Weekend Update 3/25/18

[jmlaboda - RIP]

I got one of the atsfnscalemodels (.com) N scale ATSF class TK-G tank car kits.

Wow... didn't know these were finally out.  Will have to check into it...

[Cajonpassfan]

I really took my time.    It took as much time to find photos & research online as it did to assemble it, because the instructions have no links or pictures.   I had a couple good shots in "ATSF Color Guide to Passenger & Freight Equipment" to show where stuff went or I would have been a little lost.   I got the tank on the frame crooked the first attempt and had to do that over, but it was pretty much of a 3-evening project; one night to do the frame, mount the couplers, lower half; then an evening messing with the tank bottom and tank assembly, then today finishing it up.

Thanks Randy, appreciated!
Otto

[cbroughton67]

I finally finished installing DDC / Sound / Keep Alive and an LED headlight in my Precision Scale K4, and finished it off with weathering and a partial coal load in the tender. This is the one I remotored with a Maxon coreless motor a few weeks ago. Pretty happy with how it finally turned out.

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[Cajonpassfan]

Nice
Otto K.

[bbussey]

It's been slow-going, but I'm making progress on the EP-3.  Finished construction on the drive train, including the pilot porch detail.  It's ready for paint.

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Hi Randy, Otto and others,

Thanks for your comments!

On the website www.atsfnscalemodels.com under CURRENT PROJECTS you can find several pictures of the unpainted models (topside and underside), together with the building instructions.
Click on these pictures to enlarge.
Under PICTURES you can find pictures of painted models.
You can enlarge these as well.
I thought it would be better to show the pictures on the computer/website only because of the possibility to see better detail (enlarge) than on paper..... but I forgot to write directions in the paper instructions to go there......
Running a "shop" like this is a learning process!

Picture looks good and hopefully the website answers your remaining questions.

Regards, Dirk

[Brian M]

It's been slow-going, but I'm making progress on the EP-3.  Finished construction on the drive train, including the pilot porch detail.  It's ready for paint.

Bryan,
Looking good. You started the drive train with GG-1 parts, right? Looking forward to seeing the completed model.

-Brian.

[mmagliaro]

I can't believe how much better this looks than the stock Precision K4.  Are those even the same drivers?
The whole thing just looks so much more delicate and fine.  That's really nice!

I finally finished installing DDC / Sound / Keep Alive and an LED headlight in my Precision Scale K4, and finished it off with weathering and a partial coal load in the tender. This is the one I remotored with a Maxon coreless motor a few weeks ago. Pretty happy with how it finally turned out.

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[nickelplate759]

Home built electronics?  Absolutely not!  Ship it or do without. Do not carry it with you. Both it and you might be detained. In either direction. The 060 should be ok, but pack it in such a away that you can safely show it to both TSA and customs in both directions.


Umm... Some how this ended up here and not where I intended it,  my comment is about Max bringing his throttle on an airplane.

[bbussey]

Bryan,
Looking good. You started the drive train with GG-1 parts, right? Looking forward to seeing the completed model.

Brian,
Yes, started with Kato GG1 components — wheels, truck gear tower and universals, pilot trucks, and pilot truck spring.  Everything else in the photo is scratchbuilt.  The Kato GG1 motor is in a decoder-equipped 3D-printed metal split frame mechanism fitted with Kato GG1 copper spring pickup strips, and insulated/connected with Atlas RS3 plastic spacers/nuts.  The pantographs and insulators will be the Arnold version used on their GG1 and other models.  The bells will be Bachmann from one of their steamers, don't remember which.  Everything else other than the couplers, electronic components, screws and nuts will be scratchbuilt.

[nkalanaga]

Bryan:  Isn't amazing, and disappointing, that those ancient Arnold pantographs are still among the best in N scale, especially if one wants live overhead?

[peteski]

Bryan:  Isn't amazing, and disappointing, that those ancient Arnold pantographs are still among the best in N scale, especially if one wants live overhead?

Those pantographs are still used on some of the current releases of European locomotives.  As I understand Arnold didn't make them but bought them from a company that specializes in model pantographs. I say that because Minitrix and Fleischmann models if European prototypes used identical pantographs.  I think the company that makes them is Sommerfeldt, and yes those pantographs are well made.

[bbussey]

Yep, those pants hold up well a half-century after they first appeared.  There actually are two different designs, both of which are still manufactured.  I combine the pickup shoes from the original design with the remaining pant structure from the second design.  The nickel-plated pickup shoes are finer on the original, but the pant structure is all wire.  The later design has copper shoes that have more bulk, but the lower pant structure is stamped folded metal and employs two springs instead of one - better appearance and functionality.  It's fairly easy to swap out the pickup shoes without disengaging the springs.  Also, the current red plastic "insulator" cradle that is sandwiched between the pant and body is superior to the original designs from 50 years ago.  I don't know which design is the Sommerfeldt one, but I'm happy to be able to get them without having to scrounge up the ancient Arnold models.

As an aside, the latest Bachmann G pants are outstanding, but too large for the EP-3.  New Haven didn't employ the larger GG1-style pants until the EF-3, EP-4 and EP-5. The Arnold pants are very very slightly undersized for the EP-3 but not to the point where it is noticeable.  They will reach the catenary.