this was taken out back of the shop I use to work at.
Jim

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

Hello,

i was lucky to got further three Westerfield kits. This time 3 drop bottom gondolas of Santa Fe origin.

First the content of one of the boxes.


Further unwrapped.
The parts are clean and straight. No match to the former "Warp 10" kits out of the brittle resin i had built earlier, see accordingly thread.


2 Andrews trucks, 2 Kadee whisker scale head couplers and a Tichy brake gear were attached by me.




At first RTFM, here in form of the enclosed instruction sheets. Also much interesting information about the prototype can be found there.

This was only the unboxing article.


Lutz

YPMA-02 working Mannheim Yard.

Bruce

   

thanks to Charlie B one of my favorite consists is running again all 1970 Athearn that draw a whopping 3 amps.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
       

Now for something a bit different:
   

I got the 3-d printed kit from Interaction Hobbies, based on the rocket sled of Professor Fate in the movie 'The Great Race'


   

It also comes with the figures standing beside it as well as two seated figures.
I'm thinking of using it as a flatcar load.

WPMA-40 at Pier 32W.

Bruce

   

Hello,

we all grew older and our senses now may be not as they were in our youth. To compensate this we have take measures in respect of this. Me too, my eyes became less effective in relation to as they were in previous years. This is a sneaking process and you have to accept it. In short; there a two main things:
1) The ability to focus the eye onto objects near by became more difficulty.
2) The need fo more light.

Here i will show and dicuss the measures i have taken. And i invite you to participate and show us what you have done to keep the hobby enjoyable. Not the medical aspect is here in the focus, but the technical devices like lamps and magnifying glasses you. Tell us about of your devices and about your experiences with them and if they suit or are not so good.



At first i started with the classic handheld magnifier glass. Yes it does what it is intended for. But you are then one-handed because you have to use one hand to keep the glass. My experience; this is benefical when you want to check or examine something. But working on the object is not really possible becaus one-handed. You need something which holds the magnifier.
This was the next step for me to purchase this, so called, soldering aid. A magnifier onto a flexible shaft which can be bend to bring a work piece into focus. Additional there a two crocodile style claws for fixing work pieces. And additional there are also two bright LEDs in the frame of the magnifier glass, powered by 3 AAA batteries in the pedestal.
My conclusions about it is, that the magnifier glass is too small in diameter to enable sterocopic vision of a workpiece. And in my opinion is stereoskopic vision a basic requirement to work on tiny pieces.
But i found other application for this devive:
- As mobile independent lamp were you need light instandly.
- For reading tiny printed numbers on model railroad cars; some modern flat cars have such tiny print. The LEDs light will help a lot in dark corners.
- Quick disposabiltiy, e.g. when you want to remove a scale of wood with a tweezers.
- This became a faithful travel companion when i went as exhibitor to shows and conventions.


Lutz

This Kiski Junction RR boxcar arrived from the Wilderson Division in Ohio.  A thank you to Charlie for his generous gift.  

Bruce

   

   

would anyone have an extra one of thease its from a 1970 PA , if you do PM me a price.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

Recently I have had time to make some of my own decals and the results have reached both ends of the spectrum. For the past 3 or 4 days I have been designing the decals I need for some custom lettered cars and I have had good results in the end. 

The first step is measuring the model so the decals are the right size. Often these are really small. I have found that 300 DPI returns the best results. Smaller gets pixels and larger causes ink runs. I use photoshop Elements 20 and the sizes are easy to match. 

I have found that the white decal paper is better for the colors but then you have to match the background. By doing a test print I realized the background colors need to be darkened to get a better match on the cars you are decaling. 

I hve had some ink run no matter what I do and it doesn't show until the paper is coated with clear coat. I apply the clear with an air brush and thin it with lacquer thinner 50/50, applying the first coat dry and allowing it to set for a few minutes, then 2 more coats just slightly heaver with drying time between coats. Let this dry at least 24 hours.  

When I did the final print of today's project I went a step farther and borrowed my wife's hair dryer and warmed up the printer and the paper and set it on low and kept the low heat on while the print ws coming out. I am hoping the ink will nor run at all with the warmer paper and printer. This is what I hope to have when everything is dry.     

I will continue when the ink is dry. 
Charlie