Weekend Update 9/11/11

[up1950s]

 
Well we all know what Sunday is . The below link are shots taken 2001-9-20 while I was on a tour with 3 other co-workers in and around the telco building at 140 West Street .
https://picasaweb.google.com/up1950s/WTC2001920#
 
Here is my next attempt , UP 7869 . It was the last numbered 4-8-2 "Sports Model" as the crew called the Mountain class . It was the only one which had both , the longer Vandy and the USRA sandbox on the same loco .
 
 

 

 
Post time is upon us again , feels like only a week has passed .

[Dave V]

Built two loads using components from KenRay models...



I had a FastTracks turnout at the Enola Yard throat that I'd bought off eBay that, over the last year had started to spread gauge at the points.  I'd re-soldered it a few times but it seemed to be a losing battle.  Moreover, the clearances on that particular turnout seemed impossibly narrow causing occasional shorts and derailments.  Ironically, another FastTracks turnout I purchased from the same eBay seller is off to the right and has been perfect.  Either way, it was time to replace it.  I used an Atlas c55 curved turnout.  The geometry is a little different, but not so bad that it wouldn't fit.



At this point I also chose to replace the giant Caboose Industries ground throw with a micro-mini SPDT switch for both powering the frog and providing the mechanical closure.



Today Penn State plays Alabama.

[Scottl]

Came up with a tunnel portal and ballasted the last stretch in this scene.  Some more bushes and trees too.



Still need to paint tree line and put in some more trees



A guest appearance by a soon to be painted SD60F.  Kaslo Shops shell with details, Atlas drive

[MichaelWinicki]

So how's the Atlas curved turnout working Dave?


I have a few of the FastTrack turnouts on my layout and I've come to find out one of the dirty little secrets of these types of switches are the soldered points.  I've had numerous issues.  They may be superior to Atlas Code 55 switches in a lot of ways, but the way Atlas points are secured to the throw is much less problematic.

[Dave V]

The Atlas turnout is in gauge and has tapered points as it should, versus some of the early problematic ones.

The ballast has only just dried so I haven't done more than some basic testing on it.

You're right about those soldered points on FastTracks...  Notice the blob of solder on the throwbar of the FastTracks turnout to the right in my photo.  That's me repairing the points.  Gauge-wise it's perfect (when it's not un-soldered) but I did have that one instance when the solder gave out.  Since I fixed it it's been fine.

[atsf_arizona]

Foto Fun 2011 09 11

Hi, all,

For any of you living in the San Francisco Bay area, tomorrow, Sept 11, 2011 at 9am,

is the local NMRA Pacific Coast Region, Coast Division quarterly meet at:

Guests always welcome and no charge!

Janet Pomeroy Center
207 Skyline Boulevard (at Herbst Road)
San Francisco, CA 94132

All the info is at:  http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/

The reason I posting this - I think many of you would love to see the two
clinics that are being offered at this meet, and guests are welcome at no charge:

http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/meet_clinics.shtml

10 AM:    The Art of the Backdrop  by Dave Biondi
11 AM:    Layout Tricks and Solutions   by Jim Betz

One of Dave's backdrop's, done *right in front of us in 1 hour* at a recent clinic:



One example of the many layout tricks that Jim will talk about:



Both of these clinics are highly acclaimed and worth the visit.   Best of all,
Coast Division guests are free, we'd love for you to come, enjoy the clinics
as our guest.

You get to check out everything else that goes on at our quarterly meets as well, with
great models at the Show Tell, Model Contest table for example:

http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/contest/Contest_June_2011.shtml
http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/contest.shtml

I hope that if at the last minute, this fits into your schedule, you might come by,
I know you would love these two clinics. 

If you're not in the local San Francisco Bay Area, I can still certainly
offer that you'll enjoy browsing the many many inspiring photos on the twenty plus
Coast Division meet reports over the past 5 years here:

http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/contest.shtml

Such as Al Kuhn's "Oyster Bay" diorama:



and Photo Contest:



And you'd also enjoy reviewing the recent year's Coast Division clinics including handout downloads:

http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/meet_clinics.shtml

Finally, remember that many of the Coast Division clinicians also presented at
X2011 West NMRA Nationals in Sacramento, and many of those Nationals handouts are online for free
download at:   http://x2011west.org/handouts.html

Enjoy, all.  A safe and happy model railroad weekend to you. 

[m301]

¤*¨¨*¤.¸¸ ...¸.¤\
\ 9/11 AMERICA \
.\¸.¤*¨¨*¤ .¸¸.¸.¤*
..\
☻/
/▌
/ \ NEVER FORGET!!! Keep the flag going!


Many of us will never forget where we were when it happened.
And we shall never forget it.
ok to copy and paste wherever you see fit.

[Puddington]

I will be in RCAF Association dress tomorrow at Del Crary Park for the 08:00 hrs 9-11 Memorial Service here in Peterborough, Ontario....We will remember..............



A re-post; but given the day; this says it all; "we will never surrender to the forces of evil that seek to destroy freedom.... NEVER...."God bless our men and women in uniform; our allies and all those that defend freedom.

Mike
Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves (ret'd)
428 (Peterborough) Wing
The Air Force Association of Canada

[Chris333]

PPD surprised me with a package.



I originally drew this in 2007 so it is nice to see it in person.

[mdeberg]

Can't wait to see the SD60F painted.  Looks awesome!

A guest appearance by a soon to be painted SD60F.  Kaslo Shops shell with details, Atlas drive

[Puddington]

Ok Chris; it's "bigger than a bread basket".......Inquiring minds north of the border want to know."what the H  E  double hockey sticks" is it......?

[davidgray1974]

Been working on my backdrop and final got it installed and painted.  Will put the 2" pink foam back down as the base once the paint has dried.
Glued 2 pieces of 1/8" hardboard back to back with carpenters glue.  Then countersunk drywall screws to 1 x 2's on what will be the mountain side of the layout.  Used lightweight spackle to fill the holes.  Alot easier than I anticipated it would be.  First applied Kilz as a primer then used Glidden Blue Marina for the color of the sky and blended BEHR Ultra White from the base up.

[MichaelWinicki]

Nicely done David!

[bbussey]

Sweet.  What mechanism will be underneath?

[eric220]

Just finished up the upper staging yard.  I didn't use the CSX contractors this time.   



There's going to be a bit of a hiatus in construction for a couple of weeks, so it felt good to get to this milestone.