[tj-lee]

Take two... seems I'm having trouble posting tonight...

After triming our bottle-brush er, bush (a bit redundant, no?) I thought some of the thicker branches might make fair scale logs.

So a quick trip to the LHS (Roy's Trains in Clovis CA) and I picked up two Bachmann log cars, complete with plastic logs. Roy only had two so that's what I got.

Here's one before any paint and still displaying the plastic logs (seven) that come with...

Some acrylic paint helped a lot but replacing the plastic logs make a world of difference...

Overall, I'm pleased with this first effort.

I've enough logs to complete the two cars and possibly a third.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

All,

I appreciate the encouraging comments, I really do. The bottle-brush makes for a nice scale log. The color is too light so in the pics above note that I "painted" the bottle-brush logs with Olympic deck stain marked "redwood tone" on the can.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Jim,

> Your weathering looks good too!

Well, of course if I had Jack's cars I'd just throw mine way.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Richard,

> I use the 1:20.3 rule. Don't look at it any closer than 20.3 feet

LOL! I like that rule. Unfortunately with my postage stamp size layout it's hard to get that far away. The mainline runs within 3 feet of the viewing area (picnic table).

BTW, love that trestle! That is really some outstanding sight.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Steamnutt,

> I've been lucky enough to run some of mine during a past open house.

I'm jealous. Sigh.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

I took Jack's example to heart and re-did the end beams on the main center and cross beams. Used a hobby saw to add some grain to the plastic.

Not the best close up but you can see the scratched in grain if you look close.

Thanks Jack!

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Chuckger,
Adding the grain is relatively easy and looks much better in person than in my photo. Just some careful scraping with a hobby saw blade and there you go. Did the same thing with popsicle sticks when I built my covered brider. Should have throught of doing it on plastic.
Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Russell,

> I always thought the Bachmann cars looked too short so I extended mine about 4" each.

That is really very nifty! You'd never know that was not all original, very, er, seamless.

Interestingly, I went with the Bachmann cars because they are short. My layout is very small with tight turns and the smaller cars look and operate better IMO.

Best,
TJ

 

[tj-lee]

Bill,

> If you put some Thompsons water seal or something like that on the logs

I put Olympic deck stain (redwood) on mine and there's no shine on the bark and just a trace amount on the cut face of the log. But some dull coat took care of that.

> If you had your choice, what would everyone rate as the best Bachmann loco to pull these fine log cars?

I pull them with a Shay (which I have) but would perfer a Climax (which I have not) given a choice.

Best,
TJ