Thanks to everyone for making this a great WPF! Lots of really neat Stuff out there
See you all next week, and maybe a few new contributors, too?
Everyone is See you next week...
Happy Modeling, Ed
I built a 6 stall Walthers roundhouse (3 stall with an add-on kit) for Boothbay Railway Village a few years ago, the inside is completly open except for support girders. This is the way they typically were built.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Ok, this is my 4th attempt at this post, as Photobucket is making my browser freeze and refresh, so bear with me folks, as I will be saving and editing this post as I go...
First off, some great modeling being done here! Nice looking stuff!
I will have pics of in progress projects, as well as the recent motive power acquisitions I have, one a purchase, and two gifts..
First off, some in progress shots of a SD40-2 project, where I am installing DCC in a old Athearn BB unit, along with LED headlights and operating ditchlights on the front.
Now, with Chassis included.
The custom decals and weathering were done by her prior owner.
As you can see, I still am working on the DCC and lighting, and will include disconnects on the lighting wiring to allow removal of shell for maintainance work.
Next, some railcars in progress:
First, a Accurail Hopper kit...
The trucks have been weathered with a custom mix of acrylic colors, and it is almost ready for a shot of dullcoat and pastel weathering, before getting a seal coat and final assembly of trucks, and wheelsets.
Next, a Scaletrains Boxcar kit, that has received a dullcoat and is ready for pastels before final seal coat and final assembly.
Now, some motive power recent acquisitions, one purchased from a friend, and two gifted to me.
First, a Bachmann GP38-2, with a NCE Decoder already installed.
This one needs a shot of dullcoat before light weathering to remove the plastic sheen.
This next one is a newly acquired P2K Alco FA-2 and FB-1 set, in Erie freight scheme, that was gifted to me.
I have not added DCC to them yet, but am planning to. They both will be getting a complete tune-up, in a tear down, clean & lube job. The A unit will also get her crew painted, LED headlights, and some details replaced/repaired. I am debating on doing her as a heritage style unit by updating her to include ditchlights, but I am not sure if I will do that part or not... Hey, they do have a E8A in Erie paint with ditchlights, so, it is at least possible....
They will also both be getting a Dullcoat overspray to seal, and kill the plastic sheen.
Next, a newly received Mantua steamer, also gifted to me.
She will be needing a complete tear down, as well as a lube and clean job, as she refuses to operate on DC right now, so will be getting worked on in the future, but I will be definitely working on getting her operational. She is too nice looking to become a shelf queen without my at least fully attempting to get her going.
Also, yes, the track on the shelf is indeed Shinohara Bridge track, that I found in a LHS damaged pieces bin, for 50 cents each! The issue with them is a few ties are not lined up quite correctly, due to a miscast, but they will eventually be going on a pair of bridges on the back edge, so the issue will not be noticeable. I think $1 is a real deal for that!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Hi Frank:
zstripeI'm curious about what Roundhouse You are building and if You are (or any others) aware that the Walthers Cornerstone Modern Roundhouse with add-on stalls, are double walled.
I'm building the older version roundhouse #933-3041:
https://www.walthers.com/three-stall-roundhouse-kit-14-x-14-1-4-x-4-11-16-quot-35-6-x-36-2-x-11-9cm
I checked again and it doesn't come with interior walls. The only double sided walls are above the roof line. You had me scared for a minute that I had wasted a bunch of money on Plastruct brick sheets (which are far too expensive IMHO).
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Slipping in towards the end of the weekend...
For the layout, I finally got some brown paint to cover the blue foamboard. I can finally start transferring the track plan. I also cut out the foamboard where the harbor will go. No pictures of that, though.
I finished up a Walther's kit this week.
I also received and started assembling a cargo ship from N-scale ships. Without a doubt it's the most advanced kit I've tried. The kit is a sheet of styrene with the components laser cut...
Dave,
I commented on Your other thread about Your turntable.....I'll just say great job, here. But I'm curious about what Roundhouse You are building and if You are (or any others) aware that the Walthers Cornerstone Modern Roundhouse with add-on stalls, are double walled. They have brick interior walls and outside brick walls and there is no nead to add any walls to the inside, just details. Might be a little pricey for some. I built a nine stall, with Machine House added to it for My layout some yrs. ago, but that is on one of the sections I gave to one of My Grandson's for His layout in progress. The Walthers 130ft turntable that I bought to go with it, has never been out of the box....just looking at the plans. It is the original DC version. Hopefully this summer, I get get out to His house and set it up. He lives in a different state than I do and I don't drive anymore, since My stroke.
https://www.walthers.com/3-stall-modern-roundhouse-kit-16-x-20-1-8-x-5-1-2-quot-40-6-x-51-1-x-14cm
Good luck on what ever You do!
Frank
hon30critterThe Walthers sheets look great but they are much thicker and cutting them to shape is a pain.
Aah, yes. That stuff IS tough to work with.
The Plastruct sheet does look nice in there. Don't forget to put banks of steam pipes on the walls for heating. It is one of the details I see in many roundhouses.
Good Stuff!
Ed
Ed:
gmpullmanI actually had two substantial screws driven into the wall studs and when I wasn't working on the roundhouse I hung it up on the wall like a piece of art
Brilliant!!! I have a bare space on the wall right behind my workbench. Excellent suggestion!
gmpullmanPlastruct sounds pretty involved.
I used Plastruct brick sheets to finish the interior walls on the Atlas roundhouse I built a few years ago. It was pretty easy. The Plastruct brick sheets are only about .020" thick and the plastic is fairly soft so they cut quite easily. Here is the interior of the Atlas roundhouse:
The brick isn't defined as crisply as the Walthers brick sheets but it still gives the desired appearance. The Walthers sheets look great but they are much thicker and cutting them to shape is a pain.
hon30critterBesides, working on it will require a major clean up and re-organization of my workbench to create enough space to just even put it down.
Oy! That brings back memories...
I actually had two substantial screws driven into the wall studs and when I wasn't working on the roundhouse I hung it up on the wall like a piece of art
It kept me from knocking it over, kept the cats off of it and made a safe place that was out of the "Danger Zone".
Plastruct sounds pretty involved. Have you thought about printing your own "textures" on photo paper and using that as the wall graphics?
http://www.textures.com/
You can print safety signs, doorways, piping, electrical boxes and through the windows and doors looking into the building can be very convincing.
With a little practise on a graphic editing program you can scale, duplicate and layer all the wall graphics you need, then using photo-safe spray adhesive apply it to the interior.
This site allows you x-amount of free downloads a day and you can make some pretty convincing graphics. I use lots of the rolled roofing and brick textures.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/260320.aspx
CorelDRAW is my program of choice but there are others. Sometimes I edit the downloaded "texture" first before importing it into Corel and turning it into a vector-based graphic.
hon30critterClearing off the workbench is long overdue!
I do that once every five years! You wouldn't believe the things I find buried there (never money of course)
Whew, busy-busy tonight
hon30critter However, the (nicely painted) guy with the lunch pail should be hanging onto a railing or he might not make it to lunch!
That's "Bruiser-the-Brakeman" He has more black & blue than the engine!
Thanks Mike!
Congrats on getting the TT project to this point. It's one of those things that takes a lot of time and patience in addition to model building skill.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Hi Ed:
gmpullmanVery nice work Nothing says "Railroad" like a turntable. It is nearly always one of the first features on a layout that visitors comment about.
Thank you for the kind words. I enjoyed working on the turntable very much despite the amount of time it took and the numerous corrections. The next project will likely be the nine stall roundhouse. I have ordered some Plastruct brick sheets to finish the interior walls, and all sorts of options have been running through my head as to what I can do with it. Besides, working on it will require a major clean up and re-organization of my workbench to create enough space to just even put it down. I'm going to have to invest in one or two more rolling drawer units to store the stuff but heck knows where I will be able to park them. Clearing off the workbench is long overdue!
Edit: Sorry, I forgot to say that the B&O cars look very good! However, the (nicely painted) guy with the lunch pail should be hanging onto a railing or he might not make it to lunch!
hon30critterI finally have the gallows installed.
Wow! I'll bet you're glad to see this stage of the progress, Dave!
Very nice work Nothing says "Railroad" like a turntable. It is nearly always one of the first features on a layout that visitors comment about.
Weeds, oil, cracks... looks just like it has earned its keep for years.
I had a pleasant surprise when the Post Office van arrived right at noon today.
The B&O Walthers arched-top baggage cars arrived that I had ordered about six months ago
Approaching...
Closer...
Broadside—
Off they go!
I'm a sucker for "head-end" equipment. Mail, baggage, express, milk... heck, racehorses and theater scenery if I could get any of those special PRR cars at less than $500!
Thanks for letting me share the photos... well—it's what WPF is all about!
And still a day to go
I finally have the gallows installed. Not a great picture, but when I tried to use the flash the rust stains on the gallows made it look like it was painted bright red:
Peter:
Thankyou for that interesting bit of railroading history! No wonder they look so similar.
Frank:
Nice work. I know what you mean by the camera over exposing LED lighting.
Looking great! Ray,
As many of You know I have been working on a whole 15ft area that I changed around quite some time ago.....a slow struggle being as young as I am (74) lol. Seem's like the mind always says yes.....but the vehicle (body) says no...joys of life. Anyway...thought I would share a few more pic's of scene's that I managed to almost finish a couple months ago before I got sick. I managed to finally tear down the gas station (moved) and Miss Betties diner, moved in, at the same time that happened, She sold it to a new owner and they named it the Dog House. Unfortunatly, I could not get all the signs to stay on at the same time without changing the sequence, no way I was going to do that. Just remember all scenes are still in progress, so You'll see, tools and such not intended to be there....LOL The camera does find things.....and the brightness of the lights in the diner, really are not that bright in person.
Take Care, All...Great modelling this week!
hon30critter The GE 45 tonner is an HO scale Bachmann Spectrum. OOPS, I was out by 2000 lbs! Shows how much I (don't) know about prototypes. Dave
The GE 45 tonner is an HO scale Bachmann Spectrum.
OOPS, I was out by 2000 lbs! Shows how much I (don't) know about prototypes.
The main difference was the intended customer:
Railroads had an agreement with the unions that locomotives of less than 90000 lbs could be operated by one man.
Locomotives for railroad use were therefore 44 ton, but industrial customers were not restricted by the union agreement and a generally similar locomotive was called a 45 ton. There were also 65 ton and 80 ton locomtives in the industrial range, some of which were similar in appearance to the lighter units.
The industrial 45 ton units often had one traction motor per truck, and hence the connecting rods but railroad 44 ton units had four traction motors, possibly because they were intended to run at higher speeds on the main and branch lines.
Peter
Ah.... the weekend and WPF!
Folks all I can say is that the WOW factor is way up there this weekend. Too many truly fine projects and photos here to list individually. I'll just say I have been glued to the screen for a while and have gone back to look at several of them more than once.
I haven't had a lot of time for the layout during the past few weeks and didn't really get anything accomplished until just a couple days ago. This was last time I posted:
This is earlier today:
And after that I added more tree armatures for the woods:
Keep all the good stuff coming folks. Lots of weekend left!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
zstripehow I change the suspension to accept A-Line wheels/tires so they roll:
Cool Frank!
CGW121 CGW, that's a nice, rural crossing scene. I'll pass on stopping in at the Passin Gas, though. Hey, where's your Railroad Crossing signs? I Thanks for the kind words. I have been looking for some premade crossbucks, but have only found kits, and my ham hands make a mess of those things, so if anyone knows where I can get some crossbucks please let me know, the drivers have been complaining about playing chicken with the trains.
CGW, that's a nice, rural crossing scene. I'll pass on stopping in at the Passin Gas, though. Hey, where's your Railroad Crossing signs?
I Thanks for the kind words. I have been looking for some premade crossbucks, but have only found kits, and my ham hands make a mess of those things, so if anyone knows where I can get some crossbucks please let me know, the drivers have been complaining about playing chicken with the trains.
CGW121,
JL also make Railroad crossbucks all metal if interested:
https://www.walthers.com/custom-railroad-crossbucks-pkg-2?ref=1
PETER,
Nice looking yard tractor.....I too have the same one from the mid 80's and gave it to one of My younger sons, He gave it back a few yr's ago...but does not look anything like it did when I gave it to Him......He was a lot younger then and not too many parts survived...interesting to note though...the cab was intact...don't recall what CA I used but it did a great job holding all those cab parts together as You already know about them. I see Yours is bulit as a static model. That is one thing I change on all My Truck models I build....they all roll....I change the suspension, rather than use what is supplied in the kits....Sylvan, Don Mills and all the other Metal/Resin kits. One thing that stands out (to Me anyway) is their use of a rear wheel on the front steer axle. The spokes on the Dayton wheels protruded on the front wheels...no big deal, they probably didn't want to spend the money for a front wheel mold. Makes a great Model piece though if You have the patience to build one......not for the light hearted, in skill though.
Take Care!
EDIT: Not the yard tractor but a pic' of a Sylvan tractor underside of how I change the suspension to accept A-Line wheels/tires so they roll:
Deleted last post. SQ8 problems. Most likely operator and not camera I'll try again when I get it figured out.
Mike.
My You Tube
Peter,
Good looking model and 25 y.o., too.
Looks like a Capacity, but sorta generically so. The Capacity was what I'm familiar with, now that Frank has reminded me about that. They tried a few different ones over the years, but Capacity seemed to hold up well. I know we did minimal repairs considering they were in virtually 24/7 service.
Something that made a difference with spotters was whether they were strictly yard tractors or over the road. Ours were set up mainly for yard use, but were licensed for the road (at least a couple were.) The main difference was how the cab was set up, as if you were getting in and out all day, the low cab ones were easier, as they were like getting into a pickup truck. The high cab ones are safer on the road and give better views for being in traffic as the seating is at standard truck height.
Thank you thats exactly what I have been searching for. My layout is set in northwest Illinois northeast Iowa 1950s- early 60s. The SD40 does not fit the era but I usually run them at the club.
Mike
Ed, Thanks for starting up the WPF, with a big emphasis on the fun with so much great stuff to see. "Next best thing to modeling is seeing other's modeling." And BTW, nice farm house, like those open windows.
Frank, Your finely modeled yard tractor inspired my breaking the camera out this AM, built my "yard goat" 25 or so years ago, but nowhere near as nice as yours.
tbdanny, Good looking weathered deck boards, and done with coffee stirrers no less, wow!
Finished a project this week to add to my cannery scene.
Thanks to all, regards, Peter
What happened to all the pictures?
CGW121 I have been looking for some premade crossbucks, but have only found kits, and my ham hands make a mess of those things, so if anyone knows where I can get some crossbucks please let me know
Tichy makes all sorts of nice looking signs. I'll bet these "ye olde tyme" diamond style that, personally, I really think would look neat in your scene.
https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_signs/p/8179/Default.aspx
Browse around for more. Tichy products are widely available, too.
https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_signs/Default.aspx
Have Fun, Ed
mlehmanDave, TT bridge looks great! Are you going to feed it via the wiring to it? If so, sounds like madness, but if anyone could pull that off, you'd figure it out.
Thanks Mike. No, the power will come through the bottom of the turntable the way the kit was designed. Getting the contacts to work consistently was a pain though. I thought about topside wiring but decided to go the easy route. Less potential for damage.
Neat details on the trailers!
gmpullmanDid those yard-tractors or spotting tractors have any kind of knickname? Yard mule, or something. You see in my photo above, I have some "Flexi-Van" trailers. I'd like to make one of those yard tractors with the sixth wheel on the front for swinging the tractor 90°.
Ed,
Well the name thing was really depending on where You lived in the US, some called them spotters, yard horse, yard tractor, terminal tractor, hostler etc. Just like in IL. we call a fork-lift truck, just that, a fork-lift truck, in MI. they call them HI-LOs. The name ''Commando'' was actually the Mfg'er of the vehicle....all the other things were put on by NYC. The other MFG'ers of those tractors, were Bartlett, which only made the lift mechanism which could be installed on any single axle tractor. When I started in the trucking industry in 1960, the truckline I worked for had a Bartlett lift installed on a International R-190.....interesting to note, that when lifting a trailer, the springs compressed first, then the trailer would lift. All the MFG. spotters/hostler's had the rear axle solid mounted, resting on solid rubber pads...no springs, which made lifting much easier. The model kit I built is copied after a ''Capacity'' another spotter MFG. The outfit I worked for replaced the R-190 with one of those (a used one) which had a air bag lift mechanism, with a big block Ford V8 for power and auto trans. Another MFG. was "Ottawa'' which is very well known today and when I worked at CSX Intermodal, that's what they had...40 running on three shifts....four cylinder automatic diesels, hydraulic lift. I was mainly a crane operator there, until I retired. One of My Son's who is a ATM at the UP, told Me they replaced all their ''Ottawa's'' with a new name in the game, called '' Tico'' a new mfg'er of spotters, they call them hostler's at His yard and He says they are junks, along with the mechanic's feeling...their made out of plastic composite..just too many breakable parts, they are learning. As far as modeling the NYC Flexi-van system which was started late 1957, You had to have special cars fitted with two turntables on them to move the trailer around, heavy maintenance, along with all the parts on the tractor, It was dangerous and You needed at least three men to accomplish what one man could do later on in 1968 with a PC-90 ''piggy-packer''. NYC finally realized in late 60's early 70's that the flexi-van system was dead end technology and stopped running them. I actually saw them in operation at the canal st. ramp in Chgo 1959....I was not too highly impressed...looked sort of dangerous to Me...I was 17 at the time. If You would like to read more about the operation, here is a link, that also talks about N-scale kits that were out concerning the Flex-Van, but the info about the system is spot-on.
http://www.wheelsotime.com/blog/2011/6/17/pc-90-piggy-packer-a-brief-history.html