I was wondering how some of you guys put dates to the products out there ,for example cranes or vechicles from GHQ ,diesel engines and any other material you could think of.If we're trying to stay true to a certian year I wouldn't want to put a product in the layout that wasn't appropriate.One other thing I've being wondering is there a legend somewhere with all the initials you guys use,some of which I've figured out and others I haven't. Since I'm on a roll I might as well ask one more question,I'm trying to make an elevated horizontal storage tank with rounded ends and don't have a technique for making the rounded end except for alot of sanding or spending money on a lathe,I don't care if the method is in plastic or wood. thanks for your help
Catt you put initials in there!! Belg, as far as dating vehicals, you usually can tell by looking at them what year they are or at least close. Cranes can be fit into just about any era unless they are run by steam. Desiel engines haven't changed much over the years either! So you can kind of fit most things into any era layout.
Andy I appreciate the response but it really doesn't help me. If I could tell by looking at these items I would not have asked the question. There must be a better way than guessing especially when it comes to the loco's some of the online suppliers put production dates on the description of thier products but not all.So are there any other ideas
Hey Belg, Sorry about that! When you order cars and trucks, even bulldozers and construction equipment, the dealler you are prdering from usually tells the make, model and year of the vehical,. I know Walthers does for sure. Like I said before cranes can fit any time period. When you said desiel engines I thought you ment engines and not locomotives.For these you could go right to the manufactures site or find a historical society for the road you are modeling and they will usually show pictures of the unit and the year they were made. Hopes this helps a little more. Buy the way, I still have to look at most of those initials and figure out what they mean!!
Belg, I think for "N" scale tank, you could just about mount a wood dowel in the chuck of a 3/8" hand drill. Thatway you can spin the dowel while holding the end of the wood against a piece of sand paper and round the end off as much curve as you wish. Finishe it off with fine grit, and even put a coat of paint on the end grain while it spins. Doesn't have to be gripped really tight to dent the wood, just enough to hole the dowel. I hold the sanding paper in my hand. If I have a tank larger than my drill chuck will open, I insert a screw part way, then replace it with one that I have clipped the head off of, using vice-grips to tighten it, and remove it. Do both ends, then plug the hole with a bit of filler, or a match and glue, then sand it smooth by hand and paint. It saves having to set the lathe up if the lathe chuck is off. Usually about a twenty minute job.
