Modeling topic
Another Take on Cullet Loads
After seeing Elvin's cullet loads, I decided, I needed some.
The Walthers hoppers I used as the basis came with plastic coal loads. Like most commercial loads, they sat very high in the cars, so I cut them down, so they would sit lower inside the car. Then, I gave them a base coat of white paint, followed by a top coat of Folk Art glitter paint. Rose Gold for the brown glass and Peridot for the green. The photos really don't show how sparkly the loads actually are.
3D Printed Building Interiors
I've always wanted my buildings to have interiors; it adds tremendously to the realism. I've had good success using a personal 3D printer for adding interiors. One building that has been long overdue for an interior is a Lancaster Farmhouse from Walthers. It's a great representation of rural America, and I wanted to make an interior that shows off its character. I've spent the last six hours or so making models and texturing the first floor. If someone likes the progress I've made so far, I can upload this to a website like Thingiverse.
Pick up your brakeman
I recently completed some revised track work and had the opportunity to operate my layout for the first time in months. Since the track for this section is essentially complete I began to think about operations. I've written complex paperwork programs in Excel, including a complete communication program that does everything from simulating switch operation paperwork to starting a diesel (by throwing every proper switch) to performing random inspections and other functions. I wrote a phone app to simulate connecting an air hose and opening angle-cocks and one calle
Improve Kato Electrical Pickup
Hello All & Happy Holidays
I have been having the hardest time getting my Kato F3 Units running. Here is what I have, all are equipped with Digitrax DN163 KIB decoders. All were once part of an ADVANCED Consist. I have reset CV 008 to 008, received "Good" on the throttle .
Cat Model 12 Grader and IH TD15 Tractor on flat cars
Finally took some time away from the railroad, and got a couple of open top loads complete. Inspiration for deck weathering from a "Model Railroader" article by Paul Dolkos, and blocking from a "Model Railroader" article by Mont Switzer. The blocking pattern is per the "AAR Section 3 Rules Covering the Loading of Road Grading, Road Making, and Farm Equipment Machinery on Open Top Cars", 1960 version.
Hold That Throttle!
While shopping for something else, I ran across a kit of magnetic brackets meant for holding phones and tablets to the dashboard of a car. Since I use a mini-tablet for a control panel I bought one for experimentation.
A small, adhesive-backed metal plate attaches to the back of the tablet. The bracket has a strong magnet that holds the metal plate. This bracket has a tilt-swivel head and attaches to the layout with a suction cup.
Bill Scobie's RG&S Layout segment
This has to be one of the best layout tours featured on TMTV yet! Excellent job guys - Thanks!
"Universal" Wi-Fi Throttle, Part 2
I'd like to update people on where we're at with building the new throttles, and also get some input. Above is a rendering of a design for the "basic" throttle. More information in the next post.
Ops mode programming doesn't work on Tsunami 2 with extended address?
I have what is apparently an odd problem: I can't program CVs in Ops mode when the locomotive has an extended address.
>> Posts index
Navigation
Journals/Blogs
Recent Blog posts: