Welding shop, ready for the layout. The business is named after a friend who models Union Pacific in HO.
I've been working on an eastern Kentucky-style coal loadout for the past few weeks: Some interior details will be added to the control room before I attach it to the main structure, then it's on to the conveyor. Still haven't figured out how best to go about it.
I've been working on three N Scale fireboats while I'm here in Alabama. Can't finish them off until I get back to Ohio and my trove of parts and fittings. Probably have to commission the booms on the two bigger boats NYC Fire Boat ThreeFortyThree The newest, largest and most powerful fireboat in the US, the Ranger 4200-class is 140' long, 36' in beam, with 8,000 hp driving four propellers, capable of 18 knots. The ship is named after the 343 NYC firemen who died during the September 11, 2001 attack. In N scale Shown is the hull and superstructure without the railings, stairways, fire cannons and fittings that are back in Ohio. The hull is cast resin. The multi-deck styrene superstructure is complex, with many small recesses, compound curves and delicate parts, and requires advanced modeling skills. Still figuring out the best way to produce it. Chicago Fireboat Christopher Wheatley The newest Chicago fireboat is a unique design for the shallow rivers and restricted height bridges around the city. It is 90' long, 25' in beam, and only 16' high with its mast folded down. The hull is cast resin. The styrene superstructure is fairly easy to build, for a ship. The interior of the bridge can be detailed. Like the bigger boat, still figuring out how to build some details like the boom. 80' Fireboat/Harbor Tug Many smaller fireboats were originally tugboats outfitted with auxiliary take-offs or engines for fire cannons. Many tugboats were also fire department auxiliaries. This model represents a steam-powered 80' long fireboat with a 20' beam. As many of these long-lived boats were converted to diesel, small diesel stacks will be available. The hull is one-piece cast resin; the main and pilot house are an easy build from styrene. Railings, ladders, fire cannons and other details will be included upon my return to Ohio. The interior of the pilot house is open and can be detailed. When I get back to Ohio in February (unless the weather remains horrid), I'll show them with full details
I like the bridge man how long is the bridge you may have said and I just missed it. Some day when I do start my layout I plan on having a very wide section to cross I will need to put a couple of bridges together so glad to see how you did that.
After the rivet decal marathon and prior to the window glass marathon, I was up for something a little more interesting. These two Briggs Models NSC exterior post double door boxcars were the last of the current crop of models awaiting decals: Next up for these cars are paint defect repairs, weathering and seal coat, and mounting the trucks. Work on panel track car BCOL 6510 was limited this week to getting the four jacking pads installed. Owing to the very small size of the parts, these had to be built in place: Next up for this car are the etched detail parts. Tim
Did some more on my Challenger - painted out most of the silver on the sides to match prototype and started on the pilot. SP&S Z8s had solid pilots. Plan to install a MTL coupler - debating N or Z scale. Do Z scale couplers work with rolling stock that have N scale couplers? John
Thanks! Hopefully I can get the layout started soon; the loader will look much better in the proper Appalachian setting.
More work on panel track car BCOL 6510 for the Prince George Auxiliary. End platforms, end and side grab irons, sill steps and top hand holds installed: Underframe brake appliances installed: Next up are the bunks for the track panels and the deck fencing at the 'B' end. Off to the Monroe, WA show tomorrow. Tim
Tim, are these latest projects stand alones or are you working towards a work train consist? If the latter, it would certainly be neat to see it all together sometime!
Yes, I am attempting a build of the Prince George Auxiliary which was the British Columbia Railway's north end heavy lift train. Tool car BCOL 6503, rail car PGE 991130 and tie car BCOL 994016 are finished and ready for service. Cable car BCOL 6504, tool wash car BCOL 6506, and cook diner BCOL 6508 are built and ready for paint. Panel track car BCOL 6510 (pictured above) is now in an advanced stage of construction and will be ready for paint in a week or two. Crane BCOL 6501 and idler car BCOL 6502 are future projects and will complete the consist, at which time I will definitely post a family photo. Tim
While I'm not totally happy with the results...it's maybe a C+/B- on my curve...these are the results of what was on my workbench. I finally got a few lights in my buildings. Somehow need street lights, but that's another project in the future. Two Trailers on the other end are due up next. Results pending...
