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 ....
You want a swap meet/flea market type of show which sometimes includes modular layout setups.
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.
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...
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.
Cheers! Ed
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.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Nope, Baton Rouge has 2 clubs and 1 hobby shop, that's it for MRRing
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
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...
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
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...
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
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
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.
Rich
Alton Junction
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.
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.
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.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
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.
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
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...
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
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.
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
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.
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
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!
Great idea! Even if it's not an engine, every kit you build will add to your skills. Go to it! Keep us posted.
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
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.
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.
NWP SWPwould you guys agree that'd be something that would be a good first kitbash?
No. I concur with Tom's evalutation. Start small then work your way to the bigger projects.
My first kit was an N scale box car when I was 8 or so. That was somewhat successful. There was an interviening few years of more important things (cars, girls, larger model trains, USN) that got in the way. My second kit was a box car 5 years ago. The third kit I built (a week after the second) was a Branchline passenger car.
I learned a lot from that Branchline kit. The most important thing I learned was that I didn't know what I was doing.
So I built some athearn BB kits, Accurail kits then proceded to start building structures. Ive recently completed my first bridges, central valley girder bridges.
I too have a locomotive scratchbuild in mind, but I know that my skills are not quite there yet. That hasnt stopped me from obtaining the appropriate brass detail parts, basic metal shapes, appropriate instructions and tooling to procede with the work.
Watch the movie "What about Bob?".....baby steps...
NWP SWPso I thought of taking a Rivarossi El Cheapo Grande Big Boy and Cab Forward and make the two into a 4-8-8-4 Cab Forward then detail and paint the locomotive...
My opinion on this project:
Skip the whole Big Boy and figure out how to mount a 4 wheel trailing truck in place of the two wheel on the Cab Forward. It is doubtful that if SP had made a 4-8-8-4 Cab forward that it would look much different than their existing cab forwards.
Also note.
The 4-8-8-4 Big Boy had a 4 wheel trailing truck to support the weight of the firebox and a 4 wheel leading truck for guiding the locomotive around curves at higher speeds. The Cab Forward has its firebox at the front. The purposes are therefore combined. If you look carefully at the Cab Forward's trailing truck, the only thing it is supporing is a giant deck and the cylinders. Replacing this with 4 wheel truck in both model and prototype would have reduced weight on the drivers, making them more prone to slippage.
Thats not to say don't do it.
The internet has become a blessing and a curse. With the endless stream of information available, a lot of people get bogged down with an idea or project for fear of doing something wrong or something that doesn't make sense.
I recall many times myself as a young lad, having a box of left-over / broken engines and trying to cobble something together that would look neat and maybe even run. I didn't have the luxury of the internet to ask the masses if what I wanted to do would make sense .... or if it would even work. If I remember correctly, that wasn't even a concern.
I jumped in full steam ahead fully believing my odd creation would somehow work. For the most part - in most cases they never did pan out as I had envisioned and I don't recall any that actually got to the point of running to any degree.
But .... I learned a lot in the process. How to chop up shells and combine different pieces. How to mount trucks that would actually negotiate a radius tighter than 60 inches. How to configure various drive components. And on and and on ....
If I had been inundated with logic and common sense about some of those projects, I no doubt would not have even attempted any of them.
Turn off the computer and turn on the imagination. Live in your own little world and get creative - who knows what you may come up with, and I guarantee, you WILL learn something.
ACY Tom OK. I'm still trying to figure out just what is a Cab Forward Big Boy, and why on earth anybody would want one. I've studied steam locos for most of my 72 years and never heard of such a preposterous thing. It's hard enough to do a credible job replicating things that really existed. Are we modelers or cartoonists? Tom
OK.
I'm still trying to figure out just what is a Cab Forward Big Boy, and why on earth anybody would want one. I've studied steam locos for most of my 72 years and never heard of such a preposterous thing. It's hard enough to do a credible job replicating things that really existed. Are we modelers or cartoonists?
What's so preposterous about it? If the SP needed any bigger locos, that would have been the next step up, a 4-8-8-4 cab forward. They already went up to 4-8-8-2, what's another 2 wheels on the trailing truck?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
dknelsonI happen to think a more interesting kitbash if you do have an El Cheapo Big Boy and cab forward (I assume AHM/Rivarossi) and the skills, would be to see how close you could come to a DM&IR Yellowstone, or something sort of like it.
Now THAT sounds interesting.
Mike.
My You Tube
Southgate Perhaps if this satisfies your ambition to modify big steam, SP did make some big articulated rear cab 2-8-8-4s, AC-9, basically cab forwards turned around. These were never released in plastic, only limited brass. So they don't get modeled too often. And I personally think they are among, if not the most beautiful heavy articulateds ever built*. So it would be fairly unusual, yet totally prototypical. Interesting story behind them too, allowing for some plausable imagineering. Channel that wonderful enthusiasm of yours into projects with staying power. You'll know what I mean later if not sooner. And again, save the big stuff for when you have some practice under your belt. Dan * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_class_AC-9 Or see the book, Steam's Finest Hour, page 109. (Kalmbach Publishing) I fairly recently picked up a used one up on Amazon, very reasonably priced. Awesome book!
Perhaps if this satisfies your ambition to modify big steam, SP did make some big articulated rear cab 2-8-8-4s, AC-9, basically cab forwards turned around. These were never released in plastic, only limited brass. So they don't get modeled too often. And I personally think they are among, if not the most beautiful heavy articulateds ever built*. So it would be fairly unusual, yet totally prototypical. Interesting story behind them too, allowing for some plausable imagineering.
Channel that wonderful enthusiasm of yours into projects with staying power. You'll know what I mean later if not sooner. And again, save the big stuff for when you have some practice under your belt. Dan
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_class_AC-9
Or see the book, Steam's Finest Hour, page 109. (Kalmbach Publishing) I fairly recently picked up a used one up on Amazon, very reasonably priced. Awesome book!
ACY TomI'm still trying to figure out just what is a Cab Forward Big Boy