Weekend Update 2008/09/28

[Zox]

So, how has everyone's weekend been?

MARRS had a build session yesterday, and I was able to get the sub-pier assemblies completed for my bridge:



Today I got them painted and installed into place:



There are some pretty heinous gaps that are going to get a visit from the Putty Fairy before I'm done, but getting these pieces put together and installed was probably the most difficult step left on this module.

From here I can either start working on the relief overlays for the main piers, or I can start working on the scenery at the banks of the river/ends of the module. I'm still debating which way to go first.

[up1950s]

Finished the last 2 LIRR passenger cars . These are MP54AT's , powered trailers ( no end cab controls ) I made these dummy's with MTL trucks .

[DKS]

Not much to show for this week--back to the long, long commute again.

I did get some work done on the theater--the basic structure consists of two Miller Engineering firehouse kits grafted together to make it both wider and slightly taller. Construction article: http://jamesriverbranch.net/project_12.htm



A modified animated Miller Engineering sign will dominate the facade. Left and right versions are cut down and sandwiched together.



The theater is the second building from the right in this evaluation shot of the street.

[atsf_arizona]

Santa Fe PA1s in the desert, in early 1950s:



============

And then, something a little more whimsical:

 many locos and not enough track....





Have a good week, all.

[POVC]

I've been working on my "Turtle Creek" OneTrak module for the Timonium Show the 11th/12th of October.







Next up is to work the creek bed.  After the creek is complete I'll add trees, details and give the frame another coat of black paint.

Tim

[wm3798]

I negotiated an exchange for a couple of Kato F-7's.  They're the older variety, and one has the second headlight.  Now I'm working on some lettering to do a couple of circus units.  First I have to "dip" them to remove some Testor's spray paint... any suggestions for a quick release?  I have 91% alcohol and brake fluid at my disposal, but I've heard strange things about Kato plastic and paint strippers.

This will be a longer range project.  I'm actually girding my loins to break out the air brush to do them right... or at least as right as I can handle. ;D

Lee

[GaryHinshaw]

I tried out a few new tinted fade recipes and posted some new results over on the weathering forum:

http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php/topic,16573.0.html

Zox - that bridge is going to be cool!  John - are those units sound-equipped?   ;D  I bet that move rattled a few windows in the trackside house.  Tim - I like the flow of the track on that module.  You're a brave man to take that outside this weekend.  I'm bummed that I'll be out of town the weekend of the Timonium show and won't get to see all the new work you guys are doing.

Cheers,
Gary

P.S. Break out the airbrush Lee!  It's a friend not an enemy. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been working on my "Turtle Creek" OneTrak module for the Timonium Show the 11th/12th of October.
[pics]
Next up is to work the creek bed.  After the creek is complete I'll add trees, details and give the frame another coat of black paint.

Tim

Tim, that's awesome. I really need to get some pics of mine.

The layout's gonna be great this time around.

[womblenz]

I finally have something to add

I got a little trackwork done






I've changed spike size to smaller one





Cheers Warren

PS got to work on camera skills  :

[delamaize]

so today I got more of my moutains and hills done today, I need more plaster cloth to finish the job. Also I decided to use some of my old con-cor roundhouse parts to make a open air engine shop for my logging line. it is not finished, it will have a attached shop. still quite a bit of work to do.

[bradb]

On my way to the Sunset Marching Band Classic, I stopped off near I-217 and Allen Blvd to take a few pictures of 4 WPRR woodchip cars I'd seen parked on a siding a few weeks ago, hoping for a few reference photo's to match the upcoming Deluxe Innovations release of ex-SP/Willamette & Pacific Gunderson/FMC cars (due this month, but according to Dave at DI there was a problem with the paint on the pre-production samples not being correct so the release is delayed until November).



And much to my surprise, I found 74001 as well (though it's looked lots better), so here is a bit of salt in the wound for USC fans...



Brad.

[James Costello]

Nothing to show from me. Spent the weekend packing up our rental (most of my time was in the train room/study) in preparation for this weekend's move into our new house.

I did manage to:
a) Find the MR supplement from a few years ago that has a track plan for a nice little switching layout I've been thinking of that should fit nicely in my new train room,
b) Recycle many, many Chuck-Pak's to pack all the trains up in  ;D

[Chris333]

Guess I'm on a HOn30 kick now 

Been making another chassis, this one has a 210:1 gear ratio (ultra slow) It will be a 7 ton DL Plymouth when done.




So with a few HOn30 locomotives in the work I started a small layout for them. It is only 13.5x24" so slow locomotives can be appreciated on it.


Code 55, 3" min. radius!, 4.5ish % grades, roundy round all day 

Might not be processed yet, but a video:

[Iain]

Chris, you're just whacked  ;D

I have found that the easiest way to model the paint they used one hundred years ago is with the paint they used one hundred years ago.  I have managed to dig up several cans of Val-Oil, which seems to use mostly oxides and ochres to form the pigment.  They seem to come out as a finish that has a little more shine than satin.

[Frank Amato]

... any suggestions for a quick release?  I have 91% alcohol and brake fluid at my disposal, but I've heard strange things about Kato plastic and paint strippers.

Lee, please keep that Kato plastic away from the brake fluid and ELO -- Polly-S, not that 70s band.  I use 91% isopropyl for Kato shells -- it takes a little while, with occasional toothbrush scrubbing, but you'll get there.

  Frank