Work continues on the IAIS's Bluffs engine facility. Recently I added detrucked ex-NP 40' and ex-LNAC SIECO 50' boxcars-turned-toolsheds.
I also posted a pic of the first of the four Athearn Genesis Coalporters to which I'm adding a total of 200 grab irons. Model Railroading is fun(?).
Prototype view of NP 24940 looking north. This car is used as a storage shed for the Bluffs enginehouse. By: Joe Atkinson
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NP 24940 looking south. This is a Branchline kit with Microscale decals for the larger NP herald and "Main Street of the Northwest" slogan, removed roofwalk, lowered ladders and brake wheel, and Sergent couplers. By: Joe Atkinson
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Prototype view of the SIECO looking south. Apologies for the poor photo and angle, but the locomotives stored on the track behind me make it impossible to get a broadside view of the east side. By: Joe Atkinson
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To model the latest Bluffs toolshed, I started with an Athearn SIECO, removed the trucks, brake gear, and end details per the prototype, painted Floquil Old Silver, and weathered with oils. The electrical service on the B end is just wire with a junction box made from a spare piece from a Cannon fuel tank detail set. Thanks to Christian Hostetler for the Sergent couplers on this car, and to Nate Obermeyer for the Sergents on the adjacent NP boxcar. By: Joe Atkinson
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North end showing the conduit running between the SIECO car and the ex-NP 40-footer, apparently for interior lighting. By: Joe Atkinson
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The conduit running between the two cars was added with a piece of wire, painted grimy black. By: Joe Atkinson
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Roof shot. I've been amazed at how much easier weathering with oils is since I took some advice I found on The Rustbucket forum about drybrushing oils with artists' brushes. The brushes really make all the difference. By: Joe Atkinson
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Overall view of the Bluffs engine facility and yard showing both toolshed boxcars and the under-construction enginehouse. By: Joe Atkinson
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Another project from this week. I recently upgraded my CWEX coal train from LBF and Walthers Coalporters to Athearn Coalporters with individual grab irons and a few LBF Aeroflos. In the process, I wanted the train to have the same mix of each car type and paint scheme that the prototype CWEX detour that ran during my era had. For my 22-car train, that meant finding 9 aluminum/yellow Coalporters, 9 black/red Coalporters, and 4 aluminum/red Aeroflos. Unfortunately, the black/red Athearn cars have been really hard to find for some time, so when the last four I needed came up on Ebay for $25, I jumped at them, even though they were, for some reason, missing all their grab irons. So, I'm currently in the process of adding a total of 200 grab irons to these four cars. Here's the first one done, waiting for touch-up paint. I needed a break after this, which is why I finished the SIECO toolshed. By: Joe Atkinson
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Prototype view of NP 24940 looking north. This car is used as a storage shed for the Bluffs enginehouse.
NP 24940 looking south. This is a Branchline kit with Microscale decals for the larger NP herald and "Main Street of the Northwest" slogan, removed roofwalk, lowered ladders and brake wheel, and Sergent couplers.
Prototype view of the SIECO looking south. Apologies for the poor photo and angle, but the locomotives stored on the track behind me make it impossible to get a broadside view of the east side.
To model the latest Bluffs toolshed, I started with an Athearn SIECO, removed the trucks, brake gear, and end details per the prototype, painted Floquil Old Silver, and weathered with oils. The electrical service on the B end is just wire with a junction box made from a spare piece from a Cannon fuel tank detail set. Thanks to Christian Hostetler for the Sergent couplers on this car, and to Nate Obermeyer for the Sergents on the adjacent NP boxcar.
North end showing the conduit running between the SIECO car and the ex-NP 40-footer, apparently for interior lighting.
The conduit running between the two cars was added with a piece of wire, painted grimy black.
Roof shot. I've been amazed at how much easier weathering with oils is since I took some advice I found on The Rustbucket forum about drybrushing oils with artists' brushes. The brushes really make all the difference.
Overall view of the Bluffs engine facility and yard showing both toolshed boxcars and the under-construction enginehouse.
Another project from this week. I recently upgraded my CWEX coal train from LBF and Walthers Coalporters to Athearn Coalporters with individual grab irons and a few LBF Aeroflos. In the process, I wanted the train to have the same mix of each car type and paint scheme that the prototype CWEX detour that ran during my era had. For my 22-car train, that meant finding 9 aluminum/yellow Coalporters, 9 black/red Coalporters, and 4 aluminum/red Aeroflos. Unfortunately, the black/red Athearn cars have been really hard to find for some time, so when the last four I needed came up on Ebay for $25, I jumped at them, even though they were, for some reason, missing all their grab irons. So, I'm currently in the process of adding a total of 200 grab irons to these four cars. Here's the first one done, waiting for touch-up paint. I needed a break after this, which is why I finished the SIECO toolshed.
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