CB&Q Twin Cities Zephyr

[keeper]

Keeper:  If the CB&Q had the same rules as the GN, the two side-mounted marker lights would normally be red, while the big roof-mounted light would be off.  On the GN observations that was a red Mars light, which normally only came on when the train was stopped, blocking the mainline.  It was set up to automatically turn on if the emergency brakes were applied.

Thanks for the info. So are the two side-mounted marker lights always on?
I might add a function decoder to the obs car...

Thomas

[Sokramiketes]

Yep, or spray:

https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Creos-Color-Metallic-Silver/dp/B0049FD1HG/ref=sr_1_1?

The only Tamiya colors I don't seem to like are their metallic silver spray cans.  I ran across a reference to someone that mentioned Mr Color silver applying better than Tamiya and, well, here we are.  They were right. 

[keeper]

The good thing is, I can get this brand here in Germany as well and will try the spray can.

 

[motofavorite]

This was a rush job before Trainfest and shows what the spray can method looks like up close.  For this scheme it worked. 

Wow! Great results from a spray can. A nifty time saver. I've had good results with a mix of Tamiya gun metal and matte black for locomotive boilers, but it's time to give Mr. Color a try. Thanks!

[NorsemanJack]

This is a great thread.  This talent-deprived modeler is still hoping that Kato will just release the whole TCZ including that elusive E5B unit.  They're about 80% there, so just take it over the line!!!

[nkalanaga]

If the car was on a "train", yes, the markers should be lit, as markers were, at the time, one of the requirements for it to be a train, according to the rulebook.  Without the markers, it was just a string of cars.

From the 1967 "Consolidated Code of Operating Rules", used by the CB&Q:

Rule 19: A marker or markers must be displayed at the rear of every train and may consist of flags, lamps, flashing lights or reflectorized devices.
At night, markers must display an illuminated or reflectorized red to the rear.
Exception: When train is clear of main track at night in Non-ABS territory, markers must display an illuminated of reflectorized green to the rear.

19 (A) (what to do if markers cannot be displayed)

19 (B) When the rear of a train is equipped with built-in markers, they must be lighted.

19 (C) In Non-ABS territory, when the markers of a train on a siding display red to the rear, a following train may proceed only at reduced speed until it can be determined that the train on the siding is clear of the track being used.

On the GN, if the rear markers failed on the observation car, the Mars light could be locked in one position to be used as a marker.  I have no idea if this was ever actually done.

Since I doubt that your car can change the color of the markers, any train following it will have to proceed slowly when passing.  On the other hand, today, with multicolor LEDs and DCC, it might be possible to change the marker colors!

[keeper]

Thanks for your efforts to write this all down, very much appreciated.

The Kato light pipes for the marker lights are red, so that is not an issue.
I made a light pipe for the roof light with a lense. Putting a red LED on the other end should do the trick.

Thomas 

[nkalanaga]

This is one case where I'm lucky.  My father worked for the NP/BN into the early 1970s, and I have his later rulebooks and timetables, so can look this stuff up.

Old rulebooks can sometimes be found at train shows, often for reasonable prices, as they are very common.  Every railroader was required to have the current one, and when a new one came out, the old one was to be discarded.  Many folks kept theirs, and their heirs sell them, or give them away.  Getting one for your railroad and era can be a good investment, as they include signal indications, operating rules, etc, that can be hard to find elsewhere.

[keeper]

This is one case where I'm lucky.  My father worked for the NP/BN into the early 1970s, and I have his later rulebooks and timetables, so can look this stuff up.

...  Getting one for your railroad and era can be a good investment, as they include signal indications, operating rules, etc, that can be hard to find elsewhere.

And that's the point. Me living here in Germany it is nearly impossible to find these books. I'm sure I could get similar things from the DR and DB but that's it.
Internet searches end up empty or very generic.


Thomas

[thomasjmdavis]

As time goes on, an increasing amount of information is available online or in pdf format through railroad historical societies.  While books and other printed materials may be hard to find in Europe, internet resources may be a better alternative.  Between historical societies and facebook groups, I wouldn't be surprised if there is someone willing to share the information you are looking for.

[nkalanaga]

Thomas:  Yes, that would make it difficult!  I didn't realize where you were, having overlooked that post, if you said. 

You might find something on one of the auction sites, but it sounds like it would still be easier to ask here.

[keeper]

...  And Tamiya smoke over the top to get it to look like the Kato CZ paint.

I searched for the Tamiya smoke paint and found three of them.
LP 67, TS 71 or X 19.
Which one did you use?

Thomas

[Sokramiketes]

TS-71 is the spray can

X-19 is the acrylic paint in a small jar.  This is the one for airbrusing and most controllable.

LP-67 I had to look up.  Apparently that's a lacquer formulation.  I'm excited to know this is available, as it should be even easier to spray in controlled quantities in an airbrush.  And dry fast!  And cause brain damage.  But dry fast!

[keeper]

Off to order some colors....

.... done.

 

[keeper]

I found someone who is selling some Kato Amtrak cars and the CB&Q diner for the TCZ is among them. Now I'm waiting for it to arrive.
Hopefully the Amtrak colors can be quite easily removed, but I'm afraid the car must be painted.

Thomas