the MRH Forum

Polishing a ... Atlas Code 100 bumper Track and electrical/DCC
Reply
Super User 1,071 posts Kirk W kirkifer Super User 1,071 posts
Kirk W kirkifer

So, I am trying to finish up a couple of projects for my buddy. He uses Code 100 track on his layout. Of course, he wants to use those terrible looking Atlas track bumpers from like 1985 or earlier. So, I said, "hey give me those and I'll see if I can make them look a little better.

Of course, he wants the red light on them.

I dunno, I think it polishes up pretty good. I may even spend a little more time doing some for myself. They would look good at a stub track at a commuter station or maybe a very important industry ?

So, do they look horrible or do you think this has made the original Atlas bumpers look just a little bit better?

 

 

30650(1).jpg 

 

I probably need to do a slightly better job with the mask next time, but with a little weathering, I thought this might end up looking decent?

6_220416.jpg 
Kirk Wakefield
Avon, Indiana
 

 
Reply 0
JC Shall Prolific poster 1,496 posts
JC Shall

Polish the Title?

Could we try polishing the title to the thread?

-Jack

Louisiana Central Railroad

The Louisiana Central Blog
Reply 0
Oztrainz Moderator 3,506 posts
Oztrainz

Paint it red...

Hi Kirkifer,

Paint it red, it even has the light. 

1170154a.jpg 

1170196a.jpg 

1170195a.jpg 

and put a Progress Rail Services sticker on it.

1170194a.jpg 

Near enough for you?? Seen at Whitby in the UK. 

I'll admit that the the older style one on the other track could do with some polishing...

1170155a.jpg 

Regards,

John Garaty

Unanderra in oz

Read my Blog
Reply 0
Warflight Prolific poster 3,008 posts
Warflight

NICE!

I have one on my layout... I replaced the light with an LED (for DCC) and since my layout is all EZ track, with no soldering, and no feeder wires save for where the EZ Commander plugs into the track, they are quite useful in letting me know that power is getting all the way to both ends of the layout.

I might have to plagiarize what you did there with yours!

(Oh, and I like the title... it made me look!)

 
Reply 0
Kirk W kirkifer Super User 1,071 posts
Kirk W kirkifer

Well... I fixed the title

It is a very old saying, indicating that there is just so much that can be done... I wasn't really sure I liked the title, but that is what I have done, so... it seemed to fit.

I like finding junk and turning it into stuff. I did seven of these. I soldered the LED to the track. A 2k Ohm resistor is enough to knock down the track voltage that I just have the leads soldered to each rail. Since it is AC, I guess it cycles on/off, so I am not sure how long the LED will last, but it looks good for now.

The yellow looks pretty good to me, but I might try a red one? I actually use the Walthers ones, or I use a pile of ballast or some crossed ties, so I am not sure I need any of these. With that said, I think these look like they might be found at a commuter train terminal and so I bet I could justify having some of them.

Let me know what else I could do to enhance the look. I am not trying to reinvent them, just trying to make them look a bit more prototypical.

 
Kirk Wakefield
Avon, Indiana
 

 
Reply 0
Oztrainz Moderator 3,506 posts
Oztrainz

CAT Yellow

Hi Kirkifer,

Given Progress Rail Services is "A Caterpillar Company", CAT yellow also works 

Regards,

John Garaty

Unanderra in oz

Read my Blog
Reply 0
Michael Tondee MRH Author 5,540 posts
Michael Tondee

HO scale lanterns

I use the crossed ties. Simple and cheap, but I like the lights. I just brought up lighting HO scale lanterns in another thread. Wonder if the switchman might have ever left his lantern sitting on the ties or a pile of ballast back in the day? My layout is backwoods, rugged mountains, circa 1920's to 30's. Your modified bumpers look great, well done.

Michael, A.R.S. W4HIJ

 Model Rail, electronics experimenter and "mad scientist" for over 50 years.

Member of  "The Amigos" and staunch disciple of the "Wizard of Monterey"

My Pike: The Blackwater Island Logging&Mining Co.
Reply 0
Reply