Weekend Update 10/22/17

[up1950s]

Corrected and beefed up the details on the EMD journals.



It's a bending tool for the fuel tank piping on some SW1200 with the large tanks.

I have no idea if it's going to work...

Jason

And if it fails it could be a heavy load for a flatcar .

[wcfn100]

I like all of this .....

I hoping to put in an order Monday or Tuesday.  If they look good, I'll open the journals up for sale.

Another project I worked on this weeks was to start the running board for the 19,000 gallon tank car.



This will be etched from .1mm and will need 4 layers to get to a near correct thickness.  Also on the sheet will be 38" disks to mount CGW Lucky Strike heralds to as I've been informed that the Atlas NE-5 cabooses will not have them.

I also recieved a new revision of the Atlas ore car TSC adaptors.  When I get some pictures, I'll update that thread.

Jason

[SP-Wolf]

The start of my next project. SP SD-9's. I am thinking of making one of each class. DF-120, DF-121, DF-122, DF-124 and DF125 (Haven't quite made up my mind yet)




Thanks,
Wolf

[C855B]

... I also recieved a new revision of the Atlas ore car TSC adaptors.  When I get some pictures, I'll update that thread.

Standing by!

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, What a great scene, as Jeff said it is fun to see a location you know well modeled. and for a double greyhound!!!!! maybe it never happened but it should had!!!!!!.......Now to had been roadside on hwy138 when that went by.........MMMMMMMMMMM  . Gordon

Lol, MMMMM, thanks Gordon!
Otto

[Santa Fe Guy]

Damn fine work this weekend. Nice train and scenery Otto. Even I recognize that spot.
Rod.

[davefoxx]

Golden Spike!  The double-tracking project is complete, with the exception of feeders and ties under some rail joints.  Trains are running!  This is the first double-track layout that I've had for more than thirty years.  Fun, fun, fun!





More on the Seaboard Central 3.0 thread in the Layout Engineering Forum.

DFF

[peteski]

No model trains for me since Wednesday.  Sorry Rick, your 2-8-8-2 was on hold for several days.
I took advantage of the incredibly nice, dry, and unseasonably warm weather to take care of some outdoor activities. First, I raked the pine needles in my yard. The pine trees have been dropping them like crazy this season - my lawn was totally covered with a golden-colored carpet of needles.  Then I finally got to a long overdue repair on my car.



I am replacing the right fender and the front bumper cover (the nose of the car).  They have been damaged several years ago. I bought and the replacement parts a while ago and had them painted - I just kept procrastinating with the installation.  This photo is after the old parts were removed. The car will be done by the end of the day tomorrow. The new fender is already installed. Since I have the nose of the car off I'm also planning on installing a pair of air-horns - the original wimpy-sounding horn just doesn't sound very authoritative. I need something that will get attention when I toot the horn!     I have to fabricate some custom brackets for the compressor and for the horns. That will take me some time. But the weather will again be sunny and in the 70s - perfect for outdoor work!

[davefoxx]

Since I have the nose of the car off I'm also planning on installing a pair of air-horns . . . .

Aw, go for at least three- if not five-chime horns. 

DFF

[C855B]

... I'm also planning on installing a pair of air-horns - the original wimpy-sounding horn just doesn't sound very authoritative. I need something that will get attention when I toot the horn! ...

I advise against the Italian-style trumpet horns with the compressor. I've installed these on half a dozen cars over 40 years and put up with the need to replace the compressor periodically. (No, I'm not horn-happy!) However, with recent car designs like your xB and our Elements, the little space under the hood forces mounting the horn in the spaces behind the front bumper. This is a problem - you then need to take the nose off just to replace the compressor. After the second compressor died on our 2003 Element, I just went with louder aftermarket scroll-type horns and called it done.

Our car project this week was a biggie. The box truck we used for schlepping layout supplies and N-Trak models for the club threw a rod after 125K. It was getting pretty ragged, anyway; these commercial trucks don't age well. Here it is being towed away by the dealership staff:



Its function is replaced by:



Not as much raw cubic feet, obviously, but it will handle 4x8 foam panels with room to spare. Also, I'm pretty sure everything we normally hauled for the club will fit easily, just won't be able to use a hand truck to load and unload inside.

[C855B]

Aw, go for at least three- if not five-chime horns. 

DFF

A three-chime will outweigh his Scion, Dave. It won't move a fiver.   

[BCR 570]

I am back to work on the layout after a summer hiatus to build some models.  This past week began with preparation of turnouts and assembly of ladders for the north half of Chetwynd Yard.  My plan is to assemble the various ladders so I can move them around to help determine the final track placement.  this first view is looking north with the turnouts for the north end of the west sidings and both ends of the east sidings assembled:




This second view is looking south toward the station and freight shed with the turnouts for the two shed tracks sitting in place.  The station and freight shed is the signature structure in town but its existence creates a problem in that the entire yard is forced toward the rear of the benchwork. This is less convenient for switching and uncoupling.  I have thought of two solutions:  one is to reduce the structure in half along its length and just include the half next to the tracks, and the other is to move the station out and mount it on a 2-3" addition to the front fascia.  Not sure which way to go yet, so I will be pondering that one for a while.




A few items of rolling stock also reached completion this weekend, including two chemical tank cars:




and a 45 foot dry van with side door for Caravan Trailer Rentals Ltd.:




This trailer was inspired by a Keith Hansen photograph recorded in 1974 which depicted a Caravan trailer at the BCR trailer ramp in Dawson Creek.  Here is my temporary recreation of that scene with the photograph against the backdrop at right.  The Alberta Wheat Pool elevator looms tall in the background:




Hopefully some more work on Chetwynd Yard tomorrow afternoon, along with more fun with my recently arrived M-630s . . . . .

Tim

[peteski]

I advise against the Italian-style trumpet horns with the compressor. I've installed these on half a dozen cars over 40 years and put up with the need to replace the compressor periodically. (No, I'm not horn-happy!)

Yeah, it will be an electric compressor with 2 trumpets.  Thanks for the warning. The compressor will be mounted on a custom-made bracket and bolted to a cross-rail right under the front edge of the hood (behind a fake grill between the headlights).  It will be very easily accessible without even removing the fake grill (which is held by 3 plastic pop-in fasteners.  So replacing it won't be a problem. That area also stays fairly dry and dirt-free. But it sounds like I should carry a spare (or at least buy one).  I measured the compressor motor's current and it sucks 18A at 12V.  That is some juice!   

Maybe I should just get an old-fashion A-ooga horn?  Like the ones used on early Fords.

[C855B]

... I measured the compressor motor's current and it sucks 18A at 12V.  That is some juice! ...

Yeah, that's the other thing, but I knew you'd be on top of that one. Easy enough to run a separate fused line from the battery with a relay. That's the other advantage of the scroll horns - they consume roughly the same as stock, so no need to roll your own higher-amp circuit. I'm getting lazy in my old age, I s'pose.

[Chris333]

No fenders for me yet.


It got cold a few nights so I did get to work on a HOn30 loco. Took the reduction from 17:1 to 58:1 used a Bachmann 2-6-0 coreless motor