I also have 3 free lenced
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
Something new to add here.
Some pics of my new doodlebug project.
The white stuff is .020 styrene that will be trimmed down to match the roof-line......it also helps to make this a double ended doodlebug.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
Couple of pics here for the SD45 build...........
You will see some cracks in the shell (this happened to all three) ......it may have been because of using denatured alcohol instead of 91%.
However I bought replacement doors and blower housings from Cannon & Co.
Now the question is.........do I just cut out and replace the doors.......or do I make new carbody sides while using the new doors?
New sides are being made using .020" sheet styrene and .020" x .030" , .040", .060", and .100" styrene strip.
This is for the 3 SD45`s I`m working on.
New sides are being made due to the cracks in the body shells from using denatured alcohol.
First pic is an assembled side (1 of 3).
Second pic is one side of parts to be used.
Third pic is 2 of 3 assembled fireman`s sides.
Great Thread!! Here are some shots of my customized Wishram Oregon and Western power.
F3A/F3B/F9B pulling through Bridgeport station on the Mt Hood Model RR.
Next is one of Wishram's rebuilt U28Bs, Athearn variety, at No. Powder:
And next, a C425:
And finally, a kitbashed GP60 (from an Athearn GP50 before the 60 became available) passing by the ciffs at Overlook on the Mt Hood Model RR.
Wow! Nice work guys, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Don
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
Here's a look at my modernized GE70 Tonner.
I removed the footboards and added a non working beacon light and 2 chime air horns.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
Nice stuff guys!
Dennis, so it looks like we both are modeling roads with more engines than real estate! The Maryland Midland is only 67 miles long, and currently has 7 engines, but my modeled version will have 17, and maybe more if I ever scratchbuild the 65 ton Whitcomb ! See, in my world, we never sell off the old locos, we just get more!
Here's 5 of the current "gang of 7"
Here's 305 before paint
2 of the "f" units
One of the GP9's before paint & filling in the lower numberboards and headlights
A Midland FP7 in a Western Maryland style paint job and a GP9 leading an excursion train out of town.
See, we're sick I guess!
Karl
NCE über alles!
tstage Perhaps more of a DCC conversion than actual modeling, I added a rear headlight to a Walthers SW1 switcher cab:
Perhaps more of a DCC conversion than actual modeling, I added a rear headlight to a Walthers SW1 switcher cab:
Awesome idea on the cab light Tom!
Nice Maryland Midland units!!!! Earl is out...
My favorite diesel locos are my beloved SD70Ace D&RGW Heritage units.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
steinjr I am thinking about finding an even smaller switcher in H0 normal gauge - something like a small Boxcab or some such thing. I run DCC normally, so it would be nice if it had a decoder or was reasonably easy to convert to DCC for a guy who can solder drop cables, but is not super great at soldering under cramped conditions. Any recommendations? Smile, Stein
I am thinking about finding an even smaller switcher in H0 normal gauge - something like a small Boxcab or some such thing. I run DCC normally, so it would be nice if it had a decoder or was reasonably easy to convert to DCC for a guy who can solder drop cables, but is not super great at soldering under cramped conditions. Any recommendations?
Smile, Stein
Though it's rated as heavier than the 44-tonner, the GE 45 ton switcher (Bachmann Spectrum) is significantly smaller in size, runs great, and can pull very well for its size. (It even has side rods - best of both worlds?) Mine easily walks away with a cut of 8 NMRA-weighted cars with metal wheels and sprung metal trucks. I haven't needed to max it out yet, but I suspect 9 o 10 would be about its limit... They come with a dual-mode decoder (which I promptly removed), and are even set up for sound (though it wasn't included on the one I got...).
---
Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
===================================
"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
Hey Karl..........what addhesive did you use to put down the Cannon & Co walkways?
A few pics of the Doodlebug chassis with the new "Stanton" drive trucks from NWSL.
The front truck and new bolster.
The rear truck.
Close up of the new front bolster.
A rear view......not much difference in height.
Here are three of my Detroit Southern RR diesels lined up for a photo at Chicago Yard. From left to right, a GP30 high hood, a GP38AC high hood and a GP60.
Update on the doodlebug........Painted and now awaiting detail parts and decals.
An update to the doodlebug......
................Added a removable roof hatch so I can get access to 4 electrical switches for the wiring needed to run straight DC or go DCC through the Micro-Tsunami 750 GE Cummins decoder.
How and What type and size of decoder do you use in this engine? I have one and I can't fit the decoder into it.
NILE
Tsunami Micro TSU-750.
I`ll mount it to the inside of the roof.
Really Excellent work Dennis!!!Look forward to the next updates!
Bob,
Can you tell me more about you Detroit Southern RR? I am interested in a profile shot of one of your engines. While I don't free lance per se, I model GTW and BN in a joint operating situation. CN doesn't exist "in my world" and I have a branch line that is either Ann Arbor RR or Detroit & Mackinac RR depending on the day. I like modeling engines in paint schemes that the real railroads didn't own. I currently have an FP45 in GTW and I am working on GP40X, SDP35, SD70I, and SD60F. These will all be GTW when they are completed. In the future, I'll probably paint a GP60B in GTW as well.
NILE, above is a profile of my DS paint scheme.
During the '80s I was in a modular club, the Saginaw River Valley, which is still in existence today. I was painting all of my motive power in SRV, but I wanted to add some power that didn't sound like a short-line. A friend and I came up with Detroit Southern, a fictitious super regional that runs from Detroit to Atlanta. We didn't create a logo, we just had name and number sets made.
Last fall I decided to get back into the hobby after 22 years and to build a home layout with DCC-sound. I wanted to continue to use Detroit Southern, but to model a single track branch in the Chicago area. In effect the farthest west the DS goes.
For a simple black paint scheme with white graphics I purchase locos in black paint and then remove or paint over the existing graphics and apply my DS decals. I have two BLI SD40-2s that began as Illinois Central, two GP60s that were Walthers' Proto2000 Norfolk Southern. My other motive power were roads like N&W and NYC that could be easily converted to Detroit Southern without painting the entire engine.
I'm just catching up with this thread. I have a number of locomotive projects going at any given time. Currently I'm working on an ALCo C-415 with major internal upgrades. I'd like to know what the treadplate material is that I've seen on a couple engines here, and where it's available?
As a possible answer to those looking for smaller switchers: Here are a couple small switchers powered by early Spectrum 44 tonner motors. The maroon one has so much lead in it, its slightly heavier than a stock 44 tonner. This was built before I had reference pictures of a GE 25 tonner, but the end handrails stay. The 44 tonner hood was shortened. Both run well. Dan
SouthgateI'd like to know what the treadplate material is that I've seen on a couple engines here, and where it's available?
Cannon & Co. makes the tread material......it is photo etched brass.
Here is a link to their website.
Cannon & Co.
That little boxcab is a dead ringer for one used at one of the local cement plants (well, if it were painted a light blue color). I may have to make myself one of those.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker That little boxcab is a dead ringer for one used at one of the local cement plants (well, if it were painted a light blue color). I may have to make myself one of those. --Randy
There's sure a lot of nice work being shown on this thread. Dan
Another update on the doodlebug.....
Marker lights ready to go.....
Front end....
Two SMD LED`s mounted to the backside of an MV lens.....one red and one white.