Its Monday 4-4-05, Weekend modeling accomplishments

[Tompm]

We spent Saturday trying to stay dry. I haven’t seen that much rain in a long time. Our fish pond overflowed for the first time. It is 13 years old. It didn’t do that even in Floyd or Ivan. We got some water in the basement. It was nothing out of the ordinary and nothing was damaged since everything is off the floor. I spent Sunday, my birthday, scrubbing the floor so the basement would not smell like an old sneaker.

I did manage to get a little modeling in. I dammed the stream on the Passenger Station Diorama and poured some Realistic Water. I also continued building up the highway bridge approach.

[Todd]

I was mostly stuck indoors this weekend, watching the snow and sleet come down, and wondering if a plow was going to come by and clear my street. Also wondering that if a plow didn't come by, if I was going to miss my first day of my new job, because I tried to go out on saturday, and inevitably got my car stuck in the middle of the road.
This pic is from Sunday afternoon..good times.
http://dynomite.ath.cx:8080/~todd/moredamnedsnow.jpg

To kill the time and keep busy because I was going stir crazy, I painted up another shell I had sitting around, to see which looked better.

http://dynomite.ath.cx:8080/~todd/comparison.jpg

The top one is painted with all polly scale paints except the red. The bottom one was the one I was working on last weekend, all painted with ModelFlex paints (CN Red and GT Blue). I also gloss coated it for the heck of it. Still using my $5 airbrush. The polly scale seems to go on a lot smoother and doesn't mess up the detail on the shell.

I think I'm liking the top one better, The blue isn't so.. blue. Has a bit of a "washed out" look that I've seen in some photos.

[Leif]

Been a good weekend. Spring is here and the sun is shinig. The photo is from Friday and first run in the garden for 2005.
http://www.sjolund.homelinux.net/albums/LGB-2005/aau.sized.jpg (http://www.sjolund.homelinux.net/modules.php?set_albumName=LGB-2005&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)

[slambo]

I didn't get any model building done, but I attended the SCWD (http://www.scwd-nmra.org) meeting yesterday, and I was reelected to the Board Of Directors for the division for another one-year term. I also got the contest schedule setup for the 2005-06 season (which is listed on the Meetings (http://www.scwd-nmra.org/meets.php) page).

[Fotheringill]

Ready for water some time this week.
As an afterthought lst night before lights out, I made a coal load from a package of 25 year old $.49 pacage of Lifelike coal. It is drying now.

[Powersteamguy1790]

I started to computerize the JJJ&E over the weekend . I used an old Dell Pentium lll that I had used as a spare computer.

The JJJ&E is run with DCC using a Lenz 100 system. I purchased a Lenz LI-USB Interface to connect the computer to the Lenz LZV100 command station.

I am using Decoder Pro to program the decoders in my loco's.

Here are some photo's of the setup:

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A674%3B99ot1lsi

The Lenz LI-USB interface is above the LH100 handheld device on the upper right.

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A678%3B%3C5ot1lsi

Here is a closeup of the Lenz LI-USB device that connects the computer to the Lenz LZV100 command station.

The green light shows the USB port is connected properly with the downloaded drivers.

The red light shows that data transmission from the computer to the Lenz command station is working via XpressNet.

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A6794%3C8ot1lsi

A closeup of the LH 100 handheld device showing loco #901 has been called up in a multi-unit consist. Small "m" shows that #901 is part of a consist.

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A6795%3C6ot1lsi

The Lenz software for the LI-USB Interface also allows you to run your system on the computer. Here is a photo that shows Loco #901 and Loco # 907, the two loco's in the consist ready for operation.

The "UP" and "Down" arrows control the loco's speed on each handheld device. The Function keys control individual functions of each loco.

The two loco's are multi-consisted with a DSX sound only decoder and that can also be controlled on the computer or on the handheld device. The number for the DSX sound only decoder for these loco's is #0012.

The loco's can be controlled by using the mouse, or by using the LH 100 handheld device.

I can run up to four trains at one time the way this is setup.

Practically, two or three is the limit for one operator.

The JJJ&E has three Handheld devices, plus the computer.

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A678279ot1lsi

A closeup of the LH handheld on the computer screen:

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A679887ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D655%3D826%3DX ROQDF%3E23237%3B%3A679585ot1lsi


The last photo shows the USB-LI Interface is running and operational. Data can be transmitted from the computer to the layout and visa versa.


This is easy to do if you have your layout running with DCC.

also posted this tutorial in the DCC and Electronics Forum under the title Computerizing the JJJ&E


http://images.snapfish.com/3435873523232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3239%3E564%3E735%3EWSNR CG%3D32328%3A%3B589658nu0mrj

Stay cool and run steam......

[ April 04, 2005, 03:47 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]

[Bookbear1]

I finished the grain elevator for the co-op and placed it with a couple of people, some sacks of grain, and a truck. When I looked at the pic, I didn't like the 'new aluminum' look of the roofing material included with the kit, so I dry brushed some PolyScale rust on...much better , I think. This building is setting in front of the second building I did, the freight depot.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/markwilliams/abz.sized.jpg

I had a small kit for a snack bar and decided to modify it into a roadside produce stand. I know, I know....dem's BIG apples! I SWEAR the package said N-scale...maybe it has something to do with the nuke in the next county? :D Anyway, it went together quickly and looks ok, I think. From a distance you don't notice that the sales lady could barely lift two of those apples!

http://www.railimages.com/albums/markwilliams/aca.sized.jpg

This last shot shows what is completed so far in the hamlet of Bearly...the tavern on the right, the general store in the middle, and the produce stand. I've added more foliage and am anxiously awaiting the Forest in a Flash tree kits to flesh out the hills and foreground.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/markwilliams/acb.sized.jpg

All in all, a productive weekend! :cool:

[ April 04, 2005, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: Bookbear1 ]

[yankinoz]

Worked on two things over the weekend:

More progress on my SD35 project. Some more weathering done, but... When I was showing it to my wife to get her opinion on the weathering, she was looking at the model and some prototype photos and asked where the little circle thing was on the side of my fuel tank - d'oh! I missed the round fuel gauge! So, the tank is getting more work and will be re-weathered (not happy with how the tank weathering turned out anyway.) Very happy with the trucks however (big time mods there - those arn't the Atlas sideframes) here it is, not all put together but you get an idea of where it's at.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/robbarker/aah.sized.jpg (http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robbarker/aah?full=1)

Second project: An Athearn SD40-2. The shell will be stripped and repainted (Soo Line Red) and most of the details replaced with Canon parts (nose, cab, sub-bases, grills, etc) to make the model into a very late production dash 2. This means a narrow side sill (almost done) which caused a problem with the stock Athearn frame (namely you could see it as it's deeper than the narrow side sill. I looked at making the old frame narrow, but its design is such that it would end up really thin and weak where the trucks mount. Athearn SD40-2 have a wheel base that is 18" too narrow as well so I'm planning to make a new frame from brass. First time trying something this extreme so I mocked one up with styrene to see how close to the prototype I can get the wheelbase (turns out, not very close without more modifications to the shell) But from the side, man the new frame looks great! If I can pull off this -2 then a fully scratch build SD40A is next...

The frame - this is a test so there's no place for the motor and flywheels to go. I'll use this as a guide for the brass version.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/robbarker/aai.sized.jpg (http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robbarker/aai?full=1)

This is the side view, really like the depth that I'm getting - the inside of the rear of the long hood and the step wells on the front make it hard to get a full prototype wheelbase, this is within 12" but to get that extra foot will mean thinning the steps, replacing the long hood end and mods to the rear truck... maybe smile.gif

http://www.railimages.com/albums/robbarker/aaj.sized.jpg (http://www.railimages.com/gallery/robbarker/aaj?full=1)

[sitchad]

Nice pictures everyone. I managed to finally get the last area of the extension done with the basic ground cover and some details. Nice to be able to run trains again.

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2756836/5524306/91870221.jpg

Spring is in the air and the wide flowers are in bloom.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2756836/5524306/91870205.jpg

A shot of the cut.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2756836/5524306/91870200.jpg

Overall shot of the area just completed.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2756836/5524306/91870188.jpg

[Colonel]

Excellent work guys I finished decaling my A&S GP38

http://www.railimages.com/albums/SD40Mopac/acy.sized.jpg

http://www.railimages.com/albums/SD40Mopac/acz.sized.jpg

[Powersteamguy1790]

Chad:

Very nice work on your extension.

I really like the "cut" and rockwork in that area.


Stay cool and run steam...... graemlins/cool.gif :cool: :cool:

[sitchad]

Thanks Bob, I am glad the basics are done.

So, who do you like the DecoderPro? I am interested in how the programming of the decoders speed tables is. Have you tired making a speed table and using it on two different engines and getting good consisting?

I know questions, questions, questions. Glad you like it, let us know how it is after running it for awhile.

[Powersteamguy1790]

Chad:

I programmed two loco's with speed tables. Decoder Pro is very comprehensive and will take awhile to master.

The Lenz software that comes with the LI-USB interface also has a programming module which is easier to implement.

Decoder Pro is the better program, as it has many more options.

It's worth the investment in an interface.

Stay cool and run steam.... graemlins/cool.gif :cool: :cool:

[NS]

Had a very good weekend. Saturday my son and I went to a train show in Hickory, N.C. and setup a table with some friends and sold some of his HO scale stuff. After the show Scott Teage invited us to come see his layout and I was very impressed :eek: with his work. His layout is really something to see and I can't stop saying how great the detail graemlins/wow.gif was. We were all impressed and as is normal I did'nt have my camera.
Dan

[William Cowie]

Great shots, guys! Chad, nice extension graemlins/notworthy.gif

I redid my layout plan with XtrkCad and laid out the newly printed 1:1 on the foam. Made a few tweaks, but we're getting close. Next time I'm home on a weekend I need to tie down the supports atop the bookshelves, then glue the foam down and start layin' track! Maybe I can run a train before Christmas! smile.gif

[HemiAdda2d]

I finally finished decaling a pair of GP35's, and added another 40 (2 down, 6 to go!) to the roster:
http://www.railimages.com/albums/N/agh.sized.jpg
http://www.railimages.com/albums/N/agg.sized.jpg
http://www.railimages.com/albums/N/age.sized.jpg

[NYC-BKO]

Well I didn't get too much done this weekend, finished the Athearn 4 bay to 3 bay LO and painted it, started decaling it and am still working on decaling it.

I did run trains alot, so I did do something constructive.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!- :D

[rush2ny]

Great modeling everyone!!

Russ

[mcjaco]

I didn't get as much done as I hoped. I'm stuck with how I want to put ditch lights in on a P2K GP30.....I did get the first coast of paint on the details though. I also got the grabs on a SD75. More progress on that loco in two days than in the last three years!

I took pictures, I just have to upload them.