Monday, February 27, 2012

More Gypsum & Lumber Loads....

I never thought making lumber loads could be so addictive, but lately I've been hitting the white powder pretty hard... gypsum that is.  I have 3 new versions of gypsum board loads and 2 more lumber loads.

Joining the gypsum line-up are: Pabco, Temple Inland, and Tough Rock by Georgia Pacific

Joining the ever growing lumber line-up are: Babine, and Abitibi Bowater

My goal is to have a steady flow of these on Ebay as I have time to produce them.  I'm only a one man show, and I like to run trains and do other N scale stuff once in awhile.  As always, thanks for looking.






Sunday, February 19, 2012

Got Gypsum? A Slight Deviation from Lumber Loads

Lumber isn't the only load that is suitable for my N scale Red Caboose centerbeam flatcars.  I recently made a couple of gypsum loads for Lafarge and American Gypsum.  The stacks are short due to tonnage limits and gypsum being heavier than lumber.  Although I have more than enough different brands of lumber to haul over Marias Pass, I think the gypsum loads add yet another unique variation to my centerbeam load collection.






Friday, February 17, 2012

N Scale Lumber Loads For Sale

After several hours of designing, creating, and operating my lumber loads on the Marias Pass, I quickly learned that I would have too many loads for myself, especially if I continued to make new versions of wraps.  As always I often look for opportunities to help fund my addiction, I mean my hobby, and have decided to make these available for purchase by other N scale enthusiasts.  I currently have 20 versions and plan to continue to add more as time permits.  I plan to start small and offer these on Ebay at first.

I don't claim to have the perfect N scale lumber load, however, my quest to find a suitable load for my empty centerbeam flatcars, some shortcomings of existing lumber loads on the market, and my constant interest to find new N scale projects led me to create my own version.

My lumber loads feature:
- Accurate designs based on actual prototype lumber load wraps.  Take a close look at existing N scale models, as some use a generic logo perhaps from the company website, but are missing other key markings.  For some modelers this may be suitable, but I prefer to produce as accurate of a model as possible.
- Simulated tie down cables that are accurately spaced to match the centerbeam flatcar.  This feature is often missing on other N scale lumber load alternatives.
- I use a precision cut oak block which adds approximately 1 ounce of weight to the feather light Red Caboose centerbeam car.

I will begin adding lumber loads to Ebay periodically, so please check them out if interested.  My Ebay user ID is jal76.

In addition, here is a quick video I made that features some of my lumber loads.

thanks, 

"The N Scale Addict"


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Mar/Apr 2012 N Scale Railroading - Marias Pass: Part 3

The latest issue of N Scale Railroading is out which includes part 3 of my Marias Pass project.  I illustrate how to add sub roadbed and a seamless fascia.  If your local hobby shop doesn't offer this magazine, you can either order it from a host of online shops, or go directly to the source and buy a subscription here:  http://www.nscalerailroadn.com/Subscriber.html

Of course I am biased, but this is a great magazine for the N scale enthusiast.  It is published 6 times per year, and costs only $30 for a year (in the U.S.)   

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

More N Scale Lumber Loads - Four New Versions

I am shocked at how many forest product producers there are out there.  It's not surprising that many are gobbled up by larger companies either by a merger or hostile takeover.  Anyway, I am still having a lot of fun making new lumber loads.  This time I created Idaho Forest Products (staggered load), Plum Creek (5 tier load), Interfor/Interfor Pacific mixed load (3 tier, 8' stack load), and Interfor (4 tier, 12' stack load)

I have several more that I am itching to make as time permits.  As popular and common as Weyerhauser is, it is on the short list for sure.




Monday, February 6, 2012

N Scale Marias Pass @ the 2012 Great Train Expo

I was able to capture some video of the Marias Pass at the 2012 Great Train Expo last weekend.  It was a very busy show both Saturday and Sunday.  I was able to talk to several people who enjoyed the vendors and the model railroad displays this year.  Here are a few minutes worth:


Friday, February 3, 2012

Lumber Loads - Sweet Sixteen

I am now up to 16 versions of lumber load wraps.  I have no idea when I will stop as I have identified several more that I would like to do as time permits.  I recently added 4 new brands: Umpqua, Riverside, Potlatch, and Sierra Pacific.  Unlike the first several which featured symetrical stacks, these 4 feature staggered loads or 3 tier stacked loads based on prototype arrangements that I have observed.  I have also expanded my Red Caboose centerbeam flatcar fleet, and have plans to enhance them with metal wheelsets and weathering.  More to come...