Weekend Update 12/16/18

[SAH]

Making good on my plan to get some more home road rolling stock.  More in the Layout Engineering section.

[unittrain]

Spectacular modeling the weathering, the scenery the track everything . I've just about finished the main construction on a B&O double track through plate girder scratch build a few more things and then painting and installation on the layout.
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[BCR 570]

Three new ballast hoppers for my layout:




Tim

[garethashenden]

Looking at the dimensions, too bad you didn't use 54650 decoder - looking at it, I think you could safely shave off a millimeter or even a bit more from the length.

Maybe I’m missing something but aren’t they all the same length? Location of the decoder front to back is dictated by where the motor is. It can’t go any further backwards, partly because I’d lose contact with the motor and partly because I’d loose contact with the frame. The problem really is that the cabs on GP7/9/18/20s are further back proportionally than they are on GP35/38/40s. I’m not comfortable cutting the decoder, modifying the front of the cab is more straight forward, at least for me.

[peteski]

Maybe I’m missing something but aren’t they all the same length? Location of the decoder front to back is dictated by where the motor is. It can’t go any further backwards, partly because I’d lose contact with the motor and partly because I’d loose contact with the frame. The problem really is that the cabs on GP7/9/18/20s are further back proportionally than they are on GP35/38/40s. I’m not comfortable cutting the decoder, modifying the front of the cab is more straight forward, at least for me.

Yes, they are the same length, but it seems that there is some very likely safe areas on 54650's ends which could be trilled (filed).
So are you saying that there is room in the rear for the decoder to move back a bit?  If that is the case then to me it would be worth it to file off some chassis contacts and hard-wire the decoder to the chassis and to the motor. That way it would not poke through the cab.  With all the fine handrails and grabs you added to the shell it will be a shame to mutilate the front of that cab.

[Mark W]

Mark, how can I get some of the tank detail packs? I purchased one each of the three sets so I would need enough for 15 tanks.

Shameless plug:
I am excited to announce that the first batch is currently available at the Spring Creek Model Trains booth at the Great Train Show in KC tomorrow.
Any left overs should be available via phone-order from them sometime mid next week.  It's currently limited quantities of the M1A2 Detail Kit, Dry Bulk Trailer, Telescoping Boom Forklift (Parked position), and Stagecoach 2 packs.  They also have a few NASA Mars Curiosity Rovers too. 
If response is good, I'll keep sending them product.  And while you're at it, since it's Spring Creek Model Trains, if it exists they have it!  Perfect time to pick up those other goodies you've been wishing for too!


https://i.imgur.com/JakwAD2.jpg

[Philip H]

@Mark W - what, no unpainted sleigh or rover?

Seriously - congrats on finding a channel to distribute. Those look really good.

[SecretWeapon]

hey MK, I've got a lot of them. i can give you a couple if you can't find them.

[jpwisc]

I got one of my new N Scale Kits flatcars into primer. I still need to build a proper load for it.
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[altohorn25]

Working on a 1937 Super Chief - got the brass 6 car set off ebay last week. Did some tweaking to the trucks and they run quite well now. I have two Kato sleepers that I'm using as stand-ins for now in order to complete the 8 car train.  I'm also using Life-Like E6's as stand-ins for E3's (The train should have E1's on the point; I have a couple of Life-Like shells that I'm going to perform alterations to eventually). Added DCC to the locos. Still need to weather the tops of the locos around the exhaust stacks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=phpOnVVBf9o

[mark dance]

The Nelson shop's three east end plug-in service platforms are built and await fuel and water pumps and track ballasting...







Nearly done!

md

[glakedylan]

Thankfully @Ntrainz1 visited to do some track tuning to the crossings approach to the south staging yards (before the overhead track installation impedes partial access to this area).

looking good, Rick. quite interesting design there. very eye capturing. thx 4 sharing
sincerely
Gary

[fcnrwy23]

I have finally got around to work on the FCN  again..

The Dairy Queen that I completed last year, has finally gotten "wired"  and is Now Open for Business. 


DQ in Ford City

I also completed work on the Oil Distributor, located on the FCN at Randolph.   I added a second storage tank and painted up a pair of semi-tanker trucks, for the operation...


Central Fuels at Randolph


Jerry G.

[sirenwerks]

I started to paint and add details to the Missoula freight house.  So much left to do.

Gorgeous work, Andrew. Looking forward to seeing the completed scene with the freight house and station together.

[garethashenden]

Yes, they are the same length, but it seems that there is some very likely safe areas on 54650's ends which could be trilled (filed).
So are you saying that there is room in the rear for the decoder to move back a bit?  If that is the case then to me it would be worth it to file off some chassis contacts and hard-wire the decoder to the chassis and to the motor. That way it would not poke through the cab.  With all the fine handrails and grabs you added to the shell it will be a shame to mutilate the front of that cab.

I had located the decoder based on the motor contacts, but this made me reconsider that. I was able to move the decoder backwards to the front chassis contacts. I then shortened the motor contacts and hardwired them to the decoder. Everything now fits!