New Years Update

Happy New Year Everyone!  It's time for an update on the T-gauge projects from myself and CCE Models.

CCE Models Availability:  I stopped selling through the website because I'm not really interested in selling as a commercial enterprise--I feel like I would have to make a bigger commitment of time than I'm able to make to "do it right".  I'm really just a modeler and enthusiastic T-gauger and occasionally I will sell a model or two, or some decals, to my fellow modelers.  Furthermore, the market is just not big enough for me to justify anything more than that right now.  That being said, I'm in discussions with a retailer who would stock up on a few of my kits and sell them.  All that being said, if you are interested in buying some models, feel free to email me and I'll do my best to accommodate you. 

3D Printing:  All production is now on the 3D printer and I'm pretty well dialed in.  It may still take multiple iterations of a print to get it right between supports and the model design itself but I'm refining my skills.  My printer (as mentioned before) is a Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K, and I really love this machine.  Game changer.  I use the Phrozen Aqua 8K resin with excellent results.  I have two new resins I need to test:  One is a clear resin (think: windows,etc) and the other is a rubber-like resin.

T Scale Narrow Body (GP38) Chassis:  This project is in hiatus while I work on some others.  It will go back to the top of the list before very long.

New and Improved T Scale FP7 (or FP9):  There is something in the works with a model manufacturer that will hopefully see the FP9 produced commercially as an RTR model within the year.  I gave them license to the design and am acting as consultant on the project.  For this reason I'm holding off selling the shells but I have several test models on the workbench.  Speaking of my workbench--it's a nightmare!  

I have a couple test models on the workbench--here's a PRR FP7.

Mn3 Rolling Stock:  I have several new designs that are completed for M scale (1:300) narrow gauge rolling stock;  Two hoppers and a coach.  The hoppers are totally new designs but were found on the WP&Y.  The first is an ex-CN longitudinal hopper, the other is an ex-East Broad Top hopper.  For the EBT hopper I have also made decals for the original owner as well as Durango & Silverton and WP&Y.  I am making these with some details I hadn't tried in the past in such a small scale, such as grab irons, and believe it or not they are printing successfully and are robust enough to withstand handling.  

I also refreshed my WP&Y narrow gauge coach (technically Combination Smoker, Numbers 214 & 216).  Originally this model had etched brass sides because Shapeways couldn't print smoothly enough.  My PSM8K is up to the task however and the sides are now integrated and have somewhat better detail around the windows and belt.  The troublesome part is the truss rods... I'm testing some alternate ways to achieve this using the printer, but may end up using etched brass in the end.  These are two test models, still not completed with the design:

WP&Y Layout Update:  The layout is progressing slowly as I refine techniques.  

Trackwork:  First an update on the track-laying technique.   Recall my note about the tendency of the T-gauge flexitrack to twist on curves, especially tight curves?  Well I noticed some sections where the track has pulled up and twisted a bit after ballasting, and kinked at a joint.  I think the wetting from ballasting loosened the glue holding the track down and allowed it to move slightly.  It's not very noticeable, but in the future I will hold down all curved track with Liquid Nails construction adhesive, or other waterproof cement.

I did power up the loop and spent several days running to-and-fro making sure there was continuity and trains ran properly.  It's really a short loop and I didn't even bother with extra feeders.  

Ballast is down around the layout now, and I'm starting scenery using a variety of ground foams and broken up hydrocal as boulders.  To be honest, scenery isn't my forte and I'm testing/refining along the way.

 

As I will need a bunch of them, I tested several ready-made (yet affordable) pine tree sources, and ultimately found an excellent one:  Dan at Scenerytime, who sells on Ebay.  The trees and bushes are excellent--see the pic below.  These pine trees (regular and dark) are much better than the others I have found that just look like bottle brushes.  Well worth checking out.  Note: The far right tree is a Scotch Pine (iirc) from a UK architectural supplier. 

Until the next installment, best wishes and Keep on Modeling! 

-Jesse