Weekend Update 2/24/19

[altohorn25]

Since my NC&StL caboose wasn't quite up to snuff, let's try these.  I spent this morning putting wood decks on these MT flat cars.  I still need to india ink the decks and weather the bodies of the cars.  I replaced the plastic wheels with the newer MT metal wheels; this is the first time I've used them (I'd prefer the FVM ones, but they're out of production at the moment).  So far, they are running well.

These will eventually hold the re-release of the WOT Allis-Chalmers crawlers.  I got 5 crawlers and 5 of the ones with the dozer blades.  The last photo is from the previous release, but I wanted you guys to see what the project will look like when done.  The blocking is prototypical; a buddy of mine found the loading diagrams for these in his research for another project.

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[BCR 570]

What’s Budd Wiser doing all the way up North? Field trip?

It was used for a special run during the PGE-BCR Modellers visit in November:




It is waiting for an op session to return south.  Not much has moved on the layout since November due to health issues in December and preoccupation with model building since then.  The layout needs a thorough clean and an op session before getting going again.


Tim

[CRL]

Since my NC&StL caboose wasn't quite up to snuff, let's try these.  I spent this morning putting wood decks on these MT flat cars.  I still need to india ink the decks and weather the bodies of the cars.  I replaced the plastic wheels with the newer MT metal wheels; this is the first time I've used them (I'd prefer the FVM ones, but they're out of production at the moment).  So far, they are running well.

These will eventually hold the re-release of the WOT Allis-Chalmers crawlers.  I got 5 crawlers and 5 of the ones with the dozer blades.  The last photo is from the previous release, but I wanted you guys to see what the project will look like when done.  The blocking is prototypical; a buddy of mine found the loading diagrams for these in his research for another project.

(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Mix up some ‘sweet & sour’ to weather those wood decks. Put a pad of super fine steel wool in a exercise sized water bottle of cheap white vinegar and let the vinegar dissolve the steel wool. Apply to wood and let dry. Gives a wonderful gray to rust colored patina, depending on ratio of steel wool to vinegar.

[wm3798]

The Retro Layout finally has power for the Broadway Limited.
I had a Trix 2-10-0, but I always waned the K4.  After 40 years I finally have one.  She needs a little more weight on the drivers to maintain better contact, but otherwise is in excellent shape.   
Working on fleshing out the consist next.

[johnb]

I'm pretty close to finishing the Carpenter Paper Company for Missoula.  This was an experimental project using the Silhouette cutter.  Still a few details to add.

That is a great model, what are you using for your brick material?

[Mark W]

Never cease to be amazed at what the Photon is able to print!


https://i.imgur.com/J1NhSfb.jpg

[nkalanaga]

If your ballast is "pouring into the ditches", rather than staying on the sides of the roadbed, the sides could be too steep.  Any granular material has a maximum "angle of repose", and if it's poured, it will naturally spread until the slope is less than that.  It may be possible to get it steeper, temporarily, by being very carefully, but any vibration will cause the slope to collapse.

This is a nuisance to modelers, but a major safety issue anyplace sand, gravel, rocks, grain, etc are piled.   

[Jbub]

Never cease to be amazed at what the Photon is able to print!


https://i.imgur.com/J1NhSfb.jpg

I've thought about getting one to do figures and small details like this. One could definitely recoup the cost if you're willing to to do some micro painting

[hegstad1]

That is a great model, what are you using for your brick material?

Thank you, I used N Scale Architect sheet.

[hegstad1]

Looks fantastic! Need a how to.

Thanks.  I have another project started.  I'll Start something in the scratch-building forum.

Edit.  Here is a link to the thread. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46526.msg608539#msg608539

[altohorn25]

Got the first coat of black wash on the flatcar decks.  I may try that steel wool idea that someone suggested as well

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[Dave V]

February layout update:

[nkalanaga]

A while back there was a brief exchange about building NP double-door exterior post boxcars.  Opinions differed on whether the old MRC/Con-Cor "X58", from the early days of N scale, or the new ESM X-58, with its nicer detail, would be the better starting point.  The concensus seemed to be that the CC car's rectangular panel roof was closer to the prototypes PS-1 roof.

Needing more NP cars, and not being the type to spend months scratchbuilding one car, I tried both options.  While not up to the standards of some of the other posts, they'll serve nicely as "runners". 

The NP built these cars in multiple lots, but two basic groups, early 1960s and late 1960s.  The early cars were plain XMs, no special equipment.  The MRC/CC car is probably best for the early cars, not only for the roof, but because it's a lot cheaper.  With two MT 7.5 foot doors, here's the result. I built three, two NP and a BN, and have parts for at least two more, if I want to build them.  The old CC cars aren't hard to find at train shows.


The late group has 16 foot door openings, with two 8 foot doors, "Miller Ply-Pak" load restraints, and a cushion underframe, with an AAR code of XP.  The 8 foot doors are a problem in N scale, as the only such doors I know of are in the Atlas undecorated PS-1s.  Since it takes two PS-1s to provide four doors, that gets very expensive.  The BN put Superior doors on some of these cars, which helps, because I could also build a BN version from the same Atlas details.  The ESM car has a diagonal panel roof, but the CB&Q version also has low brakewheels, no roofwalk, and short ladders.  Moving the brakewheel on the CC car would be a BIG job, so I used the ESM car.  If someone makes an affordable kit for these, I'll consider buying more.  For now, two is all I can reasonably afford.   


Both cars are lettered with Micro-Scale decals, except for Highball ACI labels, and my custom Tichy reweigh data.  The 2107 is painted with Tamiya TS-33 Dull Red, while the 1354 is painted with Scalecoat "NP Dark Green". Both roofs are Krylon "Sterling Silver", heavily weathered.  Unlike many silver paints, the Krylon isn't a "metal flake" metallic, or a bright "chrome silver", and actually makes a good base for fresh aluminum or galvanized metal.

[bman]

Not much modeling this winter(I really need to move to a warmer climate ) for me aside from attempting to decal more PC H43's(you've seen one you've seen them all only the car numbers change). The local LHS is starting up a TTrak club to go along with the Gundam club and plastic kit modelers club. They asked if I would be willing to get on board and help out. After a couple of shots of Jim Beam I figured why not? We spent yesterday cutting and assembling at the shop. Here's my triple in progress. The top still needs attached to square it all up. Now I have to decide what to put on it scenery wise. Yet another distraction from working on my plywood central home layout .

[diezmon]

I got my airbrushing issues worked out, so onto more GN Gopher work.   Painting, handrails(with a few flying of into the abyss), decals. 
 
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