Weekend Update 2/16/25

[up1950s]

https://railyards.com/blog/10-women-who-transformed-railroad-history

https://railphoto-art.org/black-railroaders/

https://www.silkroad.org/blog/2023/6/27/the-swannanoa-tunnel

https://raycityhistory.wordpress.com/2018/02/17/jim-crow-cars-on-the-georgia-florida-railroad/

https://www.con-sys.com/product_Jim_Crow.htm

[bbussey]

After much trial and error, finally finished Conrail 10.

[randgust]

I'd always held back on trying one of these Showcase locomotives, mostly because of the 4-wheel pickup and the non-functional front truck.  I've done enough 4-wheelers to know how erratic pickup can ruin an otherwise great model design.
But after messing with my Nn3 Climax A, I discovered that Rokuhan SA-001 chassis front truck, a Z scale version of the Kato chassis.   End axle pickup, 4x4.   If it worked, this makes Walter Vail's design about perfect, nobody can argue with the quality of the parts.

Decided to gamble and see if it could be adapted and put on the Showcase Nn3 bitty Shay.   Long story short, complete success.   And getting wires to the front also let me wire it for dual directional headlights.   
Man, this thing is SMALL....!



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/Nn3%20Shay%20in%20hand.jpg

This really, really runs well, good low speed, dependable pickup - now.   One of the best critters I've built yet. 


Link:  http://www.randgust.com/Nn3shay21.JPG

[kiwi_al]

Just working my way through Santa Fe's Diesel Roster, the fuel tanks needs modification to mount it snuggly - it's too loose, as you can see it's on the floor!

[BCR 570]

I started another little layout project this week.  For some time I have wanted to fix up the "tunnel" entrance into Septimus.  I purchased some blocks of balsa wood and got them cut to clean up the opening:




After some filing with a rasp, I got hem to fit into place on the left side and the top:




These will be glued in place and filled in with drywall compound, and then sanded smooth with the backdrop.


I also worked on the Atlas tank car for my museum train fuel oil car, removing the bottom rivet strips:




For the museum train water car, my friend Geoff digitized the Intermountain tank car and then made the required changes:






Meanwhile I began work on a replacement underframe in styrene:




Tim

[arbomambo]

[mmagliaro]

Ack!  Nice!  Don't we get to see it run!   And I see a gear under there.  Did you power both trucks?

I'd always held back on trying one of these Showcase locomotives, mostly because of the 4-wheel pickup and the non-functional front truck.  I've done enough 4-wheelers to know how erratic pickup can ruin an otherwise great model design.
But after messing with my Nn3 Climax A, I discovered that Rokuhan SA-001 chassis front truck, a Z scale version of the Kato chassis.   End axle pickup, 4x4.   If it worked, this makes Walter Vail's design about perfect, nobody can argue with the quality of the parts.

Decided to gamble and see if it could be adapted and put on the Showcase Nn3 bitty Shay.   Long story short, complete success.   And getting wires to the front also let me wire it for dual directional headlights.   
Man, this thing is SMALL....!

...snip...

This really, really runs well, good low speed, dependable pickup - now.   One of the best critters I've built yet. 

[gi-depp]

PTC's arrived today



time to replace

[Chris333]

Last week I was talking about Toma Model Works power chassis. I used a 16mm WB version to build this HOn30 steam dummy:


Will look like this with the body on it. I uploaded this photo in 2004 to try and built it in On30. Never did do that. The dummy was used at a limestone quarry in Roche Harbor.


Chassis running. 

/>

[randgust]

Ack!  Nice!  Don't we get to see it run!   And I see a gear under there.  Did you power both trucks?

Right now the Nn3 module is covered in scenic materials waiting to dry.  Be patient.
Front truck is still unpowered, but at least it is picking up 4x4 end axle pickup

[wm3798]

A little surgery on the Hi Rail rig...


Added a crossover to move closer to some functional operations.








Now I can start moving trains in and out of the yard in both directions.
Lee

[OldEastRR]

Leecorners has been progressing scenery-wise.  The first picture aerial shot you can see part of the station in the far right. This scene got started with the idea I needed a small station stop. Once I figured where it would go, I said "There should be a town next to this thing!"


Leaving downtown:


The mock-up RH curbs and house foundation slabs got moved a little.

Coming into town from the station (across the tracks):


The town buildings are all done. Now it's time for the landscapers to put in realistic grounds and the road crew pour a decent pavement. The platform and the area around the station still need to be worked on.
And while I'm putting in a rustic town inspired by Lee's little retro layout, he's busily morphing it into a major one. Time marches on ...

[nkalanaga]

Tim:  I have multiple tunnels going through the walls, and lined them the same way.  In my case, the linings also keep derailments from ending up down inside the wall!

[craigolio1]

I'd always held back on trying one of these Showcase locomotives, mostly because of the 4-wheel pickup and the non-functional front truck.  I've done enough 4-wheelers to know how erratic pickup can ruin an otherwise great model design.
But after messing with my Nn3 Climax A, I discovered that Rokuhan SA-001 chassis front truck, a Z scale version of the Kato chassis.   End axle pickup, 4x4.   If it worked, this makes Walter Vail's design about perfect, nobody can argue with the quality of the parts.

Decided to gamble and see if it could be adapted and put on the Showcase Nn3 bitty Shay.   Long story short, complete success.   And getting wires to the front also let me wire it for dual directional headlights.   
Man, this thing is SMALL....!



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/Nn3%20Shay%20in%20hand.jpg

This really, really runs well, good low speed, dependable pickup - now.   One of the best critters I've built yet. 


Link:  http://www.randgust.com/Nn3shay21.JPG

Holy cow that’s incredible!!!  Build thread?

Craig

[Scottl]

Putting everything away for the next 6-7 months so I took a few more train pictures from different perspectives.  I can work on the next section of backdrop, 3D designs and decals while traveling so layout progress will continue in my absence.

Caught a phosphate and manifest train crossing the Snake Indian River enroute to Edmonton.  A perfect spring day.