Weekend Update 5/3/20

[bman]

Throttle linkage?  We don't need no stinking throttle linkage in a car - it is fly-by-wire now!  The computer can even modulate the throttle response to what it "thinks" will be the best.  Your foot on the pedal is merely a suggestion of what the engine will do.   

Remember, even your light bulbs are on the CAN bus!

And this is such a PITA since I use an adaptive device to drive. At times it is next to impossible to be nice and smooth while accelerating from a stop no matter how hard I think I am trying. And the new version in my 2017 vehicle is wired directy into all of that oh joy. The old way was simple and mechanical in my 2005. I felt more in control using the old way too. But that old school stuff was only $250 installed. The replaceement was $2200 installed. The change was due to the installation firms liability insurers not wanting to cover the installation of the mechanical control. So the industry was forced to develop the electonic version. 

[up1950s]

After the luck I've been having lately, I might welcome that:
1) Squirrel ate engine wiring harness in Wife's car while it sat during pandemic: approximately $2,500.00
2) New roof: More than $8,000.00
3) Possible broken water pipe in front yard from truck delivering shingles: $?.??

But, thankfully, my family is still healthy, so I shouldn't complain.

DFF

You did , and yes you should , damn ! What an expensive string of stuff all at once .

[Bill H]

Chris:
Excellent work, particularly like how you represented the "talus".

Kind regards,
Bill

[spookshow]

Got off my a$$ after not touching it for a while...

This sentence was headed in some very strange directions 

-Mark

[Ike the BN Freak]

After the luck I've been having lately, I might welcome that:
1) Squirrel ate engine wiring harness in Wife's car while it sat during pandemic: approximately $2,500.00
2) New roof: More than $8,000.00
3) Possible broken water pipe in front yard from truck delivering shingles: $?.??

But, thankfully, my family is still healthy, so I shouldn't complain.

DFF

Sounds like my summer last year, AC compressor went out ($7500 for a new system), was the start of summer, so day time temps were only in the low 100s, roof leaked so need to replace that($8500), and the hot water tank decided it wanted to blow too...all in all, was a nice expensive summer.

[Bryn]

Just a work in progress report. Atlas GP9 with a few MILW mods;

 - Winterization hatch fitted
 - Handrail chain removed
 - Single air horn fitted
 - True Scale coupler fitted on one end

The weathering has been a oil wash to fade the paint, pin wash to pick out doors and various layers grime on the under frame. Once it's finished I'll do a write up in it's own thread.

[DKS]

Captain's Log, supplemental. Completed a small campfire effect.

[delamaize]

Captain's Log, supplemental. Completed a small campfire effect.

I'm planning a Hobo camp in the woods on my N trak module. I flickering campfire would be awesome!!

[delamaize]

And this is such a PITA since I use an adaptive device to drive. At times it is next to impossible to be nice and smooth while accelerating from a stop no matter how hard I think I am trying. And the new version in my 2017 vehicle is wired directy into all of that oh joy. The old way was simple and mechanical in my 2005. I felt more in control using the old way too. But that old school stuff was only $250 installed. The replaceement was $2200 installed. The change was due to the installation firms liability insurers not wanting to cover the installation of the mechanical control. So the industry was forced to develop the electonic version. 

Years ago I had an idea for hand controls using a motorcycle handlebars that never really materialized, due to steering restrictions. BUT, I wonder, with new Drive by wire systems, If a twist throttle, with a brake handle like a motorcycle would be feasible, and any better than traditional systems? Hell, if it was designed right, it could almost require no modifications to the car, and just be plug and play.....Hmmm.....I may have to start working that idea again.....

[wm3798]

All this talk of dashboard lights, followed by DKS' wizardry makes me think about commissioning his next N scale lighting project....  A certain white Nissan Frontier, with a festive array of blinking warning lights that greets me every time I settle in to the cockpit...  An important detail will be the four different used tires on it.

Lee

[DKS]

I'm planning a Hobo camp in the woods on my N trak module. I flickering campfire would be awesome!!

A little mini-how-to: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49183.msg663302#msg663302

[PiperguyUMD]

I've been working on rock outcroppings on my Jack's Mountain module. I'm pretty happy with how the castings came out, and I even feel like I managed to arrange them in a pretty reasonable representation of what's on the real thing. However, coloring/staining them is not going well 





If any of you scenery gurus have any words of wisdom, I'm all ears.

[delamaize]

A little mini-how-to: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49183.msg663302#msg663302

Awesome, Thank you DKS!

[SP-Wolf]

SP 4700 is done and waiting for an SW8 or SW900 (Both of which are in the works)




Thanks,
Wolf

[Wardie]

Almost finished Maine Central 551 this weekend.