3rd Rail M1b

Beautiful Norm,....just stunning!....love the shots from the roundhouse!..

Pat

As always.  Well done Norm. I too like the pic's.

Fantastic!

Hey thanks you guys!

fantastic the paradigm has changed for the rest of us thanks for being an inspiration

Wow Norm, that looks about as real as real can be!  Nice job!

Most of us can only wish we could make one look like that.

Norm, Wow, You are a master at detailing! 

Love your videos. So realistic.

Absolutely beautiful. Very inspirational.

John

   Looking good Norm !!

Norm - Wow, quite impressive. Beautifully detailed engine but all the incredible modeling around it really sets it off. Seeing those photos is like walking back in time. When you get the video done, let us know. Love to see that run.  Jeff

Norm your detailing and realism is simply amazing wow

Dang!  That's impressive (as usual).

George

Thanks again! At some point I may address the missing plumbing on the smokebox front but it's not bugging me right now. I also want to get rid of the flying bell cord but I have it tamed for now. Even after looking at tons of photos I can't tell how an air powered bell was plumbed. 

I have a Weaver M1 that I will get around to detailing in the next year. I will use your photos as a reference since they are better than most of those I found searching the net for days to find how one detail should be. Or not finding as the case may be.  Love the fine wash marks running down the sides understated yet so vital to the effect.  Thanks for the inspiration.                    j

Norm, didn't the air line for the bell come from under the lagging next to the bell ?   I have a photo looking up from the ground that I will mail to you since it probably would violate forum rules if I post it.         j

Always a pleasure to see your work Norm. Thanks for sharing.

and my jaw drops again at your talent....now I want an M1 too, ugh.

Stunning work as always!

Agree.  Your railroad is as realistic as a 3-rail layout can possibly get.  Wish my locomotives looked that good.

Thanks again you guys. Here’s a quick vid of it doubleheaded with my M1a. These are still running the old EOB cruise in 128 step mode:

Amazing work, Norm. You never cease to amaze.

When I see people talking smack on 3 rail, I usually send links to your work as an example how a 3 rail layout can look better than most 2 rail layouts!

Yeah, that’s cool.

Very nicely done.  Great work as usual!

@Allegheny posted:

Very nicely done.  Great work as usual!

Absolutely!!!

Mark in Oregon

Norm, watched your video on weathering. Really well done. I’ve always used either Flo Quil or Scalecoat 1 for engines. I do clean them a bit to get good paint adhesion by wiping the side rods and wheels. Usually I tend to give the tender and engine  shell a rinse in the sink with Dawn if possible. It’s still tough to get in every nook as far as cleaning.

I would like to move to acrylics. They just seem more user friendly. I seldom if ever run smoke. I like the Micro Mart brand and discovered Mission Models paint. Just curious after all the handling on the workbench how you prep the engine for painting. The enamels I’ve used seem to adhere even if every thing isn’t squeaky clean. Just curious if the acrylics go on well as far as holding up over time.

Dave, thanks man! I typically prep everything with Windex. I'll use a brush to apply it and maybe do a bit of scrubbing if needed. I meant to show that in the vids. A hair dryer helps or a bit of air from the airbrush to push the Windex around and dry it. I can get smoke fluid off of outer surfaces pretty well this way but it's a real fight to chase it all out from openings and gaps, etc. I prefer my used engines to be un-smoked. Disassembly and scrubbing with dishwashing detergent and hot water can be of great help and most factory paint and assembly can survive a full dunk if needed. Gloves are used to protect the model from skin oils, etc. I will wash my gloved hands with Windex as I work so I don't accidently transfer wet paint, etc. With acrylics you can handle the finish very quickly and can avoid a lot extra disassembly.

With Polly and MM gone I am gravitating toward Vallejo. Model air shoots right out of the bottle much like MM with no thinning needed. I tried the ModelersDP stuff but the sheen is too much.

Here's the vid if anyone wants to see:

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

Dave, thanks man! I typically prep everything with Windex. I'll use a brush to apply it and maybe do a bit of scrubbing if needed. I meant to show that in the vids. A hair dryer helps or a bit of air from the airbrush to push the Windex around and dry it. I can get smoke fluid off of outer surfaces pretty well this way but it's a real fight to chase it all out from openings and gaps, etc. I prefer my used engines to be un-smoked. Disassembly and scrubbing with dishwashing detergent and hot water can be of great help and most factory paint and assembly can survive a full dunk if needed.

With Polly and MM gone I am gravitating toward Vallejo. Model air shoots right out of the bottle much like MM with no thinning needed. I tried the ModelersDP stuff but the sheen is too much.

Here's the vid if anyone wants to see:

Looks amazing Norm. Your work always amazes me as it seems there is no limit to what you can do. What sounds are you planning to use or are you keeping the OG TAS sounds?

Thanks Sid! Right now I'm stuck with the generic (but loud) sounds. I'd like to find another Lionel M1a board. The exhaust sound isn't too bad on this sound set though.

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

Thanks Sid! Right now I'm stuck with the generic (but loud) sounds. I'd like to find another Lionel M1a board. The exhaust sound isn't too bad on this sound set though.

If you need a M1a board, you can call Lionel. They will make you one if you ask.

No kidding. Maybe I'll give it a try! The old TMCC K4 1361 sounds were nice too. Hmm.

@Norm Charbonneau posted:

No kidding. Maybe I'll give it a try! The old TMCC K4 1361 sounds were nice too. Hmm.

If you need any help with that stuff just let me know. They may say unavailable, but there are ways around that.

Norm - Awesome, super informative and helpful video.  Thank you for sharing your experience and tips especially with the weathering / airbrushing!!!  Would love a video if/when you have the energy on weathering approach and technique with your buildings and scenery.  As everyone has shared it's outstanding.  TY, JP

Maybe someday JP, I'm actually having fun making the vids lately. Here's the M1b in action:

No BS, you have a talent.  I have watched a ton of O gauge and model railroad how to videos and you are in the top top 1%.  First, great knowledge. You cover the material in sufficient detail but not too much.  You move along at a good pace.  Videos are great quality.  Thanks again, keep them coming.  Jim

Norm,

Your informative videos and the magnificent details of your layout are very inspiring! Planning to achieve similar results on my next layout build. Thank you for sharing them.

All the best,

Paul