N scale "What's on your workbench?"

Mark Watson Oct 28, 2009

  1. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

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    The pretty won't last long once I get back into the projects.
    I'd like to have a bigger bench but that just makes more space for more mess.
     
    freddy_fo, mtntrainman and MK like this.
  2. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    Just got in some intermountain cylindrical hopper kits. Most I will build as is but this yellow (formerly scoular) was turned into a green sasketchewan. Still have a few things left including undercarriage details, FRA blocks/decals and awaiting body mount couplers.

    20200808_191001.jpg 20200810_160809.jpg
     
  3. PapaG

    PapaG TrainBoard Member

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    I finally started working with some of this 'Shaper Sheet' from Woodland Scenics. It's kind of a cool product to get texture and shapes established quickly and with just a small amount of effort.

    I have plaster applied to this but failed to get any pics of it after that work was completed. So, I'll post this and then I'll post the plastered product soon.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. M&E Alco

    M&E Alco TrainBoard Member

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    My happy place, Alcos and my work bench. Wish I had more time for both.
    The M-420 is a Briggs kit with some changes and will be Maine Eastern 3573.
    The C-425 is also a Briggs kit, a C-425 with modifications to become Detroit & Mackinac 1280 a C-425 rebuild.
    The M-636 is a Briggs M-630 kit made into an M-636 with a new radiator. It's Western NY & Pennsylvania 637 when finished.
    Lastly a kitbashed C-636 on an Atlas C-630 chassis with lots of other bits thrown at it. It is SIXX leasing 77, a former Cartier unit that was freeze damaged on the NYSW and since scrapped.
    Cheers
    Steve
    [​IMG]
     
  5. PapaG

    PapaG TrainBoard Member

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    So, still working with the Shaper Sheet and plaster... here are some of the pics that I didn't have for my previous post, with a small amount of additional work being done. After plastering the Shaper Sheet, I've covered the rest of the surface with plaster cloth.

    One lesson I learned though... the transition from the edge of the Shaper Sheet to the top of the elevated foam sub-roadbed could have been better executed. I may have made more sanding work for myself to maintain a nice flat surface for track laying than would have been necessary had I planned this a little better.

    It's actually a pretty good looking beginning and provides a pretty nice foundation to adhere some of my rock castings for outcroppings and whathaveyou. I can't wait until this section is done so I can start plotting my bridge abutments and laying out my downtown/shopping area structures.

    Anyone have a good source for scratch-build structure plans that I can download?

    And, if anyone has some tips or pointers that you think might be of some value to me, I appreciate all the input.
    Thx!
     

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    Last edited: Aug 13, 2020
  6. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This was my last project. Kitbashed Athearn and W&R brass FP45 shells on Athearn frame. 873548D8-802B-4AD9-BFC8-24F94F4332D5.jpeg D1B9F068-2FB8-4B87-BE8C-71049F9BF191.jpeg 87409EE2-CD08-4391-927D-1AC7581DFE3B.jpeg
     
  7. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    I think what you have is an excellent start. I recently came upon a vid of someone sculpting rocks though and am going to give this a shot on my upcoming layout...



    I built my first layout which I still have using woodland scenics C1202 for the bluffs and still prefer that over all their other mold a scene products due to the extended setting time. It has coarse pieces in it that pull away as you are shaping with a hobby knife but the resulting texture is more realistic to N-scale modeling IMO. Worst case is rub with you finger and it's all smoothed out.

    I've scratch built a few structures using scale lumber and still happy with the results but all of these were built from seeing an online photo and lots of cutting and sanding to get a reasonable facsimile. I also have saved leftover parts from other structure to use as window frames etc to help keep the final product clean and quick. I say if there is a kit out there that grabs you buy it and build it. I'm seeing a huge selection of laser cut wood buildings on the interweb and worth looking around if you are inclined.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2020
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  8. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    I had some free time after work this last week and commenced to putting together my other 5 hoppers I recently received. Funny that I built two of these over 20 years ago but had to relearn the process to get through these... ( I guess reading the instructions would have helped a bit LOL)


    20200814_093022.jpg

    Still awaiting couplers and weights (all out of bird shot) before I install the release hatches on the underside. Since these hatches really dislike excessive handling I though I'd wait to install them till I get the bellies permanently attached. I'm still really digging the custom green sasketchewan hopper. I'd show the other side but I don't want to get dinged for it on the forum LOL.
     
  9. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Spent a couple days putting some decoders in 3 GE U50's I had. For some reason I really like the looks of these engines so have more than I probably should have. I have an additional one that I'll keep for parts and I used the frame that was under a Conrail U50 (don't think they ever had them) to put under the Southern Pacific shell below (they had 3 I think) that I was able to pickup separately. I need to repaint the Conrail handrails and put them on. I'll run a few SP's with my UP's as I saw them running together when I lived in Wyoming. A lot of times they were the lead engine. An engineer once told me they moved them to the front if they could since they were better maintained inside vs. the UP engines. Don't know how much truth there was to that.

    [​IMG]

    This was a fairly easy decoder install as there is a lot of room to work with. I used the little larger DZ123's over smaller DZ126T's as there was room and they are about $10 cheaper at $15. Not much to spend for DCC.

    [​IMG]

    I milled the frame using a flex shaft type Dremel tool and a very small die grinder bit. I'll do another post on that as I'm really liking using it over my big mill. I did all the milling on this in probably 10 minutes total time. This is a solution about anyone could use to mill frames.

    [​IMG]

    I'm happy with the ways these run and love the looks, but then again I probably have low standards. They don't have the super slow speed running that some of my other engines have but run well at speeds over probably 10-15 mph scale speeds. I'll change the couplers on the top two eventually and need to renumber the top one to #31 as it and the bottom one came #32. I'll put up the decoder install in detail soon hopefully,

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2020
  10. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Working on a U18b model right now. First print while in progress of the design and re-design of the long hood. "Baby Boat" in N Scale with a U23b in the background for scale. This is a really cool little model, looking forward to finishing the design in the upcoming weeks! To be fitted eventually to an Atlas GP9 chassis:

    U18babyBoat.jpg

    Cheers
    -Mike
     
  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    While I have no need for a pocket battleship, I can recognize a sweet model when I see it! Nice work, Mike!
     
  12. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    I would love to see that!
     
  13. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

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    Recieved this today and finished it not too long ago!
    Classic Metal Works Rio Grande Hi-Rail maintenance truck.
    Think I've got a few extra details I can add to it!
    Perfect for a welder set I have! Just gotta find some Oxy/Acetylene tanks!

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome back JD. It is great to see your postings again.

    Stay well,
    Carl
     
  15. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Truck, trucks, and more trucks! On a wheel painting binge :D

    20200816_110342_resized.jpg
     
  16. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Here you go....



    Between the Wen flex shaft rotary tool and using a good jewelers saw you can modify a frame for a decoder install in 30-45 minutes and you might already have the tools or if you need to buy them they are around $50 total and can be used on other jobs,

    Sumner
     
  17. Run8Racing

    Run8Racing TrainBoard Member

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    BNSF FAN, I will have to do that eventually. Still recovering from trailer light binge a few years ago. Got to the point where EVERYTHING needed little amber or red dots. The cat stayed away from me for 3 days !!! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: You will be the same, but you'll be seeing white, gray, and silver !!! Those little details make a HUGE difference, though.
     
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  18. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks :) You know hindsight is 20/20 and what I have learned is I should have done this as I acquired them and it would have been a lot easier. :D
     
  19. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Well my new to my workbench is a new layout!! I sold the little railfan layout I had been building over the last couple of years and now it has a new home, and I need to start over. The new layout is not yet done in stone, it is still being thought out and designed based on my space. I will prolly work on my T-Trak modules in the mean time now that there is a bit more room in my living room for them.

    I did get some of the wiring squared away on the modules last night. I wired them up to my liking (pics to come later) and after an electrical test with a train on the rails I will start to build the scenery on them.
     
  20. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is my workbench, a cookie sheet on my computer desk. I have completed all of my trucks so back to work on my Challenger. This is a Key loco that was originally # 3985 but I re-painted in the TTG scheme and re-numbered to 3982. I added smoke lifters, a new motor, new NWSL u-joints. I added an ESU Loksound 5 decoder and new speaker. Had it running quite well yesterday but the headlight was not working so I drilled it out and am in the process of adding a new 0402 LED.

    [​IMG]

    When I get this thing finished, I'll post a YT video.

    Stay well,
    Carl
     

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