Weekend Update 1/6/19

[mighalpern]

he said crapped 

[John]

Jury's still out on whether I'm gonna build the snowshed but I'm slowly leaning more toward yes, even though it's gonna be a pain in the a$$.

I think for completeness -- its probably worth while ..

It looks fairlly straight forward ..
https://ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com/image/I0000PJFmeN89tGc

[nthusiast]

Trying out my camera on the iPhone XS. I'm not entirely thrilled with it. The zoom lens can get into places my old phone (iPhone 6S) couldn't, but depth of field is a real problem. Thre zoom lens had an  F equivalent of 2.4. The wide angle isn't any better at 1.8. Clearly they are looking to focus on portraits and not model work.

Colors are boosted, almost comically. And I think they're is just something off about the algorithms they use.
Still no native or 3rd party focus stacking software available.

Is this of any help? https://blog.macsales.com/46117-how-to-use-the-iphone-xs-depth-control-feature

[Mark W]

The weather was so great yesterday here in Nebraska that even the Meadowlarks came out to play!


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




https://i.imgur.com/kSYkos8.jpg

[Baldylox]

Thanks for making the model work for you.  Its hard to design the railings to look good and not be too brittle.  I love the additional details too!!  Toss me more photos as you get this completed and I can put it on the product page.

brett aka baldylox designs

The second week of my Christmas/New year break has afforded some quality modelling time.  Some time ago I purchased a Jordan Spreader kit on Shapeways.  Unfortunately it arrived in a damaged condition with the top handrails broken off in several pieces.  They were not really repairable.  Fortunately, Jeff Briggs was able to salvage the model for me with a new set of handrails using HO scale etched brass stanchions and brass wire.  The result is a set of handrails better looking and stronger than the original.  He also primed the model and sanded away as much of the print artefacts as possible.

I mounted Micro-Trains trucks and couplers, detailed the cab, fabricated a new thinner cab roof from sheet styrene, and added a headlight, radio antenna, smoke jack, rear work lights, and rear brake wheel mounting.  Also a train line air hose down the front of the plow to the side of the front coupler.  I still have to add window wipers and weight, but it is otherwise ready for paint.  The front plow and side wings are just sitting in place at present, as they will need to be attached after painting:

Tim

[BCR 570]

Thanks for making the model work for you.  Its hard to design the railings to look good and not be too brittle.  I love the additional details too!!  Toss me more photos as you get this completed and I can put it on the product page.

Good to hear from you, and thank you for offering this model.  The breakage was due less to your design and more to packaging.  it came wrapped in bubble wrap but loose inside a cardboard box so was able to crash around inside en route.  As you are aware the top railings are quite exposed and thus prone to damage.  It is also difficult to avoid touching them when picking up the model so Jeff's replacement handrails were well worth the effort as they are so strong.

The model will go out for painting next weekend so should have finished pictures in a month or so.  I also have to get some custom decals made.


Tim

[Dave V]

I think for completeness -- its probably worth while ..

It looks fairlly straight forward ..
https://ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com/image/I0000PJFmeN89tGc

I do have to design it to allow access to the trackage but otherwise yes, it’s straightforward.  Tedious, but straightforward.

[John]

I do have to design it to allow access to the trackage but otherwise yes, it’s straightforward.  Tedious, but straightforward.

You might be able to make it removable by putting in a small foundation that is held in place by magnet . then you could just lift it right up to clean the track ..

[tehachapifan]

YEAH, &#%@! MAGNETS!

Sorry....had to be done.

[up1950s]

You might be able to make it removable by putting in a small foundation that is held in place by magnet . then you could just lift it right up to clean the track ..

Might also want to keep a .020 or so gap between the magnets and what they want to stick to . Those buggers are huggers and you might lose the fight or destroy a model by removing or even trying to align during putting it in its place .

[peteski]

Might also want to keep a .020 or so gap between the magnets and what they want to stick to . Those buggers are huggers and you might lose the fight or destroy a model by removing or even trying to align during putting it in its place .

Piece of 0.020" (or maybe even 0.030", depending on the magnet's strength) styrene glued over the magnet works great.

[John]

If not magnets .. just something to hold it in place .. could be a simple as some dowels at the base to hold it in place

[peteski]

Duplicate post - removed

[peteski]

If not magnets .. just something to hold it in place .. could be a simple as some dowels at the base to hold it in place

Yes, that works too.  My friend scratchbuild a canopy over his diesel servicing pit. I installed LED lighting under the roof and I used 1-pin electrical connectors installed in two support posts for both, mechanical alignment, and for electrical connectivity.  The female sockets are mounted in the layout and the male pins in the support posts.  The canopy actually plugs into the layout, and can be easily "unplugged" for track cleaning. 

[johnb]

Had to run something on a rainy Sunday