Weekend Update - 9/12/2010

[up1950s]

The stage is yours .

[up1950s]

UP ( OSL ) 4754 is now going to paint . A continuity bridge was needed since I moved the traction tire driver from the middle to the rear , the only driver location that has pick up contacts , which ultimately wasn't really worth the move . I added a .010 PB wire to press against the inside of the edge of the first and third driver . A super simple method requiring just a bend at both ends to hold its position in a drilled hole with some Krazy Glue . If you leave the traction driver in the middle the results will even be better pickup wise .
 

 

 

 

 

[DKS]

Shot this as a test of Helicon Remote, in preparation for today's sojourn down to Maryland. I must say, Helicon Remote is impressive--worked perfectly, right out of the box.
 


Supersize version: http://jamesriverbranch.net/images/100911_074120_1200.jpg

[up1950s]

Your perfect modeling helps too David .

[Puddington]

I have 90% finished the "Apple Grove" CPR Grove series sleeper - pictures next week. I also converted a GHQ CN hopper reefer to a CPR style; there's a thread on that conversion posted here on Railwire.

[Dave V]

The Enola Pit is busy as usual...



Meanwhile, a Pennsy 44-tonner rolls into Enola yard with a load of mill gons full of scrap from the Harrisburg side of the river...

[seusscaboose]

Dave's shot of his 44 tonner just convinced me i need to buy one.  They look reaaaaal good moving scrap loads.

[Philip H]

@DKS - would you perhaps give us another thread on Helicon Remote so that we, the unwashed, may benefit from your work (which is steller as always)?

@Seuscaboose - I don't know that KCS ever ran 44 or 70 tonners, but I'm seriously looking to get one of each.

This week I went off the deep end, and built my own static grass flock applicator:




The design generally follows this MRH article:  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh-2010-MarApr/static_grass_applicators.  I copied Marc's Idea of the flashlight body http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/3271.  Testing commenced with some 2mm Summer green flock from Scenic Express:




Overall I like the look, but I need to mix some colors, since I'm trying ti match this:

[wm3798]

Phil,
If you can get clearance from the tower, David will be at my house this afternoon working his witchcraft on my reconstructed Casselman Crossing scene...

You'll need to bring your grassmaster, too... that looks like fun!

Richie and Dave V, I already want a 44 tonner, but that 060 is looking like it has a lot of play value, too!

Lee

[qantaqa]

Shot this with my droidx:


Also shot this near Concrete, WA with the Droidx


Cheers!

John M

[MichaelWinicki]

I need to mix some colors, since I'm trying ti match this:

For the green grass, try using Silflour "Late Summer" static grass in both the 4mm and 6mm lengths.

For the browner grass, I'd consider a mix using Silflour "Autumn" static grass along with some of the Noch "Hayfield" static grass blend. 

The one problem with static grass is that there is no "volume" at the end of it.  In nature many of these grasses will flower at the end, creating some volume.  We can't do that with what's currently available in static grass.

[BCR 570]

With the start of another school year my modelling time has gone from several hours a day to a few hours a week.  I did manage to complete another step in the twin trailer flat car build - the stiffening angles on the centre sill are now installed:




More info and pictures in the dedicated thread.


Tim

[BCR 570]

I also converted a GHQ CN hopper to a CPR style;

Looks more like a refrigerator car to me . . .  ;D

Tim

[wcfn100]

Had a Day Out with Thomas at the CRRM.






And a little something for Richie.



Jason

[esa123]

I had PRK eye surgery for both eyes this week so not much model was completed. I did however build a jig to help speed up the testing of frog isloation/conductivity with my fast tracks turnouts before installation:

Here is an overview, basically just some simple butt splices which fit perfectly over code 55 rail and were attached via 22 gauge wire to two splitters (+/- charges) which I then connect to my DCC system.



This is a close up of the apparatus. I test each section with a voltmeter and compare it to the printed track template. By far the biggest problem I ran into were PC ties that didn't gap completely with my initial filing.



Up close view of the end connections and a Conrail GP38-2 confirming the frog's isolated and everythings working!



Erik