Weekend Update 7/22/18

[John]

More Trees 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I had a chance to do something kinda fun this week.

In my duties as archivist for the CRHS, I occasionally need to meme a run to grab something high priority out of them. Well, we recently received a rather important request from someone who's name you'd recognize at Conrail Shared Assets.

When you get a request like this, you do it.

So I took a drive up to Harrisburg to find and retrieve said artifact.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

My parents met up with me to drop off our recently donated "Conrail Cart".

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

And while we were there I gave them the quick tour of Enola including a quick stop by the Iron Bridge.

[C855B]

"Accessorial Services"?

I'm guessing that means pressing the button for the vibrating cattle loader or making the guy at the shack swing his lantern.

[Ike the BN Freak]

On the New Westminster waterfront this morning: 4 BNSF units (all spotlessly clean) on a long string of SRY boxcars; one of the units was a GP30. I'm not a BNSF expert by any stretch, but I was surprised that any GP30's are still active on a behemoth like BNSF.
Geoff

Geoff,

BNSF doesn't roster any true GP30s.  BN in the 90s were getting GP30s and 35s rebuilt as GP39-2s. And ATSF was also rebuilding their GP30s, however I'm not sure what specs they were going with

[packers#1]

Probably GP30u’s; the short line that leased the Norfolk Southern Branch in my hometown bought a pair and that’s what they were listed as. My profile picture here is actually a shot of one of them.w

[txronharris]

Wanted to post this although it's not a model. Caught this KCS train coming northbound through Krum and heading south at Metro Jct towards Plano.

The two BNSF leaders on a KCS train aren't the cool thing (although that's pretty cool). Fourth loco back is one of the new CN GE EF-644x Evolution Tier 4 locos (one of the 200 being assembled here in Texas) with the Aboriginal logo on the nose. Train was moving slow, so I was able to get both sides.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Geoff,

BNSF doesn't roster any true GP30s.  BN in the 90s were getting GP30s and 35s rebuilt as GP39-2s. And ATSF was also rebuilding their GP30s, however I'm not sure what specs they were going with

I always find this strange. Why aren't rebuilt engines more popular? Especially recently as engines have standardized in size and shape. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to reuse the frame and most of the body rather than buying something totally new? I know you would need to use new power assemblies, alternators, traction motors, electrics and a rebuilt cab to pass current regulations, but the idea that you cut up all of these 15-20 year old engines for scrap just to recycle them into very similar frames and hoods just seems wasteful. I know there are some major rebuild projects out there, but I would think that should be the bulk of "new engines".

[mighalpern]

been working very feverishly on making my story module for the traveling baggage car
so this a test of posting pictures for me. 
the bare frame


then using Bragdon system for the rocks


so ended up here

[delamaize]

That's so gorgeous DKS! Looks Awesome!

Been working on an abandoned tower.





More details in the Layout Engineering thread.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44969.30

[DKS]

That's so gorgeous DKS! Looks Awesome!

Thank you!

[johnb]

I always find this strange. Why aren't rebuilt engines more popular? Especially recently as engines have standardized in size and shape. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to reuse the frame and most of the body rather than buying something totally new? I know you would need to use new power assemblies, alternators, traction motors, electrics and a rebuilt cab to pass current regulations, but the idea that you cut up all of these 15-20 year old engines for scrap just to recycle them into very similar frames and hoods just seems wasteful. I know there are some major rebuild projects out there, but I would think that should be the bulk of "new engines".

Look at the Southern Pacific,  they rebuilt almost all of their first generation EMD SW's, SD's, and GP's, and went to KM for a bunch of GP40's and SD40's.....but they learned not to rebuild the U25B's after 2 in house and 4 at KM....

[mu26aeh]

I worked on trees this weekend too, but in O scale form.  This is on my buddy's O Scale Western Maryland Dutch Line layout.  Trying to get it ready for O scale convention at the end of August for a showing, and also the Mainline Hobby Supply Open House and Layout tour in mid-September.  Hoping to get a couple more nights this week to work on it.

[Mike Madonna]

Thank you - lower level is at 42" and upper level is at 58".  I experimented with heights using small dioramas on a bookcase prior to construction.  At 58" the upper deck is a nice viewing height but not too high for uncoupling, etc.  At 42" the lower deck is a sufficient distance below the upper deck, and a nice viewing angle if you are seated on a stool or in a chair.  I should perhaps mention that I kept the gradient level along the lower and upper decks; the only change is in the helix.  Thirteen years on I would have to say that I am pleased with the heights I chose.


Tim

Tim, Thanks for the info! I was thinking along the same lines (43" and 58"). Are those measurements to the top of the rail or sub-roadbed?
Really like the look. I noticed you recessed the upper level. I'm looking at both upper and lower being about the same (width). That said, the upper bench work width ranges from 8-16" and the lower a maximum of 24". Nice to get a "visual"!! 

[BCR 570]

Sorry I should specified that - height measurements are to top of bench work with sub-roadbed, roadbed and track on top of that.

Yes, in most places the upper deck is narrower than the lower deck.  On the south wall I did not need as much width for Dawson Creek and I foresaw that Chetwynd Yard operators below would be doing a fair bit of reaching in for uncoupling.  On the north wall, again less width was needed for Tremblay and I wanted to give maximum exposure to the Pine River bridge scene below.

Before closing I should perhaps mention that the top lighting valance matches the lower deck in width all the way around the layout.


Tim

[Dave V]

I'm late to the weekend update again, sorry!  I finished the Banta Models Alta Mine tramhouse for Ophir this weekend.  Total work was maybe 8 hours.  Great kit.  I used a David Popp MR Video Plus technique for the rust that he just showed in his latest Olympia "Log Blog" video.  It involves using washes made of weathering powders suspended in alcohol and allowing it to react with Dullcote to get a hazy appearance.

I started by cutting and priming all of the Campbell corrugated siding that came with the kit:



I used washes I made from Doc O'Brien's Weathering Powders, chalks, and alcohol.  I made a wash for brown rust, one for red rust, one for new orange rust, one for grime, and an overall India ink wash as a control coat. 

The sides of the prototype were darker than the sun-bleached roof:



And yes, that odd angle in the front is prototypical, as is the haphazard way in which the bents are constructed.



For the prototype:

https://ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com/search?I_DSC=alta&I_DSC_AND=t&_ACT=search