Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Teen Model Railroader Place Locked

135683 views
2028 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:51 AM

I don't have any video to edit... I never get to go railfanning basically, although my parents may go to some lamp store which happens to be near Palmer, MA (and the Steaming Tender, a railfan hangout at the junction of CSX's ex-B&A mainline and NECR) so hopefully I can get them to drop me off there for a couple hours... Tis' sad when you have to do this to enjoy your hobby... Although there is a rail line within 8 miles, within biking distance, it's only the Pan Am line from Worcester to Ayer, and it doesn't get much traffic... Plus I'd need to ride on 140, which would not be fun at all...

Then there's the CSX Leominster branch, even easier to get to, with no bad roads, which is limited to GP40-2s, but the chances of actually seeing a train are minimal...

Or I could ride almost 9 miles to the CSX main in Westborough, but that would be on an even worse road much of the way, and my parents don't want me riding on that road... Plus it's 9 miles on a bike, so...

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...


Here's some modeling news from me...

This weekend I finished my Pikestuff enginehouse which was in their Kitbasher series, so there were no door or window openings whatsoever. The kit came with blank walls. I cut out door and window openings and installed the doors and windows. I then assembled the walls, added an interior (shop details near the locomotive door, plus a styrene "paved" floor with the rails embedded in the foor) and added the roof. The final step was weathering and signs.

I installed the structure in my White River Junction locomotive service area, and added a lube shed nearby. The facility is located between the yard lead and mainline. Yes, there is a railroad crossing over the mainline.

Looking West. The track on the left is the mainline, and the one on the right is the yard lead. The furthest right track is the New Poland Team track.



Straight on. West is to the left, and East to the right.



Looking East.



From above.





I also installed Caboose Hobbies Ground Throws on my layout. They are shown here in the yard...



...And worked on my IHC cement plant. I added weathering and changed the construction. I added footing to the tower legs, but I haven't got any photos of it...




I still probably have some superdetailing to do...

And... There's new power coming to the WRS!

It's an Atlas unit, which at $50 is a real steal! I'll still have to put a decoder in it, but that price is still low for an Atlas. Now I have TWO locomotives of the same type, also both ex-CSX units even if they're very different... One is an ex-C&O U23B with Blomburg trucks, the other is an ex-SCL unit with FB2 trucks...

Now to wait for it to arrive... But it's a really busy week, so I'll probably be so busy I'll wonder why there's a package for me when it arrives...Whistling [:-^]

I'm also getting ready to paint my first unit in WRS colors. 1701 was done by a friend, and I've never painted any equipment before, so it'll be a new expiriance for me. That's why I'm starting with a cheaper unit: a Bachmann DCC-On-Board GP30. It needed new paint anyway, and I'm planning on selling it afterwards anyway, as it doesn't meet my operating standards. (Locomotives ustbe Atlas, KATO, Athearn Genisis, or Proto 2000. 1701 is a Walthers Trainline, but it's an exception because of the paint scheme. I may sell it sometime in the future though, once I have a replacement for it, and once I have more WRS locomotives...)

The locomotive arrived dead in tow behind the power on 403, stripped of handrails and most other parts.

It arrived in White River Junction yard, and was shoved into the MOW/caboose track to await painting.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 990 posts
Posted by Railfan Alex on Monday, October 13, 2008 10:08 PM
Hey guys.

I'm not going to get into details about everyone's postings, but everyone: great stuff.

I was out of town, in Quebec City. I stayed with a good railfanning friend and club member. We took the 3 hour train ride up there, and stayed the long weekend. There was a model railroad open house, and we spent the Saturday there. CN had some stuff on display, and I got to drive a GP9 via beltpack! Sunday-Monday he had family over, and we got a ton of trackwork done on his 13x15 foot layout.

As you all know, I am also VEEEEERRRRRRRRYYY behind in video editing and uploading, so HOPEFULLY I'll get all this footage to you before the new year... Sigh [sigh]

Alex

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 11, 2008 2:39 PM

Right now I'm waiting for the glue on the wall sections of my Pikestuff single-stall enginehouse to dry... I've cut out the loco door, two people doors, and a window, and attached them in. Then I glued the 6 side wall sections to the end walls, 3 sides to each end, and I have two L shaped wall sections drying now. Then I'll glue them together and add the roof.

I'll get photos soon... Even though the project is litarally a foot from my hand sitting here at my computer, I'm too lazy to get photos just yet...

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Saturday, October 11, 2008 2:01 PM

Well, I think the most expensive part of the kit bash would be buying a SD40-2. The SD45 blister/splice, SD45 radiators, and long hood nose wouldn't be that expensive. Also, the SD45 DB blister in between the DB and the Radiators is a tad shorter than a normal SD45.

Well, finally the hood of my SDL is starting to look like a Locomotive. The hood doors and air filter aren't glued in. As you can see I did make a mistake, which I realized when I cut the hoods. But that can be fixed by some styrene. Also, the cut below the radiator isn't straight, but again, I can fix that.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Friday, October 10, 2008 9:01 PM

You could get more than that mowing lawns. I did that for a while, and got around 45 bucks an hour (tractor mower helps).

Right now I'm seeing if I can get a job doing CAD drafting (I'm certified in autoCAD). Definetly pays better than the greasy spoons.

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.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,414 posts
Posted by Guilford Guy on Friday, October 10, 2008 8:55 PM
Rapido is forcing me into getting a job. I want to inquire at one of the Grocery Stores/Supermarkets... A friend gets 100$ a week, so put aside half for college, and I can have money for 5 Rapido Osgood-Bradleys in the next 2 months! Big Smile [:D]

Alex

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Friday, October 10, 2008 8:51 PM

Might be an expensive kitbash. From the rear exhaust stack back, it's an SD45, with an SD45 DB blister.

I did a little reading on it, and somewhere it was suggested using a Kato SD40-2 and SD45 to make it.

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.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Friday, October 10, 2008 3:58 PM

The SD40-2 has a longer frame. Not sure about the body. Basically you'd just cut off the radiators on a SD40-2, and the Long Hood Nose. Replace those with SD45 radiators and long hood noses, and you have the basic idea. The roof details are different, like the turbo, and air filter hatch. You'd also have to get a SD45 DB and cut that up to fit the SD40-2.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Thursday, October 9, 2008 9:16 PM

I think that one would be fairly easy, if the SD45 and SD40-2 are the same lenght. (I think the dash-2 is longer, so finding the flared radiator would be the hard part)

I've been thinking about doing a E8/9 or an F-unit rebuild, after I finish my projects.

Just don't start more projects than you can handle. (I ain't doing that again)

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.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Thursday, October 9, 2008 9:04 PM

Hummm, interesting locomotive. Robby showed me her.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=323167

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=171047&nseq=0

Sean GuldenGeneralBN 6330 was part of a group of SD40-2's acquired by the BN during January-February 1972 numbered BN 6325-6339, and BN's first acquisition of this model. It was repowered with a 12-cylinder Caterpillar prime mover at the Galesburg Diesel Shop in December 1986. Reclassified a SD40C, BN 6330 retained its original appearance except for an SD45 tapered hood added to accomodate a larger radiator, vertical plate smoke deflectors mounted atop the roof behind the cab and Canadian-style snow shields behind the cab sides. Rated at 4,200 horsepower, it was BN highest rated unit and served satisfactorily until retirement at Topeka, Kansas in December 1998. It was to become BNSF 7600, but never had this number applied. Source - BNSF 2007 Locomotive Review and Diagrams II by Robert C. Del Grosso

I might have to add this girl to the list of Kitbahses I would like to do. SDL39, SDM, SD40-2CAT/SD40C.

 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:45 PM

Well I have a Packers F9 AB set, with 2 matching cars, one of those hawthore village things.

 super cheif n wrote:
does anyone know if there is any rotary snowplows in BNSF or BN in N scale?

First result off of google shows a BN one. Don't know if the blades rotate.

http://thefreightyard.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=360&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1732&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37&vmcchk=1

You could get the undecorated kit for less than 20, as opposed to a assembled and painted one for 84. (which is more that I paid for mine and it's decoder put together.)

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.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:32 PM

I'll look into it. It'd probably be one of the WIN GP38s. My special units are the First Annv unit, 10th Annv Unit, City of Chicago SD45-2, and now the 150 year Wisconsin Unit.

EDIT: I can do a 100 years annv from 1896-1996 (When the packers where semi-pro), or I can do a 90 year Annv from 1919-2009, or you can wait 10 years to do a 1919-2029 loco..Tongue [:P]

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:29 PM
 Packer wrote:

Also, with that green and yellow paint on the 60, someone might be tempted to put a Packer's logo on it somewhere.Laugh [(-D]

 

Hey, that wouldn't look half bad. And of course, it is going to be working in Green bay. Why not see what you can come up w/ WCfan, something like a Packers commemorative locomotive?

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:27 PM

Close enough to Horicon. Tongue [:P]

That would also look nice! I love the flares!

I have been told I should do a packer locomotive!

Yep, the WSOR had 3 F45s. The WSOR wanted to use them on there Chicago trains, but that never fell through. The F45s where also too heavy for there other branch lines. But I think this was before the WSOR bought the Wisconsin and Calumut (Spelling?).

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 118 posts
Posted by super cheif n on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:26 PM
does anyone know if there is any rotary snowplows in BNSF or BN in N scale?
- Jackson
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:22 PM

 WCfan wrote:
Yep, F45, SD45, SD45 consist looks quite nice! I'd like to do that in WC, if Athearn Releases a WC F45.

I was thinking more like an F45, SD45, SD45, F45 consist. Maybe throw some SD40-2s in the mix. I've seen a pic of an F45, SD45, SD40-2, SD45, F45 consist before.

Also, with that green and yellow paint on the 60, someone might be tempted to put a Packer's logo on it somewhere.Laugh [(-D]

When looking around the web I found a picture of two WSOR F45. I never heard of them having one before.

I did manage to get that Rotary to work on DCC (it did work before, I just couldn't turn it off). I used some CVs so that it'd take a bit for the blades to get going. The one problem I have with it is that it picks up power like a brass steamer. Power from one rail in the plow, power from the other in the tender. I want to get F-units to push it with, since those or Gp9s were usually used.

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.

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 378 posts
Posted by Wikious on Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:25 PM
WC- Wasn't my intent (I didn't base it off anything), but if I set it up right next to my work bench (paint shop) it'd be Horicon!

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:03 PM

Thanks Sawyer.

Wikious, that kind of reminds me of Horicon...Whistling [:-^]

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 378 posts
Posted by Wikious on Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:01 PM

Yep. Can't have a yard without a yard office, and I don't feel like buying another one.  It's a Pikestuff kit (obviously) and I think I'm going to get a few more of their kits. I like them.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:54 PM
WCfan, that's a cool scheme. Wikious, that's a great looking diorama. Like the yard office. Will you incorporate that into your bigger layout when you get it?

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Wisconsin
  • 378 posts
Posted by Wikious on Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:44 PM

Here's some progress from me. Sorry for the poor quality pictures.

First, I'm getting close to a diorama to display my trains on while I'm still waiting on space for a large layout. Just out of frame at the bottom is a road crossing.

And my new yard office. I still need to make a sign for it.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 9:17 PM

Yep, F45, SD45, SD45 consist looks quite nice! I'd like to do that in WC, if Athearn Releases a WC F45.

Looks like Wisconsin Illinois and Northern (WIN) Will be purchasing 4 SD60s for the new Power Plant in Green Bay. They will be numbered in True WIN numbering system, the 60XX series. These will be former EMDX aka Oakway SD60s (that in the real world may be returned to EMD). 6000 is painted in a Wisconsin 150 year scheme that goes back to 1998 from the WC, with a Wisconsin and Southern inspired scheme. 6001-6003 will be in the normal WIN scheme. Two More SD60s may be added to the WIN roster; 6004 and 6005.

 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 4:49 PM

 Iain42 wrote:
I have the new Bachmann N scale 44 tonner on order and I have also ordered a kit for a 70 tonner.  The 70 tonner is a craftsman kit and should keep me busy for a while.  It will be painted for the original Norfolk Southern, probably the first (pre Tarwheel) red scheme.

Be sure to tell us how good that bachmann 44 tonner is please. It looks like a good deal, and I wouldn't mind having a little switcher.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Monday, October 6, 2008 10:04 PM
 WCfan wrote:

Let's hope they get down to 60 bucks before Horizon discontinues them...Angry [:(!]...I choose FP45 100 on the Athearn Site because it hadn't showed "Discontinued" yet, but it looks like they did. So my LHS put it on back order, but if I can't get that I'll be on the preorder list for the next run.

Me and another person at my local MR club are both hoping Athearn releases the F45s before Christmas. He's waiting for his SF one, I'm waiting for m BN ones (I so want to MU the F45s with my existing SD45s)

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.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Newport, NC
  • 52 posts
Posted by Iain42 on Monday, October 6, 2008 8:59 PM
I have the new Bachmann N scale 44 tonner on order and I have also ordered a kit for a 70 tonner.  The 70 tonner is a craftsman kit and should keep me busy for a while.  It will be painted for the original Norfolk Southern, probably the first (pre Tarwheel) red scheme.
There's just something about sailing. Maybe it's the pretty girl serving as a bow ornament.
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Monday, October 6, 2008 6:16 PM

Let's hope they get down to 60 bucks before Horizon discontinues them...Angry [:(!]...I choose FP45 100 on the Athearn Site because it hadn't showed "Discontinued" yet, but it looks like they did. So my LHS put it on back order, but if I can't get that I'll be on the preorder list for the next run.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, October 6, 2008 4:57 PM
 WCfan wrote:

Well I have no Questions but...

Looks like I'm getting a Undec F45 form Athearn, and getting some one to paint her in WC. I'll also be ordering a ATSF FP45 and stripping the lettering and patching her that way

I'm drooling over the aTSF F45s over on M.B. Klien. I'm gonna wait until either A) they go down to 60 bucks, or B) I get the two locos I want for my b-day and ask for that for christmas.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 990 posts
Posted by Railfan Alex on Monday, October 6, 2008 2:17 PM
Nice! Glad you are getting one painted in WC, and one in SF patch. Should look good.

I also have no questions.

Alex

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Wausau, Wisconsin
  • 2,354 posts
Posted by WCfan on Sunday, October 5, 2008 8:43 PM

Well I have no Questions but...

Looks like I'm getting a Undec F45 form Athearn, and getting some one to paint her in WC. I'll also be ordering a ATSF FP45 and stripping the lettering and patching her that way

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 462 posts
Posted by 4merroad4man on Sunday, October 5, 2008 8:19 PM
 TrainManTy wrote:

From who? I can't imagine the current administration doing that... (EDIT: I mean who introduced the bill, not where the money is coming from...)

Also, did you see this? Lt. Governor Murray finally succeded in buying the Boston - Worcester tracks from CSX... after a lot of years of trying...http://cs.trains.com/forums/1545663/ShowPost.aspxCool [8D]

  OK.  Let's understand a few things about this bill.

First, Nothing, and I mean nothing coming out of Congress is veto-proof until the President signs it into law, and that has not been done yet, although all indications are that he will.

Second, the funding is actually 15.4 billion over 5 years.  This funding is included as part of Amtrak's Reauthorization.  The bill also includes instructions to study installing the following routes into the Amtrak system:

a.  The "Southern Montana Route" i.e., via the old NP between Sandpoint ID and Minneapolis.

b.  The "Pioneer" Route between Seattle and Salt Lake City

c.  A Florida Route from Chicago

It DOES NOT include studies of routes between Dallas and Shreveport, New Orleans and Florida or Las Vega to Salt Lake City.

The bill also provides a mechanism whereby host railroads can be billed for delays they cause to Amtrak trains.  The process is quite lengthy, so do not see any action anytime soon.

There are also Hours of Service provisions and modifications, funds to allow purchase of new locomotives and cars as well as meet obligations to unions that the carrier just settled with.

 

Any questions?  Ask away......

Serving Los Gatos and The Santa Cruz Mountains with the Legendary Colors of the Espee. "Your train, your train....It's MY train!" Papa Boule to Labische in "The Train"

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!