Is It Summer Yet?

Many modelers seem to get much more into the hobby in winter, as they stay in the warmth and get their modeling jobs done uninterrupted by grass cutting, vacations, and the like.  I'm a bit of the opposite as I really detest hot, muggy weather (in southwest Ohio), and live in a condo where there's essentially no yard maintenance required, so find myself just as busy--if not more so--in the summertime.  And it looks like a busy summer is in store!  Here are some updates on various T-gauge projects.

T Scale Narrow Body Drive/GP38 Chassis:  This project has been on the back-burner with the iterative delays with etching and 3D printing cycle time.  The narrow-body motor+worm gear drive train has been proven (at least a few iterations), but the the bogies remain a stubborn issue.  My stubborn insistence on a decent-looking Blomberg truck and refusal to use the damned tension springs has lead to several different approaches.  I designed and tested a bogie that is all 3D printed plastic, with contact strips etched from brass, but they were not strong enough.  I'm currently testing a combination of metal sideframe + plastic 3D printed parts.   However, the new resin 3D printer (see below) will be useful in this effort as well--I have already revised the one-piece bogie that will accept "wiper" contact strips on the drawing board and it's far stronger than the previous version.  

M Scale White Pass & Yukon Layout:   Several projects are underway in this category, lead by the WP&Y test layout , which is starting to really take shape.  The layout is divided into two halves, separated by a scenic divider.  One side will be a representation of the first several miles of mainline track climbing along the Skagway River, the opposite I am thinking I will do a version of the Skagway Shops.  The mainline side has basic landforms in place, primarily the sheer cliffs the ROW was carved into around mile 7.  I'm using rubber rocks from Cripplebush Valley Models and I must say I really like them.  

Bridge 7B will span the small gully in front of the rock face.  While scratch-building from styrene is an option, I decided to 3D print this (Shapeways).  The bridge track has closer-spaced ties, so I cut the web off a section of ties, slid them closer, and glued some cut styrene ties into the gaps.  This will represent a section of bridge ties.  Here's the whole assembly, including the cast retaining wall with steel beam reinforcement, and abutments.  The base will come off prior to installation.

Since track laying is coming soon, I started thinking of practical issues, one of which is electrical pickup.  There are connectors made for the TGauge flex track sections that I have modified to have power feeders, by soldering wire through the back on to the rail joiner.

I'm also modifying the track by removing the cast-on nail holes, which I won't be needing since I intend to glue down the track;  This is really just for aesthetics and to let the ballast fill the gaps.

M Scale Narrow Gauge Coach: The WP&Y/C&S/D&RGW coach prototype is finished, and I'm quite happy with the result.  It uses a 3D printed core with etched brass sides.  The sides have 1/2 etch and the truss rods added, all of which turned out very nicely.  I have several other shells/sides on the workbench, with varying designs of sides.  I'm contemplating a Combine as well.  Here's the sequence from design to finished model:

One other note, take a look at those pine trees.  These are the best small pine trees I've found and are from an Ebay seller Sky and Landscape.  Remember this is 1:300 scale.  Highly recommended!

WP&Y In Person:  In early May I was able to take a "prototype reference visit" to Skagway, Alaska and was able to check out the WP&Y in person.  I highly recommend a visit to anyone:  The area is beautiful, the town is fun, and there are enough activities to keep you busy for days.  Visit the Red Onion and Skagway Brewing Co.!   Of course I rode the WP&Y train to the summit and return, and it was absolutely spectacular.  I was also lucky to catch one of the DL535Es still running, although they have been relegated to yard service now, with the arrival of several new NRE locomotives.  Hmm.. might have to design one of those new beasties!

 

Skagway locomotive shop buildings with a set of GE "Shovel Nose" Class 90 diesels and a pair of MLW DL535E diesels posed in front.  May 2022.

 

A pair of brand-new NRE E3000CC-DCs on a MOW stone train at Skagway Shops, May 2022. 

3D Printer In Da House:  After years of using Shapeways (and still intend to for some materials) I finally pulled the trigger and put down several $hundred on a resin SLA 3D printer.  I opted for the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8k, which offers 20um x 22um x 22um resolution.  I also purchased a UV curing and washing machine to expedite production.  To date, I have only done calibration prints and one test print (an E8A seen below) but so far am extremely happy with the results.  I set up the printer by my spray booth and run the exhaust fan to vent the fumes--which really aren't that bad anyway TBH.  Resolution exceeds Shapeways Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic material and is stronger, and it takes about an hour for a typical print (not counting post-processing.. clean, clean, clean!).  I look forward to more of that rapid turn around (SW is usually a couple weeks at best) and finer material.  I still have a bit of a learning curve to optimize my designs for resin SLA printing--mainly things like supports--but so far I am extremely happy.  I may even have to start adding rivets to some of these models!

 

Until next time, enjoy the summer and happy T-Gauge Modeling!  - Jesse