C&S 0-4-4 Forney #4
Yesterday, Les Davis delivered the refinished 0-4-4 Forney #4, after having replaced the stock cab with a Mount Blue WW&F #7 open cab. He also painted, detailed and weathered the loco. Eventually, #4 will see service in the yards in Searsport.
One of the best ways to make it look as if you’re working on your layout is to … well … work on your layout.
Since we’ve got a show coming up in a scant 10 days (!), and I had a day off today, I started to get busy on basic scenery. Of course, it’s now 4:30, and I’ve only managed about 4 feet of scenery.
What you see here is a layer of green/brown latex paint with a heavy sprinkling of Scenic Express “Green Alpine Blend” and “Pasture Green” flock and turf. The ballast is also from Scenic Express. It’s all held in place with Scenic Express pre-diluted matte medium.
I also received a box today from the Train Troll, containing the aforementioned boxcar and flatcar kits, along with a set of WW&F crossing signs. While it will be a short while before I start building these, I can say that the kits are beautifully cut and the instructions look excellent.
Back in November, I alluded to new rolling stock that would be built by the C&S shops “as soon as the designs are done.” Well, while the designs are mostly done (in my head), I started to look at the cost of scratch building and detailing the cars and came up with a guestimate of about $30-35 for a box car, and in the mid-$20 range for flats. That was a shocker!
Train Troll 28" W&Q Box Car. Photo: Train Troll web site.
Train Troll 28" W&Q Flat Car. Photo: Train Troll web site.
About the same time, I received my March/April Gazette (and a few days later, my 2011 Maine Two-Foot Digest. Both had brief write-ups on kits for WW&F and W&Q boxcars and flatcars from a new manufacturer, the Train Troll. The kits are reasonably priced. “Undecorated” W&Q box cars are $36.50ea and flats are $29.95 — only a couple dollars a piece more than my estimates. A kit for WW&F #309 as restored is also available for $44.95. The review by Don Mason in the Digest was very complimentary, so I figure I ought to give these a look. I’ve ordered one each of the W&Q undecorated box cars and flat cars.
If I like the kits, it will certainly be worthwhile to go ahead and pay a few dollars more for someone else’s R&D.
Indications are that The Train Troll plan to eventually produce kits for all of the W&Q/WW&F rolling stock. I’ll be particularly interested in the unique “reefers” that the W&F used in milk service. They’re also planning a line of “Maine-inspired” freelance-designed rolling stock that looks intriguing.
First up, it seems that I calculated the radius on the Peco HOn30 switches incorrectly — they’re 12″ instead of 9″. No big deal, though I will look quickly at the Peco switches and track more closely at the show tomorrow.
Second up, I’ve looking at some stuff for bashing HOn30 locos. A fellow I’ve corresponded with in the past (Tom Bell) has designed several HOn30 items, which can be purchased through Shapeways. Here’s a link to Tom’s designs: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/tebee
Finally, Dallas Mallerich just posted this link on facebook: http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/nouaillier_a.htm
This is just about the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen! And, while the Corinna & Searsport has no use for it, I’ve still just gotta have one!
Backwoods Miniatures Vertical Boiler 0-4-0. Photo courtesy Backwoods Miniatures.
This is a new kit from Backwoods Miniatures, and is made from finely cast resin. At a price of U$71.25, it’s not terribly expensive for a unique, high-quality kit like this. And, I’ve already got the donor mechanism “in stock.” Hmm…