Good Morning Everyone. Cloudy and 50° on this first day of spring. High again today around 70°. Another day yesterday spent cutting next years firewood, along with doing laundry.
Made more progress out in the train shed yesterday. First is an overall picture of the new town project. Almost completed. The backdrop on the left is temporary in order to block the sunlight that's coming through the window from messing with the camera.
I di intend to add a couple more trees before moving to my next project area.
Next is the small park that I added this week.
And a wider view.
This scene is incomplete while I wait for an Atlas wrought iron fence to arrive in the mail, that will be used on the park's perimeter. The fellow with the yellow shirt and the one in the blue shirt partially obscured by the statue are railfans with cameras taking pictures of the approaching SD40-2's.
Garry - Thanks for the comment on the brick surfaces. Yes, the Mercedes belongs to the gentleman slightly to the left who is discussing business with the young lady.
Joe - Thanks. Some of these cardstock structures can be quite realistic. While I didn't do it on this one due to it's extreme background location, I often add small strips of painted styrene over the window sills to add some extra dimensional effects. This one
will get a back step and maybe a sign or two on the back wall when I revisit this area.
Sherrel - Thanks. That is a funny picture as well.
Curt - Thanks.
Dave -
ALL of my 40 year old cars are underweight or have bad rolling issues.
Underweight - Boxcars, covered hoppers and any other enclosed cars, use Walther's Goo or a similar adhesive and glue pennies inside, as close to the trucks as possible. Ten pennies is just about an ounce of weight. Flatcars, gondolas and open hoppers just need loads. Tankers are tougher unless you can get them opened.
Bad rolling issues - Step one is to get a "
truck tuner", available from Micro-Mark, Walther's or your LHS if there is one close. Micro-Mark's is a bit on the pricey side compared to what I paid over 25 years ago, but maybe that's the market these days. Here's a short discussion regarding different brands.
Truck tuner discussion on MRH
Even if you don't or can't convert to metal wheelsets, the tuner will make any older car run better. While metal wheelsets won't necessarily make anything run smoother, they don't seem to me to attract "gunk" which ultimately spreads out and dirties all of your track. Lots of brands are available; I prefer Kadee.
Step two is to be sure trucks are properly adjusted. One should be snug but able to freely move, while the other should be a bit more loose.
If you haven't already done so, converting over to Kadee couplers will make operations go more smoothly. Since you mentioned grandchildren, the #148's (compatible to #5's) may be a better choice than the scale # 158's. Either way, you cannot go wrong.
Beady - Great to read of the further progress. Amazing what new insights regarding the jackpost you gained by having a semi-clean workspace.
And precisely what does it mean, under my avatar, that my member is well-known?
You haven't been posting
those pictures have you?
Everybody have an awesome day.
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