Weekend Update 5/3/20

[tehachapifan]

Another great week of modeling! Wolf, that B unit came out AWESOME!!!

I've been channeling my inner DKS this week with another automated grade crossing using a Logic Rail Grade Crossing Pro, my own scratchbuilt cantilever signal along with 2 (modified) NJI gated signals. The gates are operated by a single Tortoise switch machine and the sound module is an older ITTC module...

Front of cantilever (yes, I need to repair top of ladder)...



West-facing side lights....



East-facing side lights....



Rear of cantilever....



Video of crossing in operation....

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[bnsfdash8]

I ran the RP-E4C shells on the printer yesterday. I'm pretty happy everything snapped together well the first time.

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[Cajonpassfan]

Dang, @tehachapifan, that’s awesome! Your inner DKS, eh?
Great job, and the sound is so prototypically annoying...😬
Otto K.

[mcjaco]

I've never been accused of being a good lawyer. 

I think it was @Dave V who pointed out that wiring in late model cars might include some product that attracts varmints.  Tasty.

DFF

When I handled Airport Liability Claims for Denver International Airport, about one in every five claims submitted to me was from rabbits chewing through wires in parked cars at the remote lots.  Apparently, Volkswagens and BMWs used wiring that was really quite tasty.  You can look it up on Google.  There were news reports about the problem back about fifteen years.  Probably still going on.

[DKS]

I think it was @Dave V who pointed out that wiring in late model cars might include some product that attracts varmints.  Tasty.

Not just cars. Within months of moving onto my property, squirrels had chewed through some of the wiring on my camper...

I've been channeling my inner DKS this week with another automated grade crossing using a Logic Rail Grade Crossing Pro, my own scratchbuilt cantilever signal along with 2 (modified) NJI gated signals. The gates are operated by a single Tortoise switch machine and the sound module is an older ITTC module...

Awesome job!

[C855B]

When I handled Airport Liability Claims for Denver International Airport, about one in every five claims submitted to me was from rabbits chewing through wires in parked cars at the remote lots.  Apparently, Volkswagens and BMWs used wiring that was really quite tasty.  You can look it up on Google.  There were news reports about the problem back about fifteen years.  Probably still going on.

Interesting. 15 years ago was about the time kangaroo rats (Dipodomys californicus) ate the wiring on my father's Buick. These central California varmints are notorious for this and you can't do anything about it because they are a protected species, now further endangered due to the big fires a few years ago.

[davefoxx]

When I handled Airport Liability Claims for Denver International Airport, about one in every five claims submitted to me was from rabbits chewing through wires in parked cars at the remote lots.  Apparently, Volkswagens and BMWs used wiring that was really quite tasty.  You can look it up on Google.  There were news reports about the problem back about fifteen years.  Probably still going on.

. . . and my wife's car is a 2008 Lincoln MKX, so it's twelve going on thirteen years old.

DFF

[Dave V]

My father has had problems with squirrels chewing through his wiring harness in the last two years in Lancaster, PA.  He was told that part of that is due to the fact that modern wiring insulation often contains soy.

[RockGp40]

I
Anyway, thusly called out by me, I went ahead and acquired some modern grain trailers from Shapeways, applied the requisite paint and decals, and then proceeded to retire a few of the major offenders -

-Mark

Working on the railroad, during the fall harvest, I am always amazed at the eclectic mix of grainers pulling in to the elevators. 1950's era stuff might be pushing it, but there are plenty of 70's trucks still earning their keep for a mere couple months out of the year.

[glakedylan]

I ran the RP-E4C shells on the printer yesterday. I'm pretty happy everything snapped together well the first time.

@bnsfdash8 might I inqiuire as to the source of the cabs for these locomotives?
looking really good.
thanks for sharing!


sincerely
Gary

[bnsfdash8]

@bnsfdash8 might I inqiuire as to the source of the cabs for these locomotives?
looking really good.
thanks for sharing!


sincerely
Gary

@glakedylan

The cabs are from the GP38 donor models. Atlas uses the same cab on the GP40s and SD35s as well.

[glakedylan]

@glakedylan
The cabs are from the GP38 donor models. Atlas uses the same cab on the GP40s and SD35s as well.

thanks, I appreciate the reply!


sincerely
Gary

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I ran the RP-E4C shells on the printer yesterday. I'm pretty happy everything snapped together well the first time.

(Attachment Link)

Very cool. Are you using a Photon now? I'd love to see a C32-8.

[bnsfdash8]

Very cool. Are you using a Photon now? I'd love to see a C32-8.

Yes, I've been using one for a little over a year now.

A C32 is on my long list of things I'd like to get designed.

[nkalanaga]

RockGp40:  "mere couple months out of the year."  is the key.  Why spend several year's profits for a new truck that is only needed for a short time, for short hauls, then sits most of the year.  The off season gives plenty of time for repairs and maintenance, so just keep using the same truck for as long as it can be kept road-legal.

Not too different from the attitude of railroads, at least until the last couple decades, when megamergers and quick-profit stockholders changed things.