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| The road from another vantage point. |
Aliwal North SAR Layout in HO-scale, it's not just a model, it's a piece of history, a scaled version of a real South African Railway theme. Enjoy and thanks for looking. [ NAVIGATE TO MORE PAGES AND POSTS FROM THE MENU BAR (below) ▼ ]
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Dirt Road Level Crossing
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Future Micro Layout
This little train needs its own micro layout / Diorama: Coming soon...Modular layout.
http://precisionminiatures.co.za/
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| Photographed on my Aliwal North SAR Layout. |
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| SAR V-7 MKII Guards Van with interior - A highly detailed model. Manufactured by Penning Models. |
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| SAR class 6J Locomotive - diecast metal with brass detail. A highly detailed DJH model - Assembled by Precision Miniatures. |
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| Test fitting some odd buildings on the display layout, not intended for this project. |
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Friday, October 14, 2016
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 actual challenge here, was to hand paint the Brand on these bags!
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| 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) |
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| 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.
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Step 2, do the same to the other side. |
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| The finished bag, 7mm x 4mm - to be hand painted. |
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| Bokomo White Star maize meal 50kg bags on a pallet - One with a Photoshop print. |
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| Five hand painted: Bokomo White Star maize meal 50kg bags on a pallet. |
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| A photograph of the actual signboard. |
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| This signboard is for real and weathered. The third attempt was successful. |
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| View from above. |
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| Then the wife said that the Signboard had to be re-positioned. Okay, done and dusted. |
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| Scratch building an actual wooden pallet (HO scale) - 14 mm x 14 mm. |
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| The weathered wooden pallet. |
Monday, September 26, 2016
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"
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
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| HO scale model railway rolling stock accessories. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| The finished "Intermediate Unit Bogie" |
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| The finished "Anchor Unit Bogie" |
The "Transition Unit Bogie" build...
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| 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. |
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| Test fitting the bogie... |
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| Comparing the "twins"... |
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| Comparing the "twins"... |
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| Comparing the "twins"... |
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| Comparing the "twins"... |
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| 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)
The American version called a RoadRailer (closeup)
(YouTube link)
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Maersk Sealand Container
A scratch built 45' Maersk Sealand container on a modified SAR SML-J flat wagon.
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| One huge 45' Maersk Sealand scratch built container made its appearance today on a modified SAR SML-J flat wagon. Now to find a crane to unload this beast or to offload the contents manually. |
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| One huge 45' Maersk Sealand scratch built container made its appearance today on a modified SAR SML-J flat wagon. |
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| In the Fitment Shop - new brake wheels and shunter steps to be fitted on both sides of this modified SML-J flat wagon. |
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| Tools of the trade - Angle grinder, Arc welder and Oxygen Acetylene Set. (Photoshop) |
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| New brake wheels and shunter steps fitted on both sides of this modified SML-J flat wagon. |
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| New brake wheels and shunter steps fitted on both sides of this modified SML-J flat wagon. |
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| The shortened SML-J flat wagon. |
Maersk Line is the global container division and the largest operating unit of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, a Danish business conglomerate. It is the world's largest container shipping company having customers through 374 offices in 116 countries. It employs approximately 7,000 sea farers and approximately 25,000 land-based people. Maersk Line operates over 600 vessels and has a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit). The company was founded in 1928.
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| Load bearing of container stacking is at the 40-foot corner stone couplings. |
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