TheRailwire
General Discussion => N and Z Scales => Topic started by: up1950s on September 27, 2013, 07:32:59 PM
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(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cQOuudRzEi4/UkWSDqTdbwI/AAAAAAAAPE8/Ao67K6RlnE8/s800/105%20wud%20905.JPG)
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"Moah" drywall.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w7YxzhBd27M/UkYm-SSN3FI/AAAAAAAAw9Y/Ef38fyju6f0/s800/20130927_113933.jpg)
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Looks good. I love the smell of drywall in the evening...
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You must have taken a break to post Ian, you usually are posting late into the night! PROGRESS is good!!
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I worked for awhile with my Q2 to improve electrical pickup and transfer between the engine and tender. It's by no means perfect, but given that problems have started popping up at specific places on the layout, the issues seem to have moved from the loco itself to the fact that it's really picky about trackwork. Here she is on her maiden loop with train in tow:
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/eric220/DSC_0003_zps2c822b57.jpg)
Since then, she has completed many loops around the layout. She's certainly a stump-puller, even without the traction tire. Many thanks to the Laurel Valley Shops for the DCC install!
The only other thing that I've managed to accomplish is completing my lighting project. The basement is now entirely lit by 5,000K LED bulbs. The entire track lighting array draws a whopping 200 watts (about the same as 3 incandescents), and more importantly, the lights don't double as heaters anymore. The incandescents could easily overwhelm the AC in the room, even on a mild day. Also, my camera loves the 5,000K white point. It's nice to see actual white whites.
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Tracks laid from Spruce Creek to East Altoona (about 15'). I staged this photo at Homer...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YWSVyGg32fA/UkY21OQksyI/AAAAAAAAEbw/r6yOUQGfvi8/w913-h652-no/HomerStaged.jpg)
Doesn't look a thing like the "fly under" at Homer, but still looks Pennsyesque. Girder bridge is temporary, will be replaced by stone tunnel portals.
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Work continues on cook diner BCOL 6508. This week's efforts were focused on the longitudinal water tank enclosure which sits on the roof. The challenge was to create a rectangular block in styrene which has the curvature of the roof underneath and on top. I will be using a Con-Cor coach roof for my scratchbuild so my part needs to sit flush on top. I also built two small roof hatches and a mushroom vent for the roof:
(http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/BCR570/Equipment%20Photos%202013/BCOL650830-7899_zps41d10183.jpg) (http://s756.photobucket.com/user/BCR570/media/Equipment%20Photos%202013/BCOL650830-7899_zps41d10183.jpg.html)
Next up is more work on the underframe.
Tim
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Shot a quick video. Op session this Sunday.
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How about some Z pics?
(http://boylerwerx.0catch.com/ztown1.jpg)
(http://boylerwerx.0catch.com/ztown2.jpg)
(http://boylerwerx.0catch.com/ztown3.jpg)
(http://boylerwerx.0catch.com/ztown4.jpg)
Karin did the houses.
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I worked for awhile with my Q2 to improve electrical pickup and transfer between the engine and tender. It's by no means perfect, but given that problems have started popping up at specific places on the layout, the issues seem to have moved from the loco itself to the fact that it's really picky about trackwork. Here she is on her maiden loop with train in tow:
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/eric220/DSC_0003_zps2c822b57.jpg)
Since then, she has completed many loops around the layout. She's certainly a stump-puller, even without the traction tire. Many thanks to the Laurel Valley Shops for the DCC install!
The only other thing that I've managed to accomplish is completing my lighting project. The basement is now entirely lit by 5,000K LED bulbs. The entire track lighting array draws a whopping 200 watts (about the same as 3 incandescents), and more importantly, the lights don't double as heaters anymore. The incandescents could easily overwhelm the AC in the room, even on a mild day. Also, my camera loves the 5,000K white point. It's nice to see actual white whites.
Glad to hear she's getting a work out.
Judging by the picture, I might suggest a re-think on your blue walls with the new lighting scheme... It's a tad bilious. Are you considering fading it toward the top of the wall for a better sky effect?
Lee
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I finally finished up the last two cars I need for my UP excursion train. Now I just need a couple of water bottles and I'll be in business.
(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf389.jpg)
(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf390.jpg)
(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf391.jpg)
(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf392.jpg)
Cheers,
-Mark
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I have a bunch of projects underway...
1) Progress at Troup Junction continues
I added a couple hundred more coniferous trees to the scene and finished ballasting the right of ways (CPR and GN). A package of Super tree armatures from SE appeared yesterday so I can build the deciduous trees and shrubs to finish the scenery. Oh, and all the line poles are in progress as I need to revise the number of cross arms and insulators to match the prototype.
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57956&d=1380382108)
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57957&d=1380382114)
2) The recent Vanrail event showed me the benefit of operational flagmen. During an unplanned double sawbye one of the operators whipped out this little guy…
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57952&d=1380382009)
I liked the application though not the appearance so I made up a couple of my own and have two more to build. The black post hides the drop down resistor and makes a convenient handle so that they can be placed between the tracks with one hand.
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57954&d=1380382040)
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57955&d=1380382045)
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57953&d=1380382034)
3) I have been experimenting with "off-board" sound. My initial vision was to build a Bluetooth transmitting system using JMRI's Virtual Sound Decoder which would run on a inexpensive smart phone in parallel to WiThrottle. As an experiment to see what the head phone "in cab" effect might be I purchased my first sound decoder (Tsunami FM locomotive) and built Lance Mindheim's headphone sound system. In this system the sound decoder is mounted under the benchwork and wired in parallel to the motor control decoder in the loco. The sound decoder sends its signal to a radio transmitter and from there the signal is received by a set of headphones the engineer wears.
My initial results were....awful. I didn't like the quality of the sound but more importantly the effect of hearing the sound come through the headphones rather than from the model I was observing was quite disconcerting. I will continue to experiment and will get feedback from local operators but in the meantime I have routed the sound signal to some cheap computer speakers mounted under the benchwork under where the loco routinely operates which gives a better effect...this still needs lots of refinement but I am reconsidering the whole Bluetooth headset thing. I have ordered a few Atlas sound-equipped S2s (I really need S4s...anyone planning to make conversion truck sideframes??) so these switchers, plus the under layout Tsunami I have now, may be the end of the C&W's sound experiment, or just the beginning...we shall see.
4) Based on some expert advice from Rick Kang (ex-SP Dispatcher and rules trainer) I have been looking at revising the C&W’s Dispatching control system. This may incorporate automatic semaphore protection of trains when they pass a Train order station as per the prototype. A fast 20 minute protection should be achievable by synchronizing the logic in the PanelPro panel with the Loconet fastclock but I have been getting conflicting feedback from local Operators on the wisdom of adding this complexity. More research is required.
5) I also began work on the next two large bridges this week - McCormack Creek and Barr Creek bridges. The designs have been finalized and all the components are now here so I should be cutting brass and plastic next week.
Wayyy too much MRR stuff going on...I think I need some focus! Have a great weekend!
md
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(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57956&d=1380382108)
(http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=57957&d=1380382114)
Stunning.
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Absolutely...
Mark in Oregon
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(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf389.jpg)
I've never seen cars with mixed 2axle and 3 axle trucks, crazy UP...
Thomas
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Holy Toledo. It just keeps getting better and better. Such artistry.
... This may incorporate automatic semaphore protection of trains when they pass a Train order station as per the prototype. ...
Ha! I completely forgot about that rule! Yes, normal position for the semaphores (at least on the SP) for an attended TO station was in the stop position. If cleared, it was only on order from the DS that he had no orders for the approaching train. Also, you couldn't get careless/lazy and put the signal back to horizontal after the locos passed, you had to wait for the entire train to go by (after your run-by inspection) so the conductor wouldn't wonder why there was a signal for orders but the hoop stand wasn't out. And it was worse if the stand was out and the hoop was empty, he'd then assume that something on the train snagged his orders... you'd definitely get an irate inquiry over the radio.
Obviously, if your station was a single-shift operation (as ours was), you would put the boards to clear aspects at the end of the workday.
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Beautiful layout!! :o
I have a few scratchbuilt and kitbashed 53' trailers underway....
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/N_92_Great_Dane.jpg)
The first of 3 more scratchbuilt 1992 Great Dane 53' platewall trailers (left) being built to match the one completed several years ago (center).
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/N_Wabash.jpg)
Scratchbuilt 53' Wabash trailer. This one will be a Schneider trailer.
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/N_2003_Manac.jpg)
53' 2003 Manac trailer built from kitbashing the S&R Models trailer kit.
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Looks good. I love the smell of drywall in the evening...
Damn right, and I still have about 10 sheets to go.
You must have taken a break to post Ian, you usually are posting late into the night! PROGRESS is good!!
My schedule is all messed up this week. I've been covering some junior guys shifts, so I have been working some day shifts instead of getting out at my normal 0200hrs.
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A pair of SD40Ns have the Oakville Local today and are leaving the yard.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TO5CdBjYqTE/UkcjaM83yrI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/o5fE9EZcH6c/w927-h657-no/t13+09+26_0002.jpg)
A bit further along they split the signals at CP Cliff
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DIuRRhZYF0U/UkcjaHVAdTI/AAAAAAAAAkU/K7_Rt8HDzxo/w1017-h657-no/t13+09+26_0007.jpg)
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Mark,
Very impressive scenes. What do you use for the coniferous trees?
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Just putting some finishing touches on a NS C40-9W. I just need to get a decoder for it and install the ditch lights and 0402 SMDs to light them.
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii256/bnsf_freak/821e751d-9577-46c3-ba4b-e82e490c41dc.jpg) (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/bnsf_freak/media/821e751d-9577-46c3-ba4b-e82e490c41dc.jpg.html)
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Saw Tony Koester's article in MR November 2013 on "Weather a Locomotive in 7 minutes -really!"
Has anyone tried this?
I ordered the materials he used because it looks very simple and tweaked my interests.
I have weathered buildings, but not locomotives or rolling stock.
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"I've never seen cars with mixed 2axle and 3 axle trucks, crazy UP..."
Ah, but this is prototypical...
http://skipg.homeip.net/gallery/Union_Pacific_Heritage_Business_Cars_Photos/UPP_A0778P (http://skipg.homeip.net/gallery/Union_Pacific_Heritage_Business_Cars_Photos/UPP_A0778P)
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=34748 (http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=34748)
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1162661 (http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1162661)
Some oil - electric motor cars also featured this sort of thing, largely because of the weight of the motor - generator set. Its all a matter of weight.
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Saw Tony Koester's article in MR November 2013 on "Weather a Locomotive in 7 minutes -really!"
Has anyone tried this?
I ordered the materials he used because it looks very simple and tweaked my interests.
I have weathered buildings, but not locomotives or rolling stock.
Saw that article and must admit I was negatively surprised. While his technique might be OK, his final effect was pretty bad, IMO. The cover loco looks like a toy--too shiny and pale--and the one in the article with the tan drivers looks as though it had been rescued from a flood or something. Not at all realistic.
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"I've never seen cars with mixed 2axle and 3 axle trucks, crazy UP..."
Ah, but this is prototypical...
http://skipg.homeip.net/gallery/Union_Pacific_Heritage_Business_Cars_Photos/UPP_A0778P (http://skipg.homeip.net/gallery/Union_Pacific_Heritage_Business_Cars_Photos/UPP_A0778P)
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=34748 (http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=34748)
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1162661 (http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1162661)
Some oil - electric motor cars also featured this sort of thing, largely because of the weight of the motor - generator set. Its all a matter of weight.
It's a power/dorm/storage car, so I guess all of the heavy equipment must be on the end with the 3-axle truck. I have another car that's like that -
(http://www.spookshow.net/layout6/layoutf378.jpg)
Cheers,
-Mark
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Saw that article and must admit I was negatively surprised. While his technique might be OK, his final effect was pretty bad, IMO. The cover loco looks like a toy--too shiny and pale--and the one in the article with the tan drivers looks as though it had been rescued from a flood or something. Not at all realistic.
I guess my question is "why is it important or, indeed, a good thing that a multiple hundred dollar locomotive should be weathered in 7 minutes...."? Is your time so dear as to only be able to spend seven minutes to weather your steam engine...?
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A couple of weeks ago, I picked up one of the these cheapie Harbor Freight jeweler's table saws at a train show.
(used, so it was cheaper than even at Harbor Freight).
I know from reading around the web that these are not well thought of, particularly because they
seem to have a grossly underpowered motor.
But I think people are trying to use it for heavier work than it was intended. I wondered if one put a
very fine-toothed blade in it, could it be used for really thin, precise cuts in metal.
Ha! It sure can. I found a place online, Martindale Electric, that makes small fine blades for saws like this.
I bought a 4", .010" thick, 300 tooth blade. It's like having a Zona blade in a circular saw form! And it slices
cleanly through brass thick-wall tubing and heavy brass sheet (like 1/16" thick anyway), with no trouble.
As you can see from the photo, you can barely even see that there are teeth on that thing. And it can make extremely
thin cuts because the blade is so thin. About the only thing I think I'll improve is that I want to get some heavier
steel disks, perhaps about 3", and bolt them on on either side of the blade, so that it isn't
4" of .010" steel, which gets very floppy if you're not careful.
(http://www.maxcowonline.com/photohost/misc/IMG_5813.jpg)
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Mark,
Very impressive scenes. What do you use for the coniferous trees?
Thank you!
I use a variety of conifers as starting points and modify most of them. Most background confiers on the East side of the Monashee mountain range are from Heki. Foreground conifers on the East side are predominantly Woodland Scenices bulk conifers. On the west, more arid, side the conifers come from Architrees. The Hekis and WS trees are trimmed, plucked and otherwise shaped and then flocked with ground foam. The Architrees are trimmed or bulked up with additional material rom slavaged Architrees.
At the snow-covered summit, all trees are Hekis that are repeatedly misted with water and sprinkled with Hydrocal.
I aim to buy all the trees bulk and aim for a price in the 33-50 cent/tree range.
Hope that helps!
md
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Short on time these days but here's a little fall project I started this week. Had an old undec kato rs-11 sitting around, so why not?
(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz313/sleddyeddy101/f8763087-6394-44c4-9461-cdb5dbdccd53_zpseac68baa.jpg?t=1380413971)
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MMAGLIARO Do you know if it will cut plastic without melting it? Thanks,Brian
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Glad to hear she's getting a work out.
Judging by the picture, I might suggest a re-think on your blue walls with the new lighting scheme... It's a tad bilious. Are you considering fading it toward the top of the wall for a better sky effect?
Bilious... Vocab word for the day. Lee still doesn't like my wall color... Noted... Again.
The plan right now is to have sky board painted the same color, but faded to white toward the bottom. More white in the more humid PA/OH areas, and less in the arid CO/CA areas. I'll admit, the blue is a bit bluer than what I'd intended. In person, It's not quite that garish, and I think it will make a decent high-sky color. I've compared it to the CA sky, and it's actually not too different from the middle of the sky on a sunny summer day. I think that makes it a good starting point to fade with white.
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Nice work all around. Mark's winter scene is always amazing to see.
I completed construction of the Train Cat PRR G22b. Most of the construction was done with CA but I soldered the stirrups and the brake wheel.
Now about those DECALS????
Doug Nelson
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-13.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
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Seeing another assembled G22 gondola finally got me to order a couple. Hopefully there are still some left.
Scott
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Slowly working on the first of the two approach plate girder spans for the Beatton River bridge. These are being cobbled together from a mix of Central Valley parts, strip styrene and whatever other bits and pieces I can find.
(http://bcrailfortnelson.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_6569.jpg)
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Russ: How do your Triple-53s work on model curves? I've often wondered if the trailer wheels would bind on rub rails going around "typical" curves.
Not that it matters in 1974, but it was something to wonder about...
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Russ: How do your Triple-53s work on model curves? I've often wondered if the trailer wheels would bind on rub rails going around "typical" curves.
Not that it matters in 1974, but it was something to wonder about...
They work fine but there are some things that help make this happen. First, I have 20" minimum radius curves on the mainline. Second, only certain trailers can ride in the "spanning" position on a Long Runner flat (DI trailers, for example, cannot as the gauge between inner tires is too narrow). MT trailer bogies seem to do the best in this position and, if a set of tires do happen to bind/ride up on a rub rail through a curve, the gauge can be easily widened by gently pulling the wheels outward along the axle a little.
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Did a bit of street paving to test a method of installation:
(http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/images/streets_4.jpg)
The technique is detailed here: http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/streets.htm
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MMAGLIARO Do you know if it will cut plastic without melting it? Thanks,Brian
Bryan,
Good question. Since you asked, I went and tested it. The short answer is, "Yes" it does it without melting.
I tried it on some .040", .020" and .010" strip, and some .020" sheet (making a cut about 2" long).
There is some very minor heat "crud" along the back edge after some of the cuts, but it flicks off with a fingernail
and leaves a crisp edge. There is no speed control on this thing. With a lower blade speed, it might
get rid of that little bit of melt effect. I bet it could be run off
a ceiling fan dimmer control and you could get some usable slow-down without too much torque loss.
...and if anybody is wondering... do NOT use a normal wall dimmer. A ceiling fan dimmer is a full-wave
type and on small motors (like this, or a Dremel tool), it works pretty well. I used a ceiling fan speed control
mounted in an electrical box as a speed control for my 1-speed Dremel for years.
ALSO... I looked in the box, and it COMES with two thicker 2-1/2" steel stabilizing plates, so I don't have to
go get them made like I thought I would have to. I bolted them onto
the shaft on either side of my ultra-thin blade, and it worked wonders. The blade stays really straight now.
Another word of caution. It can cut through brass strip and sheet very well. But if you try to cut brass pipe,
do NOT try to cut through the whole thing aggressively in one pass. I broke one of my lovely blades trying that stunt.
(Good thing I bought two).
Easy does it is the key, and with a good blade, this thing can work well.
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Nice work all around. Mark's winter scene is always amazing to see.
I completed construction of the Train Cat PRR G22b. Most of the construction was done with CA but I soldered the stirrups and the brake wheel.
Now about those DECALS????
Doug Nelson
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-13.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
That car is BEAUTIFUL. Kudos to you! (and to Bob a.k.a. TrainCat)
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CNW Mike, nice work on the kitbash. Can't wait to see more of it.
Cheers
Steve
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MMAGLIARO Do you know if it will cut plastic without melting it? Thanks,Brian
FWIW, I have the Micro Mark equivalent of the same tool. More costly than the Harbor Freight version, but I imagine they perform about the same.
(http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/50304_R.jpg) (http://www.micromark.com/microlux-miniature-table-saw,6936.html)
I use it to cut styrene all of the time. In fact, I could not have accomplished many of the things I have for the JCIR (http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/) without it (example below). I use the standard blade that came with it; in fact, I think a finer-tooth blade might cause melting as it wouldn't remove material as efficiently. To say it doesn't "melt" is to say that it makes very clean cuts (often so clean I don't need to sand or dress the edges), but depending on the type and thickness of plastic, there will be a ridge of melted material along the bottom edge of each cut, which comes right off just by brushing it with your fingers.
(http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/images/build_9d4.jpg) (http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/build_4.htm)
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Finished a few more projects this morning.
Microscale released the Heritage scheme decals, so I had to paint a few. The Trinity Hoppers are not exact matches, but has to do without getting into modifications.
(http://www.lakeshoremodeltrains.com/photogallery/BNSF%20Units/IMG_2251.JPG)
Also finished another CEFX SD40-2.
(http://www.lakeshoremodeltrains.com/photogallery/CEFX%20Units/IMG_2210.JPG)
(http://www.lakeshoremodeltrains.com/photogallery/CEFX%20Units/IMG_2214.JPG)
(http://www.lakeshoremodeltrains.com/photogallery/CEFX%20Units/IMG_2230.JPG)
Brian
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Amazing job removing the dynamic brake detail on your RS-11 shell!
(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz313/sleddyeddy101/f8763087-6394-44c4-9461-cdb5dbdccd53_zpseac68baa.jpg?t=1380413971)
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Nice work as always on here.
I got around to finishing a Mack CH613 tractor.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuTy2rZeyZU/UkeVQfZYLWI/AAAAAAAAEQU/EM-S8qONW3Q/s1600/Mack+1+n+scale.JPG)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qN9fTwIIvm4/UkeVQj4ZchI/AAAAAAAAEQY/YcS0E_181Mg/s1600/Mack+2+n+scale.JPG)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIl78H2J9hM/UkeVQum_wKI/AAAAAAAAEQc/Fr0nq_S-pPQ/s1600/Mack+3+n+scale.JPG)
HuskerN
www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com
www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict
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Added the Proviso Yard walkway. More at http://genevasub.blogspot.com
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3Wv0LwqFP8/UkhJ_-GBniI/AAAAAAAABTE/b7yYYAFpBpA/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZbGEH95GzQ/UkhKElmTnZI/AAAAAAAABTM/866GjEtywpU/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D)
Here's the prototype.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O9YH0zICGc/UkhhNKW2F4I/AAAAAAAABTc/Q4CYqXVDGF8/s1600/provo8.JPG)
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Finished my fourth B&M Geep today. This one is a GP7 with a modified horn to match the prototype more accurately. Painted in the Bicentennial scheme and weathered with chalks. Also put MT1015's on as well.
Now that all four are done they need new homes. :D
Jon
(http://www.n-scaler.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/normal_PICT0027.JPG)
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Nice work all around. Mark's winter scene is always amazing to see.
I completed construction of the Train Cat PRR G22b. Most of the construction was done with CA but I soldered the stirrups and the brake wheel.
Now about those DECALS????
Doug Nelson
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-13.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
Now that's a real eye-popper! 8) 8) 8)
Ed
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Here's the prototype.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O9YH0zICGc/UkhhNKW2F4I/AAAAAAAABTc/Q4CYqXVDGF8/s1600/provo8.JPG)
The new Railwire Motto?
As a kid in the late 50's my parents used to drive us over "The Old Rickety Bridge" which I think carried a major street across the Proviso Yard. I grew up seeing the Milwaukee Road's Bensenville Yard frequently but was much less familiar with C&NW's Proviso Yard. Am I recalling correctly?
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Some awesome stuff being posted here this weekend.
I have walked across that bridge at proviso plenty of times. Below the bridge is a double crossover, in the picture posted,, the photographer is facing east. And the hump yard is to his right. Behind and to the left is the engine shop area.
Here is what I have been doing. I was able to get the rest of the yard lead and throat finished. Which allowed me to start on the engine facility.
Before:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Eg0YR9qmC88/UjoQUh-BigI/AAAAAAAAAoI/sUeyCwzrvwA/w958-h389-no/IMGP0617.JPG)
I am not quite happy with the way it came out.
After:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WRwQZHHELTw/UkNz1eeeIZI/AAAAAAAAAmU/lyhhh6N3aQI/w958-h369-no/IMGP0629.JPG)
I like this arrangment better... still not written in stone. I thought about putting a modern steel building to the right of the backshop kit. Still noodling over that.
Once again,, Great job everyone!!!
Wyatt
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A lot of great work this week guys. And Mark Dance, your junction looks outstanding! Been weeks since I've been on here, but now that the summer is over, I will be spending more time on the layout. Not only has the summer been keeping me away, some of the reason has also been lack of motivation and inspiration. Spent around 5 hours today making scenic express trees and then breaking them down into smaller ones to fill in the area around the river. Surprising how little there looks to be done with the time that was put into it. I actually did add some more crushed shale to the scene prior the before pics. Just felt there wasn't enough in the scene. I did however forget to take a recent pic of this, but oh well, you get the idea. Here are some before and after shots for your viewing pleasure.
Before:
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/Blue%20Shale/IMG_26012_zps122c1251.jpg)
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/Blue%20Shale/IMG_26032_zpsefbc1328.jpg)
After:
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1862_zps1cf882a6.jpg)
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1861_zps2dff71d8.jpg)
Thanks for looking!
David
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(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1862_zps1cf882a6.jpg)
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1861_zps2dff71d8.jpg)
Wow, just between you and Mark Dance, we have so much incredible win right there; everything else is bonus.
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Continued sampling Colorado's narrow gauge awesomeness with a trip to the Georgetown loop. Snow's in the mountains above 12,000' already.
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1383973_10151708811473865_1259387742_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1380348_10151708812103865_1085898734_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1380157_10151708813438865_431137887_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1383236_10151708814193865_864098288_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/11530_10151708810228865_6565464_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1384021_10151708810748865_846731079_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1382330_10151708814388865_1370044366_n.jpg)
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....
...
After:
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1862_zps1cf882a6.jpg)
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1861_zps2dff71d8.jpg)
Thanks for looking!
David
David,
This is still one of the most magnificently done scenes I ever see on Railwire. I enjoy it every time you post!
The little trees do add some more to it.
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FWIW, I have the Micro Mark equivalent of the same tool. More costly than the Harbor Freight version, but I imagine they perform about the same.
(http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/50304_R.jpg) (http://www.micromark.com/microlux-miniature-table-saw,6936.html)
I use it to cut styrene all of the time. In fact, I could not have accomplished many of the things I have for the JCIR (http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/) without it (example below). I use the standard blade that came with it; in fact, I think a finer-tooth blade might cause melting as it wouldn't remove material as efficiently. To say it doesn't "melt" is to say that it makes very clean cuts (often so clean I don't need to sand or dress the edges), but depending on the type and thickness of plastic, there will be a ridge of melted material along the bottom edge of each cut, which comes right off just by brushing it with your fingers.
(http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/images/build_9d4.jpg) (http://www.jerseycityindustrial.net/build_4.htm)
Hard to say, but I think the Micro Mark one looks like it's a little nicer machine. The HB one came my way at a train
sale; that's why I bought it. I was thinking about cutting metal mostly, which is why I ordered a specially-made
thin, fine-tooth blade.
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Such a beautiful little layout you're building David. Please keep up the great work (and posting the pics).
After:
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1862_zps1cf882a6.jpg)
(http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/spongebob0374/River%20Scenery/ET3A1861_zps2dff71d8.jpg)
Thanks for looking!
David
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Been working over the weekend on getting an acceptable Brooklyn NYC belgian block texture. I was going to use the monster modelworks stuff (and I still may) but I have some high hopes for this as well.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/10011998974_74f9993abd_c.jpg)
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Added the Proviso Yard walkway.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3Wv0LwqFP8/UkhJ_-GBniI/AAAAAAAABTE/b7yYYAFpBpA/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D)
I recognize those . . . . . Ingenious use for them!
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(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-13.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
HAWT!! Fantastic work Doug.
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Glad to hear she's getting a work out.
Judging by the picture, I might suggest a re-think on your blue walls with the new lighting scheme... It's a tad bilious. Are you considering fading it toward the top of the wall for a better sky effect?
Lee
Lee,
It's worth remembering that Eric isn't modeling PA. He's modeling PRR through the Rockies. After living a few months out here in Colorado I can vouch the the skies are often bluer here than you could ever imagine.
Then again, Eric, another constant out here are clouds over the mountains.
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Nice work all around. Mark's winter scene is always amazing to see.
I completed construction of the Train Cat PRR G22b. Most of the construction was done with CA but I soldered the stirrups and the brake wheel.
Now about those DECALS????
Doug Nelson
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-13.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
Looks great! My pair suffered a cat attack last week. I had them on the very top of my compuyter desk. The cat never goes up there. I come back in the room and there are DB4 containers everywhere. Nothing was ruined, but I do need to glue some things back together.
I'm glad to see you positioned your trucks the opposite way MTL instructs you to. Looks like I'm not the only one thought the trucks need pushed in towards the center.
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... He's modeling PRR through the Rockies. After living a few months out here in Colorado I can vouch the the skies are often bluer here than you could ever imagine. ...
+1. Western skies are consistently clearer and bluer, and you aren't dealing with the constant haze. Around here (rural Illinois), an afternoon with a crisp, blue sky is called a "chamber of commerce day." We get about five of 'em a year. Robyn and I laugh at the local restaurants who spend thousands on outdoor eating areas, only to discover that nobody uses them because you can count truly nice days on your fingers.
It was a point of contention between me and the late Stan Lytle. His high standards for rail photography meant that Midwesterners need not apply; the lighting conditions he demanded for publication just weren't going to happen here. :|
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Spent the weekend working on my newest oNeTrak module of the Waste Management transfer facility in Jessup, MD.
(http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6Nu3bKSz5_8/Ukm7Juw0aGI/AAAAAAAABJU/ga2JfiiN0mI/w764-h1018-no/IMG_00000049.jpg)
(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1gyvaMRBhtk/UknE7IA7wxI/AAAAAAAABJk/seG9fdvXlJ0/w764-h1018-no/IMG_00000048.jpg)
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Looks great! My pair suffered a cat attack last week. I had them on the very top of my compuyter desk. The cat never goes up there. I come back in the room and there are DB4 containers everywhere. Nothing was ruined, but I do need to glue some things back together.
Meow fitchoo !!
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I've never seen cars with mixed 2axle and 3 axle trucks, crazy UP...
Thomas
It's always strange to hear an odd numbered axle count on the radio.
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Looks great! My pair suffered a cat attack last week. I had them on the very top of my compuyter desk. The cat never goes up there. I come back in the room and there are DB4 containers everywhere. Nothing was ruined, but I do need to glue some things back together...
I've solved that problem by having no cats in the house. ;)
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It's always strange to hear an odd numbered axle count on the radio.
Yes. This is sort of how I tell when there is a particular private varnish observation car on Amtrak through here - it's a six-axle car, so the axle count isn't evenly divisible by four as it would be with a normal consist.
BTW, centipede tenders (UP 844 and 3985) have seven axles, with the same effect. However, put that particular power car on the train and the count is even again. :D
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I've heard odd axle counts (here in the north east) and it usually means that the device missed an axle. No one ever seems to care.
-Cody F.
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I've heard odd axle counts (here in the north east) and it usually means that the device missed an axle. No one ever seems to care.
-Cody F.
I've heard the same here, every so often the hot box on the edge of town will come up with an odd count and there's never any fuss about it. Sometimes it's a small odd count, like 7. I assume that to be MOW things going by but I've not been able to get out and see before whatever it is would have passed. They pulled half a train across it and backed up, then forward again one day. That was a long one :)
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All this talk about axle counters reminded me of something I read in "Campus Comedy" in Reader's Digest. There were a Volkswagen Beetle full of college kids who stopped for one of those axle counters one sees on roads every now and then. They drove the front wheels over the counter, then lifted the rear axle off the ground and carried it past the counter. When I read that, my first thought was that a car with a single-axle trailer would get the same results. Those kids weren't getting much out of college.
Hmm... Kiz got a useless
English degree out of his
college...
(http://bayouline.com/o2.gif)
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Lee,
It's worth remembering that Eric isn't modeling PA. He's modeling PRR through the Rockies. After living a few months out here in Colorado I can vouch the the skies are often bluer here than you could ever imagine.
Then again, Eric, another constant out here are clouds over the mountains.
True that, at least partially. I am, in fact, modeling PA and OH in addition to CA and CO. It is also true that the blue walls are a bit bluer than I'd intended. Having said that, I think the blue that I've got makes a good starting point. Beginning with that blue on skyboards, I can spray white toward the bottom to create the sky illusion. The lower level, representing OH and PA, will include more white to represent the additional humidity. To help with the illusion, the lower level sky boards will likely extend all the way to the bottom of the upper level. The only place that the current blue will really be seen is high above the CA and CO skylines. In the meantime, y'all will have to deal with the biliousness.
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Since several of you got a kick out of what I got for Christmas (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28239.msg294986#msg294986), I figured I had to show you what I got for my birthday:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muNg1eiV9v0/UkomcRV4SSI/AAAAAAAACj4/1yCWynnCrPQ/w1164-h628-no/IMG_4389_cr.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SMF6rNBcpE0/Ukomc0Z_75I/AAAAAAAACj8/ZepSk2Vh3rw/w1066-h787-no/IMG_4390_cr.jpg)
Some $18.95 BLW close-out Dash 8s and a Klingon Bat'leth. It is marketed as a letter opener but if my ex-South Philly neighbor across the street ever gets out of hand I'll trump his brass knuckles with my "letter opener".
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It is marketed as a letter opener but if my ex-South Philly neighbor across the street ever gets out of hand I'll trump his brass knuckles with my "letter opener".
Sounds like you have a petaQ for a neighbor. :D
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muNg1eiV9v0/UkomcRV4SSI/AAAAAAAACj4/1yCWynnCrPQ/w1164-h628-no/IMG_4389_cr.jpg)
As I said on other forums, pure unadulterated awesome.
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(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-12.jpg)
Doug, that's beeutiful, nice job assembling it! But, it's just screaming for BLMA or FV wheels... :P
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it's just screaming for BLMA or FV wheels...
Would love to see it with Brian's scale working couplers (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=30351.msg333221#msg333221) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
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Doug, that's beeutiful, nice job assembling it! But, it's just screaming for BLMA or FV wheels... :P
Ask and ye shall receive. Good call.
Doug.
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/dougnelson/image-11.jpg)
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Yessss!
8)
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It's hard not to catch the steam bug around here, so I gave in.
(http://cgwrr.com/Steam/BnOCT-1.jpg)
(http://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/images/boct1703.jpg)