N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[Point353]

I didn't realize that Lee wanted to make it a 2-8-0.

That was merely my suggestion, not necessarily Lee's intention.

[wm3798]

I don't have any intention of converting it to a 2-8-0.  And while it would be nice to have an operable coupler up front, under the present operation it certainly isn't necessary. 
So let's stay focused on the lettering, shall we?

[glakedylan]

the white looks very good
but, the delux is also a fine look
i know that is not all that helpful
so...in the end i would go with the white


i enjoy following this thread


sincerely
Gary

[Philip H]

Copper plate or Engravers MT both in Dulux gold and both with a stripe. makes the LV look like its trying to outclass the big boys.

[wm3798]

I'm not as hung up on gold as I thought I would be.  My WM steam has gold with a splash of red, and I did my B&O Mike with gold lettering.  Eventually I will repaint my Trix K4 into DGLE and gold lettering. 
So I think just to set it apart, I will stick with white.

[CRL]

I think the white looks more “steamy” than the yellow.

[peteski]

I'm not as hung up on gold as I thought I would be.  My WM steam has gold with a splash of red, and I did my B&O Mike with gold lettering.  Eventually I will repaint my Trix K4 into DGLE and gold lettering. 
So I think just to set it apart, I will stick with white.

Do I smell a decal project coming?   

[wm3798]

Do I smell a decal project coming?   

I believe you do!  This time I'll try to keep everything "inside the lines"

I'm also going to include some steam era freight car lettering using the same font I choose for the lokies.  Afterall, we found this old relic grown over with ivy near the B&O interchange in Somerset. 



The boys down in the shop got her cleaned up pretty well, but there's a yard full of rusty old hoppers and a couple of composite gondolas that will need some polish, too!



Oh, and I'll need to do a bobber caboose or three, as well!

Gosh darn it if this hobby doesn't go from one rabbit hole to another!

Lee

[Point353]

I don't have any intention of converting it to a 2-8-0.

So, it's going to serve mainly as a switcher rather than as a road unit?

[wm3798]

It's going to be what it is.  A 50+ year old Rivarossi with a fragile frame that runs loops beautifully in one direction, and seizes up when reversed.  Not much of a switcher when it can't go backward. 
I've already taken it apart to the extent I care to when I replaced the motor.  I have no interest in tinkering with the zinc frame that extends out in a narrow band to hold the cylinder heads, which would have to be pulled in order to install the conversion kit.
It's not that I don't have confidence in my skills to perform the surgery, it's that I don't have confidence in the alloy the patient is composed of to survive the procedure.  I already have the carcasses of two of these engines that dissolved more or less in my hands during a simple cleaning and lube.

I don't run any sort of "operations" on my loopty loop layout, and I don't have a yard, and only a couple of sidings on the upper loop.  So yes, it's a "road unit" without a pilot truck, it lopes along just fine with about 8-10 cars, and I'll be thrilled for it to continue to do so for as long as it can.

For the sake of justification, I can argue that my railroad serves several quarries and a concentrated district of heavy industry at Latrobe.  As such, it would be sensible to roster a couple of heavy switchers to work those facilities.  From time to time, they may be called upon to move from one terminal to another, so an expedition on the high iron now and again isn't out of the question.  I also have a Rivarossi Mikado for full on road service, and can always count on borrowed power from the nearby PRR, B&O and Western Maryland if there's a pinch.

Which there never is, because I run loops on an old hollow door with 50 year old locomotives. 

JFRTM.

Lee

[wm3798]

Speaking of decals...
I have this little side project


I want to put some more suitable markings on the rolling stock, and rebuild the caboose into a flat top like this:



The rebuild should be pretty straightforward, but the lettering is proving to be more elusive.  There were some interesting post war paint schemes, like the one featured on this cover of B&O modelers:



Which I would like to replicate.  Going through my list of available fonts, there's a few "close but no cigars" but I'd like to be a little more accurate, despite my leaning toward laziness.

Anyway, just thought I'd float the balloon and see if anyone had any thoughts... 

Lee

[wm3798]

Thinking I should change the name of the layout to the Akron, Detroit, Huron and Duluth...  the ADHD Line...  last night I repaired my ConCor RDC, started mapping out the repower project on the Bachmann E60, and repaired a few ancient freight cars crying out for trucks and couplers.

Then today the Camden and Amboy conversion kit for the Trix 2-10-0 arrived in the mail from @Tom Todd today.

I have enough projects queued up to last the rest of the year.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this mind numbing experiment!

Lee

[Point353]

Thinking I should change the name of the layout to the Akron, Detroit, Huron and Duluth...  the ADHD Line... 

Annapolis, Dundalk, Hagerstown & Delaware?

[peteski]

. . . started mapping out the repower project on the Bachmann E60, . . .

My offer of sleeving those cracked nylon gears still stands.  Keeping it retro! 

[nkalanaga]

Lee:  I wonder if Clover House might have some dry transfers you could use?  They used to have a lot of old schemes, and as far as I know are still making them.