ATSF Los Angeles Division, circa 1949

[Santa Fe Guy]

Nice work Otto.
Rod.

[Steveruger45]

Looking really really good Otto.
How does the bridge fit onto the shaft?

[Cajonpassfan]

Looking really really good Otto.
How does the bridge fit onto the shaft?

Ha! Time will tell 
I’m not entirely sure the rivets add a lot of value at 24” viewing distance, but what the hell...
This has been a slow process.
Scruffy the cat shown for scale; no obligatory pennies for us
Otto

[Philip H]

I see the road super is overseeing things in that last photo.

[MDW]

Ha! Time will tell 
I’m not entirely sure the rivets add a lot of value at 24” viewing distance, but what the hell...
This has been a slow process.

Hell yes they add value! That’s why we do this......
Great looking model.

Michel

[Wolf N Works]

Looking great Otto, got to keep the Super Happy.

[Cajonpassfan]

Looking great Otto, got to keep the Super Happy.

Ah, thanks guys! And yes I do try to keep the “Super”  happy...Happy Wife, happy life.
The cat’s pretty happy too... he just loves to keep me company when I’m working on my models; watches me for hours!
A nice, relaxing vibe...

[Cajonpassfan]

This project reminded me just how much I dislike working with black components; can’t see sh!t in our small scale.😜
Wish manufacturers would do kits in gray or other lighter color (not white), it needs to be painted anyway, right.?
Tonight I shot the TT with a bit of primer and wow, what a difference that makes! Of course, it uncovers all the sins and imperfections which I could have avoided if only I could have seen them. A bit of fixing to do before the final coat...
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

Speaking of painting, below is the best color photo of the prototype turntable I’ve been able to find. It seems a bit browner that the faded black Mike. Thoughts about what color to use?
Meanwhile, I’m still working on the bearing/bridge connection...it’s been a challenge. We’ll get there...
Otto

[MDW]

Otto-
I think it’s just a little bit more gray than black with a ton of dust & rust weathering....
You are correct about the black models - between often having more flash than model & the dark color, the manufacturers don’t make it easy for us!

Michel

[jagged ben]

This the San Berdo TT right?  I have several photos of the Bakersfield TT which I understand was the same design, but who knows if it was the same color.  It was painted silver, at least in later years.   Having helped model it on our club layout I really enjoy seeing your version here.  Your detailing is much better.

[jagged ben]

My sense is that in your photo it is silver colored underneath (perhaps aluminum is more precise) all tue soot.  It may have gotten cleaner after the steam era ended.

[Specter3]

I think its black. Look at this close up:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The inside of that vertical piece is not a place that would catch a lot of soot. And it would catch less and less the closer you get to the outer flat piece. Looks shiny and black.

[Cajonpassfan]

This the San Berdo TT right?  I have several photos of the Bakersfield TT which I understand was the same design, but who knows if it was the same color.  It was painted silver, at least in later years.   Having helped model it on our club layout I really enjoy seeing your version here.  Your detailing is much better.

Thanks! There no question the Berdoo table was painted black, not silver, at least in my cca. ‘49 era. But, having put all this effort into the model, I’m trying to get the color right, too. Maybe I’m overthinking it...😜
It will be some kind of weathered faded black.
Thanks for the feedback guys,
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

No I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, just not a lot of visible progress to report. Busy doing maintenance, trouble shooting electrical gremlins, and running test trains to find issues with track and /or equipment. Lots of success with finding issues!
Barstow staging is giving me fits; can’t find a “mystery” intermittent short. (I made a mistake by powering the 28 Tortoises off track power rather than a dedicated power block, so it’s difficult to isolate the problem when the breaker trips. A lesson learned). Pics below.
And, I am still busy working on a large HO scale layout for a local friend three days a week...just finished track boards and placement of a nice brass bridge, below. Love the graceful curves. Working in a larger  scale is....interesting; in some ways a lot easier/more forgiving.
Otto