Penn Central Stockton Branch Micro-Layout

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Think this will pass the Conrail authenticity test?



I was lucky and found I already owned all of this stuff.

Yep!

Just gotta do some work on abusing the engine and caboose.

For the record, and I don't know if you care, there is some detailing you can do on 9594 to make it a bit more "Conraily". The big one is plating over windows, front back and sides. Especially by the mid 90s.
You can see what I've done here: http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2015-08-16-23.38.22.jpg

You can also have some fun by making it unique by possibly adding a white stripe to the frame, if it got one. I'm trying to check http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=129880 but it's down right now. The CRHS site only has one photo of her from 1982 (http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9594-Abrams-PA-2-15-1982).

I will happily be your sherpa towards making her more accurate if you want. Otherwise, have fun!

[DKS]

Yep!

Just gotta do some work on abusing the engine and caboose.

For the record, and I don't know if you care, there is some detailing you can do on 9594 to make it a bit more "Conraily". The big one is plating over windows, front back and sides. Especially by the mid 90s.
You can see what I've done here: http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2015-08-16-23.38.22.jpg

You can also have some fun by making it unique by possibly adding a white stripe to the frame, if it got one. I'm trying to check http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=129880 but it's down right now. The CRHS site only has one photo of her from 1982 (http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9594-Abrams-PA-2-15-1982).

I will happily be your sherpa towards making her more accurate if you want. Otherwise, have fun!

Thanks! Yes, I plan on giving the equipment that classic "Conrail Rust" among other things. Most of the SW-1500 photos show a rolled-up radiator cover, which I'm tempted to try. And yes, thank you for your guidance on these matters--I may not pursue all of the details, but I will be working toward something reasonably acceptable.

Edit: I also ordered one or two graffiti decal sheets from several different makers so I can compare them. Thanks, @peteski, for the offer to print some custom--I'll keep that as an option as well.

 

[Point353]

You can also have some fun by making it unique by possibly adding a white stripe to the frame, if it got one. I'm trying to check http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=129880 but it's down right now. The CRHS site only has one photo of her from 1982 (http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9594-Abrams-PA-2-15-1982).

Another photo of the 9594 (from 1984): http://www.railpictures.net/photo/609896/

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks! Yes, I plan on giving the equipment that classic "Conrail Rust" among other things. Most of the SW-1500 photos show a rolled-up radiator cover, which I'm tempted to try.

Oh man, the roof rust was such a "Conrail" thing. I've heard it was because they used a specific brand of high friction cast iron brake shoe or something like that.

And yes, the SW blankets are great additions. That reminds me, I need to add them to my pair.

I've done one with a very finely rolled piece of aluminum foil for my NW2. By the 90s, however, many of them seemed to be a newer thinner material (not the rolled canvas like the older ones).

There are a BUNCH of good references here: http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/ConrailEquipment/Locomotives/EMD/SW1500

[coosvalley]

I believe Ed is right about the Con-Rust, it came from their brake shoes. It actually makes a cool signature weathered look for CR equipment.

David, what is the minimum radius for this plan? What is the largest size car you can use,or plan to use, without derailing or looking too toy-like?..I'm just curious. This is one of the reasons I like my late 70s timeframe, generally shorter cars can be used.  I noticed the ones you have shown are short-ish.

[DKS]

David, what is the minimum radius for this plan? What is the largest size car you can use,or plan to use, without derailing or looking too toy-like?..I'm just curious. This is one of the reasons I like my late 70s timeframe, generally shorter cars can be used.  I noticed the ones you have shown are short-ish.

Minimum radius is a frightening 7.25 inches. That's why I went with an SW-1500 and nothing longer than 40'. Fortunately there are still enough pieces of rolling stock in that length--the 2-bay covered hoppers and corn syrup tankers were perfect.

[coosvalley]

Yikes!..I see why you're sticking with short cars!

The 3 Athearn shorty covered hoppers are pretty nice, IMHO, and a good fit for your era too.

[DKS]

Microscale makes several generic graffiti decal sets that can be used on buildings, but being silk-screened, they are not all that great quality-wise.

Interesting observation. I ordered a few sets from four different graffiti decal makes, and the vast majority of them are the big, super-colorful variety. Microscale offers small, simple one-, two- and three-color tags that are prevalent on buildings, especially two decades ago. And the quality seems to be very good, at least to my eye; not to mention the carrier film is printed in the shape of the graf (unlike all the others I have), so there's no trimming required. Now I'm tagging the first building I finished, which is Stock Tower. Will post the results later.

[DKS]

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just realized... oh man, we gotta get you a set of the ultra-rare TivoPrince Railwire Graf decals!

[Dave V]

Wow!   

That just looks amazing.

Was wondering, though, if the tower's been abandoned for a while...would the staircase still be there?

[DKS]

Wow!   

That just looks amazing.

Was wondering, though, if the tower's been abandoned for a while...would the staircase still be there?

Thanks!

As for the stairs, I went through my reference archive, and found a few abandoned towers with stairs still intact. Example:

[peteski]

The graffiti looks great on the tower but it seems too bright (at least in the photos).  I wonder if weathering the decal with a light overspray of weathering (before applying them) would have worked?  Or maybe the photos just make the white decals appear too stark, and they look fine when viewed directly?

[DKS]

The graffiti looks great on the tower but it seems too bright (at least in the photos).  I wonder if weathering the decal with a light overspray of weathering (before applying them) would have worked?  Or maybe the photos just make the white decals appear too stark, and they look fine when viewed directly?

They don't look quite as brilliant in person, although I am tempted to hit the larger ones with just a touch of very thin India ink wash.

BTW, those Microscale decals are sure finely-detailed.



 

[peteski]

They don't look quite as brilliant in person, although I am tempted to hit the larger ones with just a touch of very thin India ink wash.

BTW, those Microscale decals are sure finely-detailed.

Yes, they are finely-detailed.  MIcorscale used to use silk-screening process - I think they still do.  That results in excellent quality decals.