After having successfully 3D printed an ITS Rodger's ballast hopper car, I needed something to pull it.  Therefore I am attempting to create a 3D printed model of the Illinois Traction System's freight motors #1063-1067.  The image below shows #1065 and then #1064.  These are both from the collection of Mr. Dale Jenkins.  

In this blog I hope to document the building of an HO scale Illinois Traction System hopper from a resin Great Northern kit made by Funaro. The following is a builders photo from the collection of M. D. Fortney.

After falling in love with the Illinois Terminal, I have started this blog to document the building my new layout. 

In researching the Illinois Terminal, I stumbled across this image.

From back to front, it shows some 36' IT boxcars, which Accurail is coming out with before to long...

Then there are some gondolas...

Be cause I have ripped up my old layout and am wanting to build a new one based on the Illinois Terminal and their interurbans, I have decided to build a "test module" help me as I go though this new process.  

I would like to build a new layout using modules, mostly in a 2' by 8' size, but some will be odd balls.  How would you "connect" the modules together?  I envision bus wires running underneath the module supports that the module track power would plug into.  Does this sound correct?  How would one ensure the track work always lines up?  How would the modules be connected to the module supports?  All comments are appreciated.

Thanks,

Doug

I need some help.  I have the basics of Sketchup down, but I can't figure out how to create rivets.  I just need the half circle dome.  I am working on some 3D printed passenger car sides, and need lots of rivets, but can't seem to do it well.  I plan on having them made through shapeways.  Can someone please point me in some easy direction?

Thanks,

Doug

I hope to document the building of a class A Illinois Terminal locomotive in the following blog.  

I decided to pursue modeling the Illinois Terminal Railroad, an electric railroad that ran throughout central Illinois.  You can find more information at the Illinois Traction Society.  Therefore, my first purchase toward this end is a Suydam brass IT class C locomotive.  

I need some help with a passenger car.  I have put together an old Walther's 80 foot coach kit.

Here is the box.

Here is the coach

Its a plastic replacement roof.  I want it to represent a rebuilt or at least re-roofed Illinois Central heavyweight chair car.