Weekend Update 10/8/17

[mark dance]

Great structures and modelling this weekend.  I was able to finish the rough topography of the east bank of the Thompson Canyon and mount fascia.

2017-10-07 13.15.53 by Scott L, on Flickr

looking awesome Scott...the colouring and waves in the muddy Fraser in the foreground look especially cool.  What are your scenery plans for the far right end of the Thompson Canyon scene might I ask?

md

[Scottl]

Thanks Mark.  For the far right side, I'm going to do some faster moving water and bouldery river bed, and try to represent the cool sediment sections.  Something like this:

http://railpictures.net/photo/622623/

I'm not sure there is space for the CP line here, even cosmetically. 

[mark dance]

Thanks Mark.  For the far right side, I'm going to do some faster moving water and bouldery river bed, and try to represent the cool sediment sections.  Something like this:

http://railpictures.net/photo/622623/

I'm not sure there is space for the CP line here, even cosmetically.

nice pinky/orange colour in the earth there...

md

[fcnrwy23]

As well as finishing up my last MOW project, I also completed a car that I have had sitting around for too long.

I added my third, Heavy-Duty Flatcar to the GGX family..
Pictured below is the first completed Drop-Deck car, the 6-axle GGX 70 and the most recent  8-axle GGX 72.



The main bodies ALL started from Bachmann's drop deck flatcars with the first and second, being done with only truck changes. GGX 70, having a pair of (MicroTrains) Commonweath 3-axle trucks, GGX 71 having a pair of (Microtrains) Barber 2-axle trucks.  While the GGX 72, got a subframe and End Platforms (made from styrene stock) added to allow for the use of (4) pairs of Barber trucks.. All painted in standard, GGX BLUE!.

I see that now, I will have to go back and update, the 70 and 71 with the post-2005 "Safety Stripes"...

Jerry G.

[chessie system fan]

Great stuff this week, everyone.  The first bands from Nate started to hit Mobile about an hour ago.  So far it hasn't been bad.  I'll be at work through it all so no modeling for me this weekend.

I've been working recently on a project I've had in mind for years.  I have never been happy with any EMD fuel tanks I've seen in N.  The only ones with remotely the correct profile I've seen are the Atlas MP15 and the Kato SD40/40-2 (and the Kato tank is too shallow).  Everything else is various shades of "bad" to "really bad."   This may be overkill, but I decided I was fed up with them all and would scratchbuild new ones, starting with a standard 4000 gal. version for geeps.  Later I'll do a 5000 gal. version for SD40/40-2/50's and maybe a smaller version at some point. 

I drew the tank profile on my computer, exported it to my silhouette machine and cut out a bunch of tank profiles on .010" styrene sheet.  Next, I snapped the shapes out, sanded then a little and then welded then all together to get the correct length.  A little body putty and sanding later and I had a core.  I wrapped it in several layers of thick packaging tape--the only thing that wrapped well--to get a smooth outside surface.  (Styrene didn't work.)  I cast that to make a first master, pictured below.



I think I'm going to toss this particular casting and use another (there was a large air bubble on the far end).  I still need to add details, and hollow out the middle, of course, and cast that.  The locomotive mechanisms will need some milling now too, but it will be worth it.

And while I had the casting supplies out, I made more early GP40-2 shells that the fuel tanks will go under.

[BCR 570]

I took the 3D parts for my Climax and Donkey boilers out of the soup last night, along with some parts for Gary.  Here are the boilers:






Lots of nice detail (particularly the stays on the Climax firebox and the appliances on the Donkey) but also some sanding to do.


Tim

[johnb]

[Mark W]

Finished up track work on the yard lead extension and West O Street modules.  Decided to set them up and do some operational testing, but the only place with enough space is the living room.
Girlfriend was not too impressed.

(No, not an N-Trak Adapter, three tracks lead into West Hobson Yard.)


But I also get to show off my latest wall hanging.  Her mother cross-stitched this for me!

[MK]

I like that cross stitching!  Frame it!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Finished up track work on the yard lead extension and West O Street modules.  Decided to set them up and do some operational testing, but the only place with enough space is the living room.
Girlfriend was not too impressed.

That is clearly a "I'm dating such a dork" smile, and not a "I can't believe I married such a dork" frown.
The difference is YUGE.

[arbomambo]

Now that we've gotten past Hurricane/TS Nate with minor impact to our home (we're situated on one of the very few bluffs along this part of the upper Gulf Coast, overlooking Mobile Bay, at 245' above sea level-we received VERY little rain and wind compared to the communities located just east and west of us-hoping Phillip and the others fared as well...), I'm back to the desk, finishing this round of structures for future T-TRAK modules...along with the two Showcase Miniatures 'route 66' kits, I've been also building the Red River Models 'Tower 55'...a very nicely engineered laser cut  MDF kit...just a few details need to be added, then I'll glue the roof to the simulated rafters, paint and lightly weather. (I can't wait to get started on the Red River Models Albuquerque Depot...and I understand He's also working on a San Bernandino Depot!!!!!)
~Bruce

[Philip H]

As noted elsewhere the Pass is fine. Lots of small branches were picked up but the most arduous thing I've had to do so far clean up wise was takes the plywood off the windows up front. My wife and older kids are walking the. Each so I expect many nifty reports when they come back

[SP-Wolf]

The GP-9 back date project is done. They ready for service:

From:


To:


Thanks,
Wolf

[tehachapifan]

I thought the backdating might involve un-stacking the flank lettering. Nice work!

[dougnelson]

Completed a PRR business car (#7504 Quaker City).  It started with a MTL undec heavyweight oberservation.  I swapped out the roof for the MTL business car roof (round roof).  I added vents and antenna to the roof, modified the windows slightly, added ice AC bunkers (PRR Parts) and also swapped out the trucks for PRR trucks.  Painted the interior and modified some of the walls to add the car-wide conference room and added Venetian blinds and lavatory etched glass windows.  Decals and light weathering completed the car.