Have not had an op session here in a couple months, but took time today to go out and have a little HO scale fun. With a couple friends. Tom Holley
Thanks Mike, We only got to run 3 trains today. With this Job sometimes I only get a few hours to give notice for a op session, so once in a while only a couple can show up. No yard or Local jobs today. just 3 thru freights. There are 3 arrival/departure tracks, that always have a train with out power, or caboose ready to go, so a person can add their own power and caboose/ETD I have videos but 4 of the 6 are over 1 minute and the web site refuses to upload them. Is there a way to compress or make videos that are less than 2 minutes work here? Thanks Tom Holley
Sherrel, There is an Alco covered wagon there, it just has an EMD engine in it with the flare type exhaust, just behind the GP7 Tom Holley
Well, Tom, You sneeked that one right by me .. didn't catch the grill or trucks. Actually I was looking for an FA.
Tom - Lookin' great! I love the six-unit covered wagon lashup. That's the Frisco I remember from my college days in Rolla - a bunch of "F's" of all types and shapes all mixed in together randomly, with a few Alco's thrown in for good measure, usually repowered ones. A question - what did you do to get the shape of the cigar band on 18? A mask? Looks very good. When they were delivered from EMD, the cigar band on the F's had a slight point to it. Not so on the Alcos. However, when the Frisco repainted them into the "austerity" colors, like your SLSF 18, they did not have the point on the cigar band, it was rounded. I think you have it perfect! Ken
Ken, I guess I just got lucky when I masked that thing off. I tried to go per photos, and didn't even consider the factory paint jobs had a sort of point to them, but you right they sure do. I always learn something here, almost every time I visit. Tom Holley
Nice. You ought to do a clinic, or an article for The Meteor on masking. I've had sub-par results every time I tried it. I did better in the old days (early 1980's) just hand painting them. I still have my Athearn F7A-B and TM Alco FA-FB, all hand painted in b/y, that still look OK when mixed in with the new fancy paint jobs. They still have a warm spot in my heart! (pics are in my album) Your models look as good as the new fancy stuff! I didn't like the b/y austerity scheme at all in real life. Ugh! But, in a b/y model consist like you put together, I think they add some interest, and true realism. That's the way they looked! Ken
That road crossing approaching GJ looks like a killer without gates or at least flashers. The Feds are going to get you - I understand AG Holder has just logged on to frisco.org. Watch out! Ha! K
KEN Your 5033 was hand painted? It looks great. I have never considered even trying to hand paint, maybe a touch up or detail part. I have circuitron crossing controllers but still waiting to get those Walthers Xing over head type flashers. I need to get some flagmen out there to protect that thing. I am surprised William Jackson hasn't called me on that too Tom Holley
Ken--If you haven't done so already, you ought to get a copy of "Frisco In Color, Volume 2." There's a feast of b/y F-3, F-7 and FA lashups! Three, four and five units all mixed. TG
Tom G: Yes, indeed, I have my copy of FIC vol 2. I sent Greg my kudos a few weeks back. He has lots of two of my favorite topics in there - SLSF b/y cab units of all types and styles, and SLSF E7's and E8's. I didn't even mind the MKT E's that also showed up. Tom H: Yep, the 5033, 5118, 5208 and 5302 were each hand painted, back around 1979-1981 I'd guess. Back then I had a steady hand and good eyes, better than now, plus I'll note a secret - I lightly scored the edges of the straight striping with a fresh x-acto blade and straightedge to give me a guide. The nose cigar bands and the nose top anti-glare areas were all totally hand painted. I might try doing one again (I'm not real good masking with tape) as I have about ten undec cab units sitting around here waiting for something to happen - F3 A&B, F7 A&B, F9 A&B and FP7. Ken
Man that is some nice work, those yellow and black are really neat looking. i can't hardly wait to get mine running. right now waiting on decoders. Keith sent a nice board and speaker. Great looking Xbucks Bill Jackson
Tom, I was looking at the photo of the Concrete Crossing. I think that is the same kind of road that I got. Did you do anything special to lay that on? I will start mine fairly soon. yours looks good. just checking. Bill Jackson
Thanks William, Are you referring to the one that has the paved road on a curve? If so I used the BLMA concrete crossings But had to custom make the concrete pieces that went between the main tracks, otherwise there is enough room for the flange ways on that 54" rad curve. I would probably sand curve both inside and outside in the concrete inserts to clear for flange ways on anything too much tighter I think. If I had it o to over again, I would put in an overpass I am glad you didn't bust me for not having flagmen at that xing, man, you talk about setting the RR up for a lawsuite Tom Holley
Anybody else having issues downloading those vids? My new laptop will not download the files, have to use my old XP to get it done. I guess I should just upload to youtube. Tom Holley
Tom - Both videos worked fine here. HP Pavilion Elite running Win7. Nice looking trains. Sure beats these "pumpkins" we see today! Ken
