Weekend Update 12/30/12

[C855B]

...but I draw the line at that tacky beacon...

Jim, that's just carrying forward UP practice 1965-75. Granted, beacon and ditch lights (I detest ditch lights, so there!) are a bit much. It doesn't help things that there is no currently available model of the specific Federal Signal beacon UP used.

Anyway, when done right (http://www.ngineering.com/rot-beacon_video.htm), it can be an interesting effect departing from the "toy" genre.

[rsn48]

VirginaCSX, I gave double track a hard long think and decided against it.  The area that inspired my nolix is single track on either side with very few sidings.  What makes the scene dramatic is the look of track and train appearing to hang on the edge of the mountain beside the river; you can get a sense of it with the video I will link to below (I've posted it before, here).  My other favourite area was a BC Rail scene with track clinging to a mountain beside a lake, single tracked. The only area that has double track is the visible level two with the two trains side by side in my picture.  I thought having single track tenaciously clinging to the tall steep mountain would be visually more compelling.

I am nervous about staging as I stated earlier; it will be easy to modify the nolix on its inside to add staging at the top level and bottom level if I decide to go in that direction.

Thompson River:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DrSJwoD3dls

This from the point of view of a cab ride (notice the dog in the cab) which shows again single track along a mountain (so to speak) and a lake:

/>
BC Rail ride in the Cheakumus Canyon - 2.2% grade: [jump to the two minute mark]

/>

[Guilford Guy]

What kit is that in the first picture?

Atlas Middlesex Manufacturing, nothing fancy. It's representing a new addition, to the not yet built original factory structure.

[Puddington]

Short of adding some  three chime horns (on order) and window blinds (which I will when I determine the correct colour) the "Crash Naturally" (aka CN) RDC 1, Road Number D102 is done.... nice and dirty (and that's actually fair; these RDC's that ran in regional areas didn't see a wash rack very often and got fairly grungy....)



The idea will be to have this 'thing" arrive at Puddington valley, discharge the poor, shaken and scared CN passengers who are going to catch one of CP's modern, clean and safe trains at the station ans then leave..... 

BTW, anyone got any ideas how to add the "chains" across the door...? chain is too big... maybe 0.008 wire ?

[rsn48]

The idea will be to have this 'thing" arrive at Puddington valley, discharge the poor, shaken and scared CN passengers

My father was in the Canadian Military, first Army Service Corp (during the Second WW until "integration,") then "Logistics."  When he was away for extended summer exercises and during Canada's first Peace Keeping Mission in the Suez Canal, my mother and I would cross Canada on one train from Quebec City to Montreal, them from Montreal to Jasper, then back again when our time was up waiting for my father. 

While in Jasper I scored lots of free cab rides in Steamers, then diesels, rode the turntable a number of times, both my grandfather and uncle were CN engineers, my grandfather would take the Super Continental out from Jasper to Edson, then back again in one day.  My uncle was a freight guy. 

I hung out at the station waiting for passenger trains (to me freight trains were boring things one had to put up with) to arrive and discharge those getting off, and those looking for a walking break from sitting.

And I was never fearful of trains until I took a frail geriatric RDC on Vancouver Island from Qualicum Beach up to Courtenay BC.  The old beater RDC I rode, more like a horse than a train had obviously lost the usefulness of the springs to dampen the ride.  I never bounced, jounced, and bobbled our way down the track like I did on that thing, I was actually nervous for my son and I's safety.

[MichaelWinicki]

Just a DPM building...

Sprayed the building the color of the trim and then brush painted the brick.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

BTW, anyone got any ideas how to add the "chains" across the door...? chain is too big... maybe 0.008 wire ?

TrainCat Bob has some nice brass "chain" as part of his oil tanker platform kit (and perhaps sold separately):



You can see it at the end of the oil tanker platform in this photo:



Otherwise, there's some fine link chain I found at the LHS (can't remember the brand):



Though I think it'd be a little too big for the RDC.
(Just keep it moving & no one will notice )
Groovy paint job, btw!

[up1950s]

Love those snow shields Jim . I have them but need to take the time to do it .

[Hornwrecker]

I finally got done plastering and making rock molds (all the white areas), except for the the tunnel entrance (the portals should be here soon).  The removable section over the main blends in a lot better than I expected it to.  My dog was laying at my feet when I was making the hard shell, and got a big glob of plaster right between his eyes, didn't bother him at all.



I'm glad I bought a MTL PRR tri-level for clearance checking, have to do some blasting on the grade to remove some rock, not that I expect to move excess height and length cars over this track.  Still need to find an industry to fit into the flat area to the left of the humongous ground throw that leads to the coal mine.  The track at the back, against the rocks is for a scrap yard.

[rogergperkins]

I am a bit surprised that the YouTube video I posted a couple of days ago has not drawn any comments.

/>BLI B&O E-6A/B with MTL heavy weight passenger cars.
I am very much an amateur, but enjoy capturing the trains moving about the layout.

[jereising]

Love those snow shields Jim . I have them but need to take the time to do it .

You mean someone SELLS them?  I cobbled them up out of sheet brass...not particularly happy with them but they look OK.

[NARmike]

Got my bridge painted and mounted... still some weathering to do and then on to land forms.



Here's the 3 latest additions to the fleet... Available exclusively from Jeff at Prairie Shadows http://www.prairieshadows.com/

Atlas did a fantastic job on the paint... I just need to add the high mount bell, sinclair antenna and winterization hatch!



Mike

[dnhouston]

Great work everyone!  No pictures for me.  I've just been wiring up the wye, and building the control panel for the upper staging yard.

[JSL]

Mike that bridge is damn fine. Jeff will be happy to see those on display

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Got my bridge painted and mounted... still some weathering to do and then on to land forms.


Mike

Seen helices built with threaded rods, but using threaded bolts for bridge base is brilliant!
(or, it is in concept until I mangle it in practice!)

Any words of wisdom on the windings?
[p.s. locos look luscious, too]