Hello everyone,
Sorry to have not been able to do much so far this year. The medical injury to my hand from October got bad enough that I had to seek specialized help for it. I'm currently 5 weeks through a 6 week process dealing with an injection to try to help it heal and orders to not do anything to reinjure it more during this 6 week period to help get the injury to heal properly. Next week I'll see the specialist and see what he says. I've had enough side effects of the medication, including massive loss of energy. I'm really not looking forward to a repeat 6 weeks injection process. Hopefully, he'll say that I can start strengthening it and maybe Occupational Therapy to get back to normal work.
Basically, it means that I've not been able to physically work on any model building, 3d design, or anything since October 2023. I know how much everyone wants to see OwlMtModels come out with more models, so hopefully I'll be back at it soon!
Basically, it means that I've not been able to physically work on any model building, 3d design, or anything since October 2023. I know how much everyone wants to see OwlMtModels come out with more models, so hopefully I'll be back at it soon!
So on with the Project Updates!
3D Printed Projects
Right as my hand was getting really bad, I was very close to finishing up the Owenyo SPNG "Ski-Ramp" trestle for loading the narrow gauge equipment onto the standard gauge flatcars.
I still need to work out the SKU numbers for this and make a couple of final CAD changes to the drawings. Estimated MSRP will be ~$35. It should fit Code 40 or 55 rails (not supplied).
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| A painted and finished "Ski-Ramp" or Owenyo Transfer Ramp (OTR) dry-fit on layout in |
I still need to work out the SKU numbers for this and make a couple of final CAD changes to the drawings. Estimated MSRP will be ~$35. It should fit Code 40 or 55 rails (not supplied).
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| Here's a photo showing the little button magnets installed in the 3d printed parts. |
I will be including the little button magnets to help align and connect the supporting cap blocks and bent. This will allow the ramp to be adjusted vertically and set the grade, then build up the scenery around the support parts. Yet still remove the deck and rails, if desired. On my Owenyo modules, this ramp will be going above the surrounding module and if I transport the modules to a show or something, I want to be able to remove the structures from the layout easily.
2-8-0 Conversion Project
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| Yes, this is the most up-to-date test model, I want to get the new test castings for the valvegear and rods on it soon! |
2024-04-14: Latest update from the molding shop is that they're recutting the mold for the 4012 invest parts as of early April, and hoping to have invests to the foundry to make test casts around the middle of the month. I hope that these will turn out so we can go into production, and then start making 3d printed cylinders and fill all the back-ordered reservations from the last 6 years! As I've said before, this project shouldn't have taken this long, but we're still working on it when possible.
I expect to edit in another sub-update here as soon as I know how the test castings came out.
The decal artist I work with has been busy on other projects, but we still have a couple in the pipeline.
Among the new decals we're hoping to release should be a set for SP Sugar Beet Routing Cards for several plants and at least two eras. These will be based on surviving samples from the 1970s and older photos from the late 1940s suggesting the size and shape of the ones in use at that time.
Hopefully in another month or so I can announce some of the other sets of decals we have in the works as well.
I think that covers it for the Mid-April 2024 Update. Please remember to subscribe to this news blog page, so you'll get the messages when new information comes out.
Jason Hill
OwlMtModels
I expect to edit in another sub-update here as soon as I know how the test castings came out.
Decal Artwork
The decal artist I work with has been busy on other projects, but we still have a couple in the pipeline.
Among the new decals we're hoping to release should be a set for SP Sugar Beet Routing Cards for several plants and at least two eras. These will be based on surviving samples from the 1970s and older photos from the late 1940s suggesting the size and shape of the ones in use at that time.
Hopefully in another month or so I can announce some of the other sets of decals we have in the works as well.
I think that covers it for the Mid-April 2024 Update. Please remember to subscribe to this news blog page, so you'll get the messages when new information comes out.
Jason Hill
OwlMtModels
