Good evening from cloudy, cold, and rainy/snowy Northeast Ohio
I am posting early this week as I am taking my wife to the hospital for an operation early tomorrow morning.
This is the thread where modelers can show completed projects, projects under construction or new or old layout photos.
Got some models done this week!
Finished off the last of the sheet of Western Maryland decals, building a Branchline 1944 AAR Boxcar kit, painted with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red and lettered with Microscale Decals. This car was originally built in 1953 in the 2500 class of boxcars, it was rebuilt in 1971 lowering the ladders and removing the roofwalk as was renumbered into the 25000 series. Used in general service on the WM.
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!
Ok, something small to share:
I was happy to finally get an Athearn Amtrak SDP40F! A nice plus for me is that it's a model of unit #629, as I took photos of the prototype in service. A High-5 to Athearn for the impressive and accurate detailing!
Originally I wanted a non-sound version as my plan was to install a Loksound set up. But since this sound equipped unit was selling for just $38 more than a non-sound version, I went for it.
I'm not a Soundtraxx fan, but I'll try it with the Tsunami for a while. The only changes I plan to make on the body/chassis (in addition to light weathering) is to install Kadee couplers and to remove the Ice Cutters on the cab roof. The prototype's cutters were removed just before she was transfered from California to the U.S east coast for service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor, which are the Amtrak trains that I'm modeling.
Photo below: Here's the prototype 629 on the Silver Star in the Tampa Bay area. She's in the Phase III scheme and, for those not aware, sporting a K5LA horn!
Overall, I'm happy to have this unit on my roster and hope to get a second one in the future.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Hope things go well for your wife, Rick.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I just got a new MTH Dash 9. I lightly weathered it a bit.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Thank you for getting the WPF up and running, Rick. I wish you and your wife well. Great job, as usual on the rolling stock. A friend of mine owned a Wabash caboose like that. I'll have to find a photo and get the number.
It seems as though this is the weekend to unveil new locomotives for many of us!
Antonio, you won't be disappointed with the Tsunami-2. I was really suprised and have purchased several more T-2s. They are LOUD! I had to cut the volume by about 60%. You did the right thing by getting the sound already installed in your SDP-40F. The lighting alone would have been a real challenge. Have you tried the emergency stop button yet?
A new Dash-9 for Michael I need to catch up with weathering, too!
My package with an Erie Lackawanna A & B FA-B-1 arrived along with a B&O B unit to go with the A-A set I had previously.
The hostler is checking brake piston travel.
EL_7381-pit by Edmund, on Flickr
EL_7381-f by Edmund, on Flickr
BnO_4011-FA1 by Edmund, on Flickr
BnO_4011-FA-aba by Edmund, on Flickr
Rapido did an amazing job with this run of Alcos
BnO_4011-FB-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Hopefully our trusty moderator can combine the threads and bring Jimmy into the fold.
On to more great contributions! Ed
AntonioFP45 California to the U.S east coast for service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor, which are the Amtrak trains that I'm modeling. Photo below: Here's the prototype 629 on the Silver Star in the Tampa Bay area. She's in the Phase III scheme and, for those not aware, sporting a K5LA horn! Overall, I'm happy to have this unit on my roster and hope to get a second one in the future.
California to the U.S east coast for service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor, which are the Amtrak trains that I'm modeling.
Thats a great looking Amtrak locomotive there. I think you should keep the ice breakers, it looks cool with them on there.
AntonioFP45 Ok, something small to share: I was happy to finally get an Athearn Amtrak SDP40F! A nice plus for me is that it's a model of unit #629, as I took photos of the prototype in service. A High-5 to Athearn for the impressive and accurate detailing! Originally I wanted a non-sound version as my plan was to install a Loksound set up. But since this sound equipped unit was selling for just $38 more than a non-sound version, I went for it. I'm not a Soundtraxx fan, but I'll try it with the Tsunami for a while. The only changes I plan to make on the body/chassis (in addition to light weathering) is to install Kadee couplers and to remove the Ice Cutters on the cab roof. The prototype's cutters were removed just before she was transfered from California to the U.S east coast for service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor, which are the Amtrak trains that I'm modeling. Overall, I'm happy to have this unit on my roster and hope to get a second one in the future.
For me the arrival of this recent batch of SDP40F's from athearn was nothing small. I've been waiting this version with the ice-breakers for a long time. The reason is I road the Amtrak San Francisco Zephyr (SFZ) as a teen twice:
1) One summer I travelled to Iowa from California with my aunt and uncle and then road back on the SFZ. The one big disappointment is we left Denver and skirted the Rockies all the way to Cheyenne WY, and then headed west. My family had driven west from Denver on 70 and I naively thought the train would also follow that route. (many years later I rode the Superliner Amtrak CZ and did get to travel the route I had hoped - by then I knew much more about the D&RGW and it's route thu the Rockies, not around them.
2) Second trip was the following year and I road the SFZ from Sacramento over Donner Pass east to Denver. No dome on that train, which was a another disappointment as there usually was a dome on it.
Anyway, I've always wanted to model the SFZ so when Athearn Genesis finally announced the SDP40F's, I had to wait for the 4th run before they offered the version and numbers assigned to the SFZ. I too would have preferred Loksound but bought a couple of the Tsu2 versions to try out. The number series for the phase 1 paint are all from number series assigned to the SFZ, which included 583, 584, 585, 586, 587 and 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629.
Here is #629 on the SFZ over the Sierras"
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1137584,4938024#msg-4938024
When Athearn finally announced this run with the icebreakers, I started hunting for appropriate passenger cars. Since Walthers has run a number of name-trains, they re-ran many of those passenger cars in Amtrak paint so many of the typical heritage passenger cars can be found in Amtrak phase 1 and 2 paint, although the SFZ mostly ran with phase 1 passenger cars until the train was equipped with Superliner cars around 1980. So between Walthers and Broadway Ltd painted Amtrak cars, the dogs breakfast passenger train can be modeled fairly well.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I hadn't seen this posted last night. So here's what I have
For any Pittsburghers, this is going to be the bridge crossing over Brownsville road outside of castle Shannon. Still neefs weathering and some detail parts
Let's see what everyone else is working on
(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).
MotleyI just got a new MTH Dash 9.
Russell
With being off work for the past 3 weeks and the weather not condusive to outside work I have . quarantined myself to the shop to work on models. Finished up some Piggyback trailers this week.
Rick .... Thanks for starting this thread. I hope the surgery went well for your wife. The AA RR FA2's and caboose look great .Freight cars look good too.
Antonio .... Nice looking SDP40F.
JaBear .... LOL LOL
Michael .... Nice looking MTH Dash 9.
Ed .... Your FA's and FB's are beautiful.
Jimmy .... Your bridge looks great.
Mel ... I'm impressed with your workmanship. The crossing signals are fantastic.
Pike 62 ..... Your TOFC trailers are nice looking.
Here is some work in progress . I am making some grade crossings. First picture shows I glued boards in place. ..... Second photo is another crossing, and it shows I stained boards, added pavement, and added some scenery. ... More wrok is needed .
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
csxns Motley I just got a new MTH Dash 9. Where did you get this MTH loco i have one and need another to run with it.Can't find any MTH Dash nines anywhere.
Motley
I just got a new MTH Dash 9.
Where did you get this MTH loco i have one and need another to run with it.Can't find any MTH Dash nines anywhere.
Hello csxns,
I got the MTH Dash 9s at Trainworld. Also look on ebay. They have a lot them still. And for great price $149 w/sound.
They are heavy great pullers, and smooth as butter. I usually run all the MTH locomotives together, and no need for speed matching.
Also I just heard MTH is releasing new SD70Aces soon.
Rick thanks for starting WPF I like them all especially the Red Caboose
Antonio great job on the Amtrak
Bear you're a card I always have loved your humor
Michael nice weathering job on the UP I like it
Ed as always the locomotives look fantastic
Jimmy good job on the bridge
Mel those scratch-built cross signals look sweet
Pike I always loved piggybacks Nice!
Garry those grade Crossings turned out really good I'm sure that was tedious
I started a thread a while back making some double HO portals out of foam I ended up getting sidetracked and putting things on the back burner so I'll post the progress here
Sisters
I got the base coat color on next some India ink and then some dry brush brushing
Fun to be here It's been a while
TF
RR_Mel I decided I needed a crossing signal at my crossing but either they were too much money or a couple of months delivery so I went to the brass scrap bin and about an hour each I came up with these.
Ain't scratchbuilding fun .....
I had a bit of a setback, I managed to completly "Maul" one of my cars side's.
Not to fear..... I anticipated a few "Boo-Boo's" along the way, so I made enough part's for Three or Four cars. I have been busy drilling hole's into the stake's ( 72 holes in all ) and after 4 hour's , this is the result.
That's all I cand stand for one night..... Uhhhhg !! All those tiny bolt's ...... my eye's !!! My eye's !!!
( BTW: since there are Two WPF thread's this week, should I post a different project on the other thread ? I am still working on the "Pile " of Tankcar's .... )
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Track fiddlerI started a thread a while back making some HO portals out of foam I ended up getting sidetracked and putting things on the back burner so I'll post the progress here
Those portal's are coming along nicely ! I have been meaning to try something like that.
Bear .... LOL
TF .... Your tunnel portals look good.
Timmy .... Nice work on your freight car project. Sorry to hear you "mauled" one of them., however.
I don't have any pictures this week, but I still love this thread.
Great work, everyone. Mel, I need some crossing signals on my N layout, but I don't have your skill at making such things. Fantastic work!
York1 John
MotleyI got the MTH Dash 9s at Trainworld.
York1 I don't have any pictures this week, but I still love this thread. Great work, everyone. Mel, I need some crossing signals on my N layout, but I don't have your skill at making such things. Fantastic work!
Rick- Good looking cars as usual. I like the Ann Arbor caboose and the Wabash FAs. You don't see the Wabash livery very often. I wish only the best for your wife.
Antonio- Good to see you back. I think you will like the Tsunami.
Motley- The Dash 9 is a good looking loco.
Ed- An impressive group of locos.
riogrande- Some interesting facts. Thanks.
Jimmy- Quite a bridge.
Mel- Some good looking crossing lights.
pike- Good job on the flats and loads.
Garry- Good job!
TrackFiddler- Those are some great looking portals. Impressive work.
LittleTimmy- I feel for you. I once made 108 guardrail post in on batch.
Mel- Great work and imagination!
Bear- Thanks for the humor!!!
I finally got my pipeline on wheels done.
Here are all 15-cars finished.
Here are the tank cars westbound behind my matched pair of InterMoutain F7s.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE !!!!
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/
I always enjoy Weekend Photo Fun.
I do not have time for a proper reply. I have not been on the forums much in the past few days. I have been doing the demolishion for my house remodel, and there is a deadline to get it done. They are hauling off the dumpster on Tuesday.
I did find this cardbaord train I bought at the Transpotation Museum in Norfolk, Virginia a couple of years ago, and I put it together.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I am enjoying the thread as always. Keep it coming!
Rick: Nice cars & loco. I wonder where you keep them all!
Antonio: That Athearn Amtrak loco is good looking.
Michael: I treasure my 2 (Kato) Dash 9s. Yours look great with the weathering.
Ed: Nice photos. Can we PM about how to improve depth of field? I have a Canon M50 that surely has more capability than I am achieving.
Jimmy: Brownsville Rd out of Pittsburgh would surely go by my wife's hometown of California PA.
Mel: Your crossbuck signals show some real skill and patience.
Pike62: I like those piggybacks. I should research the timeframe, as I lack that type of rolling stock.
Garry: Nice work on the hand laid crossings. No need for commercials stuff that would not compare.
TF: Impressive work on the tunnel portals. I enjoyed making a couple with plywood back, plus timbers glued to that.
Timmy: Those car sides are way past my patience threshold. They look great.
Allan: The NYC F7s remind be of a ride I begged from Spuyten Duyvil to downtown with some freiends, pulled by F units. Great memories.
Kevin: The carboard train concept is a great way to mitigate the "this hobby is so expensive" issue! I have a wooden one, a step up...
This week I completed a first pass on scenery addition (details can be added) so I was able to re-install the backdrop and removed buildings. Next I need to dive under the table and reconnect the building lighting wires to their barrier strips. I took a few photos but, again, anyone willing to PM on my depth of field issue is most welcome to do so.
IMG_7082 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_7089 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_7096 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_7099 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Hey guys; compliments on the good photos and info you've all been sharing!
Re: My SDP40F, thank you for the kind replies. Motley, I agree that the Ice Cutter does look cool, but Amtrak units assigned to the east coast did not have them, which is why I'm removing mine. From a prototypical standpoint, it made sense to remove them since it made it easier for Amtrak's mechanics to access the horns.
As always,it's great/inspiring to see what everyone's been doing.
Cupla night shots:
Plenty of weekend left,keep the pictures coming!
Mike
middlemanPlenty of weekend left,keep the pictures coming!
Antonio's stable mate:
Amtrak_SDP2 by Edmund, on Flickr
I have a soft spot for these SDP40Fs, too
Cheers, Ed
Rick, Thanks for opening the WPF, hoping all is well your way. As always I'm liking your handsome models, the NP covered hopper wearing BN green is especially interesting.
Mel, Your Xing signals are fine examples of some super fine work.
TF, Really nice looking portals, great carving technique.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers, have a good weekend and Happy Easter, regards, Peter
Ed,
High 5 to ya!
gmpullman Amtrak_SDP2 by Edmund, on Flickr I have a soft spot for these SDP40Fs, too Cheers, Ed
Pike-62 : I love those Lakawana TOFC trailer's
peahrensTimmy: Those car sides are way past my patience threshold. They look great.
Thank's ! ( their a pain in the ... well you know. ) But, I HAD to use real wood because, "Nothing look's like wood except wood." Let's face it, I can and have painted plastic to look like wood.
But , I think my side's look better.
Anyway's... So far today, I managed to get the wooddeck on the smaller watertender.
EDIT: Let me get a better picture of it. ( less "clutter" around it.)
And, I started on the Queenpost's and cable's on the larger watertender.
Ok everybody. We still have a whole day left in this weekend...... let's get some more picture's up here !