I'am still alive 2

I'am still around doing some of my own modelling as time permit. But since my last post in mid-2018 many  things, good and bad, took places. What I could call a "good thing" was the fact I've been appointed as editor of two french magazines, one about everything USA called "American Legend", and the other is a model train mag called "Rail Miniature Flash". Quite a lot of work but in two fields of interest for me...

 

On the modelling side, I've resumed work on my layout beginning with the lighting of the State Street extension with some LED. I've also tried replacing some of my Neon lights with LED ones and I'am pretty satisfied. The downside is that my provider is out of stock of the references needed to re-equip my layout...Damn!

I've received some 1/64 trucks for my potatoe plant. The manufacturer is called NEO and they look like real models, not toys. Not perfect like the Top Shelf Replica Mack in the photo at right but quite good and nearly OK for my era (1948-1952).

From left to right (All three from left are from NEO): a  Peterbilt 351 from 1961, a GMC Cannonball 1954, and a Kenworth Bull Nose 1950. The first two could be backdated to fit a 1951-1952 period as the two models evolved very lightly over the years. The Kenworth is perfect for my era but the Mack is a bit too modern in this fashion with dual front lights. But it's a marvelous model from Top Shelf Replica (a manufacturer maybe out of business) and I'll find a trick to include it in my scheme. I think I'am OK now with the tractors, I'll have to find now some period trailers to fit. Not the easiest task, in fact...Stay tuned.

I'am still alive!

It's been a long time since I've published here! Too long...But I'am very busy modelling  (alas not for me!) but for the main french modeling magazine for which I'am a regular contributor.
Every year I published a special issue on different subjects (A First Layout, Modelling the 70's, the 50's, etc...).
You could see a photo of this year subject below. But I can't tell more about...Just French subject, HO scale, beginner in mind...It will be in newstands in late september. But it was a lot of work to build a complete street, shooting hundreds of photos, writing to fill a 100 page issue. It still lack some final details, but..It's vacation time now!

I'll find some time during the vacations to read again (and again...) the "bible" for any Santa Fe Los Angeles enthusiast. Very inspirationnal at least...
Have a good holidays. See ya'

What's on the worbench this week ?

This last two months were quiet, at least regarding my own modelling. I'am mainly at finishing a batch of flatcars. The one still in bare brass is a Southwind Erie AAR/WPB 53'6" which is very close to a Santa Fe model. I've modified some minor details and he's waiting for priming and painting. The two others are more on the finishing lane. The middle one is a SHS GSC and the first in the row is an American model 46 footer that will mimic a 44'6. Of course all will wear the Santa Fe uniform! As usual in S scale, they're not exact replicas for the ATSF prototypes but close enough and it's OK for me.
I've recently discover that the ATSF GSC have plenty of hooks between the stake pockets. It's a detail I've missed for years and now I realize how important they are. But those were very tiny pieces and my attempts at creating them with brass were unsuccessful. So, they were create in 3 D and printed by Shapeways and yet to be installed. But thanks Hi-Tech for the help!
See ya'

The micro 3 D printed Hooks.

Proto 64?

We've talked yesterday with a friend about Proto-Modelling. He's involved, here in France, in a beautiful layout made in Proto 87 and he's also one of the few remaining S scalers in France, specializing in Rio Grande. And we chatted about the subject of Proto 64. I was tempted some years ago by the challenge and bought some wheels from NWSL. This resurfaced some time ago. While interesting the idea proved to be too challenging, at least for me and my limited capacities. This is not the rolling stock, track or turnouts that made an unsolvable equation. Even diesel engines are not too much of a problem, but I love steam engines. And it's another affair! You can easily guess the work involved in modifying the few existing steam engines or sourcing wheels to do specific models, not speaking of three point suspension... And no supplier support the Proto 64 in any way as opposed to P 48. That said it's not an unreachable goal as our english colleagues of the S Scale Model Railway Society proved regularly. But we reached the conclusion with my friend that it's too much for me and my friend agreed, too much for him also!
And in fact, it's not the width of the wheel tread that bother me or the height of the flange, but the profile and appearance of the wheels.
I 'am not satisfy with the look of the SHS and American Models  wheels. The solution?  I've changed all of them with SSLS (sadly no longer available) or NWSL ones. Their appearance is much more satisfying and I finally forgot the P 64 way.  And it's better! The present NASG standards are finally  good enough for me and much better than the equivalent RP 25 for HO. No more wandering, I must stay stick on my goal...
See ya'