That extra part up there makes a big difference. Turns it from a pair of bins to a more complete and integrated facility. One of those scary stares. Like Gibbs on NCIS staring down a suspect... or a leopard eyeing its prey...
Well, was making some good progress this afternoon, but unfortunately the power went out and won't be back on for several hours. Nice cacophony of generators in the neighborhood, if you're into that sort of thing. Anyway, got the three secondary bins attached to the conveyor system. As with the main bins, this required a bit of massaging (ie razor sawing) to get the spacing correct. Here's the wide angle view so far.... I took these shots with the benefit of a solatube that just happens to sit right above the scene. Kind of adds an eerie flavor to the shot; especially the shadows. Anyway, more later if the power cooperates. RAINIER GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD
That's going to be a fantastic part of the layout! I can imagine how it's going to dwarf the trains that pass by. Sweet!
Welcome to another edition of days of our lives, where a railroad makes long slow progress and old men enjoy every minute. Everyone was on site today, so let's get started. Scott continues adding shingles to the three Franklin row houses. As with any roofing project, progress is slow but steady. Meanwhile Doug and Reynold did a tag team on the install of a turnout switch controller. This is an RGW mystery turnout. Nobody can determine how a switch is on the layout but we never determined there was no way to control it's position until just recently. Doug drilled out the hole in the fascia using a 1-1/2 inch hole saw. Then Rey started putting the controller together. It's a real mystery, especially to me, because I recall every turnout in Renton had a switch controller. And yet here we are and one turnout has no controller. No clue. As for me, I completed the Boeing insert project. I started by painting the wheel stops with white Tamiya primer, then hit them with Vallejo yellow over the course of the evening. 3 light coats did the trick. While those dried, I touched up the rust on the side rails and finished by touching up the cement gray. I ended the evening CA gluing the stops in place. As you can see, cars rolled in just fine, so I am calling this done. Now there is a wrought iron fence and small landscaped berm to add in front, but there's more to do elsewhere first. All in all, a good evening. Until next week, thanks for checking in. RAINIER GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD
Project coming along nicely! For a second those looked like miniature laptop keyboards... Taking my first sip of coffee....... now! Keep up the good work.
Here's an update on a subset project for the grain mill I have been working on tonight. I'm scratchbuilding the conveyor between the main elevator and the auxiliary bins. Here is what I'm trying to replicate. I started with my new RP Toolz chopper, a fabulous addition and one I highly recommend. Not cheap though. I scratchbuilt both ends of the conveyor using 020 styrene on the exterior, and framed them with 060x250 styrene strip inside. Here is the look I'm going for, it is roughly 100 scale feet. The GSI tech manual says their system can accommodate 135 feet per tube, so I am within prototype tolerances. A very good friend, Chip, has designed and 3D printed the intermediate brackets. We are homing in on the snug, not loose, fit for those. I anticipate 5 of them between the motorized conveyor ends and they should be ready this weekend. I am not sure how I am going to mount the motorized ends. I have seen pictures of them up on platforms sitting on beams, anchored in concrete, and strapped to anything nearby to provide vertical and horizontal support. That is the likely direction I'll be going at least at the elevator end. I might just mount one end atop the conveyor above the auxiliary bins. Who knows.... As always, thanks for checking in! RAINIER GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD
Nice! I looked up your chopper and it's not that expensive, relative to how much it simplifies and speeds up work (my criteria for getting a tool). That's a good benefit-vs-cost ratio. It's worth its weight in gold. Keep up the good work!