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Post by mlehman on Sept 21, 2014 6:40:08 GMT -8
Hope everyone's week was a great one. Aside from the unfortunate death of our oldest cat and a 5 hour power outage, it's been a good week. Just to show that the narrowgauge isn't restricted to the small, weak, and uncertain vagaries of interest, how about some big-time railroading headed up by a brace of DL-535E ? About half coal, filled out with other tonnage, the 16-car train fills the departure track. Earlier in the week, #28 was released by the shop after some maintenance. A test run to Silverton proved its mettle. Here it is returning downgrade through Rockwood with 15 cars. This week's pics brought to you in part by Blackstone -- Fine RTR narrowgauge for a new millennium... Blackstone's ready-to-run is the best, Giving you the time you need to build the rest.
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Post by mrsocal on Sept 21, 2014 7:14:06 GMT -8
Always an enjoyed pleasure looking at your layout Mike. How many years have gone into it?
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Post by nebrzephyr on Sept 21, 2014 7:19:36 GMT -8
Here's a project I've been working on the last few weeks...adding Tsunami sound to an Athearn RTR SD45 (non "Sound Ready" chassis). Since the KATO motor lightboard mounting tabs spacing is slightly different than the "standard" Atlas/Athearn decoder board spacing, had to make a mounting board for the Tsunami. Still some more work to do, but getting close. Bob
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Sept 21, 2014 8:02:12 GMT -8
Does the Kato motor drop right in?
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Post by mlehman on Sept 21, 2014 8:10:04 GMT -8
Always an enjoyed pleasure looking at your layout Mike. How many years have gone into it? Scotty, Bought the house in 91, because the basement was free and clear, as well as not smelling like the underside of a swamp, a common enough thing around here. It's an older home, moved here when they built the downtown mall in the early 60s, so the basement is nice and new. Took the first couple of years planning and getting things ready by subdividing the basement to provide a layout room with a suspended ceiling. An office added later and the doors to leave the basement are arranged so a wall can come down should the layout ever need to move. It's not modular, but is "cuttable." The outside wall has foam and then 1/8" masonite applied to the inside, which extends well below grade outside. Makes for easy climate control. The only water I get is a trickle across the flow from a couple of points to the center, where it may form a pool a 1/2" deep in the heaviest downpours. Lost my job in 99 and went back to school, with most RR work suspended until while I finished my AA and BA. After my undergrad work was done, I started on the layout again as I began grad school. Got the trackwork and basic wiring ( 2 cab walkaround DC with 2 MRC CM20 ) done in short order, but then grad school got the bets of me until my exams. I was able to chip away at it pretty steady since then, as well as converted to DCC, as it serves as my sanity time away from writing my diss, which is coming to a close shortly. So about a 20 year project, although not always steadily working at it.
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Post by kcjones on Sept 21, 2014 8:30:31 GMT -8
Mike, Your layout is another perfect example of a bonafide freelance that could have existed had history been changed just a little bit. What was the "one" event [in your world] that allowed the Rio Grande to upgrade the Silverton and continue? My malamute is still available if you need her....
J Loggans Vancouver WA
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Post by nebrzephyr on Sept 21, 2014 8:38:44 GMT -8
Does the Kato motor drop right in? NO, not on the older chassis. It will if you have the new "Sound Ready" chassis. Bob
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Post by jlwii2000 on Sept 21, 2014 9:04:15 GMT -8
After shooting my very first N scale review, I decided to visit the prototype for some comparison work:
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Post by kcjones on Sept 21, 2014 9:37:13 GMT -8
It's late September and I really should be back at school...sorry Rod. I couldn't resist. An EB grain train heading for the mighty Mississippi waits at the crossover on Honald's ridge; the highest point on the AV. The WB Amtrak "Sadie Hawkins" is just 30 min. behind schedule on her trip from Memphis to Oklahoma City. My signals are a cross between BLMA heads and Oregon Rail Supply signal bridges. You guys have a great week. J Loggans Vancouver WA
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Post by mlehman on Sept 21, 2014 9:53:41 GMT -8
Mike, Your layout is another perfect example of a bonafide freelance that could have existed had history been changed just a little bit. What was the "one" event [in your world] that allowed the Rio Grande to upgrade the Silverton and continue? My malamute is still available if you need her.... J Loggans Vancouver WA J, Probably no one event, but the best general theme is that mining prospered in the Silverton area during the 20th century, instead of withering on the vine. If there was one event that makes things fall together, it's the assumption that a standard gauge line would've connected Durango with the national network after WWII, instead of being virtually the end of the line. That almost happened, as Durango was dual gauge for a brief period when the Farmington Branch was built to standard gauge, only to be narrowgauged when it was finally decided in the 1920s that abandonment, not standard gauging, was the eventual fate of the narrow gauge. That said, I really don't feel the need to justify everything where and when it appears on the layout. It's not a miniature Silverton branch, it's still a model railroad layout. While I would've liked it to go to Chama and Alamosa, there wasn't room. I wanted dual gauge so used Alamosa for inspiration, just moved the implementation to Durango, for instance. Generally, I stick to what could have been or what was, only in a somewhat different time or place.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2014 11:00:12 GMT -8
An oldie moldie from me. Just some basic easy modeling that anyone can do. Milwaukee Road EMD SD10. The model is a Proto 2000 SD7. I chopped the nose, removed the forward fuel tank, and a few other detail enhancements.
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Post by kcjones on Sept 21, 2014 14:03:31 GMT -8
Mike, That is what is great about doing a freelance layout. You don't have to justify everything you do. Just have fun. But you told me things about the RG that I never knew. The Farmington branch was standard gauged at one time? Wasn't there a oil boom somewhere around Farmington at one time? WOW.. unit oil trains pulled buy SD70's through Chama. It is amazing what you can do with a flux capacitor. Hell, the AV would have either died like the Rock or been swallowed up like the Frisco or the MKT in the real world.
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Post by mlehman on Sept 21, 2014 14:25:22 GMT -8
Mike, That is what is great about doing a freelance layout. You don't have to justify everything you do. Just have fun. But you told me things about the RG that I never knew. The Farmington branch was standard gauged at one time? Wasn't there a oil boom somewhere around Farmington at one time? WOW.. unit oil trains pulled buy SD70's through Chama. It is amazing what you can do with a flux capacitor. Hell, the AV would have either died like the Rock or been swallowed up like the Frisco or the MKT in the real world. Actually, the Framington Branch was narrowgauged. It was built standard gauge south from Durango. The Rio Grande wanted to put down a marker, based on rumors the SP was interested in bui8lding into the region. Obviously, corporate decision making was a little weird here, but the timing was such that it was in the brief period when the line was considering standardguaging the line in from Alamosa and Chama. They thought they could save the money of a gauge conversion in a few years. Two locomotives and a number of SG cars were brought in over the narrowgauge to Durango and reassembled and it ran that way for about two decades. I think the Farmington Branch was narrowguaged in 1923. I know the first Farmington oil boom came along around then, so maybe it had something to do with that decision or maybe just coincidence? Anyway within a few years you vision of oil flowing out was a little like yours. No SD70s, though, mostly 2-8-0s and a lot of tank cars. It was hauled north to Durango, then over the RGS, ending up back on the Rio Grande into Montrose for the first few years for transloading to SG cars for the refinery. Track problems on the RGS (the Ames slide, etc had a role in the change IIRC). I think the transfer later moved to Salida, even further away, but it's oil so people would do crazy things to get their mitts on it.
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Post by keystonecrossings on Sept 21, 2014 16:14:29 GMT -8
Got my second interlocking into staging operational this weekend. Twenty tracks. Minimum 32" radius. I think I am personally keeping Walthers Shinohara in business!
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Post by wp8thsub on Sept 21, 2014 16:51:35 GMT -8
I've been weathering track and ballasting lately.
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Post by dti406 on Sept 21, 2014 18:23:10 GMT -8
Nice pictures and modeling everyone! The shops were slow this week and I only managed to get two cars done, bowling twice a week takes away the time for modeling. Atlas 52' "Blue Island" Reefer painted with Floquil Red/Orange Mix and Platinum Mist (for the roof). No overspray on the roof as Evans masked all the roofs before painting the side and end colors. Lettered with Herald King Decals. Atlas FMC 5077CF Exterior Post Boxcar Kit, painted with the same Floquil Red/Orange mix and Platinum Mist for the roof. Lettered with Herald King Decals. Started on building a Sunshine PRR X37B Resin Kit, picture shows all the kit contents and I have already washed all the resin parts in warm soapy water. Also cleaned all the flash off the sides and ends and glued one end to each of the sides. Thanks for looking! Rick J
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Post by kcjones on Sept 21, 2014 19:00:11 GMT -8
Mike, One last question, sir. I went back to last weeks SPF and I have to ask. What in the world is that thing coming out of the tunnel? Looks like a rail dectector that's been turned into a locomotive. I'll keep the lights on for you. Jl
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Post by mlehman on Sept 21, 2014 21:12:52 GMT -8
Mike, One last question, sir. I went back to last weeks SPF and I have to ask. What in the world is that thing coming out of the tunnel? Looks like a rail dectector that's been turned into a locomotive. I'll keep the lights on for you. Jl J, I know you are talking about this loco, but here's another pic of it showing what it looks like for those not following so closely... The story on how I converted her to HOn3 is here: cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/215880/2433828.aspxMore here in this thread: atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/1594/hon3-narrowgauge-diesels-background-layoutIt's a Liliput model that comes in HOe (9 mm gauge), what we call HOn30 here. Liliput also supplies a kit of geared wheelsets and wipers to convert it to HOm, or 12 mm gauge (this is also TT gauge, but I digress). HOn3 is 10.5 mm gauge, so that means an easy conversion accomplished by narrowing a set of the HOm drivers. The prototype is used on the Zillertalbahn in Austria in both freight and push-pull passenger service. One goes by at the end of this brief video clip. This video is of it in passenger service, along with the cab car of the other end of the push-pull consist: The passenger cars are also available from Liliput. Been thinking about getting a set and painting in gold and silver. Usually the loco runs pulling the modern and luxurious San Juan Zephyr, which trundles well-heeled railfans around the rebuilt "Narrow Gauge Circle" in the luxury the wealthy are accustomed to. Pics: www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?railroad=Zillertalbahn%20%28Austria%29I'm fairly certain mine is the only HOn3 Rio Grande one on the planet, but you never know what you inspire with the internet...
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Post by riogrande on Sept 22, 2014 6:19:55 GMT -8
FYI, it looks like we now have an Archive section for Sunday Photo Fun. I went back through the main HO discussion topics for the past approx. 18 months and have moved most of the SPF topics into the Archive to make them easy to find and review: atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/board/9/spf-archiveWhile browsing the HO section, the SPF Archive is at the top of the page. Some of the posts in the older SPF topics have broken links with no photo's but quite a few still exist so worth having handy. Cheers, Jim
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Post by mlehman on Sept 22, 2014 7:02:18 GMT -8
Jim, I noticed the new section. It's handy for regulars who wanted to review past postings, as well as being fertile ground for everyone's imagination.
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Post by riogrande on Sept 22, 2014 7:19:46 GMT -8
Many a time I have thought it would be good to archive these, but it looks like Donnell took the bull by the horns and created the archive. It took some time, but I searched through the past 60 odd pages and moved the SPF topics there. If I get inspired, I may try to find more but that is a good start.
Cheers, Jim
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Post by stevef45 on Sept 26, 2014 21:11:35 GMT -8
Finishing up some models to add to the paint list. Trying to knock out as much as possible all at once. Bowswer ACF 70T covered hoppers that are beeing converted to open top ballast hoppers. Added 1/2oz of weight to each car, they seemed wayyyyy to light. Filled in all the factory holes and added tamiya putty to the ends to smooth them out. All cleaned up Ends measured and cut off and then glued to the top of the car like the prototype. All 3 done. Also filled in all the gaps on these Walthers 16000 gallon funnel flow tank cars after stripping them. These will be smoothed out more this week and then detail parts added to them and the other 2 that are being built. These are for my NJ Transit aqua train which cleans the railhead during the fall months from leaf residue.
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