Weekend Update 7/12/20

[wazzou]

What was the prototype's purpose for these, assuming this is a rebuild?
How many were rebuilt to this class?
It seems odd that the roof height wasn't extended from end to end.

[ChristianJDavis1]

Of course, now I have to scare up another A and B unit to have a proper set...

Lee

I have another A unit, but no B units, if you are interested. Paint is in bad shape but the shell is okay, so I didn't bother posting it anywhere, but if you are going to strip it, then it doesn't really matter.

[ChristianJDavis1]

I modified a stock MT caboose to have a "close enough" Seaboard Air Line caboose to go along with some engines I had picked up recently. Changed the location of the smokestack, painted the roof and railings, weathered it, added windows, and added an interior (that you can't see anyway). The MT model has an extra window on each side and end, but I figured it was good enough for me (for now).

Went from this stock model:


To this slightly less-offensive model:


The "fuzz" has since been removed.

[sd45elect2000]

Cumberland Md ..

I remember that CSX put a few locomotives into the turntable pit, spilling fuel and causing a lot of damage. I’ll bet the ramp is for a large crane for extracting engines from the pit.

I have a few pictures of locomotives in that pit.

[LIRR]

Had the drone up for a photo of recently completed scenery....

[ncbqguy]

That is very nice!
Railroads are linear things and one doesn’t need to build much more “layout” than what is necessary to add a hint of context to the ROW.
Great job on the trees as well!
Charlie Vlk

[altohorn25]

Here's some of the new MT Santa Fe fast mail train cars mixed in with some of my other mail cars.  Yes, I know they are not prototypical, but I'm working on making them better stand in cars (adding bottom sill to the baggage cars, put MT Z scale 905's on them and moved the mounting hole back towards the center of the car about 1.5mm to close up the coupler space between cars, FVM 36" metal wheels).  I still need to weather the new cars, but it's a good start and they look good in the train.

The 3460 class 4-6-4 blue goose hudson is a kitbash:  the tender is by Dirk in the Netherlands ( https://www.atsfnscalemodels.com/index.html ), the engine shell is a heavily modified Con-Cor shell.  I did the shell modifications as well as the paint job (decals are Micro Scale).

[wm3798]

I have another A unit, but no B units, if you are interested. Paint is in bad shape but the shell is okay, so I didn't bother posting it anywhere, but if you are going to strip it, then it doesn't really matter.

If you haven't shipped that box yet...   I have a frame for a dummy A...  How does the A run?

[altohorn25]

Had the drone up for a photo of recently completed scenery....

Excellent work.

[bman]

Messing around with a paint scheme with Vallejo Model Air paints for a fictional modernish Zanesvile and Western Railway. Just an old LL caboose that I plan on running at train shows (someday when able) so not going to go crazy with details. Still need windows, body mounted couplers,  and maybe Microtrains caboose trucks. I plan on using Z scale decals from K4 Decals for Z&W gondolas for the locos. Just need to decide on a color for the locos. Here is info on the prototype if one is interested.  http://www.columbusrailroads.com/new/pdf/Z&W%20final.pdf

[]

[ai5629]

I have been working on my Conrail Intermodal fleet.  These are Athearn  owner / operator 40’ Fruehauf Z vans that I had custom decals made for six years ago.  I needed a less intense project to work on, and these fit the bill.  Eight  down, six more to go.  Thanks.

Jeff

[ai5629]

More Conrail freight car projects that I have finally sealed the decals on.  Two X65’s (266737 & 266783) three X58A’s (208375, 208316 & 208408) and one X58B (265969).  These are the Flagships of my boxcar fleet.  A lot of time was put into them, and I am very pleased with the results.  I have two more X65’s, one more X58A and three more X58B’s that the decals are still not completely snuggled down yet.  I hope to get them dull coated soon.  Thanks.

Jeff

[dougnelson]

What was the prototype's purpose for these, assuming this is a rebuild?
How many were rebuilt to this class?
It seems odd that the roof height wasn't extended from end to end.

690 PRR X31f boxcars were converted from X31 cars in 1940. They were created for shipping of automobiles and had “autoloaders” that raised the autos within the boxcar. The X31 was created for this purpose and the X31f increased interior height further, I assume to allow for larger autos. I believe cars with autoloaders could accommodate 4 cars.

I assume that by not extending the height to the car end saved them trouble and $$ from having to replace the car ladders. There may have been other safety regulations influencing the design.

Interestingly, when the first X31 cars were created in 1934, they were designed to the maximum clearance plate at that time. By 1940 the PRR must have improved clearances to allow for the increased height of the X31f.

[johnb]

The mail lady was good to me today. She delivered a package from N Scale kits containing a pair of Pacific Electric Hart Convertible Gondolas and a package from Washington State with a 1974 Kadee Pacific Electric boxcar!

Soon, it will be time to bust out the files and start building these. I plan to build one as a gondola and one as a hopper. I will have loose loads in them.

My entire Pacific Electric freight car roster, the second boxcar is the Kadee car.

[mu26aeh]

I have been working on my Conrail Intermodal fleet.  These are Athearn  owner / operator 40’ Fruehauf Z vans that I had custom decals made for six years ago.  I needed a less intense project to work on, and these fit the bill.  Eight  down, six more to go.  Thanks.

Jeff

I have been working on my Conrail Intermodal fleet.  These are Athearn  owner / operator 40’ Fruehauf Z vans that I had custom decals made for six years ago.  I needed a less intense project to work on, and these fit the bill.  Eight  down, six more to go.  Thanks.

Jeff

Too much Conrail, Ed K might get excited