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Nothing major accomplished this weekend.  Did put together the frame and make up the sides for the first hopper bottome car.  Although is would have exactly the same volume (plus the hoppers) it looks like a smaller car but with a larger capacity.  The hopper bottom car was a little more tricky to assemble since there was no end to brace the slope sheet on, looks good though.  Might try out a full 21” hopper bottom as well.  Hope the RTV arrives soon, the coupler mount is going to be a casting and I really need it to finish the cars.

1700

Finally!!  Got the back porch straightened up , plants are planted, and all my junque is stowed appropriately!

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 0930

Set the hopper car body on the frame last night, think it looks pretty good.  18” works out to about a 20 ft carbody in 1:13 scale so can say the cars are going to be about 21’ over the couplers.

1400

Added the corner braces to the car during lunch, I really like the way its coming together.  I need to install  slope sheet braces, some additional end bracing, but I can’t do that until  I get the brake cylinder/reservoir castings  made.  Also trying to decide if I want ladders  on both ends, or just the brake gear end.  I have a little bit of ¼ angle on hand to make the ladders from so I’ll have to order some more to make any more hopper bottomed cars.  Prolly need to check stocks and supplies of everything and restock what I need.

I think I have enough plex cut to make one more frame Might as well do the 2nd Ingoldsby type.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004 1530

Order from Micro Mark arrived today, so now I got RTV and cutoff wheels.  Time to pony up and get a glut of cars built.  The 40 series and ingoldsbys are prime candidates while I’m gonna have to mill some lumber for the actual hoppers before I can finish the hopper bottoms .  Still, with  the two Ingoldsbys and 3 40 series hoppers that’ll make up a respectable coal drag.

I can finish tuning up the bolster casting and make a new mold for it as well as a draft gear pocket for mounting the Bmann couplers.  Also need to develop a “shank” between the Bmanns and the LNP couplers.

Thursday, May 27, 2004 0930

I think I have devised a way to interface the Bmann couplers with the LNP.  The Coupler pockets will be made to accept the tab on the Bmann knuckle and heal in place with a pin.  With care in design the pocket could easily accept a special link as well with the knuckle removed to interface the steel cars with the wooden ones.

I’ll start retiring the 20 series cars as the 40s and 50s are outshopped, they are tending to be a pain anyways.  The 30’s may go eventually but they do track better.  Will save the 20’s for the portable layout.

Sunday, May 30, 2004 1400

Not accomplished a lot over the last couple of days RR wise.  I did purchase a pond kit as a birthday present to myself and plan to put it at the end o f the mine yard, looks like a rockhunt is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Today I cleaned house and started in on cleaning up The Shop.  I’ve gotten the main fabrication bench straightened up  and reorganized with a set  of small three drawer chests.  After a smoke and a cup of coffee, I’ll tackle the assembly bench.  After its all stowed nicely I’ll get the floor swept up  then perhaps do some riveting on the cars I’ve gotten started.  Will repour the bloster casting mold and make up a master for the bmann knuckle pocket.  That is probably the prime item that needs to be done in order to get a batch of cars outshopped.

Monday May 31, 2004, 0930

Didn’t get a lot of hopper work visibly done after I finished cleaning up The Shop.  Did cast up another set of trucks  for the 2nd Ingoldsby hopper and glued up the shapes to its sides.  I also have poured the 2nd half of the mold for the bloster casting, think I got it right this time.

Going on a rock hunt for BFRs to go round the pond..  Then I’ll work on the coupler pocket this evening.  If I’m dead tired by then I might assemble the 2nd Ingoldsby and mebbe do some riveting.  Need to do a mold for airbrake gear as well.

1700

So much for rock hunting today.  Got stranded in Mingo County due to high water.  Did get the 2nd half of the  bolster casting and am trying the first casting in it.

1800

The first two bolsters came out still some bubbles to work on but that might just be a matter of learning how to burp the mold.  Jus need to assemble the frame now.