Weekend Update - 2/14/2010

[Chris333]

The stock coupler is held in place by two dimples, it pulls right out. Then I built up styrene to make a new box. All the new stuff is white:


The coupler is a Bowser Bucker:
http://jamesriverbranch.net/clinic_2.htm
It pulled the coupler in over 25 Z scale inches and has no slinky effect at all.


After having Vista, XP seemed like DOS to me.  :

[wcfn100]

I thought the Bowser/Full Throttle coupler wasn't going to ge released as a separate item.

Is there a part number for them that you can order from AZL?


Jason

[Chris333]

You can buy Bowser trucks separately, I just took the couplers out of a truck:
http://www.zscalemonster.com/full_throttle/100/
And here are AZL trucks:
http://www.zscalemonster.com/azl/trucks/


Oh yeah 78 updates (2.5 hours) for Vista once it was installed.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Man, we could really use that coupler seperatley. Just think how easy the 44 tonner coupler install would be. Other uses: F and E units, FAs and PAs. Hell, I wonder if they would fit an accumate truck.

[UP1996]

Worked on problem track, grades, and scenery over the week end. 
I had some time to paint some of the backdrop(wall).

I went way too light on the mist color. I"m going to have to go back and lightly tone it down
with the airbrush.

Mt. Shasta.


Please disregard the lousy scenery, track, and tree placement. I'm working on it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Chris, looking at that NS SD40-2 reminded me.

Those are quite wrong for the CR units. They have the wrong radiator grills. The CR ones were the "corrugated" vertical slat style, as opposed to the "chickenwire" style that MTL did.

[Chris333]

What are they "right" for?

Thought about keeping the number stock, but the real one has 6 brake cylinders on each truck.

[DKS]

Man, we could really use that coupler seperatley. Just think how easy the 44 tonner coupler install would be. Other uses: F and E units, FAs and PAs. Hell, I wonder if they would fit an accumate truck.

Bear in mind that the Bowser coupler does not have magnetic uncoupling. It's essentially a functional dummy: they can couple with each other, as well as M-Ts, but they can't uncouple, except by hand.

[wm3798]

Here's the Thomas Sub helix as it appears on the kitchen table...



The bottom loop is 24 x 32, then next is 24 x 28, and the top is 24 x 24.  I tested it with a Bachmann Consolidation with 10 Atlas 55T hoppers.  This was suitable as a worst case scenario.  I had a little trouble keeping the pilot truck on the rail due to the tight radius, but I added a little superelevation which seems to help.  I figure I'll add rerailers at the top and bottom, which should keep everything in order.

The total rise is now at 6 full inches, which is plenty to get the line up to Elkins. 

The new spacers are cut to have a level plane at the tops, which will expedite cutting foam, probably from the Chaffee module, to make the mountainous enclosure.  This hill will be the backdrop for Cumberland, so I'll have to make the radio station up on the hill with the neon letters!

Lee

[Caleb Austin]

Thanks Pud and Tim.

And that backdrop looks sweet UP1996! Definitely captures Shasta nicely.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What are they "right" for?

Thought about keeping the number stock, but the real one has 6 brake cylinders on each truck.

I'm pretty sure N&W had some of the earlier units, but the anti-climbers mean they're not very early units, so I'm not sure at all.

[diezmon]

Still working on the freight house.  I was at the in-laws all weekend, so I only had time to add fascia and a couple doors.

[Philip H]

Here's the Thomas Sub helix as it appears on the kitchen table...



The bottom loop is 24 x 32, then next is 24 x 28, and the top is 24 x 24.  I tested it with a Bachmann Consolidation with 10 Atlas 55T hoppers.  This was suitable as a worst case scenario.  I had a little trouble keeping the pilot truck on the rail due to the tight radius, but I added a little superelevation which seems to help.  I figure I'll add rerailers at the top and bottom, which should keep everything in order.

The total rise is now at 6 full inches, which is plenty to get the line up to Elkins. 

The new spacers are cut to have a level plane at the tops, which will expedite cutting foam, probably from the Chaffee module, to make the mountainous enclosure.  This hill will be the backdrop for Cumberland, so I'll have to make the radio station up on the hill with the neon letters!

Lee

Pretty slick Maestro.  Looking forward to running this!

[Andrew Hutchinson]

David, Chris,

What are the full throttle couplers like when uncoupling with a skewer/toothpick?

Thanks, and sorry for not asking this in the Z forum.

Andrew Hutchinson

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone remember my sucky first attempt at the Alaska F7 that ran in Central MA?

I hated the weathering so much I stripped the shell and started over.





I'm still not happy with the somewhat ragged edge of the blue under the cab, but I'm going to quit while I'm ahead.


Some new vehicles painted up.


I finished the NHN shells. This old scheme is waiting for a donor chassis.


the newer scheme was lightly weathered. I still need to add a bit of grime to the trucks and fueltank.