Weekend Update 7/4/2010

[unittrain]

I'm going to be working on my Rave tower module in the morning maybe I'll post some pics of the module taking shape other than that still waiting to run bus wires as all the feeders are done.

[Dave Schneider]

I got my new spray booth and airbrush up and running for the first time. I still have to finish a window insert for the duct work, but it is functioning very well. This is my first time using a dual action airbrush, and I have a lot to learn.



This week I worked on the first of a small fleet of Milwaukee Road "Peek a Boo" gondolas. These were converted by the Milwaukee shops in 1957 for use in hauling pipe, and the prototype had both the wooden sides and a fair bit of the floor removed. They were numbered in the 1-1000 series, so numbering them should be easy. There was a large pipe trans-loading operation at Humboldt Yard on the Beer Line. (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/Beer%20Line/Humboldt_Yard_1966.jpg)

Here is an in-progress shot.



And the prototype for reference. I have included wooden sides on both ends, as some of the cars were configured this way. The model and the prototype are not perfect matches, but they will capture the look.



Best wishes, Dave

[Dave Schneider]

Moved into the construction phase of a joint project with Chris.  Erie/B&M milk car.

Bryan and Chris,

This looks awesome. A couple of questions. Is the etching "in-house" or was it done commercially? Did you use your milling machine to prepare the car sides or is the etching just mounted on the surface? I would love to produce some etched car sides for this series of cars (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/BeerRailcars/URTX_10159_10286.jpg). The Deluxe Innovations box car has the correct ends and roof, but etched brass seems like the only way to do the side. Could you guy share some guidance on preparing the artwork? I know how draw the rivets, panels lines, etc, just not how to specify etching parameters.

Best wishes, Dave

[bbussey]

Dave,

Etching was farmed out.  Atlas body was milled so etched part would drop in.  I'll answer the rest in-depth in a PM.

[inkaneer]

N scale isn't married to 9-3/4.  With the wide variety of radii to choose from, it's totally in the hands of the modeler to decide what to use.  Fortunately the manufacturers at-large are moving toward more prototypical models in regard to body-mounted couplers and scale height over the rails, and hopefully in due time the 9-3/4 issue will be relegated to N scale history.

I was referring to manufacturers being married to the 9 3/4 inch radii.  They were/are the ones who were/are making models equipped to run on 9 3/4 inch radii.

[altohorn25]

Finished my Wisconsin Dells Freight house for the Mini Mod u Trak layout.  Should be able to mount it on the module this week sometime so it will be ready for the show next week in Milwaukee.

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[Dupesy]

I got a Chuck-Pak.  How's that for an update?

[Gozer the Gozerian]

Picked cherries two days straight!  Man I got a bumper crop this year.  Also finished the design and cutting of an NN3 Southern Pacific Cattle Car.  Hoping to bring my SP 10 wheeler and a Carson & Colorado consist to Milwaukee to run.  Also picked up a Z Thrall All Door Boxcar Kit from Stonebridge Models http://www.stonebridgemodels.com/z_rolling/index.html.  Really nice looking and well designed model.  I've built a number of Robert's Center Beam flats and these get better and better.  I'll post shots of the cattle car later today.

Joe

[conrail98]

As I had hoped, I worked all morning today and got the 3rd, and last, wall up for the layout area:


and the full room from the stairs:


The overall lengths of the two walls I put up this weekend were 17' 2" for the one on the right side and the one in the back is 10' 9 1/2". I can come out an extra foot-and-a-half (maybe 2') to give me an 18 1/2' by 10 3/4' room for the layout.

[lock4244]

Doesn't look like you're using the whole basement there, Phil... what gives  ;D

Looks good, I'll be in the same position in about 12 months.

[conrail98]

The landlady put the kibosh on that,  , but it wasn't because of losing storage. I do woodworking projects (built my daughter's crib, dresser, and shelving unit) as well and if the layout took the whole basement, I wouldn't have any space for those projects. I've been in the house just over 3 years and it's taken this long to get something up to start mounting the multi-level layout to,

Phil

[lock4244]

I figure on at least 6 months from move in until work can start on a  layout, so when reality rears it's head, that'll become more like 12 - 18 months. My real priority is getting a BBQ up and running... sorry trains, gut comes first!

My land lady is staying in her condo, so she'll have no real say in anything... I naively say that now 

[bbussey]

I was referring to manufacturers being married to the 9 3/4 inch radii.  They were/are the ones who were/are making models equipped to run on 9 3/4 inch radii.

"Were" being the operative word.  More and more new models being released are not being designed specifically to track on 9-3/4, so the "married" assessment no longer applies.

[SD452XR]

Now there would be a cool car for Traincat to do

I got my new spray booth and airbrush up and running for the first time. I still have to finish a window insert for the duct work, but it is functioning very well. This is my first time using a dual action airbrush, and I have a lot to learn.



This week I worked on the first of a small fleet of Milwaukee Road "Peek a Boo" gondolas. These were converted by the Milwaukee shops in 1957 for use in hauling pipe, and the prototype had both the wooden sides and a fair bit of the floor removed. They were numbered in the 1-1000 series, so numbering them should be easy. There was a large pipe trans-loading operation at Humboldt Yard on the Beer Line. (http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/Beer%20Line/Humboldt_Yard_1966.jpg)

Here is an in-progress shot.



And the prototype for reference. I have included wooden sides on both ends, as some of the cars were configured this way. The model and the prototype are not perfect matches, but they will capture the look.



Best wishes, Dave

[central.vermont]

Moved into the construction phase of a joint project with Chris.  Erie/B&M milk car.

Brian, tell us New England guys more about the B&M milk car you and Chris are doing.
Will there be a limited production run from you two of this car?
Inquiring New Englander's want too know!!! ;D

Jon