Weekend Update 3/27/16

[SecretWeapon]

EXCELLENT WORK JOE CRUZ!!!!!!

[OldEastRR]

First casting and model of a Union Pacific "Ocean" series Pullman Standard Sleeper. These cars were used on the "City of Los Angeles" but were not included in the Kato set. They will be available from Skytop Models once I get my website updated this week sometime.

Do you sell these as kits or finished models?

[Lemosteam]

Notice that the cylinder head bolts have an extra long gap where it ports into the steam box . I will have to look at other types to see how common that is .

Covers may be asymmetrical left to right so the need for one offset bolt.

[skytop35]

Do you sell these as kits or finished models?

They are sold as two castings, the body shell and the underframe. Not really a kit as the modeler needs to add trucks, couplers, diaphragms, grab irons. windows, paint and decals. I can custom build the car for $175.00 plus shipping. I have matched the Kato yellow paint pretty well and it's hard to tell it's not part of the Kato set.

Here is a link to the we page: http://skytopmodels.com/oceansleeper.html#

Thanks for asking

[thomasjmdavis]

Bill, any chance you might bring out that roof as a separate part? 

Has Kato done the "National" 6-4-6 cars?  That would seem to be another natural.  Wabash also rostered 3 of them in UP colors, I assume for City of St Louis.

[arbomambo]

just another BEAUTIFUL casting!!!!!!!!!!!

[skytop35]

Bill, any chance you might bring out that roof as a separate part? 

Has Kato done the "National" 6-4-6 cars?  That would seem to be another natural.  Wabash also rostered 3 of them in UP colors, I assume for City of St Louis.

No can do. The roof, sides and ends are one casting. No assembly required. It really speeds up building unique cars. The underframe also has all the do-dads already in place. No need to check prototype plans for placement of detail, it's alraedy done for you.

I don't think the "National" series is available as a built up car.

[unittrain]

Working on central 3 panels of my truss bridge.

[RSWController]

Finally got an update, more info in Layout Engineering Report forum.

A Wisconsin Central F45 leads a freight towards Elkart Yard passing thru CP 502 on the Conrail Chicago Line. WC power often ran-though from Fond Du Lac to Elkhart Yard via Ashland Avenue in the 1990's.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Well my wife and I have pulled the plug and are selling our house of 37years. My SFRSD is to be pulled down after 22 years in the making. Fortunately a good friend has purchased the RR and we are making progress towards it fitting into his home.
I hope to update my blog as we make progress.
Rod.

[bdennis]

Long live the SFRSD..

Here are a few shots from the last session on the SFRSD with some D&H power.
All taken with a phone so the depth of field is not great...

[Cajonpassfan]

Well my wife and I have pulled the plug and are selling our house of 37years. My SFRSD is to be pulled down after 22 years in the making. Fortunately a good friend has purchased the RR and we are making progress towards it fitting into his home.
I hope to update my blog as we make progress.
Rod.

Oh Rod, say it ain't so....

Is there another layout in your future?
Otto K.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Oh Rod, say it ain't so....

Is there another layout in your future?
Otto K.

Hi Otto, sad but true. Helen and I have decided to downsize. The layout is surviving albeit in a new home in a slightly different orientation. John Colliver who you have also met is going to fit it into the upstairs floor of his house. Several of us have been working at knocking down walls so the SFRSD can fit.
Stay tuned.
Rod.

[superchief]

Rod, sorry to hear the news about the layout, but so glad to hear that John will get the rr back up and running at his location. After seeing your modeling in the mags over the years it was great to see and operate on your layout last year. You have really hit a benchmark with smooth operation and great scenery, and such a great group of guys down there to work with. Wishing you the best on whatever you decide next.

Gordon Bliss    Santa Fe - All the Way

[mmagliaro]

.....
.....

Wow!  The amount and fineness of the detail could easily make this model passable as a finely-detailed 0 Scale brass model! That is amazing!

Thank you, with my most heartfelt sincerity and thank you too, cajonpassfan!
I won't rest until people stop looking at our trains and saying, "That looks really good...."   FOR N SCALE  (cringe)
But to be fair, there's a LOT of good stuff out there now, and people say "for N Scale" less and less.