tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58184752910920896452024-03-20T22:23:30.628-07:00Rusty High RailMusings on my S gauge model railroading hobby.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-77920107987324782522017-05-12T19:29:00.002-07:002017-05-12T19:29:35.226-07:00New to the layout - the MTH F3I had the opportunity to acquire one of the new MTH F3 A-B powered locomotive sets and pair it with a dummy A unit. This is the first MTH locomotive I've purchased. I have to say that so far I'm happy with it.<br />
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The detail and paint work is excellent.<br />
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Currently, I'm operating the engine in standard AC conventional mode using a 100w American Models transformer. The locomotive responds well and I can trigger the horn and bell using the transformers built in control buttons.<br />
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To unlock the full range of features requires an MTH DCS system. I don't have one, but supposedly, a more affordable option is coming later this year.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-74098740559758134622016-11-12T19:33:00.001-08:002016-11-20T18:51:35.817-08:00New camping addition for the layout scenery. I had the opportunity to pick up some additional scenery details in the past week. Both are from <a href="http://www.miniaturebuildingauthority.com/" target="_blank">Miniature Building Authority</a>, a manufactuer of resin accessories for table top gaming.<br />
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One item is this excellent resin casting of a <a href="http://www.miniaturebuildingauthority.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DIR-080" target="_blank">dome tent for outdoor camping</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Greenlight VW camper van with the MBA dome tent front and center. Picnic bench and figures are from ERTL products.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here the tent is rotated about 45 degrees to show off the sides and conver. This tent will need to be painted to use. It's a solid resin casting. </td></tr>
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The other item from MBA are convienience store shelves. I have one set of these shelves, but an additional set will be used to fill the foreground in a Plasticville supermarket building to give a better sense of depth and detail on the layout.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-32042395590007568942016-07-24T19:45:00.000-07:002016-07-24T19:45:09.023-07:00We want another shrubbery! Added some additional trees to the layout. Assorted trees both deciduous and Aspens from <a href="http://www.grandcentralgems.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">Grand Central Gems.</a> These were a great deal acquired at the National Train Show in Indianapolis. The savings made attending the show worth it for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added a couple of the Aspen as accent trees behind the ranch houses. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used several more to fill in the river bank fronting the apartment building. A little low growth along the bank and this area will be done! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different angle looking across the river towards the waterworks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might need to add a few additional trees.</td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-27485937381679121542016-05-22T15:50:00.000-07:002016-05-22T15:50:52.808-07:0040' and 45' shipping containersIn a prior post I showed my progress painting the shipping containers. Progress on several is moving along. There was a set back with one model.<br />
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Decals on on of the 45' containers is almost done. Once applied, it will need a gloss top coat to seal the decals, then a flat coat to dull the shine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In profile showing all the defects...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decal went on fine, but this photo really shows off the grainy surface. I guess we'll call this one 'used'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ink ran while the decal was drying. I can fix most of it with over painting. But again...used.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5KrWoYEpUXdt8VKMiZ5YFHVkSNpnyHwLfQehxjLC9RJYCF9MGD7ia0T6BKshiMXoUq7qYV7L0VnQFuATXdG2-kBdhmHoKlSpnT3g2KQhW53WhGMPYJc2jR47CchRecn9t-63bKPZ70BP/s1600/MSC+bouble+stack+end.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5KrWoYEpUXdt8VKMiZ5YFHVkSNpnyHwLfQehxjLC9RJYCF9MGD7ia0T6BKshiMXoUq7qYV7L0VnQFuATXdG2-kBdhmHoKlSpnT3g2KQhW53WhGMPYJc2jR47CchRecn9t-63bKPZ70BP/s640/MSC+bouble+stack+end.JPG" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought the door latches got cleaned up. But some of that gray paint remains. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRsEtgnbUeXfD_xqIrvE42AUAO7uQXmYVGxDvTg0p-7YHx1G2E_myJL3pPd7NhBA3XGYvMS-oxvLNNi1r_6UentFrFa7md0ex6OcuXAWpWWEXPRjYqqT4MUf1axOUvRXhrLZ9oxGPKG8U/s1600/MSC+double+stack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRsEtgnbUeXfD_xqIrvE42AUAO7uQXmYVGxDvTg0p-7YHx1G2E_myJL3pPd7NhBA3XGYvMS-oxvLNNi1r_6UentFrFa7md0ex6OcuXAWpWWEXPRjYqqT4MUf1axOUvRXhrLZ9oxGPKG8U/s640/MSC+double+stack.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The profile shot. What most people will see as it travels around the railroad. </td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-24797662685076487632016-05-16T09:15:00.001-07:002016-05-16T09:17:21.623-07:00Unboxing the new MTH TOFC with 48' trailer vanAt the recent 2016 Spree, I purchased the new MTH TOFC flat car with 48' van. It's a nice car with a new van style that adds variety to the trailer offerings available in S Gauge. Here's a video of pulling it out of the box, followed by a few images and commentary.<br />
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So, that's the video overview. Here are a few pictures showing the car and trailer, with some comparisons to old SHS cars and trailer for contrast.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvN2VvvgVgAQ-nqvfqflgpv6bv4cB_qHwoRbzW5DRQBVQhhyphenhyphenusj4iEYXsbUYDA2VFeP3Y6sw1Uu1juzzoOZjZSV1wZ5K2utvAmkgvovdSEvO_8HiJ6Aj5m-0AWPgCPc12LB-jCHSQX8bE/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvN2VvvgVgAQ-nqvfqflgpv6bv4cB_qHwoRbzW5DRQBVQhhyphenhyphenusj4iEYXsbUYDA2VFeP3Y6sw1Uu1juzzoOZjZSV1wZ5K2utvAmkgvovdSEvO_8HiJ6Aj5m-0AWPgCPc12LB-jCHSQX8bE/s640/IMG_4371.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flat cars are available in two road numbers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn8s_U9oNXzLaf-_VkkC9FSowhNkuf9ES1OpWN_thyBwYKIyrpUAHMthRPeMZTt6NN0ScvBmmv0WDE_6rPA6Sm3rUWrfB8HlMysOl46QZ2czwvqyVHCPv9Kab857JB7ZUXoQ_kVkL9fwZ/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn8s_U9oNXzLaf-_VkkC9FSowhNkuf9ES1OpWN_thyBwYKIyrpUAHMthRPeMZTt6NN0ScvBmmv0WDE_6rPA6Sm3rUWrfB8HlMysOl46QZ2czwvqyVHCPv9Kab857JB7ZUXoQ_kVkL9fwZ/s640/IMG_4379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is one pretty van! MTH did a nice job with these. I wonder if they will be available separately? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbzMYehrrCasdATgvamFZkba0lj0pVuf4xxRhs3cMr-da2dbXYdNgTwGER4rVAQ3RpIozRSLGePcl4yBzx2DZY5KJ5xjzxa4UY_KnxTLKAAajAPbyFibvRwSEV6GczdVfXhMmTzkDlCXn/s1600/IMG_4380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbzMYehrrCasdATgvamFZkba0lj0pVuf4xxRhs3cMr-da2dbXYdNgTwGER4rVAQ3RpIozRSLGePcl4yBzx2DZY5KJ5xjzxa4UY_KnxTLKAAajAPbyFibvRwSEV6GczdVfXhMmTzkDlCXn/s640/IMG_4380.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The MTH van on the right. You can see that the trailer hitch post on the MTH is maybe twice the diameter of the old SHS post. It makes for a very snug fit on the fifth wheel. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm9PfPrSsHsTUSPsbKyMk-uMVGRsM2MTNuaxJq5cWgS6T-xQNI295HXBPM0Adkwagsh5OD-DAQOKmVMgZNtDYS_jkEdR3dDmhHyYSMh3MBbArfBctlvE9m83YLlLGUhy3_jR1HwjV3xIB/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm9PfPrSsHsTUSPsbKyMk-uMVGRsM2MTNuaxJq5cWgS6T-xQNI295HXBPM0Adkwagsh5OD-DAQOKmVMgZNtDYS_jkEdR3dDmhHyYSMh3MBbArfBctlvE9m83YLlLGUhy3_jR1HwjV3xIB/s640/IMG_4381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The overall flat black car is somewhat boring, but it does serve to place focus on the colorful trailer van.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmN4yecvUTl3RO05C9P49VNOGxPbXm4Q_R5VFPVpZaRwPBRI4G3FGCfJpUJT28ELauJjsj6VEh9ENkWNEdlIOKG-l_Mz0c51jUJqwFFxujMmLRoArY8Kn7VberTv-HjhWAFRkniNku4vB/s1600/IMG_4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmN4yecvUTl3RO05C9P49VNOGxPbXm4Q_R5VFPVpZaRwPBRI4G3FGCfJpUJT28ELauJjsj6VEh9ENkWNEdlIOKG-l_Mz0c51jUJqwFFxujMmLRoArY8Kn7VberTv-HjhWAFRkniNku4vB/s640/IMG_4383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MTH car and trailer on the left. Old SHS car and trailer on the right. The new 48' van really fills up the car nicely! </td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-67788226478432380832016-05-08T21:31:00.000-07:002016-05-08T21:31:18.521-07:00Des Plaines Hobbies Container kits - status updateAt the 2015 S Spree, I purchased several kits of intermodal containers - two 40 footers and two 45 footers to bring some diversity to my S Gauge intermodal train of Gunderson well-stack cars. While not quite done, I've gotten the kits assembled and at least a base coat applied to all four models.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh050sBR_29KjCV4EOfWw957GqZPyJEnj338utT6-efjA2a5qG6iZnqEs80iKtNJwXCVrb_j9-GhXAVKfqC77l3KV5__3Mqht1ZE8sIGi7XOHdoVsYlpwth_E682ldO9ZxbMa5Xm2WYCurD/s1600/HP1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh050sBR_29KjCV4EOfWw957GqZPyJEnj338utT6-efjA2a5qG6iZnqEs80iKtNJwXCVrb_j9-GhXAVKfqC77l3KV5__3Mqht1ZE8sIGi7XOHdoVsYlpwth_E682ldO9ZxbMa5Xm2WYCurD/s640/HP1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 45 footer on top is to be a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) container. The 40 footer on the bottom is clearly from Hapag-Lloyd. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6NzxtC5PaSoQ8mAGXa-wQNQvuMFWpT5gyBhtFnIaxQTJluubXwh8VpPAAgwC1wZml3fmjvoslTFBu00_YMuE6MbgQKqNjeYcJTimSlKRG_r_XU9_4hcENzMNrBTj-_df-urgVZ4ByUQx/s1600/HP2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6NzxtC5PaSoQ8mAGXa-wQNQvuMFWpT5gyBhtFnIaxQTJluubXwh8VpPAAgwC1wZml3fmjvoslTFBu00_YMuE6MbgQKqNjeYcJTimSlKRG_r_XU9_4hcENzMNrBTj-_df-urgVZ4ByUQx/s640/HP2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decals were printed on clear decal paper using an HP inkjet printer and then sprayed with several light coats of gloss coat to seal the ink to the decal. It works okay. This is one large decal from logo on the left to name on the right. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63nu-PUEU6sddW_Zi_XrNSwAqMsl11TnLb7PyMtzpXfm_aWkXNvmA3JeGfHrh-xWQLDvH_dRt0LOHeTSNgHIPv-YEkEl6RWjSsXtUjO-MK1MFPFyD76gG8QZHxGG7r2lJv0guaThiIIiS/s1600/HP3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63nu-PUEU6sddW_Zi_XrNSwAqMsl11TnLb7PyMtzpXfm_aWkXNvmA3JeGfHrh-xWQLDvH_dRt0LOHeTSNgHIPv-YEkEl6RWjSsXtUjO-MK1MFPFyD76gG8QZHxGG7r2lJv0guaThiIIiS/s640/HP3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the door latches and hinges was relatively easy. A coat of Vallejo light grey and silver grey to highlight the detail. The end text was built using Microsoft Excel and printed on clear decal paper. The labels were cut into several small pieces and added to the end of the model using Micro Set / Micro Sol to ensure the decal adhered to the model. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMJZMFrbSM9CxxH8lrXB8mbbcgsOCmq_im7OnpL9W49dIecIlQmRkPkHSH1EgSqXbPzK0KX07rgv1-hz3n2hiIHSgnYTZelCRvASGQ4cw8rdXzfKsMpWGBxKpfBX9oZRFEjooYi0AIqkE/s1600/HP4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMJZMFrbSM9CxxH8lrXB8mbbcgsOCmq_im7OnpL9W49dIecIlQmRkPkHSH1EgSqXbPzK0KX07rgv1-hz3n2hiIHSgnYTZelCRvASGQ4cw8rdXzfKsMpWGBxKpfBX9oZRFEjooYi0AIqkE/s640/HP4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One goal was to get a contrast in container colors to bring some diversity to the container load on the train.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjBi2CnCYkszKT9gQ2TJyrMlF3uaekB7ZSvOUZ8OfovB0_w0T8LE-0GJm7jeekEUqnquC_2ktkMU1g5A_rl6_nZFZsO7eRf_7yk-cUhKl7G2FtrB_RZgYjwNwxJ68sLMGpPbGPr3Rz277/s1600/HP5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjBi2CnCYkszKT9gQ2TJyrMlF3uaekB7ZSvOUZ8OfovB0_w0T8LE-0GJm7jeekEUqnquC_2ktkMU1g5A_rl6_nZFZsO7eRf_7yk-cUhKl7G2FtrB_RZgYjwNwxJ68sLMGpPbGPr3Rz277/s640/HP5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two shades of yellow paint were used to simulate a new container versus a container that had made several trips across the seas. Weathering will be done after the decals are applied. </td></tr>
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-80099125504572504642016-04-18T19:53:00.000-07:002016-04-18T19:53:23.442-07:00Getting the control panel station in orderFinally got around to doing some long overdue work on the control panel station. It may not be much, but adding the siding to the table top will make me happier knowning that things (y'know - things like bottles of smoke fluid, pipettes, pencils, screw drivers, Legacy control units, etc.) cannot just roll off the edge of the table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JNdrXoPZ3lWwVJZKG-VOmk0dsRhvuKLA5kY0gVvHGJAK_2vH92troXS0Rd2OkeR9373FgbpMM-Bg56zg2j-0eVkjLNA2Hhju2map6wB3nu_X8QGTh7ELhBf2ChqgzQFcYvqytNV0F7nF/s1600/transformer+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JNdrXoPZ3lWwVJZKG-VOmk0dsRhvuKLA5kY0gVvHGJAK_2vH92troXS0Rd2OkeR9373FgbpMM-Bg56zg2j-0eVkjLNA2Hhju2map6wB3nu_X8QGTh7ELhBf2ChqgzQFcYvqytNV0F7nF/s640/transformer+table.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The plan is to add a shelf on the of the 2x4 boards. The shelf will house things like accessory transformers and give a bit more storage for odds and ends that seem to pile up on the top today. Once I get the shelf instsalled, it needs to be painted gray so it blends into the rest of the layout. Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-85371890802317068392016-02-28T13:47:00.000-08:002016-02-28T13:47:18.745-08:00DC in an AC world...Back in January, I purchased an American Models SD-60 locomotive from a vendor at the World's Greatest Hobby On Tour show. It was the CSX road name which is increasingly difficult to find. I took the train out of the box this weekend at the Muncie and Western train show for it's inaugural run.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6PrxZGN59iRqRt4gYmxSBGMSBjMsfmlF1X3yCr3fAQA6mdQB_guEs4tdFmYIJ4iKVyBk-lgKPiSnmNpFtUcXmFfJfedbdk6Sj5awgB6DlLb-s_0plynX7IGA7Mzjfow5Yv674PpltJ7/s1600/End+of+the+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6PrxZGN59iRqRt4gYmxSBGMSBjMsfmlF1X3yCr3fAQA6mdQB_guEs4tdFmYIJ4iKVyBk-lgKPiSnmNpFtUcXmFfJfedbdk6Sj5awgB6DlLb-s_0plynX7IGA7Mzjfow5Yv674PpltJ7/s640/End+of+the+box.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the box. Some wag has marked the unit as "AC". It's a high rail model, and the DC box is bot checked.</td></tr>
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It would not work.<br />
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It just sat there and vibrated. A couple of folks looked at it. One theory is that it was a DC model (everything I have is AC). So I set it aside and got on with the show.<br />
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Today, I had a chance to look at it. Rich B. lent me a DC rectifier that I could hook up to my AC transformers. First up, I removed the body to inspect the chassis, the motor and the gearing assemblies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86b74z8jfGOoI_PM8_GxB9X3k3boq7_wwGKGIGAsZUCg4BvLbkEc-If5zV4OaHYiVHyvSBMsUTB7-O4Shb-ikKo4MlzyQQhLQkZhaM-vmULRedPGBTTg-Js3Yn29KXutgHquOEF0tgsOd/s1600/headlight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86b74z8jfGOoI_PM8_GxB9X3k3boq7_wwGKGIGAsZUCg4BvLbkEc-If5zV4OaHYiVHyvSBMsUTB7-O4Shb-ikKo4MlzyQQhLQkZhaM-vmULRedPGBTTg-Js3Yn29KXutgHquOEF0tgsOd/s640/headlight.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to disconnect the headlight and the whole circuit board came loose! Talk about a tight connection! </td></tr>
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I also pulled the body off another SD-60 in the collection for comparison.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mfYfctt5u4sgBF8WpxRlz1DvKRD0uw4YLKzii3vG8a4nGGJgh2yjodQ1LPUOgPhx-TbNFZrWsU9NlGw_EYhgnbJxTkamjK7Y1CZSuVAwkyca6D9b6lX-Dj4PMx4FLkeixFEwn7HF1j4c/s1600/Engine+and+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mfYfctt5u4sgBF8WpxRlz1DvKRD0uw4YLKzii3vG8a4nGGJgh2yjodQ1LPUOgPhx-TbNFZrWsU9NlGw_EYhgnbJxTkamjK7Y1CZSuVAwkyca6D9b6lX-Dj4PMx4FLkeixFEwn7HF1j4c/s640/Engine+and+board.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CSX engine and circuit board</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3saVfllESsXKa0KVmVDRhEBpgYkP7Yl1-MdVHWbLTbrfC2Biv_zwu4tqzNyvzj3bsV4-hGxXNyMkzvS34M0y1euubAE6WOFdvUT2gfSGmFKomLT7y6VbHuP0700vil_icQHaE0ydvEe0G/s1600/AC+circuit+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3saVfllESsXKa0KVmVDRhEBpgYkP7Yl1-MdVHWbLTbrfC2Biv_zwu4tqzNyvzj3bsV4-hGxXNyMkzvS34M0y1euubAE6WOFdvUT2gfSGmFKomLT7y6VbHuP0700vil_icQHaE0ydvEe0G/s640/AC+circuit+board.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The AC High rail circuit board. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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As the pictures show, the two circuit boards are clearly different. I placed the chassis on the track and hooked up the rectifier. A little bit of movement! It would move and bit then halt.I'd throw the switch and it would go the other direction.<br />
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While I had it open, I checked the rotation of the motor shaft. It was experiencing some binding, but there was nothing obviously wrong. From past experience, I know that if you overtighten the plates that secure the drive shaft mounts for the large flywheel, the shaft can bind, so I backed off the screws until the two plates were snug but not tight.<br />
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I tried it again. Success! The engine would move back and forth. But only at very low power levels. If I raise the power of the AC transformer, the engine would slow and then stop. But at low speed, the engine moved and pulled the large intermodal freight string around the layout.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ95D4PzIl5CYH702ntWsOdRqK_ye9mYiGyhWIffbHl1YMOoRbmPGQaDAWpI6xxRUeFCr1arWgyyfnej38B19m3cWfsLCD_73mIv-K1XIP4MKFbfC1J9Xx_6fznm6Lb1wrIZsyQtS6M8l-/s1600/CSX+engine+pulling+a+frieght.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ95D4PzIl5CYH702ntWsOdRqK_ye9mYiGyhWIffbHl1YMOoRbmPGQaDAWpI6xxRUeFCr1arWgyyfnej38B19m3cWfsLCD_73mIv-K1XIP4MKFbfC1J9Xx_6fznm6Lb1wrIZsyQtS6M8l-/s640/CSX+engine+pulling+a+frieght.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CSX engine moving freight on it's demo run.</td></tr>
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Verdict: This is a DC powered engine.<br />
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Well...poop. All my other engines are AC. So guess, I've got a DC engine in the collection. <br />
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In other news, added a new box car to the collection. A nice Showcase line car for the DT&I.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-8236413761043821122016-02-16T19:40:00.001-08:002016-02-16T19:40:29.307-08:00Oh S Gauge! A recent addition to the collection is this old Lionel O Gauge boxcar that's been put on S Gauge American flyer trucks. In height and length the boxcar is an almost exact match to S gauge. It's a bit wider than other box cars, but it blends in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf-_0S8zKKZSDvl09NDF87TZxfu0659CGLUXyhykzlXBd5zRXAOYnoiTwz5k8vICXlJUgmQiLHaOooR4YCHxhEbRuKowzs3-dTQ77bXojy13FVKTY7F_lshTL27fW1bUQtSRjr2dGspSa/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf-_0S8zKKZSDvl09NDF87TZxfu0659CGLUXyhykzlXBd5zRXAOYnoiTwz5k8vICXlJUgmQiLHaOooR4YCHxhEbRuKowzs3-dTQ77bXojy13FVKTY7F_lshTL27fW1bUQtSRjr2dGspSa/s640/IMG_3744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these cars started life as an O gauge car? But which one? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH44QqQndVzAzImEK9NbYY31bhO2VhyouCoVE4xGYLiPQjLEHkVK7RFQNvR9xfgZA3hI3315Adsx215-BIaL40lWACXZUBlmDdGKfpDB21juv7dLwOA7HaDtzey-3cw1WKcOMrZwSIhC6/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it one of these two? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xUU7cCP2-NYGigiGGblhJlVdRqAuYpkggScvUonI8eWZhYw34SK4vYDJxwyWrRWJAQD8AXZ86UmXmCLv77v-TGCGCXtuaAXVcO7CtIUD7qSopN62oRnsYfNUzifoFcInqloOxgiU6EhB/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xUU7cCP2-NYGigiGGblhJlVdRqAuYpkggScvUonI8eWZhYw34SK4vYDJxwyWrRWJAQD8AXZ86UmXmCLv77v-TGCGCXtuaAXVcO7CtIUD7qSopN62oRnsYfNUzifoFcInqloOxgiU6EhB/s640/IMG_3746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did you guess the Seaboard Line car? You'd be a winner if you did! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRsZRJ2DFQDX2S4_W4-rL5gsMFMv7AcPgxqgzQCiZchZj7I02ryfgV_FzOGfpeCSRY0nadhlkTb4LmUBjGcBgVKCZL4sGJ_wdkf3IL5ig5e0EUu9yPUK60_2nPQOs0ovmuKnal6wV2-x/s1600/IMG_3747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRsZRJ2DFQDX2S4_W4-rL5gsMFMv7AcPgxqgzQCiZchZj7I02ryfgV_FzOGfpeCSRY0nadhlkTb4LmUBjGcBgVKCZL4sGJ_wdkf3IL5ig5e0EUu9yPUK60_2nPQOs0ovmuKnal6wV2-x/s640/IMG_3747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This car started life as a Lionel O gauge car. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH44QqQndVzAzImEK9NbYY31bhO2VhyouCoVE4xGYLiPQjLEHkVK7RFQNvR9xfgZA3hI3315Adsx215-BIaL40lWACXZUBlmDdGKfpDB21juv7dLwOA7HaDtzey-3cw1WKcOMrZwSIhC6/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH44QqQndVzAzImEK9NbYY31bhO2VhyouCoVE4xGYLiPQjLEHkVK7RFQNvR9xfgZA3hI3315Adsx215-BIaL40lWACXZUBlmDdGKfpDB21juv7dLwOA7HaDtzey-3cw1WKcOMrZwSIhC6/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Specifically, this is a Lionel 6-15001 Seaboard Waffle sided boxcar produced in 1995.</td></tr>
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The car was produced in 1995. Good grief that makes me feel old! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a little wider than the standard S gauge cars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-OYVSXz7kt66wJ21wmZdOWsExywe2ncyCrD6qLCKGKV5zCtldaBuz9aLgLAuAWB00cHnkmiEauBlKf2L4bUI4-I_ULl712Lpn1mo7f9vdIQsyg_ol8aLZCvA6rlLYqTaxzYlzgV3EPsQ/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-OYVSXz7kt66wJ21wmZdOWsExywe2ncyCrD6qLCKGKV5zCtldaBuz9aLgLAuAWB00cHnkmiEauBlKf2L4bUI4-I_ULl712Lpn1mo7f9vdIQsyg_ol8aLZCvA6rlLYqTaxzYlzgV3EPsQ/s640/IMG_3750.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a little more noticeable against the green car.</td></tr>
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-68738602546207745652016-01-24T12:07:00.002-08:002016-01-24T12:08:37.627-08:00Tunnel Portal update completedThe portal update is completed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyqv45P4AH3GvH6vcjiHyCDMgXRvYyIDTjzf6pnJCWY5tx25KK7mcww_xa2yYpqPamVepNdDEHGqpSxnfYSPDfAOI67XuduBaqxWYufsi4o8r5YQIPtgG2OXFPk-B4N8-R5k9TdyPL95o/s1600/IMG_3612.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyqv45P4AH3GvH6vcjiHyCDMgXRvYyIDTjzf6pnJCWY5tx25KK7mcww_xa2yYpqPamVepNdDEHGqpSxnfYSPDfAOI67XuduBaqxWYufsi4o8r5YQIPtgG2OXFPk-B4N8-R5k9TdyPL95o/s640/IMG_3612.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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A little bit of paint to cover the plaster and a little bit of flocking to cover the paint. Then it was a matter of gluing in some lichen for the shrubs and we're good to go!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS54GWLdIvpkiEM6FdXZwhETFUEQqLqQRmORK-tidUagDfI9MW9RvtRVWLkiQmiMbiCgjlblKn37wOuuREByWEl-T380f5peZoVHlUHk4iiUNvyqL0s7xWtWp0EgPA8fn-NPBQpmaLZVC/s1600/portal+overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS54GWLdIvpkiEM6FdXZwhETFUEQqLqQRmORK-tidUagDfI9MW9RvtRVWLkiQmiMbiCgjlblKn37wOuuREByWEl-T380f5peZoVHlUHk4iiUNvyqL0s7xWtWp0EgPA8fn-NPBQpmaLZVC/s640/portal+overview.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good view down the tunnel. You can see the exit on the other end. The 'rock wall' on the right needs a little work, but from a distance looks just fine.</td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-81515950026741937012016-01-17T13:39:00.001-08:002016-01-17T13:40:29.650-08:00Tunnel Portal, take 2Here's the back story, in 2015 I had finished the landscaping for the tunnel. It was done. Materials put away and I'd moved on to finished the yard. In the fall, I ran a double stack container train onto the track and routed it into the tunnel.<br />
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BAM!<br />
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I was not expecting that to say the least. The top container and clipped the top of the portal entrance and would not fit. It derailed five cars, spilled containers all over the track and caused a coupler pocket to explode. I should have taken a picture - it was an accident worthy of an FRA report. I was in shock - how could this happen. I knew I had run the train over this track before and never had a problem.<br />
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Yeah...before you installed the final tunnel portal. Idiot!<br />
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Yep, it's true I'd not tested the track after installing the last portal. It was a converted MTH portal and had been cut down to be closer to S gauge. When it was cut down, it was clearly cut down to an older clearance standard and not the modern standard.<br />
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This weekend I finally fixed the portal. Ripped out the old portal and installed a new one from <a href="http://www.pre-size.com/" target="_blank">Pre-size model specialties</a>. It was not hard work, just something I did not relish having to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiEHgIRI0F_x-n_BzKwdzCKKF-bdKztlJUioceTRFTLK3D3aSyvFJtw6qNLAyE7NaDLiUmteBamPAFBqJ79WGyhRgYvE6F7yT6MOzGjkKBaOknzVpTbthHynM1XGQjI8eriIlV3JKpst-/s1600/old+tunnel+portal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiEHgIRI0F_x-n_BzKwdzCKKF-bdKztlJUioceTRFTLK3D3aSyvFJtw6qNLAyE7NaDLiUmteBamPAFBqJ79WGyhRgYvE6F7yT6MOzGjkKBaOknzVpTbthHynM1XGQjI8eriIlV3JKpst-/s400/old+tunnel+portal.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old portal, all nicely landscaped into the layout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw70lJwPbpDHlDRvN4xRaCCwk0QAt8hdeL9d1O2K0ZtQmrZ6tqsbBIC1Tjnsubb8Vo6SZsBBG0KYGPlqWL_382QLRf03wHyJ_16r2YnCk1z1D4XBu28QmkANEkJ6XsW8C6z0EirEtqDBkz/s1600/ripped+out+wide+overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw70lJwPbpDHlDRvN4xRaCCwk0QAt8hdeL9d1O2K0ZtQmrZ6tqsbBIC1Tjnsubb8Vo6SZsBBG0KYGPlqWL_382QLRf03wHyJ_16r2YnCk1z1D4XBu28QmkANEkJ6XsW8C6z0EirEtqDBkz/s640/ripped+out+wide+overview.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview showing the framework that comprises the tunnel. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04JJN1GJv1eShHTdV1IdGhwK_y6z8vcLzFgZaF1zJU11PMSSE9HkzBxQraS-Z1UHLkPPeG3puP1UKZMQhF-Siq9ZpB7Mt2gRxQZIlkXj3hBWVj9vtfbeqwKDbEkfr2hSimesfUltTeo0U/s1600/Ripped+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04JJN1GJv1eShHTdV1IdGhwK_y6z8vcLzFgZaF1zJU11PMSSE9HkzBxQraS-Z1UHLkPPeG3puP1UKZMQhF-Siq9ZpB7Mt2gRxQZIlkXj3hBWVj9vtfbeqwKDbEkfr2hSimesfUltTeo0U/s640/Ripped+out.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the same space. I was able to leave most of the landscape in place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrZW53RxJYzSSGO6t9BdHldEbueJrPYjfXGLJmNPbSe3n4lMdS6k0x2k7WIbV_UVCASnfgWi6HPt7eWKijkomV8sC0aRStiaV2BGW4Pfel8gLv-c1VBI_Qe0I6-EhyZ_YabbUToa4ondP/s1600/ripped+out+tall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrZW53RxJYzSSGO6t9BdHldEbueJrPYjfXGLJmNPbSe3n4lMdS6k0x2k7WIbV_UVCASnfgWi6HPt7eWKijkomV8sC0aRStiaV2BGW4Pfel8gLv-c1VBI_Qe0I6-EhyZ_YabbUToa4ondP/s640/ripped+out+tall.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Plasticville church normally in the space beyond the trees was moved for this repair.</td></tr>
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The new portal was much thinner than the old MTH version. This required inserting a styrofoam spacer to the portal,. It did not have to be pretty as it would not be visible once the potal was installed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqRLHJfNhESes2G2X2zz7S6e47GXWO-TRMiQq6luk59u_mpQFF_HjYGivLazQ1zz3oV9a2tBAm1FZngHrMAIK0-TSn91kCCrLW3uxzXgOlgFs_vvizntul1Mpr3pQstwsdAIVH-qJDKDj/s1600/spacer+overhead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqRLHJfNhESes2G2X2zz7S6e47GXWO-TRMiQq6luk59u_mpQFF_HjYGivLazQ1zz3oV9a2tBAm1FZngHrMAIK0-TSn91kCCrLW3uxzXgOlgFs_vvizntul1Mpr3pQstwsdAIVH-qJDKDj/s640/spacer+overhead.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spacer plugs in place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAWob9bG8uSYoVPIKzyS29UUnndgeXohNbXN6BDI2u3yhHRlIanlBUp-bMdPFNtQ8yPU94zZlzyQWgkNb-0UCDm8a-wswR8YZVJGoSM2quFZSRjTIy-KoEyan176b03WE3Cn9T1LQpGBf/s1600/portal+spacers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAWob9bG8uSYoVPIKzyS29UUnndgeXohNbXN6BDI2u3yhHRlIanlBUp-bMdPFNtQ8yPU94zZlzyQWgkNb-0UCDm8a-wswR8YZVJGoSM2quFZSRjTIy-KoEyan176b03WE3Cn9T1LQpGBf/s640/portal+spacers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I would forget which one belonged on which side. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKNzVFJyvewYYNE4zmBucH475fFYR3bNm747nyg2Kyp5_3cVltXG6uC9PXciSWYb0qnTirDzKxL0CCASwD5BgQVVqrxKe-SxeHEmk5xAAPVgw1MUsoc-0VEGh2foG1GRKAQjfhuK_YutL/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKNzVFJyvewYYNE4zmBucH475fFYR3bNm747nyg2Kyp5_3cVltXG6uC9PXciSWYb0qnTirDzKxL0CCASwD5BgQVVqrxKe-SxeHEmk5xAAPVgw1MUsoc-0VEGh2foG1GRKAQjfhuK_YutL/s640/IMG_3570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The angle of the portal needed to be tweaked, so some spacers and cutting took place to support the desired placement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJ4D_9NZOShljEiOk46fo2jdOLSz11Vfk0T2Lcf8LeVHvbfeXAKzvQXd9ptzy9l6ptBQU8JZeMFxqPIVGBszG5UPHTEoCxUhyf8mJsyDkgVNQqokHXXL9nCxQ6W8DiSNWg_jPYex99Gd6/s1600/checking+clearance+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJ4D_9NZOShljEiOk46fo2jdOLSz11Vfk0T2Lcf8LeVHvbfeXAKzvQXd9ptzy9l6ptBQU8JZeMFxqPIVGBszG5UPHTEoCxUhyf8mJsyDkgVNQqokHXXL9nCxQ6W8DiSNWg_jPYex99Gd6/s640/checking+clearance+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The double stack car fits into the tunnel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns643gpCzwj-aZlhCE7YxxyqLxwB22GYAXgugToLkjXAJ7opNhF-X2kSdtDnMc5sQ5Zo8eSR-LUtr8rZjQfNkO9mI4irpt3eKpXG3RTM3KDxzNgTYzyYZY4_7SMetHX4atZCGRXBF1fM2/s1600/checking+clearance+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns643gpCzwj-aZlhCE7YxxyqLxwB22GYAXgugToLkjXAJ7opNhF-X2kSdtDnMc5sQ5Zo8eSR-LUtr8rZjQfNkO9mI4irpt3eKpXG3RTM3KDxzNgTYzyYZY4_7SMetHX4atZCGRXBF1fM2/s640/checking+clearance+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the portal clearance for the double stasck cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFa9vKwjnRBQgZ87ifn85vfQ86wSIL4eQHl4-Tk-oayFr98o-5X0HB7vKQfA1lbMwjX_TfsBS5bIsmW2UZJE78YAmLXIXuNi1TWvfSpzTKyhIb4EM5If-Jt01nVIsauhzqmJ2peBvA28N/s1600/Test+of+portal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFa9vKwjnRBQgZ87ifn85vfQ86wSIL4eQHl4-Tk-oayFr98o-5X0HB7vKQfA1lbMwjX_TfsBS5bIsmW2UZJE78YAmLXIXuNi1TWvfSpzTKyhIb4EM5If-Jt01nVIsauhzqmJ2peBvA28N/s640/Test+of+portal.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sliding into the installed tunnel portal. Still have to finish the painting and landscaping..</td></tr>
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Here's a video showing the clearance test of the double stack car.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxqtSLJDOXdk4pvq354pDjO5p2fh8zuoHPZt4P9OGj5C8BX1rLG1rCc9nKLfZwJYM6WSsWB-KnWerAmGzS7' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-61337947780854920872016-01-12T11:42:00.000-08:002016-01-15T16:38:45.894-08:00World's Greatest Hobby On Tour show in Indianapolis January 8-9, 2016I'm back from a weekend in Indianapolis at the World's Greatest Hobby On Tour (WGHOT) train show.<br />
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Held in the South Pavilion of the <a href="http://www.in.gov/statefair/fairgrounds/index.html" target="_blank">Indiana State Fairgrounds,</a> the show featured a vertibale who's who in the model train hobby. Exhibitors included<a href="http://www.lionel.com/" target="_blank"> Lionel</a> (maker of American Flyer), <a href="http://mthtrains.com/" target="_blank">MTH</a>, Athearn, <a href="http://nasg.org/" target="_blank">NASG</a>, <a href="http://nmra.org/" target="_blank">NMRA</a> and <a href="http://www.z-stuff.net/" target="_blank">Z-Stuff for Trains </a>signals (owned by a fellow Miami University graduate!) to name just a few. There was a great cross section of model railroads on display in all gauges from "T" up to the mighty G. I might have missed it, by 7 1/2" gauge seemed to missing. Several railroad historical societies and hobby shops rounded up the mix.<br />
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Friday saw me driving up mid-day to join the crew setting up the layout. We had fantastic turnout for this with 15 people participating. This was really great as it made set up a much quicker and physically less demanding than I feared it would be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGtK43R2XjjVcaJtb_hls9siwmLDpg4rt2-40yN4wfH_uUiLXHwP9J-wWvgsML9me2Xa9jYEFbrM0MFXZVZJmWmzhL0Le0rTTcS58vjm9kyBEuLsgEt9yShs7fI1O_X1DAlgBXpzhaXME/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGtK43R2XjjVcaJtb_hls9siwmLDpg4rt2-40yN4wfH_uUiLXHwP9J-wWvgsML9me2Xa9jYEFbrM0MFXZVZJmWmzhL0Le0rTTcS58vjm9kyBEuLsgEt9yShs7fI1O_X1DAlgBXpzhaXME/s400/IMG_3324.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Friday afternoon - set up is almost complete. The floor of the building is not level, but through generous use of shims, the layout worked well. For this show, the staging yard was truly a 'hump yard'. once past the mid-point, everything rolled to the back.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is a big show. Each night and morning, you could find multiple instances of the television ad running for the show. It must have worked, or else the rain which lasted all day drove everyone to find an indoor activity. Saturday's crowds were huge, with the people packed in 'stroller to stroller'. I took a tour of the exhibit hall and after about 45 minutes I retreated to the relative sanity of the far corner of the layout display room.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNYaejL_gMhfFiDuaeSpJVJuqJEz7SKgHt36Spz3Shv7I3TF82DqSWUAn8zPuauQpOj09lV4r0LaMzj3t-dImIh7myMmOPwPoFXHvBa-prO1nPn5LgC9If9wTduxJSp4b0h7f9vYErlAR/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNYaejL_gMhfFiDuaeSpJVJuqJEz7SKgHt36Spz3Shv7I3TF82DqSWUAn8zPuauQpOj09lV4r0LaMzj3t-dImIh7myMmOPwPoFXHvBa-prO1nPn5LgC9If9wTduxJSp4b0h7f9vYErlAR/s400/IMG_3337.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage <a href="http://www.usdimestore.com/store.php/americandimestore/pg14132/dimestore_dreams" target="_blank">dimestore dreams</a> toy car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP3G-_jmxDTnsoszdRzao094larkh8yD1qgwkAL7C7A_M19djurUm7JRqPl_SpsYDBZM-iOI3sEQQrGbddK5kpglU51V6-EFdq8XBuDxkazGRwDqG-Gt7OlVYq6hn2UhKBqncUg8o7Jx0/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP3G-_jmxDTnsoszdRzao094larkh8yD1qgwkAL7C7A_M19djurUm7JRqPl_SpsYDBZM-iOI3sEQQrGbddK5kpglU51V6-EFdq8XBuDxkazGRwDqG-Gt7OlVYq6hn2UhKBqncUg8o7Jx0/s640/IMG_3339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR0VJo0iUSKU_dzqSa9tfpwDttcWFuVQHuJ1grEsW12f797uXz_7r8mJUuSdYf9u2H2F-QrQNf126rZTj_9_6LzjsKXoC9jQs4Lm0nH3Yy5oJ_myEtz5H26OAUder7ATrr43Tc9lO-MMw/s1600/IMG_3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR0VJo0iUSKU_dzqSa9tfpwDttcWFuVQHuJ1grEsW12f797uXz_7r8mJUuSdYf9u2H2F-QrQNf126rZTj_9_6LzjsKXoC9jQs4Lm0nH3Yy5oJ_myEtz5H26OAUder7ATrr43Tc9lO-MMw/s640/IMG_3343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd68Yj9NgGA5n2GfotqMakX7t7n2a_DuziWOXPEhV7Tq1T7Ad5_lEjFwTck26s7LAI3tJKhHYDkP4y3kF4_4g7jeq_6nnBl5fnXB4Ds44J9G9B5_sW8C52Ax0yeydTga-JDI6EZExcwOuy/s1600/IMG_3345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd68Yj9NgGA5n2GfotqMakX7t7n2a_DuziWOXPEhV7Tq1T7Ad5_lEjFwTck26s7LAI3tJKhHYDkP4y3kF4_4g7jeq_6nnBl5fnXB4Ds44J9G9B5_sW8C52Ax0yeydTga-JDI6EZExcwOuy/s640/IMG_3345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePKdsfs5VDfdq1EYbLXVlBO9n6UpvaKyIMQPRyaGyxfvnwaHHXS873CA4OO5ZRnN838ySe2YKthLO6iUVBKrgdPWkdJ9iKEU4lztU6GQd8AMAPetgJGWGDKw6w74bWhJ9YSoEDKvdEoFk/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePKdsfs5VDfdq1EYbLXVlBO9n6UpvaKyIMQPRyaGyxfvnwaHHXS873CA4OO5ZRnN838ySe2YKthLO6iUVBKrgdPWkdJ9iKEU4lztU6GQd8AMAPetgJGWGDKw6w74bWhJ9YSoEDKvdEoFk/s640/IMG_3336.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHp9L9_mULQW_u1pHxJI2z0oOomTb_r107Tv6CqvyORD6-hhNu3LD_0A0gpaEx9aFOXlqyVHt8MaF7C9UnC_tqY0idFXkNn1zJrnpBiwKngrKNH479qeCXRAfl0XZfzt2fRDuRBHCvvbi/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHp9L9_mULQW_u1pHxJI2z0oOomTb_r107Tv6CqvyORD6-hhNu3LD_0A0gpaEx9aFOXlqyVHt8MaF7C9UnC_tqY0idFXkNn1zJrnpBiwKngrKNH479qeCXRAfl0XZfzt2fRDuRBHCvvbi/s640/IMG_3397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lionel S table - a simple oval plugging the Polar Express set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_59l27d3TN7iS6hnT6AoF2KDFj5IG0FD8ulHrFOkB4X37vKNwKfDJLiXjvv80Uq63d9TWmRnwuDm0vRvkzQIT0AABOoyytjuiUSecV5lkApohn9i9DvzkqY94KLOn6h489lFJmLBfsfrU/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_59l27d3TN7iS6hnT6AoF2KDFj5IG0FD8ulHrFOkB4X37vKNwKfDJLiXjvv80Uq63d9TWmRnwuDm0vRvkzQIT0AABOoyytjuiUSecV5lkApohn9i9DvzkqY94KLOn6h489lFJmLBfsfrU/s640/IMG_3398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prototype F3 rolls on the MTH display layout. The only thing not available in that train was the F3 which has not yet been relelased. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sunday started on a very different note. Late overnight the weather broke. The rain switched to snow. The wind picked up to 23 mph. On top of that temperatures plummeted through the twenties down into the teens throughout the day. I walked out of the hotel to find everything covered in a layer of ice and snow. Undaunted, I scraped off the ice and snow and headed to the show.<br />
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Unlike me, many people stayed home until at least noon. Sunday's show was lightly attended. We had a good crew turn out to aid in operating the layout. It gave a good opportunity to take some pictures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP30KbUh8F5sxx__V19HzvZwL-5pmcV91UWshGdLySlobKBHzvpMqvpxYHxP1zi431GJ14lDngR0FW7qJZp5u_ZRGrktlSnlx6oKGIWycZlDHp1dgqcfSPeAmHug7WcJQpMCI7NKWQtZP/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP30KbUh8F5sxx__V19HzvZwL-5pmcV91UWshGdLySlobKBHzvpMqvpxYHxP1zi431GJ14lDngR0FW7qJZp5u_ZRGrktlSnlx6oKGIWycZlDHp1dgqcfSPeAmHug7WcJQpMCI7NKWQtZP/s640/IMG_3352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The detail inside this one room of one building on the layout is amazing. I'd never noticed it before. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP7Ks4It8a1D_ScknXyk9IGr1xij8j5Gv_tpJ38YEQneJiUx39CcS0AmapQArpU3cXuwm9zqofIJ_BSAa8VG-wMV71jYqr4E5nuQ28iCwFcGu_8LUgtucayfkKndYtcX2tC-pi0DR6H_W/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP7Ks4It8a1D_ScknXyk9IGr1xij8j5Gv_tpJ38YEQneJiUx39CcS0AmapQArpU3cXuwm9zqofIJ_BSAa8VG-wMV71jYqr4E5nuQ28iCwFcGu_8LUgtucayfkKndYtcX2tC-pi0DR6H_W/s640/IMG_3354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This figure is well lit from the overhead light.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkKzIsx8LbnLiw0sxtv0WzgW2xjmsKqk-xCAf0DJul6hyphenhyphenTd4ptYtdnb7QrwVr63Q-mEK-zUyHcyux44ct7JxwsYL84Sud_D-Nv9E1eLe9fiIEUNRLGeUm_NNzEUHWPEmBHAY2ovc8gmnh/s1600/IMG_3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkKzIsx8LbnLiw0sxtv0WzgW2xjmsKqk-xCAf0DJul6hyphenhyphenTd4ptYtdnb7QrwVr63Q-mEK-zUyHcyux44ct7JxwsYL84Sud_D-Nv9E1eLe9fiIEUNRLGeUm_NNzEUHWPEmBHAY2ovc8gmnh/s640/IMG_3485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Models 4-8-4 Northern waits for the signal to pull out.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3ppiTb4KPqFM4CkL57vj1BkdWHg6H4_AoczXDYwXLJTGU5NhQaJhxHaNlM3wdRdcc7y2cab7pOyobBnUQPzsMZvJ2-DeJMHnsvastoxbs-xtiSHzlT8Npx5FYRB_59sHwCIkPavDs-AL/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3ppiTb4KPqFM4CkL57vj1BkdWHg6H4_AoczXDYwXLJTGU5NhQaJhxHaNlM3wdRdcc7y2cab7pOyobBnUQPzsMZvJ2-DeJMHnsvastoxbs-xtiSHzlT8Npx5FYRB_59sHwCIkPavDs-AL/s640/IMG_3486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train extends back into the station platform in the distance. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
A few early departures were offset by a few diehards that braved the weather and drove over from Dayton. At the end of the day, we had the trailer loaded and were on the road by 6:00pm.<br />
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The drive home was slow, but otherwise uneventful. The weather was the most challenging element, but otherwise, we had a good time and really capitalized on this opportunity to showcase S Gauge trains to the general public.Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-78354626664523230422015-06-07T10:52:00.002-07:002015-06-11T18:29:27.114-07:00Fixing the MTH 2 Bay Hopper...or Sunday afternoon at the repair bench.<br />
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So the MTH 2 -bay hopper I'd mail-ordered arrived in less than stellar condition. The weight was rattling internally. The weight may also have dismounted the end walls from both ends of the car. Plus the catwalk had come loose. Hell of a job on shipping boys! Here's a few shots of what it looked like on arrival.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBna03cS2xwfAjCyqdYMElrKl9ubZnYHhaU4cEPLuPASdHO-NcqQXeulpleQ1ptlxzzfrSp0OjlB5GhCIoMYSB3x8C_ZTEdADW3415NyJdh92BDgSEF6VO1Xd8oG0vkXqanqa40bxHJRgk/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBna03cS2xwfAjCyqdYMElrKl9ubZnYHhaU4cEPLuPASdHO-NcqQXeulpleQ1ptlxzzfrSp0OjlB5GhCIoMYSB3x8C_ZTEdADW3415NyJdh92BDgSEF6VO1Xd8oG0vkXqanqa40bxHJRgk/s320/IMG_0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the disconnected catwalk and the end walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeSOpT_jmuNbypImPvt2-LrAtI3NjTdeNWDXr_UbVW5HUCgzf6-SuMwLAFIZo73fgsvYPXGGtWj68rJZQo0tKTww8vBxshP0k0pNNkoeasK_EiQIXfS02JxOjC8Yap00It8KYrOBDPQHg/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeSOpT_jmuNbypImPvt2-LrAtI3NjTdeNWDXr_UbVW5HUCgzf6-SuMwLAFIZo73fgsvYPXGGtWj68rJZQo0tKTww8vBxshP0k0pNNkoeasK_EiQIXfS02JxOjC8Yap00It8KYrOBDPQHg/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the end wall and the catwalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v9P35gvSFiC4urLtkupdQMlYTIns5T-PflEJcNn2FiWh-CK5peJ0MKXaAmO-NOwgeSJq-t8aDj-3SQ9AdnbpOOrm7goitaIXxIoTucjE6LR5KGbaf4wEcTZgTjqT-7VVz7K_P4VmSaAH/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v9P35gvSFiC4urLtkupdQMlYTIns5T-PflEJcNn2FiWh-CK5peJ0MKXaAmO-NOwgeSJq-t8aDj-3SQ9AdnbpOOrm7goitaIXxIoTucjE6LR5KGbaf4wEcTZgTjqT-7VVz7K_P4VmSaAH/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The more I looked at it the more irritable I became. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sadly as I did not open the box and recognize the issue within 10 days OR save the original shipping box, my return options with the merchant appear to be non-existent. Fair enough - they have a clearly stated policy. Guess I'm stuck with it. So...taking the bull by the horns, I set out to fix the damage. <br />
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First step - dis-assembly. Most other cars I own have the body held on with some snap-tight system. By spreading the body walls, I got the chassis to drop out and away from the body. Then the loose end caps fell off and out. This left me with five distinct parts. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgowXP4Dix1x_B_Lnx6f7bjoSSmYJSBuj3xzzdMW1orpEs-USVTwPHNy10wTmjkjDZ6LjyqZpL7Hieg702444swfOpZgbBjI5Q3V5mT1Rv2QIpuTs52qWrPIDbXcS5gBw3GvMTPlHCp2/s1600/FullSizeRender+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfgowXP4Dix1x_B_Lnx6f7bjoSSmYJSBuj3xzzdMW1orpEs-USVTwPHNy10wTmjkjDZ6LjyqZpL7Hieg702444swfOpZgbBjI5Q3V5mT1Rv2QIpuTs52qWrPIDbXcS5gBw3GvMTPlHCp2/s400/FullSizeRender+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body, end walls, weight and chassis. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The only things that appear broken are the mounting pins on the top of each end wall. Even there, a<i> little</i> bit of the pins remain present. You can see where the initial glue has failed and allowed the parts to become loose. The weight was just rattling around loose inside the body.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3cCPaZcwwfNfnbr_XuXYALodVRny9IhlEd4EzZynTvsPmaJuID_PPDMtLkaP19Ypf2cPLKS9NeNvqsyXFgw1PYiuQL_9On-LdiWFVcaB8M1fSMbPSaUAEu9TjoOr6dVlty-1c8BOs6zv/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3cCPaZcwwfNfnbr_XuXYALodVRny9IhlEd4EzZynTvsPmaJuID_PPDMtLkaP19Ypf2cPLKS9NeNvqsyXFgw1PYiuQL_9On-LdiWFVcaB8M1fSMbPSaUAEu9TjoOr6dVlty-1c8BOs6zv/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weight is a single, stamped metal part with four mounting holes in the corners. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Attaching the weight was just a question of centering the weight over the mounting holes and pressing down. There's enough resistance that the weight almost 'snaps' in place. If subjected to a lot of shaking it could come loose, but should stay put from normal usage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKVWWXtFvu9lbgk7ODhNUMLcpBCOd0cuV9JYXh3HPECQB1e5d88BwIkptA45jbZ3XXGD7gmrO7UbuygnpobgOgF8wwhQn2J43kixENfUgME9g1zcRWreBB3pnQ8xHZOoQ8UtaWu7L6GY6/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKVWWXtFvu9lbgk7ODhNUMLcpBCOd0cuV9JYXh3HPECQB1e5d88BwIkptA45jbZ3XXGD7gmrO7UbuygnpobgOgF8wwhQn2J43kixENfUgME9g1zcRWreBB3pnQ8xHZOoQ8UtaWu7L6GY6/s640/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weight re-installed on the chassis. The bend in the metal weight allows it to conform to the chassis design. </td></tr>
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Next up was fitting the end walls back into place. They slid in easily, figuring out the exact positioning was a little mysterious, so I cheated and pulled out an old SHS 2-Bay hopper and checked how the parts fit on that one. Give these are supposed to be made from the same molds, assembly should be similar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7L8pQSc52a6fXzKvX0XPMRwhJDCszw5gpDEHP8n44kn_xXfUbezt6v9qCIgshV8LhBButbiXIYrnyLAG3jQKSXDi2swIWIYlUO5uLz7FAgbv4_kYHZS1QNiCAwbe5lKKNQKD-lfW7oMR/s1600/FullSizeRender+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7L8pQSc52a6fXzKvX0XPMRwhJDCszw5gpDEHP8n44kn_xXfUbezt6v9qCIgshV8LhBButbiXIYrnyLAG3jQKSXDi2swIWIYlUO5uLz7FAgbv4_kYHZS1QNiCAwbe5lKKNQKD-lfW7oMR/s640/FullSizeRender+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've fit the part to the chassis trying to figure out how the connecting rod, err...connects to the brake assembly. In the end the SHS PS-2 gave me the pattern to follow. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y1BO39vC2oKzmSEdpXrnJDtexVbLaEqaqGqeFjwu0hqiLIaDR9thT6SqcuhbdMk4uJPke-g95xJ6FiAdZ0Nx-DWQvyfBt12Gxm_5Za4-uSOFwOZGFjSyzGvAKMcX0lPD0vXSQ4kah5rF/s1600/FullSizeRender+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo52cAWcByGTTHM8H93w8tAD79LiNWMqBS3Umc5FPOXlu0TgBpXZsKbUb-Ba2UZ8qirJwADeivQC4P320vYB9tdcV9gzcNOvmEq-dDazbKAyE3XDVrADQyLQk1TQ3xkPNhKtmqGr4_hEF/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo52cAWcByGTTHM8H93w8tAD79LiNWMqBS3Umc5FPOXlu0TgBpXZsKbUb-Ba2UZ8qirJwADeivQC4P320vYB9tdcV9gzcNOvmEq-dDazbKAyE3XDVrADQyLQk1TQ3xkPNhKtmqGr4_hEF/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Included just to show how the L girder extends through the car wall.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y1BO39vC2oKzmSEdpXrnJDtexVbLaEqaqGqeFjwu0hqiLIaDR9thT6SqcuhbdMk4uJPke-g95xJ6FiAdZ0Nx-DWQvyfBt12Gxm_5Za4-uSOFwOZGFjSyzGvAKMcX0lPD0vXSQ4kah5rF/s640/FullSizeRender+8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the old glue line and the pin slots in the ceiling of the car body. </td></tr>
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I dropped the end walls into the body and applied ABS cement. After it quick set I flipped the body over onto the chassis and installed it. The trickiest part was to align the brake machinery lever correctly, but even that was not too difficult. A quick visual inspect shows the end walls seated properly to the chassis. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM1__0RJX670KpsajP-X1SK2-K1u7M9L5LW8cEDZP0IzIszc9Xm0v8F0vq6zw-_ey65CLEjpdwTTUqDs6sLe-nbd1vth5q06iM4bpTkADX0bWejVZw08zIhQ5OxQhKIT9EnMbtHBY2xiY/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM1__0RJX670KpsajP-X1SK2-K1u7M9L5LW8cEDZP0IzIszc9Xm0v8F0vq6zw-_ey65CLEjpdwTTUqDs6sLe-nbd1vth5q06iM4bpTkADX0bWejVZw08zIhQ5OxQhKIT9EnMbtHBY2xiY/s640/12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking better! </td></tr>
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The last step was getting the catwalk fixed. The pins had sheared off over about half the car. I placed small amounts of CA glue on the supports along the car roof and then pushed the catwalk down onto the glue. A rubber band held it in place, but I placed two bottles atop the catwalk for additional weight while the CA glue sets. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEja8coWryhLCgdA7JWnFwAWdYFDVFbMInSyL0daRyGJLT_jeuY8fMxVTos1GkJrn7-8IDPQwhJb-hIxsXzF-n4x_l_dhk4bInN8xfBPMS9VafynsvZ7tzf9hNJdH7gJdtux4983tUBDEN/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEja8coWryhLCgdA7JWnFwAWdYFDVFbMInSyL0daRyGJLT_jeuY8fMxVTos1GkJrn7-8IDPQwhJb-hIxsXzF-n4x_l_dhk4bInN8xfBPMS9VafynsvZ7tzf9hNJdH7gJdtux4983tUBDEN/s640/11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done save the test drive! </td></tr>
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This was a relatively short repair. Maybe 45 minutes total from starting disassemble to completion. I took my time - this included analysis of the problem and defining the solution. In the end, it was easier than I expected.<br />
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My only regret is that I should not have to basically do model kit level rough assembly for a brand new ready to roll item. I may buy additional items from MTH in the future, but I'll want to see it's condition before putting down the cash. Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-17361367189940213842015-01-19T18:19:00.003-08:002015-01-19T18:22:26.156-08:00Putting up the trim boardsBig accomplishment of the weekend was getting the trim boards up on the exterior edge of the layout AND the hinged walk-thru bridge. It's starting to feel like a train layout! More importantly - the chance of a catastrophic derailing have been substantially reduced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLn22qWB6a3Z6hgBeQ_cuu3J-RzIbgB2V0dT0ayfXYX6GoXOsQeFhWNOztL-PAVKhfJeacH81aghOIrB-Hvj4kGT0uAJFxqxMhD7aiombQAbqFNp3Q6ajY__wVAaCxljB9YQPaBZ9Mma_/s1600/January+layout+updates+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLn22qWB6a3Z6hgBeQ_cuu3J-RzIbgB2V0dT0ayfXYX6GoXOsQeFhWNOztL-PAVKhfJeacH81aghOIrB-Hvj4kGT0uAJFxqxMhD7aiombQAbqFNp3Q6ajY__wVAaCxljB9YQPaBZ9Mma_/s1600/January+layout+updates+004.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge and ends of the layout with the trim boards up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KRgX27dCf-ahRHZcU82HiyUu5oQwkRwUWCe02ZmTatcVMwMHZwA7bMeMJUlDZQOkXQL8mMgIj9zwW1o1AURdfYfxWPWS7XZv718Dd-C2nKjPeLsx3Bs4xvjfA_uwyfCKicmXajgYL9zc/s1600/January+layout+updates+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KRgX27dCf-ahRHZcU82HiyUu5oQwkRwUWCe02ZmTatcVMwMHZwA7bMeMJUlDZQOkXQL8mMgIj9zwW1o1AURdfYfxWPWS7XZv718Dd-C2nKjPeLsx3Bs4xvjfA_uwyfCKicmXajgYL9zc/s1600/January+layout+updates+001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to restock the Pizza Hut..or Taco Bell...or KFC. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsdmm7SfvAF_kXUMHHxa9IqmRva19p1tRReKn6c612s88iGL5J9eKtf36ahyCAxKKOODZ3TiCt-9qCjqyUHX1P5d5msGL11JzTb_KuHQTHu39WRzyIKjlxWCnmpx2IM8MI5fzHQsfiFBU/s1600/January+layout+updates+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsdmm7SfvAF_kXUMHHxa9IqmRva19p1tRReKn6c612s88iGL5J9eKtf36ahyCAxKKOODZ3TiCt-9qCjqyUHX1P5d5msGL11JzTb_KuHQTHu39WRzyIKjlxWCnmpx2IM8MI5fzHQsfiFBU/s1600/January+layout+updates+006.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding this board makes the river appear much more complete.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I9JL94HtIjyioWp_N6XnEJ3BStL9NYmMIJvvGD4rPzKGK9m2zl_1J8kqKpGQm64nZdEHQ17gVhUPLCQSHpJwIfYdWzCXt0MzHbt5DkE7QrYZtyuh5Fivxdj1bPqpOtYaBNzWJUrIY5Z6/s1600/January+layout+updates+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I9JL94HtIjyioWp_N6XnEJ3BStL9NYmMIJvvGD4rPzKGK9m2zl_1J8kqKpGQm64nZdEHQ17gVhUPLCQSHpJwIfYdWzCXt0MzHbt5DkE7QrYZtyuh5Fivxdj1bPqpOtYaBNzWJUrIY5Z6/s1600/January+layout+updates+007.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need to touch up the stain on the left end of the board. It broke off during sawing. </td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-52078515030220952902015-01-04T18:45:00.004-08:002015-01-04T18:45:59.333-08:00Getting 2015 off on the right foot! The first week of 2015 has seen signifigant progress being made on the model railroad. Lots of landscaping work is being done along with trim boards on the exterior of the layout. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An aerial shot of the southeast corner of the layout. Inner loop on the left. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oblique view of the same scene above. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apartments have recieved additional trees and the parking lot as a few more cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added the stained trim boards to this corner of the layout. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-s-9FNa1SAkCT0gBMhG3_fzbBJlRsKflF_liq-CwwsGLaCyhVpPBJtmOS3D8YJhCCfN3mXj5tJM4Bs95RP8n74LrdTF-IB6E-ZDyXeLXfqzQGYxARUL2aGmPDZ-l3HxBYkyffQZC9hSD/s1600/New+road+w+trucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-s-9FNa1SAkCT0gBMhG3_fzbBJlRsKflF_liq-CwwsGLaCyhVpPBJtmOS3D8YJhCCfN3mXj5tJM4Bs95RP8n74LrdTF-IB6E-ZDyXeLXfqzQGYxARUL2aGmPDZ-l3HxBYkyffQZC9hSD/s1600/New+road+w+trucks.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trim boards really class up the layout. Adding the road and flocking the corner helped as well! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR0Vl2KVBVJRKOJnpWqFf5BmX6tVN-bMs5PJIu0tZLPwzKqJcwX0l-L8zi63ATLVAlc3SiBOAS0m3oc6Um5AokSd5rc1MYVvmIcfjVwTe0Ndlvdxxu6xYG89ObxQVNozs7Sb5sLAo-d9j/s1600/landscaped+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR0Vl2KVBVJRKOJnpWqFf5BmX6tVN-bMs5PJIu0tZLPwzKqJcwX0l-L8zi63ATLVAlc3SiBOAS0m3oc6Um5AokSd5rc1MYVvmIcfjVwTe0Ndlvdxxu6xYG89ObxQVNozs7Sb5sLAo-d9j/s1600/landscaped+bridge.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge was flocked as well, adding to the finished look of the layout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnZys_7J_e9fO2GKhG2wFpzWlIPeipntInskrNkuHzKz1CcgOPDSZF_hG1SgAX96Eu6dgWdIZKDuxAb1x-Ha8SK-WL-rDZKJcBP-9ADb78NYTXNfu3LqxyyWYf3FYHL5yR0dccIUOHC03/s1600/trees+with+diner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnZys_7J_e9fO2GKhG2wFpzWlIPeipntInskrNkuHzKz1CcgOPDSZF_hG1SgAX96Eu6dgWdIZKDuxAb1x-Ha8SK-WL-rDZKJcBP-9ADb78NYTXNfu3LqxyyWYf3FYHL5yR0dccIUOHC03/s1600/trees+with+diner.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added the pine trees along the river bank. The diner is a temporary set up to help gauge in determining what fits in the space and what else can fit (like maybe a post office or gas station). Clearly, more trees are required.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lfScGII8LRtrInI60bi87wI0KkW-89Nt6U0Nx3wF6ImL9xDjQYMnWbwmloMpZFNjtyL7oAGHepLuBEKnV7T215LaWdqYaLqtKdvh0aqnBU9fGLwHSpnpdUA4oGKhccWwi7LQ4qGqPYHh/s1600/new+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lfScGII8LRtrInI60bi87wI0KkW-89Nt6U0Nx3wF6ImL9xDjQYMnWbwmloMpZFNjtyL7oAGHepLuBEKnV7T215LaWdqYaLqtKdvh0aqnBU9fGLwHSpnpdUA4oGKhccWwi7LQ4qGqPYHh/s1600/new+trees.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same trees - different perspective. </td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-56828401940905308372014-12-14T19:27:00.000-08:002014-12-14T19:29:09.849-08:00What's new on the layout?It's been a while since the last post. Here's what's new new on the layout....<br />
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Picked up a customized American Flyer K5 locomotive recently. The prior owner did a great job customizing it for the Pennsylvania railroad. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_35GGq8TZJgofO78r74wX_myg3IUm7_1NXv2x0eWDw1tImd3Jny_ALtWcMzwdJXTiHWE0aBHj5gj-IzVIY2SnUzB4a_mjJ5F5R0xE9pJUiPL7-cOagNLDOkOrVHhO3ZV4i1tKX3zYFPn/s1600/Springfield+2014+train+show+001-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_35GGq8TZJgofO78r74wX_myg3IUm7_1NXv2x0eWDw1tImd3Jny_ALtWcMzwdJXTiHWE0aBHj5gj-IzVIY2SnUzB4a_mjJ5F5R0xE9pJUiPL7-cOagNLDOkOrVHhO3ZV4i1tKX3zYFPn/s1600/Springfield+2014+train+show+001-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest addition to the roster.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marker lights, bell and headlights. Really well done work on this.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAlO7BXfMVDUmwDTXBD8Iux2XcJsq0oYhE8jLRguLVYXR5vIWMyuGcSz6aao2Ps6rt_RJfI1pW7MIHoZTUkQ0ECpaktz2i01TZbr-hv0xdQ2DqiYeWJbA_WWON7wDRoEPJK5MNoJBNNDT/s1600/Springfield+2014+train+show+008-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAlO7BXfMVDUmwDTXBD8Iux2XcJsq0oYhE8jLRguLVYXR5vIWMyuGcSz6aao2Ps6rt_RJfI1pW7MIHoZTUkQ0ECpaktz2i01TZbr-hv0xdQ2DqiYeWJbA_WWON7wDRoEPJK5MNoJBNNDT/s1600/Springfield+2014+train+show+008-1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoever did this added the running boards to the headlight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up on the tender. Really nice work on this!</td></tr>
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But wait, there's more!<br />
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I'm building coal loads for the S Scale America Coal Porter cars.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-69774578009754462102014-11-27T09:29:00.000-08:002015-06-07T10:54:28.845-07:00The GP-35 is fixed and back in the rotationThe Burlington Northern GP-35 from <a href="http://www.americanmodels.com/" target="_blank">American Models</a> is fixed and again rolls around the layout. If took a bit of detective work and some new power pick up leads, but the motor again picks up track power and hauls the train around the track.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWL7tUGYfMLPiVgseti3O2gynnEoQdESKcn0IqP9NSyeu0g-KNoDhMvp52GUJLa3GdohKXeboyVYVjvKEUCksTAG0fCTKq93YUPq_u2IoiAM7eLvONCcGExec9QnschW0t77seF-xm1HY/s1600/VP-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWL7tUGYfMLPiVgseti3O2gynnEoQdESKcn0IqP9NSyeu0g-KNoDhMvp52GUJLa3GdohKXeboyVYVjvKEUCksTAG0fCTKq93YUPq_u2IoiAM7eLvONCcGExec9QnschW0t77seF-xm1HY/s1600/VP-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GP-35 hauling a string of cars. The Railbox car contains the American Models sound unit.</td></tr>
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While a picture is nice - a video really shows how well it runs.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVrLWzNq_WIzH9vCWGEr7FTPVxgPvVHOAMX9tlGzoJvi4VeSq0utRMyi-YBV5NsbuC87SoTqmVsQuBDrzcyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-89841316926850216532014-11-01T18:19:00.001-07:002014-11-01T18:19:45.139-07:00A milestone - all the track for the intial plan is installed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The west yard looking southeast. The three mainlines are on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The west yard looking southwest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I picked up a 30B from the Fall S Fest. It works great is fills the need I had for replacing the 4B and 8B transformers I was using. </td></tr>
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-28025408660301043252014-08-24T20:18:00.001-07:002014-08-24T20:21:48.869-07:00The urban planning and landscaping continues!A few more picture and a video or two showing the progress I've made on the town. I do feel like I'm turning a corner as I think there is more 'done' now than 'not done'. Scott's benchmarke question seems to be "can we game on it?". Scott - the answer is now yes, we could game on it. Not all of it, but enough for a game.<br />
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Now on to the pictures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVaPiK9TiBd0kjO6nn7lh1J-pKt8kUNfHyR2LApV3_ic1-oafaSwUg89Dxr4SnQBZkUn-16NjZgVWArKcorJXFWBchunfMiYduhCmqeNl3tbOjznOpUafbaxZZhB38gbwzr-ZArqNuPEY/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVaPiK9TiBd0kjO6nn7lh1J-pKt8kUNfHyR2LApV3_ic1-oafaSwUg89Dxr4SnQBZkUn-16NjZgVWArKcorJXFWBchunfMiYduhCmqeNl3tbOjznOpUafbaxZZhB38gbwzr-ZArqNuPEY/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+030.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the east section of the layout. We're looking north from the south end of the layout. The wall sections in the foreground are from Acheson Creations. The near buildings are from Armorcast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqIvC0hn-AvI5IcAam60RgKgRej39xVeq4N8C4OdqYTZKN_62bd-2EvyZYRDRZi4kmA4zpAfTbOY6AY2fQOjFEK9JUiYkk4NxfUKQgwQVJVJf3D0iIuaxj7AL3VhAKI-b9AXOeO4-ZP6q/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqIvC0hn-AvI5IcAam60RgKgRej39xVeq4N8C4OdqYTZKN_62bd-2EvyZYRDRZi4kmA4zpAfTbOY6AY2fQOjFEK9JUiYkk4NxfUKQgwQVJVJf3D0iIuaxj7AL3VhAKI-b9AXOeO4-ZP6q/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+029.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling back a bit for an overview. The old Marx tower is a placeholder for now. Trying to decide if I like a tower there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26ohGAbrd8bm2tnRHwWhKSVP2Lz7YrPLgZc5FYy6FPCYS6Aoqz7fZWL89oFez6G9QGDkvul_rQS_TPpWxLlgrBzZNu3sa1ik7rKpndKO2RCbQZNbwLjd2Q85R2fsqnkUJbIljz8u2V0Ea/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26ohGAbrd8bm2tnRHwWhKSVP2Lz7YrPLgZc5FYy6FPCYS6Aoqz7fZWL89oFez6G9QGDkvul_rQS_TPpWxLlgrBzZNu3sa1ik7rKpndKO2RCbQZNbwLjd2Q85R2fsqnkUJbIljz8u2V0Ea/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+024.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheaspapeake Stree takes a sharp turn into town here. It's a light industrial area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjz5GHEDi1hvSesEVe5ioXS-jzw5RiKdJW46kQx9MrosMJR4qRsO_QGFAZDgqwaxK1d5_L7131HZhLBWHML4nmdZlmtu-x10nNkuV7O2CEMm2bvLaGOmoZ-8r7ZttXF6sRice274lqlET/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjz5GHEDi1hvSesEVe5ioXS-jzw5RiKdJW46kQx9MrosMJR4qRsO_QGFAZDgqwaxK1d5_L7131HZhLBWHML4nmdZlmtu-x10nNkuV7O2CEMm2bvLaGOmoZ-8r7ZttXF6sRice274lqlET/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+025.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of Chesapeake Lane, this time at the intersection with Butler Street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHEWkcL12LvomQ81LO46RoVBLVFXK6_IKnBm3mzHrj0z0kqz-v25So1fGyqcLu5hPJdsXaU0c9hf4oAefVcO4JFb1BT9BZ88nsODyUkpK7waqtwW7eHGUnQTT1EFeD9cYdfi7vb6fpWAR/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHEWkcL12LvomQ81LO46RoVBLVFXK6_IKnBm3mzHrj0z0kqz-v25So1fGyqcLu5hPJdsXaU0c9hf4oAefVcO4JFb1BT9BZ88nsODyUkpK7waqtwW7eHGUnQTT1EFeD9cYdfi7vb6fpWAR/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+026.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Plasticville factory has rail service in the rear with the ability to load trailers as well. The yard signs are from Armorcast. They are actually 'business cards' with their name and number embossed in the casting. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNMHz95Kr4QFJZJM3rYBfeQGbJLSb8jhL3IIV4noWlbJCi2gJKtTyvOUsrVmmmLAhpMh8cli5PXvFMfZ6IELKdmBeBi6dmwmFSTf1XlAoDSWJZQHd_dHxv_EqznxNs2UwuIs5gIwFfoq2/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNMHz95Kr4QFJZJM3rYBfeQGbJLSb8jhL3IIV4noWlbJCi2gJKtTyvOUsrVmmmLAhpMh8cli5PXvFMfZ6IELKdmBeBi6dmwmFSTf1XlAoDSWJZQHd_dHxv_EqznxNs2UwuIs5gIwFfoq2/s1600/planes+trains+august+24+027.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of the Plasticville factory. It marks the start of the industrial area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north from the edge of the bridge, the Burlington Northern U33C is bearing down on the cameraman. Better clear that track quick! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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MOVIE TIME!<br />
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A short video showing the U33C hauling a string of freight cars around the layout.<br />
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And another short video as the train rolls through town.<br />
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-64951143237013499092014-08-02T15:41:00.000-07:002014-08-02T15:41:09.138-07:00Examples of the recent landscaping work underwayA few pictures of the landscaping work underway on the layout. The current focus has moved past the Kwiky Mart and on the the section of town near the railroad station. For the layout I'm modeling the 1980's, so for this town, the area near the train station has seen better days. The conveinience store is the most modern thing around and it's an optimistic business venture based on having enough traffic derived from the train station, the local businesses and the proximity of some housing (the apartments are adjacent to the store) to make a go of it.<br />
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The businesses are definitely on the low end representing light industry and commercial endeavors that don't mind the close proximity to the railroad tracks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwiupN0TlIjUzDNtxcnug9TuIjzbQP7ZE3UcyttucDZddmIHpsa9lsTYAIOZUHGEzIXDvHcQcii7HkUqbTD_r7_AbJ5XXWC1-rs03_obOi26lswDsADHDBc06KNKeydzWCSsfhKZDh_AM/s1600/August+Road+Work+009.jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Chesapeake Road looking south. We're at the intersection of Butler Street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHG0tukkRLVKYfiZXyRyr0aKa02_sJzrd16k4z2oyUbwzfhgUxpNKIiMCOfeBCkRs95hUfjBqXKLMordWlY6C0IyJwv-PsRLkcSd4T-YY6G0Bwn9-fUFZy8Qip8L0RXSfFqm-ihrUErdm/s1600/August+Road+Work+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHG0tukkRLVKYfiZXyRyr0aKa02_sJzrd16k4z2oyUbwzfhgUxpNKIiMCOfeBCkRs95hUfjBqXKLMordWlY6C0IyJwv-PsRLkcSd4T-YY6G0Bwn9-fUFZy8Qip8L0RXSfFqm-ihrUErdm/s1600/August+Road+Work+001.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the station showing Lackawanna Street in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lackawanna Street looking north. Miami Street is on the left where the State Trooper sits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar to the preceding image, this shows the paved lot in front of t he Plasticville factory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of a street view. The 'grassy' area is a vacant lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNTpZzJgDTEEcJTPRdEf3mzBmhgH9MJwg9OeVpUomf0n7bpeQkBhd2sYwdsClgBIVhHd9eRvatnIjF58iQe0gupvsncuw8Az8WEPqiuQoh62DWOSUnmJsk6BBaMbCT3rdcDdx-huKaw2L/s1600/August+Road+Work+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNTpZzJgDTEEcJTPRdEf3mzBmhgH9MJwg9OeVpUomf0n7bpeQkBhd2sYwdsClgBIVhHd9eRvatnIjF58iQe0gupvsncuw8Az8WEPqiuQoh62DWOSUnmJsk6BBaMbCT3rdcDdx-huKaw2L/s1600/August+Road+Work+008.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flipping the camera around we see the intersection of Warren Street and Lackawanna Street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buildings are just resting on the table. I'll have to address the warped resin in the left hand building,</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lackawanna Street curves around this building. While the public entrance is off Warren Street, the freight entrance is here. These buildings are produced by <a href="http://www.armorcast.com/modern-terrain" target="_blank">Armorcast</a>. They are intended for the tabletop gaming market, but they can work with S and give a nice change from the Plasticville landscape so common amongst hi-railers.</td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-42956070527343116952014-07-27T18:51:00.004-07:002014-07-27T18:51:47.142-07:00Landscaping work on the layout continues! Spent some time this week making progress on landscaping the layout. After scrolling back through the archives of the blog, it's nice to see the layout taking a more finished shape. But words fail where pictures excel - see what I mean below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the south end of the layout - the east yard and town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town fronting the train station.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kwiky mart</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The police make a stop for coffee</td></tr>
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-38918240998343701302014-07-12T10:53:00.000-07:002014-07-12T10:53:07.016-07:00Landscaping progress on the apartment districtManaged to paint/flock the ground cover in the area of the apartments. What a difference a little flocking makes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJWAuV3zVWP8sptAy0ZcKYDmXGh49N4x5lxnVZrF51GWmHYM-2mFwB_kVGBdK6Yp9f8yLUPXBHTX8EQaPDNK1wknWsaff8EyJpYxZNZbMVkjgBi6nl4zmoKHIYpRNvlj9Di3uQ0PCkxYP/s1600/Layout+work+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJWAuV3zVWP8sptAy0ZcKYDmXGh49N4x5lxnVZrF51GWmHYM-2mFwB_kVGBdK6Yp9f8yLUPXBHTX8EQaPDNK1wknWsaff8EyJpYxZNZbMVkjgBi6nl4zmoKHIYpRNvlj9Di3uQ0PCkxYP/s1600/Layout+work+003.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscaped with a couple of palms tossed in to flank the door. These trees are cake decorations that were based on a washer, had the trunks painted light brown and hit with a coat of dullcoat to remove the shine off the plastic leaves. The car is Dodge Charger from the <a href="http://www.m2machines.com/" target="_blank">M2 line</a>. The dumpster is a resin piece from the <a href="http://www.armorcast.com/" target="_blank">Armorcast </a>line. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview shot showing the landscaped grass and river bank. The parking lot is gray paint with light gray fine ballast dropped onto it. The mottled effect reflects old payment that has seen better days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YDCLoyPKztFNTG6-GZHasEJuAsU6tlVbNzUe0Ert2hHpjZdByZBdKDEQiKBSPz9ZZT5gPFYzbSf_Jxqr3xNd1jTcStZVFBXzMmiypAkOxpF7f2uSe4qGu54Yr9xCH8zxCdnmM7UiwIYo/s1600/Layout+work+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YDCLoyPKztFNTG6-GZHasEJuAsU6tlVbNzUe0Ert2hHpjZdByZBdKDEQiKBSPz9ZZT5gPFYzbSf_Jxqr3xNd1jTcStZVFBXzMmiypAkOxpF7f2uSe4qGu54Yr9xCH8zxCdnmM7UiwIYo/s1600/Layout+work+005.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRC field grass installed between two tracks. In S scale, it's between 2-3 feet tall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYfOd3n-fhoYZBRfkgDKABAz_bL1b6ebI6Jm9ASEhxHBIsMRcE4KSULh8cmFTUZGe7bnO40blNUDyO1ScsxTdyHtAhPgR72Q2NgMm_H5g2qqqjVt2oADRN744cBRaomiOdIFtSsBeNcUE/s1600/Layout+work+004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYfOd3n-fhoYZBRfkgDKABAz_bL1b6ebI6Jm9ASEhxHBIsMRcE4KSULh8cmFTUZGe7bnO40blNUDyO1ScsxTdyHtAhPgR72Q2NgMm_H5g2qqqjVt2oADRN744cBRaomiOdIFtSsBeNcUE/s1600/Layout+work+004.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same grass from a different angle and no rail car in the background.</td></tr>
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I'm really liking the field grasses. Yes, it's labor intensive to install, but it looks good when it's done. I'll be slowing adding the tall grass highlights around the layout as the basic scenery gets installed.<br />
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-62917997733440133122014-07-05T09:32:00.002-07:002014-07-05T09:37:24.012-07:00Cityscape - scene 1 the low rent apartment districtA couple of years ago I picked up two of the Plasticville apartment buildings. You likely know them - two story buildings that look like they have 2-4 apartments. It's an old staple of the Plasticville line and represents apartment buildings from the 1950's to the early '60's that captures some of the modernist and art deco elements that give Plasticville kits their character. I want to drop them into the layout, but where?<br />
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After fitting in the track plan and the train station, I feel pretty confined with locating the apartments. There is an unused section that fits between the river, the railroad tracks and the convenience store. It's a little cramped, but 'compression' is how we usually rationalize this for model railroading.<br />
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Who would want to live in an apartment right next to the railroad? You can find plenty of towns where the rails run next to residential properties. In addition, I can say is that I've lived in two apartments in my life that were in close proximity to the rails - one was right next to a major yard. After a while, you do get used to it. To some degree I want to model these buildings as a reminder to my earlier adventures and experiences. <br />
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I assembled the buildings and placed them on the layout, adjusting them to get an idea of exactly where I best want to site them before I starting painting and flocking the landscape. We've got the river flowing close by on the north boundary. I'm thinking of squeezing in an access road to the rail yard next to the river bank. More a dirt/gravel track than a formal road. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmSCXd4LQnsk8eoQ2rgl6oJZBjMuscdcxjxZDpPb1sTYCkNpgWvgy3fUy8WYjqrZB8Hv5_PZOlK33myFy7juDtZWq8EGFtQX_C1I6DD2VNugMNCH3gM_wtKgkCPE1UlKPC1e_AbhVO4Xt/s1600/Field+Grass+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmSCXd4LQnsk8eoQ2rgl6oJZBjMuscdcxjxZDpPb1sTYCkNpgWvgy3fUy8WYjqrZB8Hv5_PZOlK33myFy7juDtZWq8EGFtQX_C1I6DD2VNugMNCH3gM_wtKgkCPE1UlKPC1e_AbhVO4Xt/s1600/Field+Grass+017.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the left</td></tr>
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On the south we bump up against the back of the convenience store. This area needs more landscaping.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZCJpFk2GmNZZ9OYNdOYss0kytWl9Sl2CZCwWjFcF9yTw2rCKyaWxxXE9cc8G3mTwOhU3d53Rgcwl-8pfRTmyvWcyBjYF1hKnlKJgDIiv3lzooRzw0nOvYU9kHsqXEorxR4ZywE3nLxze/s1600/Field+Grass+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZCJpFk2GmNZZ9OYNdOYss0kytWl9Sl2CZCwWjFcF9yTw2rCKyaWxxXE9cc8G3mTwOhU3d53Rgcwl-8pfRTmyvWcyBjYF1hKnlKJgDIiv3lzooRzw0nOvYU9kHsqXEorxR4ZywE3nLxze/s1600/Field+Grass+018.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the right</td></tr>
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Here's the view from the convenience store looking north toward the apartments. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcEcOMyHrENsMs8eluAmDgzHRSlfeKYadBMG2QG5itpb3w9muMdBYK5C_AgOnZapI5QOBRTUUCU9HV-_qqz-TaOL_QtBVP85Vse4NE5jsEaM0gUI36DUHEFL9VVRpTUN1WX8U4CtqZO2q/s1600/Field+Grass+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcEcOMyHrENsMs8eluAmDgzHRSlfeKYadBMG2QG5itpb3w9muMdBYK5C_AgOnZapI5QOBRTUUCU9HV-_qqz-TaOL_QtBVP85Vse4NE5jsEaM0gUI36DUHEFL9VVRpTUN1WX8U4CtqZO2q/s1600/Field+Grass+020.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north</td></tr>
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And here's the view from across the river looking south. The river bank when finished should be covered in brush and trees providing some additional screening. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VJluRAMdOLNu8kmtT6X9RBqHnz2wVlhhV4XUhyphenhyphenx9ZANOn0KSzByvhW-hiN3vKW_aOGKAsIC4P0oe-kt_ePDi4CWMQeBkt8aIChRWYEOsBPNXodXtc51ndgbEQZmh1FLRRrg9ThapnJQB/s1600/Field+Grass+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VJluRAMdOLNu8kmtT6X9RBqHnz2wVlhhV4XUhyphenhyphenx9ZANOn0KSzByvhW-hiN3vKW_aOGKAsIC4P0oe-kt_ePDi4CWMQeBkt8aIChRWYEOsBPNXodXtc51ndgbEQZmh1FLRRrg9ThapnJQB/s1600/Field+Grass+021.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south</td></tr>
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From a modeling aspect, separating the railroad right of way from the
apartments seemed like a good safety aspect, so I dropped some brick
wall sections from Armorcast around the east and south sides of the
property to secure the boundaries. It also makes a nice divide with the
backside of the convenience store 6' tall<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghM4IT6BWSPqZZqIK0ja135cfQwFjG1ifsJ3eY9bb2F_YYvw62CYMnCo1Y6wP5zfWU6sfey6DH07e9e1ylHAioR6cJpTz0xcRC7cy8r8xvGdevagsF35lgjRUPdzn2FwZlHx4RR3lSG66q/s1600/Field+Grass+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghM4IT6BWSPqZZqIK0ja135cfQwFjG1ifsJ3eY9bb2F_YYvw62CYMnCo1Y6wP5zfWU6sfey6DH07e9e1ylHAioR6cJpTz0xcRC7cy8r8xvGdevagsF35lgjRUPdzn2FwZlHx4RR3lSG66q/s1600/Field+Grass+019.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boundary between the store and the apartment. It's going to be a tight fit for the garbage truck.</td></tr>
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The parking lot feels cramped, but again for modeling purposes, I'll be compressing the scene a bit to better fit the buildings into the available space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKRrB2UfkabgoiI6TzlQz1ByXeipoigNF2lsXDHe6o-n1PzttZ1DRdZ0B2PxHO6_37w2rRw7qXDn9NgW0xZUX_oA2gnn1QaXnJKWp20D1o9Owe4m57cXCi6Px1QhV3C8ydGreIXdNFHiT/s1600/Field+Grass+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKRrB2UfkabgoiI6TzlQz1ByXeipoigNF2lsXDHe6o-n1PzttZ1DRdZ0B2PxHO6_37w2rRw7qXDn9NgW0xZUX_oA2gnn1QaXnJKWp20D1o9Owe4m57cXCi6Px1QhV3C8ydGreIXdNFHiT/s1600/Field+Grass+014.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parking lot will be a crowded space when the cars and dumpster are added.</td></tr>
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<br />Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-24363613122680537522014-07-04T09:48:00.001-07:002014-07-04T09:48:43.667-07:00Landscaping with Field GrassOn a recent trip to the hobby shop, I picked up a package of MRC "field grass". I've tried Woodland Scenic's 'static grass' before and was disappointed with my results. But reading the instructions on the package I thought I'd give this a shot. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ_cYWDNW_ySvVi8EdK6iq-xb-1p_bkpW-5ARJaeACj_BiIckYc2oj5q7ocSYFms6MOicFy_ffDmL4HsDUdvNpmIDeAjQPnFA4Mpb_1fpp0zUmq7O2Kq9KmE537UeirRhODH0fot832cA/s1600/Field+Grass+packaging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ_cYWDNW_ySvVi8EdK6iq-xb-1p_bkpW-5ARJaeACj_BiIckYc2oj5q7ocSYFms6MOicFy_ffDmL4HsDUdvNpmIDeAjQPnFA4Mpb_1fpp0zUmq7O2Kq9KmE537UeirRhODH0fot832cA/s1600/Field+Grass+packaging.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Opening the package, my first thought is that unlike static grass, Field Grass has the consistency of "broom straw". Each stalk is rigid and will bend and ultimately snap if pushed too far.<br />
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The instructions were so simple even I could follow them. Use a nail to push a hole in the base. Fill the hole with glue, then shove a clump of field grass in the hole and let it dry. I started with a few small clumps to see if I like the effect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtItwCOjgd9ipxPzLcb66pzBaFzJ8nXzGoKn4AF_dcbR6TlJB-dRT8wK9IADmtIMubHCNEyB-p17jI4b1Koa65IjKcrtXJbFiyyY971Ktgp-K5wRrahaHbHxr875m-H5Hjl3Y6tAnHmPXl/s1600/Field+Grass+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtItwCOjgd9ipxPzLcb66pzBaFzJ8nXzGoKn4AF_dcbR6TlJB-dRT8wK9IADmtIMubHCNEyB-p17jI4b1Koa65IjKcrtXJbFiyyY971Ktgp-K5wRrahaHbHxr875m-H5Hjl3Y6tAnHmPXl/s1600/Field+Grass+002.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some grass along the river bank</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ2T7WL5_4uWlUdEooVQ3jzn30pJfS1Gbpa0_d59tKe6hNW-ME97dhNpORk3c9RzpYkGJMNORE0ljakFyo58ETi7D197ErhIcDvEFnRm11tRRosBpvb3Q3iFEmFC4cVGdRsweULo3x5Sa/s1600/Field+Grass+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ2T7WL5_4uWlUdEooVQ3jzn30pJfS1Gbpa0_d59tKe6hNW-ME97dhNpORk3c9RzpYkGJMNORE0ljakFyo58ETi7D197ErhIcDvEFnRm11tRRosBpvb3Q3iFEmFC4cVGdRsweULo3x5Sa/s1600/Field+Grass+007.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same grass, different angle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_CHVr5_n0grscW_Sy1MSO_9RnhK6XPfn2dSlyuji-s3bfv2qI_EDUE8WVgJ-t36X_VbtLm2iWkXhQhWRYHlJoFgvQFhuC7uHmogHJW9CcjULTzVT7v7P9ecvo33lK7PMDkYrVvJ2v8Rw/s1600/Field+Grass+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_CHVr5_n0grscW_Sy1MSO_9RnhK6XPfn2dSlyuji-s3bfv2qI_EDUE8WVgJ-t36X_VbtLm2iWkXhQhWRYHlJoFgvQFhuC7uHmogHJW9CcjULTzVT7v7P9ecvo33lK7PMDkYrVvJ2v8Rw/s1600/Field+Grass+008.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using these as a highlight in a subtle drainage swale. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The darker flocking and tall field grass imply more water at this spot. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHbBsEVHg_4NasjKu56G0qs2vx7EqwOYmNBXyuqZ5MAnaCAQeqiphYsH4IIjpLEeNxu0j1cVzz8H5Jk4SZL3eEZQ40GIWMFnARLghafyUlF0v2iza2aeXcV_VakPd_TKG3zrOLbgggWg4/s1600/Field+Grass+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHbBsEVHg_4NasjKu56G0qs2vx7EqwOYmNBXyuqZ5MAnaCAQeqiphYsH4IIjpLEeNxu0j1cVzz8H5Jk4SZL3eEZQ40GIWMFnARLghafyUlF0v2iza2aeXcV_VakPd_TKG3zrOLbgggWg4/s1600/Field+Grass+011.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead in to the stream</td></tr>
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This marks the soft groud that leads to the drainage stream. I'm liking the effect and will likely like the banks of the stream with more grass. This is sort of a 'dead' area on the layout. It's bounded by tracks and the river and bisected by the stream. It'll end up looking sort of wild with a lot of cast off railroad junk scattered about.<br />
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What's the verdict?<br />
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I like it! It's easy to use and adds a lot of detail to the layout. Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818475291092089645.post-58873241705723539382014-06-22T18:54:00.000-07:002014-06-22T18:54:04.205-07:00American Flyer's new cylindrical hoppers...a rantI spent the weekend at the Carillon Railfest in Dayton, Ohio this weekend. Overall, the Railfest was a fun time, but for one really annoying thing. What, you may ask was that?<br />
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I'd acquired several of American Flyer's 'new' cylindrical hopper cars. The ones with "Canada" and "Alberta" emblazoned on the sides. Beautiful cars. Nice details, well painted with good high rail couplers...<br />
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...and scale wheelsets.<br />
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I attempted to run these cars on the clubs modular layout today. Now the track work on a modular layout can be challenging, but the code .148 track is supposedly capable off handling scale wheels. But no. I could <b>not</b> get those cars to make one circuit of the layout without derailing. It's very frustrating to spend nearly $70 on a car and <b>not be able to operate it</b>.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b> Why in the world would you ship scale wheels with Flyer style couplers? </b></span>I mean, hi-railers occasionally run high-rail wheels with kadee 802's that look more scale, but who exactly is the market segment that runs scale wheels and flyer couplers? <br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUb4yS7Fnw" target="_blank">Lionel acknowledges they've gone down the wrong path</a>. At the recent York show (Spring 2014) they indicated that future cylindrical hoppers would ship with high-rail wheels and that high-rail wheels would be available foir purchase...at $25.00 a set. So those $70 cars are going to be more like $95 by the time I get functional wheels on them. I am not a happy camper regarding Lionel/American Flyer right now.<br />
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It's a shame, as the cars look great. But a car you can't run is not much of a car from a customer standpoint. <br />
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Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06410087854971560196noreply@blogger.com0