Weekend Update 11/12/17

[nkalanaga]

$30.00 doesn't sound that bad for a minimum order, at least for me.  I tend to buy in quantity, assuming that the parts won't be available next time I need them.  For someone needing a part for one model, yes, that could be an issue.

Wish I'd know they made the triple valves when I ordered my cylinders and reservoirs!

[wcfn100]

Wish I'd know they made the triple valves when I ordered my cylinders and reservoirs!

6713 has all three plus air hoses.  Never noticed 6712 that's cast in plastic?

Jason

[cbroughton67]

I've been working on something completely different for the last couple of weeks - a pair of CP Rail Alco C424's. I started with the Life-Like C424's, removed the large number board housings on the rear of the locomotive, added a 0.080" styrene channel "frame" under the walkways, cast resin CP Rail-style fuel tanks, CP plows, horns, side-mount bell, Sinclair antenna, relocated the headlight from the cab to the nose, added a horizontal rear headlight, ditch lights, paper air filter boxes behind the cab, wire grabs, cut levers, and MU hoses. I used 0.030" fiber optics for the headlight lenses, and made "light tubes" for the ditch lights front and rear. Paint, decals, and weathering later, here's where they stand. I still have to install the cab glass, couplers, and decoders, but here's where they stand currently.

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[wm3798]

Carved a dummy out of foam to establish size and sight lines for a new scratch build in Highlandtown.


Also planted a couple of trees along the main line.


Lee

[Cajonpassfan]

I am privileged to belong to a group of fine friends and fellow PGE/BCR modellers each of whom models a different era and locale on the same railway.  Several of our members are long time Railwire members.  Each November we come together from different parts of the province (and the U.S.) to mount a display at Vancouver Train Expo which celebrates the railway we model in N Scale.  Next to us is a companion display by a group of HO Scale PGE/BCR modellers.  Our N Scale display features an operating Unitrack loop, an array of models from different eras, and display boards illustrating our home layouts:


..........
The 2017 VTE show was attended by nearly 6,000 people over two days during which we saw many families with children; hopefully some future members for our hobby!


Tim

That's quite an exhibit, Tim, very well done.
It's nice to see a group of guys working together on proto-inspired projects, and a nice way to show it off and tell the story of the railroad and of N scale. Impressive.
Otto K.

[BCR 570]

Thanks Otto.  I have to share the credit with my colleagues.

I've been working on something completely different for the last couple of weeks - a pair of CP Rail Alco C424's

Very nice work, and great to see some Canadian locomotives not often modelled. The only other one I recall seeing done in N Scale was Puddington's.  I am planning to do a CN one as several were on lease to BCR during my era.


Tim

[Santa Fe Guy]

I started work on a Durango Press Pipe gon kit for my upcoming HOn3 layout once we get to move in (who knows when that is).
Lots of neat details on this kit.
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I painted the floor and sides white then gave them a light coat of Tamiya Black panel line to bring out the grain and make the timber look faded.
Liking the look thus far.
Rod.

[johnb]

starting to get ready for Christmas. EMD decided to decorate this new fangled GP7 up for Christmas

[nkalanaga]

Jason:  Yes, I have the air hoses as well.  I'd forgotten that, and had to look to confirm it.  If the set was available when I bought my parts I didn't see it listed.  But that was many years ago, and they might package stuff differently now.

One thing I wish they, or someone, would make is a brakewheel housing for boxcars.  Gloor Craft had a brake detail set, in white metal, many years ago, but that's the only one I've seen.  Brakewheels aren't hard to find, in plastic or metal, but they don't do much good by themselves.

[SkipGear]

I too have been working on a kit today and the past few days.  It's been fun, though not nearly as much fun as Jake's.   

This is a Robert Ray NYC caboose kit I'm building for @Joetrain59.  I've never built a wood craftsman kit before but overall it's been okay.  I've had to kind of feel my way through it as the directions with the small, grainy b&w pictures hasn't been very helpful.  In some ways it's cleverly designed and in other ways almost deliberately obtuse.  Five very tiny parts to make a brake cylinder? Five even smaller parts to make an AB valve?  Forget that.  I'll just steal some from a junk freight car.     In the end , I think Don's way is better.  Make a perfect master and make lots of resin copies.  That's much less work.

I just need to install the windows and then it's time to paint it.  Then add the roof details.

The Robert Ray kits are nice. The brake system comes out pretty nice when finished. Much better than I ever thought it would. I built a pair for a guy in our N-trak club a few years back....

[eja]

I've been working on something completely different for the last couple of weeks - a pair of CP Rail Alco C424's.

Care to sell one of these Alco's when you are done ?  They are magnificent !


eja

[chessie system fan]

Yes I recalled that,  Tony.   Your pictures were very helpful.   Much better than the grainy pictures in the directions.

[narrowminded]

First time I've painted or done any structure modelling in decades.   The mini chassis is running up hours and I thought I would enjoy a break from that so decided to try my hand, practice a little, on a building that Dave threw in when I purchased the Seaboard. 

It was the basic shell, assembled and sprayed solid red outside, including the roof, with no other work completed.  Still had the red over spray inside.  Got out some brushes and cheap acrylics and had at it.  I'm learning quickly and all considered, satisfied.   I had no plans on using this for more than practice but as it is coming together it may actually be useable (as long as I don't blow it in the next steps).  One of the things I was just reminded of is that photos aren't kind in this scale.   Here it is... and no laughing!!!

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I have a couple of questions at this point.  I made a floor for it and would like to put the simplest of basic store interior in it.  Any suggestions for store shelf clutter, canned goods and boxes and such, that can be painlessly downloaded and printed?  Also, if there are free standing shelves readily available I'd consider purchasing rather than taking the time to make them.  Any thoughts, criticisms, or sources from you folks that might be helpful would be appreciated.   

Still have glazing to do, additional weathering, and I guess I should seal it.  Is dull coat the right stuff and will it be ok over the cheap acrylics?  Stuff like that. 

[JMaurer1]

I have in the past saw store interiors for sale on Shapeways for the DPM buildings (like this one):

https://www.shapeways.com/product/J48ANZEXZ/n-scale-hayes-hardware-interior?optionId=42409080&li=marketplace

I've also seen printed interiors for them as well, but I don't remember where they were.

[narrowminded]

I have in the past saw store interiors for sale on Shapeways for the DPM buildings (like this one):

https://www.shapeways.com/product/J48ANZEXZ/n-scale-hayes-hardware-interior?optionId=42409080&li=marketplace

I've also seen printed interiors for them as well, but I don't remember where they were.

Thanks!   That's the idea!

I thought I had seen them before too but a "building interior" search and several variations didn't bring up anything.  Also didn't work on this site.  And forget adding "N" scale because this site requires at least two letters in a search.

I was also searching for something that could be printed out on my printer to resemble store shelf "stuff".  I think I've seen that before too but searches have failed me.