The ROCK 3.0: Time to ROCK Again!

A date has been set to operate the layout again on December 5th.

Meanwhile, I need to work on creating a project list.

• Repair North Ottawa Silica Turnout
• Repair Turnout at PQ plus any others with broken points
• Adjust scale sensor at Ottawa Silica
• Install Sand Dump Track
• Ballast Peoria
• Install roof on Westclox

The ROCK 3.0: Airbrush Part II

I have found airbrushing is easy.  Decaling is a whole different can of worms.  Uggh.  I can imagine this is somewhat easier in HO scale, but good grief.

Decaling the ICG caboose went pretty smooth and quick.  I attempted to decal the stripes on the end of the Illinois Terminal GP7.  Well, that didn't go as well.  Finally, I said screw it and just placed IT Company decals on the ends.  I also screwed up the last "l" at the end of Illinois Terminal.  I figure some weathering can make that disappear.

Admittedly, I'm not the best at this at all, but I am willing to try.  I guess that counts for something.  Overall, they are my first projects like this and I'm pleased.

One question?  How do you get rid of the film look after decaling?  I sprayed both pieces with dullcote.

The ROCK 3.0: Airbrushing

I haven't forgot about the photos of the Fast Tracks FreightCrate.  I need to finish the second one and snap some photos.

Meanwhile, I have been practicing with airbrush painting.  Here are two projects I'm working on.

I got a hankering for an Illinois Central Gulf caboose, but unfortunately, you can't find them on eBay very often.  So, I thought to myself.  Maybe I could paint it myself.  It is all orange and basic decals.

Another project I wanted to do was create an Illinois Terminal GP7.  Again, they are pretty scarce on eBay.  I thought I could paint it and apply the decals (including yellow striping). 

Future Illinois Terminal GP7.

I believe I'm doing well with coverage and not too heavy on the paint.

I try to make many light passes.

Future ICG Extended Vision Caboose

I'm enjoying airbrushing.  It is not near as difficult as I thought it would be.

The ROCK 3.0: Fast Tracks FreightCrate

Between sessions, I have quite a few cars that are stored basically anywhere I can find a place.  I have been placing them on my Hot Wheels / Matchbox car shelf, but I have too many to fit there.  I have been looking at the Fast Tracks FreightCrate for some time.  I finally broke down and decided to purchase a pair of the 90' car carrying cases.  Do I have any 90' cars?  Heck no.  I figure I would place two cars in each slot.  The largest car I run on the railroad is a 57' Mechanical Reefer.  Everything else is small with many being in the 40' range.  So, I figure I can get 24 cars in a crate.  Not bad.  These two should resolve storage issues between sessions and won't take up much room.

So, tonight, my daughter and I constructed one of them.  It went together pretty well.  We took our time with it.  I would say we completed it in about 45 minutes or so.  I'm sure the second one will go quicker now that we know what we are doing.

Tomorrow, I'll snap photos of it.  I haven't placed any cars in it yet, but overall they are very nice crates.  I like them!

The ROCK 3.0: Peoria Operations Video Part III of III

Sunday evening, I worked on filming part three of the Peoria Operations series.  This will be the last part as I was able to finish up the job.  I had to remove some of the cars to complete this local.  When I started this series, I just randomly selected cars to stage.  It was way too many and makes if difficult to operate.  There are definite limits that must be heeded to operate this train.  Overall, the video series is just shy of an hour long.  It is a cool job to run and I love it!

I must say, I'm quite impressed with the lift out and drop leaf sections.  I have taken them in and out numerous times.  It is quick and works well.  I couldn't have asked for more.  On my next layout, I might consider just building a modular layout.  No plans now, but if we ever moved, I think that is what I would do.  I'm really pleased with the Anderson Pole connectors as well.

So, enough talking, here is the last of the Peoria Operations video.  Enjoy!

The ROCK 3.0: Peoria Operations Video Part II of III

This video went together pretty fast.  It is also shorter at about half the time of the first video.  Here we make the set off and pickup for the TP&W as well as work Allied Iron and Steel.

Enjoy!

The ROCK 3.0: Peoria Operations Video Part I of III

It took a while to upload, but here is the video for the Peoria Operations.  The video series will be broken out into four videos.  The first video covers classifying the cars in Peoria and making deliveries to the Peoria & Pekin Union (P&PU) Railway and Burlington Northern (BN) Railroad.

Hopefully, you will find it interesting and not bore you to sleep.

Last night, I worked on recording video for Part II of the Peoria Operations series.