Hi Folks, I just wanted to let you know that I just started a z scale Intermodal group on Yahoogroups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Z_Intermodal I put it on Yahoogroups because I don't think there is a files section here that would allow one to share drawing files, etc. I already invited some of you that I've been corresponding with offlist about this topic. If you are interested, please check it out. Thanks, Randy Smidt
Randy, great idea. I just join the group. I bet Tim will join, Then there is the "kez'' with his very nice intermodal module. I think it will make a very nice group.
Oh, I'll be joining.........just as soon as I get home. Thanks for the heads up, Randy. Wait, didn't I just talk to you on the phone?? Thanks for the compliment on the module John. I still have a LOT of work to do before I would consider it very nice, but pictures can be manipulated......hehehe Can you tell from the picture that I try to make up for my lack of modeling skills by acquiring stuff?? I try not to reveal that to too many people.......
Hey Bryan, I thought you were acquiring a lot of stuff because of the big tax refund. I think you are too modest. At least you can build a module that looks good. In looking at your layout, I find one thing missing. Its missing in most intermodal layouts. A proper loader for the containers. I am currently using one from N scale Architect, but I am not completely happy with it. I would love to see Tim put his Mi-jack into production.
John, I actually have a two-pack of the Nansen Street lift, but I haven't gotten around to painting and detailing them yet. I agree on Tim's Mi-Jack. It is a thing of beauty, and I would buy one in a heartbeat. Maybe if we keep nudging him a little.....
I have the two pack also. I have to bend the lift a little, because it would fall otherwise. Notice the bend.
John, I noticed it was very front heavy when assembled. No way to have it actually carrying a container. I hope to figure out a way to attach some counterweights to the back of the loader, to prevent it from tipping. I'll let you know if I get around to it.
Maybe you can glue a supermagnet to the bottom, and have a piece of galvanized painted to look like the suface of the loading area? Or if the area has a cork undelay, drill a hole in the bottom of you loader and superglue a pushpin point backwards into the loader bottom to make it a giant pushpin? -Robert
You know Robert, it's a pleasure to be even remotely associated with, and be able to benefit from, your imagination. Those are some great suggestions. Now I just need to get done with the centerbeams, the decals, the modules, etc., etc. so I can get down to trying to put your suggestions to action!
I just perform a minor test. The rare earth magnets from Radio Shack will fit under the wheels of the front loader. Maybe tonight I will build a test area in the intermodal yard. YOOOHOOO 400 posts.
That's a lot of posts John! Congrats! That's about all I have in the Z Scale forum myself, as I had been posting on the N Scale forum since March 2000, so most of my posts were there. -Robert
John, I just noticed the sheet of card stock for a stack of containers behind your stacker. Can you give us the details? Is that available somewhere or did you design it and print it up yourself. I think some container stacks using Phil's photo paper method that he used for the CoalPorter models would work for container stacks (Phil are you listening, want another project? . Randy
Randy, I got it from Tim. I think he downloaded from som web site. Maybe you can e-mail Tim for the web site.
Randy, I have four different card stock stacks of containers. Actually I printed two sets on one sheet of card stock. One has all Evergreen containers (40') One has Evergreen with Orange Uniglory (40') One has Matson and OOCL (40') One has MSC and GWS (all 20' in a 40' stack) I found them on some website and I reduced their size to print on my color laser printer at near perfect Z scale using an MTL and a Marklin container for measurement. Driving on! Who dat who want a Mi-Jack crane! Perhaps by this summer I can have another scratch built Mi-Jack. This time I will assemble it so it will be easy to make a mold of. Make it in several pieces for easy assembly with brass details! Nice! OK, was that enough to whet you whistle? Go Z Intermodal! Tim
Hurry up Tim. We are waiting to get our hands on your Mi-jack. I heard the most sleep a z scratchbuilder need is one hour, so you are sleeping way too much. By the way, put me first on the list.
Randy, Actually, I have downloaded some containers to be printed out and put together. They are for a different scale (HO, I believe). Someone (?Tim maybe?) posted a link to this website a while back and I copied a few of them for future use - but I haven't tinkered around with them any yet, so you'll have to do some calculations and/or some trial and error printing to get them to be the correct size for Z. Here's the link: http://www.igshansa.de/igsorg.html You'll need to click on the "download" tab to get to where the containers are. Enjoy! - Phil
Incidently, This is what got me to first thinking of doing the Top Gon coalporter in paper. I also plan to modify these containers to a CSX Intermodal scheme at a later time. - Phil
I could not get to see the containers on this site. Are there any paper models with sheets of containers? I had the hole 9 yards once but gave it away. I'm not bad at foto copying. This is a road to look into! For my containership I prefered actual containers as it added the relief- texture to the complete model. If you all find a container site let me know and I'll do some tinkering. Thanks, Fred
I Promise! With all that is going on in my life right now, I am unclear if I will have anything special & new to take the this years NTS. Last year I made the Triple Crown Roadrailers. I also brought Kurt Lueck's 30' & 50' Tank cars and Alan Curtis's Smooth and Channel side 89' flat cars. I placed them on display at the ZTrack booth! For novelty I also displayed Kurt's Z scale push lawn mower. Novelty it is! As I said above, not sure I will have anything new for Show-N-Tell! Who knows. But, I will make this PROMISE , for all of you attending the Saturday performance, I will bring (for display) some of my creations to include the Mi-Jack Translift crane. So, if anyone is planning on bringing a module that is equipped with an Intermodal Yard, I'll, with your permission, display it on your module! If MTL would have released their turnouts around December of this past year, I would have had an Intermodal Module of my own to show off. Just waiting for those Turnouts! (Joe D', are you listening?) What am I doing this weekend, besides staying out of trouble, I hope to get one more color airbrushed closer to finishing John's C44-9 in CSX colors. I also want to start, Shouldn't take long, to complete a scratch built 48' and 53' semi tractor TRAILER for molding and casting. They will be limited in detail. The decals I hope to be able to create will have the detail printed on them. Cross your fingers and hope it works. I am planning on making them in 3 pieces. Body with roof, under chassis, and wheel sets. Etched brass for the front supports. Very easy to put together yet some what difficult to decal. The decal will be printed in one piece to cover the roof and sides. Just some pre-planning ideas. I am going to hunt for my 53' container molds this weekend also. So many people want them. I might as well continue making them. Heck, I've sold almost everyone I had as extra's and some of my own collection! Good Business though. OK, that may seem like a small amount of things to get accomplished, but from my end, it will be grand if I succeed. I appreciate all of your support and positive comments. They do work in motivating my Z passion! Thanks Everyone! Things to do Mask and paint next color on John's C44 Scratch Build a 48' & 53' trailer for molding Find 53' container molds and start casting more. Wish me luck! Tim
