N scale "What's on your workbench?"

Mark Watson Oct 28, 2009

  1. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Beautiful day today (after a nasty front moved through yesterday), highs reaching the upper 60's!
    I took the opportunity to take 3 of the T-Trak modules outside and set them up on a folding table a few minutes from the house. Although the General Store module is still a work in progress, I felt the structure is complete enough to photograph.
    These three modules feature structures from Blair Line in N scale: the General Store, Dari King, Ernie's service, and a couple of Billboards...
    I think these rural structures look right at home.
    Thanks for looking,
    Bruce

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    I've got to fix that leaning Coke machine!!!
     
  2. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Is the shingle ridge row on the Conoco garage popping up in back?
     
  3. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    LOL...I wouldnt worry about the tilted coke machine. Eons ago...a local gas station (somewhat like yours) had a soda machine that was intentionally leaned (with 2x4's under one side) because the fan inside was hitting something inside and the owner found that tilting it made the fan quiet down...ROFLMAO !! :ROFLMAO:
     
  4. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's my next project: A pair of Southern Pacific DS-117 class switchers. Haven't decided on road numbers as of yet. They will be in the 1529 - 1538 series. These are from shapeways.

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    Thanks,
    Wolf
     
  5. Carolina Northern

    Carolina Northern TrainBoard Member

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    Those are impressive. More S-4 mechs?
    Can't wait to see what you do with them.

    Don
     
  6. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Brass Car Sides was unloading some of their stock so I picked up a UP dome observation set. I have a few too many UP dome coaches so one went under the knife.

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  7. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi Don,

    Thanks, these are on Atlas VO-1000 chassis.

    Regards,
    Wolf
     
  8. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    I WANT
     
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  9. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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  10. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Alright it's pretty much settled. T-Trak module it is after looking at your album...it's amazing! Just took my N-Scale out of storage and trying to organize it, as it's not a lot of stuff, but about 40 years of a small mix. Made an oval on a dining room table for a few days to show the family, and kids, and now just learning to clean and maintain the locomotives and stock cars. I only have a very, very small space to work in. Setting up a very tiny fold out table as a temporary work space for maintenance and testing.

    I have to buy Kato track right and can't use my Atlas code 80 track? Most definitely going to order a T-Tral kit, where did you get yours or did you make them?

    Did I double post some how. I was just trying to reply and not take up space reposting his pictures...sorry. Getting used to forums again.
     
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  11. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Thursday, the 18th, My Sweetie and I drove an hour east, to Bay St. Louis, MS, to catch the Amtrak Inspection special, running from NOLA to Jacksonville, FL...we chased it all the way to Mobile. We were impressed by the community turnout at each scheduled 10 minute stop. You might notice, as the train passes onto the Bay Bridge, the Buoy Bar, just across the tracks. This is Denise and I's favorite Burger/Libation joint in my former stomping grounds-great food, drink and entertainment, with a view that is unparalleled! (I am from New Orleans, and spent every summer of my childhood with my Aunt and Uncle in Bay. St. Louis and Pass Christian-pronounced 'Pass-Kris-chee-ANN')


    later that evening I had a chance to assemble one of the two Showcase Miniatures Wig Wags that will protect the crossing on the General Store T-Trak double module.(I still need to paint the 'concrete' base) I also added a few road signs but need a few more.
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  12. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    to answer the previous question, I used Terry Nathan's excellent T-Kits module kits
    http://t-kits.com
    there is another manufacturer that also makes kits, but I can't recall his company name-his module kits are also nice but he doesn't have the electrical options that T-Kits offers.
    T-Trak standards dictate that the end pieces, on both sides of the module MUST be Kato Unitrack, as the Unitrack IS the system that actually connects the modules together, both physically, and electrically. I've seen module where the Kato Unitrack, on the ends, is connected to flex in the middle, transitioning back to Kato Unitrack at the other end.
    Bruce
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Many of mine are built this way. It's easy to do, allows some flexibility in track layout and less expensive.
     
  14. Barry55

    Barry55 New Member

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    Just bumming around, working on a couple of pieces I picked-up at the last Woodstock train show. The OM did a good job on building these but time and mis-handling had taken their toll.
     

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  15. eidsvolling

    eidsvolling TrainBoard Member

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    Hello all. That piece of iron in my avatar is Alaska Central Railway Co. No. 1. A rough ride awaits her, I'm afraid.

    Her proud new owners will be compelled in a short while to bring in investors for desperately needed construction capital. Those guys will seize control and drastically alter the construction plan for the line. The railroad will be put first into receivership and then bankruptcy. It will hobble along for a while as the Alaska Northern Railway and will ultimately be taken over by the feds in a fire sale to emerge as ... the Alaska Railroad.

    It took several years to get to that day in 1923 when President Warren G. Harding drove a golden spike at the line's northern end (and then died on the trip home ...) I expect it will take me almost as long to realize the completion of my project: a working diorama of the famous "Loop District" on the Kenai Peninsula that featured a massive circular trestle, other large trestles, and seven tunnels (one of them heated with steam to keep the rails clear.)

    Right now, the project exists in my synapses, a collection of computer files and on the attached Templot2 trackpad. You'll notice the lack of track ...

    (It occurs to me that some of you might look at the image and think I've erred grossly in locating the line. In truth, the Loop District was radically altered in the early 1950s (after the retreat of the Bartlett Glacier) to eliminate the circular trestle and some other features. So in addition to the occasionally visible remnants of the original, you can see the current line as well.)
     

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    Last edited: Feb 23, 2016
  16. M&E Alco

    M&E Alco TrainBoard Member

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    Now that our motel is getting a little quieter, I've done a little on some long term projects.

    Several years ago Laura and I travelled from Vancouver (after meeting a couple of awesome Vancouver based N-Scalers) to Toronto on the Canadian. We had room B in Tremblant Park. Here's where I'm at converting a Con-Cor Dome Obs into our Park Car. Lots of interior and underframe work to do yet. It's not a perfect match, but close enough.
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    Also getting closer to painting my 2 "bigs", SIXX #77 and WNYP 637. The 77 is a former Alco demo C-636 and the 637 was originally a CN M-636. Both will be painted in Cartier orange and black. The M-636 started as one of the excellent Brigg's M-630 kits.
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    Cheers
    Steve
    NZ
     
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  17. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    Did you paint the observation and if so with what? It looks great.
     
  18. M&E Alco

    M&E Alco TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks. It's painted with Vallejo Metal Color which is an acrylic paint system similar to Alclad. For me it was a cheaper option and turned out great. Printed directions indicated thinning the paint was optional. I think it would have produced a slighly smother finish if I had thinned it a little. Overall it worked well.
    Cheers
    Steve
    NZ
     
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  19. Manitobamodeler24

    Manitobamodeler24 TrainBoard Member

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    Ooooooo I like those, especially the park car, while I have been working on loads for my gondolas.
     

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  20. BALOU LINE

    BALOU LINE TrainBoard Member

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    Trying to keep my hands busy. Swapped out 5 sets of trucks and a first coat of ink/alcohol wash. Feels good to be doing something again.
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