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Modeler’s Spotlight Video–Inside Cody’s Office for November 2014
Thanks for the shout out on passenger car wheel sizes. I was particularly interested in lightweights, so that was perfect. The tool segment was very good, as now more Christmas present ideas as well. Good tools make modeling so much easier. The model cradle also helps with preventing a lot of handling by damaging models with dropping or hand oils.
Marks tip for Cody
The non-dissolving peanuts are Styrofoam the dissolving peanuts are made from corn scratch.
Mark
This was an excellent episode. The responses to letters and the modeling tip were particularly useful.
Two small additions:
Thirty-six-inch wheels are good for really big wood chip cars as widely used in the last few decades, and as replicated by the Walthers model Cody showed; but I suspect that 33" wheels may be appropriate for older, smaller cars, often regular two-bay or three-bay hoppers with side and end extensions, as produced by Athearn and others in HO and Bluford Shops in N scale. After all, wood chips are very light!
To keep small hobby knives from rolling off a work surface and possibly damaging a floor or cutting myself, I use small rubber or softish plastic gadgets sold by stationery stores for preventing pencils from rolling. They have a lengthwise round hole through which the pencil or knife handle goes and a triangular cross section that prevents rolling. They come in several colors, which enables me to locate a handle with a particular blade easily. (Aside from the #11 blade, the one I use most has a chisel tip with the straight edge at a right angle to the handle.)
Cody, I down loaded the Pico turnout template #5 and printed it out. It did not come out at 1:1 scale. The 10" dimention line measured 7" . Better double check the dimention line on your copy before using.
I believe that the biodegradable packing material will attract bugs. What we may see as a future hillside, they see as food.
Great stuff here Cody and thinks for letting me know what size of wheels to use.I have a model cradle but it has no slot like the one you have so I will have to get me a new one.
Cody, thank you for the response on the packing peanut question, I have some of both apparently and now I know which ones to throw away and which ones to use.
What can you tell us about the new “All Access”? We have seen ads for it in two issues of MR but nothing else. There is no mention of it on the MR web site.
I STILL MISS THE BOX CAR RUNNING DOWN THE TRACK OPENING
Thanks for your usual entertaining as well as informative presentation Cody.
I enjoyed your Step By Step article in the December issue on how to model a hay field. I’ve been considering a similar scene for my layout and your article provided some great tips. One question: who produces the tractor and baler you used?
Well another five star episode, packed with alot of new and exciting products. The new static grass master is nice a very handy tool as well. You can find foam cradles from around 7.00 or 8.00 dollars, you have to shop around. Keep up the great videos, you guys at MR have a happy gobbler day as well. See you in December, it’s beginning to look alot like christmas, just remember the real meaning and the blessings we all have. Be thankful to him every day, for all that we have, and a wonderful hobby like model railroading. We can all share ideas and comments on this great site. Thanks Model Railroader Magazine for making this possible.
Speaking of passenger cars, what trucks can replace the ones on the Athearn Bombardier cars in HO? I don’t care what they look like, I just want them to run better.
Another great episode, but you forgot to mention the other essential tool you were using - a 4" or 6" Machinist Square. Otherwise, a fine job well done!
Hi Cody,
Could I trouble to to let me know which episode the freight car weathering article is in, that is at 00:27 on the new title sequence of Cody’s Office. I have tried different searches but can not locate it. Hope you can help.
Many thanks
Brian
Hi,Cody
I am working on my first weathering project (which is a NS GP9 switcher), and I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find budget weathering materials. (Paints, pastels, sealants ect.)
Thanks for kicking off a great new modeling season!!!
-Owen
Hi Cody
I am want to expand the Black Water Junction track plan to two main lines instead of going down to a single track , the way I see it, I just have to add two switches and another 90 degree cross , but will it work can you please tell me that , and why did you use the Zephyr, do you think NEC power cab will work, thank you for your time and all the help in my planning