Weekend Update 12-28-2008

[DKS]

David , wonderful job on that quonset hut modification . I wouldn't have redone it though , as the original model you did was also outstanding , I would just bought a second kit for the mod .

Thanks, but the "before" shot isn't my work; that's the manufacturer's shot of their kit. Guess I should have been clearer.

Still have small details to add, but the bulk of this freight station is done. It is a mirror image of the Erie freight station in Warren, OH http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-warr-fh-alb.jpg This is the truck side, I modeled the track side.
It is 15" long and that sign on top is David's handy work,  Thanks!

Chris, thanks for posting these shots. What a fantastic structure! Are those windows DIY etched brass, by any chance?

And I know the sign is the right size, but it looks lost on that loooong building...!

I'd suggest doing a writeup on how you built it. There are too few articles on scratchbuilding these days.

[Chris333]

Yes I did etch the windows so I could have red with green trim. The brick sheet is from N scale Architect, it is just like the old H&R stuff.  The whole thing was pretty flimsy till after it was painted and windows glued in. Then I added a bunch of strip wood inside.  Before David made up the sign all I had done were the windows everything else was built afterwards. In fact I ran out to get 150 grit sand paper today for the long low roof. (it is a slag roof in the plans) So that paint was still wet in the photo. I was very happy not to need shingles there, the upper roof took about 2 hours to shingle with peel-n-stick laser cuts from RLW.

[dwyaneward]

First structure for my door (36x80) size layout








Dwyane

[SecretWeapon]

[central.vermont]

Well this year has been a slow year for me. But the month of December has been a very busy one. Did some custom painting and installed decoders in several engines. Also with the help from some good friends I have gotten a good start on my Central Vermont layout. Installed about forty switches and many feet of C55 track in the St. Albans Vt. yard. Below are some before and after shots.

Jon

BEFORE

In this corner we have where Saint Albans yard will be. It runs just under the windows too the left and around the corner to the right on the lower level. 1/19/08

AFTER

North and south yards of ST. Albans come together here in this shot. The upside down plate represents where the turntable will be. In the left side of the shot you can see where track six will eventually be tied in with track seven (the one with pins) but before that can happen I will need to install a right hand switch so track seven can continue in the back ground and become the coal receiving track. 12/27/08

BEFORE

To the left it the end of Saint A yard. It will go through the wall there and helix down to the staging stacks. This will represent the connection with the CN. The upper level will have a duck under here in front of the door and onto the right towards the helix in the closet. This frame work has yet to be done as well as the peninsula. 1/20/08

AFTER

South end of CV's St. Albans yard. The upside down plate is approximately where the turntable will be. The passenger cars in the back is tthe location of the coach yard and station location. The smalll yard in the forground is where milk cars will be switched as well as any extra cars for the north yard. 12/27/08

BEFORE


This shot you can see where the peninsula will be. If you look closely you can see on both levels that the plywood sticks out from the table. This was done so there would not be a seam in the plywood on the radius. St Albans yard will be to the right just behind the sheet of plywood.1/20/08

AFTER

North end of CV's St. Albans yard. The antique power pack is hooked up too what will be the main line. It will continue on around to the left. Track six in the yard is the last track yet to be installed. 12/27/08

[James Costello]

Some great work guys - love the photos Scott and Erik, that autobox and the GS gons look great.

Got some time amongst the festive season activities to do some reading up on the California Northern, Portland & Western and the Espee in California and Oregon. Also devoured Tom's Weathering Book and am looking forward to putting it into practice, especially the salt technique (found some sea salt in the kitchen this morning).

Spent the week up in Bundaberg with the outlaws celebrating Christmas, water skiing and watching the traditional Boxing Day test match (cricket) between Australia and South Africa...which isn't looking too good for Australia at the moment.

Got another 3 weeks off, so I am looking forward to getting some projects completed (SD70M demo's for one).

[wm3798]

So, Chris... now that you're good at etching windows... perhaps that little project I sent you will be a little closer to the front of the workbench...

That freight station looks fantastic, by the way...
Lee

[MEC_FAN]

Helped Central Vermont on his layout Friday and Saturday, its going to a great layout when done. Also picked up my two NW-2's that he painted up for me and took them for a spin today.
BaAR 21 on the local out of Caribou.

BAR 20 shoving a buggie onto the caboose track.


Thanks CV

[atsf_arizona]

Given the economic times, it seems like good time
to finally get to installing details that I've been
stocking up on but never installed.

Here's three shots.

In process of installing BLMA fencing in the Glendale Packing
House yard:



Installed some more BLMA fence and a worker:



And also installed ice dock workers and ice blocks
on the reefer icing dock:



In these challenging financial times, I'm grateful for all that I do have.
Wishing all of you better times ahead, and have a Happy New Year.

[Roger Holmes]

I have to echo the praise for Chris' freight house.  It just has the perfect "railroad look" to it. 

Another amazing project, Chris.

Ed, I really enjoyed the Bantrak photos.  Great layout and great camera work!

Here's a photo of two CMR acrylic kits that I recently completed.

[SAH]

Between Scott's beautiful EL equipment and Chris's awesome Warren freight depot I'm wavering again.  Darn you guys, I was doing so well blocking out all but the AC&Y.   :-\

Are you gonna paint the Tribune-Comical sign on the backdrop behind the freight house Chris?  Such a classic RR structure.  Always thought I'd build a model of it.  Now I can enjoy seeing yours.   ;D

Nothing to share from me, as usual.  Spent all week travelling across FL visiting the snowbird relatives.  Back in ATL getting ready for the move to Greensboro.  The beat goes on . . .

Steve

[Roger Holmes]

Chris--The more I go back and look at your freight station the more I like it.  What color paint did you use for the brick?  Spray can or airbrush?

[Chris333]

Thanks guys.

Roger,
It was a custom color I guess. Model flex roof and rail brown mixed together. Then I just kept adding a little of this and that till I thought it matched the prototypes color:

There was more mortar in the brick lines, but most disappeared after Dullcote. Plus a sprayed ink/alcohol.

Steve,
It's the track side so maybe the blast furnace in the background?  Naa not modeling Warren, but wanted this station.

[diezmon]

I like the color of your concrete.. what'd you use?

[diezmon]

I got more work done on my SD-9 chop.. now that I got the correct long hood(with DB).