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Post by billmock on Mar 29, 2024 10:27:43 GMT -5
It's hard to beat natural lighting. And that's why I have a small and portable layout. It's so that I can photograph it in the garden under natural lighting. Here's an SP SD40T-2 under actual California sunlight, like the real thing. Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Mar 28, 2024 22:54:40 GMT -5
Impressive! The vids make it seem a lot larger. Ed
That's the beauty of Z scale railroading! You can get a lot of railroading in a very small space. Bill
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Post by billmock on Mar 28, 2024 18:02:23 GMT -5
Hahaha! It resides inside of my file drawer cabinet where I keep the rest of my architectural drawings. It's a 30"x42" layout. Hidden safe and out of sight in my office. Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Mar 28, 2024 0:31:48 GMT -5
Hi Steve, Photos are mostly here on the AZL Forum. Use the "Profile" menu to find me "billmock" and it'll show a list of my activities on this site. There's probably a few posted on Trainboard too. Ztrack also did an article about my layout in their November/December 2011 edition. It's available in print and for digital downloads. And Svein-Martin Holt produced a really nice video of my layout when I brought it to the 2010 National Z Convention in Medford, OR.
Have fun! Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Mar 23, 2024 0:10:17 GMT -5
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Post by billmock on Feb 11, 2024 1:13:32 GMT -5
Just working on this tonight, the Mikado Troubleshooting document. I was going to pop it on my USZ site as a page there but I'm going to make it a standalone PDF to make it more easily available for other dealers to use, and directly to users as well... this way it's a bit easier to pass around and share. I got this info originally from Rob at Ztrack and think it should then be easily accessible online and offline. Bit of coffee and typing and I'll have it done tonight. Hmmm, coffee really does seem to be at the heart of almost everything I do.View AttachmentHahaha! We in architecture do not consider coffee to be a beverage. We consider it a tool. Good luck! Bill
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Post by billmock on Feb 1, 2024 15:35:26 GMT -5
Thank you AZL! These Southern Pacific Tunnel Motors are simply amazing. And they look right at home on my Truckee River layout. The only thing missing from these ready to run Espee SD40T-2 locomotives is their typical layer of soot and grime. Thank you AZL!!! Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Sept 12, 2023 12:10:08 GMT -5
My vote is for the Kenworth W900. It checks all the boxes....nice representative look, spans a long time frame, etc. IMHO, the Peterbuilt has a little too much "snout". I'm glad it was brought up about the fact that we're talking 53's, since that makes some difference as far as styling goes. But I agree that something like the Volvo looks too new if you wanted to try and get away with using it in a slightly earlier timeframe. True, true! If we were to get 5 different tractor models, ok, get them all! But if I were to choose one model. And just one. Yes, the tractor that spans the widest timeframe and really says, North American trucking; that would be the Kenworth W900. Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Sept 12, 2023 0:21:04 GMT -5
One thing to consider is that the 53' trailers have only been legal since 1989. And yes, there are still older tractors on the road and in service. But most are younger tractors, less than 20 years old. They stopped making the Kenworth K100 cabover in 2002 and Peterbilt Model 362 cabover in 2005. Freightliner ended its domestic Argosy in 2005. So as much as they are loved, there are fewer of these cabovers on the road pulling 53' trailers. When the overall tractor trailer length limits were increased, the more fuel efficient, non-cabover tractors ruled the roads. Variations of the Kenworth W900 have been around since 1967 and are still being produced today. Peterbilt 379 were produced from 1986 until 2007. The Mack DM series were produce from 1965 until 1988. So far, AZL has produced an array of relatively recent paint schemes on their 53' trainers. So a more contemporary tractor to pull them would probably be appropriate. The Freightliner Cascadia series is the most popular tractor on the market today with a whooping 40% market share. Followed by the International Prostar, Kenworth T800, and the Volvo VNL. So these would be my choices for tractors to populate my modern train layout. If AZL produced a 40 foot trailer, there would be a whole new tractor debate for them.
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Post by billmock on Jun 11, 2023 14:59:03 GMT -5
Have to admit I get a major kick out of seeing these images! John, Raildig These images were what gave me my inspiration and dreams. And ultimately got me into Z scale. Thank you John!!! Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Nov 1, 2022 12:41:45 GMT -5
Oh... I wasn't considering the SP Bloody Nose PA, until I saw the ice breakers. Oh... I need that PA! Thanks guys! Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Oct 28, 2022 12:37:43 GMT -5
I don't even run DCC and I feel like I want to buy one of these decoders! All the best, Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Mar 30, 2022 14:36:41 GMT -5
70 years following the Blizzard of January 1952, Southern Pacific's ALCo PA's lead the City of San Francisco over Donner Pass under the warm spring sun. Just missing the ALCo columns of thick black smoke. Bill Mock
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Post by billmock on Mar 30, 2022 14:22:56 GMT -5
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Post by billmock on Mar 30, 2022 14:18:42 GMT -5
Art imitates history. Just a little crash in Los Angeles. Bill Mock
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