Arthur asks about HO NJ transit units.  All I can say is good luck! except for Bachmann/walthers F40PH models, and Walthers comets, you're not likely to find many RTR NJ transit models. Atlas made a U34CH and ALP44,  (i have just seen the former on Ebay), but they are not as common.  Going farther back, Rivarossi made NJ transit E8As, and Walthers used to sell an NJ transit E60CH (it is painted like an amtrak with NJ transit markings, so its not quite right). I think I've also seen an NJ transit PCC around.  Those are the only RTR NJ transit models i know of.

Most of my NJ transit comes in the form of kits that i've custom painted and detailed to match the prototype's paintschemes. You can sometimes find people who will model NJ transit units and build the kits for you (Empire RR, if i can find the site, plans to offer NJ transit ALP46 and PL42AC models RTR and with sound). Otherwise, you'll have to build it yourself.  Not that this is a problem, building kits can be great fun!

I think the most common question i get asked is about my SEPTA equipment.  Its all out of production, but the Atlas AEM7s are not hard to find.  The comet cars are actually all RTR Walthers cars.  The reason you hardly find any SEPTA comet II cars are because Walthers used the SEPTA name without paying for licensing, so production was cancelled in the mid 90s i think.   They are out there (when i got mine, there were a ton piled at a train show's table).

Of course, you can always make your own. IHP, the (in my opinion) best commuter model maker, does have SEPTA decals out for the Walthers Horizon cars, as well as correct highly detailed GSI trucks, that i am told run VERY smooth, much better than the walthers stock trucks.   They also sell Comet III (which have been showing up on SEPTA) shells, which can be placed on a Horizon car chassis.

They also sell Silverliner III, and IV Electric multiple units (they are planning on the Silverliner Vs as well), so if you have some spare cash, you can model some of them if you are a good kit builder.

No, my comets are not for sale, its hard enough to grab them as it is!  I'm hoarder, lol (well, not really...), so i don't part with things easily. If i'm willing to sell, i will say so. Don't ask me!

Anyways, here are a few photos just for fun!

Trackmobile, AWAY!

This is a new scene that is replacing the oil tank visible in some older photos on this site.

I'll get these Arrow IIIs done eventually!

One of my GP15-1s ia moving along

An E44 is overtaken by a pair of Silverliner II EMUs

I also have a couple new models to add to the roster.  these include an ALP46, PL42AC, and Arrow III EMUs. I can't wait to put these kits together! I can't wait to show them here!

Well, things are crazy. Rught now, i'm in the process of rearranging some of my tracks. The interchange we see in my track plan ahs been changed drastically. I shall post pictures soon.

My C32-8 projet is coming along, and some time next week I'll have all the rest of the part i need to finish it.

I've decided to make my third American GK E60 Amtrak #604, another late model E60MA.  I was considering doing  a late 80s version of the E60MA, because they still retained the low number boards while reciving the phase III paint.  I decided though, that the E60MA is most recognizable with it's high number board arrangement, and that is what generally impresses people more in my opinion.

I'm also going to start scavaging for Smokey Valley GP15-1 parts.  Most are hard to come by. I've ordered a Conrail body and a couple parts i deemed essential/high priority if they were available.  I still need to find a fuel tank and frame. The fuel tank i think i can find.  If not, all I need to do is cut an Athearn GP40-2 frame dow by 2 scale feet, and I'm done. Its easier said then done, but if i find a way to splice the frames, I should not have to much trouble with a GP15-1 model then.

I am also about to aquire some PRR Silverliner II models, which aren't bad.  I'm still gunning for some NJ transit Arrow IIIs, but we'll see how that goes. Funds are limited right now.

Catenary once again is at the fore front of my mind, but it looks like it will still be a while before i get some up.  this is mostly because i found a new strategy on how to make catenary.  while this new way actually may cost more than the model memories catenary, the supplies are easier to find and it is not so expensive if you build a few parts at a time. I'll start on that after i'm done with the track work or my C32-8, which ever comes last.  

I've also replaced some bad rails.  Catenary has once again been put on hold, especially since I'm considering a new layout.

In the immediate future, it looks likely that I will purchase a set of Arrow III EMUs from IHP, although we'll have to see how that goes.

I also have a pair of new Electric Locomotives, a Bachmann E60CP (one of the new ones), and an Alco models Brass E-44 rectifier. Its going to be fun!  Here are some pictures.

I still need to detail my E60CH, but its still a pretty model.  My custom job is better than the NJ transit scheme they tried to put on the factory painted American GK models.

The biggest news is that my layout has moved over to DCC, which means everything new needs a decoder, and everything i have needs to get updated.

The second greatest news is that my E60 locomotives are being put together nicely.  They are costing me, but they are worth it. I've painted and detailed one E60 to be Amtrak E60MA 610.  The other is NJ transit E60CH 958.  So far, the only really annoying part is that the Pantograph screws are not long enough to hold them on!  Thats ok though, I'll find a better screw.

I'm also going to be updating my layout, and changing things.  i've removed all the oil facilities from the layout, and i'm replacing them with a team track. only the one large white tank will stay in it's spot. I'm also adding a grade crossing to ad interest in one of the less detaild and more open ends of the layout near American Hardware Supply.

I may be upgrading alot of my cab cars as well. I ordered some function only decoders for my NJ transit cab car, so we'll see what happens.

I'll definitely need to post pictures of my equipment. I've become aware its possible to get albums in this site. Originally, you could only post so many pictures, but now there seems to be alittle more space. I also have alot of photos hosted on Imageshack, so I can post more pictures, so in the section with the roster shots, I might add thumbnails.

Here are some photos of my E60MA and E60CH

Right now, Amtrak 610 is halfway detailed, but its also empty on the inside.  I'll finish building the drive train from PPW when the decoders for it arrive sometime next week.  All that remains to be done is to add headlights, class lights, strobe lights, antennas, wind deflectors, some underbody detail, and other tiny things. I need to modify the pilots, but i'll do that later.

NJ transit 958 is more so outwardly complete, except for the pilot detail and the parts above that I need to install.  I should have this all done about the same time as 610. I might only need to touch up some paint lines, thats about it.

Enjoy!

The next day, I finally liberated a Conrail U23B that had been sitting in my local hobby shop for years, and so far i've gotten around to giving it basic weathering. I'm also thinking about switching the previously mentioned DH165AP decoder into the U23B, since it looks better doing the road switching.

Today, I won a pair of undecorated American GK E60CP dummy kits off of ebay.  The Amercan GK (garage kit) E60CPs are probably the best E60CP kits available.  they have athearn style frames and drive mechanisms, so it shouldn't be so hard to power them.  because of this, they probably also run better then their bachmann counterparts. the undecorated part makes me feel better about modifying them as well.  One will be a NJ transit E60CH to mix things up even more (if they weren't already mixed up with all the crazy commuter engines i run), and the other will be modified into an Amtrak E60MA, pretty much forfilling my modern electric needs as far as i'm concerned.  I'm going to have to start digging up IHP Arrow III cars when they come out, i'm running out of NJ transit motive power! 

Right now i've been working on my old Bachmann E60CP (which will stay a CP now that i have 2 additional E60s), particularly in milling down a C44-9W frame.  It  really puts my modeling skills to the test, as a new problem arises everytime.  However, i'm feeling better about it now, i can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speek.   I only need to grind down and cut alittle bit more of the frame, and the shell should be able to sit properly on the Athearn chassis. The only problem now is correcting the coupler height.  while the original truck mounted couplers were the right height, the athearn frame's coupler pockets are to low. This needs to be changed, but i'm pretty confident in my solution.  I will probably cut off the old coupler pockets, and then attach a new coupler pocket to the frame or the shell at the correct height.  I'm still gonna need to tinker with this for a while, so we will wait and see.

My Metroliner EMUs are being a pain though. originally, i thought i had fixed the busted wheel set with epxoy resin, but it looks like the wheel popped off again.  nextt time, when the epoxy dries, i need to add more reinforcing pieces metal (right now there is only one wire, but it does little, as it still lets the wheel pivot on it.  a few extra pieces will hold the wheel in place and allow it to create traction even if the glue breaks loose).  However, i still plant to get the new motor for it.  It also looks like it may be possible to get metal 33" wheelsets, and then push them onto the correct geared axel.  I just need to find out what kind of gear i have on the Metroliners.

In the only non-GE piece of euipment in this update, my SEPTA AEM7 looks like it will acutally recover once i get the spair parts for the motor, and order a new pilot. That makes me feel good, i can finally get my SEPTA trains up and running again, if only for a little while before something else goes wrong.

Speaking of GE, apperently, the past 6 locomotives i've purchased have all been GEs. When I update the loco list, I'm going to have to check to see if EMD still is the most prevalent on my layout.  I have a funny feeling that its not anymore....

Don't forget to leave me a message in the guestbook, or to email me at GreenElite_499@hotmail.com with any questions, suggestions, or even to just say hi.

This past march I purchased Athearn RTR locomotives, a Conrail GP40-2, an NS GP38-2, and an Amtrak Phase IV AMD103.  I've done some basic corrections to the GP38-2, but the GP40-2 is a horrifying proposition.... Conrail's was so different from the stock Athearn GP40-2 that it would take more work than i'm willing to do to make it look right. it would need a new nose, different marker lights, the list goes on. I shudder, especially when i think of the modifications i have to do to the GP40FH-2, and E60CP.

In fact, most of my recent detailing attempts have been painful. I haven't even touched the U34CH # 3351, which was in pretty bad shape when i got it.  I'm pretty sure though that I can make this wreck the best U34CH out of my fleet, and possibly others as well. I'm going to replace anything that I can, repaint, and redecal it. its gonna be awesome. 

My Metroliner EMU powered car is looking ripe for a repowering, and possibly a major overhaul.  I'm going to keep the drive train, but use a NWSL motor instead of the original motor.  Additionally, i'm going to try an wire up more realistic headlights, and possibly DCC.  I'm thinking about installing plugs in the locomotive so that the same DCC decoder can control lights for the whole trainset, or maybe just put a function only decoder in the "trailing" car to operate the lights in back, while just generically lighting the interiors of the other cars.  This is only a problem in the power car, though, as the interior is completel filled.  I'm also thinking of taking a junked metroliner shell and trying to fix it up, and make it a Phase IV cab car for my matching AEM7 and amfleets.

My GP40FH-2 makes me cry, and now the last one has been bought from IHP, so i'm stuck with this one.  I'm thinking about just stripping everything off of it, and then filling in the scratches and other problems.  hopefully, I can get a better finish the second time around. 

My SEPTA AEM7 has been hit hard, (It took the gravity express to the concrete plains... not good). I'm seriously considering hunting down a new SEPTA AEM7, but i'm thinking that I an fix most of the damage.  The worst damage is in the inner workings of it, as the pin on the left gearcase was cracked off.  luckily, the part is like, $1.75 at atlas, and still in stock ( I love atlas).

Speaking of AEM7s, i'm trying to get a more modern pantograph for mine.  the atlas pantographes are the ones that came delivered with all original AEM7 that went to Amtrak, but have since been changed in design, atleast for the past 10-15 years.   I notice that IHC's Thalys trainset has the appropriate Pantographs. I would have used the HHP8 or Acela pantographs, but i don't like the way they fit on the AEM7/ALP44s, as they don't reach high enough (the AEM7/ALP44 is a very short locomotive from the rail head to the top).  They also extend funny, especially with the HHP-8's crazy long/short arms.  I haven't gotten a response but i'd like to grab a few for my fleet.

 I tried getting the nose light in my original U34CH, #4167, to work, but now i can't even get the light bulb to stay (which was ironic, because originally it was stuck in there, and i was afraid it would break) in place.   I'm thinking about just getting a lense, and keeping a read light in the space in the nose.  either way, it looks like i'm ordering 16 volt lamps for it, as the original light blew out (instruction manuals can be a pain).

However, I must commend Loksound for their excellent customer service.  they definitely pointed me in the right direction for that project.   I'm thinking about using their decoders for the rest of my projects now. So far, i've had crappy results with the Digitrax decoders I've recieved, with the exception of my DH165AO.  While there were a few problems (notably that it did not fit in the Atlas B40-8 that the decoder was reccomented for, and that in the U34CH it went in to, the lights were dim), it does not seem that the decoder is the fault just yet.   However, one of the decoders i had just got inexplicably stopped working.   A DZ123 decoder for my GE 44 tonner is on order from walthers (whenever it gets in stock. you gotta love it when its instock when you order it, and not by the time you get to the checkout screen).   This looks like the most painful installation ever, but maybe I will get lucky.

Another big problem is that my DCC system (Prodigy Express) does not support readback on the decoder CVs while on the programing track, so i'm going to have to order a Prodigy Advanced hand held.  That way, i may be able to come to the bottom of some of my decoder troubles.

In other news, my layout has since become more populated with people. while i'm having trouble getting some of them to stick, it looks like its working out for the most part. 

I'm also thnking of making major changes to my layout.  the first of which is to create a grade crossing across the tracks on "mainstreet".   If you look on the pictures of my layout on this site, in the industrial section, you'll see one with a NJ transit U34CH.  This is the curved are in the right hand side of the track plan, and the locomotive stands exactly on the spot.    I want to use Walthers overhead highway flashers, as they appear in real life on the North Jersey Coastline.  I'm going to try to avoid using anymore hydrocal for roads, as that was painful.  I'll see if i can use any scraped up groudn foam for weeds elsewhere, since i'd hate to get rid of so much material.

The next radical idea i have is to totally remove the oil industry from my layout... for now.  Space is a very high premium on my layout, and alot of the spaces are not realistic now that i look. the truck loading dock by American Hardware Supply is just to outragously cramped.  Likewise, the adjacent oil loading platform for trucks is unrealistically cramped.   Additionally, the loading rack for the Oil cars themselves is just kind of awkwardly shooved in the middle of nowhere, in close proximit to active tracks and the loading dock on American Hardware supply.  As cool as strings of tank cars look in the industrial section,   i'm thinking of just removing the  truck and rail oil loading racks.  getting rid of the truck platform will increase the space so that modern 53' trailers can be used, and possibly, additional "employee parking".   Instead of an oil loading platform for tank cars, I will install another loading dock, for use as a team track/ additional loading area for American Hardware supply.   I might even fit a small crane in there.  That way, I can have maybe more varied rolling stock, such as flat cars and gondolas,  as well as a more "animated" scene with workers and forklifts bustling from boxcar to boxcar.   It seems more exciting then the dirty white oil racks, and the lins of black cylanders, atleast in that space

However, there is no way i'm abandoning the oil industry on my layout.  I love the lines of tank cars, that  I've seen on the way to almost any memorable place while on the Highways.  Instead, I may temporarily place them disconnected on the right hand side of the layout, just to look nice.  In the future, i'm going to make an addition, and with the North Island Refinery on preorder for when it is re-released,  i'm going to build a huge refinery scene, maybe with its own yard.   That is getting ambitious though, so we'll see what happens.  There is so much more i want to fit in a possible addition, so we'll see.

this latter idea though, is far in the future... the tank cars are likely to stay on the layout for the summer.  If  I do have to store them, its not a problem anymore!  I went to target and got "shoe cubbys" which can fit 3 locomotives a cubby.  only the longest locomotive, my Challenger, could not fit ( although i bet it would if i took the tender off).  If  I really needed to cram space, i could probably stack some of my commuter cars on top of eachother, getting about 9 of them in a cubby.  As long as they don't have delicate roof detail, it probably won't hurt to stack them.  Its working out very nice so far, and my only regret is that the table i stored  them in no longer looks like a silvery coach yard with the colorful paint schemes of Amtrak, SEPTA, and New Jersey Transit, as well as my other locomotives that did not stay on the layout.  that was suprising, though, that even without stacking, i did not have enough passenger cars to fill up the first row.  ( the passenger cars had previously stolen up the most space, prompting me to buy said shoe cubbys).   So now i think i have enough space for everthing else on my layout, if it ever all has to be taken off.

Thats it for now! sorry for the long time since the last update.

As Always, you can E-mail me at GreenElite_499@hotmail.com  with anything you want to ask, or simply say hello!

Chris

I have recently purchased a pair of U34CH diesels from Ebay, and a GP40FH-2 shell.

the U34s came in EL/NJ DOT pain.  one was beautiful, but one was pretty much a wreck.  no matter!  I'm going to try and detail this junked unit to make it better than all the other ones!  I plan to order a hi-tech details GE cab for it, among other things such as a new nose light, and some other details. I will be repainting this one slightly as well, so that it matches the NJ transit patch jobs.   the other one will stay in EL paint.

the GP40FH02 has been the source of stress. I really need to get a seperate DCC ready mechanism in there ( and with all that space in the wide hood, it would be a shame not to cram a huge speaker or 2 into it!)  as well as all the other details for it.  the cab is alot like an athearn cab ( i wouldn't be surprised if that is what it was molded after)  and the shell is more or less like the shell you'd find on a blue box kit. I'll need to get air conditioners, antennas, all those crazy details.  when all the detail prices are added up with the U34CHs', ( minus the mechanism and frame for the GP40FH-2), the cost approaches $90, so i think i'll be waiting a while to buy that, atleast until i have the shell painted.   i might just put the U34CH on hold, considering i already have one other U34 on top of these 2. 

i already trying to paint the shell, and i messed it up, and because of the cold, ( and my road is still a solid sheet of ice)  i have not been able to get any of the appropriate thinner to get rid of the bad paint.  

I WILL be adding it as a Cab's project page though, along with the U34s when i get to them, and i'm serious this time ( in the past, i'd get excited and not document what i did, but i already have pictures of how to prepare the shell).

until next time!

I'm going to focuse next on my SD40.  Its also just a plain SD40 with no -2, which has created a large problem since the dash 2 style is more prevalent, so its hard to find a good picture.   even among the SD40s on conrail, only one seemed to match the kato model exactly, and I didn't feel liek changing the unit numbers.   And so i set off to make a model of 6345. I only found one picture of the thing, and so if anyone has any other pictures of CR 6345, let me know!

I'm also going to detail my AC4400CW on the side.  I got the correct ditchlight, but found they could be lighted, so i'm going to wait before i install them so that i can add LEDs or something. my E60 is on its way back to running as well.

The hardest part so far is finding the right details.  I ordered beacons for my F40PH, only to get stuck with large orange things.   Also, it appears as though no one makes Conrail Snow plows.

thats it for now! please sign my guest book!

I have recenlty purchased 2 new locomotives, an Amtrak AEM-7 and an Norfolk Southern SD80MAC.  I have also bought some new track sections.   As it turns out, some of my switches are over-guaged, so thats going to need to be solved.  I might just buy new switches. 

I'm going to be posting some new pictures on the My Layout Page as well.

*(that is unless there is a girl)

well, last saturday is my second day of work, and boy did i earn my pay that day! I started off fending of swarms of mosquitos and dodging falling branches of poison ivy i was clearing so the driveway to the place i work at was clear.  Then went and cleaned old oil off Blowers to some sort of boat diesel engine, and it wasn't long before I realized there was something horribly horribly wrong, which is why you should always wear gloves when using mineral spirits unless you have a resistance to it.  A combination of you hand falling asleep and extreme sunburn is the result. 

So what do I do with my hard earn cash?

I was going to buy one of IHP's GP40FH-2 kits, but I was $12.50 short, and the last one was bought before I went to work last saturday.  Then again, its a blessing.

 sooner or later I need to peel myself off of buying euipment and buildings, and actually try to get some sort of grass and people down on the layout. I'm not sure how I'd go about putting grass down. I've asked all sort of people, but I suppose I haven't asked the right question.  Literally how do I do it, is  whats bothering me now.  I really want to use the static grass, but I'm not going to buy that applicater for $200, especially since all i have is a 4x8, and one that is already covered by buildings, tracks, and pavement to begin with.  Perhaps i can find someone who will let me borrow the machine.  It also seems laying a bed of ground foam and dirt is a good idea as well. 

However, is there anything I want to do to the layout before i put the scenery in? What about street lights? Signals? those might require me to drill holes though the table to snake wires through, and I wouldn't want to drill throuch scenery and get saw dust everywhere.

Even worse, what about lighted buildings?  maybe with the lights on ( day time) its not big deal, because it usually looks dark looking into a ststurcture, but if want to turn the lights off for night, interior lighting in buildings that are empty will be bad for me. Luckily for me, the newest model railroader magazine has an article on how to do easy interiors, which is something i really needed. I suppose my black construction paper passes off fine in American Hardware Supply, and maybe even the bralick building, but my Merchant's Row could definitietly use an interior. As long as it doesn't look like an empty shell, i'm happy.  Hopefully i'll do such a good job with the scenes and the trains that no one will notice any issues with interiors.  The only other issue would be removing walls of the structure to put and interior in.  I might just get creative though.

the whole "background" of my layout is prooving to be quite a challenge. It is here, more than anyone else that people are going to notic something is out of place.  No one is going to notice that Conrail #7271 was really a GP9 in real life.  they are going to when simple things aren't present. Its going to be tough!

I still need to paint the roads in front of American Hardware supply, and i still dont' know if old concrete or asphault is what I want.  I should have a poll! Then after that, I just need to work on painting my sidewalks and mounting them down ( which will be easy because i have everything cut and ready to go). Once the roads are done, I can start painting on road lines, and installing some of my chainlink fence around my truck loading platform.

speaking of  trucks, i need to get vehichles and people.  thats also worrying me, because if i need to drill through Hydrocal to get wires down from the vehicles into the table, i don't want to shatter the thin roads. 

Well I have all tommorow ( 4th of july, everyone is closed) to think about it on top of all the thinking i've already done.perhaps i should save my money instead. thats the only safe bet!

earlier this week was further weathering and such.  I think I matched the weathering of NJT #4876 with my model of NJT 4876 pretty well.  The trucks of my GG1 had been bothering me for a while. they were that bradn new shinyness that didn't look a thing like the 50 year old trucks of the prototype.  At first I painted them grimy black, which was alright for a while.  I also streaked some rust paint by Scale Coat II in such a way that you need to put the train in direct sunlight to see the streaks clearly.

However, that just wasn't enough.  I grabbed some Polly scale rust ( which has a yellower look to it) and just went crazy.   That  turned out to be a bad idea, it didn't look right at all.  then i decided i'd try one more thing before I went to far, i start dry brushing heavy amounts of  Polly Scale Tarnished Black  over the trucks and pilots, and bam, I had it! It looked right for once! All I did was touch up some rust paint around the bearings.  I also gave a similar treatment to the roof. Studying some pictures of 4876, I put the "rust spill" over the forward cab (apperently the end of a GG1 with the exhaust opening on the roof is the official front)  and painted the cast on hose detail on the pilots, and it looks fine in pictures.

The only think I want to shoot IHC for is they didn't install the ladders on the sides of the locomotive.  I assume they did this because they thought that they would get in the way of the trucks, but i can't swivel the trucks far enough to the point where the cab ladders would interfere, and that certainly wouldn't happen on the 22" curves I run the thing on.  I'm going to have to find some way to make them. There are also handrails on the sides by the doors and on the nose that I could bend some wire for. 

The only grab irons I can't do are the pilot grab irons, because i don't have the 80" radius curves ( and even then i think those are to tight) to have the pilot grab irons. I put the GG1 on some flex track and bent the track so that the pilot was pulled overas far as it could go before the grab irons would stop it, and the curve was almost unnoticeable, which translates in modeling terms as "which warehouse are you building this thing in?"

Next i'm going to look into my E33.  It can deserve alittle work on the trucks to. However, the irony is i'm afraid to weather my rolling stock past a coat of grimy black on the trucks! I haven't quite gotten the hang of making things look grimy and rusty just yet, and i don't want to over do anything. And even though its the reality of the area i model, i'd hate to put graffiti on the cars, but it looks like thats the plan for some of my freight cars.

Speaking of the GG1, i originally had the Bicenntenial Pennsy shell, but just recently bought NJ DOT shell for it.  I should change the shell for tommorow (4th of July).

happy holiday weekend!

In the land of locomotive detailing, things have slowed down on my U34CH.   I'm currently trying to find the correct MU recepticals, antennas, and other little things I may have missed.   Unfortuneately, my search only makes me less satisfied in some areas with my model.  I'm still unable to get over the vents in the side of the Atlas model, which aren't there on the real thing, and i don't want to mess up the factory paint job to scrape them off  (which I also fear marring the side to much!).  The "disco" strips themselves are alittle off, but thats barely noticeable unless you study the pictures real carefully.   The horn is also in an incorrcect spot, it should be farther down the hood.  I can fix that as well though.  

I'm also working on my E60CP.  I long left it alone after giving up hope on it.   However, I think I can repower it, and make it more detailed.   I have been reccomened to Sommerfeldt's #968 SNCR pantograph, which is more or less the same one used on both the E60CP, Metroliner, and other electrics such as the E44, although i've only seen one person with an actual model of one, and if anyone knows where i can get one, i'd be happy to know.   In any event, I filled in most cracks with Squadron's modeller's puddy.   That is some useful stuff!  I will definitely use it in the future to fill in gaps and cracks.  Only the warning label makes me nervous, because it seems like dangerous stuff to be exposed to, saying it can cause liver, kidney and brain damage if the fumes are inhaled. But i suppose its prolonged exposure to it, and i'm sure that the few fumes I inhaled probably didn't do anymore harm to me then a day of bad air pollution. 

Repowering this locomotive is prooving to be very tricky.  I already caused a fracture in the C44-9W frame i was filing down, and no amount of soldering it sticking.  I suppose I need more heat, but the solder gun isn't working, and the Soldering iron isn't doing it's job either.  I also suspect it has something to do with the shiny paing on it, but i'll attempt to scrape it off and use brass angles to solder it and hold it straight.  It also seems like my original plan to slip the old water tank on over the C44-9W's fuel tank area on the chassis isn't working, becauce the chassis is to thick.   I'll probably use styrene plastic to make the rest of the E60CP's water tank.   From one picture i've seen  ( although it was E60MA rebuild)  it appears the sides work as a skirt anyway.  The hardest part now will be repairing or replacing that chassis. that and cleanign out all the little filings.  luckily i thought ahead though and removed everything but the headlight from the chassis.  

I might try and obtain a new E60CP (hopefully the American GK version)   and either make that one an E60MA, or make it an New Jersey Transit E60CH (which uses HEP instead of a steam generator like the E60CP).  Chances are i'll probably repaint the old one into NJ transit, because it's amtrak paint is alredy damaged.  I might as well strip the paint off, repair the cracks in the shell, and just slap on the NJ Transit decals.

I also repaired my Challenger with Styrene.  one pilot step broke off, and i couldn't find it.  upset, but undettered, i measured the other side and cut almost ridiculously small pieces of styrene off a scrap piece, glued them together, and stuck them to the model.  my only complaint is the step might be 6 scale inches to big, lol, but you'd never notice it unless you looked closely.

Going back to the Squadron filler, i used some of that on my modern water tower.  Howver, its still visible through the white paint.  I think it only needs one more coat though.  The total irony was when it was reccomended to me, the person said "Squadron Green".   I thought that was the brand name.   When I walked into the hobby shop and asked for squadron green, and he said all we have is white, it should have clicked and i should have said sure, i'll go with that.  At the last moment the guy found green though, and since I was in a hurry, I just bought the green and left.  

Also on the water tower, I think I can put a flashing red light up on it, and I think i'll go for it. I never put the plastic piece that came with the kit in, so i bet i can get a small light bulb or LED and some long wires, and make it flash.  I'm looking for all new ways to light up my layout, literally, with lights, signals, and other things.   I'm going to try to install all the grass and such first though, and then drill into that.   I'm rather anxious to cover up that plywood, so that I can put in other details, and ballast the track.  once the track is ballasted, I can start putting up my catenary, which is something I've been quietly excited about.  I can't wait to run my electrics under the wire.

The current Scenery is moving along slowly as well.   I've finally built a ramp to the small bridge over my layout with styrene plastic, although its much more like a skeleton than an actual ramp.  One side will be straight up concrete blocks, as it borders the yard, and the yard needs as much space as it can get.   the other side will be a really steap hill, so i can add some trees and weeds and things, so that my layout doesn't look too urban.  I'll accomplish this buy stuffing newspaper on one side and making some hardshell.   I'm trying to see if i can make my yard entrance through the ramp as well, but I haven't seen a prototype of this.  I imagine it alot like a little tunnel, and I'll see if i can find something similar in real life. That styrene stuff is certainly impressive though.  The "skeleton" ramp looks so flimsy, but it holds, despit being made of  thin flimsly plastic.  i used 2 scrap pieces to make an angl to hold the road surface up, but I doubt it needed it.

The roads also need to be painted, but I can't decide wether or not to make them asphault or concrete. I did bury some rails in the roads in a shady part of the layout. its almost like an easter egg, as it goes into the part of the bralick building that would have recieved freight if it was Walther's hardwood furniture, which is the exact same building with different inserts, windows, and doors.

 Thats about it for today though.   If you've made it this far, i'm put up all new picture in the My Layout section, so its worth a look.

In any event, its all worth it. My roads are almost complete, and fairly soon i'll be able to start placing scenic materials on my layout,  almost a year and a third since i finished my table.    I am thankful to get all my rolling stock and buildings off the floor and back on the layout to.    The only road work left is to finish painting the existing roadways,  and to build a ramp up on of my road bridges.  I am happy to be dones with it.  that may have been one of the more stressful parts of working on my model railroad.  

so far I have the asphault all painted on the roads on the onse side of the layout, (the left side if you look at the track plan in the "My layout" page)  and i'm starting to work on the rest.   I did score some squares in the hydrocal next to American Hardware Supply's truck loading docks, and already it looks old and weathered with cracks and rough spots.  

Once i'm done painting the roads, i'm also going to start putting down the sidewalks, which appears to require some cutting, but I think I can do it. other than that i'm out of materials to add, so it looks like I'm going to hook up the old DC power packs (I only have one DCC locomotive) and run my trains, and see if anything was bent out of shape while i was working on the layout. It seems everytime I don't run trains often, some sort of problem appears.  I still need to get out there and replace some bent 22" radius rails. 

I was also messing around yesterday, and built a jig to make my catenary bridges, and even made on "H" bridge, but its only the main supports, no details or cross braces, but still looks pretty good.  Its all built on the same 1x4 I use to make the catenary wire. i should make more and sell them!  Its good to be albe to practice, as soldering the rail is turning out to be tricky, and I think I need more heat.  

I decided to put something in before christmas.  Not much is done on my layout.   I painted and added some Bumping Posts to were I needed them.  I also washed over the Bralick Building with some dilute black paint, which really helped the color.  I don't have photos of the last few layout updates.  As you can see in the photos, my track is still unpainted! I'll be sure to get some new photos in sometime after Christmas, when i get a new bunch of buildings and details.  I might as well wait instead of haveing to take another whole set of pictures.  

I did get an I beam signal kit, but its missing gusset parts on one side! never get the display box.  So thats on hold until i find some sheet styrene and attempt to fabricate the missing parts.   I also recently got a Bowser Road Railer, but as it turns out it was "used" and someone did a poor job of putting it together.  it wasn't even finished.  He also glued things where he shouldn't.   However, I was able to undo most of the damage. I think i'm gonna leave it permanently in trailer mode though.  I don't have space for a Road Railer anyway. 

Besides, Most of my trains are under the christmas tree now pulling trains, adding to the decoration.  The Lionel O-27 is acting up again, but thats about it.  I'm not quite sure whats wrong with it though. My NJT cars derail alot to, but i think thats the track's fault.  However, the EZ track is good for the most part. 

Well Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

many of you have clicked here to find my site has been frozen.  I'm happy to say that it is back online.  I trimmed away many pictures though.  most of those weren't the best anyway. I did further trimming today. 

Now that i'm back online i'm going to update the various parts of my site.  My real trains section will get its pictures in soon.  They are all off my local Pemberton Branch.  On Black Friday i caught a ballast spreader and Ballast tamper in the local industrial park.  I also have pictures of the last train i caught in there back in may. 

In my Cab's projects i plan to show some of you new guys how to put together an Athearn Blue Box kit.  I'm also considering some other things.

News for my layout itself  is great. 

A few weeks ago i finished painting the track.  they look much more realistic, and i can't wait until enough scenery is done to put the ballast down.  I installed Custum Finishing's Buda Wheel stops on the end of the spur that holds my Plastic Pellet hoppers.  I had another pair that i was going to install on the adjacent track, but then i realized that locomotive is always parked there ( although i do still have problems with accidentily backing it to far off the track) so that the railcars wouldn't really roll away.  Now i'm considering getting an additional pair and useing them on my Oil Loading Platform. 

I have purchased a pile of Code 100 rail to make cross braces for my catenary.  i'm also drilling holes, and setting the Brazing rods in to see how they are fitting. i'm only running into trouble where the Transmission lines go over the Highway overpass you see in my photo section.  I need to find the dimensions and height restrictions for over the road.  I'm also working on haveing High Tension power lines hooking up with the Catenary on one part of my layout as they often do.  

I added details to my Athearn GP-7.  I now has sunshades, darkened vents and radiators, and i colored the Classification lights stainless steal for now.  I also got a new Athearn Blue Box SW1500 (Conrail Quality), and gave it a similar treatment of painting and detailing.  i still need to work on the radiators though.  I may attempt to weather either of them... but i'm afraid to ruin them. 

I'm going to be putting down some walthers track bumpers, as well as a NJ Internationl I-beam Signal Bridge kit ( as soon as i get it up, as it came missing a part!)

I went to two train shows. the first was a small local train show, where i got a print of a GG-1 in the snow, and Athearn's Special edition Conrail Philadelphia Division set, with the GP38-2 and SW1001.  Then i went to a larger train show in Edison, NJ.  I got a whole mess of new buildings, and even a got a rare Atlas U34CH in NJT colors.  unfortuneately that was all on my parents money, and all of that is waiting for my birthday ( December 4th) and and Christmas.  However, after this most of the buildings planned for my layout are going be finished. 

I plan to shift my focus on getting a hold of another Rix overpass, and some Extruded foam to make a ramp, so my business isn't track blocked, because grade crossings and high speed commuter lines don't mix.   I also plan to get a hold of some signals, and see about installing them so that they work. I need to get some uncoupling magnets as well.   Lastly i plan to buy undecorated Horizon Fleet coaches, and paint them for NJ Transit, as Walthers retired its NJ transit coaches.  however, there are Decals available, and i'll just need to find matching paint for them all.  That U34CH doesn't pull only 2 cars.

• New pictures in the My Layout ssection
• Track Planning in the Begginners section
• Putting together Building Kits in the How To section
• Finaly putting pictures of real trains in the Real Trains section

Once again,  if you visit my site, please send me an Email, and tell me what you think of whats already here at GreenElite_499@hotmail.com .

I may also start track planning small layouts for any begginers who ask. Just tell me what you want, and anything special about it.   Some of you at The Gauge already have me working on a layout.  Give me something to keep myself busy in between finishing kits and new shipments from Walthers!

Email me if you've been here, please!

My email is GreenElite_499@hotmail.com

Thank you,

Chris

Chris

This is my new train site. I had an old one, of which i completely forgot existed, so I lost all recollection of it. here is my new site! hurray!

*note* i soon forgot about this one as well.  if people start visiting that i'm aware of, then I'll keep it up.