Wow! That is just looking great sir! Nice progress and agree with Mark on the windows being a perfect period fit.
Thank you. I used the same windows on my previous breaker and was thrilled to find that they were still made. I'm trying to enjoy the build and not get frustrated over small imperfections. I have a tendency to drive myself to extreme precision and it can feed disappointment. I've accepted that increasing age and declining vision are upon me and are not going to spoil this great hobby.
. ^^THIS^^ exactly. I am 76 and falling apart. My eyes are going. My knees went ages ago. So far my hands don't shake so I have that to be grateful for. The old adage..."Slow and steady wins the race'...takes on new meaning as we get older.
I build my prototypes of cereal box cardboard, then make the model with Evergreen polystyrene. I'm sure 3D printing would be far superior, but I'm an aging guy with too many hobbies and don't need another.
Also been using cereal boxes for years for patterns for brackets for car and boat projects and other items. Just used one the other day working on designing a trestle. Cereal every morning. The good stuff with no sugar (don't add it any more either), Cheerios and Shredded Wheat Bite Size (mix them together). Not saying for sure that it helped but my hands shake less and less often now that I've been doing a lot of small stuff in N scale. Sumner
Agreed.. Know how this goes... While declining optics among other things has taken its toll, MRR is still an oasis for me and I just have to reduce the length of crafting session, avoid some projects that exacerbate the symptoms and compromise when needed.
In thinking about my coal breaker's conveyor leading to the top of the structure, I wondered if the windows should be square to the ground or if they should be set at an angle with the conveyor. I looked at some of my breaker photos and others to find that most conveyor structures had their windows at an angle with the conveyor. This will be much easier for me to lay out and will also save sheet stock. Top photo is of the Harry E. at Swoyersville, PA and the other is of the Loree at Larksville, PA, both taken 09/1982. They're gone today, along with all of the others.
I vote go with the angle of the conveyer. Think it will look better, be more structurally sound, and easier to do in general.
There are still lots of coal mines in Southern Illinois and their windows are square with the angle of the conveyor.
Remember, back 60 years ago, when all of our physical attributes were in perfect condition and modeling was a relative breeze compared to these days? And all the magazines had debates going on about allowing youngsters into clubs or not? And we youngsters were a bit resentful of the anti crowd? I would love to return to that stuff. Doug
I'm working up a drawing to be sure my conveyer structure will fit and I think all is well. I'm piecing together some Unitrack to be sure that I can run two tracks to the breaker and perhaps add another for an industry. I'll just unplug the electrical connection to the wye switch (as seen laying upside down) and replace it with the right hand #4 as seen close by. Gosh, I love Unitrack.
Using my drawing above, I finished cutting the conveyor structure walls for the breaker. I found a package of small Grandt Line 8010 windows in my stash, bought in 1984 for $1.25 and some other windows from that era, plus and an unopened package of Railhead 75-97 brass doors that date from the mid-1970s with a price of $0.59. Who cares about import tariffs and inflation, right? With these in hand, I'll choose what looks best and cut openings for them. That will take quite a while. I'll then work the roof pieces.
Great that you still have those items and I'm impressed you knew the year and price. Talking about old stuff I just gave my wife's cousin's husband my last two motorcycles I had. A 1967 Suzuki T-20 X-6 (sold these when I was partners in a Honda/Suzuki shop in the late '60's). Also a bike I made in '70 with an aftermarket Van Tech Frame kit and a Hodaka Ace 100 engine and Ceriani forks and Girling shocks and laced up 21 inch and 18 inch rear wheels. They are on their way to Indian from Utah and hopefully he has them running within the next year. They were both complete. Sumner
That's always cool when you find something in the parts bin and see the old school prices. Those shapes you cut came out great. Look professional
You sold both Hondas AND Suzukis? Amazing the cycles didn't get into knock-down, drag-out fights overnight in the shop! Dan, I remember both those brand names from way back. Project is looking great! Doug
The guy we bought the Alton, Ill. shop from also had a shop in north St. Louis County (originally Honda only) and the Illinois shop, Suzuki originally. Took Honda's to Ill. and Suzuki's to Missouri so that he had both in both shops. Neither Honda or Suzuki were happy with that. Both didn't want the other brand in the same shop but he and then Larry and I sold enough that both brands allowed it and ended up authorizing dealerships at both stores. Neither wanting to loose the bike sales. Quite rare for the time. We both road the X-6's as they were way faster, 0-60 in 6 seconds. Very fast for a 250cc. I had one with mods that ran a 14.1 second quarter at 93 mph. Sumner
