Large Scale Central

4th New Year's Scratchbuild Challenge from the Little River Guy

Modeling
#21

Thanks for the kind words. It is appreciated. Well, the weather has been so nice here in Tennessee I just had to get this new car out on the line and see first off if it really would hold ballast. I loaded in about 1-2 pounds of Lowes Large Scale Rail Road ballast and the car’s sides did not explode!!

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06203.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06202.jpg)

The hinges and side pockets held and there was no change in the sides.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06204.jpg)

The “ballast” was returned to the garden bucket and I enjoyed the additional weathering the stone dust imparted to the interior of the gon.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06205.jpg)

Thanks for looking. Tom

#22

Very Impressive Tom! I like it!

#23

That came out great. Now the crew can get more track laid. (Shut up Rooster)

#24

Tom,

That is a sweet car. I love the weathering job, makes the car. I do wonder how the LRRR guys are going to remove that center post with a full load on the car. I suppose a sledge hammer is in order :slight_smile:

Bob C.

#25

Axe is more like it. Once the loads gone, you don’t need the post anymore.

#26

that car sure is one of the (too many) candidates for the first place!

yes, it will be tough voting this year.

#27

Thank you all for the encouraging words. I too wondered just what mechanism to model to explain removal of the center stake to start the flow of ballast. The axe and sledge hammer sound plausible. Or perhaps, the LRRR crew hired Paul Bunyon and that would explain that giant thumb and index finger from the sky that pulls the stake to start the flow of rocks.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/PaulB.jpg)

Tom

#28

Wow Tom! that looks fantastic. I like the heavy weathering on the wood. Very nice work.

Terry

#29

Awesome, Doc!

#30

I made a good choice to stay out of the car modeling side this year… Thats a keeper Tom! Actually a couple more would look good in a MOW string…

#31

The Gon Gets its Wheels. I was able to scrounge around in the junk parts box and find some couplers that fit the Bachmann trucks I salvaged for this build. After some painting and weathering the wheel sets and couplers were installed.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06207.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06208.jpg)

I was quite pleased when everything lined up and the gondola coupled on to the 1:20.3 Bachmann thirty foot flats that I use for hauling logs.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06209.jpg)

It is getting close to the time to put this car to work and earn back the $18.62 spent on parts for this project. Tom

#32

Tom what do you use to weather the metal? Is it powders or airbrush or both? They look awesome.

#33

Sah-Wheat!

:smiley:

#34

Victor Smith said:
Tom what do you use to weather the metal? Is it powders or airbrush or both? They look awesome.

Thanks Victor. I use acrylic “craft paints.” Using three shades of brown, I “dab” on the colors using the same brush. In a random pattern I start with the darkest brown and finish with the lightest shade. I dab on a very little black over the bottoms of the journal covers to simulate old grease. When this drys I use a very dilute India Ink wash in 50% Alcohol to tie all the colors together. I use the 50% alcohol as the 70% and 90% strengths will act as a paint remover…voice of previous sad experiences. When this drys I lightly dry brush all the surfaces with a tan acrylic cut with white acrylic using a very stiff bristle brush. All this I hope gives the rusty and dusty affect I am trying to achieve.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06207-Version2.jpg)

Tom

#35

Very Nice Tom!!! Looks like a winner to me!

#36
Aaron Loyet said:
Very Nice Tom!!! Looks like a winner to me!
Thanks Aaron. There are some incredible models being made with this challenge including yours. I am glad Mik and Dave enticed us to do some modeling this winter. I had no plans for a "winter build" and this neat challenge got me in gear and motivated. I think we all get motivation and learn things from each other. This is a very good group.

Tom

#37

You’ve set the bar pretty freakin’ high here, Doc. That model is sweet to look at!

#38

The shop crew completed the build of the ballast car. Their final job was to letter it for Little River Rail Road MOW car #01. When the paint was dried it was time to take the car and a load of rock up in to the Smoky Mountains and start working for the railroad.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06210.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06211.jpg)

High atop Lumber Hill the train eased in to a section of track that needed shoring up with some of that good limestone ballast.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06214.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06215.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06216.jpg)

Under the watchful eye of Boss Crumb the side door was carefully opened and the ballast placed on the tracks by the crew.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06219.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06220.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06221.jpg)

The train was backed and the load carefully emptied to fill in all the missing rock work.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06224.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06225.jpg)

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06228.jpg)

As the sun was setting in the mountains the work was done and the gondola was buttoned up. The crew marveled at the ease at which the track had been ballasted with their very own ballast car.

(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06231.jpg)

#39

Very nice Tom! It looks Fantastic!

#40

Sweet Tom.
Now you just need to build a few more so the boys don’t have to run back for more ballast so often :wink:
Ralph