Weekend Update 12/8/19

[altohorn25]

Which red did you use?  I have a total of 1 Texas Special car to do.  For a brief time, the Wabash carried one of the 14-4 sleepers through to Chicago- and I picked up a Des Plaines kit for one of those cars.  But I am no expert on MKT or Frisco, so not sure which red to use.

The red I picked matches Lowell Smith's cars very well - Modelflex SP Scarlett Red (BAD 16-37)

It may not be the "correct" color, but it's close to the cars I was trying to match.

[diezmon]

Those are some snazzy looking hoppers!

Do you have a trackplan for your layout?

Yeah, those are great looking cars.   I don't have a track plan, but it's a simple Door layout, with a double loop.  It's really too small for the amount of rolling stock I have. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So much cool stuff this week!

Here's my contribution.

First, an update on my N Scale 8905:
Continuing to fight with the archer louvers that don't seem to want to stick.
Added a new access door on the cab. This was done by sacrificing a scap shell and sanding it down until JUST the door remained. It definitely hurt stripping that FEC logo off it...
And lastly, it got a decoder (and half a roll of kapton tape).
Still waiting on frankenhorn and to finish adding the updated cut levers. I tried one approach that just didn't work, so onto the next.

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Next up, layout progress. See my build thread for the thought behind it, but I've mocked up the lines for adding Good Spring to the end here and I've gotta say: I can definitely live with this!

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[diezmon]

First, an update on my N Scale 8905:
Continuing to fight with the archer louvers that don't seem to want to stick.
Added a new access door on the cab. This was done by sacrificing a scap shell and sanding it down until JUST the door remained. It definitely hurt stripping that FEC logo off it...
And lastly, it got a decoder (and half a roll of kapton tape).
Still waiting on frankenhorn and to finish adding the updated cut levers. I tried one approach that just didn't work, so onto the next.

This is looking really good!   Installing cut levers usually drives me to drink, but damn they look good once they're on.    I forget, from the other thread, did you start with the LL or the Walthers version? 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is looking really good!   Installing cut levers usually drives me to drink, but damn they look good once they're on.    I forget, from the other thread, did you start with the LL or the Walthers version? 

It's a LL shell on a Walthers mech. That meant that I could "just slide in" a decoder. After pulling it completely apart and taping it all up, of course. To further increase the insanity I'm ALSO working on tracking down MTL roller bearing trucks for it.

The cut levers I need to do are going to be interesting. I'm leaving the stock ones but I need to add the little "horns" that have been welded on so they can be operated from the steps. I've got some wire to do the job, but the approach I took at first didn't work (gluing it in and bending to shape) so I need to do a new set and pre-bend them.

[ednadolski]

... at which time all the metal should be culled and dealt with properly ...

Except, of course, when it isn't...

[peteski]

Quote from: peteski on Today at 01:23:13 AM
    Using lead for weights (in models, and even as wheel balancing weights in vehicles) has fallen out of favor in recent years due to environmental and health concerns.  Many of those weights are now made from steel.

Pete , really , in model trains ? I would think outdoor shooting ranges , the 5 burro's  , shotgun shells that are not steel shot , and SG slugs . These are ground water affecting  much more than a cut of hoppers . Those hoppers will someday be recycled as plastic broken toys , at which time all the metal should be culled and dealt with properly . Or am I wrong way thinking again ?

Richie,
Seems that you are chastising me. I am not making environmental rules. I merely stated my observations about lead usage in today's product.  I have no horse in this race.  I still use lead for various purposes.  If you are unhappy with the government mandated rules and restrictions, contact your congressman or representative and make them aware of your dissatisfaction with those rules.

[up1950s]

Pete , really , in model trains ? I would think outdoor shooting ranges , the 5 burro's  , shotgun shells that are not steel shot , and SG slugs . These are ground water affecting  much more than a cut of hoppers . Those hoppers will someday be recycled as plastic broken toys , at which time all the metal should be culled and dealt with properly . Or am I wrong way thinking again ?


Richie,
Seems that you are chastising me. I am not making environmental rules. I merely stated my observations about lead usage in today's product.  I have no horse in this race.  I still use lead for various purposes.  If you are unhappy with the government mandated rules and restrictions, contact your congressman or representative and make them aware of your dissatisfaction with those rules.

No , I am not chastising you , just surprised at your stance . Glad to here you use lead in a responsible way . I have to learn to use that toothy grin more often . Maybe I can get Tom to program my periods to include the automatically . Maybe I should just shut up .

[ChristianJDavis1]

It's a LL shell on a Walthers mech. That meant that I could "just slide in" a decoder. After pulling it completely apart and taping it all up, of course. To further increase the insanity I'm ALSO working on tracking down MTL roller bearing trucks for it.

The cut levers I need to do are going to be interesting. I'm leaving the stock ones but I need to add the little "horns" that have been welded on so they can be operated from the steps. I've got some wire to do the job, but the approach I took at first didn't work (gluing it in and bending to shape) so I need to do a new set and pre-bend them.

https://brooklynlocomotiveworks.com/mt-sw1500.htm

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the parts, but are either of those trucks the ones you are looking for?

[learmoia]

To further increase the insanity I'm ALSO working on tracking down MTL roller bearing trucks for it.

Technically.. I just sent you some.. 

~Ian

[MK]

The requirements for a “This product contains lead” are probably enough to put company lawyers off the idea.

They have that on everything in California.  If they can put a sticky label on air...    

[peteski]

No , I am not chastising you , just surprised at your stance .

Stance?  There was no stance in my statement - just an observation. My statement did not have an opinion either for or again using lead.  Strict observation Richie.
If you want my stance: I have sheet of lead roof flashing and I use it as N scale weights in passenger cars (replacing the steel weights). I love lead!   

[Maletrain]

I even cast lead, for various reasons.  So, please, everybody, give me some slack in case I have brain damage, now 

Seriously, it does make some sense to me to replace lead in uses where it gets indiscriminately spread around the environment, such as shot gun pellets, wheel weights that come off on the highway, and paint in houses.  But, using it as weights in things that are not chewed on, etc., doesn't seem to pose much risk to anybody.  There are plenty of things in landfills that are much more dangerous than a hunk of lead. 

[up1950s]

Stance?  There was no stance in my statement - just an observation. My statement did not have an opinion either for or again using lead.  Strict observation Richie.
If you want my stance: I have sheet of lead roof flashing and I use it as N scale weights in passenger cars (replacing the steel weights). I love lead!   

Wow , I am so sorry Pete , these responses from you are not what I expected or intended at all . I apologize for unintentionally pissing you off .

[ednadolski]

I love lead!   

But it's been shown to impair mnemonic and cognitive function, as well as... umm, err, .... what was I saying...?