Weekend Update 9/25/16

[bbussey]

Hope it can pull it.  Stupid Bachmann Light Mountains.

It's pulling more than the equivalent of the consist in the video.  No worries.

[mcjaco]

Glad to hear. They are gorgeous locos. Just wished they pulled.

[dougnelson]

Some more progress - reduced the size of the lavatory vents, added scribed lines on the roof, painted the interior, and added equalizer pads to the underbody.  Now ready for the paint shop.

[Mike C]

Glad to hear. They are gorgeous locos. Just wished they pulled.

They pull just fine if you put a very small piece of scotch tape on the top of the bearing block slot of the TT driver.  Just pull the drivers out add the tape and lay the drivers back in place . I've done this on the Berks too .

[up1950s]

They pull just fine if you put a very small piece of scotch tape on the top of the bearing block slot of the TT driver.  Just pull the drivers out add the tape and lay the drivers back in place . I've done this on the Berks too .

Got this info from Craig at NTRAK today . I haven't tried it yet but these thicker TT's improve the Bachmann Mountains greatly . http://www.lovetrainhobbies.com/Model-railroad-N-scale-traction-tires-large-medium-small-steam-diesel-lovetrain.html

Light mountain up a 2% grade video

[UP4-8-8-4]

Kitchen table workbench this weekend.

Got started on my Con-Cor J3a NYC Hudson conversion.
Using one of my Pecos River Brass Niagara tenders placed behind it for inspiration !



From there took one of my resin cast PT tender shells made off the brass one and converted a Athearn Centipede chassis to fit it.




Also finally started on my Shapeways NH EP-5 since I finally received my Dapol Class 58.
This one most likely will be the easiest conversion I have ever done.
This Class 58 engine has some decent weight, so should be a great puller.

[draskouasshat]

My work weeks are Tuesday to Tuesday so my weekend work ended today with a little more work on summit.
The layout is a semi-permanent modular design as we plan on selling this house in a few years. The helix on the east end of summit (to the right) will go down to a return loop and staging as the east west mains are all one giant loop.

Adam Draskovich [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[jmarley76]

I got my 2 samples of my dual control stand cabs today from shapeways. I need to make a few tweaks to the design but all in all I'm very pleased with how they turned out and things fitted together like I designed them too.

That's pretty cool! Nice work! 

[OldEastRR]

Some more progress - reduced the size of the lavatory vents, added scribed lines on the roof, painted the interior, and added equalizer pads to the underbody.  Now ready for the paint shop.

So what's the plan for those high seats? Are you removing the Lima weight?

[mcjaco]

Got this info from Craig at NTRAK today . I haven't tried it yet but these thicker TT's improve the Bachmann Mountains greatly . http://www.lovetrainhobbies.com/Model-railroad-N-scale-traction-tires-large-medium-small-steam-diesel-lovetrain.html

Light mountain up a 2% grade video

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I can assure you, that that fix has been attempted.  Did not work.  I have Chulvis as a witness!  I tore mine down multiple times and tried this, among Bullfrog Snot.....and nothing.  I've given up on it.

[dougnelson]

So what's the plan for those high seats? Are you removing the Lima weight?

Yes, the interior insert is riding too high in this photo.  I will secure it after the windows are added and the arm rests will be well below the windows.  There is a center screw securing the roof, and the interior may have been binding on the screw.  The interior insert has also now been painted.

[dougnelson]

My work weeks are Tuesday to Tuesday so my weekend work ended today with a little more work on summit.
The layout is a semi-permanent modular design as we plan on selling this house in a few years. The helix on the east end of summit (to the right) will go down to a return loop and staging as the east west mains are all one giant loop.

Adam Draskovich (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Adam-  looks like a great start.  If it is not too late, I have one constructive comment about the track geometry.  The one curve in the middle of the layout that connects two tangent segments seems problematic to me.  RR engineers avoid sharp curves adjacent to tangents by using transition curves (larger radius curve) to enter full curves.  This has the effect of easing lateral forces and produces smoother sweeping curves.  In a model railroad, this will have the effect of allowing trains to negotiate curves more smoothly and look more realistic.  If you have the room, I would reduce the lengths of the tangent sections and have a longer, more sweeping curve between them.

[up1950s]

I can assure you, that that fix has been attempted.  Did not work.  I have Chulvis as a witness!  I tore mine down multiple times and tried this, among Bullfrog Snot.....and nothing.  I've given up on it.

Thanks , saved me time and money .

[superchief]

looking good Adam!!!!! I see track, WOW, let me know when we are running trains. but you got to get that funky yellow stuff off the layout!! Gordon, Santa Fe-All the way

[Cajonpassfan]

Adam-  looks like a great start.  If it is not too late, I have one constructive comment about the track geometry.  The one curve in the middle of the layout that connects two tangent segments seems problematic to me.  RR engineers avoid sharp curves adjacent to tangents by using transition curves (larger radius curve) to enter full curves.  This has the effect of easing lateral forces and produces smoother sweeping curves.  In a model railroad, this will have the effect of allowing trains to negotiate curves more smoothly and look more realistic.  If you have the room, I would reduce the lengths of the tangent sections and have a longer, more sweeping curve between them.

Doug, permit me to have a little fun here. What do you think this is, the Pennsy?
(But I do see what you mean)

When Fred Peris laid out these curves in 1886 for the California Southern, they seemed good enough. Only about 90 years later did the Santa Fe fix it, at a great cost, see pics. Those of us attempting to model the pass find such engineering faux pas endearing...and worth modeling (as long as our equipment works reliably).

Otto K.