Reactivating the Blog

I decided that as I got back in the mood of continuing construction on this layout, this blog which has seen a lull lasting several months would see reactivation.
The new plan is coarsely altered; it's now a CSX switching layout as I elect to start smaller.
The "segments" will be reactivated but in a smaller extent. I will sporadically offer model railroading advice.
So let's kick this off with the new plan!

Trade Prospect: Soon (Preview next car)

In the near future I will do Damian a favor by previewing my next acquisition with a trade to benefit his KCS system.

Warrick's Hobby Superstore has at least two KCS Trinity Grain Hoppers for 24.49 each... Great deal, but there's always RTR with 14 copies for 25.99 if need be.. but you probably know where I'll look first... *Runs north to Plantation

He, in return will offer the Intermountain BNSF new logo ACF hopper he got from a trade, same msrp so fair trade. For Q453 and 452 I am making a grain set myself that will feature BNSF hoppers among CSX ones, probably since Mildred bound Grain comes from BNSF...

More in the coming weeks on this when my LHS trip comes...

Avoid Stress in the Hobby

So brushes were used to upgrade CSXT 6126 into YN3. I was hopeful it would heavily improve the model, giving it a new, modern look. The model was already falling apart with a section of the rear pilot chipped off due to a incident from 7 years ago and one of the steps was not stable enough. I was sort of happy, and here is how it now looks.



I was not happy however hat the brush strokes kept on, as much as that is a common recurring problem. I had not the finances to buy an airbrush and did not consider spray paint.

Unfortunately, dissatisfaction drove some kind of stress. This was a frustrating stage at which the old, dilapidated model was not getting much better. I can put money in the bucket that half of the parts for it are discontinued, being the Athearn Blue Box unit it is.

But, what you want to do is feel more confident that two will do the trick. I hope to be able to cleanse the paint job off the unit and start over, hoping to have the airbrush I wish to have or a flat paintbrush for fill purposes. This is considering that the airbrush costs so much to purchase... So I want to extend the solution to frustration: If you fail, strip it and try again.

Saturday: Walthers Deals of the Week

I will resume my checking often there... even though the LHS may be cheaper...

-Pretty decent Tomar stuff, 15-20% off, for instance the FREDs....

My future commodity the Mark-IV #6s at 12.50 instead of 16.00

Additional Atlas C83 items are on sale, similarly fractioned
BLMA's items are up for sale, 10 to 20% off, such as the Billboard for a little over 10%

Every little bit counts; MU Cables at 2.98 in lieu of 3.50

Perfect for FEC, NJ Int'l has crossing signals at 6.00 off.

We remain hopeful for Walthers to still have their NSCs... $12!

Probably to relaunch their corn line with higher prices (well who knows) they are still halving off their 16ks to end up at about $15

For half the price of their new equivalent, 89' Flush decks.... 20 bucks


That's all for today; LHS might beat Walthers's prices, but never be too sure. Their cars remain interesting while they are among Athearn, InterMountain, and Atlas.
I am not endorsing anyone, just pointing out my findings of interest.

Friday Night: Returning to the Blog

Didn't post because of lack of purpose... Did quite a bit though. I got my dirty hands on a KATO Maxi-4 well set. I really liked it and bought three supplementary ATH containers to be mounted in 2-stack.

Similarly, I began to procure the easy, intermediate step of concrete flex instatement. I "yanked" out the last 2 ties on each end to allow the joints to be placed. A medium sized sterilite plastic container houses the pieces which will be reused in a circuitious fashion. Instead of the I've Been segment, I will add video updates each monday and add how to videos and tips on top of that instead of the Tip of the week.

Also, I bought a UP 60' boxcar. No biggie, no photo necessary. Same thing as the TTX...
Next up, I will be at the LHS Tomorrow. Hope I can find parts for CSXT 6126 which by the way will be recoated to YN3. I may also paint discovered wooden rods the color of concrete. Stay tuned...

New Buys and Detail Progress

My next project in the books is detailing my CSX GP40-2. This is going to be considerably gradual, ulltimating in the recoat to YN3. So far, I started by replacing the common coupler with a McHenry. (other one's bracket is missing) While these aren't the best, they were available for chump charge and I went with that as they are similar to the ones on Athearn rolling stock. Also, I bought some Container Chassis from Warrick's, the last one they had under CSX CHASSIS POOL.

Next in line: MU Hoses

Sunday Morning: LHS Finds

Finally got around to a PC after a stint of teen speak on an iPod touch. I went to Ready To Roll Trains in NMB and was beyond impressed.

Personally I do not care so much that BBs are discontinued; I never need to use them, since all I have that is a BB is a CSX GP40-2. I will definitely get around to detailing it to full realism (and repainting it and numbering it 6120, Shhhh!) As a result of this, a whole section of shelf was restocked entirely with their broad modern Athearn RTR trains, wow, very namesake. ;)

I bought the last swoosh Auto-Max carrier they had, among three left, the old BNSF, the new one which is gone from the store, and a UP one.

I also bought the only ADMX 16000 gallon tank car that the store had, under Walthers. I kept a keen eye recently for "what goes on 222" so I can accurately represent the train, proto layout or freelance.

One would never be disappointed; a lot of modern boxcars, plenty of tank cars, intermodal maxi stacks, spine cars, centerbeam and bulkhead flats, and many more can be found in the store.

I found the freight selection more broad then Warrick's. It has been thought from the beginning that the containers dominated RTR more so, now I am waiting for those darned 53 feet chassis to come in at the end of the month, man, that's a pretty hot seller there. :)