Weekend Update 3/24/24

[Cory Rothlisberger]

Took advantage of the garbage weather in the north east and started digging through my freight cars. Lots of stuff to get rid of along with stuff I have no idea how I ended up with as well as some WTF weathering attempts. Next up, the loco fleet!


I did uncover this 20-year old gem! This one brought back some memories/nightmares...

[nkalanaga]

Chris333:  Meter gauge is 39.37 inches, so, yes, it's narrow gauge, at least by American/European/Chinese standards.  In much of the world it's "standard", along with 42 inch gauge.

One can frequently tell who built the first railroads in a country by the gauge, if it's less than 4'8.5"/1435mm.  The Europeans, especially  the French, preferred meter gauge.  The British preferred "Cape Gauge", 42 inches.  And US builders preferred 36 inches.

I'm surprised nobody seems interested in modelling meter or 42 inch gauge in 1:160, as Z gauge track is almost perfect, scaling to 41 inches.  Yes, there are a few minor builders making limited offerings in narrow gauge, but nobody seems to make enough for an entire model railroad.  As common as the gauges are around the world, one would think they'd be more popular.

[John]

I started to rebuild the layout last year .. The new layout is in progress, but this week is focused on salvage. I had at least 2-3 cases of flex, and over 100 switches invested. The goal was to save as much as possible. 

This week the Chessie track gang  salvaged approximately 60 lengths of flex and over 30 switches .. so far I also saved 2 packs of track joiners .. thats $9.00 of cost savings alone






The next step is to wash off all the old glue and ballast.  Hot water and Oxy Clean bath for the shorter pieces, and will pressure wash the longer sticks.



After these dry, they will go into a bath of 99% alcohol to remove any other impurities, then get modifications to improve electrical continuity.

[SP-Wolf]

Hi to Y'all, 

I finished another project. 
(Thanks to JWaldo for the inspiration) 

An AT&SF and SP H12-44 (From the Minitrix model.

Started out as: 


Cleaned up and modified:


Details added - ready for paint:



Ready for decals:


Making progress:


Some more progress: 


And - put into service: 





Thanks, - and - on to the next,
​​​​​​​Wolf

[Scott1984]

Really nice work Wolf!! Looks awesome.

[muktown128]

Agreed - really digging those Trix FM switchers.  They look great.  The ATSF and SP stripe schemes look really good on those locos.

[ATSF_Ron]

Wolf, another excellent job! I’ve always enjoyed your work posted here and on Trainboard. Any chance you have an overview shot of your layout? I’m curious about the overall size.

[Cajonpassfan]

Wolf, those are sweet....nice work as usual!
Otto

[Mike Madonna]

Wolf,

Another A1 Project, well done! Also, saw the post on the SP IO Group. Good to see the SP properly represented in N!

[SP-Wolf]

@Scott1984, @muktown128 @Cajonpassfan @Mike Madonna -- Thanks to Y'all, for the kind words!!

@ATSF_Ron - Thank you!! - I will take a current over view photo and post it tomorrow. (My layout is 9' X 14')

Thanks again,
Wolf

[Kentuckian]

Spent the weekend at the 25th anniversary of the C&O Modeler’s Weekend, otherwise known as Hawk’s Nest at Chief Logan.  I met @Rasputen in real life! A fine gentleman and excellent modeler. He had his vehicles with him and I picked up a handful.

[nkalanaga]

Pink covered hoppers are nothing new.  40 or 50 years ago there were a bunch of them lettered for grain elevators in Iowa.  "Klemme Co-op" is the first one that comes to mind.

[Missaberoad]

Pink covered hoppers are nothing new.  40 or 50 years ago there were a bunch of them lettered for grain elevators in Iowa.  "Klemme Co-op" is the first one that comes to mind.

The story I heard about those cars was the owner owned a plane and picked the color so he could see where his cars were at a glance. (They were leased to a number of local grain Co-Ops around Iowa)

[samusi01]

Most of my time was spent printing first (or second, or third...) passes to check designs for fitment and correct errors.

A longer, heavier version of the previously released pressure vessel load:



Wind turbine rotor hubs:



Wind turbine tower sections, here separated by a JTC flat (I wouldn't mind seeing some of the other versions of this flat released sooner than later!)

[Philip H]

Most of my time was spent printing first (or second, or third...) passes to check designs for fitment and correct errors.

A longer, heavier version of the previously released pressure vessel load:

From where is that pressure vessel sourced?  I could use one for my polyolefins plant . . .