"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hey Bear!
Thanks again for starting WPF.
This time I actually have some pictures to show of my progress with the McKeen motor car.
This is an overview of the detail parts I have made/received so far. In the upper right you can see the lead sub floor that will go on top of the main floor to add weight, obviously:
I drilled out the roof vent mounting holes that F & C provided in the casting, only to find out that not only were the locations wrong, but the supplied roof vents look nothing at all like the real thing. Here's the two steps backward part after I filled in the carefully drilled holes. The rest of the shell prep is pretty much complete except for the rain gutters:
Here's what the proper roof exhaust vents look like, sort of. They are not proportioned quite right but what the heck. I couldn't figure out how to make them with prototypically thin sides.
Here are the fresh air intake vents for the passenger compartment. They are very intricate as was the practise at the time. Apparently the McKeen cars were noted for their ventilation. The pipes in the upper left are for the engine radiator. The tanks in the upper right are filled with lead to add weight.
Here's the doors removed from the body, and the passenger steps made from .010 styrene. The top step will be at the right height when it is mated to the floor.
Another shot of the engine radiator. The styrene bits are there simply to facilitate assembly. Hopefully once they are painted black they won't show under the car.
Here is my second attempt at creating the front power truck side frames. I am waiting for NWSL driver springs. The axle bearings actually slide up and down, but whether or not they will still function after the springs and wheels are installed remains to be seen. You can see one of the rear truck side frames in the upper right. Amazingly, they are actually useable!
I am using a Life Like generator engine as the basis for the original gas engine. It really bears no resembalence to the prototype. The flywheel is on the brass tube, yet to be cut to length. There is also an accessory drive pulley. I may do some more plumbing on the engine. The original apparently had most of its components exposed. There doesn't appear to be a valve cover in any of the pictures I have seen. You can actually see the crank shaft!
Here is the new NWSL Stanton drive with 7' wheel base and 33" code 110 wheels. The Stanton drive will be the rear truck, which isn't quite prototypical but powering the front truck is beyond my skill level. However, Darth Santa Fe is working on the same kit and he has said he intends to power the front truck. I'll be interested to see what he comes up with.
You can also see the headlight in the lower left. I used brass tube and the tip of a 3mm LED for the lens. The actual LED will be an 0402.
More to come!
Looking forward as always to everyones' excellent work!
Dave
P.S. Give me a couple of days to respond if you have any comments or suggestions. Dianne and I are off to the Fergus, Ontario Highland Games and Scottish Festival for the weekend! And, no, I don't have an once of Scot in me! Now, Scotch on the other hand.... well.... don't tempt me!
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlxAoRlOsIQ
shot a video of my 2-6-6-2 Mantua Logger that i lettered MRLC
for Meadow River Lumber Company
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Quite the project that McKean.
A shout out to the Bear.
A couple of quikc ones, it's late and I will do better in the morn. Took delivery of 5 turnouts Monday and set the track gang to work. There's now a small yard at Snowden.
The Gramps dock is already seeing use.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Terry:
This will make your link clickable.
hon30critter Terry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlxAoRlOsIQ This will make your link clickable. Dave
Thanks Dave
I tried to make it clickable but the edit doesn't work
Edit
Ok now it's fixed
Thanks for the heads up ~!
The CSX business car Alabama has made some progress. I need to fill in the cracks- any advice? I still need to attach the trucks, weight it down, glass in the windows, and attach the big rear end theater window and frame
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Hi Mike:
Yes, I have to admit that I am rather hooked on the McKeen car project despite the fact that it pre-dates my era by about 50 years! Oh well, that's what excursions are for, right?
Hi Jimmy:
You have a lot of filling to do to get the car sides smooth. I would suggest adding the filler a small bit at a time and letting it cure thoroughly between applications. I believe you used .010" thick sides (I could be wrong). Thin styrene is easily affected by the solvents in most puttys and if you apply too much at once you risk softening and distorting the car sides.
My recommendation for future projects would be to buy larger sheets of styrene and cut the sides out as one single piece instead of using smaller pieces to fill in the gaps. That will give you one continuous smooth surface with very little need for putty. You will need to reinforce the sides to keep them straight but you probably have to do that already.
Just a suggestion. You are making some interesting cars.
Good morning everyone from Northeast Ohio.
Bear, thanks for starting out. Dave, nice work on that McKeen car, glad I am not building it.
Terry, sorry can't see you-tube at work, will have to see it later.
Jimmy, I have used Squadron Green Stuff to fill cracks and other stuff, some have used auto body filler.
Here is the work I have done on the PC X79 RBL since last week, it has been washed and the roof painted with Floquil Platinum Mist, will mask the roof as the area over the doors needs to be in PC Green.
The "B" end of the car, including ladders, grab, placcard board, cross-over platform, cut lever, brake housing and brake wheel.
Side of the car complete with grabs at each end, door stops and all the rodding for the plug doors installed.
As an added attaction some PC action!
PC SD45 and SD40 going through the town of Thurd on the Strongsville Society of Model Railroad Engineers club layout.
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!
yeah, it was the .30 styrene sides train station products has. I'm doing it for a friend, so yeah I got to fill tthen.
Thanks for starting the WPF Bear. It's vacation time here in Canada (although it's always winter on my current layout!), so I got a bit of work done this week. For fun, I purchased this fireless locomotive (a European model) and converted it for the North American context. For some reason, Europeans put the pistons near the cab for their prototypes. So, I managed to reverse the pistons on this Lilliput engine that I found on Ebay, and converted it to DCC with an LED headlight. I also shaved the wheels a bit to make it work properly on our North American rails... Did that with my Dremel with the engine turning upside down. I tried a needle file but that would have taken forever. I gave her a new color and did a bit of weathering. I painted the engine with Vallejo acrylic paint. The first coat did not stick to anything, so I used Vallejo acrylic primer for my second try. That seemed to work.
Anyway, I didn't really need this on my pike, but I have a weakness for ugly ducklings on rails. She was a great conversation piece at the club!
Simon
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a video of the 2 foot gauge railbus arriving at Boothbay Railway Village. HOn30critter had asked for some more photos, so here are some. The bus is stored in the museum shops building, so I could not get straight on pics.
WHile I was in the shop, I took a couple more pictures.
This is our wheel lathe
Our Plymouth switcher has a gasoline engine and a friction drive
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Some really neat projects going on here this week. George, is that the boiler for Forney #3 that the SR&RL guys up in Phillips are rebuilding? I gotta get back up there this fall and I really need to get down your way too.
Here are some shots from my On30 module of scenery work from this week. (note to self: before taking pictures next time, dust and check for hair...)
Simon,
Neat little project. The Europeans were just simplifying things by putting the cylinders close to the cab. No need for the pistons to be that far away if there's no boiler and stack to complicate things
Hobbez, Tasty stuff!
George, thanks for the pics.
Rick, an interesting car -- and a lot of work!
Jimmy looking forward to seeing that when it's done.
Terry, You're giving me the itch for a Uintah #50 or #51. Would love to have one, but never met one when my wallet was ready for that date night.
A few more pics when I'm not falling asleep...
This pic shows the MT pipe train headed timetable East through Crater Lake.
In the far right background, you can see where the track turns to pass under the water heater vent stack...
Here's a pic of #100 switching at the first turnout in Snowden, unseen to the right.
Looking back toward the water heater in left background from the end of track.
Finally, spotting MTs at the Gramps loading rack.
Obviously needs ballast, ground cover, etc, but other stuff, too. The current station at Black Cat Junction is likely headed here. It'll need a station sign. The spur near the EOT needs a ramp at its end to unload heavy equipment, plus a platform for team track service and a warehouse for drilling mud and other supplies, which will be a cutaway on the asile side of the spur.
Hobbez
The fishermen in Maine better watch out for that anaconda by that tree! I know it supposed to be a dead fall, but when I first saw it I thought, "Holy Crap! Look at the size of that snake!"
Robert H. Shilling II
Great pictures everybody, enjoy this thread every week.
Having a little fun to start the weekend.
One giant passes another.
The diorama is a little small for 2 huge engines like this so I guess I better get on to the modules.
Another shot...
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60361449@N02/
Anthracite Modeler - YouTube
Hello all!
Here are some photos of my N Scale grain elevator that I have been working on for quite some time. I am getting really close to wrapping it up after a strong push this week. I started the weathering on the metal roofing and just need to add some dust, light stains to the structure sides, and a light wash. I try to not get too carried away with the weathering. I personally prefer subtle over excessive.
The first photo is before painting and the preceeding photos are present date. The scene is still not complete as it needs another structure (out building), trucks, employee cars, parking lot lines, figures, some ground material in/under/around the elevator, and more trees/shrubs/plants to name but a few things.
Happy modeling all and thanks for looking!!
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."
Bear, Thanks for the WPF start-up. Wish we could get some of that cold and wet to help knock down these Calif. wild fires.
George, Like the lathe photo, have filled my share of chip pans, but with far too many stringers.
Mike, I was imagining #100 & 101 passing under a giant head race pipe.
Finished my seawall, was going to leave it just pilings, but I think the planks added some interest.
Thanks to all and regards, Peter
HO-VeloMike, I was imagining #100 & 101 passing under a giant head race pipe.
Peter,
Now there's an idea. Actually been past a few on various trails in CO. Not THAT big
But maybe so. Gotta build heat proof to replace part of the tin mountain? The mountain is right over the water heater. Maybe hack an old Suydam kit? Would be a lot easier to build one now that I know how to solder. Could make a generator/turbine shed or something. Hmm, hmm
Thanks for that idea! I'll have to think about it.
That time again for my favorite forum topic, and once again great work and photos. I am a novice with my camera so I apologize for the quality of my photos.
I am in the early stages of scenicing, so the only thing that I have to show on the layout is white plaster. Last week I posted a photo of a ship that I had built for a future seaport scene, and a few showed some interest. I did not photo the build, but I do have some shots that I took after I discovered that the decks had started to crack. I had to tear out the old basswood decks and replace them with styrene. It hurt to have to destroy several months of work, but it had to be done.
This shot was taken three months later, after I had replaced the decks, and got back to the point of the build when the cracks appeared. This just goes to demonstrate the thought, time, work, sweat, and even blood that we put into our hobby. Only we can fully appreciate the journey up to the finished product, and I enjoy every moment.
This shot was taken three months later, after I had replaced the decks, and got back to the point of the build when the cracks appeared.
This just goes to demonstrate the thought, time, work, sweat, and even blood that we put into our hobby. Only we can fully appreciate the journey up to the finished product, and I enjoy every moment.
EMD.DonHere are some photos of my N Scale grain elevator that I have been working on for quite some time.
Don,
Nice job on that elevator and the pics. It's Nspirational.
stuckinthe50sI do have some shots that I took after I discovered that the decks had started to crack. I had to tear out the old basswood decks and replace them with styrene. It hurt to have to destroy several months of work, but it had to be done.
Wow! That must've taken a lot of frustration and turned it around into something so outstandingly impressive. It's one heck of a model.
Bear - I like the GN SD unit
Dave - Your McCkeen project looks fun. I have a NWSL/Stanton drive in my repowered Bachmann doodlebug, and it works well.
Terry in TX ... Thanks for the logger video. Nice !
Mike L ... More outstanding Colorado modeling from you.
Jimmy ... You business car looks like a fun project.
Rick ... The RBL car is progressing nicely. I like the Phillips 66 gas station in the photo with PC locos.
Simon ... Fireless switchers are raely modeled. Nice work.
George. .. The Boothbay equipment is very interesting.
Hobbez ... Your scenerey on the On30 Module is outstanding.
RDG Casey... Impressive locomotives.
EMD Don ... Grain Elevator looks good.
Peter .... Your sea wall looks great, and the water looks real.
'Dave (stuck in 50's) .... Impoessive work on the big ship.
------------------
Below is a photo with GN GP's and NP F's.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Interesting contributions this week as always! Don, the grain elevator is terrific.
Here's a progress photo on the area near the needed station (floor shown). The cab company area got a blob of plywood cut out and lowered to accommodate its footprint. The tower got lights installed. And the plywood edge got some flexible retaining wall finishing. After the UP depot station is built, some paving will be added to the rear.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thanks for starting things off again this week Bear.
Great stuff again this week guys. Thanks for sharing.
Nothing new on the BRVRR this week but my grandson did have a good time running his favorite train of tank cars:
Keep the photos and ideas coming guys. Thanks to you, WPF is always the best thread of the week.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Wow awesome stuff presented above all! So much motivation and inspiration...top notch work!
Happy modeling all!
Amazing and Inspirational work by everyone... As Usual!
Speaking of inspiration—you never know where your next "idea of the Century" will come from...
A few weeks ago I was preparing for a family gathering and the pesky bugs were making their annoying presence known. It was a calm day so I got out my propane insect fogger and began laying down a blanket of fog amongst the tall grass and shrubs. A mindless task so my thoughts drifted to the fog and how cool it would look for photographing the layout!
Well, the thought of a propane tank and hot insect repelland on the layout didn't sound cool but I began to browse Amazon for a "party" type fogger such as the popular kind for Halloween parties.
Here's the results. Mind you I only had about an hour to devote to the "test shoot" since W-O-R-K has been unrelenting lately but I like what I see and I'm looking forward to more experiments "in the fog"
A single I1 returns from helper duty.
Same scene later at night...
As seen from the highway bridge.
And an overall view with the lights back on. The fog machine uses diluted food grade glycerine and there is no odor or film (that I can detect, anyway) and I'm looking forward to more foggy night shots soon.
Just thought I'd share with all you good folks...
Happy Modeling, Ed
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA