Finally finished up my N Scale FT project. Years ago, before there were the MT or Intermountain models available, I kit bashed some shells and cobbled together a powered A unit to pull two dummy B units. I was not satisfied with the result and picked up a set of Hallmark FTs that had been repainted to the freight scheme. They looked horrible and ran worse, but I did not pay much for them. They ended up on the "back burner" and languished. Then MT and IM brought out their offerings. I acquired a set of freight Intermountains in trade for some custom work for a friend. Then a few years ago, I decided to use the mechanisms from them with the Hallmark shells. They are a little slow but run real smooth now. My home made FTs.
My work in progress- PMT terminal. Once my F3 project is complete - I will get back to this little project. (And - now that the weather has cooled off) Thanks, Wolf
Good morning from mostly cloudy and cold Northeast Ohio! First out is a make believe car, out of my norm for a prototype car! An Athearn Quad Hopper car, painted with Floquil Blue paint and lettered with decals I managed to acquire from the Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club in Fairbanks, AK. The Usibelli Coal Mines are located in Healy, AK and ship coal to areas out of Alaska via Seward, AK. They have their own cars but the club created decals using the UCM logo. Tangent Bethlehem Steel 52'6" Gondola Kit, painted with Scalecoat II PRR Freight Car Color, as the Lehigh Valley was controlled by the PRR at the time and they shared a lot of materials. Car was lettered using Champ Decals. McKeen Models ACF 50' Exterior Post boxcar kit, substituted wire grabs for the plastic ones, also used a better molded Branchline Diagonal Panel Roof in place of the kit one. Also painted the car with PRR Freight Car Color as the prototype had a redder version of the Boxcar Red paint. Decaled with Herald King Decals. Cars eventually moved to the Southern and then the new Norfolk Southern railway. Thanks for looking! Rick Jesionowski
Now that is cool. And that special coal makes it down to the lower 48 via car float to Seattle for shipment to all corners.
Here are a few from the HO layout at the South Bay Historical Railroad Society in Santa Clara, California. I took these at their fall open house a few weeks ago. Some different scenes or views from the photos of this layout presented last year. Back in the day before this area was known as Silicon Valley this was our industry and much of that is represented on this transition era layout. Have a great weekend everyone.
Thanksgiving weekend rush at Hannah Vista Union Station as Santa Fe and Union Pacific both prepare for departure.
I have been working on buildings for a movie set on our club layout (The Jackalope and Western). Here is where I am so far.
Ol' long hair can stop sucking on his girlfriends neck and move along now that the end of the train is clearing the crossing.
