The N Scale Chronicles (XModelRailroader’s N Scale Builds)

[TheXModelRailroader]

I wanted to make a separate thread for N scale stuff as that’s a whole new thing I will be getting into. I will still show builds in the Backshops thread, but the details (And other non‑loco stuff) for N scale will be here. Thanks for stopping by.
So, if you didn’t know, I mainly have HO scale model trains, and still prefer that scale over N. But N scale is so small that it has been really appealing to me. There is so much I can put in a small space. AND, for the first time ever, I might be able to actually build a small layout because of this! So, I started collecting some N scale.
Two weeks ago, I went to a local train show. Due to family reasons, we thought it would be better if I went the day before the show (Friday, which you are allowed to do). Only, there were almost no vendors. But a friend of mine was there and made a deal on some N scale stuff, which is what started me making this thread.
So lets go!

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

BUILD LOG 1... BLI Reading T1 Restore.
One of which was a Broadway Limited Imports Reading T1. The only BLI engine I have at this time, and officially the most expensive model I have (180$ for everything... Guys. Go to train shows. Really. GO.).
The catch? The engine was brush painted by someone, and not in a good way. It was pretty bad. Now, to be fair, I get why the guy did it. It was originally a dark blue (VERY blue) fantasy freedom paint scheme. Now, it’s ok if you like fantasy paint schemes, but I’m not very big on them. Thing is, if I had gotten this in its original order, I would not be painting it. Would rather sell it and get the one I want. But it was painted already, so the fix would mean I would have to modify it.
So I pretty much went to work right away.
First, I checked it over, and then slowly took it apart.
Once I figured out what could be safely disassembled without destroying it, I got the shells off, and went away cleaning. There are some plastic parts on it, so I couldn’t use paint stripper (Which I don’t have right now anyway), so I had to look toward other methods. In the end, it was paint thinner that won. I did a bit of sanding on the tender, as the eagle decal was raised slightly.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

More pics.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

The next step was dye.
I (Cautiously) dyed the lower metal parts black, and tried to dye the shell.
Well, there were still parts on the shell that needed paint, and I forgot to lower the temp. So the cab is a little warped, but I will buy a replacement (If I can) one day.
So after that I went over the model with paint.

Boy does it look good! Guess what? Brush paint. But you can hardly tell! Very happy with it.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

Then some details, and “decals”. I don’t have actual decals, so I use my DIY method. I didn’t want to have to do that as the paint looked so good, and these “decals” don’t blend so well, but it needed something. I will peel these off and buy some real decals soon. I numbered it 2101. There was a certain T1 with that number that ended up in a fire. With the warped parts, I figured that was fitting!
That’s it. It was a fun build, and I am very proud of it!
I will test run it today! (Yeah... I, err... I went right to work without testing it... Yeah. Stupid. I know). I will let you know how it goes!

 

[migalyto]

But N scale is so small that it has been really appealing to me. There is so much I can put in a small space. AND, for the first time ever, I might be able to actually build a small layout because of this! So, I started collecting some N scale.

Yea, there's a lot to like about N scale!

I built several N scale layouts thru the years before the offerings of Ho got the best of me and I sold it all off and made the switch to Ho. Seems
now that N scale is rapidly catching up with Ho.

I will be following along with this thread with interest.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

Yea, there's a lot to like about N scale!

I built several N scale layouts thru the years before the offerings of Ho got the best of me and I sold it all off and made the switch to Ho. Seems
now that N scale is rapidly catching up with Ho.

I will be following along with this thread with interest.

Agreed.
Thank you!