Weekend Update 3/31/19

[JMaurer1]

... a 3D printed SP C40-3 cupola caboose on an Atlas 1st gen underframe (there's my retro contribution)...Assuming that the SP cabooses come out well, that will allow me to jettison the Traincat kits (I like working in wood or styrene , but brass kits drive me batty).

Thanks for the info. I've had a Traincat kit sitting waiting for me to start on it (already started and stalled on the chlorine car and SP cattle car). Just like you, I WANT to like brass kits but they drive me batty as well.

[Iain]

Normally I'd say that your RI BL2 on SP is a bit of a stretch, but you have to remember that SP was the only railroad I can think of (other than excursion railroads like the B&ML) that ever put a GE 70-tonner on a scheduled passenger train.   

See also:  Norfolk Southern


Atlantic and East Carolina ran 44 tonners as passenger power.

[SP-Wolf]

I shudder at that notion; those things are ugggleeey...but a great model by our friend the RI-Wolf

I'm making a bit more progress my LA Civic Center scene; mocked up the iconic City Hall, Federal Building/Post Office and Courthose buildings on the backdrop. It's harder than it seems, keeping things in proportion and elevated perspective. This is my third City Hall attempt, but I'm pretty happy with it and how the 3D to 2D transitions are working out. Still much to be done as I move on to Union Station and Postal Annex to the right. Pic below.

I also bit the bullet and finally started a Layout Engineering thread under ATSF Los Angeles Division, if anyone is interested in seeing more.
Otto K.

(Attachment Link)

Wow Otto, downtown is coming along wonderfully!!

Wolf

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Wolf, L.A. is a time eater😬
But a lot of fun, too, in that I can feel more free and loose and creative to freelance whereas the rest of the layout is more protobased. Fun, too, but more constraining...
You need to come over and run some trains!
Otto

[SP-Wolf]

Thanks Wolf, L.A. is a time eater😬
But a lot of fun, too, in that I can feel more free and loose and creative to freelance whereas the rest of the layout is more protobased. Fun, too, but more constraining...
You need to come over and run some trains!
Otto

Otto - Yes, I do. Let's nail down a date

Wolf

[OldEastRR]

Wondering why there's an ice reefer at a paint-making plant. Just a photo op?

[Cajonpassfan]

Wondering why there's an ice reefer at a paint-making plant. Just a photo op?

Yes, the cool color paints go in reefers, the warm ones in box cars...
Or maybe that paint plant is out of business and it's storing walnuts for now.
That's California for you😎
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, the cool color paints go in reefers, the warm ones in box cars...
Or maybe that paint plant is out of business and it's storing walnuts for now.
That's California for you😎
Otto K.

Kidding aside, during this time, PFE and SFRD offered substantial cost savings to shippers willing to use empty reefers returning West for clean, dry loads. They could get two or even three reefers for the price of one boxcar. So in  this instance, the reefer could have been spotted for unloading supplies at a paint company building.
Otto

[JMaurer1]

Uggg! Why did Bonanza Models do the modern C-40-3 without the roof walk, but then do the 'as built' C-40-3 with the stupid molded on roof walk?!! It doesn't look like it would be possible to remove it to put a nice roof walk on it. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

https://www.shapeways.com/product/FW59XR8N6/southern-pacific-c-40-3-caboose-as-built-n-scale?optionId=62605310

[C855B]

Kidding aside, during this time, PFE and SFRD offered substantial cost savings to shippers willing to use empty reefers returning West for clean, dry loads. They could get two or even three reefers for the price of one boxcar. So I this instance, the reefer could have been spotted for unloading supplies at a paint company building.

I liked your original response better, Otto. 

The other reason reefer re-loads were cheaper was decreased capacity versus boxcars of the same size due to ice bunkers.

Speaking of paint factories, remember that place in Pomona next to SP, a little east of the 57 overpass? They had a spur, so there are loose plans to model my recollection of it. The factory with several materials hoppers is long gone, so lacking an easy reference it'll have to be freelanced. Interestingly, the spur is still there serving some manner of warehouse. The model will obviously need "cool colors" and "warm colors" loading docks.

[RRRover]

I *may* have pix of the Pomona spur since I used to railfan out there in the 1980s.

[C855B]

I *may* have pix of the Pomona spur since I used to railfan out there in the 1980s.

Coolness! Please share! 

[brokemoto]

SP was the only railroad that ever put a GE 70-tonner on a scheduled passenger train.   

Was that the Desert Daylight that ran on SP's narrow gauge in Inyo County; the former Carson and Colorado?

[nkalanaga]

Depending on the season, an (un)iced reefer makes a great insulated boxcar.  Most paint doesn't take well to freezing.

[peteski]

Most paint doesn't take well to freezing.

Yes, water-based paints. Like acrylic/latex paints.  Old-school stinky organic solvent based paints can be stored in below-freezing temperatures.