Decided it was better to lose myself working on projects than losing my lunch over politics today. Finally took the first step with my model of VIA 10-6 sleeper Terra Nova River by removing the corrugation from one of my Walthers sleepers. And I stripped the first of my Con-Cor Budd coaches. (Sorry to all the ONR fans out there.)
DrMb, How did you remove the corrugation from the Walthers sleeper? Looks like you did a nice job of it. I need to do that with a dome car that I want to convert to a smooth-side. Just need to do the lower panel, in my case. Trying to figure out if planing or sanding will work. I don't have a milling capability that I think is rigid enough.
Slowly with a needle file. You strip down the cars to just the sides, emphasis on removing the "glass", and start removing everything you don't want. I still may have to remove more material once I strip the factory paint.
Hi I was originally going to use the Briggs conversion, but I didn't do a great job with the first set, so I bought the MbE sideframes. I wasn't totally happy with the alignment of the axles for the MbE castings so I'm going to try and modify these Atlas Dash-8 trucks to resemble the DoFASCo ones. The Mbe castings are nicely done, but I think this will give a good compromise result. Cheers Steve
I received my first samples of my EMD dual control stand cabs from Shapeways. I need to tweak a few things with the files but they turned out well.
Keep an eye out for the Kaslo shops 8-40CM's. Supposedly they will be offering the correct Dofasco trucks for it which were salvaged from ALCO/MLW units.
Progress! (Although I still need to finish stripping the non-vestibule end and then the real fun begins.)
Hi Nice work on those passenger cars MrMb. I've seen some photos of the Briggs BCR Dash-8s in stages of construction, but haven't seen the trucks. I'll watch out for them. Here is an update on my "Bigs", the M-636 in the background with former Alco demonstrator C-636 in the front. This is to become SIXX 77. I'm happy with the paint job, just not happy with my masking effort with low-tac masking tape. Also dislodged a couple of small parts removing said masking tape, including the radiator walkway. A few touch ups required. The real interesting aspect of this photo is it shows the main differences between the MLW and Alco versions of the same design. Apart from the Cartier changes to the C-636 such as filter work and a longer radiator, which is now the same as that on the M-636. Cheers Steve NZ
Thanks even though I think I'm developing an unhealthy case of OCD when it comes to removing the last of the corrugation while trying to preserve the details around the door. 2000 grit sandpaper gives great results but it takes forever when it comes to smoothing out what's left once you are done with the needle file. Edit: Like I said, results but it takes forever. I still need to do the other side and I'm holding off on the area around the grab irons until after I drill the holes for the new ones.
At least I keep telling myself that every time I think about my next passenger car projects. The near total rebuild of my Kato diner into a VIA PS diner and the lengthening of my Walthers baggage into a VIA NSC baggage (if you have been following Rapido's news, you will understand why I'm going this route) are going to be interesting to say the least.
Track planning dominates the workbench currently. This is the first level that I have been tinkering with. N scale.
I would love to see what is on your workbench. We are looking for articles we can feature in N-Scale Magazine. We'd love to hear from you and see your pictures. If you are interested in doing an article for N-Scale Magazine, please contact us at info@nscalemagazine.com We look forward to hearing from you. Pamela Clapp, Publisher - N-Scale Magazine
some work on the T-TRAK modules (specifically 'Arbo' and 'Queenman' Canyons... some extra detail carving and the first coat of paint (ostensibly to pick a good base color)...this first coat reveals that I won't have to cover the entire slope(s) in precolored Sculptamold (keeping weight down), only 'repair' a few areas where the layers of styofoam show...still have that, talus, ground cover, careful sedimentary layer painting, and some scrub vegetation left! Thanks for looking, ~Bruce
My workbench is a TV tray, it's just the right size for what I do although it's not very strong which is ok. I'm not putting a lot of weight on it. Currently I've been working on a model of the Ft. Smith Depot that Frisco used during their passenger train years. Right now I'm cutting out windows and doors on the front panel. When finished the depot will look like the prototype in the 1950's. It will be a two story with columns on the north end and a single story on the south end. It looks like the most difficult part will be making awnings for the windows. North End South End Joe
Another update on my 2 ex-Cartier 'Bigs'. Truck mods are done and a couple of other bits tidied up. This shows how I modified the Atlas Dash-8 trucks to resemble Alco's Hi-Ads. This is the best of 3 versions I've made over the years. Cheers Steve
