My new Alco switcher. It uses an Atlas MP15DC chassis for power, and an RS11 shell and cab, with the back of a VO-1000 cab used for the rear door and windows. I have installed the FB trucks which will be altered to look more like the Alco hi-adhesion trucks. I plan on making wire handrails and painting it in and imaginary Alco demonstrator scheme.
That's a very nice kitbash. Very well to even think of that combination of parts. :thumbs_up: Interesting that the stripped Atlas plastic is not all the same color. Good question to ask on the Atlas list.
Actually the plastic is all new left over from other projects. I think the big reason for the color diff is that the shell is from an RS11, the walkway is cut down from a C420, and the cab back is from a VO 1000.
For me this was a second week of steady progress on several outfit car conversions. With the roof alterations behind me, this past week was devoted to modifying the ends. Car #1 had the original NSC-3 ends removed and replaced with sheet steel. At the 'B' end the top three ribs were retained (presumably to retain the original brake wheel mount) so the replacement 'B' end is shorter in height. I cut the new ends from .030" sheet styrene and assembled the end personnel doors from strip styrene. The ends of the Micro-Trains car were removed with a razor saw and the corner posts were removed with side cutters. I then dressed the edges with a file. Here is car #1 with the ends and corner posts removed, and the replacement ends ready for installation: Car #2 has Improved Dreadnought ends which on the Intermountain model are separate parts. I added the end personnel doors and modified the ladder hole arrangement for a cut down ladder at the 'A" end. Here is car #2 with the ends ready for installation: Car #3 has early Dreadnought ends but the modifications are identical to car #2: I did not make any further progress on car #4 this week other than a test fitting of the Intermountain underframe: With the roof and end modifications now complete, I will begin work on the side modifications for cars #1-3 and the suspended centre sills for car #4. Tim
I started this week to build an N scale model of my stepdaughter’s house. Actually, I just started planning. Printed out a digital photo taken on a visit in July, (center of photo) measured 19 dimensions from the photo. I entered those in a spreadsheed, then made a formula figuring a standard home front door is 6 feet 6 inches tall. From that, I auto-calculated dimensions in scale inches, and then manually converted to scale feet and inches. (lower right of photo) I drew scale plan and elevations in HO, then in N. (lower left of photo) I went to my scale parts box and picked out “likely suspects” for doors and windows—displayed on top of the scale drawing. Then I went to my sheet wood and sheet styrene/ ABS box for plastic sheet (top right). Evergreen V-groove .030” spacing was the closest thing for the siding which I calculated at 4 feet high for ten boards. I didn’t have any clapboard sheet that dimension. Under the Evergreen V-groove, for the brick trim at the bottom of the front wall, I found a sheet with 10 courses of bricks in 3 scale feet high (I don’t know the brand or product number, out of nits packaging. Sorry.) Under that is a small sheet of thicker styrene, about 1/16th” inch thick for the foundation and porch step. Continued next weekend if I have time to dedicate and don’t wast… err, spend too much modeling time working on my history master’s thesis.
I am now applying the decals to the ACY boxcar. I thought the car was a faded orange but I really think it was originally yellow and has rusted or faded to this condition. I am using my decals for the logo and Microscale decals for the dimensional data. It is amazing what better or thinner decal film Microscale uses. I'm not sure how to do it better. Weathering will take care of a lot of it. Also, this is a Micro Trains boxcar. It is not exact but close.
Wow there is some great work going on right now. I have been stuck trying to get all of my Car Cards back in orderm and all the new ones made. Mike
I am building up a Santa Fe "fish belly" baggage & express car using M & R etched sides and an old Rivarossi car for a core. The roof has been shortened to fit the new car length.
Russell, Roberto makes great kits; amazing that a talented guy in Italy with a passion for western American railroading makes these, and he has so many sides available. Let us see the final product please! Regards, Otto
Wellllllllll...I got it done !!! http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?137030-The-Dog-Ate-My-Homework! I want to once again thank PW&NJ for the IDE cable idea. I was able to find the black one I have. It made for some great wiring on T.H.E. Cell Tower !! I now present.... T.H.E. Cell Tower :tb-cool: 14 wires total !! One from each antenna and one from each microwave antanna !!! Just a little cleanup detailing work later. I am really happy with this project. T.H.E. Wife came in here just now and asked me how the ^%&*^$&$*&% I could see them small wires to glue them in let alone stuff em inside the tower. I told her... "I am just that dang good...LOL !! :thumbs_up:
Glad I could help! That looks AWESOME! Gotta love kitbashing from the techno-junkpile. :thumbs_up: Looks even better than on the roof of my boxcab. Woot!
