Modeling topic
Building a GE 85 ton steeple cab: The Trucks
I am designing the trucks so that they fit into the atlas drives without gluing.
My initial design is good, but it will require some strengthening.
Here is an underside shot with the frame ground down and the truck side frames in place
I will be adding a inside end piece for strength and to keep the side frames square.
Track layout questions
I decided to build a shelf layout and have a couple of questions regarding track. I looked at Atlas and Peco as well as Kato Uni-track. Has anyone used the Uni track? It looks pretty solid and is already ballasted. Will I have to solder the joints together or is it ok just as it comes out of the box? I know I'll have to solder with Peco and Atlas.
Any suggestions for the ballast under the track? Woodlands makes some not bad looking stuff and there is always cork.
Staging size vs layout running
Hi all,
I am in the throws of constructing a small switching layout in N scale. The design is such that all sections can be reused in a larger layout (we are planning a house move in the next year) and that nothing needs to be destroyed.
I have built a single ended 5 track staging yard that allows me to store about 45 cars and 4 engines. Having the staging full means that I have no rolling stock at all on the layout.
What lies beneath...
Hi all,
When I had my layout benchwork built about 14 months back it was done by a good friend of ours who has all the tools like saw tables for the MDF etc.
The benchwork need to be fixed in into a drywall which isn't of the best quality and he managed to get it hanging off the wall pretty stable and level.
To make it dead level from left to right and front to back I use thin wooden shims to get the right effect after which the lift-out sections get screwed to the subframe in a few places to avoid flexing and warping.
Building a GE 85 ton steeple cab: The new 3D print version arrives
My initial 3D print arrived and I have done the pre fitting over the Atlas HH600/660 frame.
I am happy with the body but have found a few design issues with my trucks.
I print using Shapeways.com and here you are able to see right into the model and I don't have any clearance issues with the drive.
Building a GE 85 ton steeple cab: The original display model
Here are a couple of shots of my original scratch built GE 85 ton steeple cab
Before details and the final frame.
How to test your patience & possibly loose your marbles...
Like to find out how to do both?
Well I can say that if you attempt to build from scratch a HO scale wall light from "nengineering" then you will be tested in both categories and may loose both for sure!
A Wedding Gift
Walthers Chip Loader
Just spent some time assembling the Walthers Chip loader. I decided to test fit it before painting. I discovered a slight issue. As can be seen in the two photos below. The older Walthers chip car fits nicely. The ExactRail car does not. When I install it at the mill I'll have to pack it up and disguise the packing with a good cover of wood chips. I'm glad I discovered this before installing it as it would have been a pain afterwards.
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