Welcome!
Another great weekend to post photos of your modeling projects, train goodies, trackside scenes or anything that has to do with a layout.
As always, Thanks for your contributions.
TF
Good morning everyone!
Kevin had another weekend getaway, so decided to take the reins hosting Weekend Photo Fun this week.
Not much on deck for me. Just been working on some new piers for bridge #1.
Did an experiment with foam piers quite a while ago but never liked them.
Cut some two piece wood piers on the field saw a while back.
Gave the piers a few coats of 5 minute setting plaster. Plan to add a sporadically lined skim coat of baby blue mud to look like they were poured in masonry plank forms.
As of now, they just look like "Stonehenge"
Looking forward to seeing everyone's photos this weekend. Thanks for your participation and post-em if you got em please
Thanks for the starter, TF!
Can you "Bear" another visit to the chip pile? No Matter what glues I used, the final coat of chips looked like a hard shell. So I borrowed an idea from the "live loads" guys, and just left the final layer, just a dusting, loose. The spillage onto the dock and other places adds to the realism, as chips are an unruly commodity anyway.
To highling all the differences of the overhaul, here's a "before" look, a picture of the original pile waiting to be blended in.
OK, on to...smaller and maybe better things.
in the early 2000s, I bought 3 P2K Alco S-1 switchers. One was WAY slower than the others. Long story short, I eventually remotored it. That helped, but it wasn't very smooth despite having flywheels. If you can call 'em that.
New motor, and the new flywheels, with the tiny originals. This mod required removing the top frame from the chassis to fit the flywheels in.
Original motor, that I killed trying to save it, with one the same size and shape of the new one. I simply hot glued the new setup in the frame
Here's the smooth running Alco, pushing a trio of cement hoppers over some new trackwork.
There had been a switch there, but it gave me derailment fits despite several working overs. I decided to replace it altogether. The switch was code 55 handlaid. Man that stuff is finicky, at least in my hands.
I was going to make a new code 70 switch that connects two spurs, but decided that I could just go with 2 stub end spurs, simple and clean. Well see if I can get it all ballasted and blended in, in time to include in this WPF.
That's my week's activity. Lets see yours.
Dan
Track Fiddler, I was writing my post while you were developing yours! I have to say, for a layout that has no track or scenery down, yours is absolutely amazing already with all your bridges and the substructure supporting them. I'm enjoying following the progress on it. Dan
Southgate 2 ...as chips are an unruly commodity anyway.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good morning
What a complement. Thanks for your kind words Dan as it put a smile on my face. Great results with the natural dusting on the wood chip pile as you definitely nailed it! Hope it gives off a hint of pine pitch aroma in your layout room. Always loved that smell. Glad you got your Alco switcher motor squared away. Had a U36B with a stripped worm gear I replaced a while back. Tedious stuff but always rewarding to get them working again.
Thank you as well Bear. The persistence captured in the Toon carried over into this week made me chuckle One of my favorites of the '70s was the Hamms Beer commercial. The wood chip activity here reminded me of when the bear rolled in the wood chips, so I gathered two clips from that old classic.
Thanks for the posts and keep em coming please
P.S. I'm hoping you'll post some of those old earth toned black and white layout photos of yours even if you've posted them before Bear. Really enjoy those ones.
TF, I always thought it was "Hamm's, the Beer Refreshing"
Now I see it's "Hamm's, The BEAR Refreshing"!!!
TF, thanks for starting this week's WPF. With Kevin out of town, it's great we have other forum members step up to help. Your bridges are coming along great. You inspire me to keep at my bridge work.
Dan, that chip pile looks good either way. Nice work on the Alco motor. Your new flywheels should make running much smoother.
I haven't had a good week of work on the layout, but I got a little done. I am struggling to get the new bridge installed. I have made some temporary bridge supports that I am adjusting to get the correct height. The last time, I had a slight height difference between the bridge deck and the approach. It was difficult to see, but it caused train issues. This time, I'm really working to get the approach and the bridge deck at the exact same height and slant -- no bumps or rises.
Thanks to everyone for keeping this thread such an interesting one each week!
York1 John
Good morning from cloudy, cold, snowy and windy Northeast Ohio!
TF, thanks for starting us out and wow, what great bridges I love seeing your work on those!
Dan, those wood chip piles are still amazing, a couple of my club members did some at a friends layout and it was a lot of work.
Bear, you need to go away from the Bear Toons and get back to modeling, as you do great work also.
Here are my completed models for the week!
Alpha Models import of a PRR Class N8 Cabin Car. Not much modeling involved, painted the car with Scalecoat PRR Freight Car Red and Black paints then lettered with Champ Decals.
Next, IMWX 1937 AAR Boxcar kit, with Yarmouth Models Sill Steps in place of the kit supplied plastic ones. Car was painted with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red and lettered with Speedwitch Media decals. Car was in general service on the NH, many were eventually sold to other railroads as the financial condition of the NH deteriorated.
I am also working on changing the details on a Brian Everett special run of Accurail DT&I boxcars in the 18100 class. This was the closest car to the prototype, but have to change the door from 8' to 9' and remove the grabs and replace with ladders which I have done. I have to mask the car to preserve the lettering as it is correct then touch up the changed parts with BN Cascade Green paint.
New Haven U25b and C-425 painted in the bankruptcy scheme going by the main yard of the Strongsville Model Railroad club with a general freight!
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!
Hi folks,
TF: Thanks for opening up the WPF thread. That bridge scene is really coming along.
Dan: The chips look very realistic. About the switchers, I would have sworn that that motor was from an Atlas engine... My memory is not getting better.
John: The bridge looks good! A little patience, and I'm sure you will get it right.
Rick: You gotta love those Pensy antennas!
A few pics of my latest efforts on my scenery work. Next steps will be water, grasses, trees and other foliage:
IMG_20221111_111438c on Flickr
IMG_20221111_110712b on Flickr
Simon
Good evening
Southgate 2 TF, I always thought it was "Hamm's, the Beer Refreshing" Now I see it's "Hamm's, The BEAR Refreshing"!!!
Certainly am liking that second bridge you built and that charcoal color you chose John. I see you got the V supports installed on the upper horizontals from the last time you posted and they look great. Now you're the Inspiration as I'm feeling the need to put those anti-sways on the bridge I'm re-working and I think I'm gonna.
A caboose with lots of character. It's fascinating Rick, how the Pennsy Cabeese had such elaborate radio antennas and now you get reception almost anywhere with a little device in the palm of your hand. Man, technology has changed!
That double bridge scene is beautiful Simon and I'm a big fan of Shays. Hope to see a follow up of that scene in the weeks ahead as I can hardly wait to see you're finished scenery.
Great stuff guys! ...
keep em coming please
Well, here is a shot of my "helper" in the midst of my rather messy work area, which has since been cleaned up.
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
Thanks for kicking off this blustery November (for some of us) WPF, TF!
Lots of excellent contributions from the busy modelers this weekend.
tankertoad135Well, here is a shot of my "helper" in the midst of my rather messy work area, which has since been cleaned up.
Yep, my "lab assistant" is always at the ready, well, at least ready for a long nap that is.
Wilson_Relaxing by Edmund, on Flickr
I've still been on my quest to get through maybe an additional two-dozen or so decoder/speaker upgrades to some of my roster candidates. Not very photogenic but it sure makes for some improved sounds and running qualities.
A few examples:
Rapido-FA2_SSS-tank weights by Edmund, on Flickr
This Rapido FA is one of five getting the Scale Sound treatment. That's the fuel tank where I discovered I could pry open and add some weight since the stock weight had to be removed for the larger speaker.
PRR_L1_Tsunami by Edmund, on Flickr
This Pennsy L1 has never sounded (or ran) better after removing the stock Broadway guts and Paragon decoder.
PRR_GG1-4903 old guts by Edmund, on Flickr
Even a couple of my GG1s are getting the treatment.
EL_B DCC Speaker by Edmund, on Flickr
Still have about a dozen Athearn Genesis engines to get around to. Finally here's a Broadway Alco RSD-15 that has a more "Alco-Like" sound:
BLI_PRR_RS11_8616-SSS by Edmund, on Flickr
After changing the speaker and giving the engine another evaluation I decided to keep the BLI decoder in there. It wasn't quite as nice as an ESU or Tsunami but for as often as I run this engine it'll do.
There's a few more but after a while they all begin to look the same.
In another week or two I'm going to hit the paint booth and get caught up on some much needed weathering of locos and rolling stock.
On to more great stuff, folks!
Regards, Ed
Thanks to TF for starting us out this week.
TF - Your bridges continue to impress.
Dan - The woodchip piles look great.
Bear - How do you come up with these week after week!!
John - looks like that bridge is coming along.
Rick - Always loved the look of the Pennsy cabeese with the trainphone antennas.
Simon - That rock working is coming along.
Don - Glad I don't have any assistants like that.
Ed - Interesting to see all of the different installs that you are working on.
This week I'm finishing up a locomotive that I shared a picture of a few weeks ago.
Here's the locomotive 4 weeks ago. It's an Atlas Classic GP-7 that had the awful Zito yellow paint scheme before I repainted with TruColor paints.
Here it is after reshaping the fuel and water tank on the bottom, adding Microscale decals and a couple of shots of Dullcoat.
Not too bad for a $40 swap table find.
Keep em coming everyone.
Scott Sonntag
Picked up this gem on eBay last week: Alco Models NYC T-3...
The exterior is in very nice shape but the unit arrived with one of the four spring drive belts broken and its nearby sibling slipping on the knurled pulley:
Trainz has some round replacements springs the right diameter. I'm finding out from them if they are the correct OD (0.05").
I'd like to eventually replace the open-frame motor with a can motor. The knurled pulleys are removable on the original 2.4mm motor shafts.
I looked at possibly installing Stanton drives to power the center trucks. Unfortunately, the smallest Stanton drive is 6'-6" and the prototype truck is 5'-0". I thought the drives might work for the 6'-6" leading trucks. However, the shell isn't long enough to cover the threaded center post of the drive that would come up through the deck.
Other ideas suggested and/or looking into:
I've also done the measurement of the original open-frame motor and am looking into what can motors are available that will fit within the same footprint. These projects can be kinda fun to tackle and figure out but you need to nail down the moving parts, so to speak.
Tom
[Edit: 11/20/22 - Discovered last night that the spring drive belts have to be disconnected before they can be successfully removed from the pulleys. Otherwise, they won't clear the two slot openings at each end of the motor base plate. [Duh!] And that means that rubber O-rings can be officially eliminated from the list of viable solutions. Making progress...]
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
A little catching up before a couple more photos.
John, nice bridge! Getting stuff level and even is deceptively difficult. We know you'll whoop it.
Rick, great looking cars, as now we've come to expect. NH always seemed to have great looking paint schemes on their locos.
Simon, the scenery is coming along beautifully.
Ed, amazing work on the decoders. I admire the DCC guys, wish I had the patience! (technologically challenged)
Handsome loco, Scott. Nice work.
Tom, I hope you get the drives figured out on the T-3. A loco that nice, and unusual needs to run!
Well, as I was hoping, I doctored up the mess I made tearing out that pointless switch. (pun intended) While I was at it, I leveled up the track all the way around the curve so I can use delayed uncoupling without trouble. There's a lever controlled magnet where that yellow pinhead is next to the track, marking its location.
By the way, it wasn't a gentle procedure. That's a 2 inch wood chisel being driven under the ballasted track and roadbed.
All cleaned up, new track-n-ballast:
Theres still time for more!
Thanks for the appreciated compliments.
Some great stuff posted here this weekend. Fun to see the variety of projects.
Certainly will be rewarding to get your decoders and speakers replaced on your roster favorites Ed. Your efforts will have a good pay off with the better sound and performance for sure.
Really like the Pennsy L1
Sure did a nice job re-painting and detailing the Chicago Northwestern GP-7 Scott.
A unique one as I've never seen that paint Scheme. Would like to see the before and after comparison as those are always fun.
Nice score on the NCY T-3 Tom. Confident you'll get the drive belt, can motor and the rest of your maintenance punch list worked through. I gathered years ago that you thrive and enjoy working on all that kinda stuff.
Always appreciated the fine detail of brass locomotives ever since my Dad took me to see the neighbor's large collection in the late '60s. Those things looked like a fine crafted bar of gold to a little guy back then.
Remember you mentioning you were going to finish ironing out that problem area and ballast it this weekend Dan.
Took care of that rather quickly and didn't leave a trace you were even there just like it's supposed to be. It will be nice to no longer have derailments and the uncoupling of cars working correctly now. Great job!
Thanks for all the contributions thus far.
On to more pics & projects please
What a great start to this week's edition of Weekend Photo Fun.
Fiddler: Thank you ofr starting the thread for up while I was away in Orlando. More nice bridge work I see. Your work on these is amazing.
Dan: Great job remotoring the switcher. I have never had success making my own turnouts, much less with code 55 rail!
Bear: As always, the toons are very apprciated.
John: Your bridge is also looking good!
Rick: Your paint job and decaks on the PRR N-8 caboose is beautiful.
Simon: Your scenery is coming along nicely. Great picture of the Shay.
Don: Your fluffy helper is quite the critter.
Ed: That is a lot of determination to get all these decoder upgrades cmpete. You must be spending a lot of time at the workbench.
Scott: Good job with the Atlas GP7 upgrades. That was wel worth it.
Tom: That is a beautiful model. I hope you can get it to run as good as it looks.
I received a great item in the mail today.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I liked the look of the Rivarossi snow plow that was shared here. Dan (Southgate 2) very kindly sent me a copy of that model.
Now the SGRR will have its first snow plow.
Holding the model in person, I can surely see that this does have potential to become a stand-out in my MOW collection.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
I hope we continue to get more good shares this weekend. Thank you to everyone that participates and keeps this thread great.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks TF for bridging us into the WPF.
Heading into the holidays with my modeling energy ebbing I'm extra enjoying everyone's posts and projects, while in hopes of being pulled into the current.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers. Have a good weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving. Regards, Peter
This little 0-6-0 came in from ebay today. I decided to start a seperate thread for it because it is a bit of a question mark. Like others, it will be cleaned nd rebuilt.
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Nice photos, everyone. They are inspiring.
Here's what I'm up to. It's the first structure I've built in 45 years. I'm okay happy with it so far, but honestly such tiny precision is not my forte, given my worsening eyesight, my clumsy hands, my lack of proper tools and workspace, and my native impatience. I was very pleased that the decal came over nicely and looks propertly painted on; I was really worried about that part.
This is Durango Press' Perkins Produce. It's now sold by J.L. Innovative Design, but this kit is the original. I'm not happy with the window castings -- neither the way they were built, which makes them sit goofy in their holes, nor the fact that acrylic paints don't really "take" very well even though I gave them a coat of primer first. All in all, though, I like the way it's going together.
We all had a good chat earlier about how to avoid warping of the painted wood. I braced the walls and used very light coats. They warped only a slight bit, nothing my micro clamps from Micromark couldn't handle.
Cheers,
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
crossthedogI'm not happy with the window castings --
Maybe take a look at what Tichy offers?
https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/p/8024/Default.aspx
https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/Default.aspx
I don't know if he ships up north or maybe there's somewhere you can order them? He usually has a bit of a discount coming around the Holidays.
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullmanMaybe take a look at what Tichy offers? https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/p/8024/Default.aspx https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_framed-windows/Default.aspx I don't know if he ships up north or maybe there's somewhere you can order them?
Great stuff this weekend for sure!
For not building a model in 45 years, the Perkins model is looking really good Matt.
Your mentioning of impaired eyesight and clumsy hands,...I just don't see it as far as the craftsmanship on your build so far. Like the color as teal shades are of my color preference. The Titchy Train Group recommended make some good products I've used through the years. Have a couple of their models that haven't been built yet. Scale Model Supply in St Paul is my go-to for windows as they have a spindle display of many. Always enjoy the atmosphere of train conversation down there.
Sweet diecast steamer you found Shane.
Would have to agree that it looks like an English origin model. My diecast models are (5) center depressed flat cars. Those are made in England and I'll see if I can dig up a picture. They're of my favorites and I've been putting MTL couplers on them that must be shimmed internally. That's been a bit of a tedious task.
Great back alley dock scene with the security light Peter.
Speculating it's a cube van delivery dock. Like the details that you add with the external EMT conduit, abandoned crate and crushed cardboard box laying there. Even small details add quite a bit of Interest. The door is quite curious as I couldn't decide if it's a roll up from inside or it's sealed off. Nice work!
Thanks for the nice compliment Kevin. A very Neat looking plow you acquired.
What a generous and kind gesture Dan gifted you. Nice! I know your pleased to add it to your collection as I certainly would be as well.
Thanks for all the shares gentleman. Plenty of afternoon to post some more if ya got-em please
In addition to my previous comments:
TF. Thanks for the kind words. It's funny how when you get the scenic effects good on one thing, the unfinished surrounding areas become more glaring! Making progress there. Subject for next WPF.
Kevin: You're certainly welcome! I didn't 'spect such a response. That little model is worthy of it's potential being brought out, and being displayed. My layout's clime doesn't require snowplows, and sitting in a drawer is a waste. Enjoy!
Peter: What an amazing capture of atmosphere. My wife didn't know it was a model!
NVSRR, great score. Reminds me of our friend Mel's little Roundhouse SP 0-6-0 that he was so fond of.
Matt: No evidence of clumsy hands or other limitations in the building so far. Looking forward to progress.
Good stuff, guys Dan
gmpullmanI don't know if he ships up north or maybe there's somewhere you can order them?
Oh yeah, Don definitely ships up-north, even all the way to the Great White North here in Canada.
Wayne
I'd like to thank all the contributors and spectators for the great participation here at WPF this week.
Excellent photos and project summaries as they made for an entertaining and fun weekend.
Was my pleasure to be here and hope to see you all again next weekend
Track Fiddler
Track fiddlerI'd like to thank all the contributors and spectators for the great participation here at WPF this week.
Me too, this was a great week.
SeeYou190 Rick: Your paint job and decaks on the PRR N-8 caboose is beautiful. -Kevin
Kevin, thank you, but please remember PRR classes do not have a hyphen it should be N8.