Not much new here, been playing with the DICE camera, here is an update!For those following the thread: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/203252.aspx
Here is a shot of the; "new & improved camera 'Truckee' ..for now"Yep, it got a raise! and more weight, via a block of 5/8" (strong) thick by 1" cold rolled steel bar stock!! It gave the essential mass to the unit, & elevated the camera lens to hood level of the other locomotives. This was a major improvement over what was seen before. I believe this picture shows the orientation of the unit very well. Issues still exist; the test videos show that the unit is still canted & cockeyed badly. I believe the CCD lens is not square to the case, & therefore I will give it some booster wedges & fix that, so we will not have "Taco Head" tilt when watching these videos. The other issue is; now that it has much more mass, it recoils & lurches much more vigorously than before, she be mighty bouncy! My apologies! I think the new video will be a forward progression over the initial one & it is progress! Still learning & building on it!
Chad!
I am no expert on video cameras but it seems to me that your camera would be much more stable if it was mounted on the front end of a much longer platform with appropriate weight over the rear truck to even the load on the trucks. In its current configuration it would seem to be vulnerable to even the slightest variations in track as well as changes in torque from the locomotive.
Like I said, I am no expert but there is still a trace of logic in my limited mind.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks Dave,
Since you are a Critter fella, you are familliar with the perils of a short wheelbase!I too am trying to 'optimize' this little guy, to track well & be stable, all at the same time..Yes, it is quite a challenge, but it is working fairly well for me.Although it is posed with those challenges, 'I am' surprised with the favorable results I am getting! I believe it is mostly due to the significant weight I have planted in this guy, & the new Steel Bar Stock only helps it. I am also cheating a bit, by using a switch ladder that is affixed directly on sanded flat & loud plywood. Only junk in the glue & my poor soldering can make that track uneven or rough, so it is an unusual set of circumstanstances that leads to these results.Please see the above mentioned thread later today for a new update video, I am hoping it will be as least as good as my trial runs without daylight... (these cameras need a lot of ambient light to work well)..Dave, I enjoy your models & work, please keep it up, & show us some more projects, Take care!
I have installed LED headlights in a few vehicles. Those vehicles with clear headlights make this fairly easy to do. Here is my first attempt - a Mark 10 Jag:
I am using warm white 0603 SMD LEDs epoxied to the back of the headlights. The LEDs were purchased on eBay. They are a little green in hue but I find them acceptable. Edit: The next step will be to buy some SMD red LEDs and some fibre optic cable to illuminate the tail lights. Fussy, but quite doable.
Chad:
Thank you for your kind comments.
Weight rules!
Dave,
Thanks, & Hey, I Love the LED's in that car, THAT is AWESOME!!Great Work!
Thanks again!
The biggest challenge when gluing the LEDs in place behind the headlights is figuring out how to hold them in place while the epoxy sets. The LEDs have to be perfectly aligned with the stem on the headlight or they will be rather dim. I have been using small spring clamps but once the clamp is in place it can be very hard to check the alignment of the LED. In order to deal with a misplaced LED I remove the clamp as soon as the epoxy is reasonably solid and apply power to check the position of the LED. Since the epoxy has not fully cured it is fairly easy to pull the LED out and clean off the epoxy and try again. I have repositioned one headlight on my Simpsons delivery truck 4 times. I had it right on the second attempt but I foolishly pulled on the wire and it came off the LED. Oh well - I haven't got any better use for my time!
I'm busy with woodworking, benchwork for the Pueblo & Salt Lake RR.
The future staging yard,
nd the future Esperanza.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Progress on the river module. Planted a few trees and some talus.
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
How about a BAR !!
"Rust, whats not to love?"
After being sick last week I finally finished these cars, also doing rib-sided cars takes a lot longer than a smooth side car.
This is the second Morrison-Knudson Covered Hopper, that I did out of their fleet of 274 cars. Atlas PS2 2003 CF Covered Hopper painted Armour Yellow and lettered with Herald King Decals.
This is a McKeen Models ACF Exterior Post Boxcar that I am using to stand in for a Major-Freuhauf X74 Boxcar. Substituted a X-Panel Roof from a Branchline Berwick kit to replicate the difference between the X71 and X74 Boxcars. All were used for clean lading products, mostly paper loading. Floquil PC Green paint and lettered with Microscale Decals.
This is an Eel River Models, 62' PC&F RBL used for hauling Coors Beer from Golden Co. Assembled the flat kit and painted with Scalecoat Aluminum and Armour Yellow and lettered with Microscale Decals.
Thanks for looking!
Rick J
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Atlas FM H24-66 #201 in the lead on a freight.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Got the Shoofly Free-moN module out into the sun this week:
Thanks for looking.
Happy Weekend, all!
M.C. Fujiwara
My YouTube Channel (How-to's, Layout progress videos)
Silicon Valley Free-moN
Very nice work from everyone this week.
F's at the road crossing at Stoney Creek. DJ.
A Norfolk Southern SD 70 m2 (Athearn Genesis) passes in front of the Iron Works, a ConCor kit.
Jarrell
.
hon30critterChad! I am no expert on video cameras but it seems to me that your camera would be much more stable if it was mounted on the front end of a much longer platform with appropriate weight over the rear truck to even the load on the trucks. In its current configuration it would seem to be vulnerable to even the slightest variations in track as well as changes in torque from the locomotive. Like I said, I am no expert but there is still a trace of logic in my limited mind. Dave
A few years ago, one of our group members at Boothbay RR Village loaned us a small video camera that we mounted in a 40' gondola with a styrene crate to hide the guts of the thing. It was quite stable. I can not tell from your photo, but having a 2 truck flatcar that is weighted just to NMRA standards should be an acceptable platform. You could be overdoing it with that big steel block. Also tightening one truck so that it does not wobble, and having the other one a bit loose so it absorbs variations in track elevations shold also help.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Awesome modeling this week guys. I have nothing new this week. Happy Easter to everyone.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
George,Thanks for the thoughts, I am just having fun with this, & I realized it is fun & I am enjoying it. I wanted to experiment with the 'truckee' to see how it would track, & I think it does pretty well. The steel block could easily be replaced with a wood one, but it gives me the weight I like, was handy, & now it is at the right ride height. I am just goofing around with this, & having fun with the noise makers. I just added today's video in the other thread. Now, I really want to have much more than just a 2' x 6' switch ladder! I would love to run this on a really nice Layout like many of you guys have!!!Thanks & take care, Happy Easter!
Nice work you guys, thanks for sharing with everyone.
Gidday all, Previous posts inspiring as ever.
Today was privileged to run the cement train on the American Modular Group layout (76'x 14') at the Rotorua Model Railway Club annual train show. Was asked if I would like to run trains for them tomorrow and Monday,"wot a siily question !!" [:D]
The last two photos are taken on modules created by the late Hans Hubner, one of the founding members of the AMG, who sadly passed away recently. A talented modeler and great bloke whose kind words of reason and good humour are missed.
Have a GOOD ONE folks,
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Bigray:
Welcome aboard.
In the upper right corner of your browser window at the right end of the address line is an icon that looks like a torn piece of paper. Click it ONE time. That will cure the problem that Internet Explorer 9 has communicating with this forum.
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
"JaBear" Was asked if I would like to run trains for them tomorrow and Monday,"wot a siily question !!" Cheers, the Bear.
Was asked if I would like to run trains for them tomorrow and Monday,"wot a siily question !!"
Well DUH! Hand me the throttle and stand back!!
"JaBear" The last two photos are taken on modules created by the late Hans Hubner, one of the founding members of the AMG, who sadly passed away recently. A talented modeler and great bloke whose kind words of reason and good humour are missed. Have a GOOD ONE folks, Cheers, the Bear.
Sorry to hear of your friends passing.
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Here's a shot from the old layout, I think i might have posted it before but, just to keep WPF going. Lets see some pic's from your old layouts.
Odie:
The diner looks great! What is the secret behind the lamp over the doorway on the left side of the picture? The lamp arm looks very thin. If this is in HO I would really like to know how you did it. Also, is it a lightbulb or LED?
Thanks,
I have been hard at work creating a great new trackside scene for the Seneca Lake, Ontario, & Western RR. You almost never see a turnout being thrown on a model railroad. Now the real ones had to do those types of tasks, why not the model ones? So... Here it is. I like it!
I may leave that in place and see how long it takes anyone to notice it....
Actually I have made and installed 4 more Fast Track Turnouts to the yard at Kanandaqua. Managed to do that in between mowing lawn and answering emails all week long! Sorry if it looks like a work in progress, but that is exactly what it is at this point.....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
A special delivery turned up today. Some special oversized cargo getting delivered to town.
Happy easter all!
Ray- Here's my RR worker ready to throw the switch.
I tell yas Curt, them ol' RR boys musta had some big muskles to be able turn them things. Hadta weighed about 6 tons just in that throw bar, ya know!?! LOL