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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 31, 2023 6:02:56 GMT -8
These are the remaining parts, incl the railings which have now been painted PRIOR to installation. Remaining work is time-consuming and finicky like this, so you have to be in the right mood to get it done.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 31, 2023 6:17:39 GMT -8
Be sitting here with a cold draft Dos Equis XX in a frosty mug waiting for that mood to hit. All that paint and decal stuff sure does stifle the creative effort leading up to this point.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 31, 2023 7:20:13 GMT -8
^I'll be right over. As for the paint and decals, I can see why you might think that. The truth is a different story though, as a lot of engineering went into both of those. Also a lot of running around was necessary to find a close approximation of action yellow in spray paint form resulting in a high product cost plus fuel and time. Decals needed some creativity as well, as no one makes the tiny black "CP Rail". In the end it was an N scale decal set that saved the day. Your eyes would gloss over if I shared all the behind the scenes thought and planning necessary to complete these builds in a timely manner.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 1, 2023 4:52:00 GMT -8
After cutting out the Plano 454 steps, carefully measure and cut the risers out of styrene strip to fit the wells. Alignment is key with this so take your time.
1. install the larger top riser 2. install the bottom step 3. install the top step 4. install the bottom riser
5. finish with the middle step and riser.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Sept 1, 2023 6:37:15 GMT -8
After cutting out the Plano 454 steps, carefully measure and cut the risers out of styrene strip to fit the wells. Alignment is key with this so take your time.
1. install the larger top riser 2. install the bottom step 3. install the top step 4. install the bottom riser
5. finish with the middle step and riser.
Right on the same plane as brain surgery...  With the rest so well finished I'd certainly have a finger print or smear of something during this step....  or have one of those etching take flight into the flying parts dimension...  well out of radar range... |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 1, 2023 12:07:51 GMT -8
Right on the same plane as brain surgery... With the rest so well finished I'd certainly have a finger print or smear of something during this step.... or have one of those etching take flight into the flying parts dimension... well out of radar range... Yeah we are in the challenging final assembly stage now. Losing or breaking parts is common enough that I try to keep spares of everything around. In the case of the steps I have sheets of that Plano material here and can cut out a new step if one flies away. These builds are more about journey than destination if that helps. |
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Post by Christian on Sept 2, 2023 0:59:39 GMT -8
These builds are more about journey than destination if that helps. Well stated. There are two objectives of model builders: "Process" and "Product." Most of us are on a sliding scale in between. It is obvious from my build threads where I stand on the scale! |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 2, 2023 6:44:30 GMT -8
This photo is slightly out of order but the idea is to show the tools I used to carefully hand paint the steps and edges plus end sill grab irons. Maybe this will help one of the many silent viewers.
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Post by cpr4200 on Sept 2, 2023 8:09:08 GMT -8
Those are paint pens? Can you find them locally?
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 2, 2023 8:38:56 GMT -8
^ Doubtful. Almost everything I use is purchased online from amazon, ebay and similar well-designed shopping cart websites. Way too much time and money will be wasted trying to find stuff like this at whatever locally means to you. For some things like spray paint, Canada Post will not ship so your nearest box store becomes the best option unless you want to pay $100 courier charges to deliver a $15 item.
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Post by Christian on Sept 3, 2023 0:45:58 GMT -8
Those are paint pens? Can you find them locally? is a major brand for artists drawing materials. Gelly Roll is their mark for gel pens. Art supply places as well as Michaels and Hobby Lobby will have them. A seemingly infinite range of colors. Sakura also makes Micron pens which pop up in weathering circles. Used for paint chips and dings primarily. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 3, 2023 4:20:48 GMT -8
Crimp the unique bump-outs along the bottom handrail edges at each corner of the van. Just about done here guys.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 4, 2023 4:44:26 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: At long last folks, here she is completed and ready to face the cruel world outside.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Sept 4, 2023 8:54:19 GMT -8
That's really neat, Manny! Very impressive modelling and documentation of the entire project.
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Post by fr8kar on Sept 4, 2023 9:12:38 GMT -8
Ditto Colin's remarks. I love the way you not only document the build but your approach is different enough from my methods that I always learn something or find a new technique to try. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 4, 2023 10:04:20 GMT -8
Ditto Colin's remarks. I love the way you not only document the build but your approach is different enough from my methods that I always learn something or find a new technique to try. Thanks for sharing! Humbling comment, thanks Ryan. I must give you credit for some of your earlier suggestions that I use better draft gear, brake detailing and show in-progress photos. Listening to you enabled many projects I never thought possible!
Always learning and getting new tools and techniques, there's too much goodness out there to stay in the old ways for everything. Yes it costs money to buy new tools, parts and materials but never let economics stand in the way of improving your ways, within reason of course. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 4, 2023 10:06:36 GMT -8
That's really neat, Manny! Very impressive modelling and documentation of the entire project. Thanks Colin!
I think I'll show more than one photo per day now as I have a few final photos of the finished model to share. Feedback from you and everyone else is welcome!
Also stay tuned for a new mega thread coming within days!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 4, 2023 10:08:25 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: The finishing of this model was the most difficult part, along with squaring up the walls, ends and roof during general assembly. Better tools and experience are continually being acquired but the digital camera reveals I can still improve.
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Post by Christian on Sept 4, 2023 14:44:40 GMT -8
"Cute" "Ugly Duckling" I'm sure more cliches can be found. Nonetheless, it is a really nifty obscure prototype that had a real mission beyond inspiring my cliche observations. Colin and Ryan beat me to post thoughts which are also mine. Manny see van Manny wants van Manny builds van Isn't that what it is all about? |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 4, 2023 15:54:35 GMT -8
^ Thank you Christian for the many likes and comments you posted in this thread, your encouragement really means a lot to me. As for what it's about, I suppose that depends entirely on your POV doesn't it?  It looks like an awful lot of modellers live in our own excessively-subjective bubbles. What you are pointing out reminds me a lot of the 1950s style of modelling when "real" modellers built everything out of brass and wood. Things today have changed an awful lot with the RTR China model being the most significant impact. But the advent of the Internet, instant access to prototype information, other modellers, RPM shows along with click-buy parts and tools websites also opened up the hobby to everyone with access to a post office. What you referred to earlier as "2023 scratch building" I believe is a golden age of sorts as the quality of parts and styrene strips and sheets are better than ever before. Despite all the lobbying to manufacturers to produce RTR X and Y we read about here in ARF, those same mfrs are concurrently making it easy for builders to access an awful lot of their great parts. They wouldn't be doing this if no one was buying them, so I have a feeling that railroad model building, even with gorgeous RTR isn't stopping anytime soon. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Sept 4, 2023 17:35:11 GMT -8
Mighty fine modeling! Nice trip.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 5, 2023 4:56:42 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: Lots of finicky details to apply on these old wood vans.
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Post by wagnersteve on Sept 5, 2023 7:08:28 GMT -8
9/5/2023, about 11:08 a.m., EDT
Great research and model building!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 5, 2023 9:15:51 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: This didn't turn out 100% perfectly, but I treat each of these builds as a fun learning experience.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 6, 2023 6:21:43 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: Here's a close-up of the roof and short end. This was one of the very last CP cabooses to maintain running boards when most had been removed 8-10 yrs prior.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Sept 6, 2023 7:14:13 GMT -8
I didn't really notice the antenna on the roof. No criticism of your model, but it looks a bit weird seeing such a modern "thing" on the roof of a relatively old "thing".
I'm sure one of the Fremo guys in NL had a CP Rail shorty caboose too. Were these ever done in brass? He had quite a few brass models. I've been searching high and low for a photo of it but can't find one.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 6, 2023 7:50:53 GMT -8
I didn't really notice the antenna on the roof. No criticism of your model, but it looks a bit weird seeing such a modern "thing" on the roof of a relatively old "thing". I'm sure one of the Fremo guys in NL had a CP Rail shorty caboose too. Were these ever done in brass? He had quite a few brass models. I've been searching high and low for a photo of it but can't find one. Hi Colin, you have picked up on the main reason I chose this version of 437110. It was heavily modernized with plywood sides, steel grate steps, AJAX brake stands, diesel heater, radio, white paint on the railings and step edges and probably other things I'm unaware of. And I don't think this was a unique instance in NA as there were many similar updates done to older vans on other railways. It does look a bit weird but I have never seen anyone attempt this version of this van. I have a couple of friends who sliced out 10 scale feet of their beautiful TLT vans but those are still 1960s versions with original siding and no upgrades. If you saw one, it was either one of these or a scratchbuild done by those you mention. Remember that there have been a few magazine articles about this through the decades and the Juneco kit made it practical for someone to make one of these if they wanted it badly enough. I have never seen the 1944 CPR build short caboose done in brass or any other material by any model manufacturer. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 6, 2023 9:21:14 GMT -8
MODEL FINISHED: Best-effort on the brake system, which I've since learned how to handle more accurately for next time. I still think this section didn't turn out too bad.
Colin, compare the modernized steps to those on the TLT van or even prototype photos of old CP vans.
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Post by cpr4200 on Sept 6, 2023 10:08:13 GMT -8
David Bedard offers a 3D printed kit for this car, although the t&g version. I'd think the plywood version could be built from this kit by reversing the sides so the scribing was on the inside. But then you'd still have to make the steps.
I'm waiting for him to do the plywood version of the standard van so I can model 437098, which was assigned to Newport, VT locals 80/81. It also had radio, but used kerosene markers to the end. I've thought of adding a thin sheet styrene skin to one of my TLT cars to simulate plywood, but I'm afraid the scribing might show through if it's too thin (.005") due to the solvent.
Guessing your next project is those 8 standard vans? Looking forward to it.
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Post by drsvelte on Sept 6, 2023 10:38:31 GMT -8
Enjoyed the ride! Thanks for sharing.
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well out of radar range...
It looks like an awful lot of modellers live in our own excessively-subjective bubbles. What you are pointing out reminds me a lot of the 1950s style of modelling when "real" modellers built everything out of brass and wood. Things today have changed an awful lot with the RTR China model being the most significant impact. But the advent of the Internet, instant access to prototype information, other modellers, RPM shows along with click-buy parts and tools websites also opened up the hobby to everyone with access to a post office. What you referred to earlier as "2023 scratch building" I believe is a golden age of sorts as the quality of parts and styrene strips and sheets are better than ever before. Despite all the lobbying to manufacturers to produce RTR X and Y we read about here in ARF, those same mfrs are concurrently making it easy for builders to access an awful lot of their great parts. They wouldn't be doing this if no one was buying them, so I have a feeling that railroad model building, even with gorgeous RTR isn't stopping anytime soon.
