Weekend Update 1/6/13

[Scottl]

Nice work Brian, the original series of those units (8000-8024) had the headlight above the windshield.  It was the next batches (8800+) that have the nose mounted headlight.  I'm going to do one of those next.

[John]

Finished routing the new helix...

OOOOhhh .. how did you do that?

[flight2000]

Nice work Brian, the original series of those units (8000-8024) had the headlight above the windshield.  It was the next batches (8800+) that have the nose mounted headlight.  I'm going to do one of those next.

Thanks. All of the photos I looked at were in the 8800 series.  Good to know.

The new owner didn't tell me the reason he wanted this particular number, but imagine there's a good reason.

Brian

[Cajonpassfan]

Finished routing the new helix...

Nice work Frank, but I don't get it....routing why? To maximize clearances? Keep tracks parallel? I've never seen anything quite like it....
Otto, waiting to be enlightened

[Cajonpassfan]

Mark, your layout is also extraordinarily realistic.  The pace with which turn out that quality is amazing.

Ditto on my part! Thanks for posting the overall shots, helps with context. Wow! Breathtaking!
Otto K.

[Dave V]

I dropped by by LHS yesterday in Pensacola and bought a Micro Trains 3-dome tank car in SHPX, something I know a number of us wanted to see released.  Anyway, it's not weathered yet, but you can see just how tiny it is compared to the Atlas 11,000 gallon tank cars on either side.  This will add some variety to my mixed freights.  In the PRR era I have 3 Atlas 11,000 gallon cars, one of the newer Bachmann tank cars (which is a decent little car!), and now this one.  Quick iPhone grab:



I also picked up a jar of Bullfrog Snot.  I know it's been known to cause flame wars, but I'm ready to see for myself.  I added some to my L1s and to my HH1, so we'll see if they can pull a full coal drag around my sharpest curves without slipping now.  Still waiting for it to dry.

Otherwise I've been using the good camera (Nikkon D5100) and a 100W 6500K light rig to photo document the layout for a possible upcoming publication.  Can't share those pics, obviously...   

[LIRR]

Mark,
Very nice work...which pine trees did you use?

[rochsub]

Hey Darly - out of curiousity, what's the depth of your warehouse scene there?

The scene is about 8 inches wide.  For more information check out genevasub.blogspot.com and/or this video.

[eric220]

Frank - I'm also curious about the routing. I've had the thought to do something similar, but I hadn't worked out how to create the pivot for the router.

[BCRail_FSJ]

   That would be awesome.  Then I could buy two more instead of building them. 

   On the next ones I'm using your method for the grills at the back.  I hate mine, but it took so long to make them that I just don't have the get-up-and-go to redo them.  That and they make up the structural integrity of the rear end.  If I did try to redo them I would likely have to start over with a new shell.  I'm also going to follow your lead and use some GP windows for the front of the cab so I don't have to scratch build that and I can have proper glass in them.  The thought of casting the cab and body crossed my mind but I've never done a two part mold and don't want repeats of those grills on the back.

   Lessons learned.

Craig

The SD-40 cab fronts worked great in the RS-11 cab.  I just happened to have some old Kato cabs in my parts bin. As for windows ..you can always use some future floor wax (Pledge with Future Shine  as it is now called) to fill in the window holes.   It actually works really well for n scale.  Paint, decal and dullcote first and then fill in the windows with a small brush as the very last step.  It is a thin acrylic liquid that dries crystal clear.   What are you using for decals for the Pacific Starlight logo?

[skytop35]

Parlor Car Maple Valley

[kalbert]

I really like the Caboose ground throws, they work great, but there were a couple places where I either couldn't fit one or their large size would be just too hard to disguise. They look alright mounted low and behind some greenery, but the one I was needing to place in the middle of a gravel parking lot next to a small shed that was barely bigger than the ground throw just wasn't right. I've read about people adding a spring to Atlas turnouts to make them snap, so I gave it a try. Took about an hour, 2" of .020 music wire, and a little cussing but by the time I got to the last one I was getting pretty good at it. They are working flawlessly so far.

[bbussey]

I dropped by by LHS yesterday in Pensacola and bought a Micro Trains 3-dome tank car in SHPX, something I know a number of us wanted to see released.  Anyway, it's not weathered yet, but you can see just how tiny it is compared to the Atlas 11,000 gallon tank cars on either side.  This will add some variety to my mixed freights.  In the PRR era I have 3 Atlas 11,000 gallon cars, one of the newer Bachmann tank cars (which is a decent little car!), and now this one.

I'm surprised you never grabbed one of the PC triple-dome tanks.

[Dave V]

I'm surprised you never grabbed one of the PC triple-dome tanks.

Considered it...  It was in captive company service between Altoona and I think Lewistown.  I may yet grab one if I see it.

[cv_acr]

I learned how to use SketchUp to try to work up some scale drawings for a structure for the club layout. That's a neat program, and relatively easy to use too. I went from nothing to this in 2 days (Friday evening and a pretty good portion of Saturday):



Prototype images:
http://www.wrmrc.ca/proto45.html
http://www.wrmrc.ca/proto98.html
http://www.wrmrc.ca/proto97.html
http://www.wrmrc.ca/proto119.html

Drawings were largely scaled off fire insurance maps, a blueprint of the station (which connects via an extension of the station roof forming a breezeway between the two buildings) and trying to scale measurements off the last two images.

Not done yet by a long shot; all the photos of the "street" side of the building (and the brick addition on that side) are at the club, I have to steal that pile of shots when I'm up next week for the operating session.

These drawings will be a prelude to attempting to actually scratchbuild this structure. Our station and yard area is pretty devoid of anything other than track so far.