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.

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.

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.