Weekend Update - 9-21-2008

[wm3798]

The saga continues...  I built the oil bunker last night, and got the tender finished and lettered.  A couple more things to do though...


I think I'm going to lower the bunker about 6 scale inches...  The proportions aren't quite right based on the proto photos...  Zip zip with Mr. Dremel should do the trick.  I also need to replace the ladder on the rear with a MT caboose ladder to get the curved railings at the top.  After I get the shell done for the boiler and start fooling with lighting, I'll decide whether or not to do a working backup light.



Overall I'm really happy with how this is turning out...  Of course, if Chris wants to etch me a new tender, I'm sure I could find another use for this one in the wreck train...

Lee

[Chris333]

Rich,
FileAve is down right now. I can't get into their site.

Lee,
Got drawings?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Lee, have you thought about a GMM or BLMA etched roofwalk there? The heavy one just seems to look out of place on such an otherwise great model.

[wm3798]

Yeah, I thought about it, but then I looked in my wallet and a moth flew out.  A bird in the hand...

I got some photos from a guy who's working on the restoration, so I have to re-work it anyway.  It shouldn't extend as far under the cab roof as I have it.  So, in addition to 6" lower, it needs to be about 4' shorter... :-\

Measure once, cut twice!

Lee

[up1950s]

Super workmanship Chris . Where did you get that link/pin casting ?

[Chris333]

Where did you get that link/pin casting ?

It is a oval shaped section of spruce. I sanded one side flat and glued it to a rectangle of styrene with a nut/bolt/washer on each side.  Then I cut slots and drilled a hole down through it. Easy as pie 

[kiwi_al]

Remember how these look, they will be changed a little ;D

[inkaneer]

Okay how do you guys do it?  I got absolutely nothing done .  My daughter, husband and family came in from Columbus, OH because they haven't had any electrical power since the wind damage from Ike or whatever blew through Ohio and with a 6 and 5 year old boys  running around nothing was getting done.   Meanwhile I got my Ntrak modules sitting in the garage waiting for the track.  That means my old bugaboo soldering.  I read Leo's tutorial on soldering and really learned something.  So I ordered a Weller soldering iron capable of 40 watts and 900 degrees.  My old 15 watt iron has been permanently retired. 

[Ian MacMillan]

I just keep working on the A car. Picked up some steel this week to start building a sprung sub frame.

[tom mann]

I just keep working on the A car. Picked up some steel this week to start building a sprung sub frame.

What will this look like completed?

[Ian MacMillan]

I just keep working on the A car. Picked up some steel this week to start building a sprung sub frame.

What will this look like completed?

MBTA 1600 series cabcar.

[central.vermont]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[central.vermont]

I think this is what it's gonna be when it's done.  ;D ;D

[Day One]

This weekend was the first time in a month I've been able to do anything train related.
I've been doing some woodworking/cabinet building in my garage where the layout is located so it's been covered in plastic to keep the dust off it. I spent some time on the cover this weekend adding dowels to the edge of the plastic to help weight it in place and keep it spread out so gusts of wind don't blow it off. It also makes rolling it up for storage pretty easy. As you can see the cover and cover supports don't take up too much space once they are all off.

Covered Layout:


Cover supports that keep the plastic off structures and trains:


All folded up for storage:


I also spent some time on track work. I've had derailment problems with certain engines and cars for years and I've always know the fix was to shim the guard rails on the peco turnouts but for some reason I've never done it. Well no more! I shimmed most of the mainline turnouts and engine facility leads and I'm kicking myself for not doing this long ago.

Shims being glued in place:


Finished turnout, just needs paint:

[Ian MacMillan]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Cab steel gets picked up this week in Portland (Wednesday) and we are spending all day Sunday in the shop fabing the springs based off the A6 design and the sub frame. One heavy car. Will weigh in at almost 6000lbs. New 2 axle trailer is on the way next week as well.