Weekend Update 5/2/21

[SAH]

Thanks Oli.  But perfection?  Far from it.  So far so good but there's a ways to go and still time to screw it up.

Steve

Wow ! Perfection, very well done.

Oli

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Recycled a bodged Trak Kit and used it to practice Fusion 360 skills.  Made some SLA and FDM friendly versions of a generalized  Pennsy Catenary supports that can have details easily added and removed fairly easily. This one is based around ones found in South Amboy. As well as a moderate puddle jumper based on some of the ones found around the Central Jersey Salt Marshes that can be printed either in 4 quarters or expanded with an infinitely printable dual piece center expansion.

Sploosh.

[GimpLizard]

Great work this week everyone!

I’m inching closer on Owings Mills. Added the pylons at the edge of the parking lot, and continuing to tie in the coal trestle. Got close enough to go ahead and paint the fascia!  Next up - trees!

This is really looking good. I'm especially impressed with the grade-crossing on the spur track. That may just be the best execution of a crossing I've ever seen. It has a very natural, and realistic, transition from flat to rise, IMO.

[PiperguyUMD]

@GimpLizard - Thanks! I stressed over the pavement on this module. It was one of the reasons I procrastinated.

@PiperguyUMD, I love the look of your track and ballast, especially the coloring of your ties. Mind sharing your technique?
Gordon, thanks! No feather in my hat yet, maybe later today (I hope)😬
Otto

Sure. I use Joey Ricard's (SP?) method for weathering track. I spray bombed the entire piece of track flat back, then painted each tie with various mixes of cheap acrylic paints. I put a dab of four different colors on a pallet and let them run together for custom mixes. This part of the project is really time consuming. After that dried I made a solution with ground chalk and alcohol and painted the rails and "tie plates." Once everything is set, I dust the whole thing with different browns and blacks to dull everything down. You can see the four different stages of flex track prep here:



Once glued to the layout, I put a thin application of ballast on the still wet glue between the ties. I also paint the sides of the roadbed with matte medium and sprinkle a very light coat of ballast outside the rails. I try to keep the layer of ballast as thin as possible. Putting down a light coat early in the process provides some tooth for the second coat which helps keep things neat.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@GimpLizard - Thanks! I stressed over the pavement on this module. It was one of the reasons I procrastinated.

Sure. I use Joey Ricard's (SP?) method for weathering track. I spray bombed the entire piece of track flat back, then painted each tie with various mixes of cheap acrylic paints. I put a dab of four different colors on a pallet and let them run together for custom mixes. This part of the project is really time consuming. After that dried I made a solution with ground chalk and alcohol and painted the rails and "tie plates." Once everything is set, I dust the whole thing with different browns and blacks to dull everything down. You can see the four different stages of flex track prep here:



Once glued to the layout, I put a thin application of ballast on the still wet glue between the ties. I also paint the sides of the roadbed with matte medium and sprinkle a very light coat of ballast outside the rails. I try to keep the layer of ballast as thin as possible. Putting down a light coat early in the process provides some tooth for the second coat which helps keep things neat.

This is gonna take forever for the new NCR. But looks 100% worth it!

[dem34]

This is gonna take forever for the new NCR. But looks 100% worth it!

A good, appropriately sized flatbrush goes a long way. Each step actually goes pretty quick when you get into a rhythm.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the explanation @PiperguyUMD, looks great,
Otto

[PiperguyUMD]

A good, appropriately sized flatbrush goes a long way. Each step actually goes pretty quick when you get into a rhythm.

Using acrylics really helps. I would leave everything setup on the work bench along with a jar of water for quick cleanup. That makes it easier to paint 30-50 ties in a sitting during breaks in the day.

[Philip H]

The track crews started cutting in the track for Wizard in The Woods Railcar, a David K. Smith Industry.  I'll have my programming track behind the building

[craigolio1]

Modeling a landscape without lots of foliage to hide stuff is tough IMO.  I think you've become an expert at minimal landscapes Chuck.  Well done.  And thanks for putting me onto the Martin Welberg videos.  Good stuff.

Progress on the AC&Y RS1.  Here's the body and frame together and then the naked frame.  Now on to the upgrading the shell.  The more I study photos the more I see that needs to be done to the factory shell.  I think I need to stop studying and take the test. 

Steve

Beautiful job on the handrails. I have a half dozen resin locomotive shells that can’t be considered complete until I build the courage to do the handrails. The most complicated are a pair of Briggs M420b which go end to end and require multiple bends at each end for the step rails.

Would you mind sharing your process?

Craig

[SAH]

Sure.  New topic in the Scratchbuilding section.

[peteski]

Sure.  New topic in the Scratchbuilding section.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=52005.0

[johnb]

I just got a Tomytec TM-TR01 from Japan today!

I am going to paint her in Pre WWII maroon. I am considering numbering it as #530 since 530 is going to finally be restored in Perris, CA. 530 was someone's cabin in Crestline and is a prime candidate for restoration.

[JMaurer1]

Johns back!