Weekend Update 01-03-2010

[chessie system fan]

I etched some parts for my B&O E-27 2-8-0 project.  This was the first time I've tried to etch rivets and they turned out well. 



(The purple photo resist hasn't been removed yet in the photo.)

Over the past few weeks I've been working on a layout track plan modeling Sandpatch Grade.  It's in two levels.

The top level is Sandpatch.


It includes the helper pocket at Hyndman, Hyndman itself (including the station), Falls Cut Tunnel, some curvy areas I'll call Mance, and of course Sand Patch Tunnel.

The lower level is glorified staging.


It covers Connellsville, specifically the engine terminal and the passenger station.

The drawing is not to scale, and 9'x15' is probably a bit optimistic, but it's the first time I've come up with a plan that sorta works.

[BCRail_FSJ]

Still working on the monster bridge.

Fourth full span is complete and awaiting a coat of grey primer. The small transitional span is about half-way done.   One more transitional span for the other end and that will mark the end of the major bridge construction project.   

[Guilford Guy]

That's a beautiful bridge!
I got around to adding a little weathering to my BAR boxcar, mostly grime, and adding some road grime on the underside of a tank car. Also got around to painting the Track on the module.

[Dave V]

I detailed and added DCC to a Kato SD40.  I did it following the steps I outlined in an article I uploaded to the CRHS website.



The gist of it is I disassembled it, painted the walkways, painted the safety rails, added a scratchbuilt cab signal box (styrene and brass), Dullcoted & weathered it, added a drop-in decoder, and put it back together.  The class lights were done using a silver Sharpie and the fuel caps using Caboose Red PolyScale paint.  Weathering was by acrylic wash.



Now I have a pair of Kato SD40s.  I matched their speed curves using CVs 02, 05, and 06...  They are MU'd together now and run VERY smoothly together.



I think the weathering still needs a little touch-up.  But I have the whole winter for that!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Verrrry nice Dave!

Have you thought about adding a plow to one or both?

[Dave V]

Ed,

The only photos I've found of both locos show a plow on neither...  I have a few of the 6324 in CR blue, but just one of the 6345 in 1978 in PC black.  No plows in any.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ahh. You passed the test!

(lol...)

[Dave Schneider]

Finished my Milwaukee 'bug bash

That turned out really well. It inspired me to pick up an undec one off eBay today. I see that you went with white Milwaukee Road lettering. After comparing your model to the photo in the MR Color Guide I realized I gave some bad advice last week...glad to see that I didn't mess you up and that you got it correct.

Best wishes, Dave

[Jim Starbuck]

Thanks Dave, glad I could be a positive influence.

You didn't mess me up at all. In fact your advice on the lettering was totally correct and my model is what's off.
I believe the Railway Express lettering on the side is supposed to be white and all the rest is supposed to be a golden yellow as you suggested.

The reason mine are white is because of the way I made the decals.
I haven't been able to get satisfactory results printing lighter colors with my Alps and it's no doubt operator error causing it.
I originally printed yellow but they came out dithered and somewhat translucent so when applied over the darker maroon stripe, tended to disappear.
I printed and applied the white with the intention of using that as an undercoat to apply a yellow layer over the top but still wasn't happy with the quality of my yellow and simply called it good enough.

Anyone have advice on what I'm doing wrong with the printer?
I don't seem to be able to get good solid ink coverage in anything other than black or white.
I use Corel Draw 9 to create the files if that matters.

Thanks,
Jim

[asciibaron]

so hawt - wow.

[up1950s]

Thanks gents .

My next plan is to finally finish off 6 UNS 75 foot TOFC's . They started off really warped , now straighter somewhat , painted , lettered somewhat , and overall disgustingly ugly . Trailers can only help , and those are being worked on now . Boy do we need better models of F-39's , and the sooner the better .

[Ryan87]

Thanks Andrew!

That was just the inspiration I needed... I'm aiming for old asphalt shingles and with the masking tape I might be able to simulate the dogeared edges...

Thanks again for all the comments everyone...

the laser cut plastic in the kit sucks...

Lemme guess, Branchline Trains?

Yup...