The large slab car was an interesting kit, mostly due to the different materials used in the construction.  The part of the load on the right is a resin casting, while the slabs on the left are actually small pieces of wood.  In this picture you can see the difference because I had not yet weathered the wood pieces.

The second picture shows the model almost completed, with only a little bit of weathering, and the steps to be added.

The lettering on the side was done by using water-slide decals.  The real wood pieces now resemble the others because I used my normal India ink and alcohol mixture to dull the color down.

This type of car would have been used to deliver already cut wood slabs to the donkey engines and other steam driven equipment in the woods.  Most likely it would be ran close to the water car for deliveries.

After watching the almost completed model stare at me for quite a while I finally dedided to complete the model.  For this model I used commercial weathering poweders in various shades from red to orange, yellow and black.  These are slightly different than using chalk as the harder you scrub them the more vividly they apear on the model.  The major reason for them being so much stronger than chalk is that they are made from ground artists pigment.

I went heavy on the weathering because I figured that equipment like this  would see a lot of use.

I have been really busy lately, working on several different projects at once.  Most of the work has been on my home layout, the GOP (Get Out n’ Push).

I have completed most of the track, with only two switches left to install and the siding they support.  Wiring has been coming along slowly, in part through waiting for my NCE Power Cab, which showed up the other day.  I am also waiting for a reversing unit and a circuit breaker to complete the wiring.  So far I have installed three of the nine Tortoise switch machines.

I have also installed part of the fascia across the front of the module, unfortunately I was unable to get more tempered hardboard and instead used luan plywood.  I don’t think that this will work as well especially as it does not bend as far.

I ran a small switcher engine on DC power the other day, it was great to finally be able to run something, only if it was a couple of feet.

This was another great model from Rio Grande Models Ltd.  The Linn Truck was in use  until the 60′s mostly due to its high traction ability.  It was common to convert them into logging trucks.

I used weathering powders heavily on this truck considering the front wheel was often converted to a more modern style for better traction.  I will most likely use this as a load for a flat car.

My wife turned me on to some new products from a company called Slice. I tried a couple of their products, and found that they work great for model railroading (and all sorts of other uses). The first product I tried was their Safety Cutter. This is simply a small handle with a ceramic “point” that comes out of one end. The most practical use for this was opening the small bags that fine detail parts come in, instead of using an x-acto knife. This made cutting much safer and made cleaner cuts. It is not often that something as small and simple as this safety cutter catches my attention, but this Safety Cutter has done exactly that. In fact, for a major durability test I used it to open a bubble package and it was able to cut through the plastic! I have yet to try it on styrene but I am sure it will work just fine.

And to keep this at least somewhat train related here are some pics from a Bar Mills Basics kit: the Simpson Feed and Seed.

This kit was fun and easy to assemble, with good results by following the included directions and the tips included with the kit. I completed this kit in about two evenings of work.