(03-14-2022, 07:28 PM)BR60103 Wrote: Tom:  Could you do a description of how you modify the Athearn cars to put screws in the couplings?

I had another modeller give me a Kadee Skeleton log car to build for him (Kit#102) After I built that one I decided to build the three that have been sitting on my shelf for a couple years. Now that I'm building a layout with a dedicated logging area and sawmill these will be prefect. I already built the one for the other modeler but I'll take you through the building of the others.
   

   

The entire car is cast white metal for weight and the parts are in sealed plastic bags.
   

I did some initial cleanup but most of the casting and pretty clean and flash free. Any flash that was on there cleaned up in only a few minutes.
I didn't entirely follow that instructions step-by-step for the build after I built the first, some things I found were better the assemble before others due to the fragile nature of some parts and assemblies.  For instance, the instructions want you to build the entire brake system before attaching the  coupler pockets. I found that the coupler pockets can take a good amount of force to get the on and it's better to attach them first than to damage the brake components.

   

The brake wheel is attached to the 'b' end coupler pocket. It and the brake chain is pinned with a 1/2" nail that is pinched at both ends to hold everything in place.

   

Finished assembly, ready for installation.

I then installed the coupler pockets and  assembled the brake system.

   

I did appreciate how almost all the components fit where they were supposed to. I did have to do a bit of trimming of the brake rods but that was about it. The frame is pre-drilled so I didn't have to drill any holes, just glue the parts in with either thin or gel CA.

Did you ever tip a bottle full of Micro Set?  I did it twice before learning the lesson.

Now I use the cap of a spray can.

   

Efficient and free

I screwed up !!

Today I was working on this particular corner where I had (have) plans for the coal mine. I am using the Wathers New River Kit, and I thought I had it all thought out as to how it was going to rest on some foamboard I had fashioned to cover the 2 mainline helix tracks running under it.
For some reason I fashioned that foamboard in 2 levels rather than just one,...I don't know why I did that. The problem now is that the 3 tracks under the loader are now at least 1+3/8" too low. It would be nice it I could replace that double level foamboad with a single level one,  BUT that would screw up a couple of things,..1) I can't go lower as I need the higher level in order for double stack cars to run on those mainlines beneath it, and 2) I can't go to the higher option as I can't make the access tracks that steep.

What are my options? Do I dare to try and cut (section) that mine kit down by perhaps 1.25",...or  ??

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Brian

WPMA-29 passes thru Lubbers Run.  The flat cars are part of WPMA-61 transfer run to Camden.

Bruce

   

Just to let you all know, my son Pat, (Duffy our webmaster) is undergoing open heart surgery this morning for a valve repair. It is rather a routine procedure for the doctor, he is the best in town doing it in the most advanced OR, but if you're the subject of that procedure, it's a bit more serious that just "routine".

Anyway, all prayers will be appreciated, his wife is there and will keep me posted on what's going on and I in turn, will keep you all posted here. The surgery starts at 8:00 (MST) this morning and will take 2 to 4 hours.

I know in the past I had made a post about the Independent Live Steamers but I'm pretty sure it wasn't on here because I can't find anything related to it here. So I am recreating this thread for all those who haven't seen this group of members wonderful work they do. Some of the members of the ILS have passed on to the bigger railroad in the sky but there memory is kept alive through the website and memories at meets.

K4sa #612 - 1-1/2 inch scale live steam
   

E6s Atlantic #460 - 1-1/2 inch scale
   

A little one enjoying the hobby
   

B6sa 1-1/2 inch scale
   

G5s #5741 - 1-1/2 inch scale
   

I1sa - 1-1/2 inch scale
   

N2sa - 1-1/2 inch scale
   

Ok everyone I figured we would try a different kind of thread this time. Let's see those pictures you have of past and present Interlocking towers. They don't have to be in service. Let's see how many are actually left in the United States. 

J Tower is located at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
   

Alto Tower is located in Altoona, Pa. This tower was closed in 2012 and all operations were handed over to the Pittsburgh Dispatcher
   

AR Tower is located at the top of the grade in Gallitzin, Pa. This tower is a little remote to get to and is illegal to even access the road going to it. Norfolk Southern is currently in the process of demolishing AR and MG Towers.
   

MO Tower was located in Cresson, Pa. MO was demolished in 1998. This was taken by my late father. I did have other views of this tower from the other sides but they have since been lost. 
   

NY Tower was located in Portage, Pa. There are barely any if no photo's of this tower around. There is one photo of the previous NY Tower. All that is left from this one is the foundation and it can be found in the high weeds along the mainline. 
   

This is my other hobby which I mentioned in the Lego Train Thread. Here are my lego fire trucks that I have built for my lego fire department. The name of the department is Portage County Lego Fire / EMS Department. This department is an entire county owned department. I do have incidents that I take pictures of from time to time especially if it is a working structure fire or a working commercial structure fire. The department also assist other lego fire departments in the Lego Metro Fire Department which is consisted of a bunch of other lego fire departments owned by other people. Below are some pictures of the apparatus that I currently have built with more coming in the next 1-2 years.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Yes you have read that correctly, Lego Trains. These are trains I have built from instruction by Brick Model Railroader. They are very well detailed trains and you can pretty much build any railroad you want to. They are 8 lego studs wide instead of the traditional 6 wide lego has for sale year round. This hobby is about as expensive as model railroading because if you don't have the pieces you either have to go to a website to purchase the pieces or buy lego sets to get those pieces. Each one of these below has ran me about $180 a piece just to get pieces and decals. Don't get me wrong this is something I love to do among other things with lego's like building lego fire trucks, but it can get costly at times. So enjoy these photo's. Two of them are not completed at this time as pieces are on back order. 

Western Maryland Caboose. This is correct for this one because I did a lot of research. The WM did cover up four windows sometime during it's service.
   

NOT COMPLETED AS OF 3/5/22 Reading Railroad GHRX Gondola
   

Western Maryland Covered Hopper N-17
   

NOT COMPLETED AS OF 3/5/22 Western Maryland Caboose