Living the dream.
Hello everyone, our new weekend has arrived!
This week my share is my new Fine Scale Miniatures kit for the Barnstead Lumber Company.
This kit, 40 years old, was in brand-new condition. The original tape had never been cut. The casting box was still sealed. All the bags are sealed. Everything is intact... SCORE!
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
The pre-cut wood pieces all look perfect. I am not opening the bags until I am ready to build the kit.
And the star of the show... the metal castings... and there are plenty of them in this yellow box of happiness.
-Photographs by Kevin Parson
Since I found the site with all the Fine Scale Miniatures information, I have looked at the plan for the waterfront side of the planned layout. There might be some room to work in a couple more kits.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photographs this weekend. This thread can always be counted on to be the best of the week.
-Kevin
Good morning from sunny and cool Northeast Ohio!
Kevin, thanks for strating us out and a nice acquisition, I have about 10 Fine Scale Minuature Kits that I acquired before he went direct only.
Here is what I finished this week.
Front Range 1944 AAr Boxcar kit, substituted a 7' Superior Door to match the prototype along with A-Line Sill Steps. Car was painted with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red #2 and lettered with Mask Island Decals. The DT&I used these cars in general service then gradually added insulation and a 8' plug door to make the 19000 series for Campbell Soup Service.
Next an Atlas 3960CF ACF Covered Hopper kit (with see through walkways). Car was painted with Scalecoat II MofW Gray and lettered with Mask Island Decals. I always thought this was one of the prettiest paint schemes put on a covered hopper. The cars were used for grain hauling out of ADM in Decatur, IL.
GP35-C424B and U25B with a general freight train on the Strongsville Club Layout.
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 kicking off our latest WPF, Kevin. Hints of fall are in the air and that means more model RR time in our chillier climes.
While those Selios kits are sure great I don't envy you for the clean-up work ahead on those window mullions Whenever I have tedious chores at hand I'll put a DVD of a classic movie on and get lost in the task.
Excellent rolling stock work there, Rick. I've always liked that ball on the rail emblem the Wabash used.
Perhaps some of you recall a turntable drive setup I was toying with that I showed in a past WPF?
Turntable_Oblique by Edmund, on Flickr
Well, somehow I found the ambition to dive in to the job and make some progress. One thing I had planned on was to have a direct coupling from the gearbox straight to the turntable pivot shaft. While mulling this over I decided to see if I could place a 60-tooth timing pulley on that shaft and gain a further reduction.
Bingo! Worked like a charm and I have an 18:1 ratio now which is still just a tiny bit faster than I'd like but it definitely is workable. I might replace one of the 30 tooth drive pulleys with a 20 which would give me just a bit higher ratio.
Turntable_drivetrain by Edmund, on Flickr
My main goal was achieved and that was to have a zero-backlash condition at the bridge ends. Got it! Now when I dial in which track I want there's no play at the rail ends and locomotives roll off the bridge nicely.
Turntable_drivetrain-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
We had dozens of these gear boxes at GE and they all went into the scrap. I actually scrounged this one for another project but sure glad I kept it all these years.
I spiffed-up a hefty hand wheel for the job, too.
Turntable handwheel by Edmund, on Flickr
This is a six-inch wheel. I have an eight inch I'd like to use but the aisle clearance precludes that option.
Turntable handwheel-2 by Edmund, on Flickr
I had installed a New York Railway Supply programmable stepper system that I used for years. That toy was over $500 and still wasn't a perfect solution. Then after installing a new roundhouse a few years ago I decided to go back to the as-designed Diamond Scale worm and ring gear. Still, this had considerable slop and you'd have to hold the bridge still with your finger while locomotives traversed the gap.
One other added bonus is this dry-erase board that slides out and gives me a visual reference for what engine is in which stall. We DCC people need to know what digits to enter in order to get a locomotive to come alive.
Roundhouse-drymark by Edmund, on Flickr
Some steam locos don't have an engine number on the rear of the tender and if they do it is in a size that's impossible to read at a scale three-hundred feet. As long as I remember to note the engine number (address) on the board I'll be golden!
This latest iteration meets all the criteria for a smooth and simple drive. Finally!
Turntables can be a pain...
3734GTW_Pontiac_6-9-55 by Edmund, on Flickr
On to more great contributions!
Cheers, Ed
dti406I have about 10 Fine Scale Minuature Kits that I acquired before he went direct only.
This is only my third.
I don't care for the crazy designs of many of their kits, but I have found a few that look very realistic. I am re-thinking my plans for one scene on the layout.
I do not see many more than maybe three more FSM kits in my future, but there are some that interest me.
SeeYou190 Hello everyone, our new weekend has arrived! This week my share is my new Fine Scale Miniatures kit for the Barnstead Lumber Company. This kit, 40 years old, was in brand-new condition. The original tape had never been cut. The casting box was still sealed. All the bags are sealed. Everything is intact... SCORE! -Photograph by Kevin Parson The pre-cut wood pieces all look perfect. I am not opening the bags until I am ready to build the kit. -Photograph by Kevin Parson And the star of the show... the metal castings... and there are plenty of them in this yellow box of happiness. -Photographs by Kevin Parson Since I found the site with all the Fine Scale Miniatures information, I have looked at the plan for the waterfront side of the planned layout. There might be some room to work in a couple more kits. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photographs this weekend. This thread can always be counted on to be the best of the week. -Kevin
You're very lucky to have all the wood in plastic bags. Hopefully that has kept the wood from drying out and becoming brittle. My FSM enginehouse didn't have the wood walls in plastic and they have become very brittle. One cracked when I picked it up just to look at it. The walls will need lots of bracing. Building my enginehouse will be high on my list of cold weather projects. I just don't have the time to take on the big tasks while the weather is still warm. Good luck with your kit.
gmpullmanTurntables can be a pain... 3734GTW_Pontiac_6-9-55 by Edmund, on Flickr On to more great contributions!
That is why locomotives went into the roundhouse nose first. Much easier to remove a tender from rhe pit than a locomotive
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
gmpullmanSome steam locos don't have an engine number on the rear of the tender and if they do it is in a size that's impossible to read at a scale three-hundred feet.
I have seen at least two DCC layouts where the owner said "to heck with scale fidelity", and put the number on the rear of the tender in 1/4" high block numbers.
gmpullman One other added bonus is this dry-erase board that slides out and gives me a visual reference for what engine is in which stall. We DCC people need to know what digits to enter in order to get a locomotive to come alive. Roundhouse-drymark by Edmund, on Flickr Some steam locos don't have an engine number on the rear of the tender and if they do it is in a size that's impossible to read at a scale three-hundred feet. As long as I remember to note the engine number (address) on the board I'll be golden!
The back of my roundhouse faces the aisle so I can't read the loco numbers anyway. A definite design flaw that I might someday remedy. I used to use the whiteboard to record which loco was in which stall. The trouble is I would frequently forget to change the board when a loco entered or left the roundhouse. I use the Micro-Mark card system for both locos and rolling stock so I fabricated some fascia mounted card boxes similar to the ones Micro-Mark sells but because they only need to hold the loco card, I made each slot much narrower.
I find with this system, I'm less prone to forget to move the loco cards when a loco enters or leaves the roundhouse.
This latest iteration meets all the criteria for a smooth and simple drive. Finally! Turntables can be a pain... 3734GTW_Pontiac_6-9-55 by Edmund, on Flickr On to more great contributions! Cheers, Ed
It's good to know I'm following prototypical practices when I do that.
Well, the weekend just keeps moving along...
The postman just brought me five old, but brand new, IMWX kits... all 1937 steel boxcars, all undecorated.
This stash cost me less than $30.00 including shipping.
I will call this one another SCORE... like I need any more boxcars... .
SeeYou190
Nice score there Kevin!
Here are both of my Oregon Central S12s. I recently remotored both with a can motor and they run really saweet!
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
Kevin, Thanks for opening the WPF with pieces and parts, looks like fun on the horizon, the outdoor plumbing is gonna' look cool.
Speaking of pieces and parts, nice set-up Ed, really like the industrial flavored handwheel.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers. Have a good weekend and bee safe. Regards, Peter
Track fiddler Ya didn't give up on the model I finished, weathered and sent to Florida in your running of considerations.....Did you Kevin?
Not at all. It will be incorporated into the complex of this building kit.
I hope this picture makes sense for my plans for that area on the layout...
The Barnstead Lumber Company comes with a small lumber shed <SHOWN IN RED> that is mostly hidden from view. I do not plan to use that in the completed scene.
I am going to rearrange the scene to fit the location I should have for it. There is a "tunnel" in the main building <SHOWN IN YELLOW> where I plan to run the siding. I will position FIDDLER AND ASSOCIATES in the location <SHOWN IN GREEN> so the lumber yard is visible and train cars can be spotted underneath the dust collector tower. The actual location of the FIDDLER building will be further to the left so as much of the lumber bunks are visible as possible.
The small shed <SHOWN IN BLUE> will be moved to a new location <SHOWN IN LIME GREEN> to border the new yard area created by the location of FIDDLER AND ASSOCIATES.
It will be in the intersection of two roads <SHOWN IN BLACK>, and the siding track will run across one of the roads. It should all be a beautiful scene when it is completed,
The entire installation will be named FIDDLER AND ASSOCIATES, and have spotting locations for two freight cars going through the main building tunnel.
It should all look very cool when it is completed.
I've been working on the prairie west of Casper, towards Powder River. This first 18 inches or so is almost complete, except for some fencing and such. Once I've reached Powder River with the grass and bushes and such, I'll remove the tape from the track and ballast it.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Another pair of Rapido PAs mysteriously showed up on my doorstep today
PA_NYC-old-cab by Edmund, on Flickr
This prompted me to dig out a few of the other Alcos on the roster for a family portrait:
PA_Roundhouse-lineup-2 by Edmund, on Flickr
This is only about half of them, minus the B units, too.
PA_Roundhouse-lineup by Edmund, on Flickr
Just another way to have FUN!
Regards, Ed
I finally dug out my Rapido FA-2s for a mainline run.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
Thank you to everyone that has contributed so far. This has been a very fun edition of Weekend Photo Fun, and there is still time left.
Rick: I will never get tired of pictures of your freight car fleet. The WABASH covered hopper is a real beauty.
Ed: Your turntable drive is a marvel. I have the pieces for the drive on my Bowser 16 inch turntable, and it will surely be a sad affair compared to what you have done. The handwheel is icing on the cake. I love it. Your family portraits of the Alco PAs are wonderful. What a beauty of a locomotive design.
John: I am chomping at the bit to build something again. It has been over a year since I took down my beloved workbench. When I start building again I have a feeling I will not come out of the workshop room for months.
Don: Those S-12 switchers sure look like a pair of brutes. Husky and built for purpose. Are they Athearn models?
Peter: Thanks for another great picture this week. That is a great waterfront scene.
Mark: That model of a basic roadway is remarkable. You have captured the atmosphere of a rural road in a spectacular fashion.
Bear: As always... I love the toons you create.
Fmilhaupt: Those are a real handsome pair of FAs. I am a fan of F units pulling freight trains.
Let's all keep the good stuff and helpful responses coming. I am looking forward to it all.
A few weeks ago, someone here said it was OK to post unfinished (let's say ongoing) work. Well I've been working on rockwork this week. Still need to add some rubble, grass and water...
IMG_20220911_130917 , on Flickr
Simon
Hey Kevin,
Yeppers, both of those S12s come from "Uncle Irv". I love to take the basic Athearn lokey and work it to my satisfaction. Those puppies with the metal handrails are pretty much bullet proof and I have learned through the years what details not to add. Too many details make them difficult to handle without breaking something off.
SW by Bear, on Flickr There’s a saying, “Fools and chidden should never see half done work” and as the Bear hasn’t been a child for many years, you can arrive at your own conclusion!! Thanks for sharing your work in progress, Simon, and thanks to everyone else for your contributions.
SW by Bear, on Flickr
snjroyA few weeks ago, someone here said it was OK to post unfinished (let's say ongoing) work.
I would hope that EVERYONE would say that! I love seeing pictures of work in progress and how things get built. Thank you for sharing.
Looking forward to next weekend and an update after the resin pour.
tankertoad135 I love to take the basic Athearn lokey and work it to my satisfaction. Those puppies with the metal handrails are pretty much bullet proof and I have learned through the years what details not to add. Too many details make them difficult to handle without breaking something off.
I feel the exact same way. I sure don't want to pay for fancy detail that will just be something I break off during maintenance. I have a bunch of Athearn undecorated locomotives that will be run a lot.
Stewart F units with the Walthers detail kit is about all the detail level I need.