Razorback Traction Co. (neé Bethlehem Steel) 72 sits in the shops after having a Swiss-style pantograph installed for overnight coal-less heating of the boiler.
Next up will be the removal of the Bethlehem Steel markings and application of RTC markings.
Naturally, since Norma Bates Kitteh is fast asleep, Fortescue has to get into the act:
Fortescue is just lucky that thing isn't energized... ;-)
Mitch
You could hang laundry on the pantograph when not being used !!
M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Razorback Traction Co. (neé Bethlehem Steel) 72 sits in the shops after having a Swiss-style pantograph installed for overnight coal-less heating of the boiler.
Next up will be the removal of the Bethlehem Steel markings and application of RTC markings.
Naturally, since Norma Bates Kitteh is fast asleep, Fortescue has to get into the act:
Fortescue is just lucky that thing isn't energized... ;-)
Mitch
Darn new EPA regs. 
Are you sure there is no residual power as Fortescue eyes look like their bulging outward and seems to be glowing 
Still working on the diorama for the corner... Several photos of what finally dried enough today to photograph.... Tried a completely new technique I found on Youtube... applying fiberfil batting over the pink foam, instead of laying down pounds of plaster..... The first time trying something new always takes longer, but I am pretty pleased so far... Still have a bunch of "puff ball trees" to anchor to the backdrop, but I am getting there.....
I didn't do much, but Max was trying to figure out how to use the control panel...
chris a posted:Still working on the diorama for the corner... Several photos of what finally dried enough today to photograph.... Tried a completely new technique I found on Youtube... applying fiberfil batting over the pink foam, instead of laying down pounds of plaster..... The first time trying something new always takes longer, but I am pretty pleased so far... Still have a bunch of "puff ball trees" to anchor to the backdrop, but I am getting there.....
I would be very pleased too. It looks great, Chris!
mjrodg3n88 posted:I didn't do much, but Max was trying to figure out how to use the control panel...
This simply HAD to be said... ;-)
"PUSH THE BUTTON, MAX!"
Mitch
Thanks to Mark and the other members who liked the posting... Figured I ought to share the Youtube video that I watched several times before deciding to try the No Plaster, Fiberfil Low Loft batting method.... There are two videos in the short series, the link attached is to the first one... Youtube will queue up the next one in the sequence. Sorry it's not a live link, just copy and paste into the URL - Chris a -
I powered up my new MTH PRR Alco RS-11 that arrived today. The raspy, rattle-y prime mover sound was fun enough, and then the smoke unit got going. I'm looking forward to putting it in a lash-up with my GP-9, where I will have the Alco's smoke unit on and the Geep's smoke unit off. Once again, art imitates life.
As an aside, I don't find the sound volume lacking at all in the Alco. In fact, right away I turned it down 2 notches. I wonder if the PS3 sound volume issue that's been discussed in this forum is specific to certain loco models.
As another aside, I'm really happy to have the horn sound like what's on the roof, I'm guessing a Nathan M3. That has bugged me in the past, to have, for example, a 3- or 5-chime horn on the roof but the horn sound is a single-note honker. MTH, thanks for getting this detail right. Now if only they would use the prime mover sounds from SRR #6133 in their F-units!
Only did one section of the elevated loop today but it was a 1/4 72" curve. So I am down to the home stretch. No layout work tomorrow. Going haul gravel for the lane if the weather allows. I need a break anyway. Getting burnt out. But it is looking good. Or at least to me. 
What is left to finish.
I inserted the boiler and cab front into the front of the steam coach shell, glued on the stack, and glued headlight mountings to front and rear of roof. Just have bell, whistle, other small details, paint touch-up and dullcoat, and will have a steam coach. Since it is larger than that pictured in the station at Shelburne, Vermont, and takes a wide radius, l am planning to follow it with a closer model of that one.
chris a posted:Thanks to Mark and the other members who liked the posting... Figured I ought to share the Youtube video that I watched several times before deciding to try the No Plaster, Fiberfil Low Loft batting method.... There are two videos in the short series, the link attached is to the first one... Youtube will queue up the next one in the sequence. Sorry it's not a live link, just copy and paste into the URL - Chris a -
Chris,
I would have never thought of that, but I love it!! I'm already familiar with using batting on a Christmas layout, but never glued it down! Yours looks as good as his! Thank you very much for posting the link!!
I had to take apart the motor of my Mianne Lift-Gate to take the spool out for a trip to York next week. Tim is going to install a new cable at York...even though this was not a Mianne problem. The issue was due to my own stupidity and Tim has been VERY helpful in making sure I get the motor and cable repaired.
BTW. The Mianne Lift Gate is one of the better ideas in the model train world in decades. Take a look in the Orange Hall next week.
Seized the one sunny non-raining day in months (with another month of rain in the forecast) and FINALLY got the 150' of new Gargraves and three new ROSS turnouts painted with track-paint!! Don't care about the weather any longer. Many dry days of track laying and wiring ahead for the upper level in the warm cozy layout room.
Past couple of days I have had a lot of running around to do. Today work out by being a bit too cool to do yard work. So I was able to mount the Masonite which took a bit of figuring out how to hold it in place since I put the table up first and I wanted to make it curve with the wall. Sometimes I just like a challenge. Once I had that secure I applied white. While that was drying I mixed up some plaster and finished the cliff. I had plaster left so I did the plywood in front of the Masonite. I'll go back later and apply the blues. A couple of pics..............Paul
My son Chris and I removed 3 switches from the layout to be sent to our repair man for cleaning and lubricating. We still have 3 more to remove. One of them is under a tunnel which will prove to be a challenge to get.
Kerrigan posted:Seized the one sunny non-raining day in months (with another month of rain in the forecast) and FINALLY got the 150' of new Gargraves and three new ROSS turnouts painted with track-paint!! Don't care about the weather any longer. Many dry days of track laying and wiring ahead for the upper level in the warm cozy layout room.
Finally! Success on the track painting!
I did do another section of the finish of the elevated level today. About 4.5' on the south end switch and straight. I did not do any pictures because you have all seen enough and know what is going on. Only 3 sections left,,,,so next week it should be done.
I did buy a Ford Ranger 2003 or 04 Edge today, "4 wheel drive", 150K miles. It needs a right front wheel bearing and some TLC. I got it from Butch next door for 1K. I don't think I can go wrong. Some fluff and buff and it will be a good back up ride for me. Save the 2011 Silverado. Will get me away from the train room to. 
I've just noticed this very nice thread. 
Always late to the party. 
I'm working on making some sea . . .
I finished flipping the train room door to open OUT, instead of in-to precious train room space. Not the best carpenter but it works and seems plumb. Tomorrow will be more layout-oriented - trying my hand at making some clouds on my newly painted sky-blue angled walls.
. . . and today I finished the gel coat.
Now to wait another two days for it to set up.
MaxSouthOz posted:...I'm working on making some sea . . .
Exceptional, Max, every square inch of the vignette. You even have barnacles at the feet of the pylons!!!!! And the aging of the wood itself is perfect, IMHO.
FrankM, Moon Township, USA
Max, you captured so much detail in the scene. The way you did the water makes it look like it is moving. Great job............Paul
Thanks, Guys.
It's all in the thread link under my signature - if you can stand it. 
MaxSouthOz posted:. . . and today I finished the gel coat.
Now to wait another two days for it to set up.
Just went through your recent posts Max. Looks great so far. Almost makes the trains secondary to the water front scene.
Bob
I started working on converting the basement layout from conventional to TMCC. I ordered the 6-14194 CAB 1 and controller. I am also taking this opportunity to replace most of my old wiring. That is going to be a slow go as I am still recovering from spine surgery and every year thaey put that floor further and further away.
This morning I got my basic blues on. Lighter blue bottom and darker on the top. Once the dark dries I'll go back and put a coat of the light on it. So to let the paint dry I will fill the idle time with a little yard work. Pics..........Paul
RSJB18 posted:MaxSouthOz posted:. . . and today I finished the gel coat.
Now to wait another two days for it to set up.
Just went through your recent posts Max. Looks great so far. Almost makes the trains secondary to the water front scene.
Bob
Bob has a good point! Museum quality in my opinion! Though I won't do a sea port scene there is a lot here to digest for a mountain railroad as well!
ChooChoo1972 posted:I started working on converting the basement layout from conventional to TMCC. I ordered the 6-14194 CAB 1 and controller. I am also taking this opportunity to replace most of my old wiring. That is going to be a slow go as I am still recovering from spine surgery and every year thaey put that floor further and further away.
I haven't had surgery, but I agree on the floor becoming further away. And I am fairly thin and nimble for being over 60. I pray you recover well.
Now to trains. I think you will find the wiring well worth the effort. I have TMCC on my Ceiling Central RR and DCS on the Christmas layout. I just moved from conventional about 3 years ago, and love both systems. I plan to run DCS on my new layout with it controlling my TMCC engine and my Legacy engine.
Masked off and handpainted over the Bethlehem Steel logos on my pantograph powered 0-6-0. Fortescue J. Giraffe likes to think he helped:
Razorback stickers installed!
Fortescue inspects the pantograph from a slightly safer distance than last time:
"Let's go!"
Mitch
RSJB18 postedJust went through your recent posts Max. Looks great so far. Almost makes the trains secondary to the water front scene.
Bob
Thanks, Bob.
I just had to figure out a way to include my RC tug boat.
paul 2 posted:This morning I got my basic blues on. Lighter blue bottom and darker on the top. Once the dark dries I'll go back and put a coat of the light on it. So to let the paint dry I will fill the idle time with a little yard work. Pics..........Paul
Paul,
Your blue looks very good! Looks similar to the shade I picked. I like watching your progress!
That colour is going to fit well, Mark.
Well this was supposed to be the weekend of making and planting some trees. This was to be done mainly on the mountain. Well after I finished making the trees I was planting along when I saw this terrible gap in the terrain. 
Here's the before and after.
I was testing DCS signal tonight and running a few trains.
Here a B&P local running light is passed by a CR empty slab train.
AnthonyK, this is nice, from the looks in the picture you have very wide radius curves...Looking really good! Keep the pictures coming....
I finished the roof and the windows in my church. As I posted previously, the shake shingles are from Wild West Scale Models. The stained glass window inserts came from a web image. I altered the aspect ratio of the original image to fit my window openings, and made minor alterations to the perspective. Then I copied and pasted the image to get 8 copies per sheet, and printed the result first on paper, adjusting the printed size until the images filled the window openings. Then I printed it on transparency film. Once installed in the openings, I had another of those "art imitates life" issues to deal with: I could see into the church even though the prototype window is translucent. I fixed that problem by placing a piece of matte (invisible) tape on the inside of each window. Interior illumination is from a pair of GOW lamps suspended in a wooden "beam" about 16 scale feet off of the floor, high enough that there aren't any hot spots in the windows when the room lights are off. This was a lot of work but IMO the result is totally worth it.
I've had this kit since about 2007 and it was high time I finished it. Now I have but one Plasticville house to work on, and then I will run out of excuses for not starting my scenery.
Excellent, Joel. 
Wiring...Lots and lots of wiring...nine hours of wiring.
I have been re-doing the Super O layout that my father built for me for Christmas of 1960. I completely re-did the track plan, moved the switches around, etc. I spent the day wiring the switches and re-wiring the loops of track for DCS. About 2/3 done now.
Some more sea. This time down at the slipway end.
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