Bought a horse and wagon kit yesterday. Really nice metal kit. I've also started on the DCC and sound install on my K-27 #455. I make ports in the tender for the wiring between loco and tender so they don't get tangled.
You take what you have on hand... I needed to install DCC and sound in a K-27. So I found a sound decoder in an old locomotive. A 21-pin ESU V4. I took out the circuit board to avoid having to solder new contacts on the decoder. I manufactured phosphor bronze pickups for the locomotive. I also replaced the gearbox cover with a piece of circuit board laminate. The decoder did not fit straight into the tender, so I 3D printed an angled holder.
I just finished a coal bridge for my layout. As it's a laser cut kit, I decided not to use a wash to color the wood, instead I painted it. I used Vallejo IDF gray primer. I then applied an oil based wash from AK. The crane got weathered by various rust colors and powders. Then some gloss oil spill. This will be a nice addition to the engine service facilities.
Spruce/fir trees 2.0 Faller's fir trees are really not at all good looking, but with a few minutes of work their appearance can be much improved. I use Polak model turf and some spray adhesive for this project. They are very coarse as they are... I trim the armatures to avoid the cone shape. Less is more... I applied some spray glue and two layers of turf. This group of five trees took me 10 minutes to do, a time that can be reduced severely if made in a series. I have over 1000 trees to do, so any savings of time and money are very welcome.
The town of Holy Cross needed a turntable at the engine terminal. So I decided to build my own 75 foot turntable from plans. I haven't followed the plans 100%, but almost... I designed the pit in CAD and 3D printed it in three interlocking parts. The track around it is in a small trench in the print. I haven't even glued it yet as it fits so good. The bridge is all wood. There's some details left to do as the stay wires and the drive system. The C-25 looks at home.
I just realized you are taking your inspiration from Colorado and Southern Branch that connects with the Gilpin tram up in Central City and Blackhawk. I am making Gilpin models, but gauging them to 3 foot scale. It is a very interesting area for inspiration.
Is that a Westside C25 ? I bought one a few months ago and really liked it ,except for the boiler height. I ended up lowering it a bit .Wasn't too hard once I had it in mind to do so . I've seen a couple of the PSC C21's lately but they sure are pricey !
I've started tracklaying again. 8) All of the dual gauge is finished, now it's HOn3 all the way! The DCC concepts powerbase plates are being installed on the incline. It should really help with traction for the lighter locomotives. The tracks on the lower level is getting there, this is where the stock pens will be.
I glued the powerbase plates with waterproof carpenters glue. I weighted it down to dry. Then I applied the same glue on the plates. The reason for using waterproof glue is that I don't want to risk the plates or track getting loose when I apply ballast... I use my laser cut sweep sticks to both keep the radius and help pressing the track down. The tracks on the zero level is all laid now! It's all about going up the mountain now!
Test #2 of the Powerbase system. Comparison of a stock Blackstone C-19 and the magnet equipped Westside C-19.
Control panel under construction. 45 x 16 cm made of 10 mm MDF. This is the panel for the town of "Holy cross" on my layout. I recessed the holes on the back for the switches and LEDs. All the turnouts are switched with servos and are controlled by MGP's electronics (Möllehems GårdsProduktion, a swedish company that a friend has) I use one panel decoder with 3 LED-12 cards and 4 servo-5 decoders. (And a Bluetooth module and Loconet power termination). There will also be an outlet for a tethered hand control on it as well. The panel will be painted black with white track lines and texts. Then I'll add hinges at the bottom ,so the panel tilts out for easy service.
I really like the Rail line kits! Sure, they have a bunch of miniature parts to be fitted, but the results are so worth it! I started on this D&RGW 3000 series boxcar the other night. I painted it with Testor DRGW freight car red and then Microscale gloss before adding the San Juan decals. It took a LOT of MicroSol to make the decals conform to the planking. I used my own designed/printed trucks with Kadee wheelsets. They are very suitable for this car, as the couplers went on at perfect height with no shims. I weather the car with oil paints that I dab on and then streak with a flat brush moistened with turpenoid. When the oils have dried I add a brownish black oilbased filter all over before the detail weathering. I add some rust with Lifecolor acrylics and then some airbrushed dust. Weathered and finished. The roof did turn out quite good. It's always nice to have doors that can be opened. I use Sergent couplers on my fleet, and they sure look good. Now I have 4 more to finish.
Hi all. I just built this. Limited edition kit #168. I've had it for a very long time, and each time I looked at the manual, I just put it away again... The big issue was the tapered tank and the bands. I just bit the bullet now and built it! The base was rather easy to build. To solve the tapering of the scale 8"x 2" planks, I made a fixture in my 3D printer. The planks was to be reduced by 1/64" on one end... So a good fixture was crucial. I taped the planks before removing them from the fixture. That's so I didn't mix the small and big ends. I stained them while taped. The wood was then glued to the cardboard tank base. I only had to trim some of them to get good vertical alignment. Finished tank: All in all a very nice kit.
