Weekend Update 3/5/23

[Olivani]

Great build Chris, absolutely stunning work   

Oliver

[Olivani]

I made some good progress on the foundations for the Arbutus canyon bridge.



Craig

Following with interest, that is gonna be good.

Oliver

[BCR 570]

Wow three pages already; some great work here!

This was another week of significant progress in regenerating my layout in the new room.

First up is progress on restoring the trackwork for Sundance on the Dawson Creek Subdivision.  I was able to save considerable time by re-using much of the sub-roadbed and some track components.  I am loosing about twenty inches off this section to fit across the new room, but by deleting the 'S' curves at each end I lost only ten inches off the siding.  I also included the gravel pit spur which came off the mainline beyond the east switch and went down the side of the hill above the Pine River.  This will create some additional operating interest at this location.  I have yet to lay the track at each end or the pit track.  Here is the new track:

 


This view shows the turnout for the gravel pit spur and the ramp down towards the pit:




On the Pine River section, my friend John W. devised a neat solution for the two access panels in the backdrop.  Rather than flush-fitting panels which might be hard to get in and out, he suggested laminating a sheet of over-lapping styrene to each panel which would conceal the surrounding gap.  The panels have magnets at the rear, and metal plates were epoxied to the rear of the backdrop:




The new panels are easy to install and remove and the magnets keep them in place.  Once painted to match the backdrop they will be far less apparent:




During today's work session we attached the backdrops to the helix enclosure:




and then got the helix and its lighting canopy installed in place, completing the north wall benchwork:




Finally, the Sundance / Bond section was cut to fit across the new room:




and was then test-fitted in place between the Chetwynd and Highway 97 sections:




The legs are temporary as this is just in for a few days while I get the track at each end aligned to match the adjoining sections.  It will then come out so I can finish the wiring, turnout controls, and painting.


Tim

[Jesse6669]

Back to standard gauge this week:  A CN lightweight coach shell on a TGauge Adjustable Chassis.  I also have a version with prototypical trucks, CCE couplers, and interior, but wanted to have a "standard" version as well. 

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[craigolio1]

I installed the last of the foam for the river, finished wiring the last servos, and painted the track and backdrop.  This is the Windy Point scene, which should be pretty neat when it is done.

Your progress is inspiring!

Craig

[craigolio1]

Few more minutes of work today. Added some wire to activate the brake shoes and a thicker wire for a drive shaft. Weathered the frame so I could pop in the wheels in for the last time  Put a tiny smear of silver bearing grease (conducts electricity) on the pickups. Guess I still need a tail pipe and muffler.

This project is so cool. I NEED the quarter to remind that this isn’t HUGE. Very well done.

Craig.

[Dayliner]

00-90 size drill bits and taps are rather fragile. I'm curious why not just use 0-80 screws to begin with?  With larger drill bit and tap I think  there would be less chances of breakage during drilling/tapping.

Because I have a 00-90 drill and tap on hand and didn't want to make another trip to the hobby shop (yes, we still have one of those).  Sometimes the best tool for the job is the one you have.

[Dayliner]

Craig

Great work, Craig.  Of course, I love the prototype picture as well.

Michael

[peteski]

@peteski likes the money shots...   

Yes, you know my weakness!   

[Chris333]

Hey look, it runs! 

[tehachapifan]

Hey look, it runs! 

Awesome!

[mecgp7]

Messed around with a Bachmann crane and tender set. Lowered the tender by replacing the undercarriage with a MTL then weathered, added details, added MTL trucks and couplers. The crane has been painted yellow on the boom, weathered and has Unimate couplers. Both have glazing, but you really can't see it in the pic. Not really a CN Modeler, but it was fun.
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[up1950s]

Hey look, it runs! 

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Geez that sounds like a sound recording of a real combustion engine

[Olivani]

Hey look, it runs! 

Perfect, loving it   

Oliver

[lock4244]

Hey look, it runs! 

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It's remarkable how fine the details are, how flawless the build quality is. Truly stunning work!