NWP SWP Ok I'm going to buy a Walthers building kit and give it a go
Ok I'm going to buy a Walthers building kit and give it a go
Steven, listen to Toms advice above...
You need to take 100 steps back and just start with the basics..
No, I would suggest putting together the following: Several (min. 6) more complex rolling stock kits - Bowser, Intermountain, Red Caboose, Proto 2000, Branchline...in that order A wood laser kit - AMB, Branchline, Blair Line, Bar Mills, GCLaser, etc. A craftsman kit where you have to size and cut the pieces yourself Super-detail one item from #1, #2, and #3 A simple kitbash project from styrene A simple scratchbuild structure from styrene A medium kitbash or scratchbuild project
No, I would suggest putting together the following:
Seriously though,
At this point you need to stop posting and actually listen to the advice you've been given. You're going around and around in circles and enough is enough.
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
NWP SWP Ok I'm going to buy a Walthers building kit and give it a go! I used to build 1000 piece lego sets in a snap! That was when I was 8 so I can manage building a structure... Wish me luck!
Ok I'm going to buy a Walthers building kit and give it a go!
I used to build 1000 piece lego sets in a snap! That was when I was 8 so I can manage building a structure...
Wish me luck!
Legos and plastic structure kits are two different animals, Steven. Legos allow you to assemble and easily disassemble if you mess up - without lasting effects; plastic kits are not quite so forgiving in either category. You'll also need to paint the kit either during or after assembly.
I think it would be better if you started with a more complex rolling stock kit(s), as outline in my initial post on pg. 1. If you are determined to put together a Walthers kit then do it and do NOT post or ask any questions here until you've completed it. Experinece, mistakes, and correcting those mistakes will be your best teacher.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
NWP SWP I used to build 1000 piece lego sets in a snap! That was when I was 8 so I can manage building a structure...
I think he's jackin' with us now...
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Great idea! Even if it's not an engine, every kit you build will add to your skills. Go to it! Keep us posted.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
To be honest, I don't fully agree with all the postings to build an endless string of freight cars and / or structures before attempting one of his mega monster engine projects. He doesn't want to build boxcars and buildings - he wants to build a massive engine !
Sometimes experience can be the best (and sometimes expensive) teacher. There's been more than a few guys have come into our store having never flown an R/C plane before and have their mind set on the big bad-ass R/C Spitfire. Going against our recommendations of starting smaller and really learning how to fly, they buy the Spitfire .... they are usually back the next week to buy a Cub Trainer and ask if parts are available for the Spitfire !
From a personal perspective, I was given a large model of the Cutty Sark when I was 7. My Dad and I always built models together, so I did have some experience, but not the amount needed for that one ! Dad suggested I hold off until I had more experience, but I picked at it until I knew I was way in over my head. I was 24 when I finally finished it ....
What I'm saying is - this is a hobby, not a life altering decision. If he wants to attack a monster engine, I say go for it. Experience is an amazing teacher. He'll know soon enough if he's over his head or not. Just don't expect to come here on an hourly basis and expect all of us to hold your hand through the entire process. Sure, post pictures of the progress as I'm sure helpful suggestions will follow, but don't expect anyone to provide step-by-step instructions for you.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
tstageIf you are determined to put together a Walthers kit then do it and do NOT post or ask any questions here until you've completed it.
Tom, So, if Steven doesn't start out building the models you think he should then he can expect no help from this forum? Somehow I don't think that is at all in the spirit of our gracious host; Model Railroader and the Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Regards, Peter
HO-Velo tstage If you are determined to put together a Walthers kit then do it and do NOT post or ask any questions here until you've completed it. Tom, So, if Steven doesn't start out building the models you think he should then he can expect no help from this forum? Somehow I don't think that is at all in the spirit of our gracious host; Model Railroader and the Kalmbach Publishing Co. Regards, Peter
tstage If you are determined to put together a Walthers kit then do it and do NOT post or ask any questions here until you've completed it.
Rich
Alton Junction
HO-Velo Tom, So, if Steven doesn't start out building the models you think he should then he can expect no help from this forum? Somehow I don't think that is at all in the spirit of our gracious host; Model Railroader and the Kalmbach Publishing Co. Regards, Peter
You're reading too far into Tom's reply to our young friend.
If you go back through the forums, you'll see that Steven (NWP-SWP) starts multiple topics daily with giant monsterous dreams, but with no budget, room, or skills to complete them. Young Steven has received comment after comment with advice, wisdom, encouragement, criticism, help with designs, feedback on ideas, and anything else you can imagine. This is routinely and frequently (near always) ignored while his ideas continue to fill the forums and end up frustrating other folks. Multiple attempts have been made to guide and help him see one project through, but it doesn't happen.
I don't believe Tom's comments were meant to be "Go do it and don't talk to us until it's done", but moreso "Go build it and see it through" because frankly enough is enough, and constantly wasting our time trying to help Steven is getting to be absolutely pointless around here. Case in point, he's moved on to other forums here within the Kalmbach community looking for input on his "dream" of building an enormous locomotive that he doesn't have the skills to build.
Steven if you can find some Intermountain hopper kits try to put them together a little harder than Accurail,Athearn blue box they are worth a try.
Russell
Peter,
Sorry if my statement to Steven came across harsh but it was a challenge for him to see the [kit] project through before getting back to us. As mentioned the experience and any mistakes Steven learns from it will be his best teacher - even if he struggles with it.
Steven has already put together a handful of (5) Accurail kits so even a Walthers kit will probably stretch and broaden his skills. I mentioned the more complex rolling stock kits as the next step up from Accurail because they would be less expensive than a Walthers structure kit but still accomplish the same task.
Just so I'm clear, I will look forward to hearing back from Steven if and when he completes the kit. Do it and learn...
Mark R. To be honest, I don't fully agree with all the postings to build an endless string of freight cars and / or structures before attempting one of his mega monster engine projects. He doesn't want to build boxcars and buildings - he wants to build a massive engine ! Sometimes experience can be the best (and sometimes expensive) teacher.
Sometimes experience can be the best (and sometimes expensive) teacher.
You obviously missed the part where Steven has stated he doesn't have a lot of tools, and not a lot of money.Urging him to spend a couple of hundred dollars on locomotive components and tools for a project that will frustrate and discourage him is bad, bad advice.
Bayfield Transfer Railway Urging him to spend a couple of hundred dollars on locomotive components and tools for a project that will frustrate and discourage him is bad, bad advice.
Urging him to spend a couple of hundred dollars on locomotive components and tools for a project that will frustrate and discourage him is bad, bad advice.
C'mon, the young man is dying to do it, why further discourage him.
Let him do what he says that he wants to do. Who knows, maybe he is a genius in waiting, and the kitbash will be a total success. If not, it will be a life lessson learned.
Someone ought to start a Go Fund Me account for Steven.
I'm not sure if it has been mentioned but another avenue for Steven to try would be to gather a few "basket-case" locomotives and make them "whole" again by diagnosing the problems then making the necessary repairs and getting a smooth running locomotive, presumably at a small cost but with some "sweat-equity" invested.
Another point about "kitbashing" a big project is the fact that many of us "old-timers" that have managed to build or kitbash locomotives, have at our disposal YEARS worth of shoe-boxes, parts drawers and old Athearn boxes full of trucks, U-joints, shafting, spare motors, bushings, hundreds, if not thousands of tiny screws of all description, wire, and on-and-on. I probably have several boxes of Athearn drive parts alone, along with Proto, Bowser, Stewart, Kato and such.
To attempt any kind of multi-axle, multi-motor, pivoted span bolster scratch/kitbash without this parts reserve would obviously get very expensive quickly, or as many have already stated, be doomed to failure for lack of resources.
Steven, since you have the means to travel to concerts, certainly you have someone who could take you to a train/model railroad show near you where you might be able to find some Atheran or Bowser diesels or even boxes of pieces/parts and, much like the old Erector Sets some of us geriatrics used to play with, see what you can come up with from that? I've seen ten-dollar grab bags of loco parts or basket-case engines at some of these shows and this can give you some good basic knoweledge of how drive systems are designed, where thrust washers are needed, what gear ratios work with what motor RPMs, etc. by tearing these down and making the repairs. Plus you will start amassing a parts supply on-the-cheap.
Look at some of the critters Darth Santa Fe has come up with using "found" parts and you will get an idea of what I'm getting at.
Good Luck, Ed
NWP SWP,
Don't lose your enthusiasm for model railroading. Keep moving forward.
While you're getting the kinks worked out of your monster builds, do a kit bash less extreme. Then you can keep modeling while researching. I've never done a kit bash but I think you've inspired me. I need to extend a loading dock platform.
Best of luck, dude.
T e d
Thanks for the advice, I'll try some persuading to see if a train show trip will be possible... It probably won't be till later in the year...
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
I found three shows in Texas would they be worth going to?
http://wghshow.com/hou2018/
http://www.samratx.org/shows.html
https://www.austineagle.org
There's nothing in or near Red Stick or N'orleans??? Seems like the fellas at your club layout should know of some more local shows than TX...
Nope, Baton Rouge has 2 clubs and 1 hobby shop, that's it for MRRing
I guess train shows must be more a northern thing because there are a ton of them up here each year. I have two in my area alone that are only a 1/2 hour drive for me. You would think that New Orleans would have at least one major show each year.
The WGH (World's Greatest Hobby) is a very nice show and a number of the major manufacturers and vendors attend those. The other two I'm not familiar with.
NWP SWPI found three shows in Texas would they be worth going to?
Of the three you list here, I would say your best bet would be the middle one, the Samtrax show. The WGH looks more like an entertainment venue and the Austin one looks like an NMRA layout tour type thing.
You want a swap meet/flea market type of show which sometimes includes modular layout setups.
Cheers! Ed
I would wait a few years if I were you and not jump into it without knowing for sure that you'll actually be able to do it. I've been in the hobby for thirty years and I still have problems with some projects such as building box car and refer kits. Skill comes with experience...
gmpullman The WGH looks more like an entertainment venue .... You want a swap meet/flea market type of show which sometimes includes modular layout setups.
The WGH looks more like an entertainment venue ....
WGH does have vendors and display layouts, in addition to industry booths. I'd wager it is one of the better teeth cutting shows around.
You guys said I need to build a stockpile of parts of clunkers to allow me to fiddle with some junkers and learn about kitbashing, well I found a lot of parts on eBay, would you guys consider it a good purchase or bad? Again to mention funds are limited so buying a couple dozen car kits then a dozen buildings, ect... doesn't fit my budget...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F152857631852
NWP SWP Again to mention funds are limited so buying a couple dozen car kits then a dozen buildings, ect... doesn't fit my budget...
Again to mention funds are limited so buying a couple dozen car kits then a dozen buildings, ect... doesn't fit my budget...
???...No one said you had to buy all the kits at once. Buy one or two as the funds are available. I didn't buy all my diesel and steam locomotives in one shot; nor did I do the same with my rolling stock. It took many years to accumulate them.
NWP SWP You guys said I need to build a stockpile of parts of clunkers
You guys said I need to build a stockpile of parts of clunkers
You guys??? IIRC, Ed was the one who made the suggestion to you about the bag of parts. "You guys" would imply a majority of responders to this thread recommending that and I don't see that being the case here. You're reading what you want from the thread.
So, I assume you're foregoing the Walthers kit? Sounds to me you've got your mind made up. Go ahead and make a bid and see what happens. Be prepared to bid a bit more than the starting bid though...
Steven,
I believe You may have been getting some good advice about attempting to build some things, rolling stock, buildings and such......but in My opinion.......that is putting the cart before the horse. What I believe You should spend some of Your time/money on is the tools to able to assemble some of the things You are speaking of and learn what they are used for....razor saw, xacto knives. miniature screw drivers.jewlers files etc. You don't need tools to assemble Legos....but You surely will need some of the tools mentioned to assemble any kit. You can get by with a lot of Harbor Freight tools to get You started. Even a HO scale rule, a track/wheel gauge etc. Nothing beats having the correct tool in Any project!
Good Luck, To You!
Frank
Actually no I still am undecided... I might ask for the kit for my birthday (the 28th) and buy the locomotive lot myself because I don't think my parents would understand me chopping them up to build new creations...
NittanyLion I'd wager it is one of the better teeth cutting shows around.
I guess the smiling Thomas threw me off. Looking at the photo page I didn't see that many vendors. Maybe they weren't very photogenic.
http://wghshow.com/photo-gallery/
Thanks for straightening me out, Ed
gmpullman NittanyLion I'd wager it is one of the better teeth cutting shows around. I guess the smiling Thomas threw me off. Looking at the photo page I didn't see that many vendors. Maybe they weren't very photogenic. http://wghshow.com/photo-gallery/ Thanks for straightening me out, Ed
The smiling Thomas is, uh, uncomfortably in your face on their site indeed. I attended the show a few years back in Cleveland and while there were some Thomas rides for the kiddos, I thought it was better than a lot of shows that I've been to. I recall spending quite a bit! I know that City Classics was there with his display layout, I bought some cars from the Conrail Historic Society, and so on.
While your kitbash project sounds cool, it remains technically very difficult and expensive. It involves a lot of skills and tools: cutting, drilling, soldering, fastening, painting, etc. Buying a clunker loco will most likely involve troubleshooting and fixing a steam engine. It may also involve buying spare parts - and that is both difficult and expensive.
My recommendation: find yourself a small steam engine to build (kit) or to fix. That will allow you to learn things gradually. It would be easier to get something that runs. A good choice would be a mantua or mdc 0-6-0 with a tender (the tender is important for smooth running). Get a model that does not have a valve gear. If you are lucky you might get one free from a member at your club (clubs get lots of donations). Fix it, change the tender, add some details, paint it and add decals. You will learn a lot (especially if share your progress here) AND it will be rewarding and not expensive.
Good luck!
Simon
"you guys" have a lot more paticience than I do, after months of wrangling and all the advise just bouncing off the brick wall I'm surprised folks aren't seeing the trend and backing off. This kid needs professional help if any real progress is going to be made. Patience is not the solution, that much is crystal clear by now.
Steven has been given sound advise over and over and over. Now everyone needs to just stop feeding the dysfunctional side and let him impliment what has been recommened already umpteen times.
I understand it is tempting to keep on trying, but most of you know the definition of insanity by now: doing the same thing over and over and over, and expecting a different result. I think we are past the insanity stage now. Resist the schartz!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983