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Post by jbilbrey on Aug 18, 2019 13:56:12 GMT -8
Here is a project, well two, that I have been working on for far too long. Over a decade ago, I bought a two-pack of F&C GSh gondolas. I went with the resin kits over the Bowser ones because (at the time) I thought I could do a better job building the resin kits than carving all the grabs and making other changes to the plastic cars. I built one relatively quickly, but it took me much longer to get around to building the second one. Just two weeks ago, I decided to paint and decal the cars. I'll add the Carmer Levers and finish weathering them once some air-hoses arrive.
So, why the push? It has been an itch that I have started scratching on and off for the last 20 years when I got a used Bowser L-1 at a local train show. Unfortunately while already super-detailed, it needed far more TLC than I thought I had the skills/time to devote to it and since sold it. Unfortunately, my son found it before I sold it and had claimed it as his own. So around a year ago, I found a set of F7A-B's in Pennsylvania at a LHS to replace the L-1; the main reason I got them was the price - $40 for the set. Bonus was that after I got home, I realized that they had sound. Fast forward to couple weekends ago, I took my son to a local railroad museum where he could run couple trains. The same LHS then had a BLI 2-10-0 this time. Given the fact that my son had three steam locomotives to go out of commission this summer, I splurged and bought the I-1. Honestly, I would have had a hard time not buying it after seeing my son's reaction when he got to test-run it. So, there you have it - a "dedicated" southeastern model railroader who is finding his layout ever increasingly being taken over by Northeastern locomotives and rolling stock, structures that closely represent those found in the N-E, etc. One has to be careful with those slippery slopes, LOL.
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Post by dti406 on Aug 18, 2019 15:46:44 GMT -8
I managed to get some work done this week! IMRC 40' PS1 Boxcar kit, substituted a 9' PS Door from the scrapbox for the 8' Door that came with the kit. Painted the car with Scalecoat II Reefer Yellow and lettered with decals from the AnnArbor Historical Society. The football is a layering of 3 decals, the brown football, yellow lettering and green lines. The car was originally ordered in the late fifties in yellow & black, and repainted in this scheme in 1963. Car was equiped with DF Loaders and used for hauling paper products. Next is the 3rd Rock Island PS 4427CF Covered Hopper I have done, Proto 2000 Kit, painted with Scalecoat II MOW Gray Paint and lettered with Oddballs Decals. Also replaced the plastic roofwalk with the Plano Etched metal one. Car was in grain service replacing the wornout 40' boxcars originally used in grain service. A set of Rivarossi U25C engines with a coal drag on the Strongsville Club layout. Thanks to all who commented on my cars and pictures the last couple of weeks and kudos to all who have posted also especially Garry and Alan. Thanks for looking! Rick Jesionowski
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Post by fr8kar on Aug 18, 2019 16:02:32 GMT -8
I really enjoy the tales of having your arm twisted to become the Northeastern modeler that lurks inside you, James! With a deal like you got on those F7s, it's hard to argue with fate. Rick you always deliver. I always liked those P2K hoppers, but with the Plano running board they're so much better. I've been working an overtime job for awhile now, so there hasn't been much time for modeling. On top of that, our mild (for Texas) summer finally ended and we are in the throes of oppressive heat. Since I do most of my work in the garage, I'm pretty much sidelined unless I can get out there in the sunrise hours when it's cool. And that's exactly what I did to get this ex-Rock Island caboose painted. It's a Walthers model with 3D printed sides, ends, trucks and details. The frog eye is a Details West part on a tripod I made out of brass. Next step is to weather the paint and get it ready for decals.
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Post by csxt8400 on Aug 18, 2019 16:13:25 GMT -8
Nice caboose, Rocket
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 18, 2019 16:42:08 GMT -8
Ryan, I LOVE the caboose, it looks great and hope you will keep us updated.
But...what gives with the default draft gear? You gave me a hard time for not using the Moloco DG parts earlier on...
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Post by packer on Aug 18, 2019 16:47:41 GMT -8
Despite working full-time, working out every other day, and going to a school for 20 hours a week; i managed to do some things. Renumbered some Exactrail RBCS beer cars into the right numbers series. First try using future, and try individual tiny numbers Experimented with some weathering using a wash of a slightly lighter color on this Athearn stand-in flatcar: Painted the lines on these ERM beer cars Remind me to clean my bench
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Post by fr8kar on Aug 18, 2019 16:56:54 GMT -8
Ryan, I LOVE the caboose, it looks great and hope you will keep us updated. But...what gives with the default draft gear? You gave me a hard time for not using the Moloco DG parts earlier on... That's all you had to say, Manny! Don't worry, it will get changed out. I just did the same modification to another Walthers caboose and it wasn't too bad.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 18, 2019 17:08:24 GMT -8
LOL I kinda figured you would be a sport about it.
But yeah, those parts are great. I used them on an old MDC car recently and they really improved the model.
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sd50f
Full Member
Posts: 101
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Post by sd50f on Aug 18, 2019 20:05:52 GMT -8
Hello all. Hope you've had a great weekend. This weekend brings a simple patch job. I have a few old P2K 4427 hoppers in various roadnames that I thought needed new leases on life. One of them was an ATSF hopper with the Quality logo. I searched the internet and found a Colorado and Wyoming Railroad hopper that was a close enough match to make this work. I wet sanded the Quality logo from the right end of the car and did the same with the car number. Lettering was a combination of the C and W coming from a Canadian National locomotive set, and the numbers were from the old Turtle Creek Central decals that were included in an issue of Model Railroader magazine. It still needs some details and weathering, and I'm going to replace those horrible plastic couplers with Kadee scale couplers at some time. Just seeing how much they droop in this photo is making me want to order couplers right away. Happy to see the beautiful Rock Island hopper in one of these posts. It's one of the others I have on the bench at the moment. Have the decals, just need to find the inspiration to get the job done.
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Post by jbilbrey on Aug 18, 2019 20:38:44 GMT -8
I really enjoy the tales of having your arm twisted to become the Northeastern modeler that lurks inside you, James! With a deal like you got on those F7s, it's hard to argue with fate. Very true. I just wish I could have gotten as good of a deal on the "Hippo" as the F-7's. However, he has a knack for finding the steals like the $40 PRR F7's or the free Rapido Turbo-Train, which was also found only in the Northeast. Honestly, I also feel the need to switch things up to rejuvenate my own interest in the hobby. If that means stepping outside my "comfort zone" and doing something different, so be it.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 19, 2019 3:23:08 GMT -8
Great post. I think sometimes we get a bit too hung up on era and area. I understand the concept but think your message demonstrates there is really nothing wrong with appreciating and enjoying other models as well. If the "out of your comfort zone" stuff brings you enjoyment and happiness, the hobby is functioning as intended. Enjoy!
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Post by onequiknova on Aug 19, 2019 3:50:03 GMT -8
I really enjoy the tales of having your arm twisted to become the Northeastern modeler that lurks inside you, James! With a deal like you got on those F7s, it's hard to argue with fate. Rick you always deliver. I always liked those P2K hoppers, but with the Plano running board they're so much better. I've been working an overtime job for awhile now, so there hasn't been much time for modeling. On top of that, our mild (for Texas) summer finally ended and we are in the throes of oppressive heat. Since I do most of my work in the garage, I'm pretty much sidelined unless I can get out there in the sunrise hours when it's cool. And that's exactly what I did to get this ex-Rock Island caboose painted. It's a Walthers model with 3D printed sides, ends, trucks and details. The frog eye is a Details West part on a tripod I made out of brass. Next step is to weather the paint and get it ready for decals. Beautiful caboose. Are these printed parts available to purchase?
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Post by fr8kar on Aug 19, 2019 9:48:33 GMT -8
Beautiful caboose. Are these printed parts available to purchase? Thanks! Not yet. I did full body and underframe kits with details, but they weren't designed to use the Walthers model as a core like the extended vision bodies I made for the Atlas caboose. This particular set of parts was designed to fit a modified Walthers body and reuse the frame, but I don't think it is as practical as an entirely new body kit (for most people - I'm quite confident in your abilities!). So I'll have to adapt the complete kits to fit the Walthers underframe, which means a few minor adjustments. I just haven't done the work yet.
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Post by onequiknova on Aug 19, 2019 13:01:00 GMT -8
Beautiful caboose. Are these printed parts available to purchase? Thanks! Not yet. I did full body and underframe kits with details, but they weren't designed to use the Walthers model as a core like the extended vision bodies I made for the Atlas caboose. This particular set of parts was designed to fit a modified Walthers body and reuse the frame, but I don't think it is as practical as an entirely new body kit (for most people - I'm quite confident in your abilities!). So I'll have to adapt the complete kits to fit the Walthers underframe, which means a few minor adjustments. I just haven't done the work yet. Well, I'm a buyer once you get them ready. Thanks.
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Post by tom on Aug 19, 2019 16:58:12 GMT -8
Working on an interesting model. I am using the just released etched metal parts from KV Models to convert an old Atlas U33C locomotive from a Phase II version to the earlier Phase I version that Penn Central owned. The main change is changing the grilles to an open mesh design: However the biggest improvement is changing the molded radiation section to an open mesh grid and adding the radiation cores. All are available from KV: And here is one more view of the new etched metal overlays: Most of the work involved removing and opening up the grilles. Adding the overlays was a lot easier. One more KV part still needs to be added and that is the fairings that were added to the radiator grills in the Phase I unit. I will be adding them soon once I construct them from the etchings...basically a lot of folding the parts along the bend lines. Still a lot of work to do but it is fun upgrading this old model that should result in a very accurate Penn Central U33C.
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chet6
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by chet6 on Aug 19, 2019 18:32:43 GMT -8
Those parts really look good.
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Post by nsc39d8 on Aug 20, 2019 5:38:17 GMT -8
Tom,
Very nice U33C!! I saw the KV etchings and I will now order some for sure. I need them to do a correct Southern U33C which has the same oil bath filters your unit does.
Great work all!
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Post by riogrande on Aug 20, 2019 5:47:48 GMT -8
Renumbered some Exactrail RBCS beer cars into the right numbers series. I questioned Exactrail on the number series when those came out and they said the were correct. But they didn't match the numbers I recalled listed for the RBCS.
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Post by markfj on Aug 20, 2019 6:57:27 GMT -8
Nice work all!
Wonder if we’ll ever see an upgraded six axle “U-boat” from any of the manufacturers. I would prefer Rapido to tackle this one.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by stevef45 on Aug 20, 2019 7:16:56 GMT -8
Were the Erie Lackawanna's U34CH's considered phase 1?
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Post by packer on Aug 20, 2019 10:43:12 GMT -8
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Post by tom on Aug 20, 2019 15:30:30 GMT -8
Were the Erie Lackawanna's U34CH's considered phase 1? No they were Phase II so they do match the basic Atlas U33C features.....but there are differences. The KV etchings for open mesh radiator would be a big improvement though.
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Post by stevef45 on Aug 21, 2019 10:54:48 GMT -8
Ok so right now the only KV product for the ph2 are the top radiator core/screen and not the side radiator panels?
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Post by tom on Aug 21, 2019 12:37:57 GMT -8
Ok so right now the only KV product for the ph2 are the top radiator core/screen and not the side radiator panels? Yep. The Atlas U33C seems to me to adequately represent the Phase II version....but the KV core/screen upgrade of the solid cast Atlas screen would be a big visual improvement.
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Post by stevef45 on Aug 22, 2019 13:18:46 GMT -8
awesome. will look at the etchings later tonight to see what I want to do.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 23, 2019 17:35:37 GMT -8
Almost a week late, but great work everyone this week.
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