Trying to make a more accurate 2-10-0. I added Bachmann trucks to the tender for better pick-up. Modified the frame so that the whole shell could be moved rearward for a more prototypical appearance. Also added some parts made from scratch. The front pilot is a resin part a made using a Rivarossi 0-8-0 to create the mold. Still have a way to go but it's getting there!
At the cardboard mockup stage for the ice house. Have room for a longer building, thinking this size is too small for a loading platform that will spot 9 cars at a time.
That's funny, I have the same thing setting on the bench right now. Also looking at a con-cor Mikado for the same purpose as it already has the flying pumps on the front. Just needs a feed water heater up top and decaling. I figure with the Bachmann Vanderbilt on the back, pickup should no longer be an issue.
GP18 to GP9 My first conversion of a Life Like GP18 to a GP9. The shell is life Like except for an Atlas GP7 long hood. I used Gold Medal Models for some of the louvers and removed some, too. More work needed on the sill as a lot of the skirting was removed from GP9s. Light packages added; non-functioning. I have about ten of these to do as GP9s, all types and phases. I just became impatient with waiting for manufacturers and also the price of new engines. I guess that is what usually drives modelers to a kitbash. If you want it, get busy or you may wait a long time. I want to select specific engines and model from the photos. There are a lot of variations even within the class. [edit #1; 29 April 2011] After more study on GP9s, I want to point out that there are several errors in this photo of a "GP9." It is actually a GP7 in the stages of conversion to a GP9.
34 GN and CB&Q Geeps and U25's waiting for their decoders to be installed and programmed for a good friend! :we-eek: Thankfully it's a 5-day Easter break...
righteous job, Mark! looks good. also it looks like styrene. others look good too. just have not finished scrolling down. may have to leave soon. right now, I have finished the freight dock to the GM&O, Humboldt, Tenn. depot. freight house will start soon.
Trees, trees, trees. Its just what I felt like doing today. Made with fine floral wire covered with plastidip then painted tan with gray mixed in. I need to order up some flocking/leaves to add to the poly fiber, but I think they look fairly good.
Milw. 01321 Just completes this Milw. Rd. long and tall caboose. These 33' caboose were made from boxcars and given an extra tall cupola for better vision. This was one of only a few early wood caboose to recieve the Mil. orange color and maroon lettering........
Making progress on my Bessemer Bridge I’ve been working on my 4ft Bessemer Bridge for a while now and I just finished the support frame to prevent it from buckling. For those of you who aren’t familiar with my new bridge. I removed the upper truss of 5 Kato Double Truss Bridges and moved them to the bottom. I then glued them all together to make one bridge. I also soldered feeders to each section to avoid any power problems. I built the bridge Support out of ¼” steel with vertical supports that I welded on. I drilled and threaded each of the 6 vertical posts to be fitted with a flat steel Bar that are screwed on. I have three 6” high piers that will be glued on to the mounting plate. There is one other pier that will be attached to the end of the bridge. The other side is attached to the upper layout and will be covered with trees and vegetation as with the real bridge. Steel Bridge Support Pier Mount plate I’m in the middle of painting the track and bridge deck, but I’m not an artist and I’m really struggling with it. I tried to add oil stains but so far it is not working very well. I may just say the heck with it because I’ve painted it a number of times and its getting worst. Bridge Track Paint Have the all Piers Cut but I still worked on texturing and painting yet, so they are still just basicly just wood blocks.
I just finished "Americanizing" a Kato JNR 2-6-4T. It doesn't quite look like an old B&M 2-6-4T Forney but, it will do!
My first detailed Life Like GP9 (GP18 conversion) ready for paint. The detailing is not to be rushed. Just takes time, time, time which is really okay. I am doing the Espee GP9s and after some research I gave up on generalities. You just have to get a picture and make "that one." Here is a link to the original on Richard Percy's Espee Modelers Website. Here is the model.
Starting the pencil work on a model of the Bakersfield/San Bernardino style of Santa Fe roundhouse. Distilling a bounty of info, much of it from Trainboard members and numbing searches on the web LOL. Calculating the cast sidewall data using the the info from the stall valuation print numbers. Next step will be producing scale drawings that will be the basis for the needed jigs.
Do you have a copy of the article Jim Kelly wrote for MR years ago about building the SF roundhouse in Bako? He scratchbuilt it out of stryene. Lemme know if you need a copy.
Yes, I do have a copy of the Jim Kelly article, thank you for the offer. His article provides a lot of the info (especially styrene strips that are needed). Going to attempt to make an earlier version, with the windows intact on the walls and celestory. So will have to adjust all opening to fit commercially available window castings. Also the forward half of the roof is poured concrete, with a lip above the stall entrance. Only have one photo that shows this well, but I don't remember the website where it was posted. The concrete in the photo does not appear to have tarpaper on it. If I can find conformation about the lack of tarpaper, the model would have a very distinctive roof when surrounded by the other engine terminal structures.
