Weekend Update 10/15/17

[MEP]

I am not sure they're still available...I ordered these about 4 weeks ago (I was alerted to them by KatoUSA's Facebook post...
I tried to order 2 more sets about a week ago and could no longer find them listed under 'online store' (where I had originally seen them)

The detail set is showing as sold out, but it can still be viewed at: http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148&products_id=1784

I had been looking to get a few sets myself but it seems I waited too long!

[squirrelhunter]

Dang, I bought a set of those Kobo parts last year before they pulled them off the store back them. I hoped to catch a set when they put them back up for sale eventually but I guessed I missed them...they are really nice. I kind of wish Kato would run these again.

[OldEastRR]

Maybe when they re-run the COLA (they HAVE to someday) they'll also have new E units and Kobo-ized ones and then those spare parts.

[arbomambo]

Maybe when they re-run the COLA (they HAVE to someday) they'll also have new E units and Kobo-ized ones and then those spare parts.

I hope they re-do the parts regardless...they don't apply to the COLA (actually, the snowshields do), as they are parts that only exist, apart from the snowshields, on the modern UP E units in the heritage fleet.
We, more than likely, won't see a re-run of the COLA anytime real soon...however, a release of a very similar train, the City of Portland, should not be discounted.
 At one point, we had Sunrise Enterprises producing beautiful castings of these in white metal, and JnJ Trains producing these in PE...BLI also has them as part of their UP E8 release, although I can't imagine it is a simple affair to buy the parts separately. I haven't scoured the Shapeways site to ascertain if someone has drawn these, but it is an item that quite a few folks could use.

[mark dance]

I finished lighting the Nelson station model...and as always one thing leads to another (or two). 

To power the lights and LEDs I had planned on running a low voltage wall wart but found I had no easily available outlet under the layout to plug it in to.  As I hope to display the model at next May's RMMBC meet (all committee members must bring a model for display), I am using a 9V battery in a casing with on/off switch to go along with the model which can also be hidden in the foam behind the station on the layout.





Question: what do you get when you build a model which features large bay windows and lighting?  Answer: A model which needs interiors (argh).

After pondering this a bit, and after a brief email exchange with my friend Rene Gourley, I went with the same photo technique I used on the Pope & Talbot sawmill model from a couple of years back.  Quick google searches turned up interior photos from dispatcher and engineering offices and ticket windows.  Appropriately miniaturized these have turned out ok to my eyes.  I also have used some free standing details like crates for the express office wing and benches for the two waiting rooms (ladies' and gentlemens'!).  I will put in a couple of "desks" and "cabinets" (blocks of wood) and then call this unforeseen detailing step complete.















I only have a few small details to complete - flashing around the asphalt roof and the ventilation dormers - before I am stuck waiting on the new roof segments.  When these show up the massive shingling job will consume me for quite a while.

Have a great Sunday!

md

[wm3798]

A dreary Sunday means no work outside on the house.  So time to turn our attention to some nagging wiring issues that came about as a result of my impatient approach to such things. 



Pulled all the stuff off, and will remove the layout to the kitchen table to see how much I can get done before dinner's ready...

Lee

[squirrelhunter]

I hope they re-do the parts regardless...they don't apply to the COLA (actually, the snowshields do), as they are parts that only exist, apart from the snowshields, on the modern UP E units in the heritage fleet.
We, more than likely, won't see a re-run of the COLA anytime real soon...however, a release of a very similar train, the City of Portland, should not be discounted.
 At one point, we had Sunrise Enterprises producing beautiful castings of these in white metal, and JnJ Trains producing these in PE...BLI also has them as part of their UP E8 release, although I can't imagine it is a simple affair to buy the parts separately. I haven't scoured the Shapeways site to ascertain if someone has drawn these, but it is an item that quite a few folks could use.

Before the Kobo units came out I actually called BLI back probably in 2015 to ask if they sold the snowshields, or even had any UP detailed shells in stock for me to scavenge them from. They didnt seem to have any issue with selling me the parts but at the time they had neither the shields or the full shells in stock.

[ednadolski]

I finished lighting the Nelson station model...and as always one thing leads to another (or two). 

Wow, Fantastic model!   

Ed

[wcfn100]

One pet peeve of mine for my early EMD units is the bearings.  Both Kato and Atlas just do the one roller bearing which is pretty much in the minority for CGW units.  I got my first parts back from SW a couple weeks ago, here's the test shots.



I think my hand painting covered up some of the detail but I've already beefed up the drawing anyway.  Also, the the solid bearing drawing I made from a NW5 unit in Florida which turns out is slightly different than the one used on any CGW units so I've redone that as well.  I'm also probably going to etch some new sill steps as the Kato ones are just too much to take.

Some really nice fall weather has postponed much of this work the last few weeks (and looks like it will continue at least though this week).

Jason

[coosvalley]

  I'm also probably going to etch some new sill steps as the Kato ones are just too much to take.
Jason

I like the new journals , these are so needed in Nscale..FYI, Gold Medal Models makes etched steps for F units, and other cab units too, all on one set...

[wcfn100]

FYI, Gold Medal Models makes etched steps for F units, and other cab units too, all on one set...

Yeah, I have those but they are too thin at .2mm which just looks awkward with the thick plastic shell.  I tried doubling them up but it wasn't fun.  I'm looking at etching them from .4mm which is a little thick but will go good with the shell.

Jason

[GhengisKong]

Yeah, I have those but they are too thin at .2mm which just looks awkward with the thick plastic shell.  I tried doubling them up but it wasn't fun.  I'm looking at etching them from .4mm which is a little thick but will go good with the shell.

Jason

I hand paint my GMM E/F unit stirrups because of your described issue. I just add more paint until it looks right.

[wcfn100]

I hand paint my GMM E/F unit stirrups because of your described issue. I just add more paint until it looks right.

Thought about that but was concerned it would be too rounded because you'd need a fair amount of paint.  Do you have a pic?


Jason

[BCR 570]

My three MLW M-630 locomotives have returned home after a long absence.  Their TCS AMD4 decoders have been replaced with ESU LokSound Micro Select decoders and Star Micron speakers.  The decoders were purchased a few years ago but they accepted a firmware upgrade, Full Throttle feature, and ESU's latest sound file for the ALCO 251 16 cylinder engine recorded from an actual M-636.  The Nathan K5H horn and ALCO bronze bell are also improved.  While at the Chilliwack train show, Dave Mackinnon was able to update the decoder in C-630M No. 701 with the new sound file.  Here are M-630s Nos. 717, 708 and 710 at Septimus with C-630M No. 701 on the right:




This afternoon I will be starting on the final phase of track-laying with the commencement of work on Chetwynd Yard.  Ironically this was the first benchwork to be built and hung back in December 2005, but it will be the last to see track.  This view of the north end of the yard shows the future connection to the existing mainline to Fort St. John along the backdrop, and the branchline to Dawson Creek in the foreground.  The plexiglass template shows the approximate location of the 18" radius curve which will bring the main line into Chetwynd:




This view is looking north through the middle of the yard and shows some of the track materials assembled for the project:




This view is looking south toward the station and freight shed, with the mechanical shop and fuel storage tanks on the right.  The Canfor mill will go into the corner:




Hopefully I will be able to post some progress photographs next weekend.

Tim

[chuck geiger]

Lots of interesting armatures and plant/flower forms here in Southeast Alaska. These would be great for back fill pines, shot
brown or grey and then green. Growing around the Permanent Fund Dividend office.