Weekend Update 2/28/21

[peteski]

I do agree that the tree by the building is rather too close to the track, and that the signs are oddly placed.  But the diorama seems to be otherwise very well done and weathered.

[chuck geiger]

My man Lee, thanks!

[bbunge]

Getting closer to finishing this Showcase GMC flatbed with GHQ tractor with Peteski's decals.  The windows that come with the truck are, well, difficult.  Here the ill-fitting windshield has wet tacky glue on it.



Bob

[Angus Shops]

I agree, Chuck’s diorama is 1st class. The road is outstanding. Well done.

I spend most of the afternoon modelling an n scale woodshed. Yikes!

[wazzou]

My man Lee, thanks!

Please don’t take any of my suggestions as criticisms Chuck, just to be clear.  ✌🏼

[Dave V]

More N scale Colorado Midland work...

[garethashenden]

I put together an Intermountain tank car kit. Most of the grab handles were replaced with wire. Ready for paint and weathering. And I’ve got another one half done.

[wazzou]

That rock work is the shiznit @Dave V
This version is really coming together nicely.

[freedj]

I put together a simplified version of Geoffs Simple Wifi Throttle: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/35652

I brought the control scheme down to the bare necessities so I could hand it off to my 4 year old.
1) Throttle
2) Direction
3) Horn

It also has an onboard 500ma lipo battery /w charge controller.

Its clear that I need to add a bell toggle, my daughter demands it.. although maybe a momentary would be better for my sanity!   


[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Cajonpassfan]

No, it’s not a fountain, it my San Bernardino turntable project. More on my ATSF LA Division layout thread.
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

A tree the size of Chuck's could grow, at least in much of the Northwest, in 50 to 60 years.   His could easily be younger than the building.

There was, and still may be, an old building in downtown Ashland, KY with trees growing out of the wall.  It was still there ten years ago, but I haven't looked since.  An old brick building, probably dates to the 1880s or so, and the trees are actually growing from the back wall, not on the roof, or top of the wall.  They apparently got started in the cracks between the bricks, and nobody bothered to remove them.

They're not BIG trees, 10 to 15 feet tall, but they are trees, not just weeds.  I'm surprised the wall hasn't collapsed, but as of ten years ago, they and the building were still standing.

Try THAT on a model!

[Chris333]

More N scale Colorado Midland work...

Looks like it could be O scale   

[chuck geiger]

Please don’t take any of my suggestions as criticisms Chuck, just to be clear.  ✌🏼

Never do. Always learning

[randgust]

In this part of the world it's not exactly a rain forest, but tree growth rates are amazing.

Favorite railroad example is the EBT.   Quit running in 1956, everything got parked.  Hoppers in Mt. Union were left with the doors open.  Seeds fell in the hoppers, rolled out the bottom, and got watered, a lot.  Locust trees grew up THROUGH the hopper gates, making it one of the most unusual forested arboretums ever growing through the hopper cars.   That just got cleared out about two years ago, but the locusts were probably 25-30 feet tall.

The 1994-5 inspection was amazing.   The roadbed between Mt. Union and Shirleysburg hadn't been touched, and on the south side of the Aughwick Creek Bridge was lifted about 1 foot in the air where a tree had grown AROUND the 90# rail, lifted it off the ties, and was now by measurement - 11 1/2" in diameter (Black Cherry).   Legal size for hardwood logs is 9" and up.   So you could actually harvest logs off a roadbed that had been abandoned for 38 years and as far as I know is still there.

I have an enormous Blue Spruce in my backyard that was planted in 1926, as I found dated photos of it as a Christmas tree replanted.   It's a good 75' now, really needs to come down.    So depends on your area, era, and what you're modeling, but possible - particularly if the property is partially abandoned.

[mrhedley]

I finally got around to starting the Bergen National Laser kit of the DLW Station in Binghamton, NY, which will be the centerpiece (literally) of my layout.  It will replace this fairly crude scratch build. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I bought this a few years ago to do as a post-retirement project.  I estimate that it will take around 100 hours to built.  There are over 1000 parts, some not larger than 1/4", and then all the cutting, trimming, filing and prep work.  Despite taking extra care to prevent warpage, there are a few areas that won't fully line up (notice the top of the tower).  That's even after priming and painting both sides, wrapping them in wax paper and putting them under heavy books and/or my machinists square to dry.  I even glued balsa struts to the back side of the larger pieces but I had to trim them or cut them off because of slight interference with windows or joints.  The roof is going to be the biggest challenge with the angles and dormers.  Here's what I got done in the first 20 hours of work... [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I'm painting it to resemble it during it's last years of passenger service, when the wood trim and windows were a faded mustard yellow.  They were painted green when it was restored/renovated in the mid '80's.  It was also pretty run down then, but I'll probably only gently weather it in order to display it's beauty.

Comments appreciated.

Ron