Weekend Update 6-15-2008

[nscalesteve]

while waiting on some "stuff" to finally finish some other projects laying around on my workbench I did this...

LTEX #8849 "rent-a-wreck" SD40T-2 Tunnelmotor


http://www.steve4painting.com/ltex1.jpg
(the good things with pictures is that you can see errors like the light lense on one of the ditch lights and the "gone missing" bell on the sill - yes, it's already changed.)


http://www.steve4painting.com/ltex2.jpg


http://www.steve4painting.com/ltex3.jpg


http://www.steve4painting.com/ltex4.jpg

...which was a challenge with an IM Model to start with (a Cotton Belt snoot SD40T-2 Tunnelmotor). glued together shell parts, brittle handrails which will break if you take a too deep breath, from the outside glued in cab glasses, glued in light glasses and many other "unusual things" I do not know from Atlas or Kato models.

for this model I did use the folowing detail parts:

- Kato A/C unit
- Sunrise ditch lights
- BLMA cut lever
- Kato plow
- BLMA Air line
- GMM lift rings
- GMM sun shades
- GMM windshield wipers
- BLMA double windshield wipers
- BLMA grab irons
- Sunrise can antenna
- BLMA sinclair antenna stand
- BLMA cab light cover
- Sunrise nose light
- Sunrise rear light
- self made LTEX decals
- Microscale UP numbers
- did I miss something, probably...

...I did also finally update my webpage http://www.steve4painting.com with a lot more pictures !

[John]

Steve .. nice work .. whats the ebay link?

[nscalesteve]

Steve .. nice work .. whats the ebay link?

thank you - there is no eBay link, the model is already sold (too low thou) to a modeler in Germany... 

[3rdrail]

Actually, it was the 900's that were used for helpers between Port Covington and Hanover on the Dutch Line.  The Challengers (1200 series) were used in main line service on the Connellsville Sub and between Hagerstown and Cumberland.  While they weren't the powerful pullers that the 1100 Decapods and 1400 Potomacs were, they were race horses.

If the Athearn is similar to the old Rivarossi model, it's pretty close to the WM's, although it will require a nose job to really look the part.  Here's a Rivarossi I converted for the WMRHS layout in Union Bridge...



I added the vertical air tanks and the radiator behind the headlight, and reworked the grab irons.  I also added the plow pilot.  The Rivarossi model was offered in WM paint, so I didn't have to do much beyond the smokebox, although there are some other reworks that could be done to really nail the WM version.

Yeah, too bad I have zero use for NS hoppers... But I'll be thinking of you, Iain, with each pass of the Oxide Red paint ;D.

Lee

Lee, the cab on the WM 1200's is completely different as well, Doesn't look like you modified that, though. Here is a builder's photo:




That cab looks like a scratchbuilding job. 

[wm3798]

Exactly... and that's why I didn't fool with it!  This was about 20 years ago that I did that.  I didn't have the confidence to tear into the shell of a $200 engine!  I was sweating bullets doing what surgery I did...

Lee

[GaryHinshaw]

Been working on a 2'x8' scene for photos and scenery practice.  Here's an overview:



Of course in my mind it looks like this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=164493&nseq=7

which is the entrance to Caliente from Ilmon Canyon at the base of the Tehachapi line.  This is also a full size mock-up of the opening scene in my planned layout.  Here's a lower angle view:



Some of the ideas I've been trying out:

* Using 3rd Planit to design the layout (and this mock-up).  I used it to print out full sized track templates with sweeping curves and spiral easements.  I'm very pleased with that feature. (I love that 40" curve in the foreground - the only broad curve on the main layout, but the rest is 20" min.)

* ME "flex" track, which is actually very stiff.  Initially I hated working with it, but now I love it.  You can layout the track precisely over the templates while at your workbench. Then, since it retains its form,  pluck it down on the layout.

* Double roadbed.  I used a base of HO cork under the N scale cork, then laid down a parallel N scale line to serve as the base for the access road.

Now on to land forms and a boat load of static grass....

Cheers,
Gary

P.S. Sweet rent-a-wreck Steve!

[soo]

Everyone great work!!!  I think I might work on a photo site also,,need a place to take pics of the weathered cars I am going to do.

 I took some pics outside of the cars I have been working on, the one missing is the milwaukee covered hopper,,, waiting to replace the roofwalk first.

  I hit the boxcars with dullcoat and that wiped out the heavy dust storm look, added some powders and dullcoat.  and Viola!!!!!!!!





  They look pretty good in sun.... I think. I took pics from the get go with the flash,, just does not look right,, the cars look great in person ,, I think.

  Adios Wyatt

[GonzoCRFan]

I got to taste victory today...I proved that with some serious butt-puckering driving, it IS possible to beat a train between Aqueduct and Newport on the Middle Division...





This was facilitated by adding "Forest King" by Three Inches of Blood and "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragonforce to my chase music playlist...I freaking love blasting thrash metal at 6500 RPMs  ;D

Rest of the chase shots are here, I PWNED him for a good 20 miles of railroad: http://sean121982.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=33364

[sparky]

I got to taste victory today...I proved that with some serious butt-puckering driving, it IS possible to beat a train between Aqueduct and Newport on the Middle Division...

This was facilitated by adding "Forest King" by Three Inches of Blood and "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragonforce to my chase music playlist...I freaking love blasting thrash metal at 6500 RPMs  ;D

...I PWNED him for a good 20 miles of railroad...

You've never kissed a girl, have you Sean?  :-*

[GonzoCRFan]

You've never kissed a girl, have you Sean?  :-*

Does your mom still count?  :'(

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You've never kissed a girl, have you Sean?  :-*

Does your mom still count?  :'(

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH.

Best weekend update post ever...

[sparky]

You've never kissed a girl, have you Sean?  :-*

Does your mom still count?  :'(

Well, since I know for a fact you've never met my Mom, I'll take that as a no.  Choice comeback, tho'.  NOT!

[tom mann]

A mom joke?  What is this, Pee Wee's Playhouse?

 ;D

[rswinnerton]

A mom joke?  What is this, Pee Wee's Playhouse?

 ;D

I fear it's worse than that.
RS

[Chris333]

I know you are, but what am I?