Well started another. The 4-8-4 is nearly done, still adding detail parts. The 2-6-2 is ready for detail parts, and the last is not for weak stomachs. I've taken in hand a little Atlas 2-6-0 to start another bash. I need a GN 2-6-0 in my roster and the Bmann is not suitable due to the steam chests. Need the old time square guys and small drivers. So the Atlas is the candidate. This is one of two I've had for awhile that I got for a small pittance. In this shot you can see that the steam dome is already gone and the cab has been raised higher. The boiler also was not right so I took in hand a spare Bmann 6 wheeler shell and shortened it. I also added a light conduit to the Atlas stack since the headlight is going on the new boiler.
Started the Belpaire on the Bmann. And enlarged the cab, along with hidden in the blob of white, added air tanks below the cab, and then an oil bunk to the tender. That's the Bmann 2-6-2 shell in the back awaiting some detail parts. I thought about using a different tender and took one left over from a MicroAce that was a 3 axle job. Removed the bottom and sleeved it over the Atlas tender. Fit like a glove. Unfortunately with the truck space right the drawbar became an issue. Went back to original tender. Now prepping for application of MT pilots on the front and tender rear.
The campaign to move outstanding projects towards completion continues. During this past week I focused on installation of the final details for MLW C-630M 701, including fuel filler pipes,vacuum pipes for the air reservoirs, new handrails, carbody grab irons, brake wheel and stand, spark arrestor plate, window wipers, wind deflectors, cab sunshades, bell, horn, and antennas. Here is the assembled model: This model is now ready for paint and decals. Tim
I also applied decals to a diesel fuel tank car for outfit service: This car is now ready for substantial weathering and a final seal coat. Tim
Smarty pants. My workbench is calling out for more action, but since the wife wrapped the van around a palm tree I get to search endlessly (it seems) for a replacement at the right price.
Adapted the MT pilot conversions onto the Atlas 2-6-0 and to the rear of the tender. I use the switcher pilot for the rear of some of my tenders that can't take a regular 1015 or requires something else I don't have. And a close to be finished shot with a comparison of the 2-6-2 in the rear, 2-6-0 in front. The rear unit, an extra shell, provided the body for the conversion and still have two single lunged airpumps with paint drying to install.
And final product except for decals and then dull coat and some weathering. I do think I'm going to get rid of those red trimmed side windows and stay with a basic black. The air pumps are splitting the running boards just in front of the sand dome and they were the last parts put on this AM, one on each side. Still underway and actually first started are the 4-8-4 and the 2-6-2 behind. Both still need power wires to the tender installed and some more detail parts. The Atlas has tender pick-up from the factory. And now for the rest of the story. The original all metal Atlas boiler is still there. This loco gets good reviews on its pulling power and besides loco driver pick-up it has tender pick-up. Wasn't about to give up the weight advantage of all that metal. The larger more modern shell is just sleeved on which is why in the earlier photos the balloon stack top and the steam dome top are gone, and there was a light carrying extension fitted to the remaining portion of the stack. The original headlight sat right next to the stack and the light was brought through the base of the stack. Besides the oil bunk and MT switcher pilot added to the tender the loco shell received a Belpaire firebox, a Detail Associates steam dome with pops, Pyle generator and original bell on top of the Bepaire, brass whistle between the steam and sand dome, and another MT steam pilot assembly adapted to the front of the Atlas pilot. One of the original toolboxes was placed on the rear tender deck. Hides the screw mounting the MT pilot. And last the oil bunk is cast resin from one of my molds and cut down to fit the small tender, the oil bunk hatch is another Detail Associates part, while the raised tender water hatch is scratched from styrene.
Started the next phase of the steamer conversions by adding tender pick-up wiring to the locos for both side pick-up. The older Bmann 2-6-2 has 2 brass contacts that the motor contacts from both rails. The wires were soldered to the outside of both of those brass contacts being careful to not interfere with the motor contact with those strips. The 4-8-4 is similar and again wires were soldered to each side. Since the 2-6-2 gets a new firebox laminated on I routed the wires at the top of that area and ACC'd them in place. On both cabs notches were made to route the wires out the back and clear the drawbars. Now that this is out of the way I can get to doing the remaining detail applications. I'm using Brawa wire which is very flexible.
Columbia River vessel under construction with the 65 footers based off of a Sardine Carrier design. Total of 4 being built and all will have some differences. I also started some molding of superstructure parts. For those wanting to follow this project click on the link at my signature and go to the album with the ship as the cover photo.
The big project (for me) at the moment is the repainting of the excursion fleet. These are mostly Bachmann 65 footers with a couple of Rivarossi cars cut down to match. I've also got a WoT Harriman baggage on the way for it. Power will be a GP9 or two, in Black Widow..
Maybe this is cheating, but it WAS on my workbench up through last night. The first photo I got of it was at today's Pacific Model Loggers' Congress after I had submitted it for consideration in the contest. The voting was by ballots cast by attendees. My camp car came in third out of about 7 or 8 entries. This is an N scale RSLaserKits kit, the saw filer's shack, placed atop weathered Micro-Trains disconnect log trucks. This was a really fun kit to build. I recommend checking out Rich's offerings if you want to build some interesting models for logging subjects. I "stained" most of the wooden pieces with a diluted home-brew concoction of acrylic paints. I intentionally did not save the "recipe" as I want all my various shacks to all look like they came from different camps or were painted at different times with different leftover buckets of paint. Adam
One of my logging projects... 0-4-2T from the Atlas 0-4-0. It's meant to be a static display, thus I removed the motor. Thanks to the flanges, it wont run on my Code 55 track, but will look nice parked next to the locomotive shop with another 0-4-0, as retired equipment.
Started tinkering with my SD59M-2. Got the radiator section built up and have the vents on onw side, but the other side will have to wait. I can't find the other section:thumbs_down: I'll need to build up the electrical cabinet behind the cab and rebuild the cab itself. The Atlas three window cab has the nose headlight and solid door while the 59M-2 has two windows. http://thundertrain.org/sd60m-071110.html
Well with heavy rain, road flooding and more called for, and to add insult to injury possibly some sleet and snow I'm keeping at the workbench and making progress with the maritime fleet. Added the first of the deck siderails, the bases for two cargo hatches, finished the walls for the pilothouse/cabin and added side doors, and fitting an access hatch to the forecastle area. Two hulls from this series have a couple of small areas to finish the main deck and about to start cabin construction for the 2nd one.
