Norma & Micaela Railroad

[Anonymous]

Dear Captian

Let me make a correction the website is

www.sidestreetbannerworks.com

[Anonymous]

Here is a webpage I have made of some structures I have been working on. I don't have this connected or linked to my webpage yet. Please comment on my structures, I need the advice.

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/structures.html

[Anonymous]

With me buildings come last, you need to get ypout track down and workingh and your rolling stock going around without a hiych and then worry about track side stuff in fact i have special department for these things (my wife)


Rgds Ian

[Anonymous]

Dear Captiain

Hi its Nicholas again.

I read that you purchased Bachmann's Mogul. If you read the latest issue of Garden Railways, there is an article in there about upsizing the mogul. It tells haw to add a larger better looking cab and a larger and better looking tender.

Also, if you check out the forum about building plans from Garden Railways, you
might not have the so-called crude buildings. Check it out. You can get the plans that are no longer produced from Marc Horovitz's website, Sidestreet Banner works. website www.sudestreetbannerworks.com


Nicholas

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive10

Dear Captain.

Hi, its Nicholas.

I saw your website and I was amazed at how far you have gotten since I first visited.

On your one color shot with the loco in the background, I saw that the colors went togeather. Well done.

By the way. When you posted on my topic, stating roster, I saw that you said, please do not hate me for this.

I have great news for you. I don't. When I read it I looked at my euro stuff (Stainz, 0-4-0, Two coaches, four freight cars, one cabbose) and saw that I was meant to model american and I sold it to some sucker in england over e-bay. I will be using theae and other funds I will collect to start construction on my line.

Nicholas

Nicholas,

Thnaks for the kind words. I have always like "American Trains" over the European one for the simple fact that I grew up with the American ones. The older stuff (i.e. Locomotives from the 1890's to 1950's) are the subjects of many old photos that my uncles whould show me of long ago family railroaders. It is a bias I cannot hide, one that makes me place Classic Era American Stream and early to modern American Diesels above bullet trains (Japanese and Continental) and some of the Pure European stuff (with there two "cute" little bumpers and small coaches).

Now, Ian J. Brown has some really nice looking larger European and Far East stuff that I find impressive, but I think I want to model my area.

As for the website...

There will be a major update next week where I will consolidate older pages, pictures and captions as well asadd new ones. I'll have some more color images.

I have purchased Bachmann's so-called "Mini-Mogul," of which I have issues with its size, albiet once I have bought a Bachmann 10th Ann. Ten-Wheeler, the Mini-Mogul will make a fine switch engine to compliment to larger unit. A few crude scratchbuilt structures will also be featured. I buil tthese out of things that could never survive outside, they shall have to be stored indoors and taken out for clear (realtive) day runnings. More will be said on that later...

I am collecting material for the construction of the line (Aristo Curve Track and straight track for the main, LGB track for sidings and Aristo Switch Tracks...more likely the cheaper ones) and figures.

The shop scene, what do you think of it? What does it lack? What will it need to meet everyone approval?

Thanks Again,

Capt Carrales

[Anonymous]

Dear Captain.

Hi, its Nicholas.

I saw your website and I was amazed at how far you have gotten since I first visited.

On your one color shot with the loco in the background, I saw that the colors went togeather. Well done.

By the way. When you posted on my topic, stating roster, I saw that you said, please do not hate me for this.

I have great news for you. I don't. When I read it I looked at my euro stuff (Stainz, 0-4-0, Two coaches, four freight cars, one cabbose) and saw that I was meant to model american and I sold it to some sucker in england over e-bay. I will be using theae and other funds I will collect to start construction on my line.

Nicholas

[Anonymous]

UPDATES 25 JUNE 2004

I have been away from the forum for a week, but I have been a busy type of person (based mostly in daydreaming).

1) NEW CABOOSE: I have purchased and lettered a new caboose that is yet to be numbered. I have a very lame webpage of it at...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/caboose.html

The first image is prety big, I will work on it later and produce a webpage of better quality.

2) The N&M RR Shops- I have done some work on it with excellent results. Visit the whole page at...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/nmrrshop.html

There you can scroll down and read new updates (including the one from the 25th of June).

For easy reference, however, I will point you to these picture links and hope you will be able to address some of my questions...

A) Shop windows- Someone e-mailed me from the land of St. Andrew and St. George saying that my shop was in fact a...er..."SWEATSHOP!" since it had no windows. Here are links to my response to that question...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/shopwindows.jpg

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/shopwindows2.jpg

My question to you is all about guessing from which materials I used to make these windows.

B) Let me know if these shop figures make the grade!

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/caboose4.jpg

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/shopmen.jpg

All seems well in my department, I will even have some extra money from which to maybe even purchase, dare I say it, a LOCOMOTIVE!


Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Later,

Capt Carrales

[Anonymous]

Looking good Captain!

[bman36]

Capt. C.,
Nice changes to the site. That shop is going to be pretty neat to see progress. Got lots done on that elevator of mine but no time to send photos this week. The big crunch is on for my Father's Day display. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Its time again for updates... 14 June 2004

I have a few format changes that are going into effect as pages "spin off" from other pages. One place where this is happening is...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/passenger.html

At this page, I have "spun off" all the information on the "DEL SOL" to this page...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/delsol.html

...via a simulated newspaper article you can click on. The "DEL SOL" page will eventaully be streamlined and improved once time allows.

Fans of the N&MRR Shop will be glad to know that the shop now has its own page at the webpage at...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/nmrrshop.html

Here will be the main place where I will post updates on the shop. Now that the "DEL SOL" is near completion (save for some dry transfer number sheets I'm waiting on), I have ordered a caboose from Trainworld.

Little by little I am making progress. Thanks to all who keep me going with support. Its like shoveling coal into me.

Thanks,

Capt Carrales

[bman36]

Hey Joe,
You sure have been busy. Making some great progress there. I build my briges from Western Red Cedar. Rip it into lengths on my table saw. If you have a friend with a saw you can get him to cut it up for you into various widths and go from there. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hey Capt, Things on your site are looking good! Been a while since I last visited. Enjoyed the coach pics. I'll check backlater for more pic's so keep posting them.

[Anonymous]

Hi Joe,
Nice trestle you've built there. I suspect you have a lot of patience when it comes to 'fiddly' things, this comes through to me from the photo's you have posted. If you have the time and patience for your shop idea then go for it, you can always change things.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Well, my friends, I've been one very busy Hispanic Texan! I have made some progress in the area of scratchbuilding in the improvement of my Norma & Micaela Railroad shop.

Please visit my "photos page" and let me know if you like the "trestle" I built to bridge what I like to call "THE PIT" and if you think my idea for a decorative "Shop" work area is a good one or just a wayward pipe dream.

View the fruits (or vegtables) of my labors (labours?) at...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/photos.html

I will have more as we go along, I'll try to replace the crude images of my uncompleted shop with later better ones.

Thanks,

Capt Carrales

[Anonymous]

Hi Capt Carales
Very nice indeed one detail that might be worth concidering if you can find it and it is not too expencive.
I say might because of where it goes it may not be easily viewed.
and that is a brass plate tha forbids passangers from traveling on the verandas of the coach.
regards John

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I have to agree, the subtle two tone green body paint on the passenger cars is a nice touch and the transfers, which can be a royal pain in the you-know-where, look great.

Vic,

Thanks. When I made the choice to paint the passenger coach I was kind of split on what color scheme to go by. Since I wasn't so confident on masking and painting, I was certain that I was not going to paint a great deal of it. I'm glad you liked the "two tone" approach.

The other choices I had in mind were "a flat sand" color, gloss metalic green or white. In the end I bought some of each of these colors with the addition of a dark flat green.

I liked the contrast between the dark green and the original color of the White Pass Coach.

As for the dry transfers... they were an exercise in patience. I ruined some "O" and "A" transfers by rubbing the wrong side. A practice that seems to be followed by profanity (which not a normal character trait for me. )

I, however, now am a big advocate of dry transfer and hope to become better at it.

Mt next project will be to letter and decal a caboose. I will use dry transfer to write the name of the company across the top and I will used the Testor's custom decals (white sheet) to make the company logo.

Then it is on to letter the box car we discussed a few posts back and then an observation car.

But, I digress...one hurtle at a time...[:)]

[vsmith]

I have to agree, the subtle two tone green body paint on the passenger cars is a nice touch and the transfers, which can be a royal pain in the you-know-where, look great.

[bman36]

Capt. C.,
Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone has to start somewhere. The coach looks great! The scene or diorama will be even better. When I started I used a lot of storebought items. Now I find myself asking "now, how can I make that???". It's a process alright, but it's also a hobby. An awesome one at that. My problem is I will redo something over and over until I am satisfied. Yet my wife asks "what was wrong with the last one?" Have fun my friend....you'll only get better. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt

Hi Cappy,

Bachmann apparently does sell coach trucks separately for about $14.00 with metal wheels. Check out their website and request a parts catalog.

BTW, that's a great job you did on that coach.

Grandpopswalt

Walt,

Thanks, the coach is my first real project in this scale. I was very impressed by the way the dry transfers came out and I suprised myself, I can mask and paint!

Isn't this hobby wonderful! I am currently going to work on a shop scene, it will be crude and will never see the light of day on my outdoor set, but it will provide me with practice in building that will later reap dividends in my Garden!

[Anonymous]

Joe;

If you are going to get new bogies with steel wheels, check that you can fit power pick ups to them; you may wi***o illuminate your carriages at some time in the future. All mine are lit up and it looks terrific of a night time.

Captain Kawana


Rgs


ian

[Anonymous]

Looking Good Capt.!!

[grandpopswalt]

Hi Cappy,

Bachmann apparently does sell coach trucks separately for about $14.00 with metal wheels. Check out their website and request a parts catalog.

BTW, that's a great job you did on that coach.

Grandpopswalt

[bman36]

Capt. C.,
Looking good! It's cool to see how you are bringing your own flavour and style to the hobby. The photo aging is a nice touch. Adds a new dimension to things. Look forward to seeing more. Keep it up! Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Updated "Passenger Coach" NMRR page...

View the New Pics at...

http://normamicaela.tripod.com/passenger.html

Hope you like it. I have just masked and painted the bottom panel. I'm also practicing with camera angles and "image aging."

[Anonymous]

Capt Carrales,
I think it's great that you have personalised your railway.I would love to do the same but it led to endless arguements among the children as to the colour scheme.In the end I let them have one Bachman coach each and they decide.The first one so far is the "Barbie" coach for my youngest daughter(5 years old).It's bright pink with a cream glittery roof !.It may look funny but she carefully loads all her small dolls into it and takes them for a train ride.I dread to think what the boys are going to come up with.
I'll take a picture at the weekend and put it on my website.Remember-those who keep their family involved end up with bigger garden railway!..Troy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:

Keep an eye on ebay, they always have Bmann coaches for offer. Look for an older outof the box item, they usually sell for less than the new items. It doesnt matter what road name since you want only the trucks to be good. You could then use the body for a trackside structure or a diner.

Also keep in mind that Bachmann passenger trucks are bigger than standard freight trucks, some measure of kitbashing might be needed when it comes to mounting them under the boxcar. I'm thinking of the bolsters, they might need to be moved inward about an inch in order to look right.

Vic,

I will keep my eyes pealed on "e-bay." Right now I lose the acution since I am at work, they allow us some personal use for corespondence and research. I normally check my e-mail and a few foums in between "bells," but ebay is a bit out of the acceptable use policy.

I will plan to kitbash if I find a coach for the right price. If not ,I will just paint a boxcar up to match the coaches. I find it odd that Bachmann does not sell extra trucks like they do couplers. (curious)

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi joe
Had a thought the other day danreouse these thoughts have you thought about fitting a box car with passanger trucks and painting it to match the coach for passangers baggage.
Saw this trick on the indian Pacific the other day and thought that has to be the easyist modification out doesn't even rate being called a kit bash.
regards John

Yes, I plan to paint and letter a boxcar to match the coaches, albiet I can't find inexpensive passenger trucks. Henceforth, I shall have to live with it as a regular boxcar and return it to the road as a freight car when my combine or baggage car is available.

If I find some passenger trucks, I will keep your suggestion handy. What will be cool is that I plan to weather it slightly when it leaves passenger service and maybe, depending on what trucks it ends up with, make it into a "tool car."

Nevertheless, I will send you images of whatever I do with the boxcar. First I must buy one...look for more on the Garden Flyer" Boxcar/Baggage near August.

Later eh...(oops sorry that's not me...)
Keep 'em flying

Keep an eye on ebay, they always have Bmann coaches for offer. Look for an older outof the box item, they usually sell for less than the new items. It doesnt matter what road name since you want only the trucks to be good. You could then use the body for a trackside structure or a diner.

Also keep in mind that Bmann passenger trucks are bigger than standard freight trucks, some measure of kitbashing might be needed when it comes to mounting them under the boxcar. I'm thinking of the bolsters, they might need to be moved inward about an inch in order to look right.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Joe,

This is an idea that i have and i stick to it or plan to stick to it 100 %. The very last car in any train has rear lights, call them what you like tail lights even.

ie My big train with Golden Mountain carriages has nothng on the back but i have had an Alpine baggage car on order now for about a year, awaiting its release. It was supposed to be released last September but they say they now hope to have it out by this September. This does not have any lightimg but I will fit metal pick up wheels to it and some European style tail lights.

I like night runs ands this helps youidentify just where all of your train is.

Rgs

ian.

Ian,

I've actually thought of this. I'm currently waiting for some small lanterns and other such "tail lights." Once they come in I will rate the viability of "electrifying" them to serve the function of such lights. If not they will be purely decorative.

I am planning to update your webpage this weekend (hopefully there will be time) I will upload those night pictures of your trains and the "pool" effect that showed up. Send we some comments on them for the site.

Capt Carrales

[Anonymous]

Joe,

This is an idea that i have and i stick to it or plan to stick to it 100 %. The very last car in any train has rear lights, call them what you like tail lights even.

ie My big train with Golden Mountain carriages has nothng on the back but i have had an Alpine baggage car on order now for about a year, awaiting its release. It was supposed to be released last September but they say they now hope to have it out by this September. This does not have any lightimg but I will fit metal pick up wheels to it and some European style tail lights.

I like night runs ands this helps youidentify just where all of your train is.

Rgs

ian.