JPT Sub - my new layout project

BNSF FAN Mar 14, 2019

  1. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    I can't make it out from the pictures but are those decals? The roof weathering looks good!
     
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  2. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes sir, they are decals. Don't remember where it was that I first saw them but I immediately ordered a set to try. Well, here it is about 2 years later and I'm finally trying them. I'm thinking hey are going to be even better than I thought they would be.

    Since there are enough to do several racks, I decided this morning to go ahead with this SP one and just weather the original ConCor panels once the decals are on. Then pull out a rack I have already added etched metal panels to and do it after this one. Haven't done much weathering of freight cars before so that will be an adventure as well.
     
  3. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    An update on the autorack. Questioning myself here

    20210130_172028.jpg
     
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  4. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Looks great to me BNSF FAN. It has that "just right" in service look. (y)
     
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  5. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    What is there to question? That looks great!
     
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  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'll be the stick in the mud here...:p

    The rust on the roof panels look too evenly spaced to me....just sayin :whistle:
     
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  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    stick in the mud.jpg

    :D:p:ROFLMAO:

    Well, on the spacing, it does look that way but check out the below link to a picture in RailImages plus I looked at a lot more. Seems like there are about 3 options, almost all rust, mainly no rust, and fairly evenly spaces stripes

    https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/southern-pacific-autorack.52825/
     
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  8. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thank you gentlemen. We shall see how it goes from here.
     
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  9. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well I guess that answers that. :cool: Wonder if its because of roof trusses ...maybe. (y)
     
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  10. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is a good question
     
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  11. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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  12. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Finally got around to trying this today. Thank you for the tip Hemi! (y) Pics later. It might just be okay.
     
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  13. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    It's either because the roofing is in sections that long (and the edges are less corrosion resistant), or because it is fastened with through fasteners to the roof trusses at those intervals (and the fasteners or their perforations are less corrosion resistant.)
     
  14. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Happy Monday!!!!

    Well, let's start with the SP autorack. I finished weathering the panels. After looking at a bunch of pics, I think it has the right feel. Still not sure if I like it or not.

    Side A
    20210131_171432.jpg

    Side B
    20210131_171457.jpg


    Late Saturday afternoon, I received a package of new pick ups. The unassembled crew cab pick ups were 5 bucks cheaper that way wile the utility version was the same price assembled or a kit. No brainer there. These were super easy to assemble and the only thing I noticed on the unassembled vs assembled is that the kit version doesn't have the F250 logo painted on the fenders like the assembled version. Not really something that one would notice on the layout anyway.
    20210131_130717.jpg

    Here they are assembled.
    20210131_161858.jpg

    and next up with some decals applied. I only got one side done so next chance I get, will have to do the other side and the backs to finish them up.
    20210131_163853.jpg

    To work on these, I broke out the new Opti-visor the family got me for Christmas. Wow, did that make a difference. Don't think I realized how much I needed it. One thing I did learn was to not move my head around too much while wearing it. Was slightly disorienting during the quick moves and made me feel a little queasy. Once I figured that out, I was good to go.
     
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  15. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    The other project for the weekend was working on a styrene top for the grain silos.

    I cut the sheets to fit the backdrop first and then tacked them to the top of the silos. 20210129_181723.jpg
    20210129_181714a.jpg

    Once set, I began the cutting process.
    20210130_131240.jpg

    It took a good bit of time but got through the whole section
    20210130_164520.jpg
    20210130_164540.jpg

    Remember, that section is just tacked on so it would need to be glued down better which would help the look some. Then, it either needs some sanding and filling at spots or I may just scrap this top and start over. Either way, I'm not thrilled with how it is now. However, I do feel more like I am on the right track with this project now.

    That's about it on the model train front from the weekend. Hope you all had a good weekend as well.
     
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  16. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, I said that's all but I forgot about the corn.

    I put this on the layout late spring last year. Another one of those it looks okay but not really type of things.

    20210131_165758.jpg
    20210131_165800.jpg

    Our friend Hemi pointed me to a page where someone was having the same concern and how they fixed it. The fix was to add tassels to the corn to improve the look. I orders the two shades or W/S paint recommended, burnt umber and yellow orcid and had them a couple of weeks later. Well, after staring at those two bottles of paint for 6+ months, I finally got around to giving the fix a try. Here are the results.

    20210131_171132.jpg
    20210131_171127.jpg

    Definitely looks better. Still not great though. It's at least good enough that it will go from bugging me to the update/upgrade someday list. :)

    That brings to mind another random thought. What to do with that open area behind the corn that is between he single track line and the double track. My original thought had been more trees but I realize that would block the view of that whole section of double track from that end of the layout so that's out. Next up is the possibility of searching out 3 or 4 more boxes of Bluford Shops corn to fill in the area. That's just a maybe at this point. However, here is what is floating around in my mind. Just need to figure out if I could really do it and make it look decent. A solar farm? (not my pic)
    solar.JPG

    Hmmmmm…… maybe?
     
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  17. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    A solar farm in that area would look awesome...JMO (y)

    Low enough to not obscure the view but adds a lot to the scene. :cool:
     
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  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That corn really looks much better now. Great job!

    On a side note, the silo tops might be a good candidate for a router. Get the bit that makes a straight cut, and has a bearing on the end to follow along the edges. Set the depth to have the bearing riding on the silo side and cut the silo top off nice and cleanly.
    Trim routers are good for this. Not sure if a 1/8" shank router bit for the dremel exists that has the bearing. I know they have bits, but not if there's a bit with a bearing out there in that shank size.
     
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  19. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    I think they make 1/8" bits with solid pilots. Too expensive to use a high speed bearing that small. But that's an excellent idea, to use a router or dremel! If you have a router table, even better...

    Just keep the bit (or the work) moving, since heat can melt the plastic.
     
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  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yup, I have a solid pilot Dremel router bit. It's easy to burn the work when the pilot rotates and contacts the work, and that's with wood. Plastic will be much harder to prevent burning.
     
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