Re-visiting my first scratch-building project - HO Scale WDW

I may have mentioned this before but have always loved Disney. The movies, the parks, but especially the trains. Walt Disney himself had a fascination with train even building a live steam railroad in his backyard. So mixing my love for trains and Disney was very easy to do.  Case and point:

12 year old me in the Cab of WDWRR #1 " Walter E. Disney"

So during my time at college I started to build HO scale replicas of the 4 engines that you can find at Walt Disney World in Florida.  I took a bit of modelers licence because the real versions are 3 ft narrow guage but converting them down to HO scale was simpler and was what I modeled. To put it short the end result was 4 kitbashed and scratch- built engines made from tyco/mantua 4-6-0 models. They were very crude but at the time I was happy about it.   However looking back at them now, they are a bit hard to look at.  The paint is bad and there are obvious areas where I rushed to meet a deadline that never existed in the first place.  But why bring this up?

After modeling so much of the Valley's equipment I wanted to do something different to give me a bit of mental block from the same projects.  Digging in a box at home I found these old WDWRR engines and thought how can I fix these?

So I started with something simple that can be used on all 4 engines with little modifications, the cab. This was created based on online photos, scale measurements, and some reference photos I took of the engines when i was last at the parks and after about a week of working on it in between work and other projects here is the result.

So far so good I think. The goal would be to created full 3D models, in HO scale, that I can print out at home using my Photon S resin printer for each of the engines. I am currently thinking of re-using the tyco motors and wheel sets but that may change.

"The Gon" is shaping up - Progress on L&NE 728

Its been a bit since my last update.  There was some delay in modeling time and a brief break from the computer, spending all week on a cpu for work can be a bit draining and I took a few weeks to work on a quick side project for Chris's Valley Line layout.

But I am back working on the Gon. Which is actually complete for now!!!!

Well what I am calling Version 1 is complete anyways.

Version 1 (V1) is going to be modeled as if the car was still in service on the L&NE as a low side gondola and/or part of the L&NE's wreak train. In fact I was able to find out recently, with a bit of digging and a some help from another online group, that the Gon down at the Valley was used as a crane boom car with in the L&NE wreak train. Here is a picture of it at work.

L&NE/VRR 728 Gon on the right. Photo from the book "Lehigh and New England" by Ed Crist.

 But why make this Version one? If the Valley has the same type of car shouldn't this be called complete?

Well, yes the car is still at the Valley and yes, its still on display painted for the L&NE. BUT before it was "stuffed and mounted" into the display freight train. It was the VRR first open car and there were a bit of modifications done to aid allowing guests to ride in the car.

There was a chunk of the north end cut out of the car to allow a folding trap door to be placed over the couplers allowing staff and passengers to walk onto the Gon. This trap door is still present today seen here:

Photo by Tim Darrnel

The car had bench seating similar to the VRR "Riverview" does today and a metal handrail extended around the top of the car to provide a bit more safety. Here photo of the is a Gon during a Railfan trip back in 1986:

Here is L&NE 728 mixed in with some of the RMNE Stock on the Valley.
Photo by Carl Weber

So as you can see there are some more items that need to be added in order to make this match the Gon during its revenue service era. But not to worry I have already started to make some progress on that. Here is a snip of what it looks like right now:

And this is where I will leave it today but until next time see ya real soon!!

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!!

Recreating the old favorite, The "Gon"

While things are still chugging on the 0901 project, which is currently in printing trials. Find out more about it on my Facebook Discussion Page. I needed to find a way to fill the time while I waited 10 hours for one test print. I thought about writing more articles for the VRR history project that I have been working on, but I have been writing all day for work.

I wanted to do something more fun something more to do with modeling trains. Well a breakthrough in this history project provided a bit of inspiration to bring some love back to a old VRR favorite.

If you have visited the VRR in the past few years you will have to pass by our freight train display on track 8. The FVRR tank engine, #2, is currently at the front but the car I'm referring too is just behind it. This wooden side gondola is a EX-Lehigh and New England Railroad veterain that was once apart of the VRR's daily coach train. Believe it or not it was the VRR's first open car!!

I never got the chance to ride in it while it was on the train but I have heard many happy stories of people that did. Part of me always wanted to get a model of this car but because of it being, like most things here, an oddball there wasn't many on the market. 

I was on the fence about building one from scratch but I had no measurement and access to the car as I am staying home because of the Virus.

I was lucky to find a Facebook group about the L&NERR and they were able to help me find the copies of the cars diagrams.  I will not post them here for copyright reasons but believe me the model is being drawn now to the drawings standards.

More progress to come but here us a preview!!

New place to talk Trains and other project details!!!

Hello everyone!!

I have some exciting news!!  I have created a new Facebook group to allow followers to have discussions on the projects that I am working on!! I hope to see you all there were we can discuss and share Ideas for models and for other future projects.

The first post over there is about the 0901's first test print.

Simply click the new FACEBOOK tab on the blogs home page!!

P.S. I am working from home now and the cats have getting in the way of both my 9-5 and my modeling projects at night lol.

Progress on HO Scale 0901

 Trying to avoid the crazyness going on with the world this past weekend I started to work on my model of 0901 again.  Made some progress. Split the model into two printable parts, created the headlight and whistles of different types, and started working on the handrails.

Short and sweet but good progress.  Photos will be updated here later.  Stay safe everyone and wash your hands

Taking the Workshop in the Road -- Cheshire High School Spring Show 2020

There is nothing like Train Show Season.  While there are no set dates or times that limit exactly when train shows take place in my are we normally see them start around the fall (September/October) and end in the spring. They can very in size from large multi room and even buildings (ie: the Big E Train Show) to a single room in a hotel banquet area.  Regardless of the size of the show I normally am there ether as a visitor or assisting some friends sell items and carry boxes. Very rarely would you find me selling anything of my own. However this year that is going to change!!!

This coming weekend is the annual Spring Model Train Show located at Cheshire High School in Cheshire CT. This is one of the larger small town shows in our area filling the schools gym, both their cafeterias and parts of the hallways. This is always a packed show with Vendors, Layout groups, Local Hobby Stores, and tourist Railroads.  The Cheshire show has become a special show for me for a few reasons. Its only about 10 min drive away from home, it is a great place to catch up with some friends in the hobby and it is where I got to meet a amazing family that sets up a large kids area for free.  They set up a large toy train set for kids to play with and drive trains around, with supervision of their parents of course. But its one of the few places where kids can get their hands on the trains and hopefully is the thing that gets them into the hobby and help it grow.

Here is Justin's set up from the Winter Show

 I have become their "Mr. Fix-it" and help maintain the trains and track. ( They can sometimes take a beating over one day of work!!) But it started a wonderful friendship with that family and I am very grateful that I happen to bump into them at the show.

But I'm getting a little off topic. The main reason why I am excited for this Spring's show is that for the first time ever!!!  Artist794's Workshop is going on the road!!!

 Over the last few weeks I have been 3D printing examples of some of the models I have created in a range of scales (N,HO,S,O,G) in order to promote what I have been doing and hopefully sell a few items to fund some more future projects.  Here are examples of what I am planning on bringing to the show:

Both of my printers hard at work for the past few days

G scale R,A,W posts compared to S scale R,A,W posts and Mile markers

HO and N scale mile markers and W,A,R posts drying in my UV chamber.
The solar powered turntable helps make sure they get a even exposure to the LEDs

If you have ever wanted to see a 3D printer in action your in luck as I am planing on bringing one of my printers as well to print a few more parts throughout the day!  If you are planning on attending the show and want to stop by and say hi! I'll be in the cafeteria on the right near the kids area along with a few of my Model Railroad friends. (they have many toy train and real railroad items for sale as well check them out!!) Hope to see you there and make sure you stop by Justin's Kid City area as well.

Until Sunday, See you real soon!!!