Large Scale Central

Small ore car build

Modeling
#37

Just got the MicroMark nails in. Here they are on the left, compared with the ones I’ve been somewhat using so far.

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Them’r small nails!

Guess which ones are real brass?

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Out of impatience, I’ve used a bunch of the brass-plated steel ones, and don’t know how they’ll react over time, vs. the pure brass ones. If they do badly, I’ll chalk it up to “weathering.”

If someone, after looking at the model, presses the topic (which I can’t imagine, but for theory’s sake), I’ll say “Yeah, it’s amazing how corrosive mule pee can be, so I’ve tried to take that into account in the model.” :smiley:

Anyway, I’m almost done with the hoppers.

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2 Likes
#38

If not exposed to the elements I can see no reason why you would have a problem with the coated nails.

#39

Thanks Rick.

To explain further, I’ll be using Jax “pewter” blackener on the exposed metal. Brass will blacken, but the plated brass may not, and it might react to the Jax differently.

Anyway, I’ll paint on black primer over the problem nails. I just hope the steel nails don’t start rusting and making rust-pools around their heads. But, too late now.

Hence the “mule pee” backup argument…

#40

I would think that rust stains around the metal fittings on an ore car would be a desired effect.

#41

You bet. And I’ll be adding fake rust anyway, so… :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

#42

That’s how I paint small bits as well. I use blue painters tape, it releases the part easier.

#43

Finally did final assembly on these today. The cars still need final brass blackening, misc. touchup and weathering, but I think I’ll let that slide intil integration with the diorama.

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There’s been a lot of guesswork on these, and mistakes in execution. But for a prop that I doubt will be analyzed (except by the brilliant thinkers and modellers here, and I mean that and appreciate you all), I think it’s ok enough.

Fortunatly. most of my remaining models for these dioramas will be “simple” 3d prints. These ore cars have been special to me, since they are mostly wooden, and were used thoughout the Comstock mines, which I’ve studied since I was a teenager.

Thanks for looking,
Cliff

6 Likes
#44

Great job there Cliff my boy !

1 Like
#45

Ok, it all makes sense to me now. Here I just thought you were dropped on your head as a baby.
Nice work as always!

1 Like
#46

Those look awesome. Nice work!

1 Like
#47

Thanks Sean!

1 Like
#48

Much appreciated, Jon, thanks!

1 Like
#49

Thanks Rooster.
And yeah I did get dropped on the head, but let’s not talk about that… :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

#50

Beautiful work, as usual. I love how detailed you are in your builds, Cliff.

1 Like
#51

I’m making a poppet head Cliff. What size rail do you use to run the ore cars on?

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#52

Looking great, Bill.
I used code 125 rail (for O scale) to roughly represent 25lb rail (.135 at F scale).

#53

Bill,
Do you have a build log on this and if so is it a Wiki Page?

#54

Ha! Funny you should ask Rooster…

No build log yet. I want to see how Cliff formats this build and his bridge build, on the wiki page.

I hate to admit I am quite inexperienced at cutting wood into miniature lumber, and find myself now with decent tools to give it a try. So I thought I’d experiment and slice up a pallet then do a proof of concept then build out of jarrah and Tasmanian oak.

So far, so good… but I am thinking this will be the final iteration once done. It’s taking a lot of time to upskill. I kinda think I now need a router and more clamps.

As for the Wiki…

Wouldn’t these be great Wiki topics?

Build a House for Real

Anatomy of a Steam Locomotive

The Nine Year Bridge Project

@Devon_Sinsley
@Cliff_Jennings

#55

Cliff do you have a shot of your “people” pushing or standing by an ore car? Im having difficulty finding O scale track locally. I’m wondering if HO would be off putting.

#56

Bill, the cars came in many sizes, and the ones I’m using were on the largre side.

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Gauge and rail weight varied a lot as well, so HO would be fine. Here’s an operating 1:24 car I did years ago that ran on HO track.

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