Weekend Update 3/10/13

[DMU-Fan]

@David Grey 1974: what size is your layout? Do you have a track plan?

[CodyO]

The Helix was firmly installed along with the ply for the mainline to run around the helix on

Tracing it all out

All drawn out

First cut


Test fitting

Support brackets mounted to the side towers of the helix to hold up ply carrying the mains




All installed and screwed in




Also test fitted and began installing the new 1/2" ply for the mains


At about eye level across the yard


The Final Frontier


By next weekend march 15-17 we hope to have the mains plywood installed and benchwork for staging installed

[Dave V]

Davidgray,

That's looking really, really great...  I like the after shots!  The trees and ground cover are spot-on.

[mcjaco]

Spent the weekend running with the ModUTrak group at the Highwheeler show in Palatine, IL.

 

Great weekend.  I ran stuff that hasn't seen daylight in years! 

[The Beer Baron]

Haven't gotten any more done on the feed mill from last week as I'm waiting on a couple switches and a shaker of ballast, but I *did*
manage to strip a bunch of coal hoppers.

A four hour dip in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and this:


Becomes this:


Now for painting and decalling


Cheers,
Drew
The Inverness and Richmond Railway

[Kisatchie]

I *did*
manage to strip a bunch of coal hoppers.

A four hour dip in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and this:


Becomes this:

Ahhh! Ahhhhhhhhhh! You stripped a Smokey Bear hopper???? Ahhhhh!



Hmm... good thing it wasn't
a Yogi Bear hopper...

[lock4244]

I'm adding details to my SD40-2 build.  I added the winterization hatch, most of the lift rings, and grab irons on the body.  I left off the lift rings and long grab iron on the top of the rear.  I'll add those after painting.  I need to mask there, so need a flat surface for tape.

This will be SOO Line #762 as seen here, when done:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/soo/soo762cbp.jpg

Erik

Can't wait to see the final result, Eric. I've a few planned for 'someday'. SOO 769 is in the deadline at Toronto (Agincourt) Yard; she looks forlorn and it's doubtful she'll turn a wheel under her own power again (unless she becomes an Eco rebuild), but still wears her ratty SOO white well.

[The Beer Baron]

Ahhh! Ahhhhhhhhhh! You stripped a Smokey Bear hopper???? Ahhhhh!

Did I commit some kind of sin?

[Kisatchie]

Did I commit some kind of sin?

Hmm... Kiz has a soft spot
(in his head) for Smokey
Bear cars...

[The Beer Baron]

Kiz has a soft spot (on his head) for Smokey Bear cars...

Next time I find one we'll make a trade.

[randgust]

There's an ebay store.... I think it is "Seadog", that has nice N scale billboards.  Some of them are pretty funny.  As prototype as I (reportedly) am, I couldn't help but put up the one he has for Smokey the Bear.... perfect N scale billboard for the seasonally dry pine forests in Arizona.

It looks legit except for the tagline:  "Only You can Prevent Bears in Hats"    It's one of the many little details I put on the layout just to see if people are paying attention.   It's right above #5616 on the shot in the previous page, you can see Smokey on the billboard.

Dave, love the shot too.   Those phone wires add a lot, mental note.  And while you're not modeling Mt. Union, it sure feels like it.   I remember when US522 went in the middle of town instead of down the creek.

Davidgray, that overgrown tunnel mouth is just excellent.   I don't know why you stopped at the bridge though.   If you ever get a chance to find yourself (in the middle of nowhere) at Dundon, WV on the ex-B&O, check out the through truss bridge that's turned into a giant Chia Pet with Kudzu growing all over it.   http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3220/2877799964_7edab15a71_z.jpg

[Smike]

Another week of lot of great work. This thread is THE reason I come here....

Not much this week, but hammed the roof on the NHIR Box. Its a bit overdone in terms of the what one of these boxes looks like now, but this is a practice car so I wanted to see how far I could take it. Really liking the oil paints. Hammered this with dabbing oils of various colors on with a makeup sponge, then some chalks, then the next day dabbed the crap out it with a cut off stubby brush  wetted in mineral spirits to remove some of the oils and reveal the base coat. Some of the silver came off too, but not worried, as I know for next time to make sure that the base layer is thick and sealed well before doing this.

The contrast on these images is a bit over baked, (camera phone) its a bit more subtle in person.



BLMA trucks just for effect...
 

[peteski]

Mike, that weathering is friggin' amazing!  I don't think I could ever do it as good (even with step by step instructions).  it really takes a talent to be able to make the weathering look so realistic.

[ednadolski]

The contrast on these images is a bit over baked, (camera phone) its a bit more subtle in person.

Mike, that's one impressive roof!   Nice variations in tone and texture, while keeping it all in scale.  Well Done!   

Ed

[Dave Schneider]

Looks great Smike. You might want to consider filing off the sprue mark on the roof. 
Your wonderful job of weathering really pulls it out.

Best wishes, Dave