What's Next? How about a 389 Pete with Ultra Cab & Sleeper

I have been motivated to design lately, and am very close to another new model.  My Pete 379 was the first tractor that I designed, and now almost a year later, my skills have improved significantly.  I am much more efficient, and can draw quicker and produce cleaner files.  That said, I wanted to clean up some older files, but decided that instead, I would design a new Pete 389, which is a successor to the 379.  This time I added the taller ultra-cab and ultra-sleeper, instead of the 379 flattop.  The 389 also has distinct headlights which are different than the earlier 379, in addition to a few other subtle differences.  I plan to make the cab and sleeper separate for daycab and sleeper cab versions.

I probably have another hour of design left before it is ready to order, but needed a break, so found a couple photos to share.

Here's a New Trailer Just For Fun - 35' East Frame Dump Trailer

I finished another new design tonight, and this time it's a 35' East dump trailer.  I had a lot of components to start from, so the design time was significantly reduced.  This will look nice with a daycab Pete or Kenworth.  This is a triple axle version, and it was designed with all 3 axles on the ground, but it can easily be modified with the front axle in the raised position.  It's pretty bare bones as is, and could use a tarp if desired.

This is a MAC trailer pictured here, but I like the combo a lot.  It definitely gives me some ideas.

A Couple New 3D Printed Models - 3 Axle Livestock & 53' Drop Deck Trailers

Not a significant update tonight, but still something worth sharing.  I dusted off my 53' Wilson livestock trailer files the other night and in about 30 minutes I had a triple axle version to go with my spread axle model.  Not sure why it took me so long to make the small tweak, but now it's done.  I have a few on the way from Shapeways.

My newest model that I just finished today is a 53' Fontaine Infinity drop deck trailer.  This is a combo steel/aluminum model that I see a lot on the highway.  The prototype model below is a shorter version, so mine has a longer tail.  This will compliment my all aluminum MAC flatbed nicely.  I also designed a new 22.5" aluminum wheel with lo-pro tires for this one.  I'll get a couple ordered soon and make them available in my shop once I validate that my design prints successfully.

www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

Oh Yeah, I Like Trains Too - New Layout Started

I was nearing crisis mode there for a moment.... no posts for a almost a month, more trucks than I can shake a stick at, and over a year without a layout of any kind.  Well, I am back on track tonight, with a generous dose of layout construction to tame my N scale addiction.

I decided on a 3'x8' footprint this time, with a 6" extension on part of the front.  This will allow me to fit it easier into the space in my garage.  I cheated on the frame construction in that I used 1"x6"s ripped instead of using plywood.  I am a firm believer in using plywood as dimensional lumber, but with the limited amount of material that I needed for this project, I decided to take my chances in finding a couple of boards that didn't resemble firewood.

Like all of my previous layouts, I added caster wheels so I could move the layout around in my garage.  The difference this time is that the casters happen to be connected to a 300lb  tool cabinet.  I bought a cabinet several months ago to store my tools, and liked it so much that I decided to buy another just for trains.  I like the idea of having lots of storage right below the layout.  It's not a Snap On, but it's a nice heavy unit from Harbor Freight.  Although they do sell a lot of cheap tools, their tool boxes are actually made with heavier material than some competitors and very reasonably priced.  To get the top of the layout at an appropriate height, I built a pedestal with 2"x6"s on edge that fits snug in the top rim of the tool box.  When I go to train shows, I will simply lift the layout off the pedestal and load it.

So there you have it.  An unconventional method of layout construction, but practical.  I don't know that I have ever seen this done before, so extra points for originality.