Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout

[peteski]

Interesting how different some models are named in other countries.
That Westfalia Vanagon is not a VW LT, it is a VW Bulli T2.

Thomas

They to me look so similar.  I assume that the LT is a larger vehicle?

[DKS]

They to me look so similar.  I assume that the LT is a larger vehicle?

The Volkswagen Transporter LT was the largest light commercial panel van produced by Volkswagen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_LT

Just to be clear, the LT:



The Vangon, a.k.a Bulli Type 2:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_2_(T3)

[keeper]

Yes to the above.

[Sokramiketes]

I think part of the answer, to the question about why does MiniMetals do things like they do, is that most of their molding can be done in a simple A/B mold.  Two mold halves, that's it.

Something like the Wiking is going to be more expensive to tool, because it is a four slide mold.  Including that rather basic frame with wheels molded in, you need the side pull to do the hub caps. 

Now, I have no idea how the more expensive four-slide tooling compares to having to assemble flat wheels on an axle, but suspect that the labor is pretty cheap and spread over the production run, instead of upfront tooling cost.

[peteski]

I think part of the answer, to the question about why does MiniMetals do things like they do, is that most of their molding can be done in a simple A/B mold.  Two mold halves, that's it.

Mike, there is no way any of the CMW model car bodies they make are done with 2-piece molds.  Their shapes are way too complex for that.

EDIT, I just examined the CMW Buick Wagon under magnification and I can  clearly see the mold partying lines.  They use 6-piece sliding molds: front, back, left side, right, side, roof, and inner core.  And another (2-piece) mold for the hood/nose piece. So that is not a valid excuse for making these models look like cheap toys.

 Heck, IMO Micro Machines (child's toys) were better looking than some of the CMW offerings.

[Sokramiketes]

Mike, there is no way any of the CMW model car bodies they make are done with 2-piece molds.  Their shapes are way too complex for that.

EDIT, I just examined the CMW Buick Wagon under magnification and I can  clearly see the mold partying lines.  They use 6-piece sliding molds: front, back, left side, right, side, roof, and inner core.  And another (2-piece) mold for the hood/nose piece. So that is not a valid excuse for making these models look like cheap toys.

 Heck, IMO Micro Machines (child's toys) were better looking than some of the CMW offerings.

Ok on the body, but I thought we were talking about rolling wheels or not, and underframes.

[DKS]

22 March 2021. Having received the cheap Chinese grade crossing signals, I was faced with a dilemma: they're awful—far worse than expected. Except in height, they're much closer to HO Scale than N. One came damaged, and in the process of attempting repairs, I wound up completely dismantling it, which led to my attempt to right the worst of its wrongs. Although it had me seriously considering Bachmann plastic junk, I stuck with this junk, not that the modded version I made thrilled me.

The first thing I did was unwire it: they had the most awkward wiring arrangement, with the leads running up the outside of the pole and down through the top. I ground a small hole on the back below the lights and ran the wires down through that, and also shortened the pole. Then I replaced the crossbucks—which were nearly ten scale feet across—with properly-sized ones, and omitted the rest of the signage. Paint touchup completed the modding.



Compare the before version, above, with the after version, below left. Below right provides before-and-after side views.

   

[Point353]

Any idea how the size of the Model Power crossing signals would compare?
https://www.hobbylinc.com/model-power-railway-signal-2-crossing-n-scale-model-railroad-operating-accessory-8574

[CRL]

Dolly Parton inspired crossing signals.

[Mark5]

Wow. Can you tell us where you got them? (so we don't also get burned) 

[dem34]

Almost bought those. Now I feel vindicated hunting to the ends of the earth for NJ Intl. ones.

[OldEastRR]

If you want great cars molded cleanly and crisply, with fixed wheels and intricate scale detail -- and cheap enough to buy by the dozen -- just get them from Rasputin. Then you can paint them however you like.

[DKS]

Almost bought those. Now I feel vindicated hunting to the ends of the earth for NJ Intl. ones.

I'd already tried using the NJI ones. They looked too good for this layout, which is why I switched to cheesy Chinese products: I wanted products that look like they might have been made in the late 1960s or early 1970s to maintain the retro style, while offering the advantages of LEDs. At the same time, I wanted to avoid overtly toy-like products, such as the Model Power ones.

If you want great cars molded cleanly and crisply, with fixed wheels and intricate scale detail -- and cheap enough to buy by the dozen -- just get them from Rasputin. Then you can paint them however you like.

I have dozens of his excellent cars. The point of this exercise is to use first-generation commercial products as much as practical. I made some exceptions, such as the signals, so I could take advantage of LEDs for longevity.

[DKS]

23 March 2021. Once again I'm busily finding things to do that are not on my to-do list, naturally. First up: a sky backdrop. It's amazing what things cost... unmounted posters of sky backdrops at least four feet in length start around $35 and rocket upward from there. Then I'd need to mount it, and foam board at least four feet in length isn't even worth looking at because of the outrageous prices; worse is shipping. So I did some digging... and found a nice sky image printed on smooth nylon fabric for less than $8. Then I found 24" x 36" self-adhesive foam board for around $12 a sheet; all I had to do was laminate two layers together with the pieces offset to produce a four-foot panel ready for the fabric image. All in all, not bad.



After piecing together the panel, I laid out the fabric in preparation for the slightly tedious process of smoothing the fabric onto the adhesive. It's far from perfect—the foam board joint shows, there are multiple wrinkles, and even a few cat hairs permanently trapped behind the fabric—but then again, the layout is far from perfect anyway. At normal viewing distance, most of the flaws aren't visible, and it photographs quite well.



I did manage to knock off a couple of to-do items, including install telephone poles, and finish the fence around the station to keep passengers from plummeting to their deaths.

[Philip H]

Neat backdrop solution.  Where'd you get it?