Weekend Update 2/11/18

[nickelplate759]

Although not completely correct E6 b units, my City of Los Angeles power is complete! @nickelplate759 the b unit you sent is the last unit!
...

Wow, you work fast!  Nice to see the old B-unit put to good use.

[jereising]

Here's a current shot showing the Bealville peninsula and the lifting legs the contractor will go with when he reinstalls the floor.  Great to have someone who will take the time necessary to get it done correctly.

[Spades]

Here's a current shot showing the Bealville peninsula and the lifting legs the contractor will go with when he reinstalls the floor.  Great to have someone who will take the time necessary to get it done correctly.

What is going to happen to the joist on the left with the dangly bit?

[Cajonpassfan]

I've been working on UP items.
I just got my other b unit for my COLA motive power. Not i just need to add the decals to LA-6.
I've also been working on a Union Pacific MT but I'm not horribly happy with it.

Drasko (Attachment Link)

Well, the loco proportions are okay, but I think the tender is way too skinny, see pics below. (Are you using the old Bachmann Vandy?)  I'm building mine on a ConCor S-2 Vandy, which is much more massive. Not exact either, but more in proportion I believe.
Otto K.

[randgust]

Seems to be a bit of a horse theme this week, and that's a coincidence.

Back to my slowly-developing 1916 circus train.    Deitrich models introduced a laser-cut all-wood circus stock car that's very similar to the elephant car.  It's not very well known, but should be - it's a wonderful kit.   So I've been working on it.

Unlike the elephant car, this car is much more 'open', and big.  Big enough that I discovered that the interior was just enough visible to know that well, it would look empty.   Something had to be in there.

I priced out Woodland Scenics horses, and while I love 'em, wow, I needed a lot of horses to fill up this car.   I found an *bay deal for 50 1:150 unpainted horses for like $4 plus shipping and got those in.  They're a little small (most 14 hands) more like ponies but detail was good enough.   I don't need a ton of detail for horses on the inside of a car.   

So here's a whole lot of horses on top of the steel car weights, had to get all these guys in and secured before I glue the roof on permanently.   I painted them all but only detailed a couple.



I really like these Deitrich cars, if you're after a vintage circus in N these are really the only correct cars out there.

[jereising]

What is going to happen to the joist on the left with the dangly bit?

The dangly bit is just some corner bead that is of no concern.  The insulation wrapped duct in the soffit could be an issue - it was full of water.  Hoping they'll be able to get it all...and not have to follow the duct into the south room...

[mu26aeh]

While at Hobby Lobby looking for a new airbrush, they also had something else I wanted to try out.  Friends had found these metal kits from Metal Earth that may or may not scale to N or HO scale.  I seen someone who built and painted a crawler crane they had available, and used an N scale figure in the cab.  I picked up the CAT front end loader.  These are etched stainless steel and can be assembled without glue or solder.  Simple tab and slot assemble.  Of course you need to forget about seeing the connection points if you're using them on the layout.  I have about 5-6 hours to this point, which I still have as sub-assemblies so I can paint things a little easier.  I'm thinking this may be a little large for N scale, but may be good for in a quarry somewhere.  Or is a small FEL for HO scale, as it is about same size as Matchbox vehicles. 

[garethashenden]

While at Hobby Lobby looking for a new airbrush, they also had something else I wanted to try out.  Friends had found these metal kits from Metal Earth that may or may not scale to N or HO scale.  I seen someone who built and painted a crawler crane they had available, and used an N scale figure in the cab.  I picked up the CAT front end loader.  These are etched stainless steel and can be assembled without glue or solder.  Simple tab and slot assemble.  Of course you need to forget about seeing the connection points if you're using them on the layout.  I have about 5-6 hours to this point, which I still have as sub-assemblies so I can paint things a little easier.  I'm thinking this may be a little large for N scale, but may be good for in a quarry somewhere.  Or is a small FEL for HO scale, as it is about same size as Matchbox vehicles. 

Can I recommend you find replacement wheels? On the whole it looks good, but the sharp edges of the etched wheels are very unconvincing. Might be a good thing to 3D print.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Can we see the loader next to some vehicles? I'm guessing by the size of the cab it is probably about 1/120, but need to see more.

If you have any links to the product line I would love to take a look.

[mu26aeh]

Can we see the loader next to some vehicles? I'm guessing by the size of the cab it is probably about 1/120, but need to see more.

If you have any links to the product line I would love to take a look.

Here it is next to Trainworx Tractor/Deluxe 53' trailer, and a GHQ dump truck.






Here is the crawler crane (as an attachment) that someone else had posted in a FB group.

Here is full line up, beyond vehicles, lots of Star Wars, Star Trek, and many other categories.

https://metalearth.com/

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[draskouasshat]

Well, the loco proportions are okay, but I think the tender is way too skinny, see pics below. (Are you using the old Bachmann Vandy?)  I'm building mine on a ConCor S-2 Vandy, which is much more massive. Not exact either, but more in proportion I believe.
Otto K.

That tender looks great Otto! I forgot to take more photos pic the tender after i made it a full cylinder where the flat top is in those photos. It longs a bit better now.
Im seriously hating the boiler/cab though. Its not up to snuff when it comes to my standards. Too rough and not as clean and crisp. Im going to have another go at it this week in the hotel room. I just need a boiler with less cast on detail that i don't have to micro-sand off.
I might try to start with a Bachmann light mountain boiler this time around.

Drasko

[trainzluvr]

I finished the peninsula head by installing the remaining uprights couple of days ago, then painted all the backdrops and uprights sky blue today.







This marks a milestone in construction of the layout, especially because it all started recently, at end of November 2017.

[aikorob]

Here it is next to Trainworx Tractor/Deluxe 53' trailer, and a GHQ dump truck.





https://metalearth.com/

that looks a little big. here are specs for a 993 Cat
https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/product-comparison.html?productId=18366798&type=new

The mine truck may be acceptable for background---those things are massive.
Architectural models have some possibilities for a theme park/tourist trap

[Cajonpassfan]

@trainzluvr , that is slick; congratulations! A lot of progress in a very short time. Love the floors, the wall color, the metal stud system. Will follow with interest!
Otto K.

[Tom Todd]

Randgust I love your horse car. I’ve googled Deitrich models and found nothing. Do you have a web site on the contact info for your supplier?