doctorwayne's New Years Resolution Challenge...

[doctorwayne]

Thanks to all for your kind words - they do help to keep the project moving along.

I installed the roofwalks today, built-up from pre-distressed HO scale 2"x6" Evergreen strips. There are three strips of "boards" making-up the walkways, with about one scale inch between the strips. Each strip is comprised of three sections of board. I cut the mid-car pieces in all three strips to fit onto the mounting brackets moulded-on to the roof (the ends are staggered), then added the end pieces, making them about a foot longer than required on each end to allow easier installation of the supports at the ends. This shows the sequence of installation, from left to right, with all of the centre row done first:



Even in a closer view, the woodgrain effect isn't really noticeable:



After the walkways were complete, I added the laterals. They rest atop .030"x.040" strips (on edge) to bring the level up to that of the walkway:



The next task was to add the end braces for the walkway ends. The supports were cut from .010"x.030" brass strip, using a NWSL "Chopper". The photo below shows the sequence of assembly, left to right, with the braces ca'd to the car end only, then a 2"x2" crossmember added, and finally, the braces ca'd to the crossmember and the roofwalk boards, with the latter then trimmed to size.



While I generally prefer all-plastic construction for these braces (it allows solvent cement bonding, which is superior to that of ca) the 1"x2" styrene strip which I usually use lacks strength and is easily damaged. The brass strips will provide superior strength, with the ca now being the weak link.

Here's a view of the almost-completed end:



To finish the day's work, I installed the corner grabs on the roofwalk laterals. I usually make these in batches, and these are the last of about four dozen made, I think, a couple of years ago:



The next task will be to add the ladders to the cars' ends, then replace all of the missing, intentionally shaved-off, and oops-removed rivet detail, using Archer three-dimensional rivet decals.

Wayne