Weekend Update 2/23/25

[altohorn25]

How are those USP Core kits? I heard mixed reactions about them a while ago but I have 3 cars that I would like to do. Guessing you use the old ALM for the underbody details?

They redesigned their core kit and it is better now than it used to be.  Not as consistent as the injection molding of the American Limited ones, but at least it's something.  The roof is nice because it has some molded in detail rather than being just smooth.

The underbody you can order plain or with the equipment molded into it.  I tried the one with the underbody equipment molded into it, and it is done very well.  The only issue is that it is pretty bendy......I ended up putting a piece of brass stock on the "floor" side of the car to keep it flat (Walthers Goo so it stays a bit flexible).  That seems to have helped.

The roof and floor I would use again.  The ends of the car are the problem.  The ends that USP sends with the kit are too wide for the floor/roofs.  Because of the resin they use, I'm hesitant to try to shave it down a bit, but that might be the only option after I run out of American Limited ends.

One nice feature is that they send an interior bulkhead for the vestibule end of the car.

[trainforfun]

Adding lights to the depot project
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Wow , very nice , the whole project is great !!!
What kind of light did you used , yellow SMD LEDs ?

[nkalanaga]

Nate:  I used the brass bar idea on American Limited floors.  There is wasn't so much flexibility as mounting the trucks.  The sheet steel weight AL provides covers the bolster holes, and the screws are just a little too long.  Tightening them all the way forces the weight up, and leaving them looses looks too "wobbly" for me.

So, a pair of 1/16 x 1/4 inch brass bars, one on either side of the bolster holes, works much better, is stiffer, and weighs more.  I ACC'd mine, then use styrene strips to clamp them in place, with a filler strip between the bars, and a cap strip across both.

[jpwisc]

Wow , very nice , the whole project is great !!!
What kind of light did you used , yellow SMD LEDs ?

I used gooseneck lights, warm white
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155045751286?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=S8nmMognSre&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DTbh3t5-Qmi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

And for the interiors, prewired warm white lights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335718941174?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zwzzf8y6rk2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DTbh3t5-Qmi&var=545233998664&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

[trainforfun]

I used gooseneck lights, warm white
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155045751286?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=S8nmMognSre&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DTbh3t5-Qmi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

And for the interiors, prewired warm white lights
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335718941174?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zwzzf8y6rk2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DTbh3t5-Qmi&var=545233998664&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

Thanks !!!!