Gunderson Twin-Stack – Part 1

slemp_a-line_twin-stacks_20150211_001
Three of five cars have been completed on the A-Line Gunderson Twin-Stack set I’m building. Clearly I need a bigger photo backdrop…

I was looking back through my old posts and realized that I’d never written about the intermodal cars I’ve been building off-and-on for the last few years.  I recently started working on them again and though I’ve posted a lot of grab shots to Facebook, I figured it was about time I wrote a little something as well. Continue reading “Gunderson Twin-Stack – Part 1”

Seattle North Coast F7A #101 – Completed

slemp_snct-101_20140903_007
SNCT F7A #101 is finally done!

On November 19, 2007 I wrote this post about the model of SNCT #101 that I was just starting to build.  Almost seven(!) years later it’s finally done.  Granted, most of that time I wasn’t working on it.  I got distracted by other projects and life in general, but still, there’s probably at least a good year or two worth of regular work sessions in this model and for the most part I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.
Continue reading “Seattle North Coast F7A #101 – Completed”

Working Ditch and Step lights for BNSF 7070 and 7072

Step and Ditch Lights
The front pilot of #7070 with the right ditch light and and step light lit via a 9v battery.

One thing that I’ve wanted to do with the BNSF SD40-2’s from the very beginning was to light them as completely as possible.  To me, that means more than just the usual ditch light, head light and reverse light.  My goal is to have working step lights; truck lights; front, rear and side walkway lights; number board lights and cab interior lighting.  This has slowed construction considerably and is going to create a mess of wiring inside the shell, but judging by this latest progress photo, I think it will be worth the effort.

Continue reading “Working Ditch and Step lights for BNSF 7070 and 7072”

Scratchbuilt SD40-2’s

bnsd40-2_assembled-1.jpg
Progress so far on one of two SD40-2’s I’m scratchbuilding.

I’ve been waiting all my life (and very patiently I might add) for a high quality HO SD40-2 with the correct bolster spacing. The Kato models come close, but it’s hard to find undecs and I’ve come to discover that they aren’t terribly easy to modify. Railflyer is another option, but their models are at least another year away and I need something to keep my busy now… So, I’ve started scratchbuilding my own. Continue reading “Scratchbuilt SD40-2’s”

I always wondered how it would “turnout.” (Sorry).

turnout-1.jpg
The switch stand and points on my #10 P:87 turnout.

You may remember the beginnings of this project. I posted about it way back here. It didn’t actually take me 3 years and change to finish it. But it was sitting around waiting for paint for quite awhile. My excuses are that I didn’t have a paint booth until the last year or so and other projects took precedence. It’s done now though. See below for some more views. Continue reading “I always wondered how it would “turnout.” (Sorry).”

West Springfield 2011, SNCT #101 and a new project!

west_springfield_2011.jpg
John, Myself (In the Brooklyn hat) and Tom at the NERPM display.

For something like the 6th year in a row I attended the Amherst Railway Society’s Big Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, MA. Again I was at the New England Railroad Prototype Modelers table showing off some models. As always I spent way too much money. It was a nice show though, we had a good location in a decent, somewhat quiet corner of the Mallory Complex. Continue reading to see some of the models I had on display. Continue reading “West Springfield 2011, SNCT #101 and a new project!”

Seattle & North Coast F7A #101: Update 5

f7a_101_shell2.jpg
SNCT #101 mostly completed.

Well, it has certainly been quite awhile since I last posted any updates. I do have a number of excuses though. I moved, I got a new job, I’m currently helping remodel a basement for a model railroad (not mine, unfortunately) the list actually goes on. I have been doing some modeling as well now that it’s no longer pleasant to be outside, what with the cold and the dark and all that. These photo’s are a little old, but I feel they deserve a more in depth explanation. Continue reading “Seattle & North Coast F7A #101: Update 5”