Welcome, Folks!
Here's an opportunity to post photos, ANY photos of model work, layouts or general modeling scenes. All are welcome and all are encouraged to join-in!
Let's see what's in store for this weekend...
My continued progress on the Big Post Office building included the installation of lights, a couple of stairways and some roadway drainage pipes on the foundation.
Here's a view of the Woodland Scenics street lamps. I was originally going to use the Walthers ones but these were LED, and I'm glad I did. I really like the "pools" of light that the LEDs cast!
It's in the shadows but you can see one of the stairways I added. All scratch built from stuff out of the junk box. I'll have to get a better photo of it soon.
Another view down-under. I'll need lots of figures here to make the scene look busy. It really makes one want to explore the depths.
A brighter scene showing the street lights and the new "Employee Stairway" in the lower left. I painted it US Post Office blue & red, just for fun.
The stairway to and from the employee parking lot.
This whole area was once occupied by a grain elevator! For some reason it just wasn't tickling my fancy, or anywhere else, so I hit upon this idea.
I hope you folks aren't getting tired of it.
In other news, I discovered that ESU has released a sound project for the FULL THROTTLE Steam configuration. I had installed a Loksound Select in an old Life-Like Erie 2-10-2 over a year ago in anticipation of new sounds being available (the older steam files were, um, not quite up-to-chuff, IMHO) I've only had an hour or so to play with the Steam F.T. but so far .
With any luck I'll be able to get a video posted in the next few days.
Well, that's it from me, let's see what is waiting in the wings...
On to more GOOD STUFF!
Regards, Ed
Nothing new from me
Heres an old video of my H 8 with a coal drag
Chuffing through Thurmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyg_q_BIC2s
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Ed:
Great work with the street lamps and the stairway. They both look really good.
C&O:
Nice video of the coal train.
I'm working on lots of stuff but nothing photogenic. Here is an old photo of my F&C McKeen Motor Car. I bring it up again because one of our fellow modellers in Utah is currently working on a different and much rarer version of the McKeen car. I have helped him out with a couple of components. He is going to use 3D printing extensively including the shell. I hope I can persuade him to post his project on the forums.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Great work, Ed, Terry and Dave! It's always inspirational to read, see, and hear others work.
With the great outdoors beckoning all warm and comfortable, if not always dry, I finished up the major work of getting the first version of the Telluride & Tincup operational by building the Chasm trestle this week.
Chasm is at the top of a 12% (briefly 13%) grade up Graveyard Hill, where dead critters from the yard - thanks, cats! - were formerly buried (don't dig too deep!)
The "waterfall" is a piece of thick green glass that was a part of someone's abandoned art project, with some concrete that will be painted white for best "splash" effect at its base (seen in first photo above after it was installed.) I plan to build up a "mountain" of rock for it to flow out of at a later date.
Seen under the framing is a bag of the Cherrystone #2 chicken grit I used for ballast for the first poart of track up to Chasm that is on the ground. Similar in looks to the famous C&NW "pink lady" ballast, it works great and looks good, although way too big for HO!
The Shay even got an addition to the crew, its "loafing" fireman (hey, it was all downhill at this point, so give the new guy a break.)
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Ed, your post office scene is looking great. I love the "down under", and can just imagine the area bustling with activity, workers, mail carts, etc.
Terry and Dave, great stuff!
Mike, your Tincup RR is taking shape! Dumb question, is it powered through the track? or is the loco powered with a battery? Wife wants something like this. I'm not all that far north of you, and it's been wet, windy, and chilly here, glad your work gang is able to get stuff done.
Nothing real new from me. A couple of weeks ago, I took an Athearn BB 62' tank car, and tried to up-date it a couple of decades.
I cut off the long running board on each side, add the anti-personal bar, and remodeled the dome area, added extra running board, and used Athearn hand rail and stanchions for the railing, and added ladders, from the scrap box. Just trying to make it fit a little more into my time period.
That's it from me! Lets see what else is going on out there!
Mike.
My You Tube
Reading D-8 4-4-0 on the move.
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60361449@N02/
Anthracite Modeler - YouTube
Excellent work everyone! Those Woodland scenics are amazing
Love the stuff as usual Mike.
The Mckeen car is pretty awesome.
All I have to show is a video of the loksound decoder I installed
https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.braum.7/videos/650288611827247/?l=8908027140095791068
(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).
Good morning from sunny and mild Northeast Ohio!
Ed, like your underground post office facility, reminds me of Tower City!
Mike L: Your outside railroad sure is nice, all you need is a track by a refrigerator to bring the beer out.
Dave, those McKeen cars are sure different but look like a sure conversation starter.
Mike M: Very good job on updating that 62' Athearn Tank, looks a lot better than the orginal car.
Casey, another great picture of one of your masterpieces!
Nothing done this week, took my new Wabash Bluebird over to the club for its first run.
The Bluebird was one of the first dome trains that were built after WWII, it ran in daily service from St. Louis to Chicago in the morning with an evening return. It was paired with the Banner Blue (a heavyweight equipped train) which went in the opposite direction. The Bluebird lasted through the lease of the Wabash by the N&W and was finally annuled with the coming of Amtrack.
Thanks for looking!
Rick Jesionowski
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!
gmpullmanI hope you folks aren't getting tired of it.
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Ohhh, nice shot of the show scene, Bear!
mbinsewiMike, your Tincup RR is taking shape! Dumb question, is it powered through the track? or is the loco powered with a battery?
Mike,
It's deadrail, something I was looking forward to doing when I bought the beasta couple of decades back. Never had the big bucks for a commercial system, which ran in the $500+ range. There's still no sound, but that will come in time. I built mine for about $100, inlcuding the controller.
The key to doing the conversion is the Pololu simple motor controller. It is a bit like a generic DCC decoder made originally to control robotics that can be controlled several different ways, including by RC. I followed the tips in this post: http://forums.mylargescale.com/40-rc-battery-operations/69762-rc-controlled-locomotive-about-60-a.html
I used a different cheap controller than in those notes, but any 6-channel box should give you what you need. A key component to help with lighting were the servo switches made originally to control LED lighting on drones that come from a vendor on Alibaba, long wait to get here, but worth it. The left joystick is my throtte, while the right one is for the headlight (side to side) and backup light (up and down). I assigned a couple of the top switches to turn the cab light and firebox/ashpan flicker on and off. This needs a total of 4 of the servo switches. The throttle output of the RC receiver goes directly to the Pololu SMC.
Some adcditional tips on prepping the Shay are here: http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/shay_tips.html
This writeup was for a more complex install that included continuing to be able to use track power, mainly for charging. I cherry-picked what I wanted to do from both these helpful guides, so keep in mind that with a little thought you can do it your way and fairly cheaply. Here's a pic of most of the components, which all fit in the tender shell.
I'll note that my Shay was modified with the improved metal Shay trucks from Bachmann, which gives some amazing tractive effort due to the weight of the modded loco.
Ed ... Your city post office is magnificent.
C&O Terry .. Nice video of coal train.
Dave (Critter) ... I like the McKeen motor car.
Mike L .... Spring has sprung and G Scale is sprouting up !... Nice !
Mike SE WI .... Nice upgrade of the tank car.
Casey .... Your shot of the RDG D-8 looks great.
Jimmy .... Nice video of WLE 6310 exiting a tunnel.
Rick ... I like the Bluebird.
Bear .... I like the rural scene.
Below is some activity in Prarie View. There is a birthday party in the County Park. The rear of a passenger train incudes a Diner/Parlor car. Of course I have the dog and fire hyrant in common with many other layouts.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Thanks Rick. Just a simple up-grade. I have some Plano tank car parts for doing a sencond Athearn car.
Thanks for the info, Mike. Wife and I have been kicking the idea around for a couple years. SOOOO many other things to get done first!
Bear, I love those cozy earth sheltered houses. They were popular around here back in the 80's.
Garry, I sure like the way your scene blends with the backdrop.
I had been postponing this job for quite some time, but I finally took the plunge to install the catenary on my layout.
The first catenary poles have been set!
And a shot at nightfall.
mlehmanIt's deadrail, something I was looking forward to doing when I bought the beasta couple of decades back
How much run time to you get from a battery charge, and how long to recharge?
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Great work, as always, from all of you so far! This is always my favorite thread every week. Keep the photos coming folks!
Ah...... The weekend.... For me that means I have to get all the planning finished to teach Railroading Merit Badge to 9 Scouts in a troop camping out at the Museum tomorrow and in a couple hours I will be sitting in a marathon session of interviews for Scholarship applicants.... But, I actually did get a bit accomplished down cellar at my house where the SLO&W resides... Got the rest of the fascia boards cut and test fitted over the past few days. Looked like this a week ago:
Looked all over the area to find the old masonite baord that I have used for the fascia. Ended up buying some plastic crap that is used in tub surrounds. Got it home and carted down cellar and thought... This crap won't work. Period. So I went on line and checked the local Lowes (Home cheapo, 84 Lumber, etc) site, and finally came across some 5mm furniture grade plywood for a reasonable price. It cost about 1/3rd what I paid for the sheet of plastic crap, and since I didn't have my DIL's car to pull the trailer decided to have Lowes make a couple cuts so I could fit it all into the Volt to get it home. They did 3 cuts at 15¢ each (Whoopie....). That also made the pieces much easier to handle and cut to final size on my table saw. Here is the first piece test fitted:
Finished, painted and installed:
Got the rest of the fascia cut and fitted in place too. Needs to be painted and have the turnout switches installed and it will be done:
Used the same plywood for the final chunk of ceiling fascia as well:
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Great work everyone! I love this thread. I've been motivated to get stuff done lately. First up was experimenting with pine trees.
Closeup of the bark texture.
Then I did the first pass at some waterfalls. They still need paint, foam/froth, etc. but it's a start.
George,
I have two batteries, both 14.8 volt 4s LiPo. One is 1100 mAh and the other is 1300 mAh. Since I don't go round and round with it, I'm just going to guess several hours each. I use them intemittently over days at a time, so they may lose some due to just sitting, as LiPos are prone to do. My charger will "refuel" in about an hour or so. It's very quick.
I have an odomoter function on the transmitter, so I can reset it next time I change batteries and get a better idea of battery life. Was just thinking about that today to start seeing what kind of "miles" I putting oin my loco for maintenance reasons.
Thanks to everyone for their kind comments. Be happy to continue answering what I can.
Nice work, Mike! I have had my eye on one of those G Shay's but I've read mixed reaviews which has shyed me away from them. Well, that and the seller on the bay was pretty snarky answering a question.
Today is my birthday so maybe, just maybe, I'll change my mind and pick one up. I sure don't need it but it's a Shay!
Interesting items, all. The examples are motivating for me as always.
Today I put together a couple of layout details that have been in a carton where the ones I decide I might like, and acquire, until the mood eventually develops to put it together. (The poor pickle car kit is just crying for attention.)
First is a Model Tech Studios building side trash incinerator.
Nex is a Builders In Scale stationary double boiler:
Both locations may not be permanent.
Have a great week.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Nice work everybody. Here is the second Tichy Train Group tank car kit I just finished this morning. I also added some more decals on the first one. They both received the last protective coat and are ready to run.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
It's good to see so much participation here and so much nice modelling.
Here's something on which I've been working for a while....
...although it still needs to be weathered...
Wayne
Great job! The lighting makes the scene on those shots. I look forward to being able to build my layout.
Great stuff everyone. You always amaze.
Nothing new on the BRVRR lately. Here is one from the archives:
NYC GP40 #3083 crosses SR32 with a string of gondolas at the west end of the BRVRR layout.
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/
bibbsterNice work, Mike! I have had my eye on one of those G Shay's but I've read mixed reaviews which has shyed me away from them.
Thanks, Bibbster!
The main problems that seemed to be an issue were the original trucks on the Shay. They were primarily plastic and the quality left something to be desired in some cases. I never had an issue with mine, but I didn't have a place to run it much.
The replacement trucks are mostly metal and HEAVY, which is what makes the Shay a real puller once modified with them. I think later runs of the 2-truck Shay included them as standard, but not sure. I think the 3-truck Shay came with the metal trucks, but again not sure (and remember it tends to need wider curves than the 2-truck, which is happy on the small radius LGB curves.)
Dr, Wayne,
Nice articulated!, needs a canteen for its thristy ways I see, tell us more...
Wayne..... The 2-6-6-2 is impressive. Feel free to tell us about it.
Wow, lots of fun seeing all the modeling grandeur on display this weekend, both indoor and outdoor!
Ed, Thanks for the WPF start-up. Still curious as to the materials you used in building your elevated roadway/overpass, it's really nice, the sidewalk, manhole covers, curb drain and lighting look good.
Bear, Your club layout pic had me searching the scene for Hobbits or Teletubbies.
Howmus, I like how a facia and valance immediately draws the eye to the railroad and frames the scenes, and yours is a great example. BTW, a big hats-off to your helping out the Scouts.
A hearty thanks to all and regards, Peter
Here's a Walthers 65' mill gon I weathered.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I swapped out the old Tsunami in my H 8 for a Version 4 Wow decoder
Here's a comparison video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWtinr82WqY
This week I completed framing up 3 local control panels for Boothbay Railway Village layout; now to get them installed.
Wow Terry, what a huge difference. Having no sound would be better than the Tsunami, after hearing the Wow Sound.