The Western Maryland in Free-moN Modules

[Cajonpassfan]

Fantastic work, and so much of it, wow. That tender looks wonderful uncooperative decals notwithstanding.
As to the FA lighted numberboards, what are they again? Maybe a typo snuck in? They do look great.
Keep the pics coming,
Otto

[PiperguyUMD]

@Cajonpassfan The decals are a really great idea. It's a two part process. First a number board decal goes in place with either white or clear spots for each individual number, then white numbers are printed on black blanks that cover the clear spot of the first decal. This way, you see a white number when the lights are off, but a warm glow from the number when they're on. So simple, I wish I'd come up with it. And to boot, its a high quality decal. Very easy to work with and a very nice finish quality.

http://www.shellscale.com/n105bl.htm

[PiperguyUMD]

Now that I'm committed to bring a module for the freemoN setup at the NSE in Nashville this summer, I better get building! I've not attended a FreemoN gathering before, so I wanted to go with something small and simple. I found some pictures of a cool truck dump tipple on the old C&P at a stop called Dawson. It was served by a short double ended siding - to boot, the truck dump was built on top of an old 55 ton U channel hopper. Perfect!!





I started by building up the frame. This is the first straight frame that I have built from the CNC cut frames I had made way back at the beginning of this thread. I cut out the openings in the plywood for tortoise switch machines. It came together smoothly, and I added foam and roadbed to the top. While I was at it, I added the cab bus and track bus wire.









Last fall I invested in a set of Fast Track Jigs and this weekend was my first attempt at hand laid turnouts. Theres somethings surprisingly satisfying about using these jigs. Hopefully my soldering job holds up. I was able to whip up a pair in a few hours, and then gave all track my usual weathering treatment (spray bomb of flat black paint, paint ties/rail, blend with weathering powders).







I capped off another project while I was waiting for something to dry - coal loads for my 66t hoppers.



Hoping to get a little more done tomorrow, I don't think we'll be going anywhere. 10" of snow has SC shut down!!

[Chris333]

Hell yeah.

[eja]

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Makes the lights look nice   

[PiperguyUMD]

Yes my Christmas lights are still up 

[packers#1]

Cool start! I love that truck dump; I might have to steal that whenever I build my Interstate layout. Looks like a great way to have spent a snow day; we went out playing, but I don’t think we got to 10” down here. Milo here loves catching snowballs! You should have plenty of time the next couple days, we shut down for 1” down here  fortunately I already had taken tomorrow off work

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Love that truck dump.

I'm really excited to see a coal loader that ISN'T a Walthers kit!

[basementcalling]

Damn, feed that dog.

[packers#1]

Damn, feed that dog.

He had a vet appointment last month and he’s got a clean bill of health and at an appropriate weight.

[wm3798]

I was snowed in at my Little House in the Big Hills


I'm looking forward to watching this build get underway.
Lee

[Frank Amato]

Great results on the switches @PiperguyUMD !

  Frank

[wm3798]

Are you 3-D printing the tie strips for the turnouts? 

[PiperguyUMD]

Nope, just used the laser cut deal they sell - I think they’re called quick sticks. Though 3D printing them isn’t a bad idea for when my stash runs out!

[wm3798]

I can't wait to see what you whip up for that other project we discussed elsewhere...