Weekend Update 7/31/22

[mu26aeh]

Surprisingly it's still very robust.  On this section there are 2 turnouts that need some TLC, another that that may need pulled up and relaid.  1 section of track seems to have a heave in it.  Haven't looked too hard at the other side half of it yet.  Making a run to The Home Depot (makes my stomach a little queezy, I'm a Lowe's shopper.  But have a $500 HD card to use thanks to fire department raffle) tomorrow for 1x4's so I can start stitching some stuff together while Ed works his magic on a design concept

[keeper]

He's missing the Baggage/Buffet/Lounge and the Dome/Observation/Parlor car.  Skytop models produced shells for both these cars (no longer in production).  The 4 regular domes and the diner are/were available from Kato.

Nate

Yep, those are the ones.

Thomas

[John]

Making a run to The Home Depot (makes my stomach a little queezy, I'm a Lowe's shopper.  But have a $500 HD card to use thanks to fire department raffle) tomorrow for 1x4's so I can start stitching some stuff together while Ed works his magic on a design concept

Suggestion .. get 3/4 plywood and rip it .. the stability is just so much better ..have them cut the sheet into 4 foot sections .. that allows you to make 1x4, 2x4 .. etc sections without a lot of waste ..

[LIRR]

I did that for years.....I had them (HD) rip a 2x4x3/4 panel into 4' long 3-1/2" wide strips.

then a year or so ago, they tell me they're not allowed to cut less than 8" because of safety issues....

complete crappola..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Things are happening on the CSX Hanover Sub 3.0, maybe ?

Definitely.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

New tie loads for my BLMA gondolas, built from a single tie I downloaded from Thingiverse. The goal is to replicate the Micro-Trains Conrail work train set, but with a tie loader with an open see-through cab and windows, and with BLMA gondolas.

Do you, uhh, happen to have an STL for those?

[peteski]

. . .
 Today I took a page out of @peteski book and added some brass rods to simplify wheel cleaning. When really gunky, I like to use GooGone first, followed up with 91% isopropyl alcohol.

Thanks Otto.   While I cribbed that design from my friend, I'm glad that the photo and description I posted are helpful to others.

[Philip H]

One of the things awaiting my return from the annual summer trek to Wisconsin was a 3D printed Argon tank car from CMR.  I sort of started it is this week.
First, the prototype:



Then the model as received (and under the UV lights of the Aero Garden to finish the resin cure:



And post-cure with the supports removed and sitting on a set of MTL 100 ton Barber rollerbearing trucks with IM wheels:



Next step is to lower it and figure out body mount couplers then paint.  Decals will have to cobbled, as I can't find any commercially available in N scale.

[Jim Starbuck]

I had a great weekend with the Modutrak crew at the St Louis Rail Prototype Modeler’s meet.
Here are a few photos from the layout.

Bill Denton’s one of a kind Baldwin DR6-2-1000 “Babyface”

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My Alco HH660

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An abandoned farmhouse is among many new details on Bill’s New Lisbon, Wisconsin modules

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A couple from Mike Skibbe

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John McCarthy flew over and captured this arial photo of a peaceful New Lisbon sunset reflecting off the rails

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Thanks for looking,
Jim

[Cajonpassfan]

Love that rusty barn! Well, love it all, thanks for posting!
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

I worked on my old Atlas Geeps today, my most modern but not necessarily most reliable power. A bit of cleaning and lube got them running again, and the ESU decoders bring them to life, although only one has sound (and one is a dummy). Fun to see them on my layout, pic below. More on my LA Division thread.
Otto K.

[John]

One of the things awaiting my return from the annual summer trek to Wisconsin was a 3D printed Argon tank car from CMR.  I sort of started it is this week.
First, the prototype:



Then the model as received (and under the UV lights of the Aero Garden to finish the resin cure:



And post-cure with the supports removed and sitting on a set of MTL 100 ton Barber rollerbearing trucks with IM wheels:



Next step is to lower it and figure out body mount couplers then paint.  Decals will have to cobbled, as I can't find any commercially available in N scale.

1. You could try one of Gary's tank car body mount fittings .. 

2. I would replace that wavy attempt at tubing along the sides with some phosphor bronze or copper ..

3. Possibly some brass stirrups?

[C855B]

Photo of a derailed model is practically a meme these days.     

[DKS]

Love that rusty barn! Well, love it all, thanks for posting!
Otto K.

Looks like a ZoomCo barn. Looooooong out of production.

[TiogaTracks]

I’m putting out a call for some of that TRW peer pressure!  I have a goal to get as much done on my layout as possible until a mini ops session with neighbors in mid-August.  I’m hoping to start on the main part of the layout after that.  So, now’s the time to pick apart the track plan.  More details in the engineering thread, but here’s the plan.



-Steven