Well, with school starting last week and a work week before that, my modeling has slowed down considerably. Fall is right around the corner and winter is in the distance. That's when most get back to their modeling hobby. I wanted to get a few things done on the layout this week but it seemed I had something every night this week. Next week is the the 3rd annual Mid Atlantic RPM Meet here in town. I'm a co-founder and you will not a better collection of speakers or models anywhere else. I have several things I need to do for the show next week (I'm head of the sponsorships of the show and door prizes). I'm also attending Mat Thompson's operation session on Thursday night. Mat's HO Oregon Coast Railroad layout has been in Great Model Railroads. The op session is part of the MARPM. So hope to see a few of you at the meet next weekend. If you can attend or just want to see what's a RPM is about, check out these links!
2015 Mid Atlantic RPM Meet
Mat Thompson's Oregon Coast HO Railroad
Friday, September 18, 2015
Thursday, September 17, 2015
TBT: Sept. 17th 2015
Sorry I have not had any other updates in a few weeks. Been quite busy and MR time is at a premium. But I do have the TBT post for today!
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| This is former RF&P GP40 patched for CSX. These were common a few years after the merger since the RF&P motors had to lead on RF&P tracks due to their CTC controls. |
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| Prototype pic |
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| Prototype in the dead line |
Thursday, September 10, 2015
TBT: Sept. 10th 2015
On this day before the 14th anniversary of 9-11 I wanted to post a throwback pic of old glory from one of my favorite railfanning spots: Mance, PA.
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| Mance Post office (not in operation) 2005 |
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| The only reason why I like Norfolk Southern: High hoods! July 2009 near Bealeton, VA. |
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Throwback Thursday: September 3rd 2015
Been a little warmer and humid this first week of September so its time for a cold flashback to December 5th 2005, where we find some early season snow! Winter is only 3 months away!
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| A little snowy action on the RF&P sub of CSX only minutes from where I grew up. This shot is from Jones Crossing looking toward Guinea, VA |
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| Zoomed out shot. |
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Modeling a specific prototype: Shapeways makes it possible to model a BQ23-7
I have always been interested in rare or different looking locomotives. My personal favorite locomotive is the unique CF7. Another odd and ugly looking locomotive is the BQ23-7. The
BQ23-7 would actually set the standard for wide cab locomotives that we see today. The Q stood for quarters which could comfortably house the crew of the train without a caboose. As we know, the caboose's days were numbered. It was mainly a different cab for a standard B23-7. The SCL ordered 10 of the BQ23-7's in the late 1970's. They went to CSX through the merger in the mid 1980's and remained with CSX until the late 1990's. As you might know, the BQ23-7 did not catch on and were actually considered dangerous by CSX. They were rated to only trail position, reclassified as B units and even had their windows plated over.
To model this locomotive, you have a few choices: a expensive OMI brass one (did see one for $300 one time) or the terrible Bachmann one from the 1990's. They even painted one Chessie! Enter Shapeways. Shapeways is the a 3D printing company that's been around for a few years. I accidentally stumbled on a N scale BQ23-7 cab while browsing the Shapeways offerings. Of course this did not help me. I emailed the producer and asked if he planning on making a HO one. He promptly emailed me back that he was. I finally could produce a quality BQ23-7 without a complete scratchbuild or breaking the bank. Atlas produces the B23-7 now so one could be easily made. Shapeways has many different things for the HO modeler like complete freight cars, vehicles and tiny detail parts. Make sure you check out their model trains page. You just might find what your looking for!
BQ23-7 would actually set the standard for wide cab locomotives that we see today. The Q stood for quarters which could comfortably house the crew of the train without a caboose. As we know, the caboose's days were numbered. It was mainly a different cab for a standard B23-7. The SCL ordered 10 of the BQ23-7's in the late 1970's. They went to CSX through the merger in the mid 1980's and remained with CSX until the late 1990's. As you might know, the BQ23-7 did not catch on and were actually considered dangerous by CSX. They were rated to only trail position, reclassified as B units and even had their windows plated over.
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| The 10 BQ23-7's were all in FLS paint and were originally numbered 5130-5139 (Photo by Raymond Stewart RRpicturesarchives.net) |
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| Windows plated over and rated as a B unit. (Photo by Ken Roble RRpicturesarchives.net) |
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| CSX paint. (Photo by Sam Beck RRpicturesarchives.net) |
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| #3001B (Photo by Richard Gorddard Beck RRpicturesarchives.net) |
To model this locomotive, you have a few choices: a expensive OMI brass one (did see one for $300 one time) or the terrible Bachmann one from the 1990's. They even painted one Chessie! Enter Shapeways. Shapeways is the a 3D printing company that's been around for a few years. I accidentally stumbled on a N scale BQ23-7 cab while browsing the Shapeways offerings. Of course this did not help me. I emailed the producer and asked if he planning on making a HO one. He promptly emailed me back that he was. I finally could produce a quality BQ23-7 without a complete scratchbuild or breaking the bank. Atlas produces the B23-7 now so one could be easily made. Shapeways has many different things for the HO modeler like complete freight cars, vehicles and tiny detail parts. Make sure you check out their model trains page. You just might find what your looking for!
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| The Shapeways BQ23-7 cab |
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| Another view. Primer gray has been added |
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| Atlas undecorated B23-7 |
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| The shell fits right on the shell. |
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