Hi Hansonator, those are fine looking locos. The building looks like it is coming along well also. Thanks for posting pictures. Kwilliams, the diorama looks like it's going to look great. DB
The bridge is a Micro Engineering 100' double track through girder bridge. Real nice kit! I do have some more recent pics to post.
I bought a backdrop for the diorama from Backdrop Junction. I wanted to do Arizona red rocks but couldn't find a red rocks backdrop; I bought this one of the Painted Desert. As it works out, I think the only part of the back drop you'll see other than the sky is through the canyon. I used acrylic paints and mixed a couple colors to try and match the backdrop colors and after painting coated it with scenic cement. The black wash is also acrylic paint. I'll go back and dry brush over the colors to lighten them up again. I'm not sure how it'll turn out, but the reason for building this diorama is to learn some scenery skills so when I start my layout I have an idea what I need to do.
I have really enjoyed this thread, so many impressive modeling efforts going on here. I took on the task of building a model railroad for my Great Nephews and Niece, holding off till they were old enough to maybe appreciate some of it for what it is. The MRR is a 4'X8' outfit that I designed to hang on a 1X10 frame/box that will attach to a wall, hinged on the bottom side, that will fold down for play/operations and then can be folded and latched back up, out of the way, when wanted. I chose the 1X10 so that some buildings and scenery can be in place and fold into the storage position. I put a few shelves in it to be able to set the cars and loco, as well as the taller buildings in too, also being secure and out of the way when folded up. I have a few pics of the construction of this outfit but will wait till its mounted on a wall (next week) to get the rest so it makes sense when you see it. Kudos to my friend and colleague Joel for help and guidance with the some of the carpentry skills needed. Anyway, here is a photo I took of an ex-DRGW GP30, at Satanta KS in 1998, the model is my rendition of it using an Athearn BB chassis w/a lifelike shell. Decided to take a layer of the DRGW black and decals off before painting it Blue, just to find a couple layers of BN colors under that so, a bunch of soda blasting later I finally got to where I was comfortable going FWD with it. I have to remind myself this is for 10 year old kids, but if your gonna do it, try to do it right, I say. The CVR railroad did not have a Caboose that I saw, but they have an HO scale rendition of one now. Had a few Accurail Hoppers that were perfect for the kids, seeing as this part of Kansas is a grain producing region, I thought them appropriate too. What I did was to make a logo up, then painted the cars for the 4 boys and letter the cars for their names and number them for their birthdays, The one young lady's car, I was instructed by my wife had to be Pink, well the Model Masters Pinks that were at the hobby shop, I didn't think appropriate for a little girl, so I toned it down with White to a sort of cotton candy Pink, it is stored in a plain brown wrapper now so as to not bring any attention to my other MRR friends that come over to visit. Much to my chagrin, the car turned out OK, the wife really likes it, I hope she doesn't want any more of them, man, hope I didn't start something here. I would have given all I had to have this when I was their age, I hope they can enjoy it for many years. The blue is much darker in the photos than it appears in real life, despite re-setting the WB on my camera. Anyway for your consideration, I offer the attachments. Please Carry On,
Hi Steve, the colors on the diorama look great, the rock sculpting as well. Looks like it's time to start that layout, I think you've got it down pat! Tom, The loco and cars are very well done. The kids ought to love them. I'd like to see pictures of the layout as well when you can post some. Thanks, Dale
I have been procrastinating on building my Hot Coil Car, so I got to work on it again, finished a lot of little work and I get to move on to all the various grabs in the next steps. Installed the main airline and bent it sort of by the diagram but when you are looking at a diagram in two dimensions and bending in three dimensions it is a little daunting. On the next car I will not bend the airline until I get the support brackets installed which was on the next step after the bending, but in doing the assembly it makes more sense to bend to the support brackets. Here I have installed the remainder of the Walkway supports. Here are the airline support brackets and the final bends on the main airline, same at the other end of the car. Also installed the brackets that hold up the corner of the walkway support. Installed the Plano Walkways for this kit on the walkway support brackets. And, along with the Hot Coil Car, I finished the detail parts, installing the cut levers a real PITA and the horn and screening in the air intake and radiator sections. Also painted the body parts with Scalecoat II Brunswick Green. I will install and paint the trainphone antennas when everything is complete. Rick J
I sure will Dale and BoxcabE50 when I get it hung on a wall it will make sense, right now its just sitting on a set of saw horses. I am afraid if I try to open it for pictures, it will fall.
Been piddling with this for a few days off and on. Got it at a yard sale for a couple bucks. Lifelike shell (painted D&RGW) and Athearn BB chassis. Took it apart filled in the gap on the Athearn fuel tank and painted, on the shell, I replaced those factory fans with some spares from the parts box. Brass handrails bent installed and painted. Brass horn, added a snow plow, mars light casting and decals. After doing some online picture viewing I decided to weather the thing up, that helped to kinda blend all the mismatched colors too. Made flush fitting windows out of clear sheet plastic, just cut them close a sanded till they fit. Still deciding in which light kit to use. Now I gonna go run it for a couple hours. Let have some fun with Mrring today.
Tom, very nice sir! It will look great pulling those private road hoppers around! I think the pink one should be the first car behind it!
Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. I enjoy your efforts as well. Just too much to keep up with here.
