I was just wondering what kinds of projects we have going on out there. My project started last week and finally finished today. I stripped my fleet of 10 riv rs-2, 2- gp-18 and 2 s1000 alcos. I just finished today priming all the above locos and started to restore or part out 6 more rs-2. 2 were B&N and were pretty much left alone. One was lubed and cleaned while the other one lost its motor and was cleaned and turned into a dummy engine. After a little coaxig the powered one started running alot smoother. One of 2 L&N engines got a complete tear down and rebuild. Currently has a good motor but I decided to dummy it with the other one I got. I robbed it and the other of all lighting parts and swapped around hand rails with the remaining 2 santa fe engines. Until I dropped one and broke a step now that one will become like southern pacific engine in disrepair. The 2 santa fe engines will be dummy static displays that will be in various stages of overhaul at the shops. All My powered engines got a DCC chip from bachman(yeah I know rookie here but they work for now) and all my wheelsets got a good cleaning and polishing for better electrical pickup. Now all that is left to do is find a sweet paint scheme for the primered engines.
Got a #2 pencil to thread into a Dremel mini chuck so I can use it for a pin vise.[:-^] Hopefully now I can drill a bunch of #81 holes and install some home made drop graps on a GP-40.
I have a backdrop project underway. I’m in the process of redoing the backdrop entirely plus about 30% of the benchwork. I had to extend the existing backdrop around the wall and start painting.
I’m fairly pleased, since I’m no artist, with what I’ve done so far. Makes a nice photo backdrop anyway… [:D]
Started a wall hung display case to show off rolling stock that no longer fits on the layout. Six shelves, 5’ 8" long. Using poplar. Got everything ripped to width and the dovetail corner joints cut.
Terry in Texas bridge looks good. What did you use for road surface?
Jarrell backdrop is really coming along, great work.
Work I’ve done this week is going slow, painted some hand rails on a SD45, worked on a bridge, and a mountain liftoff section. The mountain is pretty well formed, just got to get it painted. Hafta sweet talk the wife into that [:D] I can do the basic coloring, but to get that final “looks right”, she’s the one . Gotta love a lady like that!
Ran a few trains to check the possibility of simulating at least a little of the prototype’s timetable operation. The results were ??? (Need a lot more main line to get it closer to right.)
I am setting up my wiring under the layout, joyous fun. I am also kit bashing passenger cars to go with my E6 Tennessean. Not much more than that, two many 10 hour shifts this week for me.
I dismantled my 23 year old pair of HO scale modules:
I have another newer pair (only 10-15 years old!) and an 8 foot one. Needed the space, and this pair has been around way too long. Salvaged most of the stuff except the roundhouse, which was scratchbuilt in place with sheet styrene. It went into the recyling bin. Been busy sorting out and cleaning up all of the removed detail parts and structures. Most were fastened on with white glue, so a soaking with water enabled me to remove much without any problems. Even the Peco turnouts were removed safely.
The first attempt at using the Badger airbrush was a success, of sorts. The acrylic white paint was used with a stencil cut-out in the shape of clouds to form the first attempt at clouds on the backdrop. The paint was too thick at first so I thined it out with the addition of cool tap water. The ratio was about 60% paint and 40% water to get the correct flow. Using the fine tip these clouds are okay, but I know they could be better. Funny thing is they actually look better in the photographs than in person. Go figure! These images have also been added to the header banner rotation on my Piedmont Blog!
The first attempt at using the Badger airbrush was a success, of sorts. The acrylic white paint was used with a stencil cut-out in the shape of clouds to form the first attempt at clouds on the backdrop. The paint was too thick at first so I thined it out with the addition of cool tap water. The ratio was about 60% paint and 40% water to get the correct flow. Using the fine tip these clouds are okay, but I know they could be better. Funny thing is they actually look better in the photographs than in person. Go figure! These images have also been added to the header banner rotation on my Piedmont Blog!
