That's how I build everything. I build a first model to a point that I find an unacceptable flaw, then make revisions and build another to the point it is not working for me, and then I build another yet with all the changes I need. Sometimes it takes 7 or 8 revisions till I get the level of detail to a point I can accept the model. By then I have gotten good enough that I can crank out the final rev in a very short time. The first two models are trashed now, as I am far enough with the third that I don't need them for reference.
I agree. He is a Zee savant and a standard-setter. Also, very generous. His advice is always sound. Jim.
Jim, You ought to be with him at a dinner outing or anywhere......his laughter is almost contagious. He does enjoy his trains and his train friends.
Thanks for all the kind words everyone, and you all are really good modelers yourselves. If you have never seen Loren's modules, you are missing a real treat. Loren has chose to model the Castle Crags area of Northern California, and has mountains and trees like you have never seen before. He even has highways with moving cars! I wonder what Z Train Things that Loren has been up to lately? Fortunately we are getting glimpses of Jim's magic work regularly, and Scott is doing wonderful stuff too! It's a community I am happy to be a part of.
I'm still working on this coal dock, but getting closer to done. I got the roof on, windows in, painting done, and am ready to start details. As you can see, I still need a solution for the coal chute mechanisms. I need to do pulleys and counterweights, and the cables associated. I am thinking about using braided fishing line. Also, as this shot shows, there are lots of places I can place workers, so I need to paint up a bunch of We-Honest figures in period clothing and put them all over the operation. Once the detailing is done, I still have to build in the magnetic and electrical base for the module, then I can move on to the water tank and diesel tank part of the module. Well, that's enough for my Saturday, it's Netflix Nap time!
Fantastic! Ok how many workers would be on location in its heyday? I’ve never thought of it til you mentioned it but you’d need a descent crew for sure.
When originally built the coal dock looked like this. Notice all the workers! And later is was modified to service both the Eastbound and Westbound tracks in front of the depot:
Robert, That picture of all the workers standing in front of the coal dock reminds me of ODOT...Oregon Department of Transportation.....12 workers with shovels standing around and one man down in the ditch actually digging To answer your question about what is Z Train Things doing?, Like you, I was almost burnt out after 2015 NTS. I did start two 90 degree modules and have yet to do any scenic work on them. Trains do run, and I've had one home train show for an elderly group a little over a year ago, but then just put down my Sculptamold, paint brushes and soldering gun and let life take over. Two days ago, for the first time in over a year, I actually put hands on my layout and began to work on quieting down the noisy drive motor that powers one of my highway scenes. And you know what?......it felt real good to touch and feel the old familiar. Your coal dock is yet another example of par excellence! My motto....if it goes around twice without derailing I'm having a good day
I have nothing but respect for your efforts, especially your research. I'm researching Minot, ND railroad history, and trying to find specific photos from the first decade of the 1900s is a tough prospect indeed. Nailing down construction dates is worse!
That-a-boy Loren! Touch it *every day* and it will lead you to another day (and another . . .) Looking great, as always.
Can't argue that point Jeff, I feel the train juices flowing more freely than they have in a long time.
Looking real good Loren! You should consider starting a new Z Scale Topic on your Castle Crags layout Loren. Everyone would love to see it, and you could just start with a feature, like the highway system, and the stuff you would see along the highway like those rainbow colored trucks along with a prototype photo. Then later on in the same thread do a post like the Castle Crags module, with photos of the real Castle Crags. And you can show progress on your new yard module, etc. Make it a long running topic like this one, it would be fun!
Robert, Well, now that you mention it, I'll see what I can do. But I will always bow to you, the guru of Z.......along with several others I admire greatly.
I finally figured out what I wanted to do with the coal chute pulley's. They are made from 9 parts each. I rastered a center pulley, 2 outer pulley rings, and 2 pulley brackets. Then I put wire through the center as a pin, and superglued the assembly together. Then I formed a wire V for the chute soldered to a wire loop over the pulley for the counterweight cable. And the counterweight was cut from .11" acrylic then superglued on: I had superglued the coal gondola to the ramp, and Karin Snyder had given me a small packet of real coal that I am going to put in the gondola, but I can't find it right now after an hour of searching boxes. Loosing interest, I decided to wait until I get it mounted on the module before adding the worker figures, because I want them all visible from the front of the module, and I don't feel like painting figures right now. Going out to work on my camper trailer mods, as I like to have balance between my hobbies, and as I get bored with one, I move on to another.
Excellent as always. One of the few things that remain constant in this life.........your quality of workmanship A+
So I said I would only buy stuff I can run on my NP Lester WA module set, and the last Z Scale I purchased was 3 of the AZL NP RS-3's. Yesterday I received 4 of the 1917 8000 Gal Tank Cars, and 6 NP F7's in the "drum roll please" "NP LOEWY GREEN PASSENGER SCHEME" Yay! So I pried one open for decoder analysis, and got lazy and ordered 6 DZ123Z0 decoders instead of trying to fit DZ126T wired decoders. The decoders will be here next week, and I am heading to the mountains where we rented a lake cabin for some ice fishing and snow fun this weekend, so here is a shot of the NP beauties sitting on my workbench right here:
