Weekend Update 2/5/12

[up1950s]

Richie -

 How is that steamer you were working on coming or did I miss the completion of it?

Still doing some postponed clean up , and re-arranging oddities from the Kitchen and Living Room mods . My wife is on a jury case , and I drive her to and from the Jamaica court house . Sounds like nothing , but this is NYC . Finally came up with a longer but quicker way through two back doors of JFK airport . It won't be long when I can once again devote the proper attention to it , maybe a week or so I hope .

[delamaize]

So, Our Wizard of the GS4, Superturbine3 sent me one of his Northern Pacific A5 resin sets, I milled out the inside of the tender a little more than what he had it, and got some things set up. Then I moved on to the locomotive, me in all my infinite wisdom, didn't read his instructions, and refrence his pictures, then blew out the side of the smoke box, and destroyed the shell  . Luckly, he agreed to make me a new shell when he has some time. I decided I would take a crack at building a new shell for it, and use the old, destroyed shell for the detail parts and refrence. So far I am pretty damn happy with the whole thing! I probably won't need the replacement shell after all, Although I wouldn't mind having an A4 in the stable also! 



So it isn't even close to being done, this side still needs the smaller wiring and piping, and I gotta remake some boiler bands, most likely out of paper, since I can't seem to find any styrine that is even remotely close in thickness. the cab still needs window frames, doors, roof vents, and hand rails. The Fireman's side isn't even started yet. It is a slow process, but I'm pretty happy with it, and can live with the inacturacies, and it lookd great pulling some freight cars, even at this early state!

[Ntrainz1]

modernized N5 caboose (removed roofwalk, added z couplers)



Bob.

[mark dance]

Lots of flying plaster this week. 

The 9' long Kootenay River scene is progressing.  The rockwork was carved/cast and the bridge piers and abutments painted and installed.  Sorry for the dark pictures...I had to use a 7 year old Fuji camera this week and it really hates the contrast with the white plaster. 













I also put the first plaster gauze and sculptamold layers down in the Slocan valley scene.

Next up: painting rocks.

Have a great rest-of-your-Sunday everyone.

md

[Guilford Guy]

^ that is looking awesome.

[rochsub]

More work on the Proviso warehouses. More pictures and construction info on the blog.  http://genevasub.blogspot.com

[Scottl]

Mark, that Kootenay scene is awesome.  Is the rock island on your bridge protypical?

[mark dance]

Is the rock island on your bridge protypical?

Thank you Scott.  Yes the island is prototypical.  The actual bridge is:
   - 3, 1/2 through girder bridges crossing flood channel
   - first island (large)
   - 2, 1/2 through girder bridges
   - second island (small) reinforced with a stone retaining wall
   - 2, 1/2 through girder bridges
   - 150' through truss bridge
   - short deck plate girder bridge
   - cut, long fill over culvert

On the model we will have:
   - 2, 1/2 through girder bridges crossing the flood channel
   - Small rock island reinforced with a stone retaining wall
   - 2, 1/2 through girder bridges
   - 150' through truss bridge
   - short deck plate girder bridge
   - cut, short over culvert

So even at 4' long the modeled scene is significantly compressed.  I hope it will retain the feel of the prototype when it is done.

md

[atsf_arizona]

For me, slowing making progress, N scale Santa Fe U30CGs using Minitrix N scale shell, will go on Kato U30C / C30-7 mechanisms:





More details in:  http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?92144-Trix-U30CG/page7

[GaryHinshaw]

So even at 4' long the modeled scene is significantly compressed.  I hope it will retain the feel of the prototype when it is done.

Looking really good Mark.  You're definitely capturing the feel of the prototype.

I made some progress further up grade to the Loop proper.  I pretty much have the supports for the Loop roadbed in place now, while leaving clearance for the helix-to-be underneath.  I decided the simplest solution for two of the supports was to cut them out of cookie-cutter scraps of 3/4" ply and make a profile board of the Loop hill while I'm at it.  Without further ado:



It should be pretty straightforward to get the remaining risers in now to finish the roadbed on this shelf.  After that, I'll lay track and test a few trains up an down the grade to see of there are any trouble spots.  There's almost exactly a scale mile of mainline on this shelf.

-gfh

[Scottl]

There is something about benchwork made up entirely of wood that I love.  I've always used foam board over a plywood base, but may need to try this approach if I ever get the space to do something larger.  Nice work Gary.

Thanks for the details Mark, a beautiful scene.

[JSL]

Mark you are an artist. Gary the benchwork is awesome. Looks great!!!

[BCRail_FSJ]

Late post this weekend..   I spent numerous hours painting in the hills and trees on the 5ft section of backdrop next to the helix.  Only another 14ft to go.

Upper deck lighting is yet to be installed so excuse the shadow artifacts from the upper valance......

[Pomperaugrr]

Beautiful job on that backdrop section!  Wow!   

Eric

[Scottl]

That backdrop is fantastic.  the horizon is very well placed for the scene and will blend beautifully with the scenery.  I also like how it looks good from a variety of angles- sometimes backdrops become very one dimensional when viewed down the length, but you nailed it!  It looks like it was hand brushed- no airbrush involvement?