Recent work...

 

Great work, as usual.

 

Rusty

Satisfied?

 

Rusty

Nice John! 

 

Rusty: Thank heavens you fixed that, I haven't slept well since you originally replied w/pic quoted.

Ok boys...play nice.
Andre, how are things in HO land?

Very nice.

Hi John,

 

Nice work and great photos!  I like your night shots.

 

Thanks for posting,

Mike A.

Great looking scenery... nice shots!

Hi John!

 

Ah, HO land. Well, since you ASKED, here's an update:

 

As many of you know, some time ago I mentioned that I'm moving away from S scale and back to HO on account of limited layout space and increased variety of models available.  Since John asked , reckon' I'll give you all a quick update as to the progress of the transition.

Here goes:

S scale:

* Liquidation of the S scale is proceeding slowly, but profitably. Most S scale holds its value very well.  The sale of my S is going to go a long way in helping me with the conversion to HO.  Engines are just about gone. Soon it will be time to start on the rolling stock, and then track products. (ME code 100/83 flex.)

* All S scale track has been pulled from the layout, and the benchwork is now back down to bare Homasote.

HO scale:

* I'm still in a "find and acquire equipment" mode.  Zero actual layout work (other than pulling S scale track) has been attempted. I suspect this "find and acquire" mode will exist for a while. Time constraints make it difficult to have the time/energy for layout backdrop remodeling at this point.

* I am going with Peco code 83 flex track. I now have enough Peco code 83 flex on hand to do the entire proposed layout. I will be going with Peco Electrofrog switches. I already have several Electrofrogs on hand and will be procuring enough to do the 12th St. Yard bench along with the entire double track main w/needed switches. This will be Phase One.  Phase Two will be to purchase the remaining switches to install the industrial tracks. Looks as if I'll be spending a total of around $1600-$1700 for switches alone. However, Peco makes a nice switch/turnout and it is GREAT to be able to find/purchase quality "plop n' play" switches in good quantities.

* I have amassed a sizable fleet of engines to represent various of the railroads of the KC area, with a heavy emphasis on my favorite, the Frisco.  To date:

Two Stewart Frisco VO1000's, two BLI Frisco SW7's, one undec Kato RS-2 to become a Frisco unit, one Atlas/Kato RS-1 to become a Frisco unit, one Bowser CGW DS4-4-1000 w/DCC and sound, one Rock Island Atlas/Kato RS-3 in the original scheme, one Atlas/Classic Rock Island RS-3 in the first simplified scheme, one Bachmann S-2 DCC/Sound in ATSF Zebra, probably about a dozen or more pieces of rolling stock (which adds to the two dozen or so I had leftover from my previous HO days), and am in the process of watching several other key pieces on eBay for acquisition.  Oh, and just this week: Added an Atlas/Classic MKT RS-3 in the original MKT scheme and a P2K Missouri Pacific FA1/FB1 set to the KC Lines rosters.  All of the non-DCC equipped engines will receive DCC/Sound. (For now I'm having such installed by a professional installer. Later I may learn to do it myself... but don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen!)

I've adjusted my era to simply say that I model the very early 1960s, which allows a bit of fudge factor for some chronological overlap, which I'm okay with.

 

My goal is to have a functional layout within 2-3 years, with most needed layout/equipment items on hand prior to retirement, which will happen in about 3 1/2 or so years.

 

Hope all you S scalers are doing well, and I still enjoy seeing your work and models!

 

Okay, that's all for now or this post will become so long nobody will plough through it and read it!

 

Cool Andre,
Scale matters not, I'd like to hear of your progress.
Glad to hear that S holds it's value although I expect that to be my sons problem when I go toes up.
I think you've made a very wise move in using Peco.  Their turnouts are absolute perfection.
I have S turnouts from 3 makers in S and experience problems with them on occasion.  Very frustrating!
Keep us informed please!

Well John, thanks for being so supportive and accommodating to my shifted focus.

 

I must say that I have to keep the S scale engines/rolling stock on the OTHER side of the layout so as not to see the stark contrast in size between the two!  S scale is such a wonderful size for modeling.

Andre, I'd be interested in knowing what UP rolling stock you might have...
Please email me when you have a moment, address is on my profile.
Thanks!

Hi again John!

 

I don't think I have ANY UP rolling stock. 

 

I did purchase a stack of decals for some UP boxcars, as I recall.  Yup, just checked, I have four of the Enhorning "Be Specific" scheme boxcar decals.

 

 

FWIW: Just bought the item linked below.  Factory DCC/Sound equipped.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231234035597?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

Acquiring is fun.

A work in progress: 

 

The DesPlaines Hobbies X29 boxcar, which has been occupying my time the last month or so on Sunday mornings while I'm doing the laundry.  As it's on the verge of taking a lower position on the old 'Round Tuit, I thought I post about it.

 

The kit is available (less trucks and couplers, $48.00) with three different door styles: Creco, Flat Panel or Youngstown.  This is the Youngstown door kit.  The doors are not operable.

 

It's a flat kit, and there are few guides to line things up.  The instructions could do with a few more illustrations, particularly for the brake rigging.

 

I will say, it's been a frustrating experience so far.  A combination of my own clumsiness, underestimating the work involved and apparently it looks as if this car appears to be designed to be assembled using assembly jigs. (DPH was initially going to offer the X29 assembled, but thanks to Sanda Kan....)

 

I had a difficult time getting the body true and square and things are still a little off, but I decided not to struggle with it anymore.  The innards of my car contain a wacky array of Evergreen square tubing to help hold things together and sorta square.  Hopefully it won't look too terrible after the car's painted.

 

Stirrups aren't installed yet, so they don't get broken with handling and I've removed the couplers so they don't get in the way for now.

 

Also not included with the kit (at least mine...) tack boards and roofwalk end braces, I'll have to fabricate those.  The Ajax brake mechanism is not part of the kit, it's from an old SHS parts sprue I have.  The kit has a vertical brake staff assembly. 

 

Once the remaining details get fabricated and placed, it'll be time to ponder what road I'm going to paint it.

 

Rusty

 

 

Hi Rusty,

 

Nice job so far.  Despite all the problems you mentioned, the car you put together looks great.  It should look even better when it's all painted and lettered.  After all, I bet the prototype had a few discrepancies between cars.

 

I saw that kit at Ron's booth during the Spring S Spree.  The assembled car looked really good, but when I looked inside the kit and saw all those flat parts I had second thoughts.  I don't think I would be able to build one and get everything even close to being right!

 

Mike

 

 

Very nice Rusty!  I like the look of the car, particularly, the doors.
However...being the lazy behind that I am...sure sounds like a lot of work.
Be fun to see what you're going to paint it!

I agree with Mike and John: NICE looking.  You're doing good.

 

I also agree with John: I'm too lazy to put out that much effort on rolling stock now.

 

However, to have nice variety of rolling stock in S, one must do what one must do. (One of the reasons I've defected from the S scale faith. )

The fact it's a flat kit didn't deter me, but there are several reasons as to why this kit hasn't been a joy to assemble, some of which are my own fault.  I've had less trouble with old Kinsman wood kits...

 

I got so frustrated with the X29, I packed it up and threw it into the trash once, but rescued it before garbage day.  I guess I didn't want to let a freight car kit make a durn fool out of me...

 

If nothing else, it's been a learning experience.

 

Rusty