Weekend Update 12/24/23

[bbussey]

The printing of New Haven Union Station has begun. It will take roughly 98 hours to render all the 3D components of the 22” x 9” x 7” model. The window treatments have to be etched as well. I might be able to utilize multiple GMM etched fire escapes but that is way down the line.

[nkalanaga]

Jesse6669:  Looks good! 

A couple weeks back I saw a most unusual NS unit in Prichard, WV, westbound on a stack train.  It was fresh from the paint shop, and so shiny it was hard to look at.  It was a sunny day, and there were enough spots reflecting the sun it was hard to make out details.  Even the trucks were high-gloss black, not a sign of dust anywhere.  I saw a lot of freshly painted BN units 50 years ago, but none like this one.  It actually looked unnatural....

[mu26aeh]

Damn it, I just want to get home for the holidays !  I'm always stuck at these damn train crossings while I'm on route

[Lemosteam]

Progress building a Keystone Details push plow kit on an NYC 40’ flatcar for a client. Just have to paint, decal and install a load.

[samusi01]

Wasn't feeling sharp so mostly sat... did get inspired by @bbussey and started testing some integrated threaded holes, which is a very promising idea that I'll follow up on next month when I get back home. I did do a small test square with a series of threaded holes, and then went all-in and tried it on an NSH90 that was next on deck for printing. It went reasonably well (see the thread in the 3d section) but here's a top down image of the test NSH90 in the foreground (with the nailable deck, a 136000 series car) and an RSH90 with alignment holes for PTTX bearing blocks, a 146400-147189 series car).



I missed the bus a while back and have been working on replacement tracks for the MTL Abrams, and that is coming along well enough - now that I have got a fairly good representation of the road wheels, drive sprocket, T158LL track links, etc. that drops in to replace the OEM tracks, I will start work on the side skirting.





The goal is to allow me to reasonably model most variations I see images of, so with the missing rear panel, occasionally missing fenders, road wheels etc.

[wm3798]

JFRTM


Merry Christmas!
Lee

[spookshow]

I finished replacing the 18 burned out streetlights on the main drag through Hope -





Next up, the 14 burned out yard lights in the Waseca yard. Damned lightning! 

-Mark

[wm3798]

Merry Christmas from N Scale Hi Rail!

Lee

[bbunge]

Little Sweet Toot got some run time in the North Car Shop of the B&O Museum:



Bob

[Dave V]

Merry Christmas from Colorado narrow gauge country!

[mplsjct]

I finished replacing the 18 burned out streetlights on the main drag through Hope -



Next up, the 14 burned out yard lights in the Waseca yard. Damned lightning! 

-Mark

That’s a really cool overhead shot of your layout

[brokemoto]

Latest motive power acquisition for Short Creek and Nopedale:






A slightly dressed up B-mann four wheel caboose:

[up1950s]

I finished replacing the 18 burned out streetlights on the main drag through Hope -





Next up, the 14 burned out yard lights in the Waseca yard. Damned lightning! 

-Mark

Best looking down the street with lights on i've seen. Given that lighting headache , have you thought of other power sources for the laylout house's and street lighting only . Car battery ... how long would it last ? Solar panel feed maybe with a flood light shining on it for direct lighting at night and or battery recharge ... how big is needed ?

[nkalanaga]

Motor-generator set.  Done right, it could even replace the transformer.  Mechanical isolation almost guarantees lightning protection.  In the early days of electronic computers, a motor-generator with a large flywheel was probably the best way to protect against "dirty" power, including brief flickers and short brownouts.

It might not survive the lightning, but with no electrical connection between the motor and generator, the surge won't affect the output side.  The power will simply go off as the motor stops.

One can be built easily if one has the basic mechanical and electrical skills.  John Allen actually had one as a "momentum throttle" on the Gorre and Daphetid.

[spookshow]

Best looking down the street with lights on I've seen. Given that lighting headache , have you thought of other power sources for the layout houses and street lighting only. Car battery ... how long would it last ? Solar panel feed maybe with a flood light shining on it for direct lighting at night and or battery recharge ... how big is needed ?

Thanks, Richie. But haven't you heard? Lightning never strikes in the same place twice! 

-Mark