I will show my progress on the Hot Coil Car, I have stagnated a little bit as I have to make the bends in the main airline in three dimensions, so I have to think out where every bend goes before I go and do it. Although I got a couple of steps done before that one. Here I have installed some Kadee #158 Couplers in the boxes and spot glued them together for the installation on the car. After checking the coupler height and installing a few shims I glued the coupler boxes to the frames and the cover piece on top of the coupler box. Like some other people while waiting for glue to dry etc. I started work on another project that has been sitting around. I have a old Stewart U25b Diesel that I wanted to do for the Pennsylvania complete with the Trainphone Antennas as delivered. Some different views of the engine after installing Utah Pacific GE Lift Rings on the long hood and nose of the unit, a couple of grab irons, the Signal Box in front of the engineer on the walkway and the Cal-Scale Antenna Supports on the roof of the cab and along the sides of the long hood. Still to come, drop steps, coupler lift bar and other detail parts before painting. Thanks for looking Rick J
I just got a few cars out of the paint shop. The first 2 are Front Range ACFs I bought about 25 years ago. The BN box was bought Sunday from the LHS. It is a E&C Shops. I say it's from that same timeframe.
Tonight's project is fabricating the idler car for my Boeing airplane train. I started with a Boeing skybox I bought off ebay. It was cheap due to pretty poor construction by the prior owner. Normally they are selling for upwards of $50 per car, but this was in the low teens. I separated the body from the flatcar, then cut the car in half. The beauty of the skybox is that it's exactly the same height, width and wall configuration of the idler car. By cutting the body in half, I essentially get two cars. After measuring up 3ft at the front, I cut the recess at 45°. I traced the exposed edges and then cut pieces of .030 styrene to fill the open walls. Some sanding, then the magic of Mr Dissolved Putty, more sanding and you have a car body ready for the paint shop. More later. M
They stanchions are for the Trainphone Antenna System. In 1937 the PRR before the advent of radio communications in order to alleviate the passing of paper forms at stations, towers, etc. came up with a system that sent electromagnetic signals through the telegraph wires and rails that could provide the engineer and despatcher with voice commuications. This system required an elaborate system of antennas on diesel hoods, steam locomotive tenders and cabin cars. This system was still in use when the first U25b's and GP30's were delivered. The PRR went to radios shortly thereafter and the Trainphone Antenna's were removed. Rick J
Varney Old Lady 2-8-0. Loco rebuilt years ago, but the tender floor/frame was...BAD. I exhausted my last hope, so Sunday afternoon I started making a frame. About 11 pieces of brass. Soldered, drilled, tapped, painted. I am just now finishing the details on the boiler. Handrails and pop valves are in. Bell and whistle waiting until all done. Class lights on the bench, loco units painted and ready for jewels. Tender class lights ready for paint. Fun job. Last one I did was my Riv 2-8-0 I bought new in 65 or 66...tender floor and gearbox toast. New floors, bolsters, Sagami can, NWSL gearbox coupled with my Menzies Machine Shop driveshaft. Runs better than new! https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16536909386/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/15940350054/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16561800542/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16376990147/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16561243221/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16536908686/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16375462680/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16376990957/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16376991017/lightbox/ Dave (tried inserting as img bracketed, no go. Tried inserting the image directly, invalid file error. Go figure)
This is just some outstanding modeling Dale. trying to catch up a little on all the great model in this thread.
Just jaw dropping modeling here Rick J You have mad skills with the craftsman project cars. Thanks for posting all your efforts.
I really enjoy all the piping and building and the way you fit it into the scene. Wish I was better at fitting these kinds of things into my layout. Thanks for sharing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/15943672224/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16566253435/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/52862794@N08/16540225116/lightbox/ Done. First time in 45-50 years it's been runable. Nice to get this one checked off. Next is finish the new Mantua Pacific kit, valve gear is next, then on to a pre-1949 Varney Super Mikado. Dave
Thanks Rick, I knew the PRR did that on the older units, but I had never seen them on the U Boats. the details are going to look great when you get them finished.
It's been years since I did that kind of fabrication in brass. Just wanted to prove to myself I could still do it. Sort of like the valve gear on this Pacific on the bench. Been DECADES since I did a full set, but I still have a sheet of typewriter paper to use. See the track the engine is placed upon? Old fibre flex. No idea I still had some laying around.
Thanks Tom, I seem to have got the weathering bug. I enjoy it and I think it makes the cars look more real. i weathered 871 to match some pictures I found of her. I like the way she turned out. i buy graffitti off of ebay from a vendor up in South Dakota. He takes pictures of graffitti on cars that come through Abredeen up there. He then makes decals out of them. The prices are pretty reasonable, usually around 3.50 a sheet including postage. I use fine point paint pens for some of it. Especially the spray paint lines. I have my own tag I put on the cars as well. A 7am with some squiggles. There are quite a few very talented folks on this board. I want to thank all of you for sharing your projects. I have learned quite a lot looking at what you post. have a good evening all!