So I bought a Kato F-unit A-B-A blue bonnet set from Kirk Reddie’s estate at the show this weekend, and I was a bit upset with the condition of the frames. The engines barely worked and the shells were difficult to remove. The frames were badly corroded, but salvageable. So I disassembled the locomotives entirely and soaked them in vinegar for 48+ hours. After they got out, I hit them lightly with a Scotch Brite pad to get the film layer off them and here is the result below. I wish I had gotten before pics to show you how bad these were but they cleaned up good. For those who don’t know, cleaning vinegar is a mild acid that does a great job removing corrosion but leaving the base metals alone. I have used it for years cleaning up old electronics, and to remove corrosion on delicate things. A few drops of oil and some minor assembly and these will be as good as new.
Blue Bonnet restoration part 2 so last night the frames were washed and scuffed to be made ready for today. In the morning they were brighter than yesterday. I don’t know if it was the frames drying deeper, or some light oxidation setting in. Either way, they looked just fine and the engines were ready to reassemble. Oh how I forgot how much I hate installing the front coupler on F-units. Ine engine had a Kato coupler (the one I hate to install) and the other has a MicroTrains coupler (much easier). This way if I’m pulling Kato cars, I use the Kato coupler side, if I pulling just about anything else, I use the MicroTrains side. Buuut. There was an issue with the rear couplers. I’m not sure why but the Kato short shank couplers didn’t want to couple, and they would uncouple really easy on my small 3 foot test track. I have done this conversion many many times with no issues but these 3 engines were not liking them. So since these 3 will always run together, I decided to put the Rapido couplers back on and call it good. One thing I did notice, is the Rapidos are closer coupling than the knuckles were, so it actually looks better. First engine back together, I did all but the couplers on this one last night and didn’t get any pics. The second A unit. It went from a pile of parts to a locomotive in about 1/2 an hour. Here you can see the MicroTrains coupler. It comes already in a draft box, all you have to do is install it and push down the retainer. And of course the B unit is all in pieces. And the whole family all put back together and running smooth.
I had an old (ugly) Chessie System cupola caboose lying around, made by Model Power. I couldn't find a purpose for that caboose until I decided to repaint and re-letter it for the SP, replace trucks, install body-mount MTL couplers and weather it. This Friday I finally finished it. Before After It's not perfect and it has some differences from the prototype 1020 SP caboose, but it was a fun project that kept me busy a few evenings. For those interested, the whole process is documented here: https://www.burbankbranch.com/painting-and-weathering/painting-an-sp-caboose/
I have used white vinegar by it's self and with baking soda for cleaning metal. It works great for cleaning old Lionel track like you find at flee markets thats rusted. I just let it soak awhile, scrub it with a brush and rinse and it looks great. Ralph
Very nicely done. I have several similar old rolling stock that I use for practice and such. Here are a couple I did quite a while ago with leftover bits and pieces. I cut them down to size and used old decals as well. Not prototypical, but I like them.
Heading over to the coop space today to use the woodshop in Durham. Will be starting my benchwork over after some warped pine and a screw mishap. A $100 mishap. So I learned how to better inspect wood. Will be more careful with screws. Bought a full set of clamps. Will buy select boards over common boards this time around. Lowes had better wood as well. Awaiting Joel from Pixel Depot (YouTube) track plan. What should I name this 3x5 Northern California layout? Something with Redwoods or Sequoia in the name.
Redwood & Sequoia Railway Sequoia Western Railroad Redwood Valley Line Sequoia & Pacific Railroad Redwood Canyon Railroad Redwood & Northern Sequoia Creek Railroad Sequoia Foothills Railroad
Finished painting the rest of the sawmill complex pieces... ... I'll try and get an overview up tomorrow for the end of the layout party. A link to the log-lift here...... https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/page-218.html ... and the boom boats ................. https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/UP%20Canyon%20Division/page-223.html Sumner
I can't wait to get this benchwork done. Really hating carpentry right now. Heh. IKIK, practice makes perfect.
I've been working on this old American Model Builders "Country Grain Elevator" that I bought many, many years ago. The bags inside were stil sealed, but the sheet that had the truck entrance doors was missing. SInce the kit is no longer in production, I ended up scratch building a set.
Thankyou for posting pictures of your works-in-progress! I've seen that metal tray and magnets for sale, and really like the idea, but never sure how useful it really is. It's good to see an example (other than advertising) of it in use, including all the other accoutrements on your bench. I'm a complete newby to model building, excepting building a few larger-scale model cars as a kid in the 70's, so I like to see examples of the steps, tools, and techniques involved, soup to nuts. Keep 'em coming!
It comes in very handy for making ssure the corners 90 degrees. I've actually used to to square a model pick up bed, too.
A couple of months ago one of the guys at the LHS suggested magnets and metal tray. Never saw it before. Wow.. Tried and they and square edge pan result in a good square.
