Current Projects

[LiveSteamer]

Matt two things you might look for powering it one would a Varney dual drive F3 that connect the trucks below the frame or one of my oldies that I won't part with its a John English alco diesel the front drivers connect below the frame you might have a better chance on the Varney I do have the drivers from a duel SW unit that Zink dot did in  if you want I could post a photo of them I don't have the connecting rod anymore but it would be too short anyway.
Jim

Jim, could you please post a photo so I have a better idea?

[LiveSteamer]

MOW/Non-revenue Tank Car #70821

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[LiveSteamer]

Found this covered hopper sitting in a box tonight. I was looking for something else and came across this WM covered hopper.

   

[tompm]

Matt, nice job withe tank car.

Anything special planned for the covered hopper? Looks like an old Roundhouse kit. I have built a bunch of them. Only thing I don't like is the metal frame. There are usually a bunch of burrs on it and they are not easy to remove or file smooth. They you have to paint it.

[jim currie]

Matt two things you might look for powering it one would a Varney dual drive F3 that connect the trucks below the frame or one of my oldies that I won't part with its a John English alco diesel the front drivers connect below the frame you might have a better chance on the Varney I do have the drivers from a duel SW unit that Zink dot did in  if you want I could post a photo of them I don't have the connecting rod anymore but it would be too short anyway.
Jim

Jim, could you please post a photo so I have a better idea?

will dig them out tomorrow and tank a pic to post.
Jim

[LiveSteamer]

Matt, nice job withe tank car.

Anything special planned for the covered hopper? Looks like an old Roundhouse kit. I have built a bunch of them. Only thing I don't like is the metal frame. There are usually a bunch of burrs on it and they are not easy to remove or file smooth. They you have to paint it.

No nothing special planned as of yet. It is an old roundhouse kit as it has the metal frame. I know what you mean about the burrs as it had quite a few. I got my Dremel tool out and used it with the sanding bit to smooth them out as much as I could then I sanded down the inside between the chutes. After doing that, it slid right into place. I'm probably going to keep it in the WM colors as that's another favorite railroad of mine. It will more than likely get pressed into sand service.

[LiveSteamer]

Since I'm waiting for more decals to arrive so I can finish the MT-4 slug, I decided to go through some more rolling stock and do some research on a few cars I have. I found what I was looking for to make a couple conrail freight cars but then a ran into a problem. What was the real color of the Conrail freight cars? Well after doing about 20 minutes of research and not wanting to pay an arm and a leg for what they call Conrail red from trucolor, I found that Rust-Oleum's satin colonial red is the next closest color to the red Conrail used. It does depend on the manufacture and not all freight cars were painted the same shade of red. I've seen some modelers use satin colonial red and their cars have always looked great. Even after they added the dirt and grime the cars still looked great. Below is a the railroad car I'm working on while pieces I cut out for the covered hopper car dry from paint. With the covered hopper I was missing some pieces and had to cut out the roof hatches and it is also missing the walkway that goes on top of the car. That will be the next thing that I get cut out.

   

   

   

[jim currie]

LS sad to say that after spending 30 years the junk box I must have pitched it as I can't find the Varney drive but will keep looking.
Jim

[LiveSteamer]

LS sad to say that after spending 30 years the junk box I must have pitched it as I can't find the Varney drive but will keep looking.
Jim

It's ok Jim if you can't find them but if you do please post them.