Weekend Update 10/16/22

[John]

I miss the Cow Palace!! I will assume Brad is there from TNR?

Yes -- in the usual spot ..

[mu26aeh]

I didn't look at the calendar before agreeing to cover at Mainline today, or I'd be going to Timonium.  I thought the show was later in the month. 

[samusi01]

As for the screw, take the screw and screw on a 00-90 nut or two, or three (if you can fit  them).

Thank you! Reading your comment makes me think I can probably do the same thing with a piece of metal and tap it for 00-90. Bonus would be its larger and easier to hold as a result.

Sam

[peteski]

Thank you! Reading your comment makes me think I can probably do the same thing with a piece of metal and tap it for 00-90. Bonus would be its larger and easier to hold as a result.

Sam

Sure Sam, that should work too. Just make sure the piece of metal is thick enough for few turns of threads. Actually, I might try that myself next time I need to trim the screw to a custom length.

Another easier solution is to just buy shorter 00-90 screws.  There are several sources out there.  Assuming of course that the available lengths will fit the particular application.
I also have very good flush-cutting pair of cutters, and I have cut the protruding part of the screw after installing it on the model. But there has to be enough clearance around the screw to do this.  This works with brass screws, but steel screws (that MTL currently uses) might be too hard for those delicate cutters.

[cbroughton67]

Thanks, Jim!

Chris, that loco is stunning and the patch-out and ghost lettering effects are top notch!

Thanks, but it can't hold a candle to your SW1500! That's is some awe-inspiring modeling! I'd love to see how you built the chassis!
Chris

[tehachapifan]

I really want to see that chassis!

...I'd love to see how you built the chassis!
Chris

Thanks, guys! Here's a shot of the chassis with the sound decoder temporarily installed. Is it a bit on the light side? Yes. The plastic frame was originally intended to be a test mockup before I built it one out of brass. Then I decided why not just use it. It can't pull a lot, but it can pull the handful of cars that I want it to up a pretty steep grade....

[up1950s]

My contribution is not nearly the same level as shown by other members have shown this week. Recently I was thumbing through one of my car builder's cyclopedias and ran across a few drawings of an unusual car, built in the late 1950s. It has ended up being my first 3d printed car. On a positive note, the coupler height seems to match my MTL gauge. I need to figure out if I can shorten up MTL coupler screws without damaging the threads.

Pre bestine bath

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Post bath:

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Yes yes yes , I want one on those too if possible .

[sirenwerks]

My contribution is not nearly the same level as shown by other members have shown this week. Recently I was thumbing through one of my car builder's cyclopedias and ran across a few drawings of an unusual car, built in the late 1950s. It has ended up being my first 3d printed car. On a positive note, the coupler height seems to match my MTL gauge. I need to figure out if I can shorten up MTL coupler screws without damaging the threads.

Nice job!

[Chris333]

These are the droids you're looking for

[garethashenden]

Thanks, guys! Here's a shot of the chassis with the sound decoder temporarily installed. Is it a bit on the light side? Yes. The plastic frame was originally intended to be a test mockup before I built it one out of brass. Then I decided why not just use it. It can't pull a lot, but it can pull the handful of cars that I want it to up a pretty steep grade....

Looks like there's space for tungsten cubes if you want to add more weight.

[TiogaTracks]

I took probably the best model train photo of my life while testing out the yard in my raised bed herb garden.  Peak foliage in full scale on the left, and a little parsley plant in the garden on the right!

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My neighbors whose garage is near the garden bed like the trains, and they said lots of visitors showed interest in the garden railroad during their yard sale this weekend.  So this morning, I got some trains out to run.  It was a good time to test out the yard anyway.  I ended up having great conversations with people who had family members who used to work for the Penn Central.

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I forgot to take an overall picture until I had already taken in most of the rolling stock, but here’s the garden.  You can see where the train was parked to take the low angle photo of the U25B above, at the far end in the middle of the large curve.

-Steven

[John]

A first test print from a file set off thingiverse --  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5389817

The author designed the files after the Micro Engineering Tall Viaduct but he made the small span 100mm vice 80 and the long 180 vice 150 .. he also designed it as double track - so all the piers are wide ..

I split the decks back into single width - and will try to add the bolt pattern to the sides .. also need to put X bracing on the ends ..

[bbussey]

With the helix underneath New London complete, I’ve moved ahead with New London proper which will include the 1887-built Union Station in scale. Most of the track will be hand laid with minimal rail joints, including the four turnouts required. The first turnout, curved, is on the eastbound main just east of the station. I drew the rails for the New London and Shaw’s Cove sections in CorelDraw, added FastTracks templates (three of the four modified) and sent the plans to a printing house for three copies. One drawing was used to cut the wood foundation. The second drawing is for track placement, as everything including the turnouts will be built in place rather than off layout. The third copy is a spare. The first segment includes most of the trackwork just east of State Street. The westbound main was straightforward, and required just PCB ties as all of it will be under wood and pavement. The eastbound includes an unmodified FastTracks 24-30 curved turnout with hinged switch points. I was able to finish the bulk of it this week, with the frog point rails and the guard rails still needed. The frog rails will be added when the next wood roadbed section is installed (framework modifications to include a control panel are needed first). The guard rails will be added during the next work session. The switch points and throwbar are fully operational but not yet connected to the servo. A modified NJ International switch stand will be animated by the throwbar.

I’ve also discovered that Micro Engineering code 55 rail joiners are practically invisible with Atlas rail, so I’m using them here and moving forward. The bulk of the turnout ties were not cut to length because they also will be underneath wood planking and pavement.

[PiperguyUMD]

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Virginian, but this has escalated quickly! Could be bad news for me if they ever do the ELC/E33’s in N scale!



Looks like I lost my Virginianity 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Speaking of Timonium. Miniprints was there making accurate models inside and out...

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