TJ's random place to post whatever crazy projects I am working on

Great work!

You could also put your stuff here ...

Thank you!

I thought about that. But no layout and I wanted to keep it on one place for my use as well. Once I get all of my layout building stuff together I will post over there as well. Still waiting on my ties to start the handlaid track on the switching layout

Here is the track

Good Idea.

Finished the sliding cab windows on the SD35. Just a few more details and the weathering begins! Here you can see the start of the color modulation between the cab roof and the long hood. When it is weathered you will see how that works out to bring out details on different surfaces. It will not be a heavily weathered loco. But will have a nice in service look to it. With most of the grime focused on the roof,trucks fuel tank and pilots

And another couple flicks

Finally got the SD40 back on the bench to give my SD35 a matching running mate. Got the short hood stripped and painted as well as cab sides. PSC air horns put together and cab air conditioner. Removed the coke bottle glasses side windows that will be replaced with sliding glass windows like the SD35. And started building pilot spacers

This is my one day off for awhile so it won't go much faster but ill try to get at least a update a week. Happy modeling all!

Lionel SD40?

Atlas. I seen those ones you have Mario for the Lionel unit

I have been eyeing one of those Lionel SD40's for a bit. But then I just found out they are making a SD38 so I am gonna get two of those. Wonder if your spacers would work for the SD38? I test fitted the GP30 spacers and they are spot on

Have not had much time to work on anything these days . But tonight I mocked up a 3 rail number 8 turnout.

Micro engineering code 148 outer. Atlas code 100 center rails. It is simply laid out on some stir sticks to see what it will look like mounted on ties. Waiting on my kappler ties and details to finish. Trying to get a idea of how far I want to go detailing these. Anyways here is some pics

Let's see if the pics work now

Got impatient. Glued the ties down and threw some paint on it. I think it looks better than any of the commercial products available and it's not even half finished 

TJ, that looks amazing. 

Looks great. With the difference is rail sizes did you have to shim the center rail so the pick-ups don't hop or catch on the outer rails?

Thank you Mario. I am pretty happy with where it is going at this point. 

@BobbyD....honestly it's all just laid in place now. The outer rails are soldered to the PC board ties. Nothing is spiked down at this point. The inner rails I will have to shim. And I am working on a chair design to ramp the rail. Think of the European chairs they use with bullhead rail. And then spiking the chairs down. So there isn't any awkward soldering to brass nails and such. I think it will look nicer that way. I have the day off today so I am gonna work on it a bit more today. And get better pictures

Hi TJ

     Love the weathering on the hopper. What is your technique; especially the rust running done? Here's one I did recently.

Best

Ray Marion

Ray... wow!

BobbyD posted:

Looks great. With the difference is rail sizes did you have to shim the center rail so the pick-ups don't hop or catch on the outer rails?

My question as well.  I like the results from using the smaller rail for the pickup.  I think somebody else was doing a similar thing with N scale rail (maybe the thread on the Carbondale Junction from a month or so ago?).  My biggest issue with 3-rail track is the switches - all that extra stuff to keep the pickup continuous ruins the look for me.  I think your turnout looks pretty good so far.

Jim

Jim,

My tutorial on using N scale rail is in the 3rs forum on page 2. converting atlas 2 rail to 3 rail. Also on Carbondale today I'm showing how I anchor the N Scale rail to atlas laid flex track.

Ron H

My apologies TJ for butting in.

It's all good Ron! Feel free to post whatever you would like. It's all good info .

I am at work now. But when I get off I'll show you the solution I came up with. It's rather simple and effective to ramp the rails. 

Okay. Threw down a little ballast to take a pic of where it stands now. Spiked down half the rail. Funny story...I scratch built the spikes from brass wire....anyways I am sitting on the couch making spikes and my wife walks in. She looks at me and asks" what are you making?" So I described what I was doing and she just looks at me....like I am crazy..."wow" she says"you need medication" and laughs.  scratch building spikes....maybe she has a point. Lol

Anyways a pic or two

Anyways as to the question posed earlier...I tapped the rail using .20/.40 styrene strips placed under the center rail. Then simply spiked it down using longer spikes. Works great and you can't see the spacers

And auto correct got me. It should read * ramped the rail* not tapped.

Pic for kicks....

TJ, looks great!

Ron H

@ray....
my weathering techniques are pretty basic. I start with a overall fade. On the hopper in was a combo of white and golden yellow craft paints . I apply them in a overall wash. Dried with a hair dryer . I used three washes to get where I wanted to be. Then the rust is built up using oil colors. In this case burnt sienna and black. Stippled on with a stiff sable brush. Then before the oils dry I came back with mig oxide powders to add texture. The streaking was accomplished with a regular washing sponge and oils drug down the sides. I work in layers. Sealing between.  I finished the running boards with a graphite pencil to add a bare metal look to the running board surface. Her is a pic in the sun. It's not finished in the pic but it shows the subtle fade and rust. .

Today's project. More work on the SD40 to match my SD35. So far I am working on the hand rails in the front. Then finishing up the pilot details . Then off to paint to touch the pilot up. So far so good though.

I'll post more as I go today

Full length handrails make a huge difference. Great job.

In the 1st pic, the horn has a bit of gangsta lean to it

Thanks Doug. Yes they do! Pain in the a** to bend but eh. It's relaxing kinda....and as to the horn....

It's just staying fly yo!

Got the other side done.

Smashing down on this beasty is fun! See if I can get some major progress done in the next few hours.

Oh and started buttoning up the HO BR01. This little dude is staring down from the cab as I work on the SD40.

The BR38 next to the SD is my next HO project. She is a pretty little thing.

But those NEM wheel flanges have to go. So I am ordering all new wheel sets from Germany to bring em down to RP25 standards.

Just a small update. Just started ordering parts for my RS3 build. I am really leaning towards doing a P48 build with it. Going down a dark road if I do.

Something to keep the thread alive! Almost finished with the weathering on the SD35....have to take some good shots in better light time permitting soon. 

It's been a long project. But almost done. Just have to finish a few things up. Add ditch lights and northwest short line scale wheels. Along with ERR cruise commander  and seal it all with another coat of dullcoat and I am almost 

TJ,

The loco looks better and better. Have you tried wiring your turnout yet? With the 148 Atlas turnouts I'm converting I'm getting some shorting with some of my locos depending on their respective rollers, so I'm hunting for a fix. Let me know if you have the same problem.

Ron H

Ron. Haven't gotten around to any wiring yet. But I was reading about your problems with the atlas turnouts and when I get there for the wiring I will keep you informed. And probably pick your brain a little too I am sure. 

And thank you! That loco has been a lot of work but I am pleased with it. Now I have to convert my other 8 to fixed pilots. Not looking forward to it lol

And another...weathering has not been sealed yet and the fuel tank isn't done but you can see the multiple layers of weathering and the modulation technique I have used on the unit...weathering is primarily oils and pastels with some mig pigments...

Critics welcome! 

Track so far. Craptastic pics as is par for the course...

Oh. And on another front. I am seriously considering selling off all of my 3 rail equipment and going 2 rail as well. If everything plays out according to plan I will be a owner of a atlas 2 rail SD35 in the next couple weeks and I will make my decision then....But I am seriously considering the dark side guys....

I would love to have the space for 2 rail. Go for it

Rod Miller

I don't have the space either. That's why I am building my layout as modules. I already have my min curves at 50" radius (0-100) and turnouts minimum at No 8s so not much of a difference switching to two rail. And most of my equipment is/ has been switched over to .145 wheels already. Ordering my wheel sets for the SD35 from P and D this weekend actually. So lots of food for thought. 

Some pics of track processes