Weekend Update 7/24/2010

[eric220]

Dang, off to an early start this week, are we?

As the day drifted into the afternoon, the Pennsylvania special crossed over onto the Maryland and Ohio Railroad.  The M&O President, Mr. Berger stepped up and guided all of his visitors along the winding hills of Maryland.



As the Special came to a small creek, the engineer brought the train to a stop.



After a few minutes, smoke began to appear over the hills, and the unmistakable sound of steam and iron gave way to three engines approaching from different directions.  Soon, the photographers were up in a helicopter photographing the 4-way meet.



The Special pulled away from the meet, chased by the helicopter.  Shortly afterward, it came to a long trestle, and Mr. Berger's videographer hefted his camera into position, catching the Special crossing.  (Video by John)



A short way down the line, the Special paused to allow the photographers to re-board the train.  As it came to a stop, the Special found itself saddled up next to a Laurel Valley/Western Maryland mixed freight.



The crew of the GG2 got a good look at the diesels that would soon obsolete their locomotive.



As the Special pulled away, clouds began to gather in the ever-ficle sky.



Soon, with the definite threat of thunderstorms in the early evening air, the Special began its final run to Washington DC.  There, the train would be split, and the PRR directors and their guests ferried back up to Philadelphia with their GG2 traded for a GG1.  Many fond memories were made over the two day journey of the Special, and before they even made it to DC, the PRR directors were beginning to discuss another trip.

[BCR 570]

During the past week I made significant progress on the 100-Ton rotary gondolas:




The four cars on the left are finished and show the underframe brake arrangement which I eventually came up with.  A friend at Procor Ltd. sent me an assembly diagram for the cars; between that and photographs I believe that I have come up with a fairly close match.  The four cars on the right have occupied most of my modelling time this week and they are complete except for the underframe details.

I also fitted the new Miniature By Eric C-630M fuel tank casting to one of my Atlas C-630 mechanisms.  It took a little filing on the inside of the end walls to get it to fit:




This one piece resin part provides the correct 60/40 split between the blisters as well as the correct air reservoir arrangement.  With this and the Dofasco trucks from Briggs Models the locomotive is now completely correct below the frame.


Tim

[dougnelson]

Dave - weathering looks good.  What did you use - Bragdon powders?  Airbrush?

[James Costello]

Tim,

Can you explain what is going on with the couplers on those gons - is that an etched brass coupler box? The concept looks good for cushioned couplers.... are they sold separately?

Thanks

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Those are HAWT!  Any idea where one can get the eggs and their prizes that you used as your starting point?

Search eBay for "kinder fire." There is a full set listed for $29 right now, but individual engines pop up occasionally. I'm trying to order a few from a source in German if you are interested. The cabs need a LOT of work. They are too wide by about 2 scale feet. The models require a lot of splicing, measuring and gluing. I wish I could just send a finished one and get it cast.

[Dave V]

Dave - weathering looks good.  What did you use - Bragdon powders?  Airbrush?

Doug, just used acrylic washes.  Was going to fire up the airbrush, but was worried the effect would be too heavy-handed.

[qantaqa]

I managed to turn this:



into this:



and then back to a working condition.

And, along with a few HO logging loco sound installs, this crossed the bench recently:




Cheers!
John

[asciibaron]

once the glue dries.

glue?  

made a fair bit of progress yesterday - i'll start back up with cutting once the sun  moves and the patio is in full shade.  i mowed the lawn and i'm beat!

[John]

Those are HAWT!  Any idea where one can get the eggs and their prizes that you used as your starting point?

Search eBay for "kinder fire." There is a full set listed for $29 right now, but individual engines pop up occasionally. I'm trying to order a few from a source in German if you are interested. The cabs need a LOT of work. They are too wide by about 2 scale feet. The models require a lot of splicing, measuring and gluing. I wish I could just send a finished one and get it cast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-American-Fire-Engines-1-160-German-KINDER-/350271214257?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Diecast_Vehicles&hash=item518dca92b1

[rochsub]

Progress on Global III

[BCR 570]

Tim,

Can you explain what is going on with the couplers on those gons - is that an etched brass coupler box? The concept looks good for cushioned couplers.... are they sold separately?

Thanks

James:

Yes, the coupler box is etched and has two pins at the rear to locate it on the carbody.  This was a design challenge for this kit as there is virtually nothing to attach the coupler box to.  No, not available separately - good idea for a new product!


Tim

[asciibaron]

continued progress has been hampered by the cats and dogs falling from the sky.  i was hoping to have the benchwork completed today

[conrail98]

I put the rest of my shelf standards and brackets up and built 3 L-girders for the lower level. Was hoping to do 3-more today but other things got in the way,

Phil

[Philip H]

I can attest to the cats and dogs - here in western PG County its been raining for almost an hour. At first the wind was so strong the rain couldn"T actually get to the ground.

On th etrain front I managed to get the color for my ground matched to the color of the grout I hope to one day apply.  I may try to do it tonight, since the rainy downpour seems to have prevented the yard work I was planning for after dinner.

[Bob Bufkin]

Rain just hitting here in Southern PG.  Lost power for a short while twice.  I don't care as long as it cools things off.  The AC hasn't been working up to par and I'm hot and miserable.  You know it's hot if I don't go out and do a little weekend railfanning.

Layout wise I just completed a few new buildings to place on a industrial spur.