Weekend Update 7/26/20

[nkalanaga]

By the late 60s, and until Amtrak, the Mainstreeter through Pasco usually had at least one TOFC flat on the rear.  Probably mail, but I never asked what was in the trailers.

[Brian M]

First test run of a Pecos River Brass NYC Niagara after a major rebuild of the mechanism. Everything still has to be adjusted and the headlight is still missing, but it's good to see a running Niagara after seeing it for decades only in box. A second Niagara will follow soon. Now we only have to find the right sound file 

Marc

Hi Marc,
Your re-worked Niagara looks like it is running quite smoothly, and it's great seeing someone else running one of these.  I got one off ebay a while back, and while I haven't run it for long periods of time, it was actually in pretty good shape mechanically.  But I am curious, what kind of work did you need to do to it?  I'm also wondering if there were any particular improvements that you made that I should consider?  As for sound, maybe you know this already, but SoundTraxx has the correct air horn, the Wabco E2, in the Tsunami2, which I think is a must for one of these since it was something that made them unique.

The one thing I have done with mine recently is re-letter it, as Pecos River really did a poor lettering job on these.  The lettering on the tender is too high, it was missing the road number and water/coal capacity numbers on the back of the tender, and the font used for the road number on the cab was incorrect.  I'm mostly done with it, but there are a few things I want to take care of before putting it all back together, like blackening the running gear and the wheels, adding another layer or two of clear coat, etc.  But here's where it stands right now...







-Brian.

[ns737]

do you guys have the elephant ears? mine had them

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Busy weekend this weekend.

First, Terri and I have taken in another foster: Khaleesi

https://magsr.org/dog/Khaleesi-MAGSR-2020

And damn if she doesn't look like Damian's cousin!

She is amazingly sweet (this morning I was awoken by her deciding it was cuddle and belly rub time) and I don't expect her to be here for long before she finds her forever home. It might be you.



It was also scenery time for some of my TTRAK fleet. I HATE this stage where you're just waiting for glue to dry and everything looks terrible.



It dried eventually though, and I'm pretty happy. This is all still largely WIP FPO stuff, but it's nice to see it coming together.













But I think it turned out ok.

[Jesse6669]

Periodic check-in with some of the latest 1:450 and 1:300 models..

First up is a D&RGW K-36 locomotive.  This is done in 1:300 scale and runs on T-gauge track representing 3-foot narrow gauge.   I use the term "runs" loosely; she's destined to be a garage queen because although it rolls on the leading and trailing trucks, it is not powered.  That being said, the running gear is "phase 1" towards an actual working mechanism.  It did function (main rod, side rod, and crosshead) when test-fit, but I ended up putting a dab of glue on the etched rods to hold them in place (didn't attempt to rivet them this time).  Much was learned from the exercise which will be applied to future mechanisms. For example, drivers will be geared together to ensure synchronization, and it will take micro-rivets to hold the etched stainless rods (at least that's my goal).  Driver construction will be an issue--I'd like to get them turned, but I may try to adapt the T-gauge style of magnetic tires to a 3D printed driver..  Other than that--the locomotive has etched details such as piping, cab windows (need to open them next time), handrails (boiler and tender) and I designed the decals.  I use clear decal film for the windows btw, but forgot to do the doghouse windows before the pics.  On the rear view you can see an etched brass harp-style switchstand.  Not positive if these were used on the D&RGW (I think on the RGS they were..?)  I'm still learning a lot but thought it was an interesting appliance none-the-less.  Have a 30' box and soon coming is a 40' long reefer which will be able to house a TGauge mechansim so there's hope of running trains yet.

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Also completed a 50-foot DOT-111 style tank car in T-scale (1:450), which has etched brass details and I designed the decals.

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Cheers!Jesse

[C855B]

Jesse, you are a man possessed. Incredible work.

[Jesse6669]

Here's the rear view you can see an etched brass harp-style switchstand I designed as well.

Rotated for your viewing pleasure.. 

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[MK]

You should throw a dime into those pictures to give a sense of scale. 

[Jesse6669]

You should throw a dime into those pictures to give a sense of scale. 

It's a bit of a cliche.. but here goes ole chap..

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And this one's for good measure..
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[Philip H]

More building of buildings:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40665.msg674379#msg674379

[MK]

Damn!  First with Peteski's giant plastic dime/quarter and now we have a blow up Chapstick!   

That certainly gives the size perspective!!!!!     Thank you! 

[Steveruger45]

Just finished another scrap load
Think
I need more gondolas to use up my pile of bits and pieces though😄 [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[cnw780]

Oddly I was finding it more difficult to find time to take and upload pics than to work on the layout so I have a bit of progress.

Finished the last two handbuilt turnouts for my yard.
Worked up enough courage to make a hole in the wall to access my industry park
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Started the first bit of real scenery (very therapeutic)
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And built myself a holder for my PT
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~Tim

[Brian M]

do you guys have the elephant ears? mine had them

Yeah, mine has them. They don't have a super tight fit, so I'll need to affix them in some way when I reassemble the engine.

-Brian.

[Mike Madonna]

My first and second hand laid #6 turnouts.  I still have some cleanup to do on them but they work well!

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Nice work, sir...