https://bigbluetrains.com/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:44:09 +0000 MyBB https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9946 Sun, 10 Nov 2024 22:07:13 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9946
Mike was a good modeler, a downright good person and a mentor to many of us modelers. The last that we heard from him, he had dodged the ravages of a recent hurricane, this illness he could not dodge.

RIP my friend.....]]>
Mike was a good modeler, a downright good person and a mentor to many of us modelers. The last that we heard from him, he had dodged the ravages of a recent hurricane, this illness he could not dodge.

RIP my friend.....]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9923 Sat, 17 Aug 2024 15:31:35 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9923 Pentester

BTW, you can look up anyone that you want as long as you have their birth year. My search showed over a dozen entries for myself and a bunch for others with similar names. This including the last two digits of my SSN, which were correct in every case as were phone numbers and addresses.

I'm sure there are many other breaches that have our personal info in, the Internet has made it very cushy for the criminals and I haven't a clue how to deal with it. Right now I have a letter from AT&T about a breach and I haven't dealt with them in decades, but they still had my personal info in their database.]]> Pentester

BTW, you can look up anyone that you want as long as you have their birth year. My search showed over a dozen entries for myself and a bunch for others with similar names. This including the last two digits of my SSN, which were correct in every case as were phone numbers and addresses.

I'm sure there are many other breaches that have our personal info in, the Internet has made it very cushy for the criminals and I haven't a clue how to deal with it. Right now I have a letter from AT&T about a breach and I haven't dealt with them in decades, but they still had my personal info in their database.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9887 Thu, 30 May 2024 17:33:27 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9887 https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9886 Wed, 29 May 2024 16:33:42 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9886

• Scratchbuilt structure
  
• Kit build structure
  
• Kitbash structure
  
• Layout addition (structures, scenery)
  
• Diorama, (any kind but must include some track)
  
• Rolling stock kit build,
  
• Rolling stock rebuild
  
• Rolling stock scratchbuild
  
• Unfinished project (any not more than half finished)

Let us know here which challenge(s) you are going to enter. We will keep things open so you can enter at any time before the end of the challenge, but it would be nice to know ahead of time who is going to be competing and where. This is the thread where we will keep track of these things, so I'll post a summary of who has entered which categories.

Start a new thread (or threads) as follows:

• (your Screename) (challenge category) ’24 build challenge
  
• Document your progress in pictures. Remember, we like lots of pictures. If you’re not skilled with a camera, either give it a try or get someone else to take the pictures. Just as long as you are the one that’s doing the work, we don't care who takes the pictures.
  

The contest will begin  June 1, and end the first day September,. That gives us all three months to take our vacation time and actually work on and complete the projects.

To answer a few questions ahead of time, just by definition:

• If you build a structure using Walther's modular parts and it follows one of their pre-defined plans, it is a "kit build"
  
• If you build a structure using Walther's modular parts and you dream up a unique structure, it is "kit bashing"
  
• "cosmetic changes" on kit builds can include signage changes or additions. More extensive changes such as adding roof details or lights takes it out of the realm of the intent of this challenge for kit builds, but not quite into the definition of kit bashing. I suggest these things be added after completing this challenge
  
• Scratchbuilding means that the basic or major parts of the structure is made from scratch and not kit parts. Small details such as lights, boxes, A/C units, window, door and fences to name a few can be from pre-made parts
  
• Rolling stock requirements are basically the same, a scratchbuild can be using existing parts you find around that are not originally made for whatever it is you're building
  
• Unfinished projects can be any of the other categories, but something you started and is less than half-finished.
  
• As usual, we will award certificates for those that complete their projects and for those that get a substantial portion completed. If we have enough entrants, we will run a voting poll to declare a winner in each category, otherwise, we will conduct a single voting poll for all categories combined. We will only include finished projects in the voting poll(s)

Remember, let me know in this thread what categories that you are entering so I can keep track, then open a new thread here for each of you entries. The last time we ran a similar challenge, we had quite of few people enter, we hope the same holds true this time.]]>

• Scratchbuilt structure
  
• Kit build structure
  
• Kitbash structure
  
• Layout addition (structures, scenery)
  
• Diorama, (any kind but must include some track)
  
• Rolling stock kit build,
  
• Rolling stock rebuild
  
• Rolling stock scratchbuild
  
• Unfinished project (any not more than half finished)

Let us know here which challenge(s) you are going to enter. We will keep things open so you can enter at any time before the end of the challenge, but it would be nice to know ahead of time who is going to be competing and where. This is the thread where we will keep track of these things, so I'll post a summary of who has entered which categories.

Start a new thread (or threads) as follows:

• (your Screename) (challenge category) ’24 build challenge
  
• Document your progress in pictures. Remember, we like lots of pictures. If you’re not skilled with a camera, either give it a try or get someone else to take the pictures. Just as long as you are the one that’s doing the work, we don't care who takes the pictures.
  

The contest will begin  June 1, and end the first day September,. That gives us all three months to take our vacation time and actually work on and complete the projects.

To answer a few questions ahead of time, just by definition:

• If you build a structure using Walther's modular parts and it follows one of their pre-defined plans, it is a "kit build"
  
• If you build a structure using Walther's modular parts and you dream up a unique structure, it is "kit bashing"
  
• "cosmetic changes" on kit builds can include signage changes or additions. More extensive changes such as adding roof details or lights takes it out of the realm of the intent of this challenge for kit builds, but not quite into the definition of kit bashing. I suggest these things be added after completing this challenge
  
• Scratchbuilding means that the basic or major parts of the structure is made from scratch and not kit parts. Small details such as lights, boxes, A/C units, window, door and fences to name a few can be from pre-made parts
  
• Rolling stock requirements are basically the same, a scratchbuild can be using existing parts you find around that are not originally made for whatever it is you're building
  
• Unfinished projects can be any of the other categories, but something you started and is less than half-finished.
  
• As usual, we will award certificates for those that complete their projects and for those that get a substantial portion completed. If we have enough entrants, we will run a voting poll to declare a winner in each category, otherwise, we will conduct a single voting poll for all categories combined. We will only include finished projects in the voting poll(s)

Remember, let me know in this thread what categories that you are entering so I can keep track, then open a new thread here for each of you entries. The last time we ran a similar challenge, we had quite of few people enter, we hope the same holds true this time.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9882 Sun, 12 May 2024 18:57:35 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9882 https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9880 Fri, 10 May 2024 15:29:32 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9880
I'm still waiting for my June issue of Model Railroader, as are a few others. I'm also waiting for them to bill me to extend my subscription but I really don't have any interest in renewing. I realize that it's expensive to print a full-color magazine, but I have my limits on what I'll pay for an ever-smaller issue that seem to be dedicated to just a few well-known modelers and it appears that a few advertisers feel the same way.

What's your thoughts on this? Will it improve what these magazines offer? Will it enhance and possibly attract new people to the hobby? Or perhaps, is it a bad move and we can look for further lack of interest by folks who have never been in the hobby?

My only other comment is that it had to be a real shock to the Kalmbach staff to find this out on the day the change took place when you can be sure that management knew this long before then.]]>
I'm still waiting for my June issue of Model Railroader, as are a few others. I'm also waiting for them to bill me to extend my subscription but I really don't have any interest in renewing. I realize that it's expensive to print a full-color magazine, but I have my limits on what I'll pay for an ever-smaller issue that seem to be dedicated to just a few well-known modelers and it appears that a few advertisers feel the same way.

What's your thoughts on this? Will it improve what these magazines offer? Will it enhance and possibly attract new people to the hobby? Or perhaps, is it a bad move and we can look for further lack of interest by folks who have never been in the hobby?

My only other comment is that it had to be a real shock to the Kalmbach staff to find this out on the day the change took place when you can be sure that management knew this long before then.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9870 Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:36:57 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9870
This one has some 370 parts, but will take more time because of the drive engine and the fact that parts used aren't in sequence. In some kits, you use parts from sheet A before you go to sheet B, but this one starts off with parts from sheet H, then E, then G, and so on, mainly because each sheet is a different thickness plus assembly starts off with the gear train. Learning from the steam loco built, I will double and triple check the gears as they are installed. One loose gear or broken shaft negates all efforts to run this thing.

Anyway, this is what I'm trying to build, and the instructions are in a book rather than a large sheet. There are only 10 steps to building this, but.... I counted over 170 sub-steps, so I'm thinking 20 or 25 hours to build just as long as there are no real issues.


The objective:

  Trolley box.jpg (Size: 166.68 KB / Downloads: 585)

The instructions:

  Trolley inst.jpg (Size: 130.09 KB / Downloads: 636)

The parts:

  Trolley parts.jpg (Size: 160.93 KB / Downloads: 547) ]]>
This one has some 370 parts, but will take more time because of the drive engine and the fact that parts used aren't in sequence. In some kits, you use parts from sheet A before you go to sheet B, but this one starts off with parts from sheet H, then E, then G, and so on, mainly because each sheet is a different thickness plus assembly starts off with the gear train. Learning from the steam loco built, I will double and triple check the gears as they are installed. One loose gear or broken shaft negates all efforts to run this thing.

Anyway, this is what I'm trying to build, and the instructions are in a book rather than a large sheet. There are only 10 steps to building this, but.... I counted over 170 sub-steps, so I'm thinking 20 or 25 hours to build just as long as there are no real issues.


The objective:

  Trolley box.jpg (Size: 166.68 KB / Downloads: 585)

The instructions:

  Trolley inst.jpg (Size: 130.09 KB / Downloads: 636)

The parts:

  Trolley parts.jpg (Size: 160.93 KB / Downloads: 547) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9869 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:08:34 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9869
I think you could put these together without using tools, but without them, it can get frustrating. All parts are laser cut, but some are difficult just taking them off the sheets others can break if you use force to get the tabs into the slots. Here's what I use in all facets of building these.


  Tools.jpg (Size: 172.35 KB / Downloads: 337)

Two types of small pliers to grab parts either off the sheets or to snap into place. The hammer can drive a stubborn part home without excessive force or twisting a part and breaking it. The kits come with a screwdriver if there are screws and they also include a file and/or a piece of sandpaper to clean up parts. I have a set of small files that I use instead. I also use the pliers and channel locks to squeeze parts together when I can't use the hammer. The instructions also say, "no glue required", but at times that's the only way two parts will stay together. BTW, all these kits have spare parts for some that are very small or tend to break easily. They also say that you can get free replacement parts by contacting them.

The instructions are normally very concise and accurate. There are major steps with many sub-steps and when I finish a step, I go back and make sure I didn't miss anything and then put a check-mark next to each sub-step. It doesn't take talent as much as patience, most folks that give up seem to be a bit short-tempered and trash the kit after just a few minutes of trying. I've also mentioned that some parts are suppose to be bent, and spraying them with water helps keep them from breaking.

Those are just a few pointers, many kits are in the $20US range and are sold all over the world, some are a bit more expensive if they have mechanical or electronic part, like the pinball machine does.]]>
I think you could put these together without using tools, but without them, it can get frustrating. All parts are laser cut, but some are difficult just taking them off the sheets others can break if you use force to get the tabs into the slots. Here's what I use in all facets of building these.


  Tools.jpg (Size: 172.35 KB / Downloads: 337)

Two types of small pliers to grab parts either off the sheets or to snap into place. The hammer can drive a stubborn part home without excessive force or twisting a part and breaking it. The kits come with a screwdriver if there are screws and they also include a file and/or a piece of sandpaper to clean up parts. I have a set of small files that I use instead. I also use the pliers and channel locks to squeeze parts together when I can't use the hammer. The instructions also say, "no glue required", but at times that's the only way two parts will stay together. BTW, all these kits have spare parts for some that are very small or tend to break easily. They also say that you can get free replacement parts by contacting them.

The instructions are normally very concise and accurate. There are major steps with many sub-steps and when I finish a step, I go back and make sure I didn't miss anything and then put a check-mark next to each sub-step. It doesn't take talent as much as patience, most folks that give up seem to be a bit short-tempered and trash the kit after just a few minutes of trying. I've also mentioned that some parts are suppose to be bent, and spraying them with water helps keep them from breaking.

Those are just a few pointers, many kits are in the $20US range and are sold all over the world, some are a bit more expensive if they have mechanical or electronic part, like the pinball machine does.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9867 Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:54:30 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9867

  Jeep start.jpg (Size: 185.3 KB / Downloads: 601)

  Jeep inst.jpg (Size: 148.1 KB / Downloads: 620) ]]>

  Jeep start.jpg (Size: 185.3 KB / Downloads: 601)

  Jeep inst.jpg (Size: 148.1 KB / Downloads: 620) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9839 Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:57:44 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9839
I found several of these on the Internet that folks have painted and just looking at the parts, I figure 20-30 hours of assembly, add about another 100 hours if I were going to paint this sucker properly. I think I'll pass on paint for now since I'd have to paint it as I went and not after it was assembled.



  Box.jpg (Size: 166.04 KB / Downloads: 559)

  Parts.jpg (Size: 153.64 KB / Downloads: 536) ]]>
I found several of these on the Internet that folks have painted and just looking at the parts, I figure 20-30 hours of assembly, add about another 100 hours if I were going to paint this sucker properly. I think I'll pass on paint for now since I'd have to paint it as I went and not after it was assembled.



  Box.jpg (Size: 166.04 KB / Downloads: 559)

  Parts.jpg (Size: 153.64 KB / Downloads: 536) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9836 Wed, 14 Feb 2024 21:20:31 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9836
Rather than post progress photos as I went along, I'll just post a few that I took from start to finish, since it is completed at this point. The only mods I made to this model was to add clear plastic to the glass openings. One of these days I might go back and detail the interior a bit, I think a wooden pillow and mattress might be a bit much to sleep on, as are those wooden seats uncomfortable for a long haul.

This is the intent on what it's supposed to look like when finished:

  Box front.jpg (Size: 161.63 KB / Downloads: 543)

Steps 1 & 2 completed the chassis

  Step 1-2 chassis.jpg (Size: 188.49 KB / Downloads: 525)

Steps 3 & 4 added the cab

  Step 3-4 left side.jpg (Size: 163.4 KB / Downloads: 550)

  Step 3-4 rear.jpg (Size: 207.7 KB / Downloads: 575)

Step 5 added the sleeper

  Step 5 cab-sleeper.jpg (Size: 182.16 KB / Downloads: 525)

  Step 5 interior 2.jpg (Size: 152.05 KB / Downloads: 571)

Step 6 the engine compartment and exhaust pipes added

  Step 6 left.jpg (Size: 213.44 KB / Downloads: 558) ]]>
Rather than post progress photos as I went along, I'll just post a few that I took from start to finish, since it is completed at this point. The only mods I made to this model was to add clear plastic to the glass openings. One of these days I might go back and detail the interior a bit, I think a wooden pillow and mattress might be a bit much to sleep on, as are those wooden seats uncomfortable for a long haul.

This is the intent on what it's supposed to look like when finished:

  Box front.jpg (Size: 161.63 KB / Downloads: 543)

Steps 1 & 2 completed the chassis

  Step 1-2 chassis.jpg (Size: 188.49 KB / Downloads: 525)

Steps 3 & 4 added the cab

  Step 3-4 left side.jpg (Size: 163.4 KB / Downloads: 550)

  Step 3-4 rear.jpg (Size: 207.7 KB / Downloads: 575)

Step 5 added the sleeper

  Step 5 cab-sleeper.jpg (Size: 182.16 KB / Downloads: 525)

  Step 5 interior 2.jpg (Size: 152.05 KB / Downloads: 571)

Step 6 the engine compartment and exhaust pipes added

  Step 6 left.jpg (Size: 213.44 KB / Downloads: 558) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9830 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:02:53 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9830
I'm just curious, some folks go missing from Big Blue at times and come back, some never do. A few keep in touch but say they're too busy to do any modeling. So I ask, have you ever been burned out to where you've left the hobby, even if you've come back to it later?]]>
I'm just curious, some folks go missing from Big Blue at times and come back, some never do. A few keep in touch but say they're too busy to do any modeling. So I ask, have you ever been burned out to where you've left the hobby, even if you've come back to it later?]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9829 Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:43:08 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9829
This one is an old antique automobile built sometime around 1918. No particular model specified, but it looks close to what was sold back around then. It has a total of 298 parts and does not have any motive power, but that's OK. The steam engine did and the power train fell apart on it and so it wouldn't run. The machine gun however shot rubber bands and ejected "spent cartridges", and it did work.

I will try to remember to take progress photos, this one is of step one. There were nine sub-steps and 23 individual pieces for what looks like the beginning of the underside.

The goal:

  Box front.jpg (Size: 180.17 KB / Downloads: 605)

The "how to":

  Instructions pg1.jpg (Size: 205.54 KB / Downloads: 587)

Step 1 completed:

  Step 1.jpg (Size: 189.62 KB / Downloads: 553) ]]>
This one is an old antique automobile built sometime around 1918. No particular model specified, but it looks close to what was sold back around then. It has a total of 298 parts and does not have any motive power, but that's OK. The steam engine did and the power train fell apart on it and so it wouldn't run. The machine gun however shot rubber bands and ejected "spent cartridges", and it did work.

I will try to remember to take progress photos, this one is of step one. There were nine sub-steps and 23 individual pieces for what looks like the beginning of the underside.

The goal:

  Box front.jpg (Size: 180.17 KB / Downloads: 605)

The "how to":

  Instructions pg1.jpg (Size: 205.54 KB / Downloads: 587)

Step 1 completed:

  Step 1.jpg (Size: 189.62 KB / Downloads: 553) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9822 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 16:15:33 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9822 this thread, and here's the results:


  Finish top.jpg (Size: 198.54 KB / Downloads: 604)
 
This past Christmas, knowing that I like to target shoot, this time they gave me a machine gun to assemble. As I remember, that steam engine had about 300 pieces. I also remember that because of a problem with some loose parts in the drive spring assembly, the engine wouldn't run and I couldn't repair it unless I took the whole thing apart. I find that this gun has just about as many laser-cut parts, but the tolerances are a lot tighter, so parts fit a lot better. That being the case, and if I follow the instructions properly, there is hope that the gun will fire both rubber bands and wooden plugs when I finish the assembly.

I didn't think to take progression photos, so this is one after the fourth step. Just so you know, there are multiple steps in each step which is broken down in sub-assemblies. Step one has 24 separate steps and step 4 has 14. there are 8 main steps, than a few more to actually use it.



  Box front.jpg (Size: 189.87 KB / Downloads: 601)


  Instruct step 5.jpg (Size: 122.76 KB / Downloads: 637)


  Wood sheet A.jpg (Size: 153.6 KB / Downloads: 559)


  Assy step 4.jpg (Size: 166 KB / Downloads: 590) ]]> this thread, and here's the results:


  Finish top.jpg (Size: 198.54 KB / Downloads: 604)
 
This past Christmas, knowing that I like to target shoot, this time they gave me a machine gun to assemble. As I remember, that steam engine had about 300 pieces. I also remember that because of a problem with some loose parts in the drive spring assembly, the engine wouldn't run and I couldn't repair it unless I took the whole thing apart. I find that this gun has just about as many laser-cut parts, but the tolerances are a lot tighter, so parts fit a lot better. That being the case, and if I follow the instructions properly, there is hope that the gun will fire both rubber bands and wooden plugs when I finish the assembly.

I didn't think to take progression photos, so this is one after the fourth step. Just so you know, there are multiple steps in each step which is broken down in sub-assemblies. Step one has 24 separate steps and step 4 has 14. there are 8 main steps, than a few more to actually use it.



  Box front.jpg (Size: 189.87 KB / Downloads: 601)


  Instruct step 5.jpg (Size: 122.76 KB / Downloads: 637)


  Wood sheet A.jpg (Size: 153.6 KB / Downloads: 559)


  Assy step 4.jpg (Size: 166 KB / Downloads: 590) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9814 Fri, 22 Dec 2023 20:39:07 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9814

  BB-Christmas.jpg (Size: 226.35 KB / Downloads: 491) ]]>

  BB-Christmas.jpg (Size: 226.35 KB / Downloads: 491) ]]>