Weekend Update 3/30/14

[up1950s]

[RWCJr]

Imagine that the ground pounding of the steamer sure added to the thrill of the camera operator who was on that spindly scaffolding.
Robert

[Mark W]

Legs built, two new modules hooked up to the loop. 

[bnsfdash8]

Future NS RPC-4 #99.

[RSWController]

I converted a new Prairie Shadows bulkhead flat into a Indiana Harbor Belt car.  IHB bought a bunch of these second hand from BC Rail and converted them to haul plate steel.  It's not 100 percent correct as I used a DWP car but to me it's close enough.  Now I need to find a load of plate steel to place on it.

 

The Prairie Shadows model is almost too nice to fool with.  But it's a unique car on the IHB so it's an important model.

[rickb773]

Continuing to write scripts for operations. Numbers 2, 3, & 4 deal with the PRSL commuter service. Details and more photos can be found on my blog.

The PRSL had 12 RDCs (purchased in 1950 - 1951). Every summer they would borrow the lone Budd demo RDC to help handle the seashore traffic.


Besides the RDCS they still ran a lot of P70 heavyweights pulled by Baldwin road switchers (unfortionately none made in N scale). This photo also show one of the two surviving NZT fireplugs. The 3rd was lost (but probably found by the vacuum cleaner).

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Every summer they would borrow the lone Budd demo RDC to help handle the seashore traffic.

There were three "demos"... the RDC1 which you have modeled, an RDC3 (lettered as such only for Railroad Industry Trade Show n Atlantic City, and relettered when sent to its intended owner) and an RDC4, which was sold to the New Haven.

Love your blog by the way!!!

[primavw]

Future NS RPC-4 #99.

Cool project. Hard to believe with the size of tech these days NS needs a whole loco to carry and provide RC capabilities to another loco...

BTW did you ever finish up the Veterans' unit?

[bnsfdash8]

BTW did you ever finish up the Veterans' unit?

I did. I just need to clear coat it and weather it.

[eja]

The weather must be improving.  2:30 pm PDT on Sunday  and only 8 posting on The Weekend Update.  What are you folks doing ?   Going outside maybe ?

[Chris333]

2" of snow last night and now it's all melted. 

[conrail98]

I just got back from the Railway Prototype Modelers meet in Valley Forge/Malvern. Lots of good presentations Friday night, yesterday and this morning, an ops session during the day on Friday, and a couple of layouts to visits this afternoon before coming back home,

Phil

[Rich_S]

Cool project. Hard to believe with the size of tech these days NS needs a whole loco to carry and provide RC capabilities to another loco...

These were test beds for radio control. Originally they had dummy wheels (ie no traction motors) that is why the dynamic brake grids, and all the blower equipment was removed. The actual radio control equipment fits in the nose of the locomotive, they just needed a unit heavy enough to be coupled to another unit so it could be used in yard. It seems they found the better option is the 600 & 700 series road slugs, some of which have radio control. The 600 & 700 series have dynamic brakes and can lead on road trains, but at the same time can be used in radio control mode in yard service. Some of the newer rebuilt GP50 reclassified as RP-M4C and RP-E4C have the Admiral cab which allows enough room for PTC equipment. A very interesting subject for a locomotive kitbash. 

 

[CBQ Fan]

I just got back from Disney.  Enjoyed the trains there 

[seusscaboose]

I just got back from Disney.  Enjoyed the trains there 

But did you take the behind the scenes tour and see the shops?