Triple Head - GType Signal Head progress...

Next G-Type/Tri-Light triple head mast.  Using the Showcase Miniatures heads & hoods again, 1.8mm - 1/8” (diameter) Light Pipes for the lenses, and 0603 SMD LED’s.

Trying a few different processes on this one.  I've colour-coded the four pin connector for ease of connection when under the layout, the four pins are smaller than the Tomar mast base so the hole connectors will be smaller than the base.

Second Showcase Miniatures head installed, got the process of soldering the 0.19” magnet wire to the 0603 LED’s sorted now, one more to go and I’ll install the hoods.

Jason...

G-Type/Tri-Light Triple Head Mast - Newer Version...

Today was spent scratch building a newer version of a G-Type/Tri-Light, triple head mast signal.

I purchased some heads from Showcase Miniatures, these have great detail and are really good prototype versions.

I found some 1.8mm light tubes that fitted the cast lens case perfectly, I glued the 0603 LED’s directly to the light pipes, and fed the magnet wire through the bottom of the lens casing.

These kits also come with cast mounting brackets too, I soldered the bracket to a modified Tomar signal mast.  I’m redoing these as they’re right on the fascia edge and I wanted more detail in them.

I also came up with a method of connecting the mast magnet wires to the wires that connect to the Digitrax TSMK & SE8C.

This will allow me to disconnect masts & signal bridges from the scenic area of the layout, without disconnecting the wires from the detection system wiring.

Making your own colour correct signal LED's...

So at the end of today's little experiment I've managed to get all three railroad signal colours into seperate 0603 SMD LED's.  I decided to try this out, as I couldn't find them anywhere with the correct colours for use in HO.

They're not the easiest things to work with, but I'm sure that after making a few, I'll pick up a process.  I've even purchased a digital soldering station with some SMD tips to help out.

Really happy with the green, it's the magical 505nm wavelength and the emerald green required for railroad signalling as recommended by AAR's AREMA railroad signal colour guide.

These will eventually go into my tri-light/g-type signal heads that I have on order.

Jason...

Project RDG-3640 - Second coat & back masking...

Second coat of colour this morning, masked and back sprayed the sections of the lower walkways and cab light/number board area ready for yellow paint this afternoon…

Couple of shots of the SMS - Forest Green compared to the Athearn - GP39-2 Reading Green.  It’s close, and put it between the Kato & Athearn and it’s good for me, just waiting to see what it’s like when I do the gloss coats ready for decals.

Jason...

First coat of colour for Project RDG-3460...

Shot the first coat of SMS - Forest Green today for the Project RDG-3640 shell.

This was mixed with 10% SMS Premium Thinners, and shot @12psi with a 0.3mm Tip.

The color is close to RDG Green, a little off but with a little weathering it should be fine.

I’ll be doing another two coats of green, then all the safety yellow sections, a finish gloss coat, decals, then a flat clear to finish before weathering.

Project RDG-3640 - Drip Strips Installed...

Installing the drip strips on Project RDG-3640 today.

These are Cal Scale strips (190-615), to get them to fit the Kato - GP35 cab I had to cut the length down to the securing tabs.

When looking at the prototype they’re almost straight, with only a slightest of bend in the middle of the strip.

Sprayed again with Tamiya - (White) Fine Surface Primer…

Project RDG-3640 has begun...

Stripped down (lettering & numbers) using Mr Color - Thinner, original Kato shell is a Burlington Northern - Phase 1b shell.  

I’ve decided to start with this shell as a test, if it works out I’ll use it for the project.  Shell is ready for primer.

For this project I've decided to use Tamiya - Fine Surface Primer, this was recommended from a few people because of its ultra flat smoothness when sprayed straight from the can.

The Kato shells are great to work with once disassembled, easy to paint and have great detail.

Next phase is getting the Reading Green match...

Hershey Boxcar Conversion finished...

Finished off the Hershey boxcar conversion today.

All of the decals have been added, detail parts re-installed and the entire boxcar has had a coat of SMS - Flat Clear to seal everything.

Pretty happy for a first attempt, some improvements can be made, it’s all a learning curve...

Big thanks again to Jim @ Highball Graphics for doing such a great job on this decal set, and adding them to his catalogue. 

Hershey Chocolates Boxcar conversion...

Today I started the conversion of an Athearn - NAC 50' Plug Door Boxcar.  The Athearn cars are an exact match for the prototype.

I've purchased several of the CNJ version as they have the North American builders logo on pre-attached to the boxcar ribs.

First step was to remove all the detail parts, once this was done I then removed the bigger Athearn applied lettering and logos.

I then primed the boxcar shell with SMS - Grey Surfacer.  And added two coats of SMS - Dark Brown for the final Hershey Chocolates colour...

Once the final coat was dried, I added the first side of the HighBall Graphics decal set.  These are ultra-sharp and the colouring is perfect, Jim has done an amazing job with these sets.

Really happy with this first attempt at such a big decal install, next step is to finish off the other side and the boxcar ends.  The whole boxcar will then get a coat of SMS - Flat Clear.

Road Bridge - Backdrop Transition - Part 3

Yesterday I finished the main structure sections of the road bridge, still have the pylons/arches to add, and a couple of concrete bases for the end sections.

Really happy with transition, once painted & weathered should really blend the scene, backdrop and bridge all together.  I can see this being a highly photographed section as trains enter the layout from staging.

I plan on adding some Cornerstone - Modulars kits behind the backdrop to hide the layout framing.

Next step will be priming and painting the bridge...

Road Bridge - Backdrop Transition - Part 2...

Working on the road bridge to backdrop transition again today.

The left section of the road bridge tapers from the right to left.  To accomplish a smooth join I scribed the level height of the bridge into the backdrop and carved a groove into the drywall backdrop for the 1.5mm styrene sheet to sit in.

I then glued the overpass concrete railing to existing section, and the section of styrene sheet roadbed.  Once this had dried, I then glued the styrene I beams into place under the roadbed.

Again, once the tractor trailers are placed into position it hides the translation further & blocks the viewable edge of the backdrop too.

Road Bridge - Backdrop Transition

School holidays have finished, that means back into the layout again...

Today was spent working on installing the road bridge that will hide the backdrop to layout transition.

A few strategically placed prime movers with trailers and some distant building photo backdrops and we’ll be right...

Next Locomotive Project - RDG GP35 - #3640...

Latest shipments arrived from the USA...

Next project will be converting this Undecorated - Kato GP35 - Phase 1b.

This will be RDG #3640, the only GP35 to be repainted in the Reading all green scheme.  RDG 3640 was the only GP35 to be re-painted into RDG's all green scheme before the Conrail merger in 76.

It will get a ESU - LokSound V5 - Direct Decoder, ESU - Power Pack Mini & will be converted to all LED lighting.

More soon...

Hershey Chocolates - HERX 50' NAC Boxcar Decals...

I’ve been searching for some boxcars to convert into a Hershey Chocolate Fleet of HERX 50’ - Plug Door Boxcars, for my Hershey Pa, plant.

I've found that the Athearn 50' NAC Plug Door series was the perfect match...

I’ve managed to get a few shots of the cars through some great help from Tom Jacobs, and was looking to source some decals.

AS DELIVERED FROM NAC FOR HERSHEY

LATER VERSION OF THE NAC BOXCAR SERIES ABOVE

Jim from HighBall - Graphics has helped me with some custom decals for my RDG number boards & WM cab road numbers over past builds.

So I asked Jim if he could help out with the Hershey decals.  Well Jim, did come through.  And he’s decided to run the series on his website as a permanent run.

HighBall Graphics - Hershey Foods - 50' NAC Boxcar

Happy Days & Chocolate Smiles for HO & N Scale - Hershey Chocolate Plant operators...