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Post by sd40dash2 on Nov 27, 2022 3:20:18 GMT -8
CP Rail's famous bathtub gondola first appeared in 1969 and for nearly 30 years the only commercial options modellers had were inaccurate MDC 1660-series kits or labour-intensive Quality Craft/Juneco wood kits. Pacific Rail Shops finally released this accurate decorated plastic kit in 1998 which I assembled, weighted, weathered and photographed. All subsequent runs of this model were offered only RTR in Intermountain packaging. ex-MDC bathtub gondolas produced by Athearn RTR in CP markings are not accurate.
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Post by 690 on Nov 27, 2022 5:18:56 GMT -8
CP Rail's famous bathtub gondola first appeared in 1969 and for nearly 30 years the only commercial options modellers had were inaccurate MDC 1660-series kits or labour-intensive Quality Craft/Juneco wood kits. Pacific Rail Shops finally released this accurate decorated plastic kit in 1998 which I assembled, weighted, weathered and photographed. All subsequent runs of this model were offered only RTR in Intermountain packaging. ex-MDC bathtub gondolas produced by Athearn RTR in CP markings are not accurate.
Nice looking car! We used to get some of these in scrap service with the sides extended, I always liked it when they were on the end of a cut, as they made nice cars to ride a shove. On a few of them the multimark was still there, just barely visible under decades of grime. |
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Post by trainboyy on Nov 27, 2022 10:11:12 GMT -8
 Removing molded on ladders is pretty tedious work. It's not that hard, it's just a bit annoying to do. The end result looks ugly, but that's because the paint on this car hasn't been stripped yet. |
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Post by TBird1958 on Nov 27, 2022 11:17:38 GMT -8
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Post by fr8kar on Nov 27, 2022 13:25:11 GMT -8
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Post by timvanmersbergen on Nov 27, 2022 14:10:41 GMT -8
I have been working on a layout model of the Savanna, Illinois CB&Q station. Link to prototype photo:  www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=72199 I still need to shingle the roof and of course, finish the scene. In addition to the building work, I weathered up my new Tangent IC Centralia cabooses. Here's one heading west at East Cabin on the Iowa Division.  Also hosted a Black Friday operating session on the layout that went off pretty well. Finally, with the scenery oozing its way south of the Route 20 bridge in East Dubuque making the East Cabin area generally presentable, I made a new video featuring that area and a few other new things around the layout. Tim VanMersbergen ![]() |
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Post by slowfreight on Nov 27, 2022 15:40:12 GMT -8
Sometimes, I think good weathering goes further than shaving off molded grabs. Ends were shaved off, but sides are molded on. Saving factory paint seemed quite attractive at the time.  |
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Post by cemr5396 on Nov 27, 2022 15:51:07 GMT -8
Manny/SD40-2 repeatedly posting Bowser SD40-2s on SPF got me to finally get off my behind and finish this one that had been on my workbench for way too long... This week I finished the number boards, replaced the two rear radiator fans with Athearn Genesis Q-Fans, hit the intakes with some Tamiya panel wash, and then flat coated it and re installed the windows. Previous work included renumbering, changing the battery boxes and adding the Locotrol II reciever antennas as I posted previously, changing most of the bearings to open style, adding a speed recorder, adding an EOT antenna slightly behind and to the right of the bell, adding a CP style curved pilot instead of the factory applied snowplow, and adding reflective stripes along the sill and across the front face of the anticlimber. Once Cannon fans are available again I want to go back and replace the DB fans, too.   The unit is now ready for service on the layout either on the point of a train or in a "not totally proper" (for the 2010s, lol) Locotrol-II consist with my Red Barn  |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Nov 27, 2022 16:04:18 GMT -8
^ What a great project of updating a late model SD40-2 for the 2010 decade. Very nice work, I really like it and am glad I was able to inspire you.  Q: Is that a Cannon battery box door? Side comment: Since this unit is 2010s vintage, you do not need the large porch-mounted external air dryer. I noticed Bowser includes one version of that part on their ONR SD40-2. I keep checking their website Cal Scale and other parts lists in the hopes the part may be available separately but nothing has materialized as yet. It's not a difficult part to scratchbuild (I did this on my models of 5875, 6066 and 6067) but a RTR part would be preferable. That would allow those modelling 1985-2001 to backdate the upcoming models of 5867 and 5873 Bowser has announced. Maybe I should just email Lee and see if they might consider making some extra air dryers for their parts line. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Nov 27, 2022 16:13:01 GMT -8
...projects I've been working on recently for Masterbilt Models. These are 3D printed wheels ... Hi Ryan, thank you for modelling a very plain, basic working truck with 5 and 6-spoke rims. These rims were very common at one time, yet it seems model mfrs frequently design incorrect, shiny, oversized wheels on their cars and trucks. Only in recent decades have we started seeing the fancy aluminum and shiny rims, at one time most trucks just had the very basic rims you've modelled on the last Ford truck. You are one of the few modellers who seems to understand this. Great work, I hope this inspires others and advances the cause for more typical, basic 5 and 6-spoke truck rims! |
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Post by cemr5396 on Nov 27, 2022 16:42:55 GMT -8
^ What a great project of updating a late model SD40-2 for the 2010 decade. Very nice work, I really like it and am glad I was able to inspire you. Q: Is that a Cannon battery box door? yes, my starting point model was a DRF-30v (6054 I think?) so I had to change the battery box doors on both sides to match the ones on the later built DRF-30w. I don't think those air dryers were used for very long, I heard they were deemed a tripping hazard and CP was made to remove them. Their location always struck me as almost the worst possible place to put such a thing. One of the only photos I've ever seen of one actually installed happens to be this photo I found on the CP Diesel Roster site of 6062 on it's shakedown trip east from London before getting sent out west:  |
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Post by packer on Nov 27, 2022 16:49:08 GMT -8
Been working on a few smalls (sorry about the bench) during the 4-day weekend  Stock Atlas tanker with some weathering and decal work. Next time I do one of these, I'm filling in that seam. (Might try here but I don't know how well it'd go over)  Installed a decoder with a SSS speaker in the F7B, and swapped in an SSS speaker into the F7A.  Swapped the shells between these two as I don't have the right sideframes for the MILW (ordered some of Fr8kars that are close). Kinda funny I had bought a C&O U30C at the last show for a chassis, then i went through my junk drawer and found a U33C chassis that needed wiring and driveshafts, so the MILW will run again soon.  Swapped all 108 of these ore cars to correct 5' wheelbase trucks, with IM wheelsets. Now I'm trying to unload most of the old trucks.  Finally found one of these. Pretty close to the actual Berwick car, the side sill needs to be extended a touch and the top bit of the end is a lil different. Going to get moloco FGE draft gear as it looks the closest to the protype. |
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Post by slowfreight on Nov 27, 2022 17:04:08 GMT -8
Packer, swapping out trucks like that is the real hero work. It always falls to the back of the queue, until one day you decide it's time. I had to replace plastic wheelsets on my 40 sand jennies, then paint the trucks and couplers. Stared at it for about 6 years in favor of other projects.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Nov 27, 2022 17:46:50 GMT -8
I don't think those air dryers were used for very long, I heard they were deemed a tripping hazard and CP was made to remove them. Their location always struck me as almost the worst possible place to put such a thing. Yep, that's one of the three or four styles of porch-mounted air dryer CP had. They were used for about 20 years since my latest photo with intact air dryer was taken in 2004. I understand they only became a problem after these SD40-2s were bumped from their captive western Canadian service after 1998 and started travelling to the US. IIRC it was the US FRA who complained about the tripping hazard.
Back to modelling, I contacted Lee to offer my assistance with the upcoming SD40-2 release and also to request that their ONR air dryer part (correct for CP 5865-79) be made available separately.
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Post by dti406 on Nov 27, 2022 17:59:16 GMT -8
Good evening from cloudy, cool and wrainy Northeast Ohio! Here is this weeks finished projects: First up is an Athearn Sieco 5077CF Boxcar kit, finished with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red #2 and Silver paints than lettered with Mask Island Decals (Now available from Highball Graphics with Hubert's death). Car was originally in food service with the N&W and is now in regular service after the NS merger with previous NW black box cars cars now painted red and Southern red hoppers now painted black. _IMG_0227.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Next is another AHM covered hopper that I upgraded with new ladders and wire grabs and a Plano Roofwalk along with new center discharge hoppers I had left over from other kits. Painted the car with Scalecoat II MofW Gray paint and lettered with Mask Island decals for the second set of Covered Hoppers received by the Monan. _IMG_0218.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) A pair of Athearn Ex-Illinois Terminal SD39's with a general freight on the Strongsville club layout. _IMG_1228.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Thanks for looking, Rick Jesionowski |
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Post by fr8kar on Nov 27, 2022 18:12:11 GMT -8
Hi Ryan, thank you for modelling a very plain, basic working truck with 5 and 6-spoke rims. These rims were very common at one time, yet it seems model mfrs frequently design incorrect, shiny, oversized wheels on their cars and trucks. Only in recent decades have we started seeing the fancy aluminum and shiny rims, at one time most trucks just had the very basic rims you've modelled on the last Ford truck. You are one of the few modellers who seems to understand this. Great work, I hope this inspires others and advances the cause for more typical, basic 5 and 6-spoke truck rims! Glad to help, Manny! This is one of those modeling rabbit holes that I went down a few years ago. I liked the spoke wheels Athearn used on their Ford C and 20' intermodal chassis kits quite a lot, but I could never seem to round up enough of either to retrofit my models that needed the spoke wheels. Eventually I settled on making 3D models of the Dayton 5 and 6 spoke wheels and everything kind of went out of control from there. I've drawn 22.5" wheels, 24.5" wheels, low profile tires for the 22.5" wheels, super singles, you name it. Something like 95 varieties. It's ridiculous. I was glad to be able to adapt those designs to some existing models that really kind of needed some help (that Atlas Ford especially!). We have it pretty good when it comes to access to period photos for many of our chosen prototypes. I like the 80s, so there are plenty of photos online showing the railroads I model from that time. What's more difficult, especially since the demise of the greatest trucking photo site ever, is finding period photos of vehicles from the past. And not just the Corvettes and Ferraris or tricked out Kenworths and Peterbilts, I'm talking about the Pintos and K-cars, the GMC Generals and Mack B and Rs. What I've found really helpful is looking carefully at movies from my era. There are some good extended car chase scenes that can pack a lot of information in a relatively short clip. The chase sequence from To Live and Die in L.A. is my all-time favorite example of this. Not only is it a great chase sequence (the best?) the shots of the vehicles are clear and full of detail. To your point Manny, the spoke wheel to disc wheel to aluminum shiny wheel ratio is pretty even by 1985 and there are many examples of each in that movie. The Internet Cars Movie Database is a great research tool to go along with watching movies for modeling info on cars and trucks. Here's the page for To Live and Die in L.A.: www.imcdb.org/movie.php?id=90180 |
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Post by tom on Nov 27, 2022 18:23:51 GMT -8
A Penn Central (ex-PRR) leads a freight over a crossing. Model is a detailed Highliner shell on a Stewart chassis. Crossing signals are modified Oregon Rail Supply signals.  |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Nov 27, 2022 18:41:27 GMT -8
Lots of great points you made, Ryan, thanks for the detailed post. Yes, I miss that truck website also. I do have some books that are helpful but again, the lens seems to always be attracted by the shiny, showroom or tricked out fancy highway trucks. I love chrome as much as the next guy but what about the hard working cement, gravel, dry van and more local or regional highway trucks? Those are very common once you get off the big highways. Agreed about the Athearn vehicles, their wheels and overall proportions look good. They seem to be collectible though. Lonestar also made some excellent 5-spoke rear rims for trucks and trailers that really captured the look of regular, hard-working big trucks. Yeah, traffic scenes in those great old movies really do offer a wealth of vehicle information. Some of this depends on where you are also. I think the shiny, aluminum wheels were on newer, more expensive long haul trucks in my area which is much more rural. Even on some city trips back in the '80s, most of the trucks I remember had the plain spoke wheels rather than the expensive, shiny type. I didn't see a trailer with aluminum wheels until sometime in the late 1990s or 2000s, perhaps around the time we started seeing 53' trailers. Hopefully mfrs will pay better attention to wheels in the future and realize they were not all big and shiny!
P.S. I watched the car chase scene in that LA movie you mentioned and if you look closely, very few of those trucks in that 1985 movie had shiny wheels. Most of the trucks had plain wheels which is consistent with what I remember.
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Post by Christian on Nov 28, 2022 4:10:02 GMT -8
I’m not a truck guy. If you pose them side by side I can tell that a Ford and an Autocar are different from each other. But I can find photographs and match them. Now days there are lots and lots of resin and 3D wheel and tires available. If you can find them when you are in a project. Ryan’s 95 and still counting should match anything, almost. Herpa has frequently made wheel and tire packs available that actually match what you can find under a working truck and trailer. Below are two models I have posted before that were matched to photographs. The weathering was also matched. In the eighties Sperry washed their trucks often and seemed to Armor All the tires daily. The Roadway is extremely rare – its almost clean! As for shiny wheels – generally I’ve seen them under private owner trucks, not particularly fleet. They seem popular in the various agricultural industries and might be more of a Midwestern thing. Roadway is mostly A-Line with a smattering of Plano parts, Lonestar marker lights, and Herpa wheelsets. Sperry is from a Custom Finishing kit fitted to an Atlas Ford. Again, matching photos. Sorta. 802 never saw service so I used the number because my model is a composite of #805 and # 808. Yes, the license plate is wrong. Oops! The correct 1985 Connecticut plate has since been applied. Lots of changes from the raw kit.   |
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Post by trainboyy on Nov 28, 2022 8:18:56 GMT -8
Sometimes, I think good weathering goes further than shaving off molded grabs. Yes, that holds true; but the grab irons on the Athearn modern boxcar don't look right to me. I also wanted to learn how to remove molded on details anyway, and on a car I bought for $16, if it turns out ugly by the time I repaint it, it's not a huge loss. |
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Post by loco8107 on Nov 29, 2022 7:05:22 GMT -8
I’m not a truck guy. If you pose them side by side I can tell that a Ford and an Autocar are different from each other. But I can find photographs and match them. Now days there are lots and lots of resin and 3D wheel and tires available. If you can find them when you are in a project. Ryan’s 95 and still counting should match anything, almost. Herpa has frequently made wheel and tire packs available that actually match what you can find under a working truck and trailer. Below are two models I have posted before that were matched to photographs. The weathering was also matched. In the eighties Sperry washed their trucks often and seemed to Armor All the tires daily. The Roadway is extremely rare – its almost clean! As for shiny wheels – generally I’ve seen them under private owner trucks, not particularly fleet. They seem popular in the various agricultural industries and might be more of a Midwestern thing. Roadway is mostly A-Line with a smattering of Plano parts, Lonestar marker lights, and Herpa wheelsets. Sperry is from a Custom Finishing kit fitted to an Atlas Ford. Again, matching photos. Sorta. 802 never saw service so I used the number because my model is a composite of #805 and # 808. Yes, the license plate is wrong. Oops! The correct 1985 Connecticut plate has since been applied. Lots of changes from the raw kit. They both look great! I remember seeing those Roadway trucks on the roads a lot back then before Yellow bought them in 2003. Adds a nice touch to vehicle scenes. |
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Post by stevef45 on Nov 30, 2022 5:13:31 GMT -8
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Nov 30, 2022 11:23:28 GMT -8
The unit is now ready for service on the layout either on the point of a train or in a "not totally proper" (for the 2010s, lol) Locotrol-II consist with my Red Barn You’ll have to apply for environmental and prototypical impact waivers to conduct “not totally proper” operations in this manner. It might be a monumental transgression. These things are not to be taken lightly….you may need representation on retainer. Have fun, that’s nice looking work. |
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Post by cp6027 on Dec 2, 2022 16:46:08 GMT -8
The Savanna depot is looking great! What have you been using for the the various wall segment? Scratch or kitbash?
Also really like the SRS ultrasonic rail defect inspection truck. Lots of great submissions this week!
I still have an unassembled Pacific Rail Shops CP Teoli bathtub gon kit that I purchased at Discount Model Trains in Addison, TX back in summer 2001! It was one of the red CP cars, so it never really fit with my other black cars from Intermountain and I never got around to assembling it.
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Post by timvanmersbergen on Dec 6, 2022 17:53:45 GMT -8
The Savanna depot is looking great! What have you been using for the the various wall segment? Scratch or kitbash? Thank you. I am using DPM modular wall sections trimmed and spliced. The goal here is to make a model that captures the feel of the prototype that by necessity of layout real estate, needs to be a bit smaller. Here are a few in-process shots that will give an idea.   Tim VanMersbergen |
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