Model Train Journal

Getting a jump on the weekend

The 1/50 scale Aoshima kit I bought back in 1973 is finally coming together. It was actually an Entex import. When I purchased it, I didn't have the time, tools, or skills to try to do the kit justice. Some of the parts are so small/delicate I am using a special saw that was meant fo cutting resin casting parts free from their mold flash. It is literally a double edge razor blade with insanely small teeth cut in the blade. Sprue cutters were shattering to many small pieces.





Underside of frame. Insane level of detail. Wiring harness for traction motors, bolster details, bus channels.





Along with the delicate and insane details are mold sinks and a ton of ejector pin marks. There is actually a product line of several different JNL electric locomotives in 1/50 with full interiors.

I have to go back and finish the trucks and then finally do the hood. Getting there.

Back in the mid-1970s I was buying alot of 1/700 ship model kits, primarily IJN vessels, exclusively Japanese manufacturers. Tamiya was top of the line, but Aoshima was nearly as nice. When I look at the stuff they are producing now, it's pretty unbelievable. An IJN destroyer back in the day might have 30 parts...same ship today, modern kit has 200 parts, not to mention the PE set they include.

A project from the archives...a Lionel 2046 that I picked up years ago, sans tender. The bent loco cab roof had been nicely repaired and it was refurbished end-to-end. I had a Williams 2671W reproduction undecorated tender that I paired it with:





There was an unused set of prewar Hudson tender waterslide decals in the bit-box, so I applied those and gave it a clear matte overspray. The decals were old, so not the best result, but okay. It's a good runner, smokes well once you get it cranked up. One of the nicer postwar locos, I think.

Healey

You guys beat me to it this week! Don't have any photos, but I've been working on the layout this week to add an elevated level & some more accessories while still keeping a semi hi rail appearance (it's tough!). Also picked up a few more MPC items. Should have some pics next week.

OLS decorated Dash-9 9254 leads a westbound coal train through Wabun, VA on the Christiansburg District.


Only fitting that my final daylight shot of the Conrail tri-lights would include an ex Conrail locomotive. Conrail's first SD50 6700, now rebuilt as SD40E 6324 shoves 10G eastbound as the blue hour descends upon the west slope.


An ex Southern SD40-2 running long hood forward leads a MOW train past Basham Hollow Road in Shawsville, VA on a sunny September evening


NS SD70ACe 1160 leads 126 through Christainsburg, VA as the last bit of daylight begins to fade away on the first day of Fall 2019

From the 1948 Model Builder Magazine. Prewar and postwar Lionel on the layout.

Also from a 1948 Model Builder Magazine this interesting side door caboose. Would make an interesting scratch built model. From the Bellefonte Central Railroad in Pennsylvania.

The caboose still exist today.


Bellefonte Central Caboose, Bellefonte, PA 6-21-14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYhrZA_iA7U

On Friday, I took a hike on the Abandoned Turnpike. Along with hiking through the Sideling Hill tunnel, we visited the South Penn Railroad's right of way.

Here at the start of the hike we are looking west. To the right (past the jersey barriers) is Cove Service Plaza.


We are walking west toward Sideling Hill.



Here's the eastern portal of the Sideling Hill tunnel. This was the longest of the tunnels at 6,200'. It was bypassed by the Turnpike in 1968.


And about to go inside. I enjoyed walking through the tunnel. There's a lot of graffiti, even in the middle. We didn't encounter any water dripping until within sight of the western portal. BTW, the tunnel floor rises and in the middle you can't see either entrance. Very cool!



Reaching the western portal.


My favorite shot - the post-apocalyptic road. We are looking west with the tunnel behind us. About halfway down the hill is a small bridge. We turned left off the old road, climbed down the embankment, headed a short distance south, and found the old South Penn right of way.


Here's an old culvert dating from the 1880s - part of the South Penn.


Here's the roadbed itself. The railroad was supposed to be double-tracked along its entire length, but costs forced a narrower approach.


This was one of the best days of my life. I had a total blast.

George

Thanks for posting all that, George! Some of the leftovers of the South Penn are over in the next valley from my place in PA.

HONDO74 wrote:Also from a 1948 Model Builder Magazine this interesting side door caboose. Would make an interesting scratch built model. From the Bellefonte Central Railroad in Pennsylvania.

The caboose still exist today.

Bellefonte Central Caboose, Bellefonte, PA 6-21-14

Got an address where it's located now?

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

HONDO74 wrote:Also from a 1948 Model Builder Magazine this interesting side door caboose. Would make an interesting scratch built model. From the Bellefonte Central Railroad in Pennsylvania.

The caboose still exist today.

Bellefonte Central Caboose, Bellefonte, PA 6-21-14

Got an address where it's located now?

According to Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellefont ... ad_Society

The caboose and snow plow are on static display in Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania adjacent to the former Bellefonte Pennsylvania Railroad train station.

HONDO74 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

HONDO74 wrote:Also from a 1948 Model Builder Magazine this interesting side door caboose. Would make an interesting scratch built model. From the Bellefonte Central Railroad in Pennsylvania.

The caboose still exist today.

Bellefonte Central Caboose, Bellefonte, PA 6-21-14

Got an address where it's located now?

According to Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellefont ... ad_Society

The caboose and snow plow are on static display in Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania adjacent to the former Bellefonte Pennsylvania Railroad train station.

I think that's the other caboose that's at the station - No. 103; I think the modified boxcar caboose No. 102 was bought by someone and put on display elsewhere.

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:Thanks for posting all that, George! Some of the leftovers of the South Penn are over in the next valley from my place in PA.

Where is that?

George

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
I think that's the other caboose that's at the station - No. 103; I think the modified boxcar caboose No. 102 was bought by someone and put on display elsewhere.

I tried to locate where the #102 might be now. The video that I posted the link to doesn't have any info as to where it might be. Sorry about that.....

G3750 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:Thanks for posting all that, George! Some of the leftovers of the South Penn are over in the next valley from my place in PA.

Where is that?

George

Over the Timmons towards Roxbury way in Franklin Co.

HONDO74 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
I think that's the other caboose that's at the station - No. 103; I think the modified boxcar caboose No. 102 was bought by someone and put on display elsewhere.

I tried to locate where the #102 might be now. The video that I posted the link to doesn't have any info as to where it might be. Sorry about that.....

I found a partial address that is probably wrong, but if/when I get up that way I'll stop in at the station and ask.

102 was sold to a private collector. Then trucked to his house in spring township (state unknown to me).
https://books.google.com/books?id=dt23D ... 02&f=false