Weekend Update 3/17/13

[The Beer Baron]

I hope it's alright that I started this weeks thread, as it's almost Happy Hour and no one else has jumped on it yet.

Beginning some scenery work this weekend with a simple wire fence fashioned from toothpicks and black thread. The Atlas switches I ordered arrived this, week so I've put those in. I've ordered some Woodland Scenics Fine Grey Ballast, but it won't be here until late next week.

[atsf_arizona]

I honestly can't remember where I did/didn't post this early February 2013 re-load of my construction photos of a N scale Santa Fe GP7B, from project done way back in 2008, to my pbase.com photo albums.
So, apologizing in advance if you've seen this already (or I posted it and forgot that I did):



And here's the full construction photo album:  http://www.pbase.com/atsf_arizona/gp7b_construction

Have a good week.

[up1950s]

Happy hour , nobody started it yet ? History shows 19:30 is what has been normal . Do I mind , no , but after putting in a couple of hours making a special header which is only applicable for this weekend  , and no good for any other time ever , I hope you don't mind if I add the header somewhere around the neck to pecks area .

[sizemore]

Happy hour , nobody started it yet ? History shows 19:30 is what has been normal . Do I mind , no , but after putting in a couple of hours making a special header which is only applicable for this weekend  , and no good for any other time ever , I hope you don't mind if I add the header somewhere around the neck to pecks area .

You forgot Maryland Midland Richie! Back to the paintshop sir! (kidding!).



The S.

[flight2000]

Nice Banner Richie...

My contribution this week, for now.  Will post the pair of SD40-2 Bluebirds if I get them completed this weekend.  If not, they can wait until next weekend... 

This idea was borrowed from (I believe) a car Mr. Kluke did, but not 100% sure on that.  I went a step further with the graffiti... 





Brian

[havingfuntoo]

Hi Beer Baron,

I hope this does not offend you, up1950s has been doing the weekend update for a long time now and looking at his posting numbers has earned the right to do it, from my point of view it is his gig, each week he starts the post with an interesting banner that he obviously takes time  and gives thought to its content, look at todays ........ don't steal his thunder by jumping in early.

These thoughts are purely my own and I have no authority on this site what so ever!!

There is plenty of time for you to post after the banner posting has been made.       

[BCR 570]

Richie:

Nice header, but you left out a very important green scheme:




My efforts to model three of the above continues with insertion of the front and rear corner grab irons formed from .008" brass wire, and the end grab irons from BLMA:






I also began work on the next car for my intended Prince George Auxiliary consist.  BCOL 6506 was the Tool Wash Car which was converted from former CPR mail car 3703.  It now resides at the railway museum in Prince George:




I had planned to try and kitbash this car from Geoff Gooderham's resin Express-RPO series car (from which the CPR actually converted their mail cars) but I wasn't looking forward to cutting out and splicing in doors and windows on a resin shell.  I approached Geoff about the idea of doing the mail car as a kit; instead he built for me a one off styrene model as a thank you for some article photography I did for him.  Here is his carbody and underframe:




This week I went to work on the detail parts, including brake wheel chains, side and end hand holds, and end grab irons:




I have left off the side sill steps while working on the roof so I can lay the body flat on the workbench.  I modified a pair of Miniatures By Eric CNR smoke jacks, and scratchbuilt the overturned vents from strip styrene:




I am just waiting for a few measurements to locate the vents correctly.  After the roof details and sill steps, there are a few additional underframe details to take care of.

I realize that as this is a former CPR passenger car I am likely trodding on Puddy's turf a bit here , but he is not allowed to have all the fun . . . 


Tim

[BCR 570]

I hope this does not offend you, up1950s has been doing the weekend update for a long time now and looking at his posting numbers has earned the right to do it, from my point of view it is his gig, each week he starts the post with an interesting banner that he obviously takes time  and gives thought to its content, look at todays ........ don't steal his thunder by jumping in early.

Politely seconded with due respect to all concerned.  It is advantageous for one person to start to ensure that it is indeed taken care of, and that the thread titles are consistent for archival and search purposes.  I realize that we all live in different time zones, but the wait should not be too onerous.  Friday night is the traditional launch time and Richie was served us well in this capacity both here and at the former Atlas forum site.

Back to the models!


Tim

[up1950s]

Thanks for your thoughts guys , please , he has sent me an eMail stating his regrets right after I posted the header . He is new and wasn't aware of my majestic status , which is no better than the Beer Baron himself or any other a$$hat here . No harm done . I am just lucky and honored to be allowed to help The Railwire in such a small way . I don't think permission was even granted , it just happened like a 90 year old knocker points to the earths core .

The green locos shown are new for pre-order or coming up for pre-order soon . Is that MM coming up for pre-order Mr S. ? 

[M.C. Fujiwara]

It's been lovely sunny Northern California spring weather this week, so I hauled the Shoofly module up to the Open Space near my old elementary school to try the whole "natural background" thing.



Hit & miss shoot, but learned a lot (especially when I got home and read the camera manual  )
Next step: focus stacking!

More photos in the Engineering Report.

Have a groovy weekend!

[Kisatchie]

...it just happened like a 90 year old knocker points to the earths core .

Hmm... I am embarrassed...

[Puddington]

Holy CPR styrene amazement Batman..... Geoff really likes you Tim; awesome starting place - I hereby vest you with ex CPR car licence to "make it so".

Nothing for the Pud this week as we are fighting the war of ground water in the basement .... Not too bad but what a pain in the caboose......

[mark dance]

Before this week's ops session I found some time to do a preliminary paint job on the Kettle River Bridge.  Still need to fix some stuff up (like the diagonal member that is distorted), some more weathering and of course the piers.  This plus "planting" will need to be April now.





(The foreshortening in this picture unfortunately highlights the distorted diagonal…oh well.  Cameras make great modeling tools!)



Have a great St. P's weekend (and great header UP!)


md

[Hornwrecker]

Finally started applying static grass, this is my first try at it.  I did this section last night, and applied a few weeds and leaves to it today.

[MVW]

It's been lovely sunny Northern California spring weather this week, so I hauled the Shoofly module up to the Open Space near my old elementary school to try the whole "natural background" thing.



Hit & miss shoot, but learned a lot (especially when I got home and read the camera manual  )
Next step: focus stacking!

More photos in the Engineering Report.

Have a groovy weekend!

M.C., I always enjoy your work. But this is a freakin' amazing photo.

Jim