Weekend Update 4/7/19

[johnb]

Trying my hand at scratch-building structures from styrene...


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color me impressed.  How did you get those windows perfectly square and what material are you using?

[Dave V]

I find it interesting how well you remember this student and his ability in your class. I'm curious if he stands out to you because of his flat earth belief or how well he did in class or the combination of the two? Obviously he was a very unique student but even then most people would just remember the flat earth stuff and forget the rest.

I want to say he was somewhere around a B at the end.  Not fantastic but not bad at all.  I think I remember him firstly because of the flat earth bit, but also because he had a really outgoing personality and was one of those folks that lit up the classroom.  When he would answer a question correctly he'd get so excited about it.  But the other bit was that in spite of his beliefs he was willing to be open to opposing ideas.  He never fought me on the issue.  So many young people come to college with the wrong attitude.  College is where you go to have your own ideas and beliefs tested and challenged, while these days (civilian) students actively fight to avoid hearing ideas that conflict with their own worldviews.  This cadet was willing to listen...I wish I knew if he ever ended up changing his mind though.

[nkalanaga]

Bryan:  The EP3 has both overhead-wire and third-rail pantographs? 

[bbussey]

Bryan:  The EP3 has both overhead-wire and third-rail pantographs?

The third-rail pantograph was for picking up current while traveling through double slip turnouts under Grand Central.  Wish I could use the FL9 version but they are drastically different.  The FL9 version looks like a mouse trap spring.  The EP3 version looks like a mini AC pantograph.

[nkalanaga]

I've seen the FL9, and the NYC, versions, but hadn't realized that the EP3 had them.  I like the looks of the motor, but never thought of their working in 3rd rail territory.  If I had, it would have been obvious that, OF COURSE, they need them too!

The closest I've come to New Haven locomotives is the MILW's EP-3, which was based on the NH's EP2 design.  Unlike the EP2, the MILW's motors weren't the most successful, as the frames were made lighter, while the motor as a whole was heavier, and they were apparently a maintenance nightmare.

[bbussey]

New Haven was the first railroad (I think) to utilize an AC catenary system, after Connecticut outlawed third-rail. The railroad also had the Park Avenue viaduct weight-per-axle restrictions to incorporate, so they pretty much perfected the basics of electrics motive power design by 1915. The EP3 and EP4 arguably were NH’s best-designed electrics, and Pennsylvania took it to an even higher level with the EP3-based GG1.

Regarding the third rail pantos, they rarely got used because engineers would simply coast through the slips.

[Mark W]

Today is your last chance to get an entry in to the Freight Loads Weekend Challenge!

Post your entry to the challenge thread here:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46851.0

Here's some examples.
A set of Skytraks


https://i.imgur.com/fr5rdwL.jpg


Turbine blades share flatcars.


https://i.imgur.com/KaiBwkX.jpg


CAT parts on flats and in gons!


https://i.imgur.com/a3FgF6j.jpg


Just kinda wingin' this one.


https://i.imgur.com/IH0aE2x.jpg


And we can't forget the Fuselage train!


https://i.imgur.com/NLPs3Ir.jpg

[Iain]

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In case any of y'all ever wondered what the water end of a simplex steam pump looks like.

[mrhedley]

Work continues on Emereald.  Foam is glued in place and track work has begun.


https://i.imgur.com/jEmbejy.jpg


I was quite surprised to discover the unitrack #4 turnouts are 2mm longer than the standard 124mm section! 


https://i.imgur.com/K5pgSKD.jpg


That gap is nothing a little American Innovation can't handle!  Come check out the solution in the challenge thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46615.msg614623#msg614623

That's it for this week.  Next up, the bridges!


https://i.imgur.com/xMJ9dPs.jpg

The length difference is probably to get noobs to drop $8 (retail) on their expansion track and another $8 (retail) on a short track assortment. 

[nkalanaga]

"Regarding the third rail pantos..."
Coasting does make sense, rather than raising and lowering the pans every time.  Maybe that's why the 3rd-rail pans are seldom mentioned.

The GN used the same AC system as the NH and PRR, but i'd never heard that it was the NH that developed it.  If the GN-east coast connections are mentioned, its always the PRR getting the credit.  Interesting history!

[wm3798]

Did a little more paint and weathering on the TTrak challenge.


Then found myself on good old Cleveland Street.




And all was right with the world...

[cbroughton67]

color me impressed.  How did you get those windows perfectly square and what material are you using?

Thanks @johnb! The material is N Scale Architect "concrete block" sheets. The windows are just done with an Xacto with a fresh blade, a scale ruler, and a straightedge. The mortar lines help quite a bit to keep things square. I used a small jeweler's file to "wrap" the mortar joints around the building corners to help hide the seams. I tweaked the window and door sizes from the plans to fit Tichy windows and doors. Although, some of the doors will be left open to show a small interior vignette. As I type, it's just about ready for paint...


Chris

[haasmarc]

I built this for my dad.

[sundowner]

The length difference is probably to get noobs to drop $8 (retail) on their expansion track and another $8 (retail) on a short track assortment.

The Kato #4 switch comes with the pieces needed already.

[SP-Wolf]

I managed to paint my BL-2 --- not my best paint (masking) job. Man, I can see why the Rock Island went with a single color --- what a pain in the rear!!
(I have corrected the separation lines -- she is ready for a coat of clear gloss)





Next,  I will be working on the fuel and water tank --

Hope Y'all had a great weekend,
Wolf