The KC Lines "West Bottoms" In S Scale

Thanks for the tip, Colin!

 

When the time comes for me to get serious about decals, that will be another name on my list!

 

Andre

Worked for the Union Pacific in the late 60s and early 70s as a clerk.  For a few months I held the job on the team track which was located in the West Bottoms,  After the UP pulled out of Union Station I believe it was the renamed City of Kansas City ended it's run in the West Bottoms.  A couple of double wides were the station.

Stan:

 

Thanks for another tip on decals!

 

tcox009:

 

Thanks for that anecdote!  Do you have any pictures you took while serving in the West Bottoms area?

 

All:

 

First: I found my scale ruler!  Hooray for me!  (Hey, it's a start, right???)

 

Second:  Just got back from a fantastic Colorado vacation.  Have given some more thought about this KC Lines layout thing.  The more I do, the more I realize that I am missing the "modeling" part of railroading. (Remember, I do it for a living.  Also, when I do dabble in "playing" trains, it has typically been in "V scale" now for quite some time.)

 

Third: I have already started the ball rolling trying to find/acquire some key items still needed.  I also have some "Saturday" projects in mind for some quicker gratification than the would be found in the Baldwin projects/etc. 

We'll see!

 

In the meantime, here's a pic I just shot (after clearing off that portion of the layout benchwork!).  I guess a "caption" could go something like this...

 

"CB&Q SW9 #9271 eases along the old spur track to Crooks Warehouse to dig out a car that's been released as the crew of SLSF #306 looks on while drilling cars in 12th St. Yard."

 

 

 

Update!

 

First, as you can see from the lack of photos, I'm having server issues with the server that hosts my photos.  Hope to be back up "soon".

 

I have decided that one of my undecorated SHS NW2's is to become my second CB&Q engine.  I wanted variety, so I'm going with an CB&Q NW2 instead of an CB&Q SW9 (like the one I have).  I am going for a different lettering/paint variation on this one, too.  Already have started the ball rolling on a set of custom decals for it.

 

Here's the scheme I'm going to replicate:

 

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=1235014

 

Here's another angle, though I don't know if I'll model this particular unit. I dunno', perhaps if I can figure out what the box is in front of the upper cab windows and what it does maybe it would be cool to make it?  Definitely not like my other CB&Q switcher!  Here's a link to a pic of it:

 

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...cture.aspx?id=589592

 

FWIW:

 

Have been piddlin' and making some tidbit progress on getting back to a point so that I know where I'm at on my previous projects as well as overall inventory of my parts stock.

 

FWIW2:

Ordered and received two SHS rebuilt boxcars in schemes that will work for my KC Lines theme.  Cool.

 

FWIW3:

I'm discovering that IF I can find the decals in HO or O scale... I can likely have them replicated in S scale.  THAT is a very cool thing.

 

All fer now!

 

Andre

 

 

Update to the above update:

 

Forgot to mention that I also have started the process on getting a set of Missouri Pacific early "Jenks Blue" era loco decals produced.  This is leading to a decision to make the other detailed Baldwin S-12 into a Mop unit, as well as the other box-stock undec unit on my shelf.  When finished this will give me a pair of Mop Baldwin's that can putter about the layout, too!

 

It's all good.

10/03/13: Update time!

 

First off, I've edited the post in this thread concerning the pictures that compared the various F/E unit noses.  That particular post is on the second page.

 

Secondly: What have I been doing in S scale lately?

 

Well, it's been a hectic two weeks on account of my wife's father's last days and eventual passing.  However, among the busy schedule of late, I taken some of my time that becomes available and have been dusting off my stuff, continuing to take inventory, and getting some things headed my way so I can further projects.  Such as...

 

* Ordered a good chunk of S scale detail parts order from Bill's Train Shop ( http://www.btsrr.com/ ) for my various engine projects. 

 

* Purchased some Wiseman S scale detail parts off eBay.

 

* Purchased the needed items from Northwest Short Line to re-power one of my Baldwin's to see if it would be worth the effort (and thus re-power them all).  They run pretty darn good as is, but being a "performance freak", I am wondering if I can make them even a smidge better.

 

* Purchased "CB&Q In Color Vol. 3" that has some excellent KC area shots therein.

 

* Decided to commit to S scale and became a member of the National Association of S Gaugers organization.

 

In all, things are reviving and ever so slowly I'm figuring out where I'm at in my modeling and taking steps to have the needed items to make some tangible progress.

 

Forward... HO!  (I mean "S"!)

 

Who you callin' "HO"?
Glad to see that your interest has been revived!
You seen the light brother!
I'm absolutely convinced S is the perfect size after working in it since July '11!

 

Andre,

Please share the details and photos on your AM Baldwin repowering project.

Thanks.

Hi 'ya Old Goat!

 

My NWSL parts haven't arrived yet, so I don't have anything to share at this point. 

 

HOWEVER...

 

I'll go 'ya one better, Slick... below is a link to the article that inspired me to try it (which includes a comparison video link).  You'll need to scroll a bit over half-way down the page to get to the AM repowering article, but once you do there's pics w/parts lists and that video I mentioned!  Enjoy!

 

http://www.nasg.org/Scale/index.htm

 

Andre

This is gonna' be a big week with a lot of S scale goodies arriving at the Ming household.

 

Been givin' some thought as to what I'm going to do with my remaining Undec units.  I "THINK" I've come up with a plan:

 

* It's already decided that one undec SHS NW2 is to become a CB&Q "Blackbird" with the large "Burlington" on the sides (instead of the slogans) and will join CB&Q #9271, giving me a pair of CB&Q switchers that will have visual differences. (I like that.)

 

* The DS4-4-1000 AM S-12 kitbash will become Frisco #241 which will give me a pair of Frisco units for use. (It joining Frisco SW9 #306.)

 

* The in-process AM S-12 that is almost finished with detail work will become a KC&G unit.  The remaining undec SHS NW2 will likewise become a KC&G unit.  This gives me a pair of KC&G units to use. 

 

Now, the above idea is still in the "definite maybe" stage... BUT... there WAS a temptation:  Use the two S-12's and take them into Missouri Pacific "Jenks Blue" paint, giving me a pair of Mop S-12's for use. 

 

This would leave me an undec SHS NW2, which could be paired up with a to-be-acquired AM S-12 to be painted into KC&G livery.

 

OR...

 

Go ahead and go with plan as mentioned above, which leaves a spare S-12 instead of a spare NW2. But what to do for another roadname pair?  Well, here's what I'm tossin' around as options:

 

1. Purchase an AM RS3 and put both the spare S-12 and the RS3 into Mop paint... perhaps Jenks Blue on the S-12 and the older blue/gray on the RS3. 

 

2. Purchase another S-12 to go with the spare S-12 and both of those go into Mop paint for a pair of Mop S-12's (I have pics of two Mop S-12's in Jenks Blue in use in KC during my era.)

 

Hmmmmm.... decisions, decisions.

 

What would you do?

 

Andre, what about "borrowed" power, some western road. 
I'm in a similar spot, have F7 ABA GN, took the lettering off, would repaint them into BN green.  Heretical, I know, but would update them to the scheme when BN dumped them in '84' or thereabouts.

Hi John!

 

I've thought about loaner and/or leased power (GN, for example)... but figured my efforts need to be toward something that was actually in KC.  Besides, I have 13 (that's THIRTEEN) Class 1 railroads to pick n' choose from for modeling!

 

In addition to the above list, I foresee the following roads having a presence on my KC Lines layout "one of these days":

 

* KCT (If/when a brass Alco S-2 shows up on the secondary market.)

 

* Katy (The red scheme, but NOT with the "shield" like on the Lionel MKT NW2... but the yellow herald.)

 

* KCS

 

* MILW

 

* CGW (They had SEXY switcher paint schemes in the '50s that lasted into the '60s!)

 

* ATSF (Can be in two schemes: Zebra and Bookends.)

 

* UP

 

* ??? (There's still the Wabash, CRIP, n' GM&O to pick n' choose from!)

 

So, as you can see, simply selecting from what IS correct for KC offers a lifetime of modeling possibilities.

 

erdnA

Good news!

 

My NWSL order arrived today!

 

More good news: The 22mm x 31mm can motor runs nice and slow without cogging.

 

Bad news: Only received one of the two flywheels I ordered. 

 

The reason? Because of the most dreaded words in model railroading...

 

BACK ORDERED!

 

Sooo... this project goes to the shelf. 

 

Andre,

 

I have been thinking about getting back into S scale by converting my N scale layout depicting the Frisco in St Louis.  Although I remember that area better in 1980, but haven't decided on an era yet. With the cars and locomotives currently in my collection, the late 50s, 60s or 70s could all be covered.

 

Ultimately there are many decal projects that could benefit both of us. Have you checked with Herald King? Would they be willing to do some of the Frisco sets in S? To start I am looking at the PS2 two and three bay hoppers which I could use a couple of each. Also how is the MP diesel project going?

Hey Andre, what's the latest?
I need caboose interiors, two of them.

Haven't the slightest as to where to get them.

Looking forward to seeing more of your stuff!

John

 

Try Jeff at Hoquat Hobbies for the caboose interiors

 

Colin

 

Thanks Colin, I know Jeff very well.  Great idea!

Hi all!  Not at home right now. I'm typing this via an IPhone, so it's hunt 'n peck using one finger! I'll try to remember to update you'ins once I'm back at house.

Later!

Hi Cheltenham!

 

I can certainly understand your desire to migrate from N scale to the much more eye-friendly S scale.  S scale is, after all, the perfect size.

 

As for decals of mutual benefit:  Yup, that would work out good if you hop over to S scale.  There are decal suppliers willing to print to S scale provided the artwork can be supplied.  Doing so would be less painless if "like-minded" S modelers can pool their efforts to absorb any "minimum" numbers required for printing.

 

The Baldwin DS4-4-1000 that could become an MP is still patiently waiting on the workbench for my "round tuit" to arrive.  However, some good news: A week or so ago a package arrived via the USPS. Inside was my back ordered flywheel I mentioned above!  So, when the mood arrives, I now have the needed items to repower one of the AM Baldwin frames to see if it would be worth considering as something for the entire AM Baldwin fleet I have.  Like I said, my stock AM Baldwins run pretty darn good "as is"... but I'm a performance freak... so I need to do this to satisfy my curiosity one way or the other.

 

Hi John!  Now you have the "latest" from this lazy S scale modeler!

 

 

The layout looks great!

 

--Greg

Hey Andre,

How's the work on your AM Baldwin coming now that you have the other flywheel?  Or are you too busy roasting your chestnuts in front of the fireplace these days?

 

Mike A.

Thanks Greg!

 

Mike asked:

 

quote:

How's the work on your AM Baldwin coming now that you have the other flywheel?

 

Still waitin' on that round 'tuit!   Lately I've been on a V scale kick.  Currently recreating the Central Pacific over Donner Pass, circa early 1870s!

 

quote:

Or are you too busy roasting your chestnuts in front of the fireplace these days?

 

We tried something a bit different this year. It was very tasty!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xj-jGAJgZY

 

 

 

 

 

Andre, That sounds Yummy!

Andre,

 

I've pulled my nose out of my Frisco Morning Sun books long enough to look at my S scale stuff.  It seems I have six GP9s that long to be converted to 7s, an SW9, an RS3 and a PHII F3AB that need decals.  I am tired of holding my breath for others so an afternoon of playing around with a new drawing program yielded these results. These are preliminary and represent lettering for first generation locos and PS2 covered hoppers. Are you in?

Hi All:

 

A new S scale goody has arrived at the home of the KC Lines.  No time to elaborate now... hope to snag a pic and upload later today!

Been looking (off n' on) for one of these for several years.  FINALLY one showed up on eBay... and I over powered my bidding opponents with "shoot to kill" tactics. 

 

So, I'm now the proud owner of THIS:

 

 

 

 

So, what am I going to do with this?

 

Well... I hope to eventually turn it into this:

 

 

More comments to follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, some comments about the OMI S-2 I've purchased will be down below, but first, some questions...

 

* WHY does this software shrink our pictures so much?  (At least it displays shrunken on my browser that comes with Win7 Pro.)  The pictures were linked to my own private web space and are 1024 x 768... yet they show up as these tiny little pics???  Is there a way around this???

 

Now, for the comments about the Overland Models S-2:

 

* First off, it is EXQUISITE to simply look at.  Almost don't want to paint it!

 

* There's also a bag of goodies that came with it so it can be personalized somewhat. I will eventually see what all is in the packets.

 

* It runs pretty darn good.  I will eventually take off the carbody and take a look-see at the mechanism. Could be that I can add flywheels for even better performance... but it's pretty good "as is".

 

* I've never painted brass... so I may have a brass painter put on the basic black in semi-gloss and then take it from there.  We'll see.

 

Anyway... that's it: I finally have a basis for a reasonably accurate Kansas City Terminal engine!  Yippeeee!

 

 

Andre, the forum seems to like images aroud 500-600 pixels wide, probably to maintain the page formatting.  Seeing that your linking photo's from your personal website, I guess your stuck with whatever the software reduces them to.

 

If you upload the images to the forum, they still get reduced in size to fit the format, but the image can then be clicked on to be displayed in it's full glory.

 

Also, if your images appears only "schrunched" horizontally, switch to Firefox (or Chrome so I'm told) for a browser.  These's something about certain versions of Windows IE that Hoopla's not fond of.

 

BTW, I don't recall if the S2's got flywheels, I haven't had mine apart in decades, but it has a can motor and is your basic good ol' two truck center motor drive.  The motor in mine freaked out years ago and I remember buying an A-Line can motor that was a direct replacement for an Athearn drive.  It fit perfectly.

 

Rusty

Hi Andre,

 

Looks great!  I can't wait to see it after you have it painted.  Should make a nice addition to your fleet.

 

Mike

Andre, congrats on the S2!  Nothing like a new loco to perk things up.

Andre....that S-2 is much too pretty to paint.  You will have to leave it brass.  Now, no more discussion on this matter. 

 

Rusty:

 

Yup, know it's the forum software... just sort of sucks is all.  Don't know if it has flywheels either... but I'll find out eventually.

 

Mike:

 

When finished it ought to be a looker, I'd say!

 

John:

Thanks!  It's definitely a neat addition.

 

Tony?  Tony Who?  Wright?

 

Lessee'... in the dateless past I knew a Tony Wright.

TONY!!!  Good to "see" you!  Still putz'n along with your 3 rail layout?  Still doin' the music scene? Got any grand kids yet? 

 

As for me, I'm sort-of-kind-of still messin' with my S scale layout idea... but mainly I'm "gathering goodies" for when I have more time to invest into it. All winter it's been 65+ hour weeks (70.25 hours couple weeks ago) and 6 day work weeks... don't have a lot of oompah to get into craftsman type modeling, even if I wanted to.  However, only 3 more Saturday passenger runs and I'll have most of my Saturday's back. 

 

Hope the family is doing well.

 

Well... all for now! 

Don't worry, they look pretty good painted, too...

 

Rusty

Rusty, pretty darn sweet!

Good morning Gents!

 

Well, I have some good news, and some bad news.

 

First, the good news: Within the past couple weeks or so, I have been able to find and acquire several pieces for my "KC Lines: West Bottoms" theme that are all ready to go (i.e. DCC and sound already installed and most in factory paint).  I have also been able to find/acquire needed track items. FURTHER, I am redesigning my track plan and it is beginning to appear that I have more than doubled the layout, yet still within the confines of the same small space I have to work with. (I only have 9'6" x 12'9" + 9'6" x 2' within the closet for staging.)

 

The bad news: It's in HO scale.

 

I know, I know.  I'm a defector of the faith.  No need to for any of you to step in and berate me for this choice: I was duly upbraided on the Yahoo S scale list when I announced this. In fact, those that I thought were virtual friends were a bit on the rude side, which surprised, and also disappointed, me. 

 

I say all the above to let you know that this thread will very likely go silent now, as it just wouldn't be right to post updates to an HO layout attempt here in this excellent S scale forum made up of some great S scale guys.

 

S is indeed the perfect size. Just wish I had a 29 year collection from which to work with and more space!  Too little time, now.  Got to make time, thus HO.

 

I will definitely be dropping by and oogling all your models and layouts... so you will not be TOTALLY rid of me!

Aieeeee!

 

Good luck Andre.  We'll keep a light on for ya!

 

Rusty

Andre,

The backdrops that you have created are great. The way you did it it is so realistic. Fantastic job.

 

Alan Graziano

We'll Andre, you're a skilled modeler and excellent friend, whatever the scale.  I drool at what I see on HO but blindness forbids that size for me.  What I wouldn't give for a Paducah rebuild in S.  On the other hand, it could be built. 
People like you, Rusty, Ed and others have encouraged me in S scale and for that I am grateful.
Please do keep us posted, we want to see your goodies!

Rusty:

 

Yup, keep that light on.  Great group of guys here and I will be tossing in some input as I can.

 

Alan:

 

Thanks for the kind words on my Photoflat backdrop structures!  I intend to start all over again with the backdrop base.  There's some areas where my joints/blending cracked/etc. Also, I'm going to take the plunge and cover that window opening that huge Photoflat is covering.  That way I don't have to have a truly gigantic (in HO) 15 story building overpowering the yard scene to the point of distraction.

 

Speaking of the Photoflats:

 

I have every intention of creating a product line of them and offering them to the modeling public. I already own Photoflats.net domain for my future website for same. My goal is to be up and selling product within a year or two... definitely off the ground before retirement. Unless I get into technical difficulties, each item will be offered in O, S, HO, and N scale.  I still have a few details to work out in regards to marketing/delivery... but it all looks "do-able"... it's just a matter of fitting it in among my current full schedule.

 

John:

 

Thanks to you also for such kind words. It is appreciated. I had hoped some on the Yahoo S scale list felt the same about that "friend" part, I guess I overestimated them.  Oh well.

 

For me, the choice was simple logistics:

 

* I was having to start from scratch amassing enough S stuff to populate a layout. Many S scalers have 30 year collections to work from. I'm 62 years old, I can't wait years for a select items to come available, and scratch building locomotives/rolling stock is out of the question for me. No way I can sink that much time into ONE project.

 

* I didn't fully comprehend the amount of workbench time S scale requires.  The 90/10 rule was out of whack for me.  That is, in S scale, I learned I need to spend 90% of my available hobby time at the workbench altering, assembling, whatever, models and only 10% for other hobby-related things.  At this point in my age, I need 90% RTR that only needs some weathering thrown on it, and only 10% of the time required at the workbench. Yes, I want SOME customized engines (about 10% of the engine roster), but not almost ALL of them (as in 90%).

 

As for being able to see the teeny-wienie trains: At this point I still have good vision. When the day comes that I can't see my wienie trains regardless of the strength of the reading glasses... then I guess it will come out, and a loop of 3 rail will go up in its place... and as long as I can operate the transformer handle I can have a train running!

 

As for keeping you (and others) posted:

 

I guess I ought not to post updates w/pics here.  Perhaps I can fashion a blog of some sort and post progress pictures there?  Alas, that wouldn't be as fun as interacting on a forum such as this one, though.  (Hmmm. Guess I don't have to mention the scale, huh? )

 

All fer now!