framing:

I used these metal studs to frame out a 2 car garage a few years back. I also used self tapping short metal screws that worked very well. And yes, they could be removed very easily. I like the method for box framework.

[basementcalling]

I was able to completely ballast Hobson Yard over the past few days.  The goal before the Great Train Show next weekend was to simply have the yard operational.  Turn's out, it's going to be 100% scenic'd as well! 





The real yard for comparison.

Mark, really love the way the model matches the prototype colors. Where is the bridge on the top two prototype overheads?     

Nice work capturing the feel of the place. I am sure the Free-mo layout will quickly fill those yard tracks to capacity.

[tehachapifan]

Great stuff, as usual! Those steam and sand domes are insane!

In addition to the sound caboose, I also did an install of an ESU LokSound Select Micro decoder in an Atlas SP SD9, with the lighting effects shown here....



More pics of the install can be seen on the DCC/Electronics board at https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=37808.0

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I stared to dig through my paints. They have been in storage for about two years. I have been using spray cans out of laziness, but after several major screw ups, I have to go back to airbrushing.

I had about 300 bottles. I am going through each one. Mixing them by hand, sifting them and swapping bottles where appropriate. I am also getting rid of all my oil based paints with a few exceptions (yellows, whites and clear coats). I have opened so many bottles that I have blisters all down my thumb and index finger.

The Tamiya and Modelflex paints held up really well. I only lost a few bottles. Floquil and Polly S went bad quickly. I think this is due to the metal cap, though the Model Master Acryl didn't fair nearly as bad and they use the same bottles.

I also am finishing up on a cheap paint booth. How cheap? $10 so far. I still need some weather stripping and a room air filter cut to size.


Plastic mail sorting box.


Slotted exhaust fans for desktop computer, $2 each. They do not move a lot of air, but the price is right and they will provide a fairly uniform suction over the spray face. Slots were cut for the exhaust vents. You can see two rows of LED light tape. These are leftover from experiments I was doing with room lighting. All components work off of 12V, so I used a small power supply meant for an Ardurino. I can also use a battery pack if I need to use it in the field.


A room air filter (for forced air systems) will fit right in front of the fans and a few inches behind the lights.

This paint booth is for acrylic paints only - specifically non-toxic paints like Testor's Acyrl, Modelflex and Tamiya.

[Jim Starbuck]

I've been working on an electric switcher for The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light (TMER&L).
It's going to live on the new Powerton Junction module on the Modutrak layout.
The shell is a Westinghouse model from Shapeways and fits a BanDai motorized chassis which runs very well.

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I'm trying to model this:

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