Weekend Update 1/6/13

[BCR 570]

I can't believe that I am the third BCR modeller to the table this evening . . .

Andy:  Good progress on the trackwork - will we be able to run some trains during my visit in April?

Craig:  Good work on the CRS-20 - if you stay ahead of Andy you will to my knowledge be the first person to complete one in N Scale.  You are probably the first person I am aware of to tackle the 2800 series ballast hoppers too.

I got back to some modelling work this week after the usual December hiatus.

On the layout, the Highway 97 overpass is in for a test fit with the track sitting on top and a cardboard mock-up of the highway hanging below:




On the workbench, work continues on a turnout test bed designed to teach myself how to install, power and actuate a turnout.  I have painted the fascia and underside to match the layout, and I have attached feeder wires to the four track sections:




Also on the workbench, work continues on three MLW M-630 locomotives.  Rear ends, radiators and brake wheel stands are now installed on the carbodies, and holes drilled for the front lights:




and all detail has been removed from the front and rear pilots in preparation for the addition of various detail parts:




I also started work on another outfit power car, this one converted from an ex-CP Minibox.  I began by building two end personnel doors and inserting them into the end pieces.  I then cut out the side freight doors and built new inserts including the side personnel doors, lower intake screens and upper exhaust openings.  I also cut out a 24" square opening either side and built louvred vents to fit inside them:




Tim

[BCRail_FSJ]

Andy:  Good progress on the trackwork - will we be able to run some trains during my visit in April?

Craig:  Good work on the CRS-20 - if you stay ahead of Andy you will to my knowledge be the first person to complete one in N Scale.  You are probably the first person I am aware of to tackle the 2800 series ballast hoppers too.

The yard already runs (under DC power).   Hopefully I can get a staging yard connected before April.     The CRS-20s are the main project 'languishing' on my workbench, but with the Fort Nelson yard complete it is time to put some more work into them.

[NARmike]

The yard already runs (under DC power).   Hopefully I can get a staging yard connected before April.     The CRS-20s are the main project 'languishing' on my workbench, but with the Fort Nelson yard complete it is time to put some more work into them.

Next week... an all new episode of "The Amazing CRS-20 Race"

Now that would be my kind of reality TV

[BCRail_FSJ]

Next week... an all new episode of "The Amazing CRS-20 Race"

Now that would be my kind of reality TV

The overly dramatic finale would be the announcement of the ready-to-run version just as we both finish ours.

[chicken45]

Working on my SPF PRR F25a cars. This is the first of three and my first brass kit. It's riding a bit low, but it's coming along...

[CodyO]

Made the front headlight of my PRR L1 Functioning
Drilled up from the inside of the shell then drill though the front of the headlight and at a bit of an angle till I hit the other hole
Then shoved some fiber optic in there and reinstalled an LED in the front of the engine equipped with 2 traction tires this beast will pull 50 40' boxcars and a caboose on level trackage can`t wait to build the second and double head

Still need to add hand rails and a PRR smokebox number plate 







Reballasted and fixed the trackage at the end of the yard
the turnout to the left of the yard ladder was a right but changed it to a left









My dad and I use the contact solution bottles for water and glue


Also the new FP7 and F7Bs got the first laps in

[BCR 570]

Mike:

Will we see you at the Calgary train show in April?  Maybe Andy and I can connect with you that weekend.

Tim

[up1950s]

Finally did a little project that I've been sitting on for quite awhile.  I've got two of these sitting around.



I've been meaning to get them upgraded to DCC for quite some time.  I finally sat down and followed Ron Beardon's instructions. ( http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Atlas/Trainmaster/Trainmaster%20AMD1%20(2).pdf )

Could make it more units and do it up like a rail grinding train . Also a few hidden flickering LED's under to give the sparkling metal embers effect .

[rogergperkins]

The Tomix or Atlas track cleaning car is one of the best layout maintenance tools I ever purchased for my layout.
I use it regularly, but did not convert it to DCC; my layout is dual mode, so I run it with a locomotive that does not have decoder.
Keeping that small fiber debris off the layout minimizes it being pulled into the gears of locomotives.
 

[MichaelWinicki]

[NARmike]

Mike:

Will we see you at the Calgary train show in April?  Maybe Andy and I can connect with you that weekend.

Tim

Certainly! Last year was my first time there and I will definately be returning. I will also be making it to the Calgary RPM in March with the first section of my layout (Heart River).

I heard a rumor that the roof caved in at the soccer center  ... is that correct? If so, do you know where Supertrain will be held instead? That was a very nice venue. It would be a shame if what I heard was true.

We will have to pressure Andy to make sure he's far enough along on his Ft. Nelson Sub. so that we can have an operating session too... I think he works faster than I do so that is entirely possible... Right, Andy?

Looking forward to seeing you both there (and any other  s that happen to make it)!

Mike

[mu26aeh]

The Tomix or Atlas track cleaning car is one of the best layout maintenance tools I ever purchased for my layout.
I use it regularly, but did not convert it to DCC; my layout is dual mode, so I run it with a locomotive that does not have decoder.
Keeping that small fiber debris off the layout minimizes it being pulled into the gears of locomotives.
 

I completely agree !  Though for some strange reason, I sold mine, even after putting the drop in decoder in it, and making it part of my CSX maintenance fleet.  I had the orange Atlas one, so it was a given.  Why did I get rid of it ? 

[hegstad1]

So this project has affectionally been titled "Frankendiner."

I needed an NP heavyweight dining car for my Mainsteeter project so with inspiration from Gregg Scott at GHQ and a Rivarossi coach I got started.  It is a model of  #1695 which had end skirts applied.  This thing has parts from a coach and a 12-1, part of a resin roof from Joe Valerio, Micro-Trains, AMB, Palace Car Co., M&R, Plastruct, Detail Assoc. K&S, Kato, Tamiya, and Des Plains Hobbies.  It needs some cleaning up before paint. but here ya go.  Oh,  and a link to the prototype.

http://archive.nmra.org/Portals/NMRA//images/l_E%20Stephens%20Bx2%20Pass%20012.jpg

[BCRail_FSJ]

Certainly! Last year was my first time there and I will definately be returning. I will also be making it to the Calgary RPM in March with the first section of my layout (Heart River).

I heard a rumor that the roof caved in at the soccer center  ... is that correct? If so, do you know where Supertrain will be held instead? That was a very nice venue. It would be a shame if what I heard was true.

We will have to pressure Andy to make sure he's far enough along on his Ft. Nelson Sub. so that we can have an operating session too... I think he works faster than I do so that is entirely possible... Right, Andy?

Looking forward to seeing you both there (and any other  s that happen to make it)!

Mike

The train show is held in the large fixed roof building which is fine.  It is the inflatable dome building next to it which caved in due to heavy snow last winter.  I am  making no promises re. op sessions just yet.   There will definitely be a period of track and rolling stock tuning and DCC installation before that occurs.  I do work in furious spurts though.. so anything is possible.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

"Frankendiner" huh... been looking at the possibility of doing one myself (albeit for my freelanced lines).  Even picked up a great shot of the car's other side on eBay just recently...

http://passcarphotos.info/NP_1695.jpg