Crossties And Track

I have been working on some modeling projects through the summer but have mostly been enjoying  spending my time outdoors.  I did work on creating flat cut ties and detailing track using Proto 87 Store components.  This is a sample of the track on my newest shelf layout. 

Coal for the Tamarack No 2 Boiler House

Coal was delivered to the boiler houses of the mine in empty rock cars.  Rock cars loaded with copper ore would be sent to the stamps, when empty a significant number would be forwarded to the mining company's coal dock.  There they would be loaded with coal and returned to the mine.  This was a profitable cycling of cars for the railroad. 

This coal load is a resin casting created to precisely fit the 30 ton rock cars.  In the November 2011 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist I presented a method for creating coal loads.  That method, with a slight modification was used to create the load.   Brushable silicon rubber was used to create the mold.  Once the part is cast a little side sanding and some tapering of the ends of the load allow it to snuggle down into the car.  Once the fit was established I painted the casting black.

Mine Props For Tamarack No 2

 
Tamarack Shaft No 2 is back in operation now that the miners have been refreshed with their favorite beverages.  These two cars are the first deliveries of stulls for use in the newly opened vein on the 38th level north. 

The logs were created from white pine sticks which were molded using a brushable silicon rubber.  They are cast in resin, painted and finished with powdered pigments. 

Beer Arrives In The Red Jacket District

The new Mineral Range spur which serves the beer depots located off Pine street has seen their first delivery of freight cars.  This event has been anticipated for the last four months as the depots themselves were constructed and the new spur was installed.  All of this activity has accompanied the process of changing the narrow gauge line of the Mineral Range to the universal standard sized track.  No longer will all of the beer headed for the Copper Country require unloading into cars of the narrow gauge at Houghton for shipment up to Red Jacket.  

Miller Beer Reefer Progress

I have finished construction on the first four beer reefers and am now in the process of painting.  This is the current state of the Miller Beer reefer.  Roof and ends are boxcar red and sides are white.  The Art Griffin decals have been applied to one side and now need to dry completely before I apply the eagle trademark.  I need to get some new paint brushes to do the detail painting on the model.  I am happy with the result so far, unfortunately the door on the car is five feet wide and I believe that the prototype had a four foot door.  I guess it will be back to the pattern shop for a redo!

Beer Reefer Build

I have started a build page on my next beer reefer.  It is a model of a Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul 34 foot Pabst car.  I purchased a photo of the car and decals for it from Art Griffin.  

Miller Beer CM&StP Reefer

This is an in process photo of the first in the group of refrigerator cars which will be delivering beer to the depots in Red Jacket.  This is a 28 foot car built in 1889.  My version will be after the rebuilding which applied air brakes to the car.  In the back ground is a prototype photo.  I made styrene masters of the side, end and underframe.  A mold was made and the parts were cast in resin.