I just got a new items from Walt Smith's Shapeways store last night, and this morning I detailed one with fine wires. Walter Smith's Steam Era Water Column's: If you have a Steam Era Yard, these could be found in several places, between Eastbound and Westbound mainline tracks, on servicing tracks, near the firebox ashpit tracks, by coaling docks, roundhouse approach tracks, etc. It was common to find several in a yard. Until now, don't have any US style in Z Scale, and these are made of robust brass, and are sold in a 2 pack as "Earrings" to keep the cost down per Shapeways jewelry clause for Earings and Cufflinks. They need a bit of fine wire either soldered or glued to them to complete the "Just Right" appearance, and once detailed make a fine and interesting addition to any steam era. I formed some copper and brass wires to match a prototype photo, then soldered using liquid acid flux and 400C setting on my soldering iron: And here it is primed near a dime, so you can see it clearly, with size comparison: And here is a prototype photo for reference: Thanks to Walt, I can now complete my NP yard with some prototypical water columns. Walt also has Fuel Oil Columns which I also have on order, and am eagerly awaiting.
That dime sure looks big, where did you find that monster?? Nice work! A coat of grimy black, and it'll be right as rain.
Those sure are nice “earrings” Rob, although I think the large hoops look better on you…… It’s nice to see more and more details of this nature coming forward for Z-scale. And of course we cannot forget the added details for the extra realism. Nice
I think in todays world there just might be a few out there that would buy and use as earrings there is one print that is different a bit taller, and it has a base! But it's a single unit! Also Robert! Great outstanding details added!
I just detailed another one today. I have my detailing process down now as how to drill the wire pilot holes with WD40 to lubricate the drill bit, and the stay-clean acid flux with soldering iron at 400C to attach the wires first, then bend them to the exact shape needed. Then I superglue on a 5mm x 2mm supermagnet, and use Tamiya primer to prime the model. They just look fantastic once painted black: What's cool is you can just screw a #4 or #6 flathead steel screw into your layout between the tracks, and the model with stand up with authority, and you can rotate to simulate filling a steam tender. If you are cleaning the track, simply pull the water column up out of the way until track work is done, then drop the model back in place and it stands up with authority!
This morning I got to drilling and soldering, my detailed the remaining water columns, The brass ones look so good in brass that I almost don't want to paint them...ALMOST!
