Weekend Update 4/6/25

[Lemosteam]

This episode of JFPTM (IYKYK) finds an old PRR H10s on the branch line with a very short local. I added the fencing and gates to the scrap yard in temporary placement after spraying the panels with an old alcohol and ink weathering mix from a thread here. I like the effect that would surely happen from all of the filth and soot from steam locomotives passing by, and the way it hides the train partially from view.











Posed in the scrap yard entry gates are two incoming gons and one empty outgoing gon waiting for the 44 tonner to place them to go to their next destination.

[gi-depp]

weathering a Kato SD70ACe

[mu26aeh]

Weathered some cement hoppers today

ACFX 51405 from rrpicturearchives.net
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3421342

[Slim Rail Mike]

This weekend started work on turnouts and diamonds crossings on the industrial modules. The short term goal is to get enough trackage on the T-1-Trak to close a loop.

[robert3985]

@Slim Rail Mike - For an easy way to improve the looks of your turnouts, don't gap the PCB ties right down the middle.  Vary the gaps so that when looked at, they don't all line up, which your eye will pick out.

Of course, you could fill the gaps with UV putty, and maybe you're planning on something similar.

Here's a photo of my gaps on my turnouts, most of which aren't either slots nor in the same place on my ties, and they're cut with just an oval jeweler's file.  Sorta look like Hell before paint and ballast.

Photo (1) - Random PCB copper removal for tie gaps on hand-laid turnouts:


It works well for me, and I don't get those "lines" down the middle of my turnouts in my photos any longer.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[randgust]

Moving along with McCabe, got some initial ground cover scenery on, some significant progress on the lumber stacks (mind-numbing), and this shows the progress on the trees.   I get asked a lot about the trees.
They are just balls of Woodland Scenics foliage mat on actual dried sticks.   I poke or drill holes in the ground cover (which is ground up leaves) and start sticking them in.  Usually by the hundred by the time I'm done.
In Pennsylvania, you see no earth.  It's all green.  It's like a rain forest.  Trees are dense, even small second growth stuff.   So the trick isn't detail, is the 'mass of green' with a little variance in color and shape.   The trick is not to go crazy doing it.  And it's very inexpensive.  Just time consuming.



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/McCabe12.jpg

From this angle, it's really evident how ridiculously sharp that Z 4 1/2" radius Rokuhan track is.  But it works with the shorty log cars and the two geared engines.

[Slim Rail Mike]

@robert3985
You have done many excellent write ups on turnouts. Several of which I've copied and pasted into a reference doc on my computer.
Almost all the track work on these modules will eventually be buried in pavement. This after they prove reliable.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Finishing up work on my U25B.

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[chuck geiger]

Damn son that is hot as hell

[chuck geiger]

For Las Piedras, the spring grain harvest wasn’t just an agricultural event—it was a tradition, a rhythm, and a promise of life continuing just as it always had. The soft golden light of early spring spilled over the desert mountains surrounding Las Piedras, California. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and blooming wildflowers, while the hum of distant tractors echoed across the valley. The spring grain harvest had begun. Along the edge of the co-op elevator, a string of covered hoppers sat waiting on a rust-dusted siding. Their hatches creaked open in the breeze, ready to receive the first loads of the season. Painted in sun-faded reds and greys, some bore the markings of distant railroads—testaments to how far the grain would travel once loaded.

[OldEastRR]

This episode of JFPTM (IYKYK) finds an old PRR H10s on the branch line

Posed in the scrap yard entry gates are two incoming gons and one empty outgoing gon waiting for the 44 tonner to place them to go to their next destination.

You need Bluford mill gons for that. And what does "JFPTM" mean?

[Lemosteam]

Tossup on roadnames I wanted here, but yeah, funds are too tight.  My PRR gondola book shows that the PRR did not purchase any cars of this style ans as such the LIRR would not have had any either, being wholly owned by the PRR.  Hard to imagine any midwestern or western equipment on Long Island.  Maybe the Erie, N&W, NKP and NYC cars would fit the locale and era...

Since I cannot run trains on the layout yet, I an only JFPoseTM for now.

[trainforfun]

A little while back, I found a late 1950s pic of a New Haven FA/FB four unit set. Three units were in the Dulmaine green/gold scheme. The first B unit however was the class unit 0450 in the as-delivered orange/green scheme with silver pinstripes – very dusty compared to the other three but otherwise sporting an intact scheme. The photo gave me a purpose for the orphaned second B unit in my former Life-Like consist. All have been upgraded to Atlas mechanisms with keep-alive, and a repainted bodyshell will put the unit back in regular service. The body was under new paint a couple of weeks ago, decals have been applied and are setting. Should have this on the rails sometime next weekend.

Beautifull job !!!!
Did you have to apply the white lines , individually ????

[bbussey]

@trainforfun — Imitation aluminum lines. No, it’s a full decal wrapper over the orange. Sunnyscopa makes the best decal paper on the planet.

[OldEastRR]

I used the silver stripes on a MS decal for my PA. But one decal w/ all the lines sounds great. What was with the NH that they went crazy w/ stripes on their locos?