Covid Cabin Fever and finding created ways to use this time to help a fellow modeler

One of the best thing about this hobby is meeting others within it. I have mentioned before in posts here about my real start with model trains and the "old guys" from the Masonic Train room that helped me learn most of what I know.  Its people like this that are willing to share their Technics and skills that help pass this hobby on to others and help grow the greatest hobby in the world. Being able to create these models is a way that I can pass along the skills I have learned and to share there results with others in the community.

A few years ago I came across another blog and web site called "The Valley Local".  This is a very dedicated detailed blog covering the layout progress of Chris Adams. I have mentioned him before and is one of my inspirations for creating this blog. I was very honored to be able to visit Chris' layout, on my birthday of all days, and was even able to be apart of his operating session. It is a beautiful model of the CT Valley Railroad in the 50's and has become one of my favorite layout because of it being so close to home. But why am I bringing all this up again?

During the craziness going on in the world due to Covid-19 I am currently working from home. I am very grateful for being able to do this and I am using this opportunity to help others while I am home during lunch and what would be my normal communing time.  While I am working in my office I have by Dremel 3D20 making ear guards that I am donating to local medical and essential employees. More information here on my Facebook post.

I have also been doing a lot more 3D modeling as a result of being inside more as well. This is where Chris's layout comes in. I reached out to him to see if there was anything i might be able to create and 3D print for his layout. As I put it, something to fight off the cabin fever of this pandemic and Chris was quick to respond!!

 It turns out there is a specific grade crossing sign that he was looking for that were all along the Valley during his era. Through his own research and bit of my own, no manufacture make this particular grade crossing sign.

Zoomed in picture of the sign in question. "Max Miller Collection" 

This was right up my ally and a challenge that I love to tackle. Something "rare" or so specific that no one has heard of or made before.

After discussing it with Chris a bit further I started by scaling the photo to get some basic dimensions and guesses on size. I used the photo the two photos below to scale something I knew the dimension of. In this case the telephone pole and the width of the rails.

Great photo of Then and Now "John Wallace Collection"

Grade crossing in Middletown, CT. "Max Miller Collection"

This dimensions where used to create a drawing on paper first.  This is purely for my own sanity and helps me jot down any other notes or important information regarding to the project.

My hand written madness

This drawing also shows by first attempt at how I thought the sign was connected to the post. Only so much you can guess at when you are zooming into a photo. But another, clearer photo made me rethink how it was mounted to the wooden post.

Using these measurements I created my first pass at the sign 1:1 scale in the CPU. I do this for two reasons: 1.) Using 1:1 dimensions is easier as I don't need to convert anything & 2.) the Final model can, theoretically, be scaled down to fit any scale. Here is the current, final product!!

Front view

Back View

Now in no way is this complete and is basically a first draft of the model.  What I really need is a clear photo of the sign or even better the actual dimensions of the sign. But where am I going to find something like that?!?!?!   Thankfully Chris was way ahead of me and found someone that might just have what we are looking for. 

More to come, but until then, see ya real soon!!

Modeling inspiration can come from anywhere,.....even work!!!!

My plans to build an HO Scale 3025 have been set on hold for a bit. Mainly because I'm not sure where my it is!!!!

Recently I have moved into my first house with my beautiful fiancée and as we are still setting in to our new home model trains have taken a back burner....kinda. While most of my modeling projects and equipment are still in sealed boxes that doesn't mean I cant use my computer for 3D modeling.

A few years ago I started my own Shapeways store online and have been uploading some of my 3D models I made for fun or for my own projects for others to look at and buy. I was even asked by someone on there to redesign some cylinders for his HO scale 4-6-0 Steam engine. If anyone would like to take a look at my store please follow this link: Artist794's Workshop Shapeway Store

So what do I mean by inspiration comes from work? As I mentioned before I am a volunteer at the Essex Steam Train. What I haven't mentioned is that I also help out as part of their operation department and the track crew. My current job with the track crew is repainting the Valley's line-side items (Mile Markers, Whistle posts, etc.) I have been working my way up the line in my spare time focusing on the mile markers from the main hub Essex to the end of the line. Here is a example of a before and after:

So after painting my fifth mile post my mind started to think.....I can make scale models of this.

and that exactly I did. It took me an afternoon and some screaming as my cpu died as was saving the final model but here they are!!

I made them into a HO scale set of 10 for the store but I can print them one by one if need be. I don't have a layout to use them on but it was still fun to make. Hopefully someone will find these on my store and use them on their layout. They can easily be scale up to O and down to N scale if anyone requested them. This isn't the only model like this I plan on making so stay tuned to the blog and check the store for update in the future soon, but until then; See ya real soon!!