Re: Weekend Update 5/10/26

[randgust]

It's been a long time since I got an update posted on the Barge Yard Ttrak module.  It's been a bit of a construction bear, it's not done, but bag after bag of Northeastern stripwood has been put into this.   The 'general layout' of the project is done, and the hard part of the erection dock trestle is finished, along with 1 finshed barge and one under construction.



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/BargeYard04sm.jpg

[nkalanaga]

Kentuckian:  I didn't know that KES had a real switch engine.  All I remember seeing there was their Trackmobile.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, that was an interesting day. @Jim Starbuck mentioned that he had @Ed Kapuscinski working down on the Iowa Division and that Ed would be available to come up and work on the White Pine Sub. We always welcome the company. Follow with as we looked for the right job for Ed.
He arrived on the L044 (Eastbound job from Marengo Jct to White Pine)
(Attachment Link)
Before heading into the Copper Refinery he stopped in at the White Pine Electric power plant office to check on openings.
(Attachment Link)
They had one clerical job, but I don’t think he liked being called “Ed-o-Rama”, “the Ed Meister”…
(Attachment Link)
Next stop, White Pine Security office… no one in… or the guards were sleeping again
(Attachment Link)
After that, we were able to stop by Global Wood sticks. The leading maker of tongue depressors and popsicle sticks in the Upper Peninsula. It was a slow day so he got a full plant tour. No job openings though…
(Attachment Link)

This just absolutely made my day.

Bummer about the job openings though. I actually AM looking since the contract I'm working on ends at the end of the month.

[peteski]

@jpwisc , that is some superb high quality N scale modeling Karl!  Super realistic!  Awesome! Amazing! 

[C855B]

This just absolutely made my day.

Bummer about the job openings though. I actually AM looking since the contract I'm working on ends at the end of the month.

My question is why were you allowed on the property without a hardhat and visibility vest?

[jpwisc]

My question is why were you allowed on the property without a hardhat and visibility vest?

It’s 1995, you could go anywhere in White Pine without a safety vest…
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[Jesse6669]

So Ed toured on…
He toured the copper refinery, getting to see the scrap loadout and the acid building
(Attachment Link)
Thanks for visiting tiny Ed!

Missing hi-vis is no biggie but Get outta the gauge, Ed!!   

[u18b]

Super excited.
@chessie system fan came over for Mother's day and brought me an early birthday present.

He printed a GE MATE.   These were bought by SCL and lasted until CSX days until late 90s.   These are not true slugs.   They are a U36B with no cab and no prime mover.   They provide fuel for the mother U36B and the U36B provides electricity for traction.  There were a total of three variations.   This is the later double ended version.

https://www.trainweb.us/csxphotos/model_MATE.htm

After the basic rough build, I painted it gray just so I can see detail.   Now I can see a lot of other work to do.














Never thought I would own one of these in N.

Now I'm waiting for Atlas to do a second run of the U36B.   My first choice is SBD System paint.

[Kentuckian]

Kentuckian:  I didn't know that KES had a real switch engine.  All I remember seeing there was their Trackmobile.

I never let the truth stand in the way of a good story. Until @Jim Starbuck comes up with a sound equipped track mobile, this is it.

[chessie system fan]

Here's the GE Mate file I found.

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/vehicles/ge-mate-ho-scale-3d-printable

That print was just my first test print. For the next one, I'll shift the supports around in a few places.

[bman]

My question is why were you allowed on the property without a hardhat and visibility vest?

Clout.

[robertjohndavis]

Another experiment using ai to produce a 3d model from a photo.
Ai isn’t the end-all for developing models but it’s a good start on one-offs like Milwaukee’s 1954 Ford rail detector.

Very interesting. How are you deploying AI?

[nkalanaga]

Kentuckian:  I thought you'd found a prototype I'd missed!  I moved back here in 1978, so they could have owned almost anything before then, and I'd never know it.

When we moved back here the Lexington Division was still a busy freight route.  Within a few years it was cut back to an industrial branch ending at KES.

[Jim Starbuck]

Very interesting. How are you deploying AI?

I’m using the 3d AI Studio program to convert a photo to a 3d model which then exports as a printable .stl file.

[Scottl]

Version 2 of the oil tanker i worked on the past week.  I printed the body vertically to avoid the layering artifacts and with separate ends.  This will allow me to cure the interior properly so I don't have a liquid resin leak develop later (like I had with the first version). I need to refine the end cap fit and I think the long lower rail will be best as a piece of wire, but otherwise. I think this is starting to look viable.  The body finish is near-perfect.

This orientation also allows detailed and wonderfully fine brake details on the underside.  I got this layout from a manufacturer's promotional material.