Weekend Update 12/16/18

[up1950s]

http://www.alaskarails.org/potw-archive/2016.html

[Point353]

Looks like IC/Navistar buses, which would have been built in Tulsa OK in a factory located on a BNSF (ex-SLSF) line.

[cbroughton67]

I'm building a new module for my PRR layout using the Double Track Lift Bridge kit offered by CMR, in addition to rearranging modules, etc. Still more to do, but I'm happy with the progress so far. The bridge is temporarily placed for the photo, since there's still more work to do, but this is where things stand this evening...


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[cbroughton67]

In addition to the bridge module, I've been working on a pair of custom NS SD70ACe's. These were PC "Heritage" units that I stripped, shaved-off the molded-on details, and installed Trainworks SD70ACe details, BLMA/Atlas cut levers and grab irons, custom-bent grabs, etc. The frame has been notched to allow the "see-through" effect in the rear grilles like the prototype. They're not quite finished yet - still waiting on some decals from Shell Scale and sound decoders from SBS4DCC.com, followed by weathering and dullcote, but I'm happy with where things stand at the moment.


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[Dave V]

Working on Ridgway Yard.  There's a hierarchy to the track and it's "ballasted" accordingly.  The foreground track is the best groomed, its cinder and slag roadbed representing the D&RGW Ouray Branch which ran from Montrose to Ouray and interchanged with the Rio Grande Southern at Ridgway (and the 345 is Ouray-bound).  The second track in is simply a visible staging track but is "ballasted" in mud and weeds to represent the condition of your average RGS secondary track.  The third track in is a passing siding and similarly "ballasted."  The far track is the RGS mainline, which--although ballasted in cinders and mud--still looks to be in better shape than the prototype, but I'm an optimist.



I'm using Heki and Bachmann pull-apart grass along with static grass, Silflor, and real dirt from the RGS to find that weedy, muddy look.  I hit the track with various shades of brown, tan, and gray spray bombs and then go back and individually paint most of the ties.  By the 40s, the RGS was using untreated ties to replace treated ones due to a supply issue.  Since they typically expected to be abandoned at any moment, that's not so short-sighted a strategy as you might think.  I made the D&RGW track a little darker, representing creosoted ties that have been sun-bleached:



I also scenicked my lift-out section.  This is that Blackstone Unitrack-like track so I had to bury it in cinder.



I acquired my first brass passenger car, a Balboa model of the RGS business car B-20, a.k.a. the "Edna."  She rides very high compared to a Blackstone Jackson & Sharp coach:



...but looking closely it shouldn't be too hard to lower the car.  Thinner bolster washers and maybe relocate the dummy bolster ends a little farther outboard.



Lastly, two shots of a southbound (railroad west) led by RGS K-27 #455 rounding Windy Point in September, 1947:

[eja]

Dr. Dave,

You really need to stop biting your fingernails. 

[mighalpern]

continued to work on the Green Valley viaduct
soldered all the code 55 rail and weathered


well i did have a picture of my NP lowe crossing but I can get it upright   
then i continued to add more trees

[nkalanaga]

Those buses could have been driven to Puget Sound, ferried to Alaska, and put on the flatcars there.  We see new buses here in eastern Kentucky (I-64) bound for western states regularly, so they seem to be driven more often than railed to their destination.

[Point353]

We see new buses here in eastern Kentucky (I-64) bound for western states regularly, so they seem to be driven more often than railed to their destination.

Probably from the Thomas factory in High Point, NC.

[jjb62556]

We send drivers down to NC to pick them up and drive back to Minnesota...We saved about $2000.00 per bus doing that!

[SP-Wolf]

Class is in session:




Thanks,
Wolf

[nthusiast]

Working on Ridgway Yard.  There's a hierarchy to the track and it's "ballasted" accordingly.  The foreground track is the best groomed, its cinder and slag roadbed representing the D&RGW Ouray Branch which ran from Montrose to Ouray and interchanged with the Rio Grande Southern at Ridgway (and the 345 is Ouray-bound).  The second track in is simply a visible staging track but is "ballasted" in mud and weeds to represent the condition of your average RGS secondary track.  The third track in is a passing siding and similarly "ballasted."  The far track is the RGS mainline, which--although ballasted in cinders and mud--still looks to be in better shape than the prototype, but I'm an optimist.



I'm using Heki and Bachmann pull-apart grass along with static grass, Silflor, and real dirt from the RGS to find that weedy, muddy look.  I hit the track with various shades of brown, tan, and gray spray bombs and then go back and individually paint most of the ties.  By the 40s, the RGS was using untreated ties to replace treated ones due to a supply issue.  Since they typically expected to be abandoned at any moment, that's not so short-sighted a strategy as you might think.  I made the D&RGW track a little darker, representing creosoted ties that have been sun-bleached:



I also scenicked my lift-out section.  This is that Blackstone Unitrack-like track so I had to bury it in cinder.



I acquired my first brass passenger car, a Balboa model of the RGS business car B-20, a.k.a. the "Edna."  She rides very high compared to a Blackstone Jackson & Sharp coach:



...but looking closely it shouldn't be too hard to lower the car.  Thinner bolster washers and maybe relocate the dummy bolster ends a little farther outboard.



Lastly, two shots of a southbound (railroad west) led by RGS K-27 #455 rounding Windy Point in September, 1947:

Stunning work

[nthusiast]

Stumbled across what I consider to be a find during a first-time visit to an area hobby shop (Just Trains, S.F. Bay Area, in Concord) this week -- a discontinued "Tenement Row" kit from Northwestern Scale Models. I didn't really need a second one because I'm not sure what to do with the first one, but it's one of those opportunites you stumble across where you just can't say "no." Kind of a bargain too, considering what they go for on e-Bay. Have no idea what they're like to construct. Anyone know?

[mu26aeh]

This weeks release from the paint shops are 3 dry bulk trailers from @Mark W , and 7 cars from Shapeways that represent 3 different versions of aggregate cars that are seen on the CSX Rock Runner that runs between Hanover, PA and Baltimore, MD.

[Kentuckian]

I’ve been attending Prof. Peteski’s online GE Locomotive Improvement course this week. Unfortunately, I failed the first lab: 

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After obtaining more material, I did finally pass:

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I didn’t take a photo of the completed truck modification but I was successful the second time. I also installed true scale couplers and what may have been the last TCS MZA4 decoder made. Weight was added to the cab for a total weight of 46.8 grams. This is a future Kentucky Electric Steel switcher.