Weekend Update 3/13/16

[up1950s]

[peteski]

Unlike Europe where the locos have dual cabs (and had them pretty much since the first electrics were introduced over 100 years ago), in North America they still need to turn locos around.  Especially nowadays with all those wide cabs.  

[wcfn100]

I'm trying to use Shapeways' free shipping offer to get my CNW rebuilt box car sides done.



I though I would get a big time savings by using the same door latch I designed, but it turned out to be a nightmare. Definitely one time I don't like using a parametric modeling program.

I think I'm down to the door tracks and stops, door latch and the left door stop and I'm done.


Jason

[jmlaboda]

Unlike Europe where the locos have dual cabs (and had them pretty much since the first electrics were introduced over 100 years ago), in North America they still need to turn locos around.  Especially nowadays with all those wide cabs.  

Not really... there are numerous shots of units running long hood forward on numerous roads.  Back when the SD50s and SD60s were new there were problems running them long hood forward, with cabs tending to fill with exhaust fumes making it difficult for the units to be operated but EMD worked to resolve the issue which apparently no longer presents much of a problem.

Nowadays it is even possible to find shots of units being run long hood forward with the second unit being nose to nose to the first... left overs of the grand old days of Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western.

As for whiskers on a turntable... not all ever had them.  Some only were used to turn locomotives not so much needing to provide for space for engine servicing to take place.  The original Norfolk Southern had a turntable in Raleigh, N.C., off to the south side of its engine house, used to turn locomotives using locomotive air to operate it, with two leads but no tail tracks at all.

[peteski]

Nowadays it is even possible to find shots of units being run long hood forward with the second unit being nose to nose to the first... left overs of the grand old days of Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western.

But those are exceptions rather then the rule.  It is really not in the best interest of the engineer to drive the train looking out of a small window when a panoramic windshield and all the controls and gauges are on the other end of the cab.

I was basically saying that many countries outside of North America seem to have come up with a pretty good solution of making their locos easier to use.

[Puddington]

Hello friends; as the show we've committed draws closer the pace of the Midnite Layout Construction Co. hastens..... Nichols curve is now done, all roads at the mill are poured, painted and weathered and the engine house has been placed, awaiting a frame modification.... Yesterday we followed a crew for a few hours near the mill....



Action red C424 holds the mains at Nichols going West bound to Kanto



A geep and can make their way the mill, East bound to relieve a unit gone BO....



They pass the tower at the south entrance where Ol' Gus will given em the once over and send them on their way. The mill hasn't invested in tech, they just pay Ol' Gus and his boys to keep truck and train apart....



The geep is soon hard at work moving recently arrived empties....



.... lots of empties.... soon an RS 10 pitches in....



The RS unit helps until its called for another task....



... the movement of full chippies into unloading...

A very busy place to be certain!

[Dave V]

But those are exceptions rather then the rule.  It is really not in the best interest of the engineer to drive the train looking out of a small window when a panoramic windshield and all the controls and gauges are on the other end of the cab.

I was basically saying that many countries outside of North America seem to have come up with a pretty good solution of making their locos easier to use.

I don't know if it's related by European freight locomotives aren't generally as powerful as American locomotives.  They don't have to be, I guess...  North American freight trains are a whole different species from European freight trains.

Here in Colorado Springs we often see 100+ car coal drags with up to 5 locomotives working to get over Palmer Divide.  But the real power is up out of Cheyenne on the Transcon over Sherman Hill.  That's some jaw-dropping steel on steel.  I wonder if it's just not practical to hang another cab on the back of a modern 6-axle locomotive and still have enough room to generate all that horsepower.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's been a great week here. First we added a new member to the Shep Squad, Darcy (that's her on the right, with Damian on the left):


And THEN I got the York section of the layout running.

[Scottl]

Hello friends; as the show we've committed draws closer the pace of the Midnite Layout Construction Co. hastens..... Nichols curve is now done, all roads at the mill are poured, painted and weathered and the engine house has been placed, awaiting a frame modification.... Yesterday we followed a crew for a few hours near the mill....



A very busy place to be certain!

Lots of great shots, but this one is a gem.  That scene is perfect, you just need to pop a patch of blue sky behind it to complete the effect.  Great work!

[Lemosteam]

Progress on LIRR #39 since last week:

Keystone Details K4 Sand Dome, Bachmann bell:



Hand made Classification lights:


GHQ Steam whistle, hand made relief valves and whistle deflector:


GHQ Headlight with fiber optics & steam generator, steps, handmade headlight bracket, classification lights again:


3/4 views:








Here is a very helpful overhead shot of the #39 engine sans tender:


Front Boiler supports, pilot plumbing, cut levers, pilot sheetmetal cladding to finish her before paint.

[mu26aeh]

It's been a great week here. First we added a new member to the Shep Squad, Darcy (that's her on the right, with Damian on the left):

Darcy looks like a young Damian.  Hopefully he doesn't teach her to bark non stop when someone stops by for DCC 101 . 

If they would stay Darcy-size, I'd love to have a shep.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Lol, it's too late. They're already dual acting barkers...

And believe it or not, she's full grown. 6-7 years old. Poor girl lived out on her own for 5 years, but is perfectly mannered.

[jmlaboda]

That dome is definitely an improvement.!!!  Was wondering if you might do this...

[hegstad1]

I've had this Fine N-Scale kit in my to-do box for years.  I finally finished it.

[Lemosteam]

I've had this Fine N-Scale kit in my to-do box for years.  I finally finished it.

Looks Great! I just love the way they modeled in the sheet metal distortion.