Colorado Midland Railway Engineering Report

[Santa Fe Guy]

I wonder if the dirt problem has anything to do with the fact that the Colorado Midland is a new layout. I noticed that on my old layout the  dirt problem seemed to be lessening over time. I assumed that freshly ballasted and weathered track still had some residue of paint and glue on it despite what I thought was a thorough cleaning prior to use. Cleaning the track with a clean cloth soaked in alcohol would leave black marks on the cloth. My theory was that while the top surface of the rail was polished well by the 'bright boy' type cleaning pad, this left substantial paint and glue residue on the inside of the rail head that could be picked up by the flanges of the wheels and spread around the layout. A more rigorous cleaning method that addressed the inside of the rail head seemed to reduce the problem.
Geoff

I'm with you Geoff. I found that the inside of the rail head was as big a culprit as the top of the rail for getting dirty. I used lots of ME Code 55 track and kept that portion of my track clean as well. Made a huge difference to the operation of my locos. Same goes for the very inside flange of Loco wheels. If you use a too course a cloth to clean the wheels you will not get right into the corner of the flange hence leaving crud in there to be spread around.
Rod.

[eric220]

(Attachment Link)

Are you sure the CM ever saw that level of traffic? This ain’t the Pennsy you know... 

[Lemosteam]

^^^^^#instigator 

[Dave V]

Comparison between my Bachmann 4-6-0 and the real Colorado Midland class 102 #38 as seen in Dan Abbott's "Colorado Midland Railway: Daylight Through the Divide."  I backdated the headlight a bit but otherwise my only modification was the lettering.  It's not a bad match, actually.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Angus Shops]

It certainly has the right proportions. I know that you don't want to go down the proto detail rabbit hole, but a single air pump and a wood pilot...
Geoff

[Dave V]

It certainly has the right proportions. I know that you don't want to go down the proto detail rabbit hole, but a single air pump and a wood pilot...
Geoff

Once upon a time…  It's not a matter of not wanting to.  It's a matter of my hands not letting me do it.   Even getting the lettering straight was a challenge.

[Dave V]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Angus Shops]

There is no greater testimony than a close up photo. The lettering looks perfectly straight to me. Sometimes we need to be reminded that that this hobby is still meant for our enjoyment, not personal struggle.
Cheers and thanks, Geoff

[mcjaco]

There is no greater testimony than a close up photo. The lettering looks perfectly straight to me. Sometimes we need to be reminded that that this hobby is still meant for our enjoyment, not personal struggle.
Cheers and thanks, Geoff

This.  I've been working on projects for the RPM-Chicagoland show and Trainfest.  I'm struggling with my eyes.  I've been 20/20 my entire life, but working in front of computers the past 20+ years is causing a lot of strain.  Even with glasses, and magnification, I'm struggling with small details.  I'm trying to find the right balance of enjoyment, and wanting to push toward what I know I'm capable of.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It certainly has the right proportions. I know that you don't want to go down the proto detail rabbit hole, but a single air pump and a wood pilot...
Geoff

And a wood cab.

[Dave V]

And a wood cab.

Yup, I know.  If this were my primary layout, yeah...I'd be hunting for some wood cabbage.  But for what it is, i.e., my "side piece" ( ) it gets the job done.

Once the show is over this weekend any new work on the CMRy will be slow and sporadic.  It's time for me to refocus my attention on the HOn3 RGS.  To get that project going I have a host of craftsman structure kits to build and <shudder> lots and lots of trestle bents to build.  Fortunately I already have the lumber and jigs on hand.  It should be straightforward.  Tedious, but straightforward.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yup, I know.  If this were my primary layout, yeah...I'd be hunting for some wood cabbage.  But for what it is, i.e., my "side piece" ( ) it gets the job done.

Cool cool. When you decide to come back to it, I think a cab swap might be an easy thing.

[jpec]

Yup, I know.  If this were my primary layout, yeah...I'd be hunting for some wood cabbage.  But for what it is, i.e., my "side piece" ( ) it gets the job done.

Once the show is over this weekend any new work on the CMRy will be slow and sporadic.  It's time for me to refocus my attention on the HOn3 RGS.  To get that project going I have a host of craftsman structure kits to build and <shudder> lots and lots of trestle bents to build.  Fortunately I already have the lumber and jigs on hand.  It should be straightforward.  Tedious, but straightforward.

You can build a few trestle bents every night...or trees...

[Dave V]

You can build a few trestle bents every night...or trees...

LOL...exactly!

[Philip H]

You can build a few trestle bents every night...or trees...

You could also use this activity to keep yourself calm during Penn State games . . .