Weekend Update 9/15/19

[up1950s]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thermite_residues_(railway_welding).JPG

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Thermite

https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/thermite-reaction/

[DKS]

Been doing some modeling for my future Black River and Western layout, starting with the steel shop in Ringoes.



A blow-by-blow account of the process starts here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46548.msg632532#msg632532

[rickb773]

Since the initial stage of my layout rebuild is now just about done, I thought it would be a good time to honor the equipment that got me all started in N gauge 50+ years ago. So, in the tradition of David K. Smith and Lee Weldon, I offer you the following video tribute (in poor quality – due to the available point and shoot camera and a general lack of talent [where were you @Bfagan when I needed you?  ]) It will end with some of my current equipment.

I know there is an early European historical component of N Scale (see DKS’ history) but in my mind, U.S. N scale started in 1967 with Aurora Postage Stamp Trains and Atlas (with Rivarossi as its partner). By February of 1968 I was in love with the scale. That year I bought 22 Atlas freight cars, 3 from Aurora and a single Arnold Rapido. 6 passenger cars from ConCor (4 GN) and AHM (2 PRR) came along for the ride. My introduction to quality KD freight cars did not begin until the late 70s.

In 1969 my first engines were 2 Atlas (PC) GP40s and an AHM (CB&Q) GP30. A pair of Atlas (GN) F7s followed. Their motors burned brightly (and ran fast) but flickered into their death throes rather quickly. They are all gone now, $5 projects in other modelers’ part boxes. My oldest still running (?) engines are my Trix 0-6-0s (79), ConCor RDCs (81) and a bevy of Atlas RS3s (83).

The KDs are from the late 70s. Some of my first KDs were special runs (Cross Roads Ranch, Youth Awakening, and the Gospel Train) put out by a Pastor to raise money for some facilities that ministered to at-risk kids. (You cannot beat free trains for a tax deductible gift!). I don’t think they sold well because I understand a model railroad club ending up buying the unaccounted for stock for repainting purposes.

Corrections: "Born to Be Wild" (1968) & "Rusty Draper"

Stars of the show:


The cost of star power:

[Dave V]

Finally finished the Ridgway roundhouse:







I was able to pretty much get all the structures in the same orientation and relation to each other and the trackage as at the real Ridgway, only slightly compressed in all directions.



Also a 30-minute scratchbuild...the Galloping Goose fuel shed:





Today's 60-minute scratchbuild...a garage-looking shed that sat adjacent to the Ridgway turntable.  It was gone by the late 40s.  Apparently theroll roofing had come off the east side of the rood at some point.



Current state of the basement, i.e., Narrow Gauge Country:

[CRL]

And a fine country it is!

[BCR 570]

Last weekend I hosted Op Session 16 as part of Vanrail 2019.  More photos in the dedicated thread.






Tim

[nkalanaga]

RickB773:  I also have one each of those Atlas 2242 PRR and 2245 CB&Q hoppers, as well as one I shortened vertically to make a more typical looking CB&Q car.

[CBQ Fan]

Finally finished the Ridgway roundhouse:







I was able to pretty much get all the structures in the same orientation and relation to each other and the trackage as at the real Ridgway, only slightly compressed in all directions.



Also a 30-minute scratchbuild...the Galloping Goose fuel shed:





Today's 60-minute scratchbuild...a garage-looking shed that sat adjacent to the Ridgway turntable.  It was gone by the late 40s.  Apparently theroll roofing had come off the east side of the rood at some point.



Current state of the basement, i.e., Narrow Gauge Country:

Does the bridge looking section raise or come out completely?

[jereising]

The Briggs Models coil cars are complete:



It was a fun build and produced excellent cars, which now gives me a train I've been wanting for some time:



Here's a closer shot of the cars:

[Dave V]

Does the bridge looking section raise or come out completely?

It's a simple lift-out bridge.  Comes out completely.

[CBQ Fan]

It's a simple lift-out bridge.  Comes out completely.

How do you insure rail alignment and ease of removal?  Do you remove it often?

[Dave V]

How do you insure rail alignment and ease of removal?  Do you remove it often?

I don't pull it all that often.  Normally I use it as a duck-under, but I do take it out when I'm doing significant work on the layout that requires me to move stuff in and out.  I also lift it out for visitors who might not be able to duck.

The whole thing is described in this video at 1:45:

[CBQ Fan]

I don't pull it all that often.  Normally I use it as a duck-under, but I do take it out when I'm doing significant work on the layout that requires me to move stuff in and out.  I also lift it out for visitors who might not be able to duck.

The whole thing is described in this video at 1:45:

That is awesome and slick!  Thank you!  I am in the process of deciding to try something like this or just duck under. 

[BCOL 747]

The Briggs Models coil cars are complete:



It was a fun build and produced excellent cars, which now gives me a train I've been wanting for some time:



Here's a closer shot of the cars:

Outstanding work Jim! Man you are fast!

Chris

[bnsfdash8]

I finally got around to decaling for my GMTX SD38-2 (ex Finger Lakes RR).

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