Weekend Update 2014/11/23

[Jim Starbuck]

Nothing gets past you guys
#652 when I get home tonight and make the number decals.

[LIRR]

Re: dental floss bridge piers.....Very clever. I was just starting to plan a new bridge scene.   I think I will explore your idea. Bravo.

[Angus Shops]

Tim,

I've used tiny drops of something like Walthers Goo, just enough to hold the floor in place, but easily cut away if needed. There's no reason to get inside them once they're complete...

Nice looking cars!

Geoff

[skytop35]

Bill:

Is it your long term intent to keep the carbody removable?  I ask because for the museum coaches I have just completed, I was wondering whether or not to glue the underframes in.  When I pick them up, they invariably come apart.  There is no interior detail as the blinds were invariably closed to protect the exhibits from sunlight, and that is how I have modelled them, so I am struggling to think of a reason why I would need to get inside.

Tim

Tim,

I like to keep them removeable if possible, just in case. Most of mine have a tight fit but I have glued a few that were real loose and would come apart when lifted. I use just a small dab of ACC on each end. This makes it much easier to break the glue bond should I need to get inside. Haven't had the need to get into one yet! (fingers crossed)

Bill

[bbussey]

I milled the interior cavity of the I-5 tender body, and I think I got it right on the second shot.  The exterior will be a wee bit trickier.

[milw156]

(Attachment Link) I got fired up after attending Trainfest and actually did some modeling.
The LL SW1200 has been on my list for quite a while.

Modifications include:
Turned down flanges
Kato brass worms
TCS Z2 hardwire decoder
Independently controlled cab and headlight via micro LEDs
Spark arrestors
MU hoses
Train line hoses
MU stands
All weather window
Cab shade
Canvas winter front
Air tank piping
Z scale couplers
A little detail paint and weathering

Jim

That is so dang hot it is almost pornographic! When you get motivated, you don't mess around!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful!
Rick

[BCR 570]

Thank you Bill and Geoff - looking for the bottle of ACC . . .

I forgot to post this photograph of a test run of the museum train consist as it presently exists:




Tim

[craigolio1]

Here is part weekend update and  part "Top Tip"

Did you know that certain dental floss containers make perfect N scale bridge piers.?    They have a nice taper, are the exact width for Central Valley spans (from which my Fort Nelson bridge is kitbashed) and, depending on your prototype are the correct height.  I'm using the Shoppers Drug Mart generic 'Life' brand value sized dispensers.

They are not an exact match for the Fort Nelson river bridge piers but as a way of saving time, money and avoiding hand-carving balsa wood piers I am fine with this approach.




I love it!  good find.



Early stages here.   Sanding and primer is definitely needed as the smooth plastic does not take paint well.

Awesome find!

[basementcalling]

Here is part weekend update and  part "Top Tip"

Did you know that certain dental floss containers make perfect N scale bridge piers.?    They have a nice taper, are the exact width for Central Valley spans (from which my Fort Nelson bridge is kitbashed) and, depending on your prototype are the correct height.  I'm using the Shoppers Drug Mart generic 'Life' brand value sized dispensers.

They are not an exact match for the Fort Nelson river bridge piers but as a way of saving time, money and avoiding hand-carving balsa wood piers I am fine with this approach.





Early stages here.   Sanding and primer is definitely needed as the smooth plastic does not take paint well.

The bridge will be cavity free. Neat find.

[skytop35]

A little addendum to my article on adding sound to Intermountain F units. I thought the A units would require frame milling but I came up with a better way. I just removed the cab interior and stuck a Zimo 12x8mm "Sugar Cube" speaker up front in its place. I painted the speaker box black and it's not noticeable thru the windows. The LED wiring runs under the speaker for the dual headlights. Mars on top and regular headlight below. Sweet !

 

[craigolio1]

Well done!  Where would I find your article?

Craig

[skytop35]

Well done!  Where would I find your article?

Craig

May/June 2014 N Scale Railroading

[craigolio1]

May/June 2014 N Scale Railroading

Thanks.

[basementcalling]

Haven't had much time to work on the Idaho Belt, but did find time this weekend to cobble together this Unitrack plan in 20x 30 inches for a small switching layout based on David Smith's Hoboken Industrial.



Plan is to base the structures and scenery on Suffolk, VA, and a couple of peanut processing plants and modern warehouses.

I might move the turnout at top left - which can be a team track or connection for interchange - to the bottom right to get most of the fancy trackwork on one side, and to open the top left corner for a scenic area with a low trestle over a tidal creek and marsh, which is very prototypical for Suffolk. It has a couple interesting bridges.

[Chris333]

Haven't had much time to work on the Idaho Belt, but did find time this weekend to cobble together this Unitrack plan in 20x 30 inches for a small switching layout based on David Smith's Hoboken Industrial.



Plan is to base the structures and scenery on Suffolk, VA, and a couple of peanut processing plants and modern warehouses.

I might move the turnout at top left - which can be a team track or connection for interchange - to the bottom right to get most of the fancy trackwork on one side, and to open the top left corner for a scenic area with a low trestle over a tidal creek and marsh, which is very prototypical for Suffolk. It has a couple interesting bridges.

SWEET!  So it will be a modern era layout? Wonder if the new SW1500 will make those curves.