Shakedown

Hi all,

I've finally completed the rolling stock for the BVLC.  All I'm waiting on is a pair of Bachmann ventilated boxcars to kitbash into supply boxcars for the railroad.

This morning, I ran a 'shakedown' session on the layout.  I'm still poking around with the JMRI Operations module, but I ran trains similar to what I'd expect to run during an operating session.  Sure enough, I found about three or four spots where the track was in need of attention, so I'll be sorting those before I make any further progress.

Here are some highlights of the session:

BVLC #3 crosses the trestle with an early morning passenger run.

While waiting for the passengers to board, #3 runs around its train for the return run.

#7, the company's articulated tank engine, departs base camp with a train of log cars, to be loaded at Camp C.

After leaving the log cars, #7 heads back down to the mainline

Shay #2 shunts a supply train at Camp C.

Returning with the log cars.  (Loads to be done).

Later that day, Climax #4 picks up the empty supply cars after delivering another train of log skeletons.

That's all for now, but I'll be posting future updates.

Cheers,
Tbdanny

I think that red car is going

I think that red car is going the wrong way on the forced perspective thing. You are well on your way to a nice layout Tbdanny.

Rob in Texas

Good start...

The trestle is scratcbuilt

I used a jig and lumber from the Black Bear Construction Co. for the supports, and the deck was scratchbuilt with scale lumber.

As for where I am, I'm on the Gold Coast.  There's a fair few On30 modelers here.  In fact, the owner of my local hobby shop models in it himself.

Cheers,
Tbdanny

Two more boxcars

Hi all,

When I started poking around with the JMRI Operations module, I realised that I needed a couple of extra boxcars in order to be able to run the trains I wanted.  I've always liked the look of the Bachmann On30 ventilated boxcars, and so I bought two of them.

I had already decided to make a few modifications, so when they arrived I set to work.  My first step was to cut off the moulded-on ladders and remove the plastic steps on the corners.  The resulting holes were filled in with body putty.  Once the putty had dried, I scored it with a hobby knife to match the boards.  I also used staples, 5 on each side, to replace the original ladder.

Following this, I added some 0.125" styrene strips around the base of the body, to give it a bit more of a hunkered-down appearance.  Once these had dried, I drilled holes into the bottom of the strips to allow the installation of a single step on each side.

Here's how they looked after the first one was done.  The one on the left is as it came out of the box:

When I'd applied these modifications to the second boxcar, I painted them both, along with the wheels and trucks.  Here's what the finished products look like:

I also upgraded all couplers to Kadees.

Cheers,
Tbdanny

Further Progress

Hi all,

I've made a bit more progress on my layout.  BVLC #5 has now been converted to a three-truck climax, as well as having some details added:

I've also got the rest of the fascia up:

I'll be painting it once I've got the control panels, electronics, etc. installed.  I've got a couple of Arduino-based circuits planned to help enhance operation.

Cheers,
Tbdanny