Good morning from mostly cloudy, hot and humid Northeast Ohio!
This is the thread where modelers can show their completed projects, work in process or old layout photos.
Completed an Atlas (Ex-Branchline) 40' 1944 AAR Boxcar kit using the 4/4 Ends and Diagonal Panel Roof parts of the kit. Painted with a mixture of Scalecoat II Boxcar Red and Roof Brown to get the ATSF Mineral Red. Car was lettered with Mask Island Decals. This boxcar was used in general service.
Proto 2000 PS 4427 Hi Side Covered Hopper Kit, substituted a Plano Etched Metal Roofwalk for the plastic one that comes with the kit. Painted with Scalecoat II UP Covered Hopper Gray Paint and lettered with Oddballs Decals. One of many covered hoppers purchased by the MP and subsidiaries for grain service in the midwest.
A pair of Scaletrains SD40-2's running on the Strongsville Club Layout with a mixed freight.
The background of the car pictures are a large Plastic Pellet Plant I am building for the club layout, hope to have it finished next week.
Thanks for looking!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Thanks for setting up this edition of WPF, Rick!
That MP covered hopper sure has LOTS of tiny lettering. I would have given up once I got the end numbers on the car.
I got a chance to add a little more roadway to my crossing project that began last week:
Crossing_grade-auto by Edmund, on Flickr
Here I used some 3/16 square basswood as forms and glued them down with good, sturdy Goo:
Crossing_grade-forms by Edmund, on Flickr
The push-pins were removed after the Goo set:
Crossing_grade-forms1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Then it was time to pour the mud:
Crossing_road-surface by Edmund, on Flickr
I tinted some Durham's putty, first using India ink, then next batch I used tube acrylic Mars Black.
Crossing_grade-surface by Edmund, on Flickr
It is coming along nicely. Next step is grass, weeds, signs and guardrails.
On to more great stuff, folks Ed
The local sheriff has pulled over a red sports car on North Whitefield on the Boothbay Railway Village layout. The sheriff's car is a WS Just Plug vehicle, the red dome light blinks
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Rick, Fine cars!
Ed, Great roadbuilding!
George, Looks like it's quota time down at the PD!
Big news around here this week is the acquisition of my first running Shay, a PFM/United 25-tonner. It still needsa decoder but I can run it at the end of the line on DC after isolating it from the DCC. It's slow and noisy, a lot like the 1:1 but runs well.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
That is a fine looking Shay! Is it HOn3?
Simon
Well. I'm finally back to the model world after being out experiencing the real one. I just got done riding 5000 miles on the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railroads from Beijing to Moscow.
These two shots were at the Train Station in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.
This was at the near by railroad history display.
Dieel Power leaving Ulaan Baatar.
Electric Power in Russia.
I did manage to find a Hobby Shop in Moscow as well. I got a Russian (Czech Republic made) diesel model and a box car. Unfortunately I don't yet have a picture. Russia uses 4 ft 11 3/4 inches as their track gauge.
I know that these are necessarily models but it was definitely fun to railfan 1:1 scale.
The Trans-Siberian Railroad is Electrified from Vladavostok all the way to St. Petersburg.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Rick: Again, and as usual, your freight car modeling is great. I love the large herald on the SANTA FE boxcar.
Ed: Your roadbuilding project looks quite good. I love to see improvements made to existing scenes.
George: Good to see the police are not putting up with nonsense on the streets.
Mike: That is a good looking shay. PFM/United can be noisy, but they are rock solid and reliable. I have two United brass locomotives, and they are always ready and rarely on the RIP track.
Renegade: That trip looks like it was quite an experience. I love the terrain and scenery in Mongolia. I might get there one day. I would only go to Russia if I could visit the armor museum in Kubinka, and I doubt they will let me in.
.
Again, I am again trying to be something like Peter this week with this little scene. It looks like the police in Centerville are checking out something slightly suspicious.
Please keep the photographs coming. I hope everyone joins in.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
When you get a call from a friend, and master modeler, who offers you a train station, how do you say no?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
snjroy That is a fine looking Shay! Is it HOn3? Simon
It sure is. It's decorated in the Loon Lake Line livery of its former owner. He ran it on this module (and a couple of similar less decorated ones...)
I pulled the superstructure off and inspected and lubed things. It was less noisy than before. I suspect the can motor bearings are the bigger issue, as they quieted the most after being lubed. Not a worry, as the rest of things seem fine . It really needs a flywheel before it's up to modern standards, then I need to stick in a decoder and speaker (I hope) so am looking forward to improvements.
Henry: That station model is magnificent. You are lucky to have it.
I know Halloween is still several weeks away, but I am excited for my annual Halloween photo exhibit.
I was considering a SWAMP MONSTER ATTACK! I put together a few test shots, but the Swamp Monster does not stand out well. I added a Purple Worm, but still do not like it. I am going to do a different theme, but I thought I should share the fun photos.
I'm familiar with Durham's Rock Ed. Nice leveling technique
TF
Renegade1c Well. I'm finally back to the model world after being out experiencing the real one. I just got done riding 5000 miles on the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railroads from Beijing to Moscow. These two shots were at the Train Station in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. This was at the near by railroad history display. Dieel Power leaving Ulaan Baatar. Electric Power in Russia. I did manage to find a Hobby Shop in Moscow as well. I got a Russian (Czech Republic made) diesel model and a box car. Unfortunately I don't yet have a picture. Russia uses 4 ft 11 3/4 inches as their track gauge. I know that these are necessarily models but it was definitely fun to railfan 1:1 scale. The Trans-Siberian Railroad is Electrified from Vladavostok all the way to St. Petersburg.
The steam locomotive is a Russian class "L" 2-10-0 dating from 1945. This was originally class "P" for "Pobeda" (Victory) but was later given the class "L" after the designer, L.S. Lebedyanski, who was responsible for all successul post WWII steam locomotive designs. These were noticeably simpler in design than the 1930s 2-8-4 and 2-10-2 designs based on (but lighter than) imported US locomotives.
The two hood units are rebuilds from the standard Soviet "export unit" type M62 (actually the class used by the first units built for Hungary). These had a two stroke diesel, somewhat like the Winton 278 used in submarines but less effective. These two appear to have been rebuilt with GE engines, probably 7FDL-12 ith possibly 3000 HP each.
The little 0-8-0 is a two foot gauge locomotive used for forestry lines and similar light railways. many of these were built by many european builders and in Russia.
The blue hood unit is a TE1, a copy of the Alco RSD-1 supplied to the Soviet Union during the war. Versions of these were built, with copies of the Alco 539 engine, up until theend of the Soviet Union, but this is one of the early copies. One of the original Alcos (class Da) hauled Stalin's train to the Potsdam Conference in 1945.
The grey pair of cab units, numbered TE2-522 (for the pair) has the Alco 539 copy (of 1000HP) in each unit.
The electric is half of the unit VL80-059. (VL were the initial of Vladimir Lenin).
Peter
After 20 years away, I pulled out my old trains. It's not most exciting layout, but my 3 year old son really likes it. The test track let's lets me run trains while I'm taking time to plan something more fun.
Rick, Thanks for opening up the WPF. Sometimes it's too easy to take the superb decal work for granted when viewing your beautiful models.
Ed, No grass grew under your feet with the grade Xing project, nice shot and I sure like the 50s Ford wagon.
George, I suspect there's something special about that Sheepscot trailer.
Kevin, Thsoe beat cops gotta' stay observant and don't know that it's too early for detailed Halloween preparations, btw, appreciate the mention.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers. Have a good weekend, Peter
Nice-looking work everyone. I always love to come to WPF.
Mike I was glad to see that Shay posted twice. I've always had an admiration for those. They are unique, kind of like a street cleaner, they look like somebody's pet
Well finally I get to contribute a little. I admired this HO model. Gary was nice enough to give it to me at the Menards train show in Eau Claire Wisconsin.
That was the last time I seen my friend Ron. I know he wants us all to remember him as his smiling happy self
Someone really did a good job on this model and I had to have it. I wanted to finish what I felt needed to be further done on it.
I had time on Thursday and I will have to post what I did on it in another post in a little while. I can only do so much with this new phone of mine
Posting on the forum with a phone is hard enough on its own without doing it from a new phone I don't even completely understand yet...... Wash my mouth out with this while I'm trying to do it
TF your kit was named after Andy Saez, who was a docent at the Durango & Silverton RR. Before that, he was photographer of the Southern Pacific, He knew Campbell of Campbell kits. He invited me to his home and I have a couple of his pics; he used to sell at train shows. He must be close to 90 now.
Okay time for round two.
Can't stand a brand-new looking building so added some weathering along the bottom of the siding. It's not the best job in town. I learned you cannot save a wash, it was all separated when I mixed it back up again.
Added some steps on the back of the office and a railing on the steps going up to the lumber rack. Weathered the roof and added the elbow on the top of the sawdust blower. Oh and a wood-burning flue on the top of the shop roof.
I will not go to the Hobby Store until I searched the whole house looking for something that'll work for what I need.
I spent two hours looking in the junk drawer and everywhere but eventually I found this vinyl threaded Screw, some electrical shrink tubing and a black widget, and a Bic lighter to melt and bend it. That's how I made the blower elbow, maybe not the best in town but it works.
Now I have to work on some rust and a few more details, such as that awful loud signage.
Then I need to find an HO guy to send it to.
My new iPhone takes pictures like crap compared to my old phone
Wow that's cool Henry. I kind of feel bad now about saying I don't like the sign
That's way cool that you got to meet him
Please post his picture if you can. I would be interested to see.
One other project I have been working on this weekend, but it is quite a simple one.
I bought this 50 foot boxcar from the NMRA Heritage Fleet at the Atlanta Train Show. I did not notice that the previous owner tried to change the number of the car, and scratched out the last number.
I sprayed the car with Testors Glosscote, and used a 5mm wide green stripe to cover the old number.
Then I used Microscale 87-90101 gothic letters in white to apply the number.
All better now!
This is a great idea for my messed-up DMIR
I like it.
SeeYou190Ed: Your roadbuilding project looks quite good. I love to see improvements made to existing scenes.
HO-VeloEd, No grass grew under your feet with the grade Xing project, nice shot and I sure like the 50s Ford wagon.
Thanks for all the positive feedback, fellows!
Sometimes a small step like this opens the floodgates to greater modeling adventures
Here's an overview of "no-man's land" which includes the new crossing in the middle-left:
Chem_plant-bare by Edmund, on Flickr
This spot of real estate was originally going to be the turntable and roundhouse but I deemed it too constraining. Then, I had track in place so it could be a coke oven but I wasn't quite satisfied with that arrangement, either.
Now that the little crossing is in place I've become motivated to finally get a plan in place to develop the area.
Chem_plant-aero by Edmund, on Flickr
I've had this Faller "Factory" kit since the mid 1990s! Finally assembled it last winter and now I believe I have a home for it
Chem_plant by Edmund, on Flickr
I have dozens of tank cars in my roster so there's a tank car unloading facility, other tracks for loading finished product which may be sheep dip or bag balm?
Chem_plant1 by Edmund, on Flickr
I think I'll raise the buildings slightly, perhaps on cork sheet or Genesis board, maybe both.
Thanks for all the inspiration this thread provides!
Track fiddlerThis is a great idea for my messed-up DMIR
I've used Microscale "Trim Film" to patch out and renumber cars and locos, TF. They make a brown/Tuscan color that should be a close match to your DM&IR brown.
Kevin has the right idea, the paint-out doesn't always have to match since the new paint rarely does. Many brown PRR box cars were patched out with Penn-Central green but the car wasn't completely repainted so they went around like Kevin's example.
This is a Tangent model that already comes patched out:
PC_X58 by Edmund, on Flickr
Great work by everyone here
Ed: The Faller Factory fits that space very nicely. I think the scene will be very good when completed.
The finished A&LP car looks good enough to joing the rest of my Heritage Fleet now.
HO-Velo I suspect there's something special about that Sheepscot trailer.
The Sheepscott truck was donated to us by George Barrett, owner of Sheepscott Scale products and a museum board member.
Ed: Thanks for the comments on the lettering, and your crossings look like they came out fine, somebody did the same type on the club layout, and the loco wheels rode up on the wood planks losing contact!
Mike: Alsways liked shays, I have a couple of them, and thanks for the comments on my completed cars.
Renegade: Those are really great pictures, as per another post I thought I recognized that Alco RSD-1 as the Alaska Railroad ended up with some.
Kevin: Nice picture, and it was fun getting that Santa Fe herald to snuggle down over the rivits on that car.
Henry: You lucky stiff that is a great looking station model.
Peter: Good looking waterfront scene, and thanks I work at getting my decals on as correctly as possible, and I still make mistakes.
TF: Somebody did a nice job on assembling that Campbell Kit, and your weathering sure makes it look better.
dti406Ed: Thanks for the comments on the lettering, and your crossings look like they came out fine, somebody did the same type on the club layout, and the loco wheels rode up on the wood planks losing contact!
Thanks, Rick!
I have used these wood crossings from Blair Line before. There are a few things that need to be done to make sure they sit at or below the rail top.
The outside planks need to have a bevel cut in them so they don't ride on top of the molded spike nubs. I use Shinohara code 83 and this track has very small spike heads so that part is easy. I also bevel the top of the approaching edges, like the real ones were, to at least mitigate snags to low hanging equipment.
I read a review of these where the reviewer said they are too thick for code 83 rail but they are not, being just .0825 inches thick but they will swell if a water-based finish is applied to them. Trick here is to apply most of the finish, I use India ink and alcohol mix, allow that to dry then sand the bottom flat and press them flat to take out any warpage.
Also you have to be very careful that the tops of the ties have no bumps, raised areas or stray ballast that will interfere with the planks from sitting flush.
Finally, when gluing down a generous amount of weight needs to be applied, while not resting on the rail heads, while the cement sets.
PRR_Congo-GW by Edmund, on Flickr
Thanks again for a fun and successful Weekend Photo Fun! Ed
I would like to say thanks to everyone as well.
WPF is one of my favorite threads. I love looking at everyone's work here.
I hope to have something further to contribute from my current project for next weekend.
Track Fiddler
I just got this a few days ago. Its an SD70Ace #1943 Salute the troops. Layout under contruction so I cant even run her yet, but soon.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989