Weekend Update 9/1/24

[dougnelson]

Another brief diversion to HO scale for another signature structure for the Central Vermont in Northern California- New London Union Station. The beautiful brick station opened in 1887 and, like Palmer Union Station, it was designed by famed Boston architect H.H. Richardson. The station was built by the Central Vermont as its southern terminus. The station was shared with the New Haven and its predecessors. The structure was entirely scratch-built from basswood plywood and mat board. The plywood walls and windows were made with a laser cutter.  Drawings were made from HABS/HAER photographs available from the Library of Congress. Brick is paper printed from files generated from modelbrickyard.com.  Photos show the structure in progress. Yet to be done is the station platform, canopy, and pedestrian bridge over the tracks. I am very happy with the results so far.





Station advertising from 1956.


Typical layers for windows.

[nkalanaga]

I just looked up PF&S and TJ Model Trains.  They have the same address, 560 Ione Road, but seem to be two sides of the business.

PF&S apparently doesn't have a website, just a Facebook page.  Precision Scale does have a website, and PF&S owns them now.

TJ Model Trains seems to be ONLY a website, and the homepage is a collection of random items, so maybe it's an online-only store selling odds and ends for PF&S?

[pmpexpress]

I just looked up PF&S and TJ Model Trains.  They have the same address, 560 Ione Road, but seem to be two sides of the business.

PF&S apparently doesn't have a website, just a Facebook page.  Precision Scale does have a website, and PF&S owns them now.

TJ Model Trains seems to be ONLY a website, and the homepage is a collection of random items, so maybe it's an online-only store selling odds and ends for PF&S?

Under the Seller ID: j-tprantle, TJ Model Trains has a huge presence on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/str/tjmodeltrainsandthings?_tab=about

https://www.ebay.com/str/tjmodeltrainsandthings

[John]

It's definitely a 5-ft model, from 5 ft it looks great, you get up close to it and it's not nearly as good as I would like it to be.

Thanks for sharing - Most of my models are 5 foot models

[SP-Wolf]

@SP-Wolf  -  looks like a few folks are interested! 
The window and door openings look great - how were they done?  Freehand?  Automated cutter of some sort?  Anxious to learn!

Thank you, Dwight

I used a couple different X-acto chisel blades (Same type of blade #17 - one was narrowed). For the upper and lower parts of the windows I narrowed a blade to fit the opening. For the sides: I got lucky and the stock blade was the correct size. I found that using a chisel blade worked best for me.
To help guide me - I framed the openings (Sides and bottom) with Evergreen # 8102 HO scale 1X2 (.011 X .022)
For the upper part of the opening I used my photo etch bending tool as a guide. 

Best regards,
Wolf

[bbunge]

Bob:  Is TJ Model Trains a new name for PF&S Railway Supply, or are there two shops in that area now?

Not sure.  I would stop in there when I was visiting family out there and yes, they were PF&S.  I saw TJ Model Trains on Google Maps at the same location.

Bob

[Tad_T]

They are the same bunch.

I asked them the last time I went there.

Tad

[OldEastRR]

My second try at a B&O Pullman Standard Dome Coach.

The B&O blue went on nice a smooth.

The paint has a slight pebbly appearance. Check your airbrushing settings and technique -- you should wind up with a smooth semi-glossy finish if everything goes right.
As for the fluting, first use a narrow chisel blade to remove the high parts, and a sanding stick to carefully remove the rest.

[nkalanaga]

Tad:  Thank you!  That's about as definite as we can ask for.

I haven't been back to Washington since 2011, but before then was out there every couple years.  I always came away from PF&S with a few hundred dollars of "stuff".

[up1950s]

Thanks for sharing - Most of my models are 5 foot models

With inflation valves 

[bbunge]

Tad:  Thank you!  That's about as definite as we can ask for.

I haven't been back to Washington since 2011, but before then was out there every couple years.  I always came away from PF&S with a few hundred dollars of "stuff".

My in-laws owned a farm about two fields away from the shop.  Most years we visited for a few days from home (Maryland).   When the kids were small, a tradition was visiting Country Mercantile for ice cream and candy (not to be missed if you are in the area) and a stop at PS&F.  I would manage to browse for an hour or so before the kids got antsy.  Grandpa would normally chat with the owner about the various vintage tractors on the property.  There was always that last minute decision as to what to get, based on budget and what would fit in the luggage.  Good times.

Bob

[nkalanaga]

We only went to Country Mercantile once, as it was just Mom and me, and we were both over 40.  Didn't see anything we needed, so didn't go back.  For kids, or those looking for "country stuff", it would be a good place to visit.

[altohorn25]

The paint has a slight pebbly appearance. Check your airbrushing settings and technique -- you should wind up with a smooth semi-glossy finish if everything goes right.
As for the fluting, first use a narrow chisel blade to remove the high parts, and a sanding stick to carefully remove the rest.

Did you look at all the photos including the ones of the completed car?  I believe I took care of all the issues you referred to.....