Gosh, I wish I could I could remember the last model I worked on. Since I finished my MMR over a year ago I guess I just kind of got burned out on working on models. I just attended a Operating session at Rick McClellans this past weekend, It got the juices flowing again and I hope to do some modeling again soon. what would everyone think of a modeling challenge in the next few months? Are you up for it? I would love to hear from you. Life is to short to not enjoy ourselves and each other. What do you think? I look forward to hearing from YOU!!!!!!! El Bob Oh
Most of my recent projects have not been for myself but for others; installation of Tsunami sound in locomotives, installation of intercom systems for layouts, benchwork, Powershield circuit breakers. However, I have built a number of Proto 2000 gons and boxcars and have installed decoders and lighting in locos (Headlights, Rotary Beacons, Gyralight) for myself.
Current projects: - Finishing the upgrade of P2K SLSF 2022 to "Champion" - Finishing the decal work on a NP Central Valley radial roof stock car kit, NP 82995 - AND, just started building an AM Models #101 outhouse kit. How's that! I've always joked about HO model railroading being the most complete of all the modeling hobbies. After all, we have at least a half-dozen or so neat HO scale outhouse kits as evidence. How can model aircraft, ships, autos, dollhouses, etc hope to compete with that? Ken
Progress report on the AM outhouse: Basic structure is complete except for the roof. Interior painted, door left partially open. Inside, in addition to the "seat", is a toilet paper holder with a white roll of tp in it, plus, up in the back left corner, is a large gray wasp nest. Every one of these things I've ever been in in the summer had a healthy gang of wasps in it. Made for a thrilling experience! There also will be a shovel out back to clean out the "pit" now and then. I'm undecided what to do with the exterior finish. It is dark brown plastic. Any thoughts? Warms my heart to see the worthwhile thing I'm doing with my time today. Ken
Most outhouses that I have seen (and used) end up being gray, weathered wood - so a relatively heavy gray wash over the dark brown might be it. I would use a water-based paint to allow experimentation with the mix.
This isn't a great picture of the outhouse, but it is all I could find. This is the shop and outhouse for my section gang at Northview: Just like Keith said, the wood weathered to a grayish brown. I didn't paint either the outhouse or the shop building, I just wanted them to weather naturally. They have been outside for around 4 or 5 years now. It never occurred to me to take any detailed pictures of the outhouse... - James
Worked on building a few hand laid sections of track yesterday. (That is a rail bender in the lower right corner) We also did a couple curved sections after I made the pic. I will enclose a couple shots of the engine shop - the overhead crane is something to behold. It not only swivels, but travels left/right and to/from as well. The turntable is coming along. I will try and get some shots of it this week. After the turntable is complete, I am going to try my hand at rebuilding this into something more resembling a Frisco car. (I will see if my old welding skills are still alive)
Rick, I knew I'd put this somewhere. http://www.frisco.org/vb/showpost.php?p=12035&postcount=1 It's a a repost of a 2002 e-mail from Joe Pennington. Looks like 1946 for black-to-yellow paint, and 1947 for "wrap-over" ladders, according to Joe's research. Best Regards,
Just completed two of the AMB wooden Frisco caboose kits and updated them to 1960s era cars with the extra railings on the ends and one has the "Ship IT' logo. These two cars are now in service in Tulsa.
Installed a Tsunami in E8 #2020 Since Monday 9/6: Prepared three Athearn GP38-2s for decoders Prepared three Athearn SD40-2s for decoders - two later to be exchanged with Tsunamis Prepared three Atlas U23bs for decoders Installed Tsunamis in two MKT U23bs, decoder in third Prepared a Walthers H10-44 for Tsunami sound Installed decoders in two old Atlas GP38s Installed decoders in three Athearn SD40-2s Installing a Tsunami in E8 #2006 As they say in North Dakota, "Uff da!"
Hi... Have so many projects to do I need to make a list... But number one will be an O&W paint job for my N-Sale Atlas GP-7 if I can get some decals (not looking good). Then some more work on the layout. Stuart
Keith has made several posts about doing decoder installs and I would like to add that maybe the first one he did was for me in one of my GP38's. The unit has been passed around and made appearances on several layouts in several cities and everyone has been amazed at the realistic quality of the sound. It all seems to stem from Keith's super secret sound chamber. My other GP38 and one of my B30-7's are in his super secret shop location now awaiting his wizardry. You can actually hear my locomotive in the background of one of the YouTube videos posted from the recent operating session at Rick's. Also Terry Jankoski's E8 is featured. A pair of operators actually used the GP38 on a local freight and with the addition of the sound, especially the Leslie 5 chime horn, it seemed to just take the fabulous realism of Rick's layout to a higher level.
The last project I worked on......SADLY.......was.....Tearing my layout down and packing and stacking everything in the Garage awaiting the day we move.....which now looks to be not till the end of October to Mid November...then who knows how long it will be before we get settled in and be able to get the trains back up and running again.
I've been doing a few 1/72 scale airplanes lately - returning to my roots I guess! Just finished a Messerschmitt Bf-109C, and am now finishing up a Messerschmitt Bf-109E (the original Mercedes Benz E-Class!). Obviously I like Messerschmitts - I already had a Me-109F and a Me-109G providing air cover for the layout. Also finishing up a Central Valley HO NP stock car, a Stewart EMC FTB and, of course, just started repairing the damage to Atlas HO GP7 SLSF 502. Ken
