Weekend Update 2/18/24

[wm3798]

After seeing Roger crawl back out from under his rock, I considered putting my layout on the firepit, and taking up pinochle as a pass-time.  But alas, the magic of roaring gears and clattering wheels keeps me here for at least another week.




Working on getting the new junction aligned and connected.  More reportage at my Hi Rail engineering report...

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Roger, your stuff is so awesome.

Man, now I want to go visit Chicago!

Are you on the tourism boards payroll? Lol

[C855B]

Roger's layout is absolutely awesome, guys. I was privileged to see it not all that long ago. Thanks again, Roger! His downtown scene is amazing, and there's a lot more to his layout, too. He's been a busy guy.

[mrhedley]

I was just in Chicago for a conference a few weeks ago.  I stayed in the Palmer House, with it's elegant lobby.  I saw several of the buildings you modeled.  I have to say you nailed it!  Beautiful work.  Post more frequently, please.

[Jesse6669]

Wow this is an awesome Weekend Update!!  Roger, your Chicago structures are just 

I was pretty busy this week with T, M, and N scales.

The 2nd iteration of the T-scale EL-C / E33 is done including the truck sideframes and artwork for decals.  I gave a raised pantograph a shot, and it was generally successful.  I'll beef up the lower part a tiny bit on the next iteration.




I did the base paint job on the M scale WP&Y DL535.  I used Reading green and yellow which look too dark so I'll be giving the whole model a white "fade" at some point.  The sideframes, plow, handrails, etc. to be added after decals.


Finally, following the thread on Ed's Northern Central, I made some accurate to N scale 100 lb. track.  This is the first iteration with my custom Itchy and Scratchy boxcar.

[thomasjmdavis]

Roger, I think the full scale Art Institute should make space next door to the Thorne Rooms ( https://www.artic.edu/highlights/12/thorne-miniature-rooms ) to display some of your buildings.  Just magnificent.

I used to have days in the 1980s when I went from my business on the near West side, drove a mile to Bill Denton's layout to make deliveries to photo studios and pick up some lumber, then drove to Roger's layout to see another client and go to the bank and meanwhile collect a parking ticket, because the meter always ran out before I was done banking.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Wow this is an awesome Weekend Update!!  Roger, your Chicago structures are just 

I was pretty busy this week with T, M, and N scales.

The 2nd iteration of the T-scale EL-C / E33 is done including the truck sideframes and artwork for decals.  I gave a raised pantograph a shot, and it was generally successful.  I'll beef up the lower part a tiny bit on the next iteration.

We can't even get these in N scale!

[robwill84]

I decided to get some weathering done this afternoon so I set up an assembly line and went over some of the fleet I am assembling for a future layout. 90 percent of the color on these is Apple Barrel burnt umber. I painted the trucks with Badger Modelflex, which sticks fairly well. Hopefully soon I'll be starting a build thread on the new layout in layout engineering reports forum.

[kiwi_al]

We can't even get these in N scale!

Yes you can, https://www.shapeways.com/product/FXUQ3DPXG/ne3307-n-scale-e33-loco-conrail-4608

And before you ask here's an E44   https://www.shapeways.com/product/AWXLHZK4G/ne4405-n-scale-e44-loco-4414-rebuilt

[Lemosteam]

Built the PRR Poplar View from an Atlas/Rivarossi boattail obs.

Added a lighting circuit using the same components as my Polar Express lighting, only this time I created a compact circuit instead of using a PCB in the roof.

This is as small as I can get the package. The positive and negative conductors are 0.25mm thick leftover etch strips on the positive and negative sides of a six pack of caps. The 250 ohm resistor pack was made from four 1000K SMD in parallel. I added a micro connector so I could service the roof if needed. The 56ohm resistor and bridge rectifier are up front.








Here is the package in the vestibule end of the car. Had to remove some restroom walls.

[dnhouston]

Completed a B.T.S. Elliot and Sons kit.

[nickelplate759]

Built the PRR Poplar View from an Atlas/Rivarossi boattail obs.

Added a lighting circuit using the same components as my Polar Express lighting, only this time I created a compact circuit instead of using a PCB in the roof.

This is as small as I can get the package. The positive and negative conductors are 0.25mm thick leftover etch strips on the positive and negative sides of a six pack of caps. The 250 ohm resistor pack made from four 1000k SMD in parallel. I added a micro connector so I could service the roof if needed. The 56ohm resistor and bridge rectifier are up front.

John @Lemosteam , it looks like you put Kato trucks on your Rivarossi "Poplar View".   Would you be kind enough to share your method?

[nkalanaga]

If all you want to do is put Kato trucks under an Atlas/Rivarossi passenger car, it's simple.  Cut the tabs off the pickup strips. and reuse the existing screws and nut/posts.

If you want to have power pickup, you'll have to cut holes in the floor for the tabs.

It looks like John also plugged the screw hole, drilled a new one for a new mounting screw (bolt?), and installed the trucks as they "should" be.  Me, I'm lazy, and I didn't light my cars.

[BCR 570]

As mentioned earlier, last night I hosted an op session for a few new members of our 7th Division PNR-NMRA who were desiring some initial operating experience.  Our 7th Div Superintendent Victor dispatched for me so I could be free to facilitate and coach the operators.  This was the operational debut for the permanent Pine River span, and also the Prince George Auxiliary which was up in Dawson Creek.

The Prince George Auxiliary westbound across the Kiskatinaw River:




Picking up some scrap after the bridge install:




The eastbound Dawson Creek Switcher crossing the Pine River:




Pulling cars from the grain elevators at Dawson Creek:




The Peace-Vancouver Freight prepares to depart Chetwynd for Prince George behind three M-630s:




Tim

[wm3798]

More fiddling in the fiddle yard...