GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Well, looks like i have some progress to report!

I managed to clear off my cluttered work bench and get things rolling again! I also built a new shelf to store kits and parts on, as well as got big containers to store the boxes to my trains while they aren't in them.

I applied handrails to my new U34CH (though i still need to work on it before I post it, Needs a nose light)

I rebuilt the electrical pickups on my E44A #4457, which had been sitting in its box for a long time. I tried to use methods other than the tomar shoes, but they didn't entirely work out, so I just stuck a new set of tomar shoes on the model. I also lost one of the drop steps years ago at my train club, and nobody ever found it, so I carved a new one out of sheet plastic. It seems to do the job just fine, even if its not 100% perfect. I considered jiggling the other one loose and making a casting (I still have a small puddle of micromark casting rubber), but such a small thin part would be a pain.

I Finally got around to building my Arrow III sets. Its very exciting, and I want to just put it all together, but I know I still have to paint most of them, and I should wait before i assemble anything permanently, since I still need LEDs and such to light the headlights and markers on these models (the cabs are not easily accessible if built as per the instructions). The only annoying part, is that 6 of my married pair kits (12 cars) were missing these small metal vent pieces. All other parts were there, so I'm assuming they were forgotten in the factory (though technically these 6 kits were second hand, they seemed un-opened). It would probably not be wise for me to paint the models without installing these first. I could use the ones I have as a guide in order to drill the mounting holes, but I think I might still wait.

Fortuneately, since i just put in an order of 8 Arrow II cars (4 married pairs) which are made by the same company, he said he'd throw in the extra vents with my order.

The Arrow IIs are supposed to arrive by the end of the month, hopefully with enough time before the Northeast Fallen Flags Rail Prototype Meet, which I plan to attend this year ( Saturday September 29, Bridgewater, NJ <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hansmanns.org/neff_rpm/">http://www.hansmanns.org/neff_rpm/</a><!-- m --> ).

Even if they aren't totally complete, it would be nice to have them on display.


I started planning my catenry again, and i'm trying to see if I can't put up a small section of wire, though its looking like I might still need some of the other wires installed before I attach them.