Image of the Month

The miles this gentleman as seen...

From previous postings you know I am a huge O. Wilson Link fan... here is another one I really like, by clicking on the image you will be taken the Link website, a must see for all rail fans....

Cool Tips - The Bottomless Thinner Jar

I thought I would start a new set of postings that involve cool tips and tricks for the model railroader so watch for more in the future.
My first tip is really cool, it really helps when painting using thinner base paint by brush... just click on the image and it will take you to youtube, just promise to come back to my site when your done :)...

thanks to ModelManTom for this one.

From my workbench

Well, I am finally done with the rolling stock AP for my Master Model Railroad certification. The last car that I have just completed is a Southern Pacific 1904 Pullman Business Car. "Virginia Ann"

I built this from a Labelle kit from the 60's (Labelle is still around with some really nice wood kits). I have never built one of these kits and it was certainly "old school" but I enjoyed it none the less.The kit did not come with an interior and I with the requirement that the model be super detailed I focused my efforts there. I designed the model to be primarily a display model however it is road worthy. Both the roof and side wall are removable by the use of some tiny hangers mounted on the car. Rather than putting the interior wall that would block the view of the room, I built it out of plexi-glass yet I hung the doors regardless. It worked out well, giving the sense of that a solid wall is there.

Aft is the smoking room and dining area, with pivoting chairs reading lights and conversation. The walls have pictures and a SP route map. Note the lamps on the table are actually plugged into the wall outlets...Next is the Rail Officers sleeping quarters, night stand, dresser, and a change of clothes draped over the edge of the bed...

The galley is next replete with stove, pantry, pots, pans, cutting board, rolling pins, even the kitchen sink and bar of soap.

Last on the car is the head, toilet, mirror, sink, toilet paper and towel...

A couple of more shots....
This was a fun kit and finally completes my first AP certificate!

Product Review - Bakatronics

Recently while looking around the net for some lighting circuits I ran across Bakatronic Electronics. They have some really awesome circuits that I have since purchased. Some of the kits that I now have are the lighthouse, ultimate welder, and buoy circuits. I also plan on purchasing several of the LED illuminator kits, this module generates a sequence of preprogrammed patterns of lighting that turn off and on at various time. Say you have a structure with several rooms, typically when you power up the lighting the whole structure lights up at the same time. This module will delay some of the lighting in each room to give the impression of people turning on lights in the room at different times and gives the "lived in" look.

Here is video of the lighthouse circuit (the most realistic on the market as I can tell)



So if you in the market for some cool circuits I recommend Bakatronics, you can buy the kits to assemble yourself or for a nominal fee they will assemble it for you.

I give Bakatronics 5 lanterns

From my workbench

As part of my MMR Rolling Stock AP, I am required to build a total of 8 cars consisting of 4 different types and it must include 1 passenger type car. Of these 4 have to be scratch built, the remaining can be kits that are "super-detailed".


The following cars are 5th, 6th, and 7th of the required eight. One train that I have been wanting to model is a bridge pile driving train. So I built one.

Southern Pacific HO Pile Driver #90


This pile driver built from a late 1960’s early 70’s Paige Industries kit. It is based off a 1890’s pile driver that has been upgraded during the 1940’s The kit did not include under carriage details, trucks, end seal details, grab irons, fueling ports, search light, and couplers. The kit itself consisted of scale lumber, scribed siding (which was not used) metal castings and line.



Besides the kit components, I took certain liberties, I installed a complete brake system, light and appropriate conduit, figures, replaced all of the line provided, added over 2 dozen bolt heads, coupler release rods and chain. I added the work lamp and lens and appropriate conduit. To compliment the fuel tender car, I added connections for water and oil. The tension lines provided were not to my liking and were replaced. Also I elected to use board on board construction rather than the scribed siding provided.

Southern Pacific HO Pile Driver Tender #7

This car is completely scratch built using scale wood, window glazing, corrugated metal, duct tape (pump belts), solder, shrink tubing, and various SS limited details to construct the pump assembly. I used Grandt line windows. The car is built primarily using board on board construction. Build time was approximately 40 hours.

I installed a complete brake system, figure, coupler release rods and chain, grab irons, marker lamps and lens. pumps, pump drive motor, belts hoses, cabin door, cabin contents, welding tanks and chain. Bolt heads and various hand made elements were used. This was my first attempt using the mineral spirits paint peeling technique and it worked very well.

This fuel tender and supply car was built to work in tandem with the HO pile driver I have built. The car is used as a supply car for the MOW train as well as fuel delivery system that from the locomotive tender to the pile driver steam engine. Neither formal plans nor photos exist of the car in real life; it is purely conceived in my mind.

Southern Pacific H0 Piling & Bridge Timber Car #78


This car is completely scratch built using scale wood, SS limited detail parts and Grandt line bolt heads and scale chain. The car is built primarily using board on board construction. The pilings are meat kabob skewers. Build time was approximately 10 hours. I installed a complete brake system, figure, coupler release rods and chain, grab irons and chain. Bolt heads and various hand made elements were used.

This piling and timber car was built to work in tandem with the HO pile driver MOW train. The car carried the pilings and bridge timbers that were used during construction. This combined with the fuel and supply tender that I built had all the necessary materials (sans rail) to complete the bridge. Neither formal plans nor photos exist of the car in real life; it is purely conceived in my mind.


Well, only one more to go, the passenger car, currently I am building a 1904 Southern Pacific Executive car with Interior, its just about done, stay tuned...

Image of the Month

I have always been a fan of Disney and Ward Kimball. Ward was one of Walt's "nine old men" and Walt himself said of Ward and only Ward was a genius. He transformed Mickey from the original mouse portrayed in 1928 Steam Boat Willy into the Mickey we all know and love. He also created Jiminy Cricket to name a few.

Ward and Walt

However, one of Ward's passions was railroads. As you know Walt Disney was quite a railroad fan as well and Ward is the one that rekindled that interest and this was one of the keys motivations that would later become a new concept called "Disneyland".
Ward had one of the worlds greatest train collections as well as he built a full sized railroad in his back yard! Ward called the Grizzly Flats RR, it consisted a station, fire station, water tower, windmill and even a engine house. He ran 2 steam locomotives and several narrow gauge rolling stock. I truly fascinating man.

Original photo of Wards Grizzly Flats RR and Engine House

When Ward passed away his wife Betty began to donate his railroad and in one of the most incredible toy train auctions in history, liquidate his collection.

Since this time, I have been collecting Wards railroad related items. In my search, I was absolutely fortunate in obtaining Ward's Grizzly Flats Engine house plans as seen here. They are fascinating in that they contain his notes and and how he wanted to have this built.
Dated from 1939 and 1940

These drawings will be proudly displayed in my train room.
I will continue to search the planet for items that were once owned by one of the most influential railroad hobbyist of the 20th century.

Ward, you are missed...

Merry Chrismas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here is hoping that your stockings and tummies are full and all is well with you and your families.

Image of the Month

This photo comes courtesy of the Willard Ohio Library.

From My Workbench

Awhile back I purchased a couple of Sunset Cab Forwards from Gunning's and they have been sitting in my "to do" list since. I finally got up the nerve to tear one apart and paint it (this one being the AC-4). So here it is. I am modeling WWII so all of my locomotive consist look like they are "rode all night and put up wet".


First I completely torn down the model right down to the individual drivers. Installed Tsunami DCC and sound using a mini bass speaker. Wired it up with Front and read LED headlamps, interior lighting and finished up the interior with gauges crew and glazing.








I airbrushed each piece individually using Floquil weathered black and reassembled.










I purchased some SP decal sets from San Juan Decals out of Durango, of which I HIGHLY recommend.
I finished up the locomotive with using powdering techniques that I learned from Brent Gallant of Sierra West.

All and all I am pleased with the way it came out. A word of warning however; this locomotive's drive assembly is very difficult to reassemble so if you tackle one of these be careful to record via photography before you disassemble the model, you will thank yourself later. I still have another Sunset AC-6 to do the same with, but after this one I think I am going to take a break.

1898 SP Sunset Limited Edison Movie

An truly amazing 1898 Edison movie depicting the Southern Pacific Sunset Limited. The people on the train waving at the camera could little imagine you would be looking at them over a 100 years later.

Image of the Month

I have been so busy of late, I have been remiss in regularly posting here. However I hope this months offering will truly tell of the talents of a gentleman I met during a recent train show here in the Dallas area.

The talented artist I speak of is John Winfield. I was stupefied by his work and immediately ordered one of his works of art and once I received it, I was amazed on how he can capture the spirit and feelings of the moment. This particular work of art is another example of his work and I plan on purchasing a canvas copy of.

It is called "Three hours to Amarillo", click on the image to view the stunning detail of the painting.

I encourage you to visit his website and see what he has to offer.

As you will see, John is an extraordinarily talented man.

Winfield Rail Art

Product Review - Vallejo Paints

Of late I have been working on collecting facets of the future military portion of my layout. In my mind, it will consist of a small yard to store my military train equipment and perhaps a airfield. Of course this will be based off of the 1944 era.

In gathering these components, one challenge is finding HO scale figures that are one, US Military from that era, and two, finding figures not in combat poses and descent quality. (that subject in itself warrants a separate blog post).

So I collect these figures I find that most of the ones I have found are unpainted Preiser figures so the next logical step would be to find paints that are of good quality and help me accomplish this.
After hearing a recent Scotty Mason webcast, Dave Frary mentioned that he used some Vallejo Paints and found them to be quite nice. So I purchased a 72 bottle model color set as well as the panzer aces set and a few game set bottles. Buying these sets from a dealer will run you about 200.00 - 250.00 bucks, pretty pricey. I found that you can get some good deals on ebay and paid around 100.00 for 140 bottles. Just shop around, used bottles are ok since you don't use a great deal of paint each time.
The bottles are designed to dispense extremely small amounts of paints so a bottle will go a long way. The paints are acrylic, so water dilution and clean up is a nice attribute.
The paint goes on well (after primer is applied), and if you invest is some good quality brushes such as 0/20, 0/10, and larger you will find that painting the smallest details very satisfying. Another nice thing is that the paints that are flat are dead flat.



The 3 varieties I purchased are;

Model Paints - These colors are the typical primary and variations of colors you will use. They contain metallic colors as well.

Military Paints (Panzer Aces) - These colors are used for all thing military as well as the darker spectrum, grays, tans, browns etc.

Game Paints - These are designed for the WarHammer Fantasy crowd and I found them to be a bit to loud for Model railroading (I only have a few of these colors)

I recommend these paints highly and due to the amount of colors I now have, will use them for all of my smaller details provided in the craftsman kits. They are a bit pricey new however.

All and all 5 lanterns....

Vendor Recommendation - Craftsman Kit Howard

If your into building or for that matter collecting craftsman kit structures and models I want to tell you about a friend of mine that can really make your day. Howard is a very talented craftsman and knows his kits and if you looking to find that special challenge and raise your layout a few pegs with FSM, Sierra West, FOS, Master Creations, South River, Memory Lane, the list goes on... Howard is your guy.

Howard runs an ebay store located at

http://shop.ebay.com/howard3746/m.html

I encourage you to look at what he has to offer, he is a really honest and dependable gentleman that I have done business with for some time now. His shipments are so fast it will make your head spin. The kits he sells are the best on the market at a really fair price.

"Tell him Mike sent yaw"

Howard definitely gets 5 lanterns!

Product Review - Bar MillsModel Works Craftsman Kits

I have a pretty vast collection of Fine Scale Miniature kits awaiting the day I dust them off for the build. I find that George Sellios is the best in the business, hands down. If you have seen his layout in countless model railroad magazine articles or have built any of his kits you will agree.


But recently I have been purchasing Bar Mill Model Works kits. This company nestled in Bar Mills Maine is really impressive. They are housed in a reproduction of a railroad station and from what I have seen on their videos (on their website) have a really sound processes. The folks that work there are true professionals.

The majority of the kits they offer are under 100 bucks, mostly in the 30 t0 60 range with some "super kits" as well. The kits are simple to build (under 8 hours typically), they have unique designs and really make for enjoyable bench time.

The kits that I have purchased so far consisted of laser cut panels, some of which are adhesive backed, precut rafters (now that is nice), finely detailed castings (even better), and excellent humorous instructions.

"I tell you what", there is no fighting these structures to get everything squared and plumbed. Its smooth sailing for both the novice as well as the pro.

Their website is www.barmillsmodels.com and I encourage you, if you have 30-40 bucks, treat yourself to a great time.

For their consistent quality, unique designs and castings, very reasonable cost, and just generally cool approach to the business I give the 5 out of 5 lanterns.... Great job!

Image of the Month

This is a famous scene from Buster Keaton's "One week" where the couple is forced to move their house and of course of doing so, it gets stuck on the railroad track... well the rest is priceless..

Hearing the piano playing at the front of the theater...


The impending doom as the locomotive approaches...

.


The relief as it misses



But unfortunately it was a double main line...

From My Workbench

Greetings everyone, I just finished up my MMR CAR AP entries number 3 and 4.


To obtain the Master Model Railroad Car Builder Certification you are required to build a total of 8 cars of various styles. 4 of the 8 are required to be scratch built, and of the 8, 1 has to be a passenger type car. With that said, I have completed 4 of the 8 required. These next two cars will supplement the HoN3 flat cars that can be seen on the blog.

This water tank car is a HoN3 style wooden tank car towards the end of its life. I scratch built just about everything on this car excluding the trucks and couplers. This was also my first attempt at mold making and casting my own parts. The dome as well as the end pieces of the tank are custom made using silicon and plastic resin. A lot of fun actually.

I have also learned some really cool ways to mimic rust. This technique was developed by Brett Gallant of Sierra West Models of whom I recently met at the LSR NMRA regional convention. I really like the technique and Brett outlines how to do this on his website. While your their take a look at his craftsman's kit his offers for sale. These kits are out of this world.







This next car was really something that morphed into what is is now, a blacksmith car. I fully in tended on building a gondola but when I placed my first side on the side I stumbled across another blacksmith car on online. One thing lead to another and this is what I came up with.

I outfitted the interior workbench,forge, tools, coal bin, and even a cuspidor. I enjoyed these builds and hope that they will merit at my next NMRA meeting.

4 more cars to go... Stay tuned...