What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[G3750]

Updated 4/25/2021:

Saturday, I tried to start on the 2nd Tillman Farm House. I began by identifying the walls that would be used and cutting them off the sprues and sanding. This is going to be another 1.5" deep 3D backdrop item on the hillside behind the Steubenville station. Since the house was going to be lit, I decided to paint the interior walls black to prevent that "glow" that sometimes happens with plastic structures. Unfortunately, the paint can nozzles (a bunch of them) were clogged and uncooperative. I watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to clean them. Yesterday, I bought some lacquer thinner, soaked a few nozzles, and was able to paint the backs a flat black.

A few hours later, I flipped them over and hit them with the flat white for the exterior.

Today is a school day (this is the last week of classes!! ), but I will try to get the roof sections painted.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0BGfnH8tJRdFRi

George

[healey36]

Years ago I painted the inside of a few Plasticville kits black, and it worked well in eliminating the translucent effect. Make sure the corners are nice and tight to avoid light escaping...a bead of glue or sealant will assure a light-tight fit.

What's the tip/process for clearing spray-nozzles? Just a soak in lacquer thinner? I've got a cup full of clogged nozzles down in the shop...

[G3750]

Years ago I painted the inside of a few Plasticville kits black, and it worked well in eliminating the translucent effect. Make sure the corners are nice and tight to avoid light escaping...a bead of glue or sealant will assure a light-tight fit.

What's the tip/process for clearing spray-nozzles? Just a soak in lacquer thinner? I've got a cup full of clogged nozzles down in the shop...

Yeah, that's really it. Soak them in lacquer thinner. If you have a pin, you may be able to pry out some of the gunk inside the nozzle as well. It worked for awhile and then it clogged again. But hey, you just repeat the process. Much easier and less expensive than replacing half-full cans of paint or buying replacement nozzles.

Thanks for tip on the corners.

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Soak them in lacquer thinner. If you have a pin, you may be able to pry out some of the gunk inside the nozzle as well.

Works sometimes. I've tried drilling it clear with a #76 bit....anything smaller I can see what I'm doing,

[healey36]

Thanks for that...I've got two dozen nozzle-less spray bombs in the shop. Would be nice to get those emptied on various projects.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Thanks for that...I've got two dozen nozzle-less spray bombs in the shop. Would be nice to get those emptied on various projects.

I've had more than one be clogged in the siphon and not at/in the nozzle.

[chuck]

I've had more than one be clogged in the siphon and not at/in the nozzle.

Ditto.

Soaking nozzle's in lacquer thinner may work. I have found trying to ream or drill out the nozzle to be questionable. Even if I clear the channel the chance of damage is much higher and the spray pattern is often ruined.

BTW, I have found lining the model with kitchen foil is also a very effective way to block light leaks.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I have found trying to ream or drill out the nozzle to be questionable. Even if I clear the channel the chance of damage is much higher and the spray pattern is often ruined.

Yes, it's a choice of last resort.....

[G3750]

Updated 5/9/2021:

I've been pushing along with house #3, a second Tillman Farm House. Progress to date:

• Walls assembled and glued to foundation
• 2nd story has been blacked out using construction paper & tape
• Roof assembled and installed
• Trim details as well as porch have been painted

Photos tell the tale. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0BGtnIORJrHzOe

George

[G3750]

Updated 5/11/2021:

I'm declaring victory on this house. It will get an India ink wash and some DullCote tomorrow, but we're done with it!

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0B5VaUrzGQLL1X

Time to move on.

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

A bit funky - flat roof section on the porch roof seems a surprise given snow potential in the area.....

[G3750]

A bit funky - flat roof section on the porch roof seems a surprise given snow potential in the area.....

I agree. I don't really understand some of the undocumented options for the porches with this kit. The only way I could use the columns was to choose this roof. The prototype had a sloping roof and columns - not a standard choice with the model kit.

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

A bit funky - flat roof section on the porch roof seems a surprise given snow potential in the area.....

I agree. I don't really understand some of the undocumented options for the porches with this kit. The only way I could use the columns was to choose this roof. The prototype had a sloping roof and columns - not a standard choice with the model kit.

You're going to have to take up scratchbuilding,

[G3750]

A bit funky - flat roof section on the porch roof seems a surprise given snow potential in the area.....

I agree. I don't really understand some of the undocumented options for the porches with this kit. The only way I could use the columns was to choose this roof. The prototype had a sloping roof and columns - not a standard choice with the model kit.

You're going to have to take up scratchbuilding,

Not in HO, pal.

Besides, I do scratch-build. And OST has published it!

Man, these editors. They are never satisfied.

[G3750]

Updated 05/25/2021:

For the past two weeks things have been on hold as I have dealt with the end of the academic semester, constructed the "cat prevention door", and tried to acquire more HO Albion Catalog houses. I called more than a dozen hobby shops before finally speaking with the manufacturer and ordering 3 more of the houses. Unfortunately, it’s going to be at least a 2 month delay before they are produced; they are absolutely swamped. But that’s a good thing for the industry.

All this has caused me to re-evaluate and re-prioritize what projects should get my attention. Here they are (in rough order of importance):

• Clean up the workshop so that more modeling can take place
• Weirton Steel caboose for an upcoming NMRA contest (needs decals, assembly and weathering)
• Finalize the Weirton East End interlocking circuit
• Complete line poles and “H” fixtures for the Eastern Approach to the bridge
• Install conduit across the face of the stone arch
• Install scenery from Pier 2 to the stone arch including the pond and Eastern Approach hillside

The above is the tip of the iceberg; the entire "to-do" list is pretty large.

More when I know it.

George