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+--- Thread: Big Blue has inspired some purchases (/showthread.php?tid=9610)
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - Amalynn - 12-29-2023
TMo,
I hate to be “that person”, but I could use some practice models if you’re just going to dump them anyways. Drop me a line? If you’re willing, that is.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 12-29-2023
Haven't made any final decisions, but I'd be glad to give you what's left over after the buzzards have circled the carcass. Will let you know.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-05-2024
Bought and installed some new Kadee knuckle couplers (the #148's are my go-to by default) for the 3 Bev Bel 2-bay Reading hoppers. Had all three on the end of my coal drag and they were running well UNTIL I sent them down to the storage track. On the switch ladders down there they would derail every time. Added weight, still derailed. Took a look at the wheelsets, which were 33" scale diameter plastic. The inside wheel flanges were a tad too small in diameter, so every time they'd run through my first switch in the ladder they would get squirrelly. Replace the wheelsets on one of the cars and I've been running tonight without incident with that car. Ordered enough metal wheelsets with a gift certificate my wife got me for Christmas, and I think I might weather all three hopper bodies sometime this weekend in anticipation of getting the new wheels next week, when I should have some photos of them.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - BR60103 - 01-05-2024
Just wait 'til your wife asks you what you bought with the certificate and you say "a dozen wheels on axles".
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-05-2024
Yeah, there's a lot of "That's it?" conversations when I open up packages around here....
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-05-2024
Yeah, there's a lot of "That's it?" conversations when I open up packages around here....
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-07-2024
Here's a shot of the 3 coal hoppers disassembled. Couplers have already been replaced. The weights need a coat of black paint, the hoppers need to be distressed, and those wheelsets have to go. I do like the functional doors on the hoppers - that's a nice touch. They also come with their own coal loads, so I don't need to build those.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-16-2024
Got back from Texas yesterday evening and there was a box from Model Train Stuff which included those 33" wheelsets. After installing them, I did my final adjustments to the weathering on each car (tried to show a variety of rust, wear, and road dust) and I've been running them at the end of the coal drag this evening. These three are about all I'm going to mess with out of my coworker's box o' stuff unless I get the bug. A couple other items were in the box with the wheelsets, and I'll be assembling and painting them in the next few weeks for details around the coal breaker.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - tompm - 01-17-2024
Sweet looking hoppers. Nice job on the weathering.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 01-20-2024
Wasn't sure where I'd put this info, but then I remembered that Glen inspired me to buy the Woodland Scenics loader. Assembly happened over the last two days in between snowblowing, honeydoes and various other life events. I found that CA glues didn't work too well between the metal parts and went to "Double Bubble" epoxy. Messy, but effective. Would have been done a bit earlier, but installed one of the support arms for the bucket upside down and had to do some intermediate destruction before reassemblying (the right way this time). I hit the loader and some "Industrial Junk" (also Woodland Scenics) for installation around the breaker with a base coat of olive drab over the shiny metal. Now it's time for detail painting.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - LiveSteamer - 02-15-2024
Awesome work and nice weathering.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - TMo - 02-15-2024
(02-15-2024, 06:02 PM)LiveSteamer Wrote: Awesome work and nice weathering.
Thanks!
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - LiveSteamer - 03-04-2024
(02-15-2024, 06:15 PM)TMo Wrote:(02-15-2024, 06:02 PM)LiveSteamer Wrote: Awesome work and nice weathering.
Thanks!
You're Welcome. Can't wait to see what else you have.
RE: Big Blue has inspired some purchases - Amalynn - 03-25-2024
That little loader looks great! As do the hoppers!