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Teen Model Railroad Place May 2009

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  • From: Memphis, TN
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Posted by Packers#1 on Monday, May 25, 2009 7:35 PM

Railfan Alex

Sawyer, 70% Alcohol makes a good paint stripper.

 

thanks man! I've now heard 91% and 70% alcohol. Might look for that in Food Lion next time I bike up there.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Monday, May 25, 2009 8:04 PM

Packers#1

Railfan Alex

Sawyer, 70% Alcohol makes a good paint stripper.

 

thanks man! I've now heard 91% and 70% alcohol. Might look for that in Food Lion next time I bike up there.

 

I haven't noticed any difference between the two, other than the 91% seemed to work faster.

Alex

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Posted by WCfan on Monday, May 25, 2009 9:02 PM

The operating session looked fun Tyler! Great job!

Only 8 WC road units left active in the States. This is the best looking one...endangered.

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Posted by Packer on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:25 AM

 I though 70%  alcohol was usefull to strip dullcote if something didn't come out right.

Jordan, Did you count the SD45 at IRM?

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.

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Posted by ns3010 on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 2:46 PM

School today was actually fun! In bio, we (FINALLY!) dissected(sp?) the starfish. I ended up doing most of the work, but I didn't mind. Next week, we get to do the frogs.

Got word that Walthers received my order today. In the past, they've been pretty fast, so it should be here on Thursday or Friday (at that point, the GP9ms [2200-2202] will officially be added to the roster). Although there are three of these units on the roster, I'm representing the fleet by modeling one of them, 2201.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 6:56 PM
So you guys asked for closeup shots of the WRS fleet...

Train 403, with GP7 #8569 and U23B #2306.


Train 402, with SDP35 #1402 and GP30 #2752.


The rest of the fleet in the Lebanon engine terminal. From left to right, GP18 #9423, U23B 3243, and GP7 #5817.
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Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:31 PM

 Sweet units Tyler. Especially love the SDP35.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:36 PM

Thanks. I really like how the scheme looks on those big EMD units! Once I learn how to apply decals, I might try to put a WRS logo on the nose, and definetely one on the pug-nose U-boat #2306! Whistling

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Posted by Packers#1 on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:42 PM

TrainManTy

Thanks. I really like how the scheme looks on those big EMD units! Once I learn how to apply decals, I might try to put a WRS logo on the nose, and definetely one on the pug-nose U-boat #2306! Whistling

 

Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by ns3010 on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:58 PM

Tyler: Nice roster! Is there any reason why the numbers are random and so spread out, or is it just because? Also, decals aren't that hard, they just take a little getting used to. My first job was the bakery, and they came out pretty good. [rant]I just don't like the really long ones, because you have to get them straight without tearing them.[/rant]

For my roster, I'm trying to stay away from GEs. The locos I have come to know and love (Geeps on NS and NJT, and even an EMD prime mover in the PL42s) are all EMDs. For now, the roster is all geeps, but SDs will probably work their way in sometime in the future (and then maybe some GEs, if I'm in a good mood when I need more power!Big Smile.)

[secondrant]And I was thinking before. I have 3 (4 if you count the GP9m) working models in my fleet. That is double the number of freight cars in my fleet. One of the locos is a NJT F40, and I plan to have commuter service. But I don't have any passenger cars. So I need freight cars (particularly tankers, covered hoppers, centerbeams, autoracks, and boxcars, with others mixed in). And I need passenger cars (a lot of Comet Vs, some CIIMs, and a few CIIIs and CIVs too. And maybe a set of MultiLevels [and that would require a PL42, which I wouldn't mind]. So probably enough Comets to make two trainsets, and extras so that the same cars wouldn't always be running, and six or so MLs, so that I could have a 4 car set, with a few extras.). So basically, I need to buy a lot of cars (I'll start with the freight cars and Comets).[/secondrant]

I'm working on getting my new website up. I'm gonna put the full roster up there, to make it easier to track which locos are which, which ones I actually model, and the rest that aren't modeled. Currently, there are "seven active locos, three of which are stored." One of them is modeled (4100), as well as one of the stored ones (1300). Since 1300 is a dummy, I'm saying that the SW1500s are in bad condition and need work, but TSRy doesn't have it's shops yet.

I redid the patches/numbers on the GP50 and SW1500. I printed new ones in a different font, as well as adding the loco type underneath the number.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:32 PM

Joe: It's because it's really, really, hard to decal those tiny little numberboards and have them turn out good... We had originally planned to number the fleet by the locomotive's horsepower, and 1701 (now retired) was numbered that way, as a GP9 (1750 HP) downrated to 1700 HP to fit with the GP7s. But that unit didn't have (and still doesn't have) printed numberboards. The rest of my fleet does, so I'm sticking with the numbers printed on the numberboards...

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Posted by Packer on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 8:25 AM

Packers#1
Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future.

I probably won't ever get either of those units. Reason bieng BN didn't have and U23Bs, and they only had 6 B23-7s. A future kitbash I'm thinking of doing would be a B30-7A; starting point would be a high-nose B23-7 that would have the cab removed.

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.

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Posted by Packers#1 on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 3:11 PM

Packer

Packers#1
Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future.

I probably won't ever get either of those units. Reason bieng BN didn't have and U23Bs, and they only had 6 B23-7s. A future kitbash I'm thinking of doing would be a B30-7A; starting point would be a high-nose B23-7 that would have the cab removed.

 

cool man.

Well, in science today, I scribbled out the predecessor roster for SCRail, as well as the few locos SCRail has purchased. I'm going to type it up in a chart in Microsoft word.

As to my layout, I'm going to plan the other side of it not in a track planning software but seeing what will work where.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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Posted by ns3010 on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:02 PM

Tyler: Very true. The hardest decals are the small ones, and the thin, long ones. It makes sense about how your roster was numbered.

The numberboards for my GP50 are lostWhistling (I'll do what NJT does and just put duct tape over the holes, lol), the SW1500 came with blank ones, and I'm assuming that my GP9m won't have any. My roster is more or less numbered by category or type, or whatever. Switchers are in the 1XXX series, MOW locos in the 2XXX series, and Geeps (non-MOW) in the 4XXX series. If TSRy does aquire any SDs (eventually, they almost definately will), they would more than likely be in the 3XXX series. Each class is specific loco type, and starts on a multiple of 50 (for example, Geep classes start with 4000, 4050, 4100, 4150, etc.).

Vincent: Sounds like a cool project!Cool

Sawyer: Hmmm, that sounds exactly like what I do in geometry...Smile Speaking of which, I have a double tomorrow... I need to find stuff that I can do to waste 83 minutes...Mischief

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Posted by Packer on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 11:29 PM

My C30-7 came in today, and it sounds and looks great.

Regarding the B30-7A, that'll wait until I finish myother projects. I would have scratched off my GP35 and SD9 tueday but I got sick. I'll probably scratch them off tommorrow, along with putting together the coupler mounting pads for my C424s.

I have been looking at the calcuated costs of some ofmy projects, and some of them are WAY up there.
To finish up the C424s will cost close to 150 bucks due to some stuff from the Kato not fitting as planned on the Atlas shells. Then comes a sound decoder, 2 other decoders, detailing, paint, decals, and getting working beacons on the units. I'm saving this poject for last since it's the most expensive and time consuming. I've been thinking about loaning these units out in the meantime.
The U33Cs are probably the least expensive but the busted up grilles on one of the units is going to be difficult to fix (worse comes to worse, cutthem off and get a second U33C shell just to cannablize for the grill). Also need to get the detail kits for these in addtion to handrails. I already have decoders in them.
My U30C would probably be the easiest, but the second most expensive. Needs a Tsunami for a GE and handrails (Atlas didn't paint the walkways the right color)

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.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:44 AM

ns3010
The numberboards for my GP50 are lost

 

Did you try to cut them with an old and abused Xuron tool so they'd fit in the shell, and did they fly off into the depths of the basement? Luckily in my case we were able to find them! Whistling

Vincent: That's why I model a shortline with no sound... Getting the correct prototype details and installing sound is just so darn expensive! When I have a detail problem with one of my units, I either ignore it (nobody can tell me I'm wrong!) or have the "shop" fix it just like on a real shortline. Of course, the FRA would have a field day with all my missing grabs, broken handrails, and painted over windows and numberboards (although the paint was done by a contractor), which the shop says they'll fix "someday..."

For sound, I can live without it. My booster would fry under the load (I already have overloaded it several times, temporarally shutting it down and causing all 6 locos in Run 8 on a 4% grade to stall and dump a bunch of cars on the ground!) and it's just too expensive, to the point that if all my engines had sound, I'd have run out of money while still on the benchwork stage of my layout!

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Posted by Packer on Thursday, May 28, 2009 12:47 PM

I personally like sound, but I'll acknowledge it's usually expensive. I haven't tried running more than 2 sound-equipped engines on my Zephyr, I would like to put my C30-7 and F45 together at once just for kicks. On that UP U30C that I shell-swapped and sold, I may have gotten lucky a bit since it cost me 75 bucks and the decoder in that is right for an SD40-2. So If I find an Athearn SD40-2 at the Pensacola show and put it in that, I can save a bunch of money over getting a BLI SD40-2.

I'm begging to wonder if I should sell those C424s though. BN only had 7 so they were kind of rare but I have 3 (which is really imbalanced since BN had 838 SD40-2s and I have 0). I figure if I do, I could get a decent chunk of change since those Kato drives are expensive (I've heard the drives are worth 50 bucks alone). If I change my mind, the newer Atlas C424/425s in BN seem to rarely go above 40 bucks, and they already have holes and removable weights for speakers and much better detail.

Well the camera's betteries are dead, so no pics or vids of the C30-7 till I get new batteries.

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.

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Thursday, May 28, 2009 2:08 PM

 Tyler, I think you'd rather have windows that can be cleaned up with rubbing alcohol, than a broken cab and glazing... 5817 is a slug anyway ATM! Tongue

I like sound, and will only be running 3 units at most on the Lamoille Valley layout, 2 with sound, so I think I'll be okay.

Alex

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:15 PM

I really like sound as well.

I have sound in 5 locomotives right now:

  • Cartier RSD-15 #95, to become CP RSD-17 #8921. (QSI)
  • CEFX AC4400CW #1006. (Digitrax Soundbug)
  • CNW SD38-2 #6656, to become CSX #2452 or similar number. (Digitrax Soundbug)
  • CSX C40-8W #7337, to become CSX #7387. (QSI)
  • Undec GP9, to become a CP GP9. (Tsunami)
  • CP RS3, didn't choose number yet, now in pieces. (Tsunami)

Thats just some of the projects to do this summer... I'll be happy if I get 2 done!

Alex

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Posted by Packers#1 on Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:21 PM

ns3010

Sawyer: Hmmm, that sounds exactly like what I do in geometry...Smile Speaking of which, I have a double tomorrow... I need to find stuff that I can do to waste 83 minutes...Mischief

 

lol, nice. I came up w/ the list of mainlines and branch lines in spanish today.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Packer on Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:35 PM

I have 9 units with sound

C30-7 5127 (QSI)
U30C 5313 (Sountraxx for a turbo EMD 645 in it, Will be replaced with a Tsunami for a GE)
F45 6635 (MRC)
GP9 1964 (QSI)
SD24 6240 (QSI)
GP30 2236 (QSI)
SD9 6232 (MRC Sounder)
SW1500 307 (MRC Sounder in a dummy)
U28B 5453 (QSI)

I wish the Zephyr had more than just 10 functions. Most of these have 12 functions, but the MRCs have at least 20.

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.

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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, May 28, 2009 9:27 PM

Tyler: Yes, that is what happened... When I went to take them out, they went flying. But I found at least two, maybe three of them...EDIT: Also, congrats on having the WRS make it into the MR newsletter!

I might eventually get one or two sound locos (maybe if I get a P2K or something), but never an entire fleet.

Banged HeadNow FedEx is saying my GP9m wont be here until Monday. Grrr..

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Friday, May 29, 2009 2:47 PM

OMGz...
I doubt any of you were aware the New England Prototype Meet was last weekend... Anyways, pictures have been posted of the new Atlas units and I love Atlas...
CN Widecabs!




SP Style GP40-2


B&M GP40-2s!!!

Alex

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Posted by Packer on Friday, May 29, 2009 3:13 PM

The SP and CN units look good. What's type of U-boat is that CB&Q one behind the 1st picture of the SP/SSW Gp40-2?

I have to ask, Did they have a pre-production model of the BN GP40-2 and if they did, did you get pictures of 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.

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Friday, May 29, 2009 3:29 PM

Awesome Awesome Awesome!

I will get a few in QGRY, even if I have to paint them myself. Cool

Alex

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Posted by Packer on Friday, May 29, 2009 3:41 PM

I forgot to put up the pictures of my dash-7 in that last post. Now that I think about putting a sound decoder in that U30C isn't really neccesary if I MU to this since they both would probably sound about the same. (Don't all GEs up until recently sound alike anyways?)


I'd put a video up of it's sound, but the camera doesn't have enough batteries for that. So I'll have to stop buying trains and get some batteries.

I finally figured out how to rev QSI equipped engines up. I could have some fun with that feature.

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
    February 2008
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • 3,876 posts
Posted by Packers#1 on Friday, May 29, 2009 4:48 PM

 Got a call from my LHS, ym track is in. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. Also, I'm either going to order an airbrush through my LHS or through wAlthers, if i can't through my LHS (already checked walthers, my LHS ain't listed)

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:27 AM

I removed a backdrop today, in preparation for running the mainline perpendicular to the current mainline, crossing the aisle and entering a staging yard along the wall. Now I just need to realign the mainline.

BEFORE:

AFTER: The mainline will run along the backdrop, and it's current alignment will be filled by the town of West Canaan and some industries.

Delery Pulpwood is moving to West Canaan. It's going to be expanding, and including a wood chip loader for a shuttle service to Agrawal Paper in Enfield, and a lumberyard. Here's a shot of the owner supervising cleanup of the existing lot. Seven gondolas have been loaded with pulpwood and shipped off, and now the lot is being cleaned out into another gondola. (Oops! Forgot to load the gondola with stuff!)


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Posted by Packers#1 on Saturday, May 30, 2009 7:53 PM

 looking good Tyler.

Biked up to Food Lion about an hour ago, bought some 70% alcohol (no 91% there), my GP35 is currently soaking.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: North Jersey
  • 1,781 posts
Posted by ns3010 on Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:07 PM

Tyler: Great job on the prep work!

So my GP9m came today... but it wasn't expected until Monday. FedEx is wierd. When Walther's used USPS, it was much faster, normally it only took two days from when I sent my order until I had it. It took FedEx three days to get it to Edison. This morning, FedEx dropped it off at the local Post Office at 8:35. It was on my doorstep at 11:47. Four days for it to get to my town. 3 hours and 12 minutes from the time it arrived in town until the time it was in my hands. Wow... that doesn't leave a good impression on FedEx.

Anyway. The GP9m is pretty decent. It goes rough at low speeds, but then it goes pretty smooth (especially since I broke it in). When I opened it up, I was shocked. The wires go from the trucks, directly to the headlight and motor. Then out of the motor and headlight, and directly back to the trucks. No PC board. Extremely simple, but kinda scary. DCC in this will be a problem.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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