Weekend Update 6/23/13

[flight2000]

That's it, I need a good German beer after these two kicked my butt for the last month.    

I'm done kitbashing (for now), but I know that won't last long because I have a BC Rail C630M and C425 project to start working on next.  I hope those go easier than these two did. 

WSOR 4490 - Kitbashed GP9RM (from an Atlas GP9)


WSOR 4493 - Kitbashed GP9E (from an Atlas GP9)


Oh and I managed to finish this little guy - thanks DKS for the awesome kits!!


Brian

[flight2000]

Forgot, I finished weathering these up on Saturday morning.  Family is on vacation without me (don't ask), so I had plenty of free time this week... 

The dynamic duo was also detailed with everything I could throw at it, (well, almost everything...). I also used primer on the top of the long hood to replicate the primer color after a turbo failure cooked the paint. UP replaced it, just didn't repaint it into the CNW green.





The CEFX unit got some of the more basic details added.



Brian

[HuskerN]

no finished model yet, but just placed an order with Shapeways.   My newest model is a Cornhusker 800 dump box and pup trailer.  Using my existing Kenworth T800 as the base truck.  I'll put more info on my blog once they arrive.

HuskerN
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict
www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

[davidgray1974]

Been a long time since I've done an update, so I finally was able to take some time this week and break out the airbrush and sculpt-a-mold.  Some additions since my last update are:

The road leading to the coal mine.  Used smooth it for the first time, and was a lot easier to use than I thought.  Will still need to add a little more to lead up to the bridge slightly and will eventually paint it.  Also started adding ballast to track that is secured.  The few pieces of track that are not secured are located near bridges so they can be temporarily removed.


Also got a little crazy with the sculpt-a-mold and decided to add an rock edge to the front of the layout.  I apologize in advance for the multiple pictures from different angles, but I wanted you to get an idea of what it looks like.  Not sure if I should just cut it out and use rubber rocks instead, or if you guys think this would stand for a believable scene.  If it looks hokey or not realistic, please let me know.














As always, thanks for looking!

David

[bc6]

The first paint job didnt come out so good, and yeah thats a second MoW truck. I revived a loco that I tried to install a decoder in a while ago, so I added another loco to the roster today.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My weekend railroad stuff consisted of some railfanning yesterday (saw lots of rail, few trains), and working on packing up and cataloging my rolling stock collection (to clean up the space to receive the incoming layout section).

I'm using a Google Doc, and snapping basic photos with my phone.

It's not a foolproof system, but it keeps it safe in case something happens to the house (which my recent flood in the basement reminded me can happen).

I figure having an accurate roster will help me make sure that, in case something does happen to it all, that I can replace it. Of course, it also reminds me how much I've spent on this stuff over the years...

[BCR 570]

cataloging my rolling stock collection

Are you using any particular program?  This is something I should proably do at some point.


Tim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Are you using any particular program?  This is something I should proably do at some point.


Tim

Just a Google Doc. PM me your email address and I'll share it with you, if you want to see the structure.

There are some real advantages to using one of these for it. Primarily instant access from anywhere on my phone (VERY helpful for hobby shop and train show shopping) and built in off-site backup.

[Ike the BN Freak]

With the google doc, wonder how hard it would be to import an excel database to it, or the info from it at least.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

From Excel? It's as easy as clicking a button. Check it out: https://drive.google.com/

I've been a big fan of them over the years. They've gotten slightly less usable as time's progressed (and Google moved it from Docs to Drive), but it's still a MAJOR productivity booster in my world (when working with data that I'm not overly concerned about the confidentiality of).

[basementcalling]

Bracketology

Spent all day Saturday on the river fishing, so today was all trains when day dawned rainy and gray with enough humidity to choke a camel.

I found an upper deck support solution I like. I will use the pressed metal shelf brackets in a few places, but in most I designed a bracket from 1x2 stock that I like. The length can be cut to whatever I need. They remain shallow to keep upper deck benchwork thin. And they are 2 1/4 inches wide when assembled, giving plenty of room to act as a splice plate between plywood or foam sections of upper deck subroadbed.

Here's one in place over the lower deck plywood.



I did take a break from brackets to fiddle with a bit of scenic planning for a viaduct scene.  I really like how the canyon scene is shaping up. This shot shows the true height of the scene.  Not thrilled with how the ME towers look, and may have to consider other options for trestle bents and towers.



The upper deck in place with a place holder building just because I couldn't wait.



The support brackets have two attachment methods. Where I have stringers on the wall, I used an "L" shaped bracket and screwed one side into the stringer and used a metal right angle bracket on the other to add stiffness and support. Most of these areas will have foam as subroadbed. The Railwire page is always close by for reference when needed, and Pandora is playing Best of the 80s on another tab.



Here's the whole row of supports off the wall. Insuring they are level in two directions takes some careful solo work.



For brackets coming off the stud wall dividers, I used a "U" shaped bracket and 4 screws per side to lock things into place.



Here's one more shot of the brackets.



Maybe next weekend I can take shots of something besides dead trees.  I'm still trying to finalize an exact location for the freelanced railroad. Several options shared in a previous post above are still under consideration, and I am actively searching Bing.maps for other alternatives. Nothing feels completely right yet.

Peter

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I made a dummy version of the spreadsheet with some example cars. Folks can check it out here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aqrh0CfuS5FadGJTcS14QjdTNGpVOWdYajY5Vm1nYWc#gid=0

[BCR 570]

Thanks Ed - that gives me an idea of how to proceed.  I will need to add a column for origin ie. RTR, kit, kitbashed as many of my cars are not RTR.

Tim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks Ed - that gives me an idea of how to proceed.  I will need to add a column for origin ie. RTR, kit, kitbashed as many of my cars are not RTR.

Tim

Glad it helps! You can always just use the "Manufacturer" column and enter "My own blood sweat and tears".

[wazzou]

I made a dummy version of the spreadsheet with some example cars. Folks can check it out here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aqrh0CfuS5FadGJTcS14QjdTNGpVOWdYajY5Vm1nYWc#gid=0

Where do you put the photos?