Hello all... trying to finish another ATSF 70ft baggage/express from Roberto Martari's (M&R sides) EXCELLENT etched sides.... before painting the roof I added rain gutters from Evergreen strip; I wanted to take this one a little bit further... BLMA drop grabs added to each bottom end, and, in lieu of anything out there that is accurate for the '3 post' ladder supports (my vernacular) seen on many hvywt cars (at least ATSF cars), I've had to replicate these using a combination of BLMA ladder supports...Roberto has included these unique grabs on the fret of his '3000' series chair cars, and the chair/smoker...I wanted to 'borrow' these from those frets but figured I'd try these. I believe that, once they're painted with the roof, they'll be a reasonable and acceptable 'stand in' for the shape of the prototypes. Thanks for looking, ~Bruce
Hello all... was, finally, able to put the paint on the roof of this one...Pollyscale Steam Power black thinned with alcohol (pity Pollyscale is 'no more')...apart from black decal clestory 'windows' ...I'll declare this one done until I figure on adding cut levers. I'm pleased with the way this one turned out, but will, probably, base the next 4 of these on a MT donor coach...will be easier to model the underframe more accurately. Thanks for looking, ~Bruce
The other day I discovered a company called AK Interactive and they specialize in weathering materials. They are more geared towards military modelers but I ordered some and have been impressed so far. This 60' boxcar still has a lot of work to go but I'm liking it so far.
Finished my first speaker wire oak tree based on the M.C. Fujiwara Youtube tutorial. I temporarily planted it. This part of my layout still needs static grass before I will start permanently placing trees. And this is the second one I did: There is a bit more information on the process of making these in my layout thread. -Noah
Yep, M.C. Fujiwara's method is pretty darned good. Its worth the time spent making them. I have about 2 dozen of these myself. Worth the work.
Link to M. C. Fujiwara oak tree video. There are three parts. Very good tutorial. [video=youtube;BV9wIHUR7Ho]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV9wIHUR7Ho[/video]
Whew, busy weekend finishing up the latest stuff. Oh, and I really hate trying to shoot black engines (photography wise)... even with flood lights... For starters, a pair of Chemin de fer de la Matapédia et du Golfe (or CFMG for short ) SD40-2's. Bashed a non-DB long hood onto a Mid frame, nose, and cab. Next, a single CSX SD70MAC in the newer CSX YN3b logo. One of two MACs that wear this scheme with 4551 being the other. Brian
Another pair of CEFX AC4400CW's that have been renumbered and weathered. And finally,a pair of GHQ garbage trucks for good measure...just without the smell... Okay, back to work... Brian
Thanks Flash. I have a friend in New York that really likes them as well. Think his fleet is up to 10 now, which is why I have to keep changing the road numbers for him... Brian
I have a new layout shed, 10X16 ft. got tired of no place of my own, so broke down and purchased a nice shed and had it delivered. By the time the wife got back I had it up, leveled out, and shelves in it. Also went and picked up my old 4X8 layout at the X's place and had it set up and running. On the workbench is my scenery projects. 150 ft spruce trees, critters being repainted and a few structures getting a face lift and make over. Live is good now. I have storage space, two workbenches,2X8 each one on each side. Lights, and a heater. At 7,200 ft it's getting cold up there in the mountains, like 22 at night. I love it.
How the Hell does anyone like 22F ??? GF says n-scalers are crazy, but it's good to see that some are worse off than I am !!! :teeth: I really like the idea of the shed. Too bad I rent !!! I would do it in a flash !!!
I rent also.... Renting a 3 bedroom house THE wife would invariably want to make the 3rd bedroom a 'guestroom' not a train room. A 'guestroom' makes it to easy for 'guests to 'extend' their stay :-( I opted for a 2 bedroom rental just for that reason. Some modelers are forced 'outside' with their trains. A 10x16 shed is nice...but...you would have to insulate and sheetrock the inside. Install some kind of heat. Possibly an Air Conditioner unit. All that takes lots of $$$$. I started with an old travel trailer. It fell apart ;-( I found out 'towed vehicles' aren't required to have a steel skeleton. RV's on the other hand are a "self contained motorized vehicle" in which passengers ride...therefor require to have a steel framework. Once you 'gut' an RV...the steel skeleton will hold everything together...including the roof ! You have the added advantage of heat...both from the cab area heater that is the same as the heater in your car...and you have the furnace from the RV too RV's come with roof mounted AC...sometimes even 2 ! Mine even came with a 4000 watt generator in case the electricity goes out or there is nowhere to 'plug in' . If you are lucky enough to live close to Train Shows or conventions....you can drive your layout there and be set up operating trains before the guys inside can set up their modules !!! If you ever have to move...fire up the RV and move your trains without having to tear anything down ! I got tired of that real quick when building in a 'spare' bedroom in the past :-( I have less $$$$ invested in the basic RV I bought..with builtin heat and AC...then most have in their 'sheds' with added heat and air conditioning My RV is a 8x29 'train shed'...on wheels...lol. My layout is "U" shaped. The width is 32 inches all around. The long side is 20 feet long...the short side is 14'4" long. The Aisle is 25.5 inches wide...plenty for THE Wife and I to both utilize it...and I am 6'6" tall and 285#. The real comfy 'FlexSteel' captain seats up front even swivel around so we can sit and relax and just watch the trains run !!! Train RVing is the ultimate way to go when other 'restrictions' are in play Just a thought ;-)
