So I finally got around to ordering my paints and shell today. Those will be here in time for Springfield, and until then I really need to work on my module. I need to get the foam and plywood glued in. Then I need to wire up my bridge, and all the track. I need to lay the track. I need to make sure everything is working. And then I get to scenic. I don't actually think I'll have it scenicked for Springfield, just operating. Still, its a lot of work, and a lot of soldering.
Alex
Well I am stuck on this idea I have...
I would like to build a small, small switching layout in my room, but that is not the issue. I know it would be small, and that it would be only one large paper mill industry, and would be big on detail, just to show off really. Not a running layout.
The issue is if I should build a modular switching layout with a friend (yes he is a model railroader and railfan). I just don't know, it's a bigger commitment, and then the bigger problem comes in. Neither of us have the space to actually host the layout in our houses, but I think we would both be able to store the modules if need be. The idea would be to have something no bigger than 15x15 feet. Still a really good size to work with. No plans yet, but I think that is the biggest floor size I would like to build. Of course adding on later is an option.
The idea with this layout would be to display it at a couple of model railroad shows, and basicly promote the hobby, while having fun. I don't think we would really want to have a running loop type of layout, because we both already belong to a model railroad club with two 100 foot mainlines. I think switching would be the focus, with maybe a hidden loop, or reverse loops?
Any ideas guys? Opinions? I really would like to hear from everyone. I know it's pretty general, but please give it some thought anyways. Perhaps you can lead me towards something else, or a better idea.
Ty, you'll have plenty of time to think, so get busy!
Well tyler, I've never had what you have, but I do know how painful something can be (from a small scratch in an annoying spot to a fractured elbow). Hope ya get to feeling better soon. My sister had a broken collarbone a little while back, then she got a throwing up virus while her collarbone was still broke, needless to say, she and my mom didn't have a very fun few days. I actual can tolarate a bunch of pain though.
Well, in terms of modeling, I'm either going to get woprking on a few structure kits or do most of the scenery for a house on my layout. Probably structure kits now, b/c I need a few vehicles for the house (specifically, Atlas 1990s F-150 and a 57 Bel-Air or another classic from Classic metal works. Classic car=zero weathering (just got washed after being driven from the garage (maybe 50 yards away, at most) to the house, while the truck will look very muddy, like someone was working in a field or w/e w/ it). I'll probably do my multi-purpose building kit (Pikestuff, will be the station/yard office/light repair shop) and my DPM trackside transfer (town co-op turned fireworks factory). After that, I'll probably need to take another break from progress.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Tyler, good to see you're back.
Worst thing that ever happened to me was what I think was a concussion. It was our first hockey game, and we were winning. I got the puck and started skating down the ice. All of a sudden, this 10,000 foot tall kid comes up behind me and rams me head first into the boards. Everyone says I got up right away, but I defeantely blacked out for a second and I didn't feel good. The next day, I went to school and could not focus at all. I was sore for a couple days, but nothing big.
Back to MRRing. I think I can place the bid for the ALP-44, so maybe I'll get lucky.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Oh yea, forgot about the C424.
Well I wouldn't have bought that decoder, would have came to the same exact price I paid for it with the shipping, the canadian dollar, the taxes, and the border fees. Probably might have been more. 80 bucks US is now 95 Canadian, + tax it comes out to the same thing. I paid 124 bucks with tax, so without tax and in US dollars that's 90. If I paid shipping on the other one, it would be the same deal as mine.
As for the C424 noise, that railfan guy talks a lot, but he said it was because of the fan or something, it was running at the same frequency level as the prime mover, which made it quiet, and if I get the sound decoder it's gonna sound like a C630m and not a C424... Whatever, doesn't make too much sense, and I want sound anyways!
Ouch ouch ouch ouch!!
I understand a little bit how it feels, because it happened to me twice, mind you probably not as bad as you.
The first time was in grade 4, it was lunchtime and the football field was really REALLY icy after the tempurature went above zero, and then froze everything again. So pretty much everyone was having an awesome time skating around on their boots, you know, the average kid stuff. So at one point, a guy in my class took a run at the ice, and well he fell, and slid all the way over to me, and hit my legs from behind. So I went down pretty quick, landing on my head. I just kinda was staying there, I didn't move, because it hurt. So the stupid lunch monitors didn't take any chances and called 911. They figured I broke my neck because they misunderstood "I don't want to move my head" with "I can't move my head." I'm not really too surprised now that I think back apon it, it was pretty crazy at the time. So my mom and the ambulance showed up at about the same time. My mom was freaking out, if you can imagine driving for 20 minutes knowing only your kid was hurt and the ambulance was on the way. So the ambulance showed up, and drove right onto the field, and when we were leaving, we didn't actually go anywhere for like 5 minutes. They had to go to the school and get some sand, cause the ambulance got stuck. That's pretty much it. At the hospital it was still hurting, but they did some tests and some scans and said I was ok, just pulled a bunch of muscles, and a light concussion. I did have a sore neck and a really bad headache for close to a week. The worst part, I went to school the next day...
The second one really isn't too exciting. I was biking to a friends house, and I heard a car behind me, so I turned my head, and did a funny move. Well it was hurting real bad, so I stopped for a few minutes, and well pretty much the same thing as you Ty, it got worse and worse. I got back on my bike and it got worse, I was looking to the left, and down. It was impossible to bike anymore. So I walked my bike to my friends house, and they called my parents. Went home, and sat it out. Had a few Advils. That was it. That was sore for a few days.
Well that's enough, I'm sure you won't read it anyways!
People didn't shovel their sidewalks, so I couldn't walk to the crossing guard without walking in the street. There was a big line of cars, and a lady in a jeep waved me across, so I ran out, and then my friend was like "Alex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Tyler, good to see you're out of the Hospital. How'd you manage to strain your neck?
Alex, did you look both ways?
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Ouch...Arm Chair Modeling! Heh, sit in an armchair and scratchbuild rolling stock.
I've been to the hospital twice... Once when I was 7 and was dehydrated, and one when I was 10, and struck by a car, but was 99.9% uninjured. I rolled up the car, smashed in the window, got up in a daze, woke up on the side of the road, and was like "oh snap!" and then my gym teacher walked over, for he had been driving the car. I had on 5 layers that day, so I only ended up with a little scrape that didn't really break the skin, and wasn't bleeding. The morale of the story is, if your going to get hit by a car, wear many layers of clothes.
Glad to see you back Tyler. I think Brent had somthing like that once too. I'll need to ask him.
Well my hood doors came in, so I may start working on my SDL again. I also bought a WC bocar kit. another one to add to my collection .
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Well, I finally got out, although I'm still in a lot of pain and aren't fully cured yet. I've been diagnosed with a strained muscle in my neck, commonly known as whiplash... I guess I should start from the beginning, as I really have nothing else to do today stuck here in bed typing with one hand...
When I woke up on Saturday, I found that I couldn't turn my head to the right without it hurting. I dismissed it thinking that I slept on it funny, and got up to take a shower. Soon after, it started to hurt looking straight ahead. I realized this was not good and went downstairs, having to walk sideways with my head turned all the way to the left.
I sat down and tried to relax, like my parents said would help. It helped, but I didn't have any head support, and any movement was excruciatingly painful. I moved to another chair that had head support, but the pain kept getting worse just sitting still. Finally, my dad decided to bring me to the hospital. I didn't think I could make it all the way to the car (any tiny movement was agony, more painful than anything I could imagine) so we called the ambulance. They arrived, lifted me onto a stretcher, and brought me to the hospital.
I arrived around noon at the hospital. The doctors said it was either a strained muscle or a swollen lymph nerve. The first is incredibly painful (I can testify for that!) and rather common (although not usually this severe) and can be treated at home, and the second is rare but dangerous.
Finally, after 3 1/2 hours of laying in the hospital bed in the same position (plus an hour and a half at home before) they brought me to get a CAT scan. Another hour went by with no results, and finally I flagged down a passing nurse and asked if I could eat something, as I was starving after not eaten anythng all day. I had two burnt slices of pizza, a really bad muffin, and a bag of pretzels, typical cafeteria food... They actually tasted really good to me though, having gone 18 hours without anything to eat.
Finally, the results came in around 6:00, and it was a strained muscle. They discharged me (it sure felt good to stand up!) and said that I still had a lot of healing left. I have to lay still for a few days and apply alternating warm and cold compresses to my neck. It still hurts to look to the right, and I can't have my head unsupported for over 5 minutes without it hurting like crazy. I still haven't eaten breakfast yet, although I'm starting to get a little better right now (been laying here for almost an hour typing this message with one hand) so hopefully I can soon. It's going to be a long week...
I saw that one, it's for an ALCO with a 244. IIRC, that's for stuff like PAs, FAs, RS3s, etc.
You should have waited before buying the Tsunami... Someone just posted one for sale on Ho Yard Sale for 80$... Shame Shame!
Tyler: Hope you get out of the Hospital soon, being there for extended periods tends to make one insane. (I know from experience and I do not want to go back, ever)
Alex: I'm fairly sure C424s aren't quiet. I know some people who have a bunch of RSD15s. Those things are fairly loud, and IRL they used the same prime mover (V-16 251)
Another LHS about a half hour away has ALP-44's in the cabinet. He has one of each roadnumber, and every road. Not a single one sold. No NEC modelers around here!
Tyler, that sucks. I almost had to go to the ER today (might have broke my wrist), but it's fine now.
Well, on the modeling front, still haven't done anything to my layout that's new.
Tyler, sorry to hear. Hope you'll be out soon.
I got some hills done on my layout. One is cut and in place and just needs final shaping. The other is much larger. I've measured for it and will cut the pieces tonight.
I have a HUGE decision to face. I may have to put off on my F40 because of something else. I was pointed in the direction of an ALP-44 on ebay. It's been out of production for 10 years and they are extremely hard to find. Its only like $60 and its RTR. Right now I'm leaning towards the ALP-44, so the F40 will have to wait till I get more money.
Ty! What the heck?!? Hope you are ok, and get out of there soon!
Packer, I will definately get you some video. You and I need the V16, but there are a few clips on Youtube of the V12.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VMOqtgCpCE8
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=jyP4YVvJefw&feature=related
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=guP00rrhdkU&feature=related
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=MeAvXZw3Ju0&feature=related
The last one might be a V16, it's hard to tell.
One of the railfans and modelers around here told me I don't need a sound decoder for my C424, because they didn't make any noise! Well I guess he is right to a certain point, all the videos of C424's I could find were pretty darn quiet. But I don't really care, I want sound!
---------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT!!This video really shows what C424's sound like, I'll have to put this one on mp3/video player to show him what C424's are made of!
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8-6zoKJ9KHU
I was contemplating getting a few RS3s myself. Glad to hear the Athearn ones work well. (the Atlas/Kato ones would have to be re-painted, the BN green on all of those units was wrong)
Railfan Alex: When you do get that Alco 251, could you get a video clip of it? I'm needing one for my trio of C424s. As of now, I'm leaning towards getting a QSI revolution A. (Atlas light board) for the 251 with a leslie 3-chime.
My plan is to get 3 of the Athearn RS3's, Glad they work well!
Well I went insane again yesterday, and started throwing money away...again.
This time, I picked up Athearns latest release of the RS-3. Really nice model, and runs really smooth, hardly any noise.
And that was a problem of course! It was way too quiet, so I pickep a Tsunami Alco 244 for it, and I also got 3 speakers, so I can do both the GP9, and RS-3. I'll have one leftover for the C424, which I have a Tsunami Alco 251 on order for.
The two other speakers and baffles I bought are now good for bigger projects, like steam, or a cowl unit. I just could not get the 1" speaker in any of the locomotives, while still providing a large enough baffle. The solution, http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/678-810113.
I promise to let you know how these little projects turn out, maybe with photos!
Hmmm... May have to try that!
My problem isn't the battery though, it's the tape which gets too cold. The camera detects moisture caused by the cold (warm to cold) and shuts off. Then it takes a reset and tape head reader cleaning to get the camera to work again... Your trick may work though! I'll try a test shot at some point once we have the head cleaner tape to reset the camera if it doesn't work.
Thanks!
Hey Ty, what I do with my camera, is have an old hat around it, and more importantly the battery. It's the only way I can go out and shoot in the winter!
Packer * the GP40-2WX is a fictional locomotive. I took abusted up LL GP38-2 and a busted up LL F40PH. Put the Cab and radiator fan section from the F40PH and put them on the GP38. Looks like a GP40X with F40PHs cab. I got the GP40-2 part from the fact it is a Gp38-2 with 3 radiator fans. the W comes from a wider cab, and the X comes from the radiator fan section (which kind of resembles an SP GP40Xs)
* the GP40-2WX is a fictional locomotive. I took abusted up LL GP38-2 and a busted up LL F40PH. Put the Cab and radiator fan section from the F40PH and put them on the GP38. Looks like a GP40X with F40PHs cab. I got the GP40-2 part from the fact it is a Gp38-2 with 3 radiator fans. the W comes from a wider cab, and the X comes from the radiator fan section (which kind of resembles an SP GP40Xs)
Sounds like an MBTA GP40MC or a NJT GP40PH... Just need to remove the strange radiators and swap them with ones like an SD45...
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1323313
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz6qUQeatEs
EDIT: Last night I filmed another video of the WRS... I found out that I keep losing my footage down there because the video camera gets too cold... Now you guys know why sometimes I don't get much done! It's just SO cold down there...
This time, I set up the scene (train 41T storming the 4% grades of the pass) while the video camera was upstairs. Then I brought it down, filmed one scene, and brought it back upstairs while I set up the next scene... This was a royal pain, but it ensured that the video camera would stay warm and functional...
Chasing WRS Train 41T out of Stude
Enjoy!
I had though about getting nose lights into my GP30s, but as it turns out the high headlight would have to be a mars light, because of it's origins as a CB&Q unit. I went ahead and looked through my roster to see what else would need mars lights.
Turns out darned near everything would, and I'd have to get some kind of light casting for my Gp9s and SD9s since they had them where the normal nubmerboards were, so I would need at least 4 sets of these:
http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IT&Product_Code=DTW-290
Then the fun part would be getting another LED in there, and having light the seperate light bracket. IMO too much work for the result, since BN plated over the mars light when they broke. Guess I'm rejecting reality and sustituting my own.
Packers#1I actually used an Elmer's Glue bottle to apply it, just let the water flow out with a bit of pressure, it thoroughly soaked the ballast, and then I did the same with the glue. went really smooth. I'm going to, for the heck of it, plan a double deck layout in an 11x12 room, with a small 4x6 closet for staging. It'll still be SC, but it'll be its own little shortline (probably the Aiken Southern, but I'll run it as an independent line from SBRail, and create another line to go from Aiken to Charleston). This will basically be the plan I go off of if I ever get the room to build it, or a layout similar.
I'm going to, for the heck of it, plan a double deck layout in an 11x12 room, with a small 4x6 closet for staging. It'll still be SC, but it'll be its own little shortline (probably the Aiken Southern, but I'll run it as an independent line from SBRail, and create another line to go from Aiken to Charleston).
This will basically be the plan I go off of if I ever get the room to build it, or a layout similar.
yeah, the trick is to let the stuff go on slow.
I'm also planning a double deck layout, except i actually intend to build it. I'm going to try and use steel benchwork. I saw an article on it in Model Railroader, and i'm sold on the idea. Essentially, its all modular, and i can bolt things together (which works out nicely because i'm a diesel mechanic, and i know my nuts and bolts!). I'm still working on the plan for the lower "level" (it will have two decks, the lowest being staging), but the upper deck will be a Northeast Corridor style loop of tracks. The way i see it, the NEC track plan is easy to build, and it would have to be built first, so it would be a simple thing to put together, and i could be running trains quickly.
The lower decks i'll have to do some more figuring. I'm a little concerned with the grades involved. I want my old layout to be able to mate up with the new one, but i want it to be able to get together at the industrial park, which i plan to be a little higher than the rest of the layout. I'm hoping that the grades won't be to much for a GP38 or something similar to pull a reasonable train. Unlike the upperdeck, which is going to have more focus on scenery, the lower deck is going for more operations, trying to emulate the busy Conrail Chemical Coast in New Jersey. I've got the space and a general idea figured, but i'd still feel more comfortable if i was able to see what it looked like. Maybe i'll build it with cardstock and toothpicks!
ns3010 After searching on the Walther's site, I found a razor saw/miter box combo for $11 and a scale ruler for $8, so maybe I'll ask if I can order it tomorrow. I'm now going to measure for the second and final set of hills, and maybe cut the first couple layers. I don't want to go back to school tomorrow... :(
After searching on the Walther's site, I found a razor saw/miter box combo for $11 and a scale ruler for $8, so maybe I'll ask if I can order it tomorrow.
I'm now going to measure for the second and final set of hills, and maybe cut the first couple layers.
I don't want to go back to school tomorrow... :(
Yeah, you're going to want those tools. Another good thing to have is a pinvise and a set of drill bits ranging from #53 (works for 2/56 style screws standard on models) to 80 (standard handrail-grabiron thickness), and everything in between. I'm assuming you want to keep the current end piece in good shape, but another option is to cut a series of holes next to eachother using a drill bit, then all you have to do is slice through each hole (which is much easier) and sand it down. Thats a good technique for removing things like grills and vents to replace them with brass ones.
For the ditch lights, a pinvise is a must.
Anyway, i'm going to take a good look at my F40PH model to see if i can't find a good way to put a F40PH-2CAT together.
Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.
Razor Saw on Micro Mark
I myself need a new one, as my blade is warped... Miter Boxes are also good investments.
I got a razor saw for some projects for a class I had. It ended up being really handy when I did that GP40WX* kitbash.
I'd recommend getting one.