Weekend Photo Fun 9-28-2007 Thru 9-30-2007

[jwar]

reklein..Thanks for the idea about the blocks. That could be an interesting concept, a crew installing it and making it at a future concreat plant near my quarry. Will give this some serious thought, Thanks again...John

[Driline]

I guess it's a monolith.

I thought I heard the 2001 theme in the background. 

JK, What digital camera are you currently using for your train photo's?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I guess it's a monolith.

I thought I heard the 2001 theme in the background. 

To all concerned, you all lose. It's a screwdriver handle.

[tstage]

I guess it's a monolith.

I thought I heard the 2001 theme in the background. 

To all concerned, you all lose. It's a screwdriver handle.

Was Steve McQueen in that movie, too?  

[lvanhen]

Nice work jwar. If you're considering a change on that retaining wall,you might consider those big prepoured concrete blocks they get from ready mix plants. Just a thought.

The last few years, at least in the northeast, they have been putting natural rocks in steel mesh squares, and stacking them up for retaining walls along the interstates - another possibility - just my

[tomkat-13]

Here is some action near the loading docks.

[cf-7]

And what is that "RED" locomotive?

That a P2K PA1. The masking tape is only a temporary measure. I intend to install a better decoder when I get one.

 Jeff - I am curious about this.  If you took photos and even a video of the loco, why would you say this is only a temporary thing.  To me, that seems like a waste of time.  You made it sound like the new decoder was good enough (and I'm sure it probably is!).  What is a better decoder in your opinion?  I want to know....

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Jeff - I am curious about this.  If you took photos and even a video of the loco, why would you say this is only a temporary thing.  To me, that seems like a waste of time.  You made it sound like the new decoder was good enough (and I'm sure it probably is!).  What is a better decoder in your opinion?  I want to know....

What's better than a NCE BACH-DSL? Why, a Digitrax DH123AT of course. It's small, fits neatly into cramped spaces and just clips onto the motor and pickups.

http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dh123at.php

 

[jktrains]

I gotta agree with Chuck, seems like a waste of time and decoder.  Plus the masking tape is completely wrong, even if it is only a temporary install.  Masking tape will dry out over time, especially when exposed to the heat that a motor can generate.  Using masking tape is NOT a recommend practice.  PVC electrical tape is a much better choice.  It is less likely to tear, rip or be poked through by some sharp object like the end of a wire that's been soldered.  This could ultimately end up with a short and a fried decoder.  Then you have an even bigger waste of money.

As the saying goes, do it right the first time, do it one time.

[steemtrayn]

I guess it's a monolith.

I thought I heard the 2001 theme in the background. 

To all concerned, you all lose. It's a screwdriver handle.

C'mon, Jeff...We know that pic was taken from a parked car, and the side-view mirror just got in the way.

[Don Z]

I've been slowly developing plans for my 'downtown business district' on my layout. In an attempt to understand where each building should be installed and allow me to refine the look of the area, I have started by making mockups of some of the different buildings so I could place them and move them around as needed....a photo of the area -

Don Z.

[jktrains]

OMG!!!! THAT LOOKS AWSOME!!!!!

I need to make a diarama so I can do that; any suggestions for size? 

Ty,

All my pics are taken on modules that I built.  For the most part they are only 2'x4'.  I have some that are a trapezoid so they are a little longer than 4', but not much.  Use the diorama as a testbed for all kinds of various modeling techniques from tracklaying, ballasting to scenery.  Mine are built using 2" foam insulation for the tops.  This makes them lightweight so they are easy to carry outside for photography purposes.  They can be positioned on some sawhorses or on a folding table so that you can get the right lighting and background.

jktrains

[cf-7]

Jeff - I am familiar with that decoder.   The wires are normally waayyyy too long and will need to be shortened to make a nice installation.  I really believe that you just need to redo the install on the one you have and be done with it.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'll be getting some electrical tape tonight.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Now it's redone.

 

[Anonymous]

Lookin' good!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I devised a way to get rid of the heat developed by the motor and decoder. I took the dynamic brake housing off the shell and used my Dremel tool to open up the top of the shell. I then cut the grills out of the sides of the dynamic brake housing. Now the top of the shell doesn't heat up after the loco has been running for a while.

 

[Don Z]

I devised a way to get rid of the heat developed by the motor and decoder. I took the dynamic brake housing off the shell and used my Dremel tool to open up the top of the shell. I then cut the grills out of the sides of the dynamic brake housing. Now the top of the shell doesn't heat up after the loco has been running for a while.

Wouldn't it look much better if you cut out the dynamic brake fan and replaced it with a Cannon & Co. fan ( http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/191-1851 ) with the see through grid that would allow the heat to rise out of the hood instead of ripping a hole in the side of the hood?

Don Z.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I can't use what I don't have.

[Mark R.]

Naw - THIS oughta make her breathe better !!! ....

Mark.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sheesh, why didn't I think of that.

[CMSTPP]

Well, it seems that things are looking good here. I am enjoying looking over the last few pics here..

Anyway, I have been busy weathering up my locomotives.

U25B #5058 gets the treatment. This is nowhere compared to how the real thing looked and believe me, I will not be going there. I just need to finish the trucks and then it will be dine. Just enough to give the idea.

U28B #132 also gets the treatments. This locomotive looks pretty good. Actually looks like it has been working and rightfully so. These locomotives deal with some pretty serious grades and heavy trains.

This is my new GP40. I picked this one up for my B-day a couple of days ago. I am going to give it some treatment but not as much. It's a "newer" locomotive in the Milwaukee Roads eyes.

Sorry if the pics are a little blurry. I took them tonight and was a getting a little tired.

Happy railroading

James

[UP2CSX]

Mark,

Now that's funny. Kind of a drag racing SD45. Jeff, if you need to do something like this again, use your Dremel tool to drill a series of holes in the fan grilles and then use an exacto knoife to open them up. You'll get more cooling and it won't even be noticeable if you do it right.

[Southwest Chief]

I was really busy this weekend working on my Santa Fe #3482 dorm kitbash:

For more information see this thread (page 3 has more photos of this kitbash):

3482 Kitbash

[jktrains]

I devised a way to get rid of the heat developed by the motor and decoder. I took the dynamic brake housing off the shell and used my Dremel tool to open up the top of the shell. I then cut the grills out of the sides of the dynamic brake housing. Now the top of the shell doesn't heat up after the loco has been running for a while.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/P1010001-4.jpg[/IMG]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/P1010002-2.jpg[/IMG]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/P1010005-2.jpg[/IMG]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/forum-1/P1010003-4.jpg[/IMG]

Jeff - Listen to DonZ.  You've now taken a perfectly good shell/loco and ruined it.  Cannon fans would have been a good solution and improved the appearance of the loco. You solution has done the opposite.  You might as well have just drilled a bunch of holes in the roof and sides.

Everyone else - don't listen to Jeff!  This is NOT what you should do to your loco if heat is an issue.

There should not be that much heat being generated from either the loco or the decoder.  If there is, then your done something wrong.  If it is from a resistor used for lights, then you've used the wrong watt resistor.  If the motor gets that hot then there is probably something binding or rubbing.  Decoders are designed to handle a certain load and generate a minimum of heat.  It should never be enough to melt plastic or require surgery to a shell to dissipate it.

 

[spectratone]

Wouldn,t upswept Zoomies work better than downswept headers? And a large scoop instead of velocity stacks? I think We,re almost there. I like the chrome.

Naw - THIS oughta make her breathe better !!! ....

Mark.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff - Listen to DonZ.  You've now taken a perfectly good shell/loco and ruined it.  Cannon fans would have been a good solution and improved the appearance of the loco. You solution has done the opposite.  You might as well have just drilled a bunch of holes in the roof and sides.

Everyone else - don't listen to Jeff!  This is NOT what you should do to your loco if heat is an issue.

Look, it's my equipment and I'll do with it as I please. You don't want me chopping on it, then buy it. I'm not going to waste time wishing for detail parts that I can't get with money I don't have. Some like to dress their locos up, others, such as myself, take a more utilitarian approach. The only visible damage is to the dynamic brake housing, which is easily replaceable. And yes, the cheap Bachmann decoders run hot and will burn up if the heat is not vented away. I can easily replace the brake housing once I get a cooler running decoder. I cannot however fix a bunch of holes in the body. I am not an idiot so quit trying to make me look like one with your remarks. I didn't tell anybody that my approach to the heat problem I was having is the one they should use, I simply said it's the one that I used in this case. If they want to do the same, that's up to them, not you. You have no right to tell me what I can and can't do with my equipment. You don't like what I'm doing to it? That's fine. I know what I'm doing, that's why the only visible area that's damaged is a small easily replaceable part.

[cf-7]

That's what I like about this thread every week; there is something for everyone.  Always great photos and also a little humor too.  Great stuff!

[Mark R.]

Jeff - Allow me to offer a little constructive critism. You, my friend, are you own worst enemy. Take a moment before you post your pictures and ask yourself - "would folks really like to see this ?"  Sure, your method of creating an "exhaust" for your heating problem probably does help somewhat, but you admit yourself it wasn't the best approach. Same goes for your masking tape installation. Instead of posting pictures of everything you do, hold off until the project is done properly and worthy of sharing, otherwise it's nothing more than an invitation to comments like you've been getting.

Remember as well how much trouble you had taking pictures with your $10 special. We understand your financial situation and that everyone likes to share their work here and we accepted your poor quality pics for what they were. The problem wasn't the bad pictures - everyone is entitled to participate - but even the high quality posters don't post every picture they take. The endless strings of bad pics were just an invitation to critism for a while there.

I won't post any pics unless the project is complete and worthy of sharing. Take a good look at what you're about to post and judge your own reaction on what others might think .... don't like the negative comments ? - don't provide reason for them.

Mark. 

[Driline]

Well, it seems that things are looking good here. I am enjoying looking over the last few pics here..

Anyway, I have been busy weathering up my locomotives.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/cmstpp/rail/Model%20RR/random080.jpg

U25B #5058 gets the treatment. This is nowhere compared to how the real thing looked and believe me, I will not be going there. I just need to finish the trucks and then it will be dine. Just enough to give the idea.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/cmstpp/rail/Model%20RR/random078.jpg

U28B #132 also gets the treatments. This locomotive looks pretty good. Actually looks like it has been working and rightfully so. These locomotives deal with some pretty serious grades and heavy trains.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/cmstpp/rail/Model%20RR/random079.jpgThis is my new GP40. I picked this one up for my B-day a couple of days ago. I am going to give it some treatment but not as much. It's a "newer" locomotive in the Milwaukee Roads eyes.

Sorry if the pics are a little blurry. I took them tonight and was a getting a little tired.

Happy railroading

James

James those are some great looking locomotives you have there. I've always had a soft spot for the Milwaukee Road Orange and Black scheme. I used to watch the trains run here locally until they stopped in 1978? (Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois area). Here's a pic of my unit. Is that N scale or HO you are using?

And here's the real deal, albeit a GP38-2 instead of an SD40, but what the heck....