Recent content by Marlin39

Much appreciated. Thank you!

No, not that one. It's been over a month so mine is no longer at that spot. Scroll up about 5 spots in this thread and you will see the photo.

Use a file card or fine Zona saw blade, with the grain, to put some age on it. Even gouge some of the boards along the loading/unloading side. Hit it with washes of dark earth, neutral gray, and mud, then a thin black wash over everything to blend it. A hair dryer will speed up the process.

Surprise! Surprise!😁 Walthers kits have the least user friendly instructions of any manufacturer. You will probably have extra pieces on the sprue that aren't even for your model. Just take your time and test fit, multiple times, before gluing.

Looks great so far. Did you use fine or medium ballast?

Anyone use the WWS Pro Grass GRAND static applicator? My WS is marginal at best.

I believe this has been my problem with getting bored so quickly. Once it's built, what do I do with it. Looks great statically, but no functionality. No more delusions of grandeur. :oops:

Not trying to hijack your thread. ;) Your progress is great!👍 I had a similar epiphany. I had been building "operating dioramas" where I stuffed every structure I had ever built into them and detailed down to the minutia. Almost completely nonsensical for operation. I watched this video...

Oooops, Mea Culpa. Senior moment.:(

Agree 100%. You're putting unnecessary stress on the motor and electronics. A test run is ok. Full time use could be an expensive experiment. Your engine won't even start moving until you are at least half throttle and even at full throttle it won't be that much better. You can always buy...

Ok, Rapido then.:cool: They have a great SW9 and the 44 ton center cab is in production. You could probably find one of their SW1200 on the used market also. https://rapidotrains.com/media/pdf/27%20SW9%202023%20WEB2.pdf https://rapidotrains.com/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/44-tonner.html

Broadway Limited has some refurbished GP20's at a great price, with full warranty. (General Purpose) A GP20 would look just fine as a road engine or switcher. https://broadway-limited.com/collections/refurb-outlet-store?stock_status=in-stock&scale=Scale_HO&page=3

Like others have said, it's your layout, have fun. I just personally think that a big road engine looks better with a long string of cars behind it and a SW1200, S2, center cab, etc looks better switching short strings of cars. I always enjoyed the articles on the Moscow, Camden, and St...

A big road diesel doing local switching duties? Yes, that would look out of place.

I learned a lot with this one, but I am bored with it. I have to admit that I did a poor job designing it for operation. Being honest with myself I built a 12' operating diorama, to display all my structures. That is the epiphany I had.....this is why I get bored so fast. I finish building...