I was hoping summer was just around the corner up here in Northern Manitoba, but no spring has only just arrived. So I have been slowly working on my GE 70 tonner project and other projects for myself and others.

First the uphill battle. Just when you think you put the stripes on nice and level, the picture you take tells you you didn't. My level mark is visible near the front just below the stripe. I must have shifted it while flattening the front. It is all set so it is what it is.

Shapeways is offering a new plastic which boasts the same detail as FUD. I ordered up another slag car of mine, and it got lost. Shapeways could not find it, so they sent me a second only to have the first show up at the same time. The real story is I am not happy with the new material as it does not have the same detail as FUD and is full of pits. FUD inset compared to Acrylate.

I also thought this plastic was more flexible than FUD but is about the same. Consequently I broke parts while testing the flexibility. Scrap loads for my gondolas for some of it. New loads for flat cars for other parts. I guess I should get my other slag cars cleaned, detailed and painted too.

Thinking of summer, I purchased the classic DQ for the layout. There is still one like this just a few block from where I grew up. I guess I should get the parking lot done just incase some customers show up.

Lots of little odds and ends done as I putter on the layout, but no big changes.

The other project is helping a fellow modeler with his project for his HO steel mill work. 

John needed the cap on the trunnion (red arrow pointing to it on a real car) for modifying his hot metal cars. He had a plan, I did the CAD work and now he is working with his 3d FUD caps on his project that had stalled.

Well if the rain stops and sun comes out, I am going fishing. If not, back to those GE70 tonners.

Until Next Time.

Tim Schwartz