Weekend Update 8/12/12

[Dave V]

BTW, the bash for that station is under way...

Giggity!!!

[DKS]

I really like this kind of modeling project. Its been fun and informative following your progress.  The result is spot on.  Great job.  Looking forward to seeing a picture of it on the layout.

+1

Agree on all points. Projects like these are my favorite, because they challenge the modeler to be innovative.

[jereising]

Been doing some upgrading (a layout is NEVER complete) around Caliente.  Here's what it looked like originally:



And now - not finished by a long shot.  The road runs up to the cell tower out of view to the left.  There is actually road underneath the tree canopy if anyone cares to look...



And a different angle:



There were a few things I DIDN'T like about the original, high among them the road and lot color.  This is an example where you think about things for a long time, then execute.  More to come.

[RET USN]

I finally made some progress after several months.  Started painting the back drop and reused a bridge from my old coffe table layout.

[RET USN]

I found a few pictures of my old coffe table layout.

[SkipGear]

I finished my model of the SunRich fertilizer building -

Cheers,
-Mark

Mark,
 You becoming quite the scratchbuilder. That looks great.

[seusscaboose]

Sure, the code 80 should go away - but - you have an operational layout - it works, its getting published in GMR .. I would keep it for what it is .. some day when you finally settle down up here in our area and we build the "big one" .. then you can do all the things you need to make you happy. In the meantime - I would keep improving it - new buildings, etc .. they can always be used on the next one ..

I agree. Upgrade buildings and interiors. Rolling stock. Etc.  then move here, and we will build the big one.  . Leave the 80 at this point.  Worst case scenario is we design it into the new "big one" track plan so you can keep it.

EP
P.S.  And by we I mean DKS. 

[Coxy]

I finished my model of the SunRich fertilizer building -

Looks fantastic Mark. Would love to see a post with shots of the construction, step by step if you have 'em. ideal for the weathering and scratchbuilding area. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?board=13.0

Coxy

[coosvalley]

Nice job Joe!!
Where did you get the blue decals to do the MEC change over? I've been trying to get  Jim
to shrink down the HO decals he has now for quite a while, with no luck. 

Jon

Not wanting to wait for Jim, I scanned some HO decals that I had, cleaned them up with a photo editor, and printed my own.....Send me a PM with your address and I'll print some for you if you'd like..though the tiny lettering around the pine tree is pushing the limits of my printer....

Maybe we need to bring back the decal of the month club.....??????   (remember that?)

[peteski]

The tender drive is very smooth and an excellent puller.  The tender alone weighs 2.5 oz. with most of that weight over the front drive truck.  One of the drive axles has traction tires.

I'm not sure why manufacturers have not developed tender drive, but here is a link to another Starmans tender drive loco with a 120 car train:

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Thanks for the info Doug.  As far as tender drive goes, I think that all of the Fleischmann's steam locos which have tenders are in fact tender drive, just like yours.  And Fleischmann has been making N scale locos for a very long time.  So, there *IS* a manufacturer which makes such locos.  I suspect you meant "US prototype loco manufacturer". There are also of course locos where the motor is housed in the tender where a driveshaft then transfer the power to the loco's drivers.

[jsoflo]

Thanks Daryl!

I just finished weathering 2 Athearn boxcars I had sitting around as well:





Thanks,
Jan

[Dave V]

Changes coming to the Juniata Division:

Before:



After:

[Power Stroke]

Well, first post. I have not touched the layout for some time as my plate has been full with prepping lawnmower race tractors. I got a little time, and decided I was not happy with the front part of the layout. Those from the Atlas website will remember what I had done with my GS&SV. As both Jim and Dave have shown, this is never ending. A bridge of some type will complete the road on the lower part. Open for comments as this is just initial dropping of pieces on the table.

Before:






After:

[eja]

It is a farm silo from American Model Builders.  I

Peteski,

I like the checkerboard pattern at the top of this.  Your idea ?   That ladder, however, looks way too thick and out of scale.   Maybe something  from Gold Metal Models as a replacement???

[MichaelWinicki]

Nice to see you over here Power Stroke!

I like the proposed changes.

You could add a great many interesting scenic details around those buildings.

I would be tempted to make the drive/parking area around those buildings something a little different than what is around the rest of the layout.  Maybe a crushed stone look using a couple different, gray, z-scale sized ballast.  I think gray would create a good contrast.