Progress has been slow on the club Z layout (and on every other project I touch, for that matter!) But both mainlines are installed and wired up (ignore the one un-routed turnout wire ). Progress wasn't helped by the fact that no matter how I adjusted the track things kept derailing. I was just about at wit's end before I realized the problem wasn't my trackwork. Each of the European-prototype Märklin cars that make up the bulk of the club's Z fleet weighs about as much as a single oxygen molecule. My kitchen scale won't go low enough for such small cars, but I guesstimated a little extra weight into each car and hey presto! No more derailments! I want to get the trains and track absolutely bulletproof before I start on scenery. The previous iteration of this layout always impressed train show guests with the size of Z scale, but that excitement was inevitably tempered when the train jumped off the tracks at every turnout.
I'm starting 2 more of my final rev of the bunk car. Here you can see what the underframe looks like on the version designed for MTL 954 trucks w/couplers. I am really happy with how the brake gear came out:
Rob, Me likey! Yellow is my favorite color! For some reason it just struck me as to how the layering of the laser cut parts works so well. Just a nice solution! Scott
So Jwaldo did you get trains running good on it? The track plan looks good for sure. Rob the bunk car is so cool. I can’t remember but someone made a few about 20 years ago and they were cool then! Those unique cars are such attention grabbers
Clyde drew up some WP Ventilated Tool Cars for his WP train and sent me the files, so I slapped 3 together real quick and added them to my WP MOW train:
Well I haven't had anything to show for a while. I was laid off last October and was busy job hunting. Had a death in the family, and sold my dad's house after emptying it with my siblings help. Now I am trying to sort thru his G thru Z train collection in my spare time. Well I found a new job, but I'm not sure it's permanent since its contract work. I am doing architectural restoration. One of the clients is the RMNE, and I am working in 1:1 scale. I am currently restoring the two end doors for for Rutland Combination Car #260 I have already restored one of the freight doors. The door you see in this image of #260 below. Now, this is what's on my workbench. I'll be working on this as time allows. Let's see if anyone can guess what the project is. I have the parts mounted to a scrap wood block to be milled on a Bridgeport. Scott
Another collaboration with Robert Ray in designing and building these neat looking Western Pacific MOW Tool Cars. Glad how they came out!
I was wondering when someone was going to mention that. I have about six or seven chassis, plus motors, trucks, drive gears and flywheels, from my dad's collection. One of the chassis is marked #8, from the initial production run. Scott
Started milling today at lunch. The Bridgeport is always available. I'm using a 1/32 end mill. In wanted to get a clean even cut, plus milling is fun! Scott Note: Just realized I'm working on 1:1 and 1:220 in the same shop!
