Palm Trees

Neglected Palm Trees at the Bokomo entrance.
My very first attempt to create a realistic looking Palm Tree - 1:87th scale.

Test fitting the almost finished palm tree.

A photograph of my 1:87th scale
palm tree against the sky.
(Only 7 cm tall.)

A photograph of my 1:87th scale
palm tree outside in natural sunlight.

How I made this Palm Tree:

Finished and fitted two palm trees.

Aliwal North Bokomo Silos and Mill main entrance circa 1970

An example of how palm
trees may differ in shape 
and size - sunset.

An example of how palm
trees may differ in shape 

and size - down town 

California.

Dirt Road Level Crossing

Created an unofficial dirt road level crossing - used Alcolin Woodfiller (Mahogany) for the roadbed, waited for about 5 hours for the roadbed to dry, weathered the road with pastel powders dissolved in alcohol and added gravel on the skirts and centre. Finally added some Woodland Scenics bushes.

The road from another vantage point.

Future Micro Layout

This little train needs its own micro layout / Diorama: Coming soon...

Photographed on my Aliwal North SAR Layout.

SAR V-7 MKII Guards Van
with interior -
A highly detailed model.
Manufactured by Penning Models.

SAR class 6J Locomotive -
diecast metal with brass detail.
A highly detailed DJH model -
Assembled by Precision Miniatures.

http://precisionminiatures.co.za/

http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/rest-of-world-kits/

Miniatures

LINKS to Acclaimed Models in various scales (NOT MY WORK)

ANDERS MALMBERG MACHINE SHOP 1:87

ANDERS MALMBERG BIKE SHOP 1:35

Worldwide Miniatures

Maize Meal Bags / Pallets

Scratch built maize meal bags on a pallet. 1/87th scale.
The actual challenge here, was to hand paint the Brand on these bags!

The Forklift is backing off with
 approximately a 465kg load - 
hope this old Hyster can handle it. 
(9 x 50kg + the pallet) 
Moving nine odd 50kg bags 
of maize meal.
(By the way, the signboard is a Photoshop test fit)

Five Bokomo White Star maize
meal 50kg bags on a pallet -
without the print at this stage.

The actual size of a bag is a mere 7mm x 4mm.

How to make these bags in two to three easy steps.

Tools and materials used for this project.
Mini Narrow Tip Pliers Non Serated,
Mini Flush Side Cutter Pliers,
Xacto knife, Super glue,
a toothpick, a ruler and then
a piece of 3mm Telephone cable
or Alarm cable PVC sleeving.

Step 1, cut a 7 mm piece of sleeving
with the Xacto or the Side cutter,
add a tiny bit of super glue to
one of the inside edges and
clamp together with the Narrow
Tip pliers for about ten seconds.

Step 2, do the same to the other side.

The finished bag, 7mm x 4mm -
to be hand painted.

Bokomo White Star maize meal
50kg bags on a pallet -
One with a Photoshop print.

Five hand painted: Bokomo White
Star maize meal 50kg bags on a pallet.

A photograph of the actual signboard.

This signboard is for real and weathered. 
The third attempt was successful.

View from above.

Then the wife said that the
Signboard had to be
re-positioned.
Okay, done and dusted.

Scratch building an actual wooden
pallet (HO scale) - 14 mm x 14 mm.

The weathered wooden pallet.

RailRunner

A scratch built 1/87th scale functional prototype RailRunner Intermodal System set with perfectly weighted Athearn trailers on my Aliwal North SAR Layout. 

"Anchor Unit Bogie, Intermediate Unit Bogie and Transition Unit Bogie"

International Railway Journal
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/freight/railrunner-intermodal-system-heads-for-south-africa.html?channel=527
Friday, September 16, 2016
RailRunner intermodal system set for South African trials:
Written by Paul Ash
In a move that could have long-term ramifications for South Africa's long-haul trucking industry, Transnet has signed a deal with RailRunner, United States to develop intermodal technology for the country's general freight business.
The project - a joint venture between Transnet Freight Rail and RailRunner- will see a test train of lorry trailers on rail bogies begin running on the Cape Corridor between Johannesburg and Cape Town in the first half of next year.
The RailRunner system - a container trailer chassis with conventional wheels for running on road and a dedicated bogie for rail operation - will enable road hauliers to focus on the “last mile” part of the logistics chain where rail cannot operate.
As well as helping Transnet in its stated aim to attract more traffic from road to rail, the deal could also clear the way for private-sector businesses to get involved in rail transport. While the tractor units and trailers are already privately owned, private operators would also own the RailRunner bogies.
Transnet will supply the locomotives and operate the trains as part of its general freight service. A typical RailRunner train would consist of 40 trailers although overseas experience has shown that consists could operate with up to 200 trailers.
Transnet says a bimodal service would offer its customers “a complete logistics solution” that combines the strength of both road and rail transport.
Local industry is also expected to score on the deal as the RailRunner bogies would be manufactured in South Africa, in line with Transnet’s localisation requirements.

LINK to Demo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUgi4lQKmF8

LINK to Demo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBJ1AZH788&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2NYnWKBmOnm2Ln0B9jLWAv4_wyFDK0buOGlD3C6nsoDISfKXJxaAlgO-0

HO scale model railway
rolling stock accessories.

Test fitting some parts to check
the articulating trailer hitch 
action and the height.
The "Intermediate Unit Bogie"
operates well on track, happy
with its performance at this
stage.

Test fitting some parts to check 
the articulating trailer hitch 
action and the height.
The "Intermediate Unit Bogie" 
operates well on track, happy 
with its performance at this 
stage.

The finished "Intermediate
Unit Bogie"

The finished "Anchor
Unit Bogie"

 The "Transition Unit Bogie" build...

Finished with the "Anchor
Unit Bogie" (top)
Scratch building the
"Transition Unit Bogie" next,
it will be the final Bogie to
complete this set...
Precision measurements and
cutting of all plastic parts
are of the utmost importance.

Test fitting the bogie...

Comparing the "twins"...

Comparing the "twins"...

Comparing the "twins"...

Comparing the "twins"...

Scratch built "RailRunner Intermodal
System Set" (HO scale)
They're just what they appear to be -
semitrailers with specially-designed
"bogies" placed underneath for rail
service.
Due for trials on South African
soil (rail) in mid 2017.

A SHORT VIDEO CLIP:

(YouTube link)

RailRunner Conformance Testing - my scratch built "Intermediate Unit Bogie", "Anchor Unit Bogie" and "Transition Unit Bogie" The very first RailRunner Intermodal System Set has made its appearance on South African soil on my Aliwal North SAR Layout.

The American version called a RoadRailer (closeup)

(YouTube link)

RoadRailer closeup