Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

SCRATCH BUILT. Share your pride and joy here.

6138 views
83 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 24, 2005 8:25 AM
Thanx everybody for the positive feedback![:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by verse2damax
…., excellent work. How long?
The answer to your question is, no I'm not a member. I wish I was though.

Verse – It took me about 6 months altogether (on-again, off-again) to fini***he structure, including the motorized bucket/trolley. And here is the RMIG link if you’re interested: http://trainweb.org/rmig

QUOTE: Originally posted by Glen Haasdyk
Ken, the ore loader is amazing, did you solder all the brass? (I'm guessing that you did).

Glen, you guessed correctly – but I gotta confess, this was my second attempt [:I], I tried using J-B weld on the first span and it was a disaster…! That’s a great-looking dock BTW, I might ‘steal’ your idea of using dowels for my waterfront bulkhead[tup]. What is your water made from?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ray Marinaccio
...Who said scratch-building was a dieing art form?

It doesn't have to be - if enough of us can get out the message about how much fun it can be!

Karl – I finally made a visit to your railimages site, I hope someday I’ll have a layout that looks as good as yours![:P]

Tom, that coal tower is nothing to be embarrassed about – I’m sure we’ll be seeing “greater works than these” from you in days to come![swg]
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Reedsburg WI (near Wisconsin Dells)
  • 3,370 posts
Posted by Noah Hofrichter on Sunday, July 24, 2005 9:54 AM
Here are my photos, of a Wisconsin and Southern Transfer caboose that the WSOR has in Madison WI. This was my first(and so far only, but that will change) attempt at scratchbuilding. I think it came out well for a first try, and hopefully my next scratchbuilt things will be a little better:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/noahhofrichter/abd.jpg

I custom made the decals, and everything but the trucks and a few detail parts is scratchbuilt.

Noah
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 24, 2005 2:43 PM
QUOTE: That’s a great-looking dock BTW, I might ‘steal’ your idea of using dowels for my waterfront bulkhead. What is your water made from?


Thanks for the compliment, Ken. The water is made from two peices of glass (joined on the hinge line) It's painted on the underside, Tan for under the pier and black for the deeper 'harbour water'. I still have to give it a bit more of a wavey-look using some WS water effects.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 24, 2005 11:37 PM
Thanks for the link KenLarsen. Will check it out.

Great job Noah.

Glen, interesting, that gives me an idea.

This weekend I was working on the hull for my train ferry, this thing is a challenge especially the bow and the sterm. I'll upload the pic by tuesday. Later.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Morgantown, WV
  • 1,459 posts
Posted by cheese3 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 6:48 PM
I just finished building a tressel...



Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 7:51 PM
Okay, Adam has his Wobbling Donkey in here. So, I need to post what Adam inspired me to do, the Pack Mule.







Yes, that is an H2.

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Eastern Massachusetts
  • 1,681 posts
Posted by railroadyoshi on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 7:59 PM
All of this is SWEET!!!!!
i still have not yet attemted to scratchbuild, though i look forward to it
Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
  • 1,619 posts
Posted by West Coast S on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 8:07 PM
Now that I have actual plans, I plan to soon construct a SP McKeen Motor car. Building the unique trucks, shaping the front prow and simulating a couple thousand rivets will be the most daunting task. Styrene is the perfect medium for this project I do believe.

Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 8:55 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409

Okay, Adam has his Wobbling Donkey in here. So, I need to post what Adam inspired me to do, the Pack Mule.







Yes, that is an H2.


Trainfreak,

There is something seriously wrong with you!!!! [:D][:p][:D][:p]

I LOVE it!!![:p][:D][:p][:D]
Philip
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 9:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by pcarrell

Trainfreak,

There is something seriously wrong with you!!!! [:D][:p][:D][:p]

I LOVE it!!![:p][:D][:p][:D]


Well thank you.[:D]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 9:56 AM
TrainFreak409, that's sweet!
Cheese3, nice work. I'm planning on buying the book on trestles and bridges because I have quite a number of them to construct on my layout. It's based in a district dominated by the winding ‘Rio Cobre River’ here in Jamaica.

Here's a shot of my latest but slow moving project.

This is the deck of a N scale train ferry that I'm building, and I was in the process of fitting the bridge and couldn't resist the urge to couple up some tank cars to correct the bridge clearance. I'm going to rebuild the bridge though (scale slightly too small).


I'm still in the process of designing on paper the replacement bridge, so in the mean time I'm constructing the Hull. This photo is a shot from the rear. I'm about to sand and smooth it down.

I'll post more pics soon.
Later
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 11:24 AM
Here's 2 Mo pics of the deck.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Thursday, August 4, 2005 12:07 PM
Verse2damax, WHERE DID YOU GET THE N SCALE UP BIG BLOW TURBINE?!?!

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 12:30 PM
Ebay. That's the only place I could find it. It's very nice.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Thursday, August 4, 2005 1:18 PM
Is it a brass model? Who makes it? Specifics man, specifics![:p][:D]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Burke, Virginia
  • 185 posts
Posted by TheJoat on Thursday, August 4, 2005 1:27 PM
For structures, I have my Miracle Chair Company:

...my gas station

and my stone mill


Rolling stock:
A hopper based on ET&WNC:

A freelance reefer:

and a caboose based upon ET&WNC #205
Bruce
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 1:44 PM
TrainFreak409, yes, it is indeed brass and is made by Overland Models Inc. Its the three unit set with the A&B units powered, it has reverse lighting which works only the head lamp on the lead unit, there's no light on the rear of the A unit. What am I missing… hmm… oh yeah, I got this set mint for just under $550.00 (shipping included).

I'm still hunting for the veranda turbine that you have in that pic but in UP paint scheme though.

I can post some better and more detailed pics of this badboy if you like. I just use it in this pic to give some idea of the lenght of the train ferry's deck.

Bruce, WOOOOW! Impressive work. What scale is it?
  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Burke, Virginia
  • 185 posts
Posted by TheJoat on Thursday, August 4, 2005 3:00 PM
Richard,
Thanks! It's 1:20, outdoors. You can see more at http://www.jbrr.com/
Bruce
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: CANADA
  • 2,292 posts
Posted by ereimer on Thursday, August 4, 2005 3:12 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by TheJoat

For structures, I have my Miracle Chair Company:



bruce , really nice work !
i recommend everyone click on the logo at the bottom of bruce's message and visit his website . you'll find a very nice large scale outdoor layout with a lot of high quality modelling

thanks bruce !
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 4, 2005 4:10 PM
This is for TrainFreak409.


Bruce, your work is outstanding! [tup][tup][bow] I'm going to keep check your website for updates.






The last two images are of an N scale 40' box car, it's still incomplete today.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Thursday, August 4, 2005 5:01 PM
Thank you VERSE, I love that turbine. I should have bought it when I saw it for half price, or about $450. I am now kicking myself in the rear, because that is a beautiful model. You do some great work, and is only enhanced by the TURBINE![;)]

Bruce; EXCELLENT WEBSITE! Great photos, and great models. I hope to have a garden railway soon as well![:D]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Allen, TX
  • 1,320 posts
Posted by cefinkjr on Thursday, August 4, 2005 6:48 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Now this is my first attempt at anything scratchbuilt, so be kind!!



Working two aspect signals. pole is a cotton bud, 3mm LEDs and their mounting collars. Just squeezed three wires up the pole.



I need a ladder for the rear, HO scale any suggestions where I get some.

Ken.


What the heck is a "cotton bud"? It's obviously not to be found on a stalk in a cotton field. Is this what we in the US would call a "cotton swab" or, to use what's probably a registered trade mark, a "Q tip"? If so, are the shafts (for want of a better term) hollow on these things in NZ?

As for the ladders, brass ladder stock used to be sold in lengths of 12" or so but I haven't seen any in years. This stuff was stamped out of fairly heavy (maybe .020) brass strip and the modeler was expected to trim it to whatever length was needed (after straightening it -- it tended to curl). It was really pretty crude but it was about the best available then (30+ years ago). If anybody knows where something like this is available now, I'd like to hear about it too.

Chuck

Chuck
Allen, TX

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: New Zealand
  • 462 posts
Posted by robengland on Friday, August 5, 2005 12:05 AM
Plastruct do a plastic ladder stock - I've bought it here in NZ
Rob Proud owner of the a website sharing my model railroading experiences, ideas and resources.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • 872 posts
Posted by pike-62 on Friday, August 5, 2005 6:36 AM

I have posted this here in the past, but here it is again. ford Motor company had GE build 8 or 9 of these for use at its Rouge river plant. The Wellsville Addison & Galeton RR purchased them for use on it's railroad. As far as I know there is only one surviving unit. I have an entire build essay on my web site showing the construction of this model



Here are some pics of the next project I have in the works. It will be a GE 25 ton critter when done.





Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 5, 2005 8:45 AM
Dan you're tha man! Very, very nice. This is a first for me. I've never seen someone build an engine from scratch before. I recommend everybody check out the link, those who haven't seen it before.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Allen, TX
  • 1,320 posts
Posted by cefinkjr on Friday, August 5, 2005 11:48 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by robengland

Plastruct do a plastic ladder stock - I've bought it here in NZ


This sounds like the answer to Ken's question. I might be able to use Plastruct's ladder stock in some of my freight car refurbishing efforts too (separately attached ladders frequently become separately detached ladders). I'll have to look for some on my next LHS trip.

Thanks,
Chuck

PS: Still wondering what a "cotton bud" is in NZ. [?]

Chuck
Allen, TX

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: South Africa
  • 9 posts
Posted by kessi on Sunday, August 7, 2005 8:05 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Now this is my first attempt at anything scratchbuilt, so be kind!!



Working two aspect signals. pole is a cotton bud, 3mm LEDs and their mounting collars. Just squeezed three wires up the pole.



I need a ladder for the rear, HO scale any suggestions where I get some.

Ken.


Your signal looks great.
I found an article on building a HO scale operating signal - SAR Prototype. It shows the schematics of wiring and assembly including a ladder.
I've built it and it looks neat.
Here is the link:
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/hangar/9577/signal.htm

Kessi
[^]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 8, 2005 5:40 PM
Chuck, keep at it and lets see the end result, besides the link that Kessi has provided show the ture quality of the end product.

[tup][tup]Two thumbs up to all of ya so far. Stay tuned because I have the finish model of my train ferry (construction phase ie.) soon I'm going to slap on some paint. I'll post some pics of the model before paint phase for ya'll to critiquethough.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 1,054 posts
Posted by grandeman on Monday, August 8, 2005 6:19 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Now this is my first attempt at anything scratchbuilt, so be kind!!



Working two aspect signals. pole is a cotton bud, 3mm LEDs and their mounting collars. Just squeezed three wires up the pole.



I need a ladder for the rear, HO scale any suggestions where I get some.

Ken.


Ken, give Tomar a look for signal parts. http://www.tomarindustries.com/sigparts.htm I like your signal. I find myself looking at prototype signals almost as much as the trains themselves! Model railroads should have them too, IMHO. Good job!
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Mississippi
  • 819 posts
Posted by ukguy on Monday, August 8, 2005 7:04 PM
Here are some items that I scratch build occassionally, whenever a request arises.

Chair


Bench


Set


Rocker


They are scale 1:1 and take about 45 mins each. [:D]

Have fun & be safe,
Karl.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!