Goodyear Synthetic Latex Tankers

[wazzou]

^^^
Superb!!!

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow. Love it!

[SAH]

Thank you very much guys.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Holy *****! That's a beauty.

[C855B]

Agreed. If it wasn't for the clothespin imparting scale I'd swear it was an outstanding HO work of art. The handrails are fabulous.

[Cajonpassfan]

Taking N scale modeling to a whole another level. Inspirational!
Otto K.

[SAH]

   Those darn clothespins always spoil the illusion don't they.  Thanks all for the kind words.

I try to stick to the "No rolling stock on the layout until it's weathered" rule as incentive to finish the job.  So here's the shot that makes the large scalers do a double take.  Not as much fun now since the folks on the other forum I occasionally post to are on to me.   

[C855B]

I know it's a personal preference and all that, but it needs metal wheels such as those from ESM or ScaleTrains. The thick flanges and rims break the illusion.

[peteski]

Couldn't wait to try out the frame build.  It worked out pretty much as planned.  Some improvements in technique are in order but overall, good.

That tank car looks great (especially knowing that it is pretty much scratchbuilt)!

I'm curious as to why you chose to model the walkways with the grids being fairly coarse?  Looks like the metal used for those parts is thin, so it should be possible to etch the grids little more dense.

[btrain]

Absolutely fantastic work, Steve!

[Sokramiketes]

That tank car looks great (especially knowing that it is pretty much scratchbuilt)!

I'm curious as to why you chose to model the walkways with the grids being fairly coarse?  Looks like the metal used for those parts is thin, so it should be possible to etch the grids little more dense.

Having designed quite a few things that have passed through PPD's production, I can guess that SAH used the published PPD guidelines to design the minimum hole sizes.  PPD is conservative.  I've also learned that they are damn good, and will attempt things beyond their published limits.  So one can design tighter grids and smaller meshes, and it will likely come out.  PPD will play with the etch times to make it work, and know what we're trying to do as modelers.

But, all that aside, it looks AMAZING  Steve!

[SAH]

I know it's a personal preference and all that, but it needs metal wheels such as those from ESM or ScaleTrains. The thick flanges and rims break the illusion.

A just critique Mike, and frankly one I expect to read when I post the blow up photos.  Someday I'll learn to insert metal wheel sets in the trucks BEFORE I shoot the photo.   

A fair question is "Why not go all in with metal wheels?".  The answer is simple for the most part.  I have a HUGE stockpile of plastic Atlas wheel sets.  And I'm cheap 'er thrifty.  My trackwork consists primarily of Atlas turnouts and flex.  Zero derailments is very high on the priority list.  Trucks with Atlas wheels have proven to give absolutely trouble-free performance.  I cannot say the same for all brands of metal wheel sets.  So my go to is Atlas but I'll use various brands of metal (and plastic) wheel sets as "problem solver" replacements when necessary.

There is a personal preference component too of course.  I build models because I like the challenge of building unique models, particularly if the model reinforces the AC&Y theme.  Just as important is the use of the models as game pieces in the operating exercise.  A model that violates the zero derailment priority during ops goes on the shelf, no matter how good it looks.  Nothing spoils the ops experience quicker than annoying derailments. 

Here's an ops session view of the layout.  I'm good with the impression I'm presenting.  So far none of my operators have noticed the wheel set differences enough to comment about it.  I think they're in shock that an N scale layout can run as well as it does.   

[SAH]

Having designed quite a few things that have passed through PPD's production, I can guess that SAH used the published PPD guidelines to design the minimum hole sizes.  PPD is conservative.  I've also learned that they are damn good, and will attempt things beyond their published limits.  So one can design tighter grids and smaller meshes, and it will likely come out.  PPD will play with the etch times to make it work, and know what we're trying to do as modelers.

But, all that aside, it looks AMAZING  Steve!

Thank very much Mike and Pete.  Mike is correct - I followed the ppd guidelines.  I also used a Plano running boards as a comparison piece.  The ppd etch match the Plano part exactly.  Good enough for me.

I should give kudos to Circus City Decals.  Matt worked with me to get my artwork to a format he could work with.  I am very pleased with the result.  It's not apparent in the photos but you can read all the tiny lettering and the logo / stripes are opaque.  The white band is beneath the logo.  Can't tell. 

[SAH]

Absolutely fantastic work, Steve!

Thanks Brian.  The operating itch has returned.  Time for another round if you're interested.

[peteski]

Thanks for the explanation SAH and Mike.