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What is on your workbench right now...

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, April 13, 2014 11:51 PM

I have an Intermountain  CP FP7A into which I have just installed a Loksound Select decoder. I managed to break the windshield wipers off during the installation so I am just waiting for the CA to dry on the replacement brass wipers.

I also have another Intermountain CP FP7A which consists of a new chassis and an older shell. I bought the chassis direct from Intermountain with a new Loksound Select decoder factory installed. The shell came from eBay cheap. Everything works fine except that I want to illuminate the reverse light and I can't figure out how to activate the reverse light solder pads on the decoder. It came with a 21 pin connector. I can't find any wiring combination which gives me lighting in reverse only. I won't go on. I have posted on the Loksound forum and sent them an e-mail directly. No answer yet but its only been a couple of days. I think I will post here too.

Third project is a P2K CP SW9 which will get sound as soon as the decoder arrives. The speaker is already installed in the roof of the cab.

Fourth project is replacing the 1.5V exterior lamps in the engine house for my critters. I blew the original bulbs because I forgot to install resistors Bang Head. Truth be told - I have blown the bulbs twice the same way Bang HeadBang HeadDunce

Those are just what's on the bench right now. There are many many more projects waiting in the shadows!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Sunday, April 13, 2014 11:45 PM

Earlier, I I finished installing a operating light in the nose of the last one of my Rio Grande P2K GP30s. They did the hard work, putting the Mars/Gyralight housing on the nose, so all you need to do is drill and wire. Also finished up a Bar Mills stairway kit that turns out a very nice stair by using a jig technique.

This evening was a Micronart #3037 baggage cart. A neat little kit, you get two, so, if you're like clumsy, your do-over is right at hand. The first one came out OK, still needs some paint touch up and maybe some more filing in a spot or two, but presentable. I'll give the second one a try in a day or so.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Baltimore, MD
  • 1,726 posts
Posted by CSX_road_slug on Sunday, April 13, 2014 9:38 PM

Upgrading, repainting, and applying decals to a pair of 36ft single-dome tank cars I picked up at the Timonium show on Saturday.

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • 26 posts
Posted by fallNflag on Sunday, April 13, 2014 9:26 PM
I have some new Iwata Eclipse HP-SBS and HP-BCS airbrushes hooked up to an Iwata Smart Jet. I have never touched an air brush before but I bought these and am determined to learn to use them. So far, accumulating what I need, and soon the learning begins....

Modeling B&O in the early 50's.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 379 posts
Posted by ALEX WARSHAL on Sunday, April 13, 2014 7:22 PM

I am currently working on painting some older MDC Harriman cars from undecorated to the NYC two-tone gray. Two down, five to go.Big Smile

My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:46 PM

dbduck

A MESS!!!

but in one corner of it I have been making coal loads for some of my hoppers

 

Same here, but most of it's left over from my last project; wiring interior lighting for a machine shop. Currently, there is the start of converting an old, single dome tank car into a fuel storage tank. Those cheap trainset cars DO come in handy. I used a boxcar to model a construction company office in a recent project.

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,207 posts
Posted by stebbycentral on Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:33 PM

I have three railcars I'm getting ready to upgrade the trucks on.  The carbodies have been removed from the underbody, the old trucks removed, and some necessary modifications made to the mounting points.  All ready to go.

Except, the trucks are still in the mail and actually won't be here until the middle of next week... so I may have gotten a little ahead of myself.

I have figured out what is wrong with my brain!  On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Sweden
  • 1,468 posts
Posted by Graffen on Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:04 PM
My project right now is finishing the layout at the local museum.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,484 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, April 13, 2014 5:45 PM

I cleaned off my bench last Thursday in preparation for spring.  I'm a skier, and the bench somehow grows weeds during the winter.

I started with the Walthers tank car loading platform.  It's mostly done now, but there are still some spindly pipes and such to attach and paint.  It's sitting on the layout now, waiting for scenery after the terrain around it got roughed in.

The water tower is on the bench, with its short tank ladder finally in place.  The terrain below the tank is drying Gypsolite, waiting for tomorrow or so to proceed.

And, I found a package of BTS crossbucks, which I painted and am now in the process of putting together.  I just didn't feel like decaling today, but that's on the plan, too.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Sunday, April 13, 2014 5:36 PM

Been working on the rip track, that collection of rolling stock that for one silly reason or another, refuses to roll, or roll right.  Broken couplers, broken trucks, frequent derailment, what ever.

Here, lined up, are the first six cars repaired and returned to service.   Weight checked, wheel gauge checked, free truck swing checked and where necessary some Dremel work on the under carriage, wheels cleaned, coupler height checked.  After overhaul each one was tested by doing two laps around the layout without mishap.  It's as effective as buying six more new cars.

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 145 posts
Posted by parts323 on Sunday, April 13, 2014 5:04 PM

I have a Bowser H9 consolidation, a Bowser A5, and a kemtron brass tender all in various stages of completion.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 147 posts
Posted by russ_q4b on Sunday, April 13, 2014 5:03 PM

South River Modelworks Streeter's and Clearbrook.   I finished off the feed mill 3 months ago, now I am working on the General store.   These two buildings are a perfect fit for the B&O Shenadoah division.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:50 PM

Front Range 2-bay covered hopper bought used at a swap meet.   Prior owner installed the trough type ("grain") hatch covers -- and cemented them in place to stay -- that I am replacing with round hatch covers for sand or cement service.  I did some roof damage removing the old hatches that needed careful repair and some detail on the ends is broken as a consequence that needs cementing.  Last step will be some weathering.  Was it Pelle S or Cody G with the article on weathering with oil paints?   It's not a bad looking car, the only Front Range car I've got.

Roco six-axle flatcar bought new-in-box at a swap meet.  Getting rid of truck mounted couplers and putting on KDs.  It needs weathering too.  Not sure about the wheels now that I think of it.   Better go look.

Old Walthers GSC flatcar painted ATSF.  Needs laser cut wood deck installed and I am not pleased with the weathering job I did on this car.

What I SHOULD be doing is assembling an old Walthers/Silver Streak plastic mechanical reefer kit painted CB&Q that I bought years ago but every time I get out the parts and read the instructions I look at the clock and think -- I need a project that takes less time, hence the three cars listed above.   This is an "after breakfast" kit not an "after dinner" kit.

Dave Nelson

 

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Posted by caldreamer on Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:49 PM

An old Bachmann missle off of one of their flat cars.  I am wrapping it in a piece of a black 33 gallon trash bag which I will paint green.  It will be mounted on a Micro Trains 50 foot flat car.

The next project on the workbench is the second Walthers Mi-Jack transloader crane that I purchased yesteday at the Timonium shwo.  When built and installed it will complete the  intermodal yard.

    Ira

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:40 PM

I have a pair of three foot modules for my clubs T-Trak layout, which will be a six foot industrial switching set, for display at shows.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Louisville
  • 588 posts
Posted by dbduck on Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:39 PM

A MESS!!!

but in one corner of it I have been making coal loads for some of my hoppers

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:14 PM

Figuring out how to use Decoder Pro for loco adjustments now that it's hooked up to my NCE layout.  Today figured out how to speed match 2 non-similar (decoder wise) diesels which I had formerly done manually via the nCE throttle.  An Athearn Tsunami sound GP-9 with a Kato converted TCS non-sound decoder.  The tricky parts for me were to note that the Tsunami speed curve won't "take" when "written" unless the dropdown "user defined speed curve" is selected, plus how to make the rear (TCS) loco headlight function properly (when the consist in reverse).  I had to set the individual CV for that, with trial and error, not finding the selection in the lighting or consist tabs.  Fun to work through it while the Masters is on (not paying much attention).  

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, April 13, 2014 3:49 PM

A Athearn BB Family Lines SW1500 awaiting French Gray paint for the handrails and grabs...

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 35 posts
What is on your workbench right now...
Posted by elite194 on Sunday, April 13, 2014 3:21 PM

What are you working on today (or at the time you post).....I'll start with my workbench today....

my workbench today

Here we have my M650, C40-8, SD45MA4, a bunch of F units and the tentatively named F60....I model the future and this is a result of combining industrial metal printers with the use it or lose it provision of copyright laws.  Who knows what monster will be next....

so I want to see what you are working on right now, don't be afraid to post something scratchbuilt out of everything left over countless projects....

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