Just ignore this. I didn’t see the rest until I posted it.
With that avatar of yours, Matthew… have you got your Emily yet? By the way this week I met your mother, Dowager Hatt. Seems she really likes fast bumpy train rides; did you know that about her?
Sorry for creating troublez… I wuz just trying to help.
If it makes you feel any better, I had a big setback, too. The red dry-transfer lettering I have is too old, they won’t stick. It looks like I’ll have to buy new decals.
And you DID help! I like the new plan better than the old, so don’t sweat it, Mik! Sorry for your troubles, though. Chin up! I’ve found that with erasable colored pencils you can create some pretty creditable hand lettering, believe it or not.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/wardencars.jpg)
The lettering is great. You have a very steady hand.
Tom
Cheers Tom. Here’s the second half of that post…
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/wardencars2.jpg)
The cars are actually the same, just painted differently on each side.
One started like this; the other was worse, if you can imagine it!
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/sesame.jpg)
there’s worse than that?
I really like the build! I have a single tank “water” car. Actually the logging company hauls back white lightning from up in the mountains…
Terry
Just a quick note for the record without photos today. It’s been a week since I started the final assembly and the superstructure is at last complete as of last night. I am spending today - whatever time I can give to this - on the undercarriage.
Since I had the few small parts for the undercarriage ready made, this work is mostly carpentry and has been going very smoothly today.
I have photos of all this for you, but with the deadline upon us I am feeling quite pressed for time, so when I’ve got the construction finally complete I intend to post more pics. I hope and expect this to happen tomorrow! Cheers!
Yesterday was Sunday, and I worked on the undercarriage. Once the basic carpentry was finished I began the trussrod assemblies. We suddenly found out a good friend was in intensive care so we went to the hospital, and when we got back I stayed up late to finish the trussrods.
Today was a rush to create a four-valve matrix for under the car center, to install the stirrups, couplers, trucks, brakewheel, but I got her done just in time to paint the last few remaining bare spots and get some outdoor pictures just before the light faded.
I have photos of many of the steps I took in making the details on this model, and it is my intention to post them later, as a kind of addendum to this thread. I started late, and finishing on time has been a real marathon!
Anyway, here are the pix I took today. My total cost for this build was $6.45 for brass shapes.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Vatfin01.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Vatfin02.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Vatfin03.jpg)
Very nice!! One of those is on my list as well. I have an article I downloaded from LSOL on making one. The weathering is superb. You guy are really making it difficult to choose a clear cut winner. Even though all in the competition are winners in their own right.
Bob C.
The challenge is officially over. Yesterday I managed to take a couple more pictures just before sundown. This closeup ilustrates some of the construction details on the superstructure. I spent most of last week creating and fiddling with all these details.
The ladder is soldered brass, The ironwork is made of two gauges of iron stovepipe wire, the vat staves are craft stix (popsicle sticks sold by the bagful in Dollar stores) the vat lids are stir sticks, the square-section hold down boards on top of the vat lids are cut from fireplace starter matches.
Also visible are some of the 46 homemade plastic nut/bolt/washer combinations on this model, as well as copper wire used for the cables, blackened copper shim for steel plates, and one of six steel supports made from brazing rod. Pin heads, painted Indian Red to match the vats, were used for the eight “brass monkey balls” atop the four ladders. These brass balls were installed on a personal whim of Simian Bros., suppliers of Brine Shrimp, Sea Monkeys, and Instant Pets to the world, and proud owners of this car.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Vatfin04.JPG)
Your vat car came out GREAT John. All the details and weathering really brought it together. It looks like it has been hauling sea monkeys for decades.
Why is there 4 vats? are the Sea Monkeys seperated by size, small medium large? or Male, Female and Baby? What is the secret in the 4th vat?
Nice job.
That was clever of you, Todd.
You are absolutely right; there IS a secret to the four vats; there are in fact not one, but TWO secrets!
These secrets shall be revealed to you in due course… 
Beautiful model. I love the faded colors and the great weathering. Very nicely done and superb workmanship.
Doc Tom
Thanks, Doc. I very much admire your work, too, as you know. I want to nominate you as the Littleton and Smallville Railroad’s official photographer. VBG.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Upload44-53.JPG)
