Many Updates! Part #1

It's been quite some time since I published a post, and there's been quite a few updates regarding my model trains!


Unfortunately I haven't been very good about documenting my modeling endeavors, so all this post will really be is a collection of finished or near-finished models.

Here's the list of everything that's changed over the course of....however long it's been since I last posted:

• I got an antique 2-6-0 from the 1950s and have been slowly working it up to a reasonably nice model.
• I have completely redetailed a new-tooling Bachmann 4-4-0 into my ideal locomotive.
• I have relettered 2 boxcars and a drover's caboose for the C.P.R.R.
• I purchased the actual blueprints of C.P. #173, the locomotive I previously modeled, and have framed them on the wall I display the model on.
• I have 3D printed parts for, and constructed a mostly-kitbashed model of the #173 (again)
• I have modeled a 4-6-0

So that's the extent of what I've done in major notes, however this post will go more in-depth with a couple of them, with more posts coming in the future. Let's get started!

Aristocraft 2-6-0

I suppose it's best to just go one by one down the list, so let's start with the 2-6-0. I recently made the trek out to the closest model train shop to me, which is surprisingly close. That being said, they unfortunately don't have much of a stock for the era I model, however I spotted a model I've had my eyes on getting for a long time- a vintage Aristocraft 2-6-0 from the 1950s. These models, although rare, generally pop up every few weeks on Ebay, but can cost you a pretty penny. This particular model was being sold "As Is", as in "Good luck getting it working"- so it was very cheap. 

Not one to be deterred by a challenge, I got the engine, and when I got home I found the only reason it was being sold As-Is was because of cosmetic damage- the actual engine worked perfectly! 

The next steps in restoring it to a like-new condition were to fit the cosmetic issues, completely strip it of its paint, and repaint it. Fixing the cosmetic issues worked out fine, but stripping to paint turned out to be a pain in the rear.

The paint stripper I swear by is Krud Kutter's Graffiti remover. It's made to gently remove all spray-on paints and enamels without damaging the underlying materials/paints, and is generally gentle enough to use with all the plastics I work with.

HOWEVER THIS TRAIN NEEDED MUCH MORE THAN GENTLE REMOVING. The bottle recommends no more than 15 minutes of soaking before you wipe the paint off. I had to leave the train soaking for almost 2 days before the paint even began peeling. Despite this, I think I was successful in removing all the paint I needed to.

I also filed off the third dome mount, to make it an engine that has only 2 domes and a bell instead of 3 domes and a bell. I prefer this look, however the original 3 domes still look quite nice. I then painted it using red Rustoleum enamel, the Buffable gunmetal I previously mentioned in the #173's build log, brown acrylics, and liquid leaf. Here's the result!

I still have to repaint the wheels and give it lettering, but I'm pleased with it thus far.

Bachmann 4-4-0 Repaint & Detailing

Since I wrote that first bit of the post, there's been another big project- unfortunately I don't have many pictures of the progress, but I do have a photo of the final result- I redetailed my new-tooling Bachmann 4-4-0 in an attempt to recreate a locomotive from a game art project I'm working on at university!

The new locomotive is a fictional Central Pacific locomotive, taking the name "Atlas". I hope to get another one of these models sometime, they're great little runners and perfect for doing this sort of this. Features include real brass banding on the boiler, brass detail parts, and 3D printed smokestack.
I also attempted some light weathering inbetween the drivers, however I'm not sure how I feel about it.

The next post will be dedicated to my progress with the 173 and all that, more coming soon!