Best Of Polar Express build

[Lemosteam]

Peteski, I just realized I forgot to reply to your questin. Forgive me.  The railing is from a GMM passenger car fret, there are a few on it. 

Er, no I constructed it from strands of 32 gage wire, yeah that's it...

[UP4-8-8-4]

That Polar Express set is fantastic !
You didn't miss any detail at all, even the children on the observation deck and ghost, unreal.


Ernie

[Lemosteam]

Ernie, if I may call you by your name, thank you.  I really appreciate the kind words!

[Lemosteam]

Installment sixteen.... Kato trucks for some, couplers and an inaugural run for the hobo...

I bought six sets of Kato trucks because I was not happy with the rolling performance of my spring pickup trucks, even though they conducted power really well.  With so many commenting on the Walthers Berk not able to pull well. Rolling resistance became a concern.  I decided to leave the Rivarossi trucks on the baggage and combine. This is a pic of the trucks and wireson the hobo car:

 

I also added some wood to the fire and touched the hot ends with some white highlights.  I love how the fire lights up the coffee decanter:





Here is the video of the three nearly finished cars on the Lavis Junction.  Man, I need a backdrop!

So more wiring, Kato trucks and couplers.  I have also decided to make a resin casting of the roofs so I can duplicate the snow caps without ruining any roof casings with a heat gun!

[Lemosteam]

Installment seventeen... Hot Chocolate for everyone, and some nearly completed photos:

The Hot Chocolate scene is by far my favorite, so I just had to attempt something in this car.  It is funny how Woodland Scenics engineers look remarkably close to an ecstatic dancing waiter crew after painting them in black pants and vest, with white shirts, and install:



Do you know it is impossible to find sitting children figures?





Here is a night shot, my personal fave is the chef, in the near center,made from a WS kneeling hobo, with a drop of clear gorilla glue atop his original straw hat, shaped and painted after the glue was partially dried...



All of the cars are nearly finished save some black paint underneath.:

 

And with Josh and other's prodding, I lowered all but the combine and baggage to unfit the electrified Kato trucks.  I must admit it makes quite a difference for looks and coupler height.



Also fixed the under carriage of the observation car and added an MT 905 coupler back there. 



The stay-lit circuit works beautifully through all areas of track with no flicker at all. Peteski, it performs wonderfully.

I am considering replacing the six wheel trucks with the Kato on the baggage and combine, even though they are not electrified.  Amazing how's free rolling those trucks are!  Even at gag the Walthers Berk can't pull more than four cars up the grade on the Lavis Junction!  Mor on that in a different thread.

[chicken45]

Looks like a winner!
I wonder if there's a way to disguise the coupler box.    

Josh "Putting the 'pee' in 'peer pressure'" Surkosky

[Hornwrecker]

Looks like a winner!
I wonder if there's a way to disguise the coupler box.    

Josh "Putting the 'pee' in 'peer pressure'" Surkosky

I think a bit of skirting, the thickness of the 905 box, and then angling it up near the ladder.  Painting the skirting black might help disguise it.

[nkalanaga]

The best way to "disguise" the coupler box would be to complete the center sill, but that would probably restrict the truck swing too much. 

Lacking that, adding an air hose, steam line, stirrup steps under the ladder, probably drop grabs on either side of the coupler, a cut lever, etc would "fill in the blanks".  Most open platform obs I've seen had square platforms, with either traps or stirrup steps on the sides, but those won't work here.

[mmagliaro]

Simply splendid, John!

MUST.... write.... article.....   

[chicken45]

The best way to "disguise" the coupler box would be to complete the center sill, but that would probably restrict the truck swing too much. 

Lacking that, adding an air hose, steam line, stirrup steps under the ladder, probably drop grabs on either side of the coupler, a cut lever, etc would "fill in the blanks".  Most open platform obs I've seen had square platforms, with either traps or stirrup steps on the sides, but those won't work here.

That's exactly it. Maybe look to these?

[Lemosteam]

Your image above looks very similar to my image below, so this is the farthest I can go save to paint the coupler box in body color.  There is no skirt or lip.

[chicken45]

Just redrill the holes and move the couplers back HAHAHAHAHA
Just kidding. It looks so much better now that it's lowered. The coupler is largely decorational, right?  Maybe you could model a drop style haha!

If there's no clearance for a lip, it is what it is, and it's MR worthy. Personally I'd like to see some color under the deck.
But this as  as I get!

Are you going to write this up?

[davefoxx]

What would fix this look around the coupler area . . .

. . . would be to do what Bruce (arbomambo) did to his cars, assuming these are still available:

True...but the GMM fret is still quite nice, well shaped, and fit with only minor mods...the MT step, like stated above require some surgery...
Here's the GMM set and an example....









The GMM set also includes some very nice steps and observation car end railings...
Respectfully,
Bruce

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Lemosteam]

Dave I've been thinking about using these, I have two frets. I still have to paint the undercarriage but I may have to move some wiring to accommodate them.  I have been thinking that they would go a long way to hiding the 1015's.  Are those typically body color or black? Either is fine, just curious.

[chicken45]

The PRR painted them Tuscan but had rubber on the steps that was black.