Eric , could be the boards and smoke generators I sent last year? Maybe, I think?
Pete, you are correct! Thanks! We spent some time organizing our bit boxes, and I lost the provenance of those bits! Sorry I was not able to provide thanks where thanks was due!
Eric
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No big deal, just letting you know, I thought I sent them to yall!!!
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Update:
Progress in fits and starts…He is starting to see the end of the project, and he is learning that it only comes if you budget time to putter away at it. Estimating the time of each sub-step is a lifelong learning process, I imagine!
Over the course of last week he filled and sanded the seam between the new after bulkhead and the original locomotive shell. Along the way, he filed down that plastic bit to fit the curve of the roof.
A good bit of the this weekend’s intermittent puttering involved mounting and testing…and retesting…and reretesting…the smoke generator. There were some plastic fittings that were for some long-lost function that served as mounts for the generator following some quick X-acto work by yours truly. These are just above and below the red dot that marks the location of the exhaust port.
The tests were because, well, making smoke is fun! We discussed the rest of the wiring, but there were other things to do this weekend.
I don’t think Kid-zilla sees how close to having AM-critter on the track he is, but I have to keep remining myself, “His project, his pace!”
Updates as progress merits.
On Behalf of Kid-zilla,
Eric
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OK,
First off excellent work!
I’m actually impressed with the file work (we call a rattail file) and thinking if that boy had some of the simple and (sometimes expensive) hand tools Mr. Rooster has in his coop he would be dangerous (in a good way).
However I also semi remember what I had tool selection wise when I was his age. So in that department he is MILES ahead of me.
Now lets go back to the “smoke generator”. Honestly it is an ALCO so you can mount it to the floor then pull out the metal screening ( little metal bend tabs inside the model) and let her smoke away. Possibly refill the smoke fluid through the back side doors or keep the roof removable.
I would also recommend “focusing” on this much of the locomotive as that is about what you have to work with. Also note that Amtrak and Santa Fe were heavily connected and nothing wrong with Platinum Mist (aka… Silver)
Nice work young man ! Remember you do you and I will try and be JAO.
“Just An Observer”
Oh, and 8 is afraid of 7 cause 7,8,9.
We gotta get the boy bending brass soon as he is ready!!
He gets it! And, “Thank you!”
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Eric, do you still want the bachmann circus stuff?
John, thanks. Private message sent.
Eric
Update:
Thanksgiving weekend marks the Triple O’s “end of season.” All projects on the lanai need to be brought to a point that they can remain safely on the lanai despite Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas festivities. Each 1:1 modeler is allowed one project that reaches the finishing stages to remain on the lanai. Did AM-critter make the cut? Follow along!
First, in preparation for a diaphragm, Kid-zilla cut a platform and small roof over the after door, basing his work on @Rooster’s recent baggage car project ( Building and Bashing Amtrak Equipment).
He puttered with the lights and wiring, did some final sanding, and it was off to the Palm of Spray Painting.
He was impressed…no runs and no lost details!
And that brings us to the following:
I guess we should have primed this first to better obscure the old markings, but we both like the hidden sings of provenance!
He was shocked how a bit of paint can change what looks like a wreck into a model (something I’ve remarked upon before with my own projects)! He had to do a bit more filing and filling, which nothing like a good coat of paint reveals, but he got AM-Critter over the line. Let’s see what he can do between now and Christmas day!
Updates as progress merits.
On Behalf of Kid-zilla,
Eric
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Primer would probably not helped that much. Possibly chemical removal with 91% alcohol or sanding might have done it. But I’m with you both. Ghost lettering is quite prototypical when equipment changes ownership.
This is really looking good! Great job KZ!!
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I agree. Absolutely fantastic.
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Such a uniquely cool loco, it’s sure to have a long attention-getting carreer in front of it! Maybe I missed it, but has KZ given it a name?
Exactly! …SLAP SOME AMTRAK BADGING ON IT AND CALL IT DONE!
Excellent work young man and don’t think I didn’t notice the radiator fan !
Roosters tend to see many things others miss.
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I believe you could do either Phase III or IV schemes and I personally think the IV might look a bit better however it is YOUR choice as it is YOUR build! On that note you could just leave it like it is!!
Looks pretty fast to me already but I’m just a
http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/paintschemes/paintschemes.html
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Young Mr. Mueller,
I was sitting here looking at the fantastic work so far and it got me thinking that you were pretty darn good with the sharpie markers. So I will offer some thoughts of how a thinks whether it matters or not . Remember … Rule #1…your model your rules.
I circled some areas (in red) that could possibly be “picked” out or “highlighted” easily with a black sharpie if that interests your fancy. Also the red arrows point to the air screen that can easily be removed from the inside by bending the metal tabs up and slide the screen out.
I already picked /released them from the shell so you could probably bend the small tabs flush with your fingers then slide out the screen if you decide. If you choose to go that route Mr. himself would probably paint it black and slide it back in place when dry. Actually it also looks pretty cool without the screens too.
OK, I’m done crowing and only showing what you can do if you want
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We reviewed the post. Thanks for the tips! Kid-zilla will think this as he does the last wiring hookups!
On Behalf of Kid-zilla,
Eric
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Is he going to cut down and install a very very small fuel tank between the trucks??
Nope, he doesn’t have to because I already did. He just decided to remove it because it is a
“freelance” and his build…his rules!
@Rooster is correct. Once Kid-zilla has it all wired up, I will help him install the fuel tanks.
Also, while I neglected to take photos, the “Sharpie work” is underway. In addition, because yours truly CA glued in the screen, Kid-zilla decided to use a wash to darken the background. It looks good!
We will look for time this weekend to get AM-critter running and to put on “his” AMTRAK stripes. The approach of Christmas has the whole family jumping, so we may hold off until Christmas break.
Updates as Progress Merits!
On Behalf of Kid-zilla,
Eric
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