The final stages of the cab and short hood build. I've salvaged grab irons, lift rings (replacing ones I broke), filler cap and horn from the donor GP9 short hood, and am now pretty much ready to paint. #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #kitbash #187scale #bsmrguk #modelrailroading
A bunch of EZ track lying around on the floor of my apartment, soon to become an actual layout.
One of my HO scale SD45’s on some track on the “layout”.
Here’s some WIP shots of my “layout”, if you can even call it that at this stage. The big void in the loop is likely going to become the yard and the bridges are stand ins until I can kitbash some pretty truss bridges. (Plus a fluff picture of one of the new SD45’s) #hoscale
SP 9504 at the Tri-City Society of Model Engineers model railroad in the historic Niles depot in Fremont, CA. This is a Scale Trains Models. The real SP 9504 was an EMD SD45X, SP Class EF642-2. Reportedly: it was built in 1971 to SP specifications as EMD 4202, builders number 36807. It was sold to SP in 1972 becoming SP 9504. It was retired in 1984 and scrapped.
SP 9504 at the Tri-City Society of Model Engineers model railroad in the historic Niles depot in Fremont, CA.
(Please see alt field for more detail)
#trains #railroads #railroading #modelrailroading #HOscale #tcsme #scaletrains #ge #niles #fremontca #southernpacific #southernpacificrailroad
Two styrene paint chips on a paper towel. One is labeled 3 Hours and the other 6 Hours. These times refer to the drying time of the top layer before chipping was done.
The longer you leave the top layer to dry, the more resistant the it is to chipping. This can be used to vary the level of wear. I like the look after 6 hours drying, but it probably had more to do with how wet the brush was. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
Testing hairspray chipping technique for the interior on a few pieces of scrap styrene. After priming, an undercoat is applied, then a light coat of hairspray, then a top layer of paint that will chip away with a damp brush. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
I've added the side steps and class lights to the short hood of my GP9. The class lights are looking a bit chunky so I might remove them and try and source some parts. I may prime it first and see how it looks. #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #kitbash #187scale #bsmrguk #modelrailroading
Trinidad Denver & Western 27 'Mordred' thunders towards Wolfram on the double track mainline with a mixed freight.
#HoTrains #TDW #ModelTrains #ModelRailroading #HOScale
How's this for a DCC HO scale layout? A privately owned project, location undisclosed. Was great to see it a few weeks back.
#hoscale #modeltrain
Three HO scale models of Northern Pacific locomotives; one Rivarossi U25C numbered 2529, and two Athearn SD45's numbered 3619 and 3622.
An array of Northern Pacific cars and locomotives; from left to right, two Walthers cabooses, a U25C, and three SD45's.
Just showed up in the mail: two Athearn RTR SD45's! NP had 30 of these so they will be a welcome addition to the future layout. Next big purchase is probably gonna be a three pack of U25C's from Korea Brass to test against my Rivarossi model. #hoscale
HO scale Caswell gondola, inverted, with a layer of mahogany primer.
This gondola is topologically complex with the dump mechanism, brake gear, etc. After one layer of Mr. Mahogany Surfacer 1000, a few spots were missed. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
The short hood is built and fitted to my GP9. It was a real challenge getting the angles sorted and it's not 100%, but I'm reasonably happy. I've also fitted a speaker mount in the cab - not sure whether I'll keep it. #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #kitbash #187scale #bsmrguk
Side view, unpainted resin HO scale model of a Caswell gondola.
Angle view, unpainted resin HO scale model of a Caswell gondola.
Assembly complete. The corner steps are etched metal things that require folding and break apart all too easily. But I persevered. Next, bathing and priming. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
Finally got Sparky the steeplecab mounted on a proper 8-wheel chassis, with the help of some Meccano and a very thin sheet of cardstock
Need to make it more rigid and add a massive weight box to the middle, but, it works without making the loco excessively big!
#modelrailroad #modeltrain #hoscale
Over to my brother's layout this evening. It's a bit of a longer run than mine. We mostly ran oo gauge, including my class 90 and West Coast Mk3 stock, but I also managed to set up and run my stack train for the first time. #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #187scale #bsmrguk #modelrailroad
New Models post about a Union Pacific PS-0 box car build from a Funero & Camerlengo kit. models.jcjray.com/2026/03/12/p... #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailway #ModelRailroading
Yesterday and today I've cracked on with the short hood scratchbuild on my GP9. I'm off to run some trains on my brother's layout this evening, but hopefully I can get the hood finished tomorrow. #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #kitbash #187scale #bsmrguk
HO scale Caswell gondola model having seams between parts filled with Tamiya Putty, Basic Type.
B end view of an HO scale Caswell gondola showing the brake detail.
Almost finished on top. Just a few more details and it will be assembled. That brakewheel is a tiny and very thin wafer of resin - it took a lot of time to clean it up. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
Three trains out on the layout today
J.G. Brill streetcar
New York Central R3 electric
Nickel Plate Berkshire
I think it's funny that, of the three of them, the single truck Brill car makes the most noise
#modeltrains #modelrailroad #hoscale #trainlayout
After an incredibly stressful few days at work the value of a hobby is immeasurable. So good to just run a few trains and get away from everything (except the return of my stalling point). #hoscale #modelrailway #modeltrains #187scale #bsmrguk #modelrailroad
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola with the brake apparatus installed.
The underside detail is almost complete. Note the 3D-printed T pipejoiner in the trainline, a part from precisionresinworks.com and chain links from ppw-aline.com/products/292.... #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
As a local waits to depart and an F-M switcher worked the "Mission Bay Yard," a turbine powered through freight crossed over from number three track to the eastbound main heading out of town. On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the California Central Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) had a scheduled operating session in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA.
Trains working the "Mission Bay Yard," at California Central Model Railroad Club, the model railroad in the Agnew Depot in Santa Clara, CA, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
(Please see alt field for more detail)
#trains #railroads #railroading #modelrailroading #HOscale #ccmrc #santaclara #santaclaraca
Well... it appears a long over due old friend has finally arrived in prim and proper spirit.
Barring everything goes well as I haven't run it in a year or so, I finished putting the decals on my now Trinidad Denver & Western 600 'Big Tex'
#ModelTrains #ModelRailroading #HOScale #HoTrains #TDW
Top-down view of an HO scale Caswell gondola with end sill installed in the right location, bearing corner gussets, and equipped with the couplers.
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola with trainline and brake detail being installed.
Adding the corner gussets and end sill - this time, in the right place. After that, the trainline and brake gear. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
HO scale Caswell gondola, inverted, with dump mechanism rod and bearings installed.
HO scale Prototype couplers being installed into graphite-painted resin coupler boxes.
Threading the bearings on both sides finished, I am preparing the coupler pockets with graphite. These are Prototype Couplers, a little more prototypical than Kadee (at the cost of being harder to operate). #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola next to a rod and several dump mechanism bearings that will be installed.
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola with the dump mechanism rod threaded through the first two bearings.
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola, partially threaded with dump mechanism bearings on one side.
The underside of this project will take the most time. Here, we install the dump mechanism very gradually. It requires sanding out 16 ring-shaped bearings per side and threading them through a rod. Tedious but not difficult. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the California Central Model Railroad Club (CCMRC) had a scheduled operating session in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA. ATSF 1862 led an "Eastbound Peddler" shown here crossing "Mouse Creek." The real ATSF 1862 was an EMD SD45 built in 1966, builder's number 32538. It was renumbered to 5562, later rebuilt to 5316.
On Mar. 7, 2026, at a model RR club operating session in the historic Agnew depot in Santa Clara, CA. ATSF 1862 led an "Eastbound Peddler" here crossing "Mouse Creek."
(Please see alt field for more detail)
#trains #railroads #railroading #modelrailroading #HOscale #ccmrc #santaclara #santaclaraca
Top-down view of an HO scale Caswell gondola with the lip on the B end mostly peeled off, hanging by a thread.
Top-down view of an HO scale Caswell gondola with the B end lip being glued in place with cyanoacrylate (CA, or superglue).
B end-on view of an HO scale Caswell gondola with the lip at the top repaired.
As @jamesdmcdonald.bsky.social suggested, this mistake has proven to be fixable. After gradually reattaching with thin CA, laying it flat upside down on a piece of glass straightened it out. #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
HO scale Caswell gondola with the ledge on the end warped and disconnected from the main casting.
The B end was being difficult, so I ended up dumping a slight excess of Un-Cure. This had the effect of eating away at the casting. Is this model, as the kids say, cooked? #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
Inverted HO scale Caswell gondola with a bottle of Bob Smith Industries cyanoacrylate remover, Un-Cure.
HO scale Caswell gondola with an erroneously placed end sill removed, showing collateral damage.
Then I realized my mistake. I resorted to Un-Cure (bsi-inc.com/hobby/un_cur...) to remove the end sill. Removal incurred collateral damage I will need to fix... #HOScale #ModelRailroad #ModelRailroading #ModelRailway #CaswellBuild
