Some of you may remember a few months ago that I was working on a little 2x4 module/static display of a steam locomotive service terminal. This past weekend was St. Petersburg, Florida H&R Trains 56th annual train show. Various displays of all scales from G to Z were included. Door prizes were awarded, raffles, ribbons to those with the best displays. It was quite an experience (And I was the only person above 15, and younger than 30 who entered, interesting lol. I'm 19). I took up a small space in the corner of a large tent, and watched as people kneeled down and said how much they like it, with the Big Boys and big steam, the scratchbuilt coaling tower, the little people working on some track work. While I didn't win first or second place for my "division", I did win an appreciation award for my first time entering.

I'll be entering next year with an expansion added onto my little world. Now, on to the pictures!

An overview








Now some black and white dramatic shots!

I'm looking to start another project by this summer, a model of the CNJ Blue Comet. Seeing how I was born in Jersey, I'd like to model the motive power. Plus, shes quite a looker.

Now, I know she was a G-3 Pacific, but apparently that doesn't exist in a plastic model.

Even a USRA heavy pacific would be more accurate, but it looks like I'm settling for a USRA light pacific, and detail the hell out of it to get something remotely like the real deal.

It appears that BLI isn't coming out with their pacific any longer, guess they didn't get enough preorders. My options are IHC, a Bowser kit, and the upcoming Roundhouse model.

I don't want the Bowser kit, as I don't really have time to put together a kit, I already have an MDC 4-4-2 that is still waiting to be striped and put together.

Not sure what the price is on the RH model is going to be, if it's out by June then I will possibly consider it, depending on the price/detail/features.

That leaves the IHC Pacific. I can get one of the newer versions that is DCC ready for only $99. Granted, it will have to be detailed and repainted, but I'm confident that I can have something that would be at least recognizable. I understand I'll likely have to print out the majority of the decals.

Anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions? I'm building a list of supplies and parts and would love to hear suggestions, especially on paint. I know its a royal blue, but who makes a really nice royal blue?

MJC

I just have a quick question.

When sending in a locomotive for service along with money for the service, would an envelope with the appropriate amount in cash, included in the locomotive's box be acceptable? Or should I write a check instead? And if I should write a check, do I write it out to Bachmann Industries?

Since November, I've been working on a small 2x4 module type layout. Its going to be entered into a train show in St. Pete, Florida at H&R Trains. I knew once I had the sheet of plywood, I wanted to do a locomotive servicing terminal. Since you can't really run HO scale trains on a 2x4 continuously, I figured I'd do something that could at least show off the motive power I had.

It isn't modeled off of any specific prototype, I just wanted to do something to get out of the armchair and try it out. I learned so much about airbrush techniques, ground covering, construction and planning. Allow me to share what I started with, up to today.

A blank sheet of plywood, painted flat black, with some track and roadbed.


A coaling tower I've scratch-built from cardboard and sheet styrene.


Here is some more progress. The coaling tower has legs, and there is ground cover.




Here it is today


The coaling tower is painted.


My first locomotive painting project. I took my all black Rivarossi Big Boy, and gave it a UP Harbor Mist Gray smokebox, something I've been itching to do since I bought it off a member here 3 years ago. I also painted the wheels and running gear grimy black. It's just awaiting a dullcoat. It's sitting on the wash racks, waiting to be rubbed down.


A BLI Mike sits under the tower, about to progress towards the sanding tower. There is a Big Boy right next to it, thats a Revell 1:87 scale model kit, all plastic. It's just to make the yard look more populated.


Last, my best running locomotive, the Bachmann Connie. Just hanging out next to a shed.



I still need to add details, and people. Does anyone know what kind of "junk" would be found around a servicing terminal?

And yes, I plan to add on to this in the future. I already have many ideas for an around the room type layout.

Thanks for looking.

Regard,
MJC

Pleas excuse the terrible photography. 

I haven't been able to find the answer for this question anywhere. Will sound decoders like the Tsunami work on DC? Or will they only work on DCC? My only sound experience is a BLI Blueline Mike with the DC Master and I want sound, but I don't need DCC just yet. Anyone?

I've got a Spectrum Consolidation with DCC on board. I've used it about 4 or 5 times with my Bachmann EZ DCC command system, until I smelled burning electronics from the tender. I haven't had any troubles with my other DCC equipped locomotives. I suspect a defective decoder. I contacted Bachmann's service center last week, other then asking about what system I was using, I haven't gotten a response. Is this as simple as getting a new decoder and replacing the old one? If so, I might as well do that but I'd like to maybe get some answers answers. I love the locomotive, but it was new and I don't want to shell out for a new decoder if it can be sent in.
Thanks

Hey everyone. I'm slowly building up my roster of UP steam, and I've always wanted a Mike (partially because my name is Mike, naturally), and I can't really seem to find what I'm looking for. I don't want to use ebay, as I've had bad luck on there. As I've looked around, it seems my only real option is an IHC Mike. I found one it for $99, in NYC livery, and it's DCC ready. I'm not worried about detailing, as I like to add details myself, and I plan to repaint/re-letter it for UP. And I'm not too worried about the operation, as I've had good sessions with the newer DCC-ready IHC locomotives.

Well, long story short, I just would like to know if the Mike from IHC is USRA light or heavy? If it's light then I'll pull the trigger on it.

Also, I just got in a Connie from Bachmann (in UP livery of course) and I love it. But does anyone know of any details that should be added or removed to make it more like the prototype UP Connie?

Thank you all