Its a C424. The other is a GP9.
Well, hope you get some great gifts Sawyer!
Alex
Railfan AlexIts a C424. The other is a GP9. Well, hope you get some great gifts Sawyer!
K, thx.
I've already gotten some great gifts, I'm so happy that I finally have a cab unit again (C-Liner). I'm pretty sure one gift will be ground throws (what I asked for) and another is the pikestuff building that will serve as a yard office AND passenger station (yeah, kinda bland, but oh well )
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
I like the StL&H Geep, you should get a SD40-2 painted in that..., I know CP still has a few running around.
Ok so I lied, it isn't the morning, but here are the pics.
DMIR 419, Athearn unit.
DMIR 215, a Kato unit. This is an older run, so it actually looks like the 215. Also, many of the pieces fit in there places with ease!
DMIR 419, and 215. I like the 419s Maroon.
Here's an Updated roster shot.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Nice there Jordan!
Roster shot eh? Now thats an idea...
You guys are really lucky... I don't think I got many gifts this year, not to mention locomotives... We don't exactly celebrate Christmas to the same extent as most people...if at all. Our gifts are mostly homemade. The last time I got a locomotive for Christmas was 7 years ago.
I did get an early present from a member of the forums here (Don Z) who was converting his rolling stock from Kadee #5s to the Kadee scale size couplers. He put in a couple pieces of rolling stock too. Thanks Don! That really made my day!
I don't think I'll ever need any more couplers... My whole fleet is converted now and I'm saving the rest for any new cars I pick up.
Alex, that GP9 looks outstanding! Great job! Who makes that model, and is that a custom paint and decal job?
Thanks Ty!
It's an old Atlas/Kato GP7 that's been modified to be a St.L&H (CP) GP9. It looks pretty good, the windows came out ok, the chopnose looks alright.
The lights don't look too hot, I guess I'm not too good at placing them! And it is a custom paint with some weathering. I'm not too happy with the handrail paint though, because it is runny. The weathering is ok, should have practiced more thats for sure. That's why I haven't touched the C424 yet!
Nice locos Jordan. I'll have to get a roster shot soon.
Well, under the tree, I got 2 $15 gift certificates to my LHS and ground throws (that's the model railroading stuff).
Also got a clemson T-shirt, packers t-shirt, and a new packers hoody:
http://www.footballfanatics.com/NFL_Green_Bay_Packers_Sweatshirts_And_Fleece/Reebok_Green_Bay_Packers_Green_Helmet_Hoody_Sweatshirt
I love my hoody. also got a book, some baseball cards, a card box, and IDK what else. yeah, we celebrate christmas a good deal here, lol.
Sorry I'm late, but I've been away for the last two days. Anyway, but first...
Merry Christmas!!!
So here's what I got:
Bachmann E-Z Command
Bachann NS GP50
Magic Pan Bakeries (Walthers kit)
Hockey Gloves
Hockey Bag
Jeff Dunham's Christmas Special
NHL 2K9
Ties-for school
Laptop case
and more to come- just not sure what yet.
Hope "Santa" gave everyone what they wanted.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Hey guys.
Not too much modeling done today, still relaxing and enjoying the holidays. But I did do a decoder installation for a client, and I figured I'd take pictures with the new camera:
First off, my nice, clean, relaxing working environment:
Now the install. Motor removed and frame isolated.
Motor positive (orange) and negative (grey) leads installed.
Track pickup (red and black) installed. Testing the decoder.
Shell and couplers installed.
Programming and final test run before I throw it back in the box.
I guess it's supposed to represent an SW1200RS. Looks like it was detailed with the Miniatures by Eric SW1200RS conversion kit. The original model was a Athearn Blue Box SW9.
He could have supplied me with a smaller decoder, but it still fits. A nice simple installation without lights over the holidays... At least there is still a little cash flowing in after buying gifts for the family... That took a hit on the hobby fund!
That's it for now.
Definetally a lot neater than my install in my SW1500s. Athearn BB switchers make good egnines after a bit of work.
I have a powered and a dummy I wired together, put a sound decoder and speaker in the dummy (I'll get a new speaker someday that'll point down through the holes in the fuel tank). The powered has a Lenz silver decoder on top of the motor, and bunch of weight added (weighs a little more than a P2K Geep), but I'm going to replace it with a TCS M4 I have. The TCS decoder is tiny (about half as thin as the Lenz), so maybe the shell will sit right. The rear light goes to sound unit, but I still need to work on that and some of the details. (I'm needing 2 sets of the flexicoil trucks, some music wire, and the lenses for 2 units)
I spent the last few days making coal loads for my new hoppers, and touching up the existing ones. So I'm caught up on loads, just need to weather most of my coal hoppers (try 25) and those 6 engines. Maybe I should test my airbrush......
As for those wondering, I model the BN from 1970 until 1985; which gives me some flexibility for weathering, equipment and motive power. Last source I checked the whiteface scheme was introduced around 1987, and the tiger stripes around 1985; so I could have a few tiger stripe units, and no white face units (not really a big fan of the white face). The 15-year time frame also alows me to run Alcos and F-units, most of which were gone by the 80s, with U30Cs, SD40-2s, and C30-7s. Strangely enough, I don't have a single SD40-2 in my roster (because no one actually makes a good detailed one with sound DCC and got the paint right at the same time)
As for holiday train stuff; nothing. Just happens that some of the hoppers I ordered and a decoder I got back from TCS arrived when I was working christmas eve. My parents wrapped them and put them under the tree. Dunno why lots of older people who have kids think it's funny, but my parents are getting Charcoal (or coal, if I find it) next year. (okay not really). Well they pre-ordered an F45 with sound DCC for christmas, just waiting on Athearn.....
Meanwhile I have yet to secure the motor to the frame on my GP35, but that will happen when I swap decoders in my powered SW1500 I have. The C424s are halted until I order newer shells and a sound decoder for them.
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.
Packer Strangely enough, I don't have a single SD40-2 in my roster (because no one actually makes a good detailed one with sound DCC and got the paint right at the same time)
Strangely enough, I don't have a single SD40-2 in my roster (because no one actually makes a good detailed one with sound DCC and got the paint right at the same time)
The Broadway Limited BN SD40-2's green does seem a tad light in color...
Alex, looks real relaxed, kinda like my 4x8...now I see why you can't get on skype......
MERRY DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!
What I got for Christmas
3 Atlas Super Track #6 Turnouts
10 pieces of atlas code 83 flextrack
12 pieces of midwest productions cork roadbed
Proto 2000 GP38-2 in Family Lines heritage patched out for Clinchfield
Athearn RTR GP38-2 Conrail Quality Heritage
Athearn Gennis 50' Southern Pacific Boxcar
Xuron Railnipers
Walthers Modulars Quality Investment Castings
I also got the Proto 1000 F Units both A and B in Erie heritage from my aunt.
BTW-Railfan Alex, nice poster!
Depends on which BLI SD40-2 you are talking about. The Paragon one is totally wrong, the whole thing is green except for the black part on the top of the units. MR's review of that SD40-2 mentions that. Although they let green walkways slip by without notice quite often, whic is what's wrong with the Blueline one.
Bachmann's and Athearn RTR SD40-2s are right as far as paint is concerned, but the detail on the Bachmann's ain't that great. Athearn RTRs is okay, just needs some details. (I think that cal-scale makes a kit for them). As for sound with the athearn, I could copy what a friend with a Southern SD40-2 did for sound. (a soundtraxx decoder)
It's kind of suprising there aren't any really good models of an SD40-2 with sound/dcc available, much less in BN. (or C30-7s with sound/dcc)
Packer It's kind of suprising there aren't any really good models of an SD40-2 with sound/dcc available, much less in BN. (or C30-7s with sound/dcc)
I guess you need to pick and choose the company that best meets your needs. I might go Athearn if I ever paint a WIN SD40-2.
Packer, check your PM's.
WCfanPacker It's kind of suprising there aren't any really good models of an SD40-2 with sound/dcc available, much less in BN. (or C30-7s with sound/dcc) I might go Athearn if I ever paint a WIN SD40-2.
I might go Athearn if I ever paint a WIN SD40-2.
And I'm finally getting around to ordering my decals, so soon I'll have the first WIN unit, SDP35 1402!
TrainManTy Packer, check your PM's. WCfan Packer It's kind of suprising there aren't any really good models of an SD40-2 with sound/dcc available, much less in BN. (or C30-7s with sound/dcc) I might go Athearn if I ever paint a WIN SD40-2. And I'm finally getting around to ordering my decals, so soon I'll have the first WIN unit, SDP35 1402!
WCfan Packer It's kind of suprising there aren't any really good models of an SD40-2 with sound/dcc available, much less in BN. (or C30-7s with sound/dcc) I might go Athearn if I ever paint a WIN SD40-2.
Woohoo!
Packer Depends on which BLI SD40-2 you are talking about. The Paragon one is totally wrong, the whole thing is green except for the black part on the top of the units. MR's review of that SD40-2 mentions that. Although they let green walkways slip by without notice quite often, whic is what's wrong with the Blueline one.
BLI's offering is pretty nice, but I did notice that the motor isn't too smooth in reverse, and pretty noisy(maybe that's just on the two I've personally tested). Also, I think the number boards are really oversize when compared to photos. Katos are nice, if you want to paint them.
Also, that computer on my desk doesn't have the internet, but it has the only printer in the house hooked up to it... Go figure. I use it for music, and homework purposes, and eventually I'll get the Digitrax PR3 and hook it up.
Right now Factory Direct Trains has two for $150, AC6000's, SD40-2's, and SD9's, Blueline.
For X-mas I got a nice amount of shtuff...
Airbrush and Compressor
Lamoille Valley Boxcar
Claremont & Concord Decals
Scalecoat II paints
Fingerlakes Railway pocket knife
25$ Ebay Gift Card, and a 50$ American Express Gift Card, which I intend to spend on train stuff (S4 Shell+Handrails, Detail Parts, Module Stuff, Decals)
Very nice GG!How about some pictures?
Now I know what I can do, I should take pictures of the spray booth to show you guys, so you can build one like it. I'm 120% sure its a ton cheaper to build one yourself, even if the one I got is homemade and secondhand.
I'd appreciate it RailfanAlex, erlier in the month we went to Altoona and a got a Badger Model 250 Airbrush for weathering. I borrowed Basic Painting and Weathering for model railroaders from our library and it says to have good ventilation, and I didn't feel like paying $300 for a spray booth, so now I can build one!
I wouldnt waste your money with the BLI SD40-2's. They are junk, dimensionally and to the ear. The sound isnt even from an SD40-2 645-16 Cylinder engine. If your getting an SD40-2, get a KATO. KATO still has the best frames for SD45's,SD40's, and SD40-2's, and you can get many on Ebay for 60-75.
I agree. If you can get one custom painted, go with a Kato. If you find one already in BN, it's a nice bonus!
No modeling today, I was working at the LHS, and I got stuck with another 2 decoder installations/inspections.
I'll do them by Tuesday, and get some photos.
Picture Time!
I couldn't get a good picture of the FGLK knife, due to metal reflecting light... (Who'da Thunkit?)
LVRC Boxcar I'm using X-mas money to order paints and whatnot, so this is going to get a lot of rust. It hasn't had a new paint job in 30 years, so a lot of fading as well.
I've actually had this car a while. Its a Walthers Solarium Observation. From all the train shows its gone to, the railings on the rear platform, and all the steps have subsequently been anihilated (this thing is like 3 years old, thus 14 or 15 shows). I need to order parts from Walthers, and it will be getting painted and detailed into a freelanced LVRC Business/Inspection car. (Headlight and ditch lights on the tail end. )
CCRR Decals
LVRC Decals
These were bent in transit from Rhode Island, but I think I can salvage enough for 1 RS3 and the Observation.
Yayyyy Paint!
Shop Switcher
I really need to get around to scenicking the work bench.
Alco under major rebuild
This is going to be CCRR 105.
A new shell is to be ordered from Atlas, as well as new handrails, and some small detail parts. I have video evidence from last years Springfield show, of the handrails being manhandled. >_< The old cab was in pretty poor shape, so we won't talk of that. The current hood is a test subject for different rust colored paints. (I'm still mixing for that dark rust color, needs a lot more black)
Guilford Guy Yayyyy Paint!
Whatever you do, don't open the jar if you are in California! ( hint, hint)
In all seriousness, thanks for the photos GG. I'll get you guys the spray booth photos tomorrow probably. Just remind me if they aren't up by evening!
Yeah, they are pretty toxic... I plan on getting duplicates of the colors in acrylic, for the moment.
My current Walthers order includes Polly Scale CSX Yellow, Polly Scale Vermont Green, and Modelflex Rust.
How Ironic, that I am modeling two prototypes with essentially the same colors!
Alex de Lery, get on skype!
Well, i figure i'd drop some photos of my modeling stuff. Since i'm fairly new here (i only participated in these forums way back in the day) I'll introduce myself. I'm 19 (almost not allowed on the thread, only one more year to go), and i model Conrail and NJ transit (loosely, since i'll run anything from Pennsy to the newest NS and CSX models).
This christmas i got a couple new things that help out alot, including this tripod. this thing is amazing for takeing layout pictures, since it can latch onto or stand on almost anything. (note the NJT PL42AC. It was the first one sold, and with decals coming out around this week, and frames already available, this model will probably be rolling soon)
Then again, you probably want to see the trains, so i won't leave anyone hanging. U23B 2735 switches the yard. This photos would be nearly impossible without the above tripod.
The trackmobile is great fun, i'll tell you that. Most people don't even believem me when i tell them it has a motor, and are even more so blown away when I tell them it has a decoder!
THis is a recently completed scene on my layout.
I build lots of kits. I tend to think i'm moving against the popular flow of the hobby as far as RTR goes. Some models aren't to tough- This PL42AC and the E60MA i built were not particularly challenging.
Other kits are getting abit outragous, but i do them anyway. Here i'm building Smokey Valley GP15-1s into Conrail units using Cannon & Co parts to replace some of the less accurate parts of the original kits. As far as i'm concerned, these blow away the Walthers GP15-1, and cost a whole lot less to build. I also have IHP Arrow III Electric Multiple Units that are a huge hassle, but very much fun. Even though these kits are a long way from being finished, they add much fun to my modeling, since my 4x8 is just about out of room to add new things.
And of course, with all these electrics, I have to have Catenary! Gotta love those Pennsy E44s.....
I hope you enjoyed the photos!
Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.
GEC: I've seen most of this stuff before, but it's been a while. Nice to see that there's still modelers out there who don't just buy RTR stuff!
I almost never buy RTR, but not because I love to assemble it or anything. It's because of the price. I can get an Athearn Blue Box kit for a fraction of the price of a similar RTR car. The detail lacks, but with a little weathering it looks acceptable and someday I may get around to detailing my rolling stock...
Of course, I do have a ton of scenery to finish, soon to be three locos to install decoders in, solder (or re-solder) 1000+ rail joints, ballast the entire yard, paint and decal most of my locomotive fleet, "patch" some freight cars, paint and decal three buisness cars, convert 15-20 cars to metal wheels, scenic a mountain (literally, Mt. Allen), plant a couple hundred trees on said mountain, finish three ponds, build two rock faces, finish scratchbuilding a road bridge, and a city to finish. Oh, and I also have to squeeze operating sessions in between all that work so that I don't go crazy... Ah, the joys of having a large layout... Maybe until I'm ready for op. sessions, I should hold work sessions...
green_elite_cab Other kits are getting abit outragous, but i do them anyway. Here i'm building Smokey Valley GP15-1s into Conrail units using Cannon & Co parts to replace some of the less accurate parts of the original kits. As far as i'm concerned, these blow away the Walthers GP15-1, and cost a whole lot less to build. I also have IHP Arrow III Electric Multiple Units that are a huge hassle, but very much fun. Even though these kits are a long way from being finished, they add much fun to my modeling, since my 4x8 is just about out of room to add new things.
Looking good! That makes me want to get going and order those parts for my SDL39! I need a new cab (I kind of screwed up, I'll use this cab for my Missabe SDM), and I need some more hood doors.
Well I ordered some more parts today. I ordered another set of 18 x 78 latched doors. Cannon and Co doesn't list there 22 x 65 plain hood doors, so I ordered two sets of latched doors, I'll fill in the latches with modelers putty. I also ordered a new cab from Cannon and Co. I ordered a non-DB blister and a Front and Rear SD45 truck assembly from Athearn. I'm going to re-do the SDL side frames. My first set I made turned out ok, but I think I can do better.