Weekend Update 8/27/17

[peteski]

The second car is in much better shape so it will probably be "the car". It is a 68' from Cali, one in the air is a 70'. The 68' has swing axles so I may put the 70' IRS chassis under it. The 68' came with 3 pick-up beds and one beetle full of brand new parts and was less $$$ than the 70'... Funny how much is different between the 2 years.


In the end I need to do something with both cars, need to sell one to make some $$$ back. 4 weeks ago I had no beetles and money in the bank. 

I love those li'l bugs. Nice to  see couple more being saved from the crusher.  For a fun read (and viewing ) I recommend a "VW Beetle, a comprehensive illustrated history of the world's most popular car" book by Keith Seume, from Motorbooks International. I bought it as a reference (before proliferation of photos on the Internet) for building plastic model kits of the beetles and it is a really well done book. ISBN 0-7603-0430-0.

[milw12]

As we crossed into Omaha over the I-80 bridge last weekend, I can't say that I was expecting to see a Big Boy and DDA40X sitting on top of a bluff. Naturally we had to check it out, and it was a good excuse to break out the new camera:





The DD-40 didn't want to cooperate as a photo subject, and the Big Boy barely so. Who knew it'd be hard to take photographs of large locomotives on top of a bluff 

Funnily enough, I have now, quite unintentionally, seen a Yellowstone in Duluth, an Allegheny in Dearborn, and the Big Boy in Omaha. The big steam trifecta

-Lucas

[jmlaboda]

I look forward to your thoughts on how the RDCs turned out.

Same here... have wondered about these prints ever since I first seen them listed but have had no input as to how good or bad they were... I know folks will be taking notice as your work progresses (maybe a build thread???) because it would provide a much different model compared to what is stock from Kato.  The Phase IIs were quite different from the Phase Is with many differences incorporated into them, not the least of which was the fluting on the ends of some cars (not all roads specified this).  Especially so interested in how you will be approaching the issue of the windows, which may accept some but on the ends it will require a different way since the windows are smaller.

[MichaelWinicki]

Making some progress on the First Street Yard. The first two tracks are the mains along the L.A. "River" , and  they'll be prominent. The ten track yard beyond  I'd like to bury in ballast and dirt so that just the rails are showing... All turnouts are now Tortoised, and macroed, still have some dead frogs that need to be wired. Don't much like laying on my back with hot solder dripping on my chest..
Otto K.

Otto, are you going to be able to reach?  It looks far across that table.

[C855B]

The C855B project resumes with the arrival of a replacement shell. Reposing in its Bestine soak:

[Catt]

I think Chris has been fibbing to us.He claims to be a model railroader,then he says he had money in the bank to buy two beetles.

I mean if you think about it,if he had money in the bank how could he be a model railroader?

[Chris333]

Well then it's official. After all these years I'm finally a model railroader. 

I did order a pair of Toma Model Works HOn30 Porters.
http://tomamw.c.ooco.jp/0631-2.jpg
You can order them powered or all plastic static model
http://tomamw.c.ooco.jp/0632-2.jpg

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, are you going to be able to reach?  It looks far across that table.

Lol Michael, good point, the peninsula is 4' wide at its widest. I do have access on the back side as well, although there will be a backdrop there and I need to figure out a quick and easy way to reach over, under, or through it for cleaning and maintenance. I don't plan to have any derailments there
Otto

[BCR 570]

Same here... have wondered about these prints ever since I first seen them listed but have had no input as to how good or bad they were... I know folks will be taking notice as your work progresses (maybe a build thread???) because it would provide a much different model compared to what is stock from Kato.  The Phase IIs were quite different from the Phase Is with many differences incorporated into them, not the least of which was the fluting on the ends of some cars (not all roads specified this).  Especially so interested in how you will be approaching the issue of the windows, which may accept some but on the ends it will require a different way since the windows are smaller.

I held off for a long time wondering too.  I can't really evaluate them until they have been soaked, and that will hopefully start next weekend.  I could certainly do a build thread if there was sufficient interest.  I am looking into getting windows laser cut for the shells as I know the Kato windows won't fit.

I purchased a two-car set of Kato Budd RDCs years ago and they have sat on the shelf ever since, so I am quite keen to get to them after all these years:




I have sourced the necessary detail parts:




Five chime airhorns, CNR ditch lights for the pathfinder lights on the front corners of the roof, either a Minatures By Eric or Sunrise Enterprise casting for the portable light on the front door, and MTL 1015 couplers.  I will likely have to get some decals made for the road numbers.


Tim

[mu26aeh]

Needed a changeup from paper mill and building work so went to the other end of layout between Ag-Com and Bittinger.  It was decided to have the quarry/pits in the aisle, so the area between the backdrop and mainline will become a hillside covered in trees.  Coming upgrade, I had the main come up thru a rock cut behind the mine loadout.

[craigolio1]

I held off for a long time wondering too.  I can't really evaluate them until they have been soaked, and that will hopefully start next weekend.  I could certainly do a build thread if there was sufficient interest.  I am looking into getting windows laser cut for the shells as I know the Kato windows won't fit.

I purchased a two-car set of Kato Budd RDCs years ago and they have sat on the shelf ever since, so I am quite keen to get to them after all these years:




I have sourced the necessary detail parts:




Five chime airhorns, CNR ditch lights for the pathfinder lights on the front corners of the roof, either a Minatures By Eric or Sunrise Enterprise casting for the portable light on the front door, and MTL 1015 couplers.  I will likely have to get some decals made for the road numbers.


Tim

Tim, please do a build thread! 

I'm interested in four of these but am still aquisitioning funds and am tied up in a couple of other endeavours at the moment.


Craig.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Making some progress on the First Street Yard. The first two tracks are the mains along the L.A. "River" , and  they'll be prominent. The ten track yard beyond  I'd like to bury in ballast and dirt so that just the rails are showing... All turnouts are now Tortoised, and macroed, still have some dead frogs that need to be wired. Don't much like laying on my back with hot solder dripping on my chest..
Otto K.

Nice work Otto.
Rod.

[nkalanaga]

I've never heard of FS160 (that's not surprising), but with all of the specs already worked out and tested, it seems to be more practical than starting over with exact N scale.  Given the size of our models, I doubt that anyone will notice the difference.  If they do, ask them how many models they've built!

Basically, then, what you have is a 2mm narrow gauge layout.  2mm_n54, or n4.5, anyone?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Work continues on Theater car 9.




Interior tray is all .015" styrene strips. Chairs are from CC smooth side car scraps donated by another member. Once wiring is in place for the ditch lights, the tray will be glued in place.

I still need to add the dining room tables.

[CSXfan]

Daniel, great work on the Conrail car 9.
Jeff