Weekend Update 5/18/25

[TiogaTracks]

No real train progress over the weekend, but today I got a bit done.  Painted the walkways on my Conrail NW-2, thanks to some Railwire peer pressure and CRHS history info served up by Ed K.  Then I tried out some outdoor ballasting (under the NW-2 below), we’ll see how it holds up, with storms coming later this week.

But now it’s back to the chore list… wait, what do you mean, normal people don’t put a train on display before mowing the lawn???




-Steven

[packers#1]

Lots of great work here everyone!

I finished up an EAFX Thrall hopper for fertilizer service tonight; the first of 3 hoppers I’ve gotten so far for fertilizer service on the layout. I’m still working on being able to dial it back from total rust buckets (my KCS boxcar I’m working on is decidedly NOT part of that effort though), but one side is based off another hopper that was much more weathered.

First, the lighter side


The inspiration image: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1699182
Again, definitely went further than the prototype picture but it’s definitely better than I’ve been in the past with it.

The rust bucket side


And the inspiration: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1295875

And my favorite effect I pulled off were the rust streaks from impact damage on the uppermost sides:

[up1950s]

Lots of great work here everyone!

I finished up an EAFX Thrall hopper for fertilizer service tonight; the first of 3 hoppers I’ve gotten so far for fertilizer service on the layout. I’m still working on being able to dial it back from total rust buckets (my KCS boxcar I’m working on is decidedly NOT part of that effort though), but one side is based off another hopper that was much more weathered.

First, the lighter side


The inspiration image: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1699182
Again, definitely went further than the prototype picture but it’s definitely better than I’ve been in the past with it.

The rust bucket side


And the inspiration: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1295875

And my favorite effect I pulled off were the rust streaks from impact damage on the uppermost sides:

Awesome

[btrain]

Had a great time at Ohio N Scale Weekend. It was great catching up and operating with the Free-mon folks, and many thanks to Central Ohio Ntrak who always do an excellent job hosting every year.

I really enjoyed watching the action @vermonter_railfan semaphore module, and seeing meets at @SAH Spencer was one relaxing way to enjoy the two day event.

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[jargonlet]

Had a great time at Ohio N Scale Weekend. It was great catching up and operating with the Free-mon folks, and many thanks to Central Ohio Ntrak who always do an excellent job hosting every year.

I really enjoyed watching the action @vermonter_railfan semaphore module, and seeing meets at @SAH Spencer was one relaxing way to enjoy the two day event.

It was good to see your modules in person.  I didn’t realize that the EL/CR stuff was yours.  I didn’t have a ton of time to spend at the show. I was trying to get to the depot and get home at a decent hour.  Most of my weekend was spent at the NMRA MCR convention.

I didn’t see the bicentennial sd45. What paint did you use on it?  It’s a shame no one has done the sdp45 in n scale yet. Also is your other el sd45 one of the bachmann, atlas, or the kato model?  I have a couple of kato but the mechanisms are a bit rough on mine.

[EL3632]

I didn’t see the bicentennial sd45. What paint did you use on it?  It’s a shame no one has done the sdp45 in n scale yet. Also is your other el sd45 one of the bachmann, atlas, or the kato model?  I have a couple of kato but the mechanisms are a bit rough on mine.

The Bicentennial SD45 is mine, I ran it Saturday afternoon. It's a Kato, if you were curious. I bought it already painted at a show in New Jersey several years ago. I wish I knew what colors it was painted in as well. The second SD45 is one of the Atlas units. I was pleasantly surprised by its performance.

I have attached several photos of the locos in question I took at the show. Trying to test out my model photography skills. Results are improving, I hope...







Also while at Ohio N Scale Weekend this year I shot a video and uploaded it to YouTube.