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Little more progress. I got the second to last piece cut and glued in. One more piece to cut out and glue in then it's time to fill in all the gaps, do some touch up paint, make some new handrails, get those painted, then glue them on and she will be ready for service.
Future Conrail Caboose ( N5C )
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
Conrail's Blairsville Cutoff - A Fictitious Alternative Route Over The Allegheny Mountains From Blairsville, Pa to Cresson, Pa
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Looking good, Matt! Considering the multitude of pieces and parts that went together on that slug, it is really coming together. The caboose takes me back a few years to my own first edition in blue paint - my conversion of a PRR to a Conrail version. If I remember right, the caboose ran much better (especially backwards through switches) with additional weight on the floor.
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(11-14-2025, 09:08 PM)TMo Wrote: Looking good, Matt! Considering the multitude of pieces and parts that went together on that slug, it is really coming together. The caboose takes me back a few years to my own first edition in blue paint - my conversion of a PRR to a Conrail version. If I remember right, the caboose ran much better (especially backwards through switches) with additional weight on the floor.
Thank You. I am very proud of how it is turning out. Yes it's far from perfect but honestly for my first scratch build, I think it turned out pretty darn well. I also forgot to mention that I have to build the front and back of the plow areas. Below is both sides glued on and waiting to be sanded down, small gaps filled, and then painted. Yet another step closer.
Also after looking at another unique piece of Conrail equipment, I have decided that it would make for another interesting scratch build. I'm doing some research on it now and I'm almost 100% sure that this truck is correct for it. Any guesses what it could be just by the picture below?
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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Are you going to try to power it? The "Critter" at Conway had an electronic bell and horn. (to preserve air).
Charlie
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(11-15-2025, 10:11 AM)Charlie B Wrote: Are you going to try to power it? The "Critter" at Conway had an electronic bell and horn. (to preserve air).
Charlie
I would love to power it. That is the only problem I’m having is trying to figure that out. I may just have it as a dummy for now and once I figure out how to get it power I will. I know they had a couple different critters. If I’m not mistaken there was three.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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11-17-2025, 10:29 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-17-2025, 10:30 PM by LiveSteamer.)
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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don't know if it would work but a Bachmann gandy dancer might be able to power the critter.
Jim
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(11-18-2025, 05:57 PM)jim currie Wrote: don't know if it would work but a Bachmann gandy dancer might be able to power the critter.
Jim
I actually never thought about that Jim. I will have to take a looking into that. Thank You.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
Conrail's Blairsville Cutoff - A Fictitious Alternative Route Over The Allegheny Mountains From Blairsville, Pa to Cresson, Pa
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11-26-2025, 07:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-26-2025, 07:51 PM by LiveSteamer.)
Uh oh something is happening. Looks like a final number was chosen for the MT-4 Slug. I do have a couple touch ups to do with the black in a couple spots but that won't hurt the decals at all. Also I still have to get the handrails made. But I am so close to finishing this up.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
Conrail's Blairsville Cutoff - A Fictitious Alternative Route Over The Allegheny Mountains From Blairsville, Pa to Cresson, Pa
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Also the critter is coming along a nice place as well. This one has a few details that need to be cut out and everything. I do have another spare truck sitting on the workbench that is going to be used for another critter that seems a little more simple. Haha wait I said simple. NOTHING is simple in this hobby. But the second critter will be X481.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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Got another decal added for the night.
Also the Conrail N5C is nearing its repaint.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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(11-26-2025, 11:19 PM)jim currie Wrote: slug looks great.
Jim
Thank You Jim.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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The one side is complete with decals. Now onto the other side now.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
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Now that the MT-4 Slug is nearing completion I have moved towards getting the two critters built. Critter #0 is painted and now it's time to work on all the little details that need to be put on.
The MT-4 slug is on the back burner even though it's nearing completion because I ran out of decals to apply to it. Once I get more ordered, it will be ready to go and should be under the tree this Christmas proudly pulling what ever cars I put behind it and the GP40 & GP35 this year.
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
Conrail's Blairsville Cutoff - A Fictitious Alternative Route Over The Allegheny Mountains From Blairsville, Pa to Cresson, Pa
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Anyways below is pictures of the progress made. Oh I am also including a picture of "inside" the shop complex where you can see #3091 sitting along with one critter and the truck of another one that is going to be built. I am planning on building 2 shop switchers. One for each end of the layout or maybe one in the middle and end. Who knows, not even me 