Nice choice Jim. Mine is not quite "almost" done.; Accurail 36ft boxcar by rjthomas909 posted Apr 4, 2018 at 9:07 PM
I just got my first Accurail 36' boxcar last weekend: an MKT boxcar. (from Accurail) Looking forward to putting it together. Unfortunately, I'm on the road this week and I had to fly, so no hotel room models. Before I left, I put a decoder in the FP7 I was fixing: The company I bought Arduino boards from in China sells DCC decoders called LaisDCC. I tried one, and it works pretty well. I also wired in what I thought was a golden white LED, but it looks a little orange: I thought if I looked for a non-dynamic brake/single headlight shell I could make this a Frisco FP7, but I'm amazed at what sellers want for just the shell, and I nearly passed out when I saw the asking price for an Intermountain FP7 shell kit. I think it'll stay UP.
Well, a little late here. Still KATY wrecker but the end is in sight. I got the interior into the cab and the glass which was a big step. I am waiting on a package from Ozark Miniatures and it should be wrapped up. The cab and service body roof are not glued on yet or the wheels but you get the idea.
Its not a big step, but its in the right direction... frame, cross braces and legs cut for the next bench section. Onward... The track section is a display track for my mother. After seeing the Frisco models at the Frisco Mini convention, she decided to buy a couple of Frisco locomotives to display over her work desk. I made the section for her and I'm giving her one of my completed cabooses to go with it.
Have been slacking lately, but this sums up my workbench as of late: stuff waiting to be worked on. Actually hoping to move workbench-literally-to the other side of my workshop.
Our club's Tuesday-morning HO op sessions are always a bit light on GE diesels. I sometimes take my U-30B. A few of our assignments require a lot of pulling power from our model locos. A club-owned FM Trainmaster is the current leader in pulling, so I dug out my 43-year-old ALCO brass U-25B with the heavy KMT open-frame motor to see if I could get it club ready and to compete with the FM. The thing had rarely been out of the box since Glen Pizer painted it for 811 back in December 1973. The foam rubber packing had disintegrated and messed up the cab-side lettering on one side. There was rubber reside "dirt" everywhere that had to be cleaned. I also wanted to add a sound decoder but knew I needed a 2-amp version with that big motor. The only one on hand was an EMD version, but I put it in anyway just to see if it would fit. It almost did. The install is about 1/32" too tall. When I get the replacement GE sound decoder, I'll try fitting it under the model in the hollow fuel tank. I think it'll fit. I used Keith Robinson's LED method of always soldering the current-limiter resister (1 K Ohm) to the short lead. I also pulled out a 2-3 decade old Stewart B/Y U-25B model I bought when first offered - no. 813. It uses the Athearn drive, which can get away with a one Amp decoder. I have one on hand. I'll do it next. I hope to add a working flashing beacon on the cab roof. Here are some photos I took while working on the ancient brass U-25B. I don't know what I'd do without the ultrasonic cleaner. I've had two major bladder surgeries since February and find working on models again very good for recovery.
Chris, Al Westerfield lives a few miles south of Knoxville. We're all glad that someone is continuing his line of resin kits.
As one can see from the last photos, the body lacks about 1/16" from meeting the frame. They taught precision and perfection at Rolla, and it's hard to unlearn.
Doug, sorry to hear about the surgeries, but it looks like these projects are a good prescription for recuperation. Looking forward to reports on how they perform at the club. Best Regards,
Doug, that's where the TSU-PNP comes in, it's rated the same current output, it's a lower profile so it would fit better, it's less money AND you don't have to manage that wire squid. BTW, I like that speaker...
The Frisco Maintenance of Way department of the River Division has been busy. Thirty - eight switches built including a completely scratch-built wye (I didn't use a jig to lay it out) .