I have added more cross bracing for the roof and then have been putting in the conduit for the electrical, but this is one tediuos job. The silver is the conduit. I am trying to think of the logical locations that lights or electricity would be used and the run the conduit to those places. I wanted to take a break from this so I looked in the scrap box to se what I could find for the lamp shades, I'll need about forty of them. I found some plastic windows from some forgotten kit. I usually don't use these windows as windows because they are so thick but put the stuff aside in case it can be used for some project. In this case it is not the windows I want but the sprues that they are attached to. The red lines point to the shape I was looking for. I cut the sprues off but left them attached to the windows so they could be handled easily when they were painted. The one on the left has been cut off and the one on the right has been painted. The next step is a piece of brass wire, I found a length of seven feet for the wire would keep it higher than the locomotives so that light would shine down on the engines. A junction box and the light is in. I am setting the lights on the side of the pits as I think this would be more logical, plus it is easier to get a loco out in case it derails. The two far stalls have the conduit in. I am now working on the rest of them.
Jason, I'm glad your enjoying the photos. The conduit and lights are all in; Now I can start adding some detail to the interior. If anyone has suggestions, your more than welcome to post them,.
Not all roundhouses had over-head traveling cranes, and I see by your structure you couldn't either, so you will need a number of the flat bed carts we used to haul things like side rods, cylinder ends, and other heavy parts from the engine to the machine shop. We also had about 6 "A" frame hoists that were mounted on casters, for lifting these items. If you make a machine shop. you will have a large radial arm drill, large and small lathers, a small wheel lathe, and a pit lathe for steam engine drivers, (or at least the pit). There are a lot of tools and equipment needed in an engine shop! Working in "N" scale you may not be able to actually see things like pliers and screw drivers, but you can in HO. I have a couple of photos, but I can't post them here, because I don't own them, they are from one of my old Machine Shop Manuals I scanned. What era are you modeling? [ March 13, 2005, 03:06 AM: Message edited by: watash ]
John - In a structure like this, human nature dictates that stuff would be mounted on the wooden post timbers. How about some red fire extinguisher cylinders? A cabinet for rags and a rag barrel? Shop tables with assorted metal parts and tools? This project is outstanding. Thanks for sharing it. ACLer
I'm modeling 1949-50 and appreciate the suggestions. In the way of lifting things I have some photos of a smaller crane that was usually against a post that would swing around to pick up a object so it could be placed on a cart or another track. I wish I had made a few pits for the pit lathes when I was putting in the pits between the tracks. I have to do some thinking on how to add something like this. The fire extiguishers and cabinets , etc. are all great little details that will be usd also. Thanks for the suggestions
The RGW likes to make working conditions as comfortable as possible for it's little people so a easy access to the side of the locos was needed. I dug up some scrap material and steps; I made four short and four tall ladders while I had all the material in front of me. A overhead shot of one of the little people trying out the steps. He has his tool box and a few wrenches with him. I like the following shot better, it gives the feeling of being in the roundhouse. Now on to the next detail, I don't know what it will be yet.
Simply unreal!!! John, that level of detail throws mud in the eyes of all who say 'Detail isn't attainable in N scale..'
Someday I just have to stop by and see the final product in person. This is just WOW! is all I can say as each new photo is posted.
WHAT? This is N scale? Just kidding. It is truly amazing. Your level of detail is simple astounding. Thank you very much for sharing. I know it has made me a better modeler. Eric
John you really should consider compiling your posts and photos about this into an article to submit to the mags. You have everyone eagerly awaiting your updates, it is just awsome! Nelson
Excellent idea Nelson,John maybe Flash could help you out through his contact with Kirk Reddy at NSR?This is just what the mag needs!
Thanks everyone, it's fun to be able to share the project with you. i don't know if this project would have much appeal to a magazine after appearing on the net but I might give that a try on some future project. I'm in the process of working on some lathes for the drivers right now, making three at once so I can use one in the backshop. Will have a few photos in a day or so. The pits to drop the drivers are going to be a challenge. I should have done them before this. I will probably just make the pit and have a crane that moves the drivers over and out so that the drivers can be worked on at the lathe which will be along the back wall. Darren, Sometime this Spring I'll see if we can get a few of the TB group in this area together and I will have a layout tour.
I wanted two wheel pits but the problem of cutting out the holes and not destroying the detail already in place was a concern. So I made one pit open and steel plates that cover it when not in use and then I did not have to cut out the second pit, just put the steel plates where it is supposed to be. The first pit is open; And the second pit is closed; The lathes for the drivers and wheels were next. There is nothing like this that I am aware of in N commercially so here are the materials I used; Plus some Detail Associates brake wheels that are not shown. I can't remember where I picked up these soft metal shapes, I'm always saving little things that might come in use some day, but they looked like they would work. Here are two of the lathes before painting. The one on the right has a set of drivers in it. I used a set of Kato drivers from the 2-8-2 because they looked the best of all the spare ones I had.
I made three of the lathes at the same time. When you have all the materials out it is more easier to just cut the parts for an extra one than to go back and do it later. Here is the first lathe in the back of the RH and you can see the wheel pit in the foreground. Next is the empty lathe; And the lathe with a set of drivers in it.
I have been making some cranes (ten in all) for handling heavy parts and wheels. Completed crane; Cranes in place; I added some fire extinguishers around the building also; Now it's on to some work benches, table saw and a few other items.
John, Absolutely brilliant, the amount of detail takes N scale to another level. How much more detail do you plan on adding?
