Weekly Photo Fun 9-12

[jeffrey-wimberl]

This last week has been a busy one for me. I had several projects to work on. The first of these was get a Bachmann GP40 body onto an Athearn GP60 frame. While the frame required very little modification the Bachmann body needed quite a bit of surgery. For some reason known only to them, Bachmann had the couplers mounted to the body instead of the frame. The mounting pads for these couplers had to be carefully removed. The mounting tabs that the screws that held the body to the frame also had to be removed. After all this was done it was a simple matter to spread the sides of the body slightly so that it would hold onto the frame through tension. First photo shows how it looked after the body was fitted, second photo shows the unit after painting and light weathering.

The next project was to rebuild some old Bachmann hoppers. These were made for Talgo trucks with truck mounted couplers. I installed new trucks and added body mounted Kadee #5 couplers.

The easiest project was rebuilding an old Mehano caboose. All I had was the caboose body with a useless frame. I pitched the frame (it's now buried under a bunch of plaster) and installed an Athearn frame and a pair of roller bearing trucks with nickel-silver wheels and body mounted Kadee couplers.


After assembly

And after a run through the paint shop.

There were also two gondolas to rebuild. These received Talgo trucks with Kadee couplers.

And lastly, pouring the plaster for the new section. It'll look much better when the scenery goes in.

That's it for this week.

 

[jesso]

Railfans do not necessarily need to be human

 

[chessie4155]

Grain season is starting up.............
for some reason ,I'm hungry for Chicken

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

I did some ballast work today in the new area.

 

[shaygetz]

One of my upcoming winter projects, an old school Tyco Chattanooga Choo Choo. There was a day when Tyco was a serious model train company...long ago.

 

[steamhead]

Good start, guys.....!!
ShayG...Is that the engine with the drive in the tender..?? And please don't tell me that crossing is scratchbuilt.....

 

[jbaakko]

Charlie, that is SD80MAC heaven! I wanna model that now!

 

[green_elite_cab]

Charlie, that is SD80MAC heaven! I wanna model that now!

Yes, i still wish i could find one in the Big Blue, but its been tough. the search continues!

 

[shaygetz]

Good start, guys.....!!
ShayG...Is that the engine with the drive in the tender..?? And please don't tell me that crossing is scratchbuilt.....

Yes it is, I learned they run much better by scrapping out others for their nickle silver wheels and replacing the plastic ones. It improves pickup and gets rid of those blasted traction tires. Here's one I'm currently working on...

Start...

...currently...

It was a Baltimore Blue that was painted over by its previous owner...... I don't know, I just like tinkering with the old school stuff.

The crossing is two modified AHM brass ones. I shortened them until I got a 2" centerline on my main.

 

[UP SD40-2]

GREAT START TO THIS WEEKS THREAD FOLKS!:thumb::mrgreen:

 

[Ralph]

Older KP&W scheme meets newer experimental scheme on the left...

Ralph

 

[Herc Driver]

See! No Trains!

This is a shot shortly after takeoff from a beautiful valley fed by mountain streams in northern Afghanistan. Of course I didn't have the camera ready during the approach into the airport (very loosely calling it an airport). The runway was metal connected together, which had a very different feel and sound to move an airplane on. The approach to the landing strip was one of those "Holy C%*p - We Lived Thru That" type of approaches hugging the ground and cutting through the saddles of the mountains to descend into this mountain bowl. We flew down the runway at 100 feet to get the people and animals off of it, then pitched up and came around again to land. Just another day "at the office". Anyway, there's no trains here...or maybe the Soviets blew them all up 20 years ago...I dunno.

 

[steamhead]

Herc...Good to hear from you....Good to see you may have some of the "amenities" from home...like access to the internet...Good luck to you, and keep the cabin side up..!!!

 

[Herc Driver]

See! No Trains!

Thanks!...but I won't hijack threads with airplane pictures from over here (anymore...sorry). I really enjoy seeing all the great shots of people's layouts. Good work everyone!

 

[chessie4155]

 

[Secord Air Services]

This is a shot shortly after takeoff from a beautiful valley fed by mountain streams in northern Afghanistan. Of course I didn't have the camera ready during the approach into the airport (very loosely calling it an airport). The runway was metal connected together, which had a very different feel and sound to move an airplane on. The approach to the landing strip was one of those "Holy C%*p - We Lived Thru That" type of approaches hugging the ground and cutting through the saddles of the mountains to descend into this mountain bowl. We flew down the runway at 100 feet to get the people and animals off of it, then pitched up and came around again to land. Just another day "at the office". Anyway, there's no trains here...or maybe the Soviets blew them all up 20 years ago...I dunno.

Great picture, Herc. Look me up when you get home: I can always use an experienced pilot that knows how to use a camera. :-D

Just curious: that pass at 100' - was the landing gear up or down? (I don't mean "deployed", either: which way was it pointing?) :-D:-D

Keep up the good work, and come home safely. :thumb::thumb:

Barney

 

[Herc Driver]

"Requesting a flyby? Negative Ghostrider - the pattern is full."

The gear was safely tucked in the well but correctly facing the earth Barney. The mighty C130 Hercules can do a lot of things, but flying up side down isn't one of them. Funny thing was, when we landed, we noticed a number of German military people we flew supplies in to support were taking pictures and filming the entire "impromptu airshow". So who knows, maybe the pictures and video are out on the web by now.

 

[green_elite_cab]

Cool, i've always loved the C130. Its right up there with the B52. Its interesting to see just how long these airplanes are lasting.

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

Here's the newest addition to my fleet. an Atlas GP40. According to what I've been able to dig up on it, this model is around 20 years old and still runs great.

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Thanks!...but I won't hijack threads with airplane pictures from over here (anymore...sorry). I really enjoy seeing all the great shots of people's layouts. Good work everyone!

With what you're doing, the risk all military men and women take, putting your lives on the line, and especially now that from what I gather on the news, things are starting to ramp up....
I have no problem with those in uniform posting pics here. I think other members will agree with me.