Weekend Update 11/9/2014

[jereising]

Here's the final version of the LED ditch light equipped GP60Ms.



Writing the procedure now; I think I need a couple more photos before I put the tutorial up.  Watch for it in the N Scale forum...

[mandealco]

Thanks Graig.  Painting and decaling is where I often lose the plot!  The silver window gaskets are just painted.  I use a fine brush, dip in silver paint then wipe most of it off, leaving just enough paint to cover the raised window surround.  I use the brush on about a 30 degree angle to the shell, and just touch the edge of the window as I work round the window frame.  May have to go round a couple of times to get the desired effect.  I've tried the same technique using toothpicks, thin styrene held in a pin vice and several other tools, but keep coming back to the brush.
Cheers
Steve

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Ryan: thanks for the photos of the Free-moN setup.
Wish I could be there, but both kids have 4 soccer games this weekend (one up in Sacramento, crazy enough) so wasn't able to make it.
At least Steve was able to take a bunch of my modules up!
And at least November in California is a lovely 65 degrees & sunny!

Silicon Valley Free-moN will be at the Great Train Expo show in Pleasanton / Alameda County Fairgrounds on November 22 & 23 (weekend before Thanksgiving): http://www.greattrainexpo.com/shows/2014Pleasanton.html][url]http://www.greattrainexpo.com/shows/2014Pleasanton.html[/url]

Hope to see everyone there!

Been chugging along on the HO Meadows Lumber layout with both structures and track laying:



More photos on the Layout thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=29907.msg399714#new

Happy weekend, everyone.

[tom mann]

 I finally finished this BLMA N scale SP Gon that I started 3 years ago



I took apart the sides and flexed them downward using hot water (good idea @rswinnerton !) to make the car look as if it has a bow. I then placed an old drill bit through both sides and under the underframe to keep the sides in place as the glue dried and the sides cooled off. 

Decals and number are complete foob!

[Denver Road Doug]

I finally finished this BLMA N scale SP Gon that I started 3 years ago



I took apart the sides and flexed them downward using hot water (good idea @rswinnerton !) to make the car look as if it has a bow. I then placed an old drill bit through both sides and under the underframe to keep the sides in place as the glue dried and the sides cooled off. 

Decals and number are complete foob!

That is pretty/ugly.   

Is there a discussion describing the process somewhere?   Assuming you did the drill bit thing before painting and filled the hole?   Selling this car?   

[bbussey]

Nice job Tom.  Next time, do a legit deco scheme! 

I've been messing around with the milling machine the last couple of weeks on styrene bars.  Been trying to figure out how to kitbash/scratchbuild a New Haven I-5 4-6-2 for years, and I finally might have found a path forward.  I'm starting with the tender, which will be an etched brass skin around a styrene body core.  The styrene floor will house the electronics.  After a few attempts, I finally rendered a couple of good floors.  The model is designed for Con-Cor J3a Hudson tender trucks, which are the most-correct commercially-available trucks, so the electrical pickup system will reflect that.









Originally, I was going to use the J3a mechanism.  But now, I'll be using a Kato GS-4 with the rear drivers removed.  That part of the project will come later.  For now, I want to try to get the tender done.

[Scottl]

I was going to build my Briggs 8-40CM kit, but I figure I'll let others blaze a path.  I was in the scenery and track groove this weekend so I finished the last of the track work, roughed in White Canyon and cast a lot of rocks including my new mold that came from a 3D print of a real rock face.

Rocks in hand, I've started to fill in some of that offensively white foam base.

[tom mann]

Rocks in hand, I've started to fill in some of that offensively white foam base.

Looks nice so far.

[sizemore]

I actually still work on my trains! I took a much needed vacation and in addition to travel got some much needed relaxation time in ACME Labs.

Bachmann released this scheme back in the mid 90's which was the first car I picked up and got me started in N scale. So I had to get this car when Atlas released it. The goal was a short term (under two hour project) on one of the latest Atlas Plug door paintschemes. New stirrups, etched roofwalk, new brakewheel, low pro wheels and body mounted couplers.  Just need to give it a little weathering now!


Next up is an RDC I've been meaning to finish, B&O 9918 (ex Santa Flush DC-191). The stripes were the hardest part. I just need to finish the yellow stripe wrap on the door jams and add the blue stripe on the doors.


I also started getting details added to my Bachmann GP-7, I just want to see how basic details can make this little guy a real winner.


Lastly I was tinkering around with an Arduino for light controls for towns, no vid but the lights will go on depending on the value of the analog signal returned from the photoresistor.


The S.

[tom mann]

Is there a discussion describing the process somewhere?   

I'll get some thoughts together and post them in the weathering forum.

[Iain]

Yesterday I ran trains out at the Neuse River Valley show; alas, my NS DRS6-6-1500 had decoder issues.  The Lima ran well, then I decided to give my sharks a go.  An AB pair pulled forty odd cars with ease.

This morning I flew to Los Angeles:



Tomorrow I have a job interview, then I'll see if I can get some railfanning in.  I don't have wheels, so I'm limited to public transport.

[Roger Holmes]

This last week was my turn to host The Once-A-Month Model RR Club of Springfield, IL. There are 24 of us and we each host once every two years.  First, a few of the new projects completed in the last two years.







Next a tour of a few scenes on the layout.

















And, finally, my train watching chair which is a Milwaukee Road Parlor Car seat located across the aisle from the refinery scene, above.



Time to get started on projects for the 2016 layout visit

[craigolio1]

Here's the final version of the LED ditch light equipped GP60Ms.



Writing the procedure now; I think I need a couple more photos before I put the tutorial up.  Watch for it in the N Scale forum...

I'm looking forward to this.

[craigolio1]

Thanks Graig.  Painting and decaling is where I often lose the plot!  The silver window gaskets are just painted.  I use a fine brush, dip in silver paint then wipe most of it off, leaving just enough paint to cover the raised window surround.  I use the brush on about a 30 degree angle to the shell, and just touch the edge of the window as I work round the window frame.  May have to go round a couple of times to get the desired effect.  I've tried the same technique using toothpicks, thin styrene held in a pin vice and several other tools, but keep coming back to the brush.
Cheers
Steve

Nice. Thanks Steve.

[CodyO]

Roger do you have a thread with your layout plan and construction?