Weekend Update 6/8/25

[ednadolski]

Since the B&O could use some CPL signals, I got the crazy notion to try 3D print some Z scale ones.  Here are the initial tests from left (oldest) to right (most recent).  I initially tried keeping everything to scale, but that was futile.  I've since thickened up a few components, changed around the supports, and shall see how good I can get it while maintaining some of the finer detail like the ladder.  The mast is 1mm diameter and I could probably substitute brass tube and just apply the ladder/platform/signals to it.  It' a fun exercise anyway.

I wonder how it would work to etch some of those parts from say 0.005" (or thinner maybe) stainless steel.  (hmmm.... )

Ed

[Jesse6669]

I wonder how it would work to etch some of those parts from say 0.005" (or thinner maybe) stainless steel.  (hmmm.... )

Ed

Possible, but not nearly as convenient as 3D printing multiple iterations in my train room over a few days time (where turn around with etching is measured in months). 

[Sumner]

High Bridge Part 5...

Continuing on with the ‘High Bridge’ design, printing and assembly.

 

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More CAD work coming…....

More info and images about the above on Railwire ( HERE ).

A link to this whole build ( HERE ) .

Sumner

[chuck geiger]

Caught the LPRR Local Job heading to Mojave on a Saturday afternoon.

[dandopinski]

Project object update:
These tanks are finished, plain jane leasers with endplate protectors-




Tanks are based on this. I might try and add the connectors from the plate to the tank at a later date. I have one more white tank car that eventually become a Sherritt Williams tank.




The classic Atlas "Suburban Propane


Next on the agenda was the assembly and decalling of 4 Atlas tanks for Sulphur service




Two more of these tanks arrived this week so they will get decaled too.

Tanks for looking.

[garethashenden]

Not much actual modeling from me this week, but I did treat myself to a new vice. It is excellent, smooth and consistent. Not cheap, but it will be a big improvement in my workholding abilities.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

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[OldEastRR]

I built a small shed for this "work in progress" grain elevator scene -

It was supposed to look like this one, but I always seem to get my roof angles wrong

 
-Mark

Roof angles seem to be determined by location. In the NE, they're very steep so snow can't pile up on them and collapse. In the Midwest the angle's shallower, maybe because most precipitation is rain. In the SW maybe they're flat because there's very little rain or snow there.

[craigolio1]

Three of my modules got painted track and ballast this weekend. These are in the set that will be modelled after a rainfall. For the main tie colour is used a 50/50 mix of tamiya brown and black, with some red mixed in. This created a nice rich dark brown. Once that was on I airbrushed some light brown highlights and then a black wash on certain ties.

The turnout in this pic is darker as the ties were new, for the temporary siding it serves.



Ballast! I used a 3:1 ratio of Arizona Rock and Mineral NP Grey and GN Bassalt to get a mix that looks to me like the granite used on Vancouver Island.





I’ll let it dry for a couple of days and see what’s what.

Craig

[randgust]

I'll post this as an 'almost done' shot, still some touchup painting, a couple details, window glass, etc. to do

But as you've all observed, nothing will point out remaining glitches that a human eye can't notice better than some macro photography.

I want to underline how small this thing is.  A 40' boxcar dwarfs it.



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/ShowShay4011.jpg

But what I'm checking as much as anything is the satisfaction that the pickup wipers in the front are suitably invisible.  I'll be updating the construction thread.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Today, work was being done on these two turnouts. They are for the first of the industrial Tea Trak modules, in the expansion of the City Belt.

[spookshow]

Roof angles seem to be determined by location. In the NE, they're very steep so snow can't pile up on them and collapse. In the Midwest the angle's shallower, maybe because most precipitation is rain. In the SW maybe they're flat because there's very little rain or snow there.

\

This is Minnesota, where we've been known to have the occasional snowstorm 

-Mark

[bbunge]

An America proto to bash from that Arnold 0-4-4-0 is "Shookum," Columbia River Belt Line #7, an operational logging 2-4-4-2, Baldwin, 1909.



Built for the Little River Railroad in Tennessee specifically to be light and make tight turns, it proved to be too large to navigate the Little River ROW, which today iare the roads of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Returned to Baldwin, Shookum was sold where it moved around various western logging roads until in 1955 when it derailed on a bridge and turned over.  The RR was about to be pulled up so the wreck was left in place.  In 1960, while trying to recover the locomotive, explosives were used to separate the frame from the boiler. 

After all that, Skookum was rebuilt and saw steam in 2018!  Note the reproduction of the green "Russian" steel boiler jacket.

[Cory Rothlisberger]

It's been quiet for me for a while now. But recently I've added hardboard facia around the layout to help encourage me to finish some scenery. It also allowed me to move closer to installing more finalized control panels instead of leaving lose wires everywhere.


Gave Valley Rd. some crossing protection. 3D printed a recessed mount for the toggle switch to operate the crossbucks.


Lastly, my kids have shamed me enough for my cardboard mock-up bridge that has been disguising the end of the layout for some time. Spent an hour or so on TinkerCAD and came up with this. Loosely based on DL&W bridges across northern Jersey. I'm pretty happy with how the first print turned out. There are a few things to tweak for a better finish, but I'm happy with the progress. The paint helps, weathering will make it better...
 

[milw156]

I wrapped up a couple of MILW GP40s. These were fun to build

Not sure you want to take it that far, but Milw GP 40's had 4 jacking pads on each side with the additional pads just inwards of the steps on each end. The Milwaukee apparently took much pride in being different;-)
Being a slacker, I have never done it myself...