Weekend Update - 1/17/2010

[Puddington]

Tim .. who makes the refrigerator units?

Tim did.....They were made as part of the Can Car project that he captained for a bunch of us. he had them cast with the other parts for the trailers.....

[RDG_Rich]

Well, let's see.

I have failed at my first decoder install, I'm working on a freight house, and finished frankenstein's foob.



Started on a LL NE caboose. So far, just added z scale couplers, lowered the ride height, and added MT Trucks.



Rich

[BCR 570]

John:

Yes, the castings were offered as part of the kit and I still have some available. 

Tim

[MEC_FAN]

Some shots of the eleven track staging yard we finished a while back.
Train in the left side of view is inbound to staging, there is also a small industrial area on the way into staging also.

[Caleb Austin]

Sweet stuff this week.

As for me, I laid down some roadbed and track, added some landforms and started landscaping.





More here:
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=108638&page=33

[BCRail_FSJ]

Attempting to scratchbuild a decent looking bridge support out of balsa wood, with the intention of using it to create a mold to cast the final structures in resin.


Definitely needs some work.  Its hard to capture the complex curves of  prototype concrete structure using soft balsa.


Anyone have any ideas on how to go about making a mold of this thing?

Also painted in some trees on part of the backdrop.

[asciibaron]

wow, that looks awesome.

[asciibaron]

progress is happening on the L&HR.  i have been playing with track and cardboard templates trying to get the alignment of the main sorted.  i have also figured out the benchwork problem - my 1.5' wide grid framing does not easily handle the sweeping curves of the plan's edge.  i have decided to use a cantilever system that should work just fine.  i'm hoping to have the main sorted tomorrow so i can get started on installing the homasote and cork.

[Midniteflyer]

Some detail.ing on the modules........

[Philip H]

I started the weekend by indulging my other major passion at the Washington DC international Motorcycle Show:


Then I installed an important railroading accessory:



Note the supervisor testing the equipment.  I believe i am now properly set to armchair Steve and Ed's layout plans, and drool over Caleb's scenery, as well as Pud's scratchbuilds.

[BCR 570]

Flyer:  Very nice urban scenes.

Andy:  Another option might be to cast them in plaster, which when stained or painted should yield a nice concrete texture.  To mold them either in resin or in plaster you need to mount the pattern on a flat surface and build a wall around it to contain the casting material.  Sheet styrene would work; another option would be acrylic.  You could also find a small container to use as a moulding container.

The problem is the opening in the pier, which if to be done as one piece would likely require a two part mould.  You might consider moulding the base as a separate part so that they could both be cast in a one part mould.

Before proceeding you may want to compare the cost of purchasing all of the required moulding and casting materials vs. having someone do the casting for you who is already set up and equipped to do it.  In a small apartment one also has to be careful about odours bothering other residents - not sure if that is an issue with these materials or not.

The backdrop looks great - very evocative of the Peace region.  I can't wait to come over and run trains!


Tim

[train1]

Then I installed an important railroading accessory:

Looks Comfy

[BCRail_FSJ]

Tim..

The local hobby shop had some all-in-one molding and resin casting kits for about $40.  Not sure how good they are.   I can do the smelly stuff off-site so that shouldn't be an issue.  I was hoping to cast the piers as one unit.  I have no preference between hydrocal or resin.  Which ever is easiest i guess.  I just don't want to ruin the master, which with some filling, sanding and a coat of paint actually looks pretty good..



I think it's taking me longer to bridge this river than the real BCR!

[Guilford Guy]

Wow Caleb, that looks really nice!

I started ballasting the module this week and lightly weathered another boxcar.

[wm3798]

Caught up on a few decoder jobs...  Blew up a couple, but nothing a little warranty magic can't fix.  Ed, your SD45 is up, and Bob's C-30-7.  I would have done your C-30, Ed, but I had to burn up time fiddling with a headlight in a brass SD-45.  Looks great, but cripes what a lousy drive!

Anyway, I'll be bringing those two, plus Bob's Consolidation, which I got fixed.  I had to replace the coupler with one with a narrower box, because the 1015 on it was interfering with the tender truck.  Runs like a champ now, except the front truck on the tender wants to walk over the switch back by the paper warehouse where it comes out of the tunnel.  It's only happening at one place, so I'm assuming it's a track issue.  If it doesn't work on your Unitrak rig, I'll take another look at it.

Lee