A New Forum

Fellow T-gauger Doug Kightley has taken up the challenge and has created a new discussion forum: 

Check it out: http://www.talkingtgauge.net

Rhaetian Railway Allegra ABe 8/12

Here's a project I did at the behest of a fellow who models the Swiss railways in the Alps: the Rhaetian Railways "Allegra" or  "ABe 8/12".  The prototype runs on the meter-gauge Bernia Railway (and some others) with extreme grades and curvature.   

(Photo from Wikipedia)

The model was created using 3D printing for the lead "A" unit shells, while the "B" or middle unit was scratch-built from an A unit.  The decoration was done with the technique I call "full-side decal" where basically the entire side is one decal.  I paint the bodies white and print the decal on clear decal stock.  Some added details such as the pantographs were scratch made from etched brass parts from an ship-detailing kit.  The power chassis is the 35.5mm Eishindo chassis, and all units are powered.

If you are interested in purchasing a shells, they will be available on the CCE Shapeways site, and feel free to contact me if you are interested using the decal artwork for your own model.

  

Changes in the T-Gauge Landscape

"Due to circumstances beyond our control.." the main forum for T-gauge modelers, "Talking T Gauge," which has been hosted by David  K. Smith has been taken down.  This was the place for news and updates from other T-Gaugers around the world.  The forum recently took on a life of it's own with some (in my opinion) immature behavior being displayed by users, but this is not the reason for the forum being shut down.  In any case, after checking with DKS, it appears to be a permanent loss--or at least semi-permanent.  This is sad but comes with the territory.  T-gauge is not a huge commercial market, and there are only a few of us carrying the torch.  I'm debating whether to start a new forum, and if there is another "home" for T-gauge please spread the word.  

Rolling Stock Updates

My T-gauge reputation to date has mostly been my rolling stock models, and rest assured although work and family have taken much of my time lately I've been working on a few projects. 

A couple notable ones:

1. A 60' Harriman-style coach such as were used by the SP for commuter trains.  This shell can be powered with the 39mm Eishindo mechanism.

2. Custom made Rhaetian Railways "Allegra".. part of a commissioned trainset.  Graphics are nearly ready, I hope to post pics soon of that.

A few refinements of the MP36PH and Bombardier Coach projects have been done.  

Oh.. did I mention an EMD GP9 is in the works.  Afterall, the B&O/Chessie layout absolutely demands a few Geeps!

This should be an exciting fall as projects come along.!  

Little Steps

Some progress to report this weekend.  I finally finished ballasting the track.  Next up will be adding and experimenting with bridges/abutments and terrain.  Pine Creek will pass under the railroad in a coupIe of locations.  One thing evident in the pictures is the ability to create nice, broad curves in T-Gauge, even in a small space.

Track Progress

Had a little time to work on the track this weekend, I put down some additional ballast and playing around with the technique a bit. It's pretty forgiving-- I'm finding some bits I didn't like I can patch up.  Little scraps of roadbed can be rolled up a-la playdoh worms and spread where needed.   The ballasting is being affixed after arranging with a brush with a shot of dullcote, then a few drops of thinned matte medium after that has dried.  

This corner is Etna, BG tower will sit in the corner closest to the camera.  I need to add the ex-PRR industrial track to the Tippins Machine Works, which will be a 70-degree (or so) crossing.  The crossing will be non-functional.

  

A New Tool (or Toy)

I've been using my cell phone camera (a Samsung Galaxy S) for most of my pictures.. (err. well I can't remember the last time I used my old Canon PowerShot for anything!!)   The camera phone resolution is good enough for web use, but the macro feature isn't all that powerful.  After reading a post on the T-Gauge.net Forum in which a member was showing photos in need of macro focus, I did a search on Ebay and  found this.  The price was right so thought I'd check it out.  It's a small add-on lens to the phone camera, which is secured by means of a magnet in the lens itself.  You can attach a self-adhesive metal disc that holds the lens in place on the phone as well, although mine has a metal plate that works.  Here are some test photos.  

Above, the up-coming Bombardier Bi-level coach, to be paired with this:

The FP7/9:

And some closer views of the "experiment" track:

While I think I need to do a little more experimentation to get the best results, it's an improvement over the standard camera in my phone.  Now to complicate matters, I just ordered a new smartphone (Nokia 928).  This has a really nice Carl Zeiss lens on it, and it may have a good macro feature already.  It does have a much larger sensor (i.e. more megapixels) We'll see!

I have been working ballasting the P&W layout so will update the blog with that and more macro photos soon.