HO Scale Weekend Update 9/16/12

[keystonecrossings]

I know, I know, there's no weekly update for HO scalers... 

But what the hey... here's an update from me... what are the rest of you guys working on?

I got the first coat of plaster on the main mountain that provides the backdrop to the PRR Milroy Branch as it passes through Mann's Narrows between Yeagertown and Reedsville, Pa.



Though the track will remain within reach, the high and rear portions of the mountain will be out of reach. So I have to get all that scenery done first. On the near side of the track there will be a creek, to be completed later.

More on my blog... http://jbritton.pennsyrr.com.

[cv_acr]

Did some practicing with the airbrush and painted up a couple of 40' boxcars.

Got two of the wood cars lettered up (actually the second one just needs a couple more pieces finished up).



The lettering is dry transfers from CDS, slightly modified to represent the cars later in life, not the original lettering. Basically this involved not applying stripes above and below the car number, and shifting the name closer to the reporting marks. My era is the mid-1980s, so these cars will have to be heavily weathered and will be used in work service. For this reason I'm not too worried about the imperfect transfer of part of the railroad name on 3114. I have a steel car that will be CN that I'll have to be more careful on.

[engineshop]

I have been working on some Swiss style signals for my layout. Although there are some standards , each one is very unique, especially the station signals. This one is one of two main signal that multiple tracks (labeled 4 and 5). Besides the green light, one of the numbers will light up as well, to show which track gets the green light. It should cover 3 tracks but I could only fit two numbers in that little box and the 3. track is not used much. On top is the "no switching" sign in form of an "X".
Everything will be lit up with small LEDs. The signal stand has 4 parts and before I glue the last piece, I will run the magnet wires inside the stand to the base, attach it to SMD resistors and then to the 8 pin connector. The entire signal is laser cut out of 0.02" laserboard. The signal is 2 3/4" tall without the base which is 1 1/4".



I just received the LEDs and will show updated pictures when they are installed.

[GaryHinshaw]

That's really something Roland.  May I ask, do you have your own laser cutter?

[engineshop]

Gary
I got a Full Spectrum Hobby Laser, like this one:

http://fslaser.com/40w-deluxe-hobby-laser-engraver-and-cutter