Saturday, April 26, 2014

A Little Progress

When I was home last I made a little progress on the TCWR CF7. I had no idea how time consuming this engine would be. I got all of the etched metal steps on and modified a Kato antenna stand for the roof. I used one of Sandro's Sinclair antenna on top of it.
I also dragged out a SD40-2W I was working on. This engine is going to be done in unison with a pair of full body engines I have kits ordered for. I went to Southern Alberta Rail and ordered one of their SD40-2Fs and an SD60-2F. The 40-2 will be a CP unit (most likely CP 9007) and the 60-2 will be a CN unit to go with the 40-2W. I still have a long way to go on the 40-2W, but at least it is back on the right side of the bench.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Skally Vehicles

I've been working on some vehicles to make the Skally Line look a little more inhabited. You may have noticed a few of them in earlier posts. I want to thank Showcase Miniatures for really stepping up in the N Scale market to bring us some cool kits.
The one I have completely done is this BNSF "I" Type MOW truck. This one makes Hinckley look like BNSF is keeping an eye on the trackage of the Subdivision.
I modified another of the "I" Type trucks to be used my the BNSF mechanical department. I built a traction motor for the back, so it looks like they just swapped an idler axle under a locomotive.
The cab-over semi is used in grain hauling service in Rush City. I'd like to decal it for the Peterson Mill at some point. The trailer is a modified kit I cast myself in resin. The axles, landing gear and mudflaps are from Trainworx.
Another vehicle is in the works for Hinckley. It will be a BNSF signal maintainers truck. The box is from Shapeways. It still needs paint and details, but it is a start.
Just like so many of my other projects, these are started, but not done. They will work as fill-ins until I get a little more time to blast out the detail items.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

A Little Weathering

While I was home last I added a little weathering to my MNN hopper. I think this makes it look a little more realistic. I will be making a second MNN hopper to go along with it, but the next one will use a MicroTrains car, so I can do a little painting on the roof hatches. Once I do my next round of washes, I will probably hit this car with a very light wash of undercoat grey to tone the green down just a fuzz.
I'm still not sure if I'll add the white x's by the discharge chutes... something to try I guess.