This is the locomotive diagram drawing from archives of the Soo Line historical society.  It was published as supporting material in an article.  It was most helpful in the tender construction as it gives a number of important dimensions, in particular the tank.  

Symmetry is the key to laying out the side of the tender.   I learned about the advantages of symmetry when learning how to draw with CAD, if you could define symmetries you only need to draw a portion of the object and then fold it to get the whole image.  In the case of the tender side I identified a symmetry about the center of the rear tank wall.  I folder a paper and then drew half the tank carefully marking the locations of the fold lines for the bunker return, front, side and rear.  I then cut out the outline.  The above photo shows the folded template.

I used .005 brass sheet for the sides of the tender tank.  I sliced off a piece just a little wider than the template.  I sprayed it black with the intention of marking the outline of the template on the painted surface.  To hold the template in position while tracing I choose to use rubber cement to bond the template to the metal.  Since it was bonded I decided to skip the tracing and I just cut close to the template with shears, filing to the finished edge.

Here is how the sides looked after they were cut out and before folding.  The next step was to fold up the sides.  This is tricky as you need to fold both sides in the same sequence and from the same direction to keep the whole assembly the same size.  I folded from the front corners backward toward the rear corner.  I tightly clamped a straight edge against the surface of the sheet aligned on the fold lines and then bent the metal up.  Working slowly and carefully is the name of the game.  This is what the folded up tank appeared like when I was done.

Tender is completed.  This has been really fun, a lot of retries were required to get parts fabricated, soldered in place and aligned.  Learned how to solder with both the iron and resistance unit, each has there usefulness during construction.  I did not do detailed photos of the construction as I had no idea of what might work and what would not but I will post what I did take with some comments.  The last step will be applying the Micro Mark rivet decals, I ordered them today.

David

I worked on the L'anse depot after I finished the Rico model, completing it in March.  I then started the construction of a couple of DSS&A caboose models.  I used plans for the small window caboose that were published in the SLHTS magazine to build the model above.  It is scratch build from styrene and brass, and is painted /lettered in an early 1950's scheme.

This is a large window caboose built to the same dimensions as the small window caboose.  Since I was building one it was not much more effort to build a second one.  I used photographs as a guide in construction.  This model is painted in a 1940's era scheme.  

Modeling the DSS&A requires a great deal of scratch building, very few commercial models exist of equipment and structures.

Here is a model of the L'anse Michigan depot.  The plans were published in the Soo Line Historical Society publication.  This model was constructed in styrene. 

My current project is to build a model of an F6 consolidation.  I am looking at kit bashing a Spectrum Baldwin Consolidation.  The first step is to build up a closer representation of the tender.  The above picture shows where I am at in the project at this time.

Rio Grande Progress

I was doing a demo on craftsman kit construction at TrainFest over the past weekend.  I used the Raggs to Riches Rico depot model as the subject.  I spent the two days adding the planking around the perimeter of the building.  The kit is well engineered, I did not need to split any of the planks to make them fit the surface, amazing!

KBScale Update and New HOn3 Module

 The above photo shows where things stand with the KBScale McEwan locomotive.  The body is just about done I have only to complete the jackshaft covers and add the brake rigging.  I did receive the replacement connecting rods from the manufacture so now its back to getting the mechanism running.  The figure is a 1:48 model so it is slightly under size for 1:43.  The kit has a option to build to 16.5 mm track gauge (On30) so this gives an idea of what it would look like in a 1:48 setting, looks good to me.
 

 This is a new iron in the fire, an HOn3 module, 1foot deep 5 feet long.  This photo shows the basic inglenook 3/3/5 switching puzzle track arrangement.  This will allow it to function and give me a chance operate both my Blackstone K27 that I purchased a couple of years ago, and my new C19.

I have added the passing track to the front edge and applied the fascia around the baseboard.  Keeping with the Rio Grande theme, on the right is a Raggs to Riches Rico depot (yet another iron).  I have a completed Banta model of the Pro Patria mill (also located a Rico CO), so I am planning on a 2 foot by 3 foot module on the left of this one for it.  The mill will be served by an extension on the middle track. 

Later,  David 

New NAPM Project

It has been well over a year since I have done any major projects on the NAPM layout, the last being the mountain project, so it is time to get going on something new. The city industrial area has not had any serious efforts made to it in several years and there was a great desire to get the wharf area completed as one of the club members is just about done with a model of a tug to complement the car float. Unfortunately, the tug will be on the aisle edge of the layout and there was no plan to do anything with the area behind. If the scenery was done on the front it would have been subject to damage when the scenery was done behind it, it became necessary to come up with a plan for the background.

The track work in the area was particularly difficult as the double track main passes over the

single track main at this location.  The length of the area is about ten feet and the width varies from four feet to two feet.  The area where the track is located is about twelve inchs wide 

My solution is to cover the area in large structures all placed at angles to hide the track configuration and produce visual interest. The views from various directions need to make the tracks look as though they disappear behind buildings. in essance we are creating a short tunnel through a ridge of buildings.  The following photos show my initial plans.   

Here are some low angle views to give an idea of what it looks like if you were looking at the scene at eye level.