AlfaZagato

I suppose this is a long shot. I was thinking of modelling the Galaxy Express 999 from anime and manga. The franchise portrays a train that travels through space. This is said to be via an invisible 'space bridge' that retains atmosphere enough for an American-style rear observation platform. At least one company (Micro-Ace, I believe) has a set for the train itself. For the space-bridge, I was considering on how to make an 'invisible' track. Has anyone tried cutting grooves in acrylic or plexi to a gauge? That was my line of thinking, grooved plexi with metallic film linings. Has this been done?

Just more finessing of the paint. There truly isn't much more to do. I just didn't do much over the past week. Really, I'll move onto something else soon.

Always disappointing when you can't play with a new toy...I mean tool. I hope you feel better.

Just wondering if you finished the builds. Or maybe if you made the prints available.

I believe one of the Awdry-penned companion volumes state that Thomas was supposed to be an honest E2. Also, Awdry's disagreement with Dalby is not entirely unknown. I imagine both another member posting here would be able to verify the source, and that we are drifting greatly at this point.

Did anything ever come of your prints?

The holiday season means I get asked to set up a loop at the office. New office this year means I'm no longer beholden to doubled-desks next to a leaky window. I have two 4'x8' sheets of chipboard laid in our attic, with about a 3'x8' oval. Not as much running as before. I don't like to have it run where I can't hear or see it. I also found out the Japanese caboose I have (code WaMu, I believe?) has automatic directional lights. Absolutely cool. I'm so used to UK outline that lights at all are very novelty, much less on rolling stock. Lastly, I popped for a new set from Kato. N scale Chicago & North-Western '400' set. The '400' was named for covering 400 miles in 400 minutes. Not this same-said train, but I have ridden these cars before, too. I'm waiting to be accused of being a Packers fan due to the colors. I'll have to, eh, correct the opinion.

No, of course it isn't.

The emblem looks so odd on such a bright background.

Highlights, now. Edge or otherwise. I'm still trying to be conservative with the highlights. I don't want to outline everything. All the studio models seem that way, though. I've been using white mostly. I mixed something like 10:1 white to neutral gray for the big armored dude's highlights. Huge puddle of paint I barely used. Still, he will receive further highlights. I mean, I'm getting somewhere. Some corrections will be needed. As always. I picked up some Plastruct textured sheet to use on the bases. I think the packaging was wrong, though. Hardly looks like treadplate in any scale. Translucent, too. I've read elsewhere on this site of a modeler having issues getting translucent plastic sheet to stick to anything. Not confidence inspiring to me. I may have wasted $12.

To be fair, you do yourself no harm in cutting the joint along the courses like that. Extra surface area for the cement is rarely a bad thing.

That's better than the local station I have here...

I think Hatton's may have (fairly) underestimated the work in producing a locomotive in N. When the B-G was first announced, it was implied or outright stated that the B-G was chosen due to the research already having been done. N, admittedly, is more of a watchmaker's gauge than OO/HO. Production strategies used for the larger scale might not apply. Also, while the aforementioned research already existed, Hatton's had worked with Heljan on the OO B-G, which might mean some of the information might still be with Heljan and in some capacity unavailable.

I was close...

Terrence is a Caterpillar 60, if I remember correctly. TV model used Tiger tracks, though.

4014 was real cool when she rolled through town.

OK, different from the ALCO I expected. I think mostly by virtue of being Baldwin.

I've done more work on the Infinity JSA. This past week was washes & beginning the highlights. The tutorial I'm following suggested color-keyed washes, but I couldn't make much use of them. Everything was washed black instead. I am following the recommendations for highlights, though. I don't know where to start, color-wise, with the woman in the kimono. I am trying to emulate the studio scheme for the models. Corvus Belli painted the kimono in a sort of mint color. I really don't know where to start. The tutorial offers no guidance on the matter, either. Sunday was another of my gunpla club's build days. I began work on a new kit, the Master Grade 1/100 Grey Zeta. Naturally, the thing is orange. Interesting build so far. Which isn't very far. The Zeta is a transforming model, either a robot or a sort-of cross of a F-117 & an F-22. Like the past few gunpla, I'll likely only work on this at the build days. I have too many other projects to devote bench space to this. We'll see where I get with the Infinity next week.

Without a picture, I'd wager the 0-6-0 tender switcher is the USRA Standard 0-6-0.

Nope, get to it.

Fencing nearside would also likely be a regular victim to unaware bodies.

I do know the Churchward Counties were rebuilt into 4-4-2 tanks, but I don't think those lasted long either.

I'm not certain we are speaking of the same Counties? I know the Churchward County was retired due to poor running. I don't know much about Hawksworth's Counties.

I think if the Counties had been 4-cylinder, they would have ridden better, and therefore been a better success.

Back to Infinity. I've mostly blocked in the base colors. Lots of gray, but also lots of variety here-&-there. What follows will be a plethora of pinwashes. Highlights will follow suit. I do have to 'invert' some of the base coats, though. The tutorial reversed the call-outs for the armor & the clothing. I'll have to be more careful now, too, so as not to obscure details. Lovely.