Re: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
And best wishes to you Jim and everyone else on this list.
cheers
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------ Original Message ------ From: themartins@... To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 22nd 2024, 09:00 Subject: [S-Scale] Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ??????? Seasons Greetings! Here's to 2025 Jim Martin
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
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Seasons Greetings!  Here's to 2025 Jim Martin
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Re: Backdrops for San Jose
Michael,
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Your backdrop looks terrific!? You've captured the look of the hills very well!
Brooks
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Demo EMD 1 is in the house
EMD1 has joined EMD2. ? Thank You,
Bill Lane
Modeling the Mighty Pennsy, PRSL & Reading in 1957 in S Scale since 1987
See my finished models at:
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! ? See my layout progress at:
Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join!??
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
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The detail Assoc brake system and the
old Ford pickups have been sold--thanks.
I still have the Clover House ties.?
I'll also add a PRS's ACF Centerflo covered hopper lettered for
the VFX for the NMRA Valley Forge express (1993).? I would think
that this is an excellent car for repainting as mostly it's just
medium gray.? All the small part trees seem to be complete and
undamaged!? Needs couplers and trucks.? $17.00 including
shipping.?
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I have a few items for sale that I unearthed
last night:? I have one package of Clover House modern sized
ties--7" x 9" x 9'.? 1000per bag--last price I have was nearly
$18.00,? and that was several years ago.? So I'll sell them
for the 18.00 and I'll pay the shipping!
next are 4 sets of S freight car brake systems
for modern cars (different then the typical Grandt AB sets)?
These are from Detail Associates? I'll handle the shipping
Then I have 2 1934 Ford Pickups sold by PBL.?
Soft metal kits--both for -price label says $14.95ea.!
Bob Werre
BBB
PhotoTraxx
Bob@...
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After many false starts, I have finished the first section of backdrops. I must have tried three different painting techniques, about four color schemes, two sets of printed buildings. I'm terrible at visual arts - drawing, painting, etc., but I didn't want to go to a full photo backdrop. What I ended up doing was stippling on a mixture of mars black and yellow acrylic paints. This is described in a video I saw: . The hills will look odd to you if you are not from San Jose, CA, so I'm including a photo that shows how close the hills are to the buildings. No purplish-bluish distant hills are visible in San Jose, which is completely surrounded by hills within three or four miles any direction. I decided to make them a lot more green than they really look - artistic license? When I finished with the acrylics, the colors were too strong, so I airbrushed thinned white (Tamiya) to tone them down. As long as I had the airbrush out, I whitened the lower part of the sky, which was previously a solid color.
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The buildings on the backdrop are images I purchased from SceniKing and had printed locally onto adhesive vinyl. This is way better than gluing them on - just peel off the backing and apply. I had a terrible time before with glue pushing up above the top edge of the printout - no more glue with the vinyl. Other than the one Back Alley structure, the others are just props for this photo and will be replaced.
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-Michael Eldridge
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On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 02:51 PM, Mike Swederska wrote: "the tender tank looks to be all warped up".
What a beautiful 6600! It runs well and looks very well.
On page 162 of Joe Collias' book Mopac Power is a clean picture of 6428 and a shop-mod tender that will make you feel really good. If your paint jobs weren't so darn professional your bodywork wouldn't show either.?
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As to the SSL&S Cabs I finally got to the point of putting holes in the front and back wall panels at top center, tabs inside the roof to match the holes front and back and running a pin from the back wall through the front wall.
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Happy Holidays to all.
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I have a few items for sale that I unearthed last
night:? I have one package of Clover House modern sized ties--7"
x 9" x 9'.? 1000per bag--last price I have was nearly $18.00,?
and that was several years ago.? So I'll sell them for the 18.00
and I'll pay the shipping!
next are 4 sets of S freight car brake systems
for modern cars (different then the typical Grandt AB sets)?
These are from Detail Associates $4.00 for each and again I'll
handle the shipping
Then I have 2 1934 Ford Pickups sold by PBL.?
Soft metal kits--both for $24 including shipping--price label
says $14.95ea.!
Bob Werre
BBB
PhotoTraxx
Bob@...
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If you are expecting a box from me it is now in the capable hands of USPS. ? A few things about the parts... remove the raft and supports. Most used light supports so it should be easy. Paint everything NOW as soon as you get them. ? Cutting the GP35 nose is by far best with a milling machine. See first photo. That gets you flush with the cab roof. ? For the SD60 draft gear Tap the hole for a 2-56 Do your minor filing and fitting into the shell opening. Remove shell material from the top to not change coupler height. Glue the draft gear in as flush as possible. I use Zap A Gap green glue. Have not pulled a draft gear out yet. Some?quick?sanding of the interior of the draft gear may be needed after the glue dries. ? On the cab end only you have to mill a slot to about half the length of the mounting screw. See photo. If you have a milling machine I also removed about .020 from this end for a lil more clearance. The drive is SNUG fitting. ? Put the 2-56 flat head screw in the lid. Add the coupler. Insert the spring in the coupler against the 2-56 screw. This IS a little tricky but slide the coupler into the draft gear and screw it in snug but do not over-tighten. ? ? ? ? Thank You,
Bill Lane
Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1988
See my finished models at:
Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale!
PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded
(Trading is MUCH preferred)
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***Join the PRR T&HS***
The other members are not ALL like me!
Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society
It's FREE to join!??
Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL ?
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CMRI HARDWARE (50% DISCOUNT)
Gents....... Of possible interest to some is Chubb CMRI hardware which was purchased a long time ago from Grafton Electronics in Michigan and/or SLIQ in Florida.? They did the assembly and testing.? Some of these products have been in use until Covid arrived in 2020.? My wife caught it and ended up in the hospital for over a week and almost died.? I have not operated the layout since then.? Some of these products are still wrapped in their static-proof papers and are brand new -- never used.? Everything worked perfectly the last time the layout was operated.
Please feel free to write and ask questions or request photos.??Email preferred, but the phone works.? ??Loizeaux? aht??SBC?//??Global? daht??net? ? ? ?1-650-962-1577? ??
Here is the list:
QTY? ? ?DESCRIPTION
1? ? ? ? ? ? USIC? Rev. D?? 1? ? ? ? ? ? USIC? Rev. 0.9 2? ? ? ? ? ? ?IC "chips"? U1B01a? (never used) 1? ? ? ? ? ? ?S mini 1? ? ? ? ? ? ?Super USIC mini-node? (2014) 22? ? ? ? ? ?DOUT 24 boards 9? ? ? ? ? ? ?DIN 24 boards 7? ? ? ? ? ? ?Stall switch motor boards? (for SwitchMaster motors or similar) 5? ? ? ? ? ? ?Optimum Detectors?? 1? ? ? ? ? ? ? Computer output test panel 1? ? ? ? ? ? ? Bag with many Molex connectors & Molex pins
I'd be happy to sell these at a price which is half of the current retail price.? Or, make me an offer and see what happens.? (No promises)
"S"incerely.............Ed Loizeaux
-- Ed Loizeaux Los Altos, CA
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Re: Junker Downs Tank Cars for Parts
Jace,
Thank you for the photo.
End castings => Evergreen Scale Models strip styrene and Tichy HO Scale > Structure Parts > #8001 Open Grate Platform pieces.
Corner steps => Tichy phosphor bronze wire
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Matt Hogan
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Junker Downs Tank Cars for Parts
Someone suggested I post photos of what I needed.? That seemed reasonable, so here are the end castings and brass stampings (or etchings), from which I need corner steps.
The pair of Bakers Chocolate I just bought are identical, so they may have come from a Downs inventory reduction, perhaps with problems.? Either that, or they've been stored in a poor environment, as the pewter castings are somewhat brittle and break rather
than bending as previous Downs parts have done for me.??
While I've tinkered with other Downs tanks I'd bought in the past, I really hadn't looked closely at the two kits I've acquired over the years.? My impression from more scrutiny is that the instructions don't account for everything that ought to go into assembling
them, comparing what is there with a completed (="factory-assembled") Downs car.
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I have seen that tender up close, and while it might be absolutely perfect, it is gorgeous -- great lines.? ?I just noticed something I hadn't seen -- the electrical?line strung along the top of the tender side.? ?NICE touch!? ?I have to agree that the "fire" looks like one.?
Bill Winans
A couple of things, the firebox has two LEDs in it firring off set. I think the Mutt will get four LEDs in the firebox firing off set. I am thinking it would produce even a better effect of a larger fire all the way down the side of the ash pans.?
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Also, the tender tank looks to be all warped up. Again, yes there is but not to the extent the camera and the sunlight shows.?
... Mike Swederska
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Looks and sounds amazing!
On Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 3:51?PM Mike Swederska via <MikeSscale= [email protected]> wrote:
I have not had the time to put up a video lately. So, I shot this yesterday morning at the beginning of the operations for that day. It is very short, and I think I may just start making less than sixty second shorts video.?
A couple of things, the firebox has two LEDs in it firring off set. I think the Mutt will get four LEDs in the firebox firing off set. I am thinking it would produce even a better effect of a larger fire all the way down the side of the ash pans.?
The other is the cab roof is not pushed all the way down tightly to the cab. You can't see this gap in a normal environment. But the camera shows it with the sunlight coming through in the reflection.?
Also, the tender tank looks to be all warped up. Again, yes there is but not to the extent the camera and the sunlight shows.?
I do use the camera in my normal building process to show bad solder joints and misfit parts.?
--
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
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https://youtu.be/obp_NkxVnRg?si=3306dz8B4ORCM9vf
I have not had the time to put up a video lately. So, I shot this yesterday morning at the beginning of the operations for that day. It is very short, and I think I may just start making less than sixty second shorts video.?
A couple of things, the firebox has two LEDs in it firring off set. I think the Mutt will get four LEDs in the firebox firing off set. I am thinking it would produce even a better effect of a larger fire all the way down the side of the ash pans.?
The other is the cab roof is not pushed all the way down tightly to the cab. You can't see this gap in a normal environment. But the camera shows it with the sunlight coming through in the reflection.?
Also, the tender tank looks to be all warped up. Again, yes there is but not to the extent the camera and the sunlight shows.?
I do use the camera in my normal building process to show bad solder joints and misfit parts.?
-- Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
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Re: Trucks (was Rusti Tank cars
On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 06:32 AM, JGG KahnSr wrote:
the Ace line was in danger of disappearing <snip>.? I always liked their trucks, especially with metal wheelsets, and still buy them whenever I see them reasonably priced.
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Hi Jace (or anyone else).......I have quite a few ACE trucks in mint condition still in their original plastic bags.? They have scale metal wheels.? Some folks like them because they add a bit of weight to a car down low where it helps to stabilize things.? I have different styles of complete trucks plus a box full of pieces & parts like nylon bearings, etc.? Modern roller bearing trucks are sold out.? Why not make me an offer and see if I smile?? Your best reasonable offer would be a good place to start.? Let's not play the low-balling game.? Thanks........Ed L.
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email preferred:? ? Loizeaux? aht? SBC //? Global? daht net
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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In this and some similar cases, it would be useful if someone bought the "business" (especially the rights) from the current owner, and made that known to the NASG. This is probably much easier if the current owner is still living.
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Some detail parts such as end-platform castings are obvious candidates for casting or for re-engineering as 3-D CAD models.
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There are some other owners of cast metal or resin parts where rights and masters could probably be preserved.
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I'd be glad to donate funds to support such a project. If current owners would sell for a nominal amount, funds would go a long way.
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Mark Charles
Ann Arbor, Mich. USA
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Re: WTB Junker Downs Tankcars
At age 83 I already have more kits and projects than I am likely to complete in this lifetime, although unlike my contemporary, Ed Loizeaux, I am still buying more in0stead of prudently disposing of them.??
I've managed to buy a couple of the Downs kits over the years, although I have no intention of robbing them of parts to fix the pair of problem children I've just bought.? His instructions in one of them—TK-600--indicate he intended to offer a number of different
sizes with different details (as he did, although perhaps not all as kits).? They are fun cars to build and own, providing the cost is not ridiculous—some sellers are asking well beyond $100 for them.??
Someone told me that he was as likely to use HO decals where they fit as proper S scale ones.? Another source suggested he developed health issues from painting these and all the repaints of mass-production cars (AF, PRS, AM).
He used a limited number of cast components in white metal to fit the PVC pipe bodies, and presumably the variety of paint/lettering schemes kept them selling, particularly to high-rail buyers.? Although I've heard speculation, for some reason the tank end
castings for the Canadian Starch cars all developed cracks—all I've seen so far have them—which is surprising, as white-metal/sort of pewter normally doesn't develop those the way zamac does in the presence of impurities in the mold.
Returning to my original post, I should have added that I don't need the trucks and couplers from any junkers, just the cast frame ends and brass corner steps.
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Jace in earlier years Downs did offer unpainted kits. As there were several variations in the details, some might have some of those.? I've owned a lot of them over the years including a Tank Train that Mr. Lane ownes now, I think!?
I thought of them as a wonderful product.? At one of Jamie's auctions I bought probably the longest version that was offered and it was good on my wallet too.? It took two evening to build so not that hard and parts fit nicely.?
That is also? good reason to still have kits!? Their aren't that many parts to it,--the end caps being the most important then the running boards/ bolster parts.? Of course Rusti probably did okay as he was also able to move his
RB trucks in those kits.? I also understand he had some youth involved in the finishing of them.? I think I've got a half dozen of the modern style including two 'beer can' versions!?
Of course the major problem with most tank cars is that they are welded with a slight slope to the center--for drainage--I don't know if that applies to all modern tanks or not.? I was once on assignment for the Houston Belt and
Terminal while they were shifting tankcars.? A sudden jerk causes the open valve to discharge a few gallons of some greenish liquid (Ghost Buster's looking).? They called Haz-mat to the scene!?
So Jace, this is a wonderful opportunity to buy out the rights to these cars, have some parts made and your troubles are over!? Then make up some more kits...Heck I'd buy a couple more.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
If no one can direct me to a source for parts for these, another possibility might be looking for junkers that I could cannibalize for what I need.
Anyone have any?? Preferably cheap?
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Trucks (was Rusti Tank cars
I suspect anyone who has been buying S scale for a while has some miscellaneous odds and ends; I have at least 7-8 orphan (=singleton) trucks and my own bag of assorted Northeastern truck parts.? Occasionally I acquire more and can actually assemble an extra
truck or two, or match one of the orphan trucks for a complete pair.??
With the current 3-D printed roller bearings, as used for Ben Trousdale's covered hoppers, we also have AM, SHS, and PRS roller bearing trucks as well as the Downs/Ace from among which to choose.
From memory of reading/hearing about the Ace line, apparently it was developed by a prominent supporter of S scale who had even bigger plans for it (such as brake beams or shoes to fit the brackets in the sideframes).? Whatever happened (perhaps he died) the
Ace line was in danger of disappearing when Russ Downs bought it.? I always liked their trucks, especially with metal wheelsets, and still buy them whenever I see them reasonably priced.
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On 12/19/24 7:29 PM, Bill Lane via groups.io wrote:
The entire reason at least originally for Russ making tanks cars was this…..
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The mold was made to shoot 2 Bettendorf side frames and 2 Roller Bearing side frames. At that time almost no one was buying Roller Bearing trucks. Russ had TUBS of them. The
tank cars were made to use the R B trucks. In the end it flipped because of the tank cars and Russ put some Bettendorf on tank cars because they were surplus.
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Thank You,
Bill Lane
And speaking of odd things that defy our logic!? Among the remaining things, the BBB has a bag of parts for the NE/Kinsman trucks.? As far as I can tell no complete trucks can be put together, so it's something like the Ace trucks--a balancing act!? I'll
have to thumb through the remains soon but at least those parts will make good hopper bay weights!
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
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Re: Today’s S Scale project
I agree with Tommy. Most impressive.
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Not only are you a terrific builder, you're really fast!?
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Mark in Oregon
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Bill Lane
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Bob Werre
bigfourroad Chris Rooney
Mark Mugnai