Weekend Update 2/28/16

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Lowes. Their Val spar spray can called blindfold is dead on for grimy black.

This.
As a Grimy Black go-to guy, Blindfold is as close a substitute as I've found.
Rustoleum dark grey auto primer might be a bit darker & closer in color, but it's too thick for N scale detail.

It seems only some Lowes carries Blindfold, so if you don't see it on the shelf ask the paint dept. dude/tte directly.
They can either order it or tell you which other Lowes has it.
It's not automatically reordered & seems to shift around, so when I finally found some again I bought 'em all.
Stacked deep in the garage now.

[C855B]

You can go to lowes.com and enter "blindfold" in the search box... it goes right to it. Then by clicking on "Availability", you can find out if your local store carries it, and if not, what area stores have it.

It appears it's only stocked at the larger, newer Lowe's. The older small stores (like ours    ) have about half the slots in the spraypaint racks.

[jmarley76]

Decided to build some utility poles Friday.

[nkalanaga]

Model Master "Panzer Gray" seems to be a good Grimy Black for my purposes.

[Day One]

Finally got paint and decals on the whale bellies.

It's a GATX pressure slide hopper. They gained the name whale belly because of the unique shape of the body. They were mainly used to haul cement.

They're a resin and etched kit from Kaslo.

I've been looking for a few of these from Kaslo for a few years now. Would love to find a few of them! These look great!

[Lenny53]

First time I have run anything in many years, and my first time running a unit with sound.   

[basementcalling]

Let the executions begin?

[craigolio1]

Sorry, Craig, I forgot to grab photos of the decoder install prior to installing the shell. It was quite a chore getting everything stuffed and tucked so the shell would seat down properly, so I'm reluctant to pull it off until I really need to. If that happens any time soon, I'll be sure to grab some pics.

....Actually, the original unit has fewer wires to tuck as I did not add LEDs for the number boards, so I can more easily remove and reinstall the shell on that one. I'll see if I can get some pics of that unit tomorrow.

It's the LEDs in interested in seeing but certainly leave well enough alone. I hope you never have to open it.

Craig

[craigolio1]

First time I have run anything in many years, and my first time running a unit with sound.   

Nice!!!!!

[Puddington]

First time I have run anything in many years, and my first time running a unit with sound.   

Looking very Rapidoish..... 

Looks good!

Rapido Mike.....

[jmarley76]

Let the executions begin?

You spelled "electrocutions" wrong... 

but I haven't hooked the power lines yet, so they are still safe to climb. 

[BobRunty]

After a couple of setbacks I'm calling this one done. Got the Loksound Micro programmed and she's running good.



Also got started on R.I. 1269.  http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=132342



Bob

[basementcalling]

You spelled "electrocutions" wrong... 

but I haven't hooked the power lines yet, so they are still safe to climb. 

I crucified the language.

[MVW]

Temps neared 60 yesterday (not what we expect for February in Minnesota), so I opened a window and quick spray bombed some track and started playing with ballast for Cedricsburg yard.



I love the look of grout, but have been terrified of its permanency. So I used Woodland Scenic's fine cinders around the track, then sprinkled on grout but kept it away from the ties. If I should have to loosen a piece of flex, say to replace an adjacent turnout, I should (theoretically) be able to.

That's AR&M's "C&NW and Santa Fe mauve" on the main. Needs the final layer yet.

Jim

[Bobster]

Bob Runty,

Like the Rock GP.   Always good to see the Rock has not been forgotten.

Bobster