I do not regret picking up the complete discography of (predominantly vaporwave and other emergent internet genre) music label Business Casual, if for no other reason than for the names of the artists and the albums they put out (though obviously I am also here for the actual music)

Giving myself a break from 3D modelling work by taking a small prep work task I know I'll need to do sooner or later before I work on the track here mire- masking off the metal sleepers so that I can weather the track and wood ones

A thing that gives me humorous pause every time I look at it (which is frequently now they're just sitting on the layout)- Loading gauge comparison between the WAGR similar-ish era US boxcars.

You know, even without spilling most of my microsol and microset (which I did), doing this was some real sweating bullets material. Those things were tiiiny and so very easy to lose, scratch up, stick to fingers in unretrievable ways. But it's done.

Okay, workshop heater's on- we're doing it. We're decalling. Pray for mojo.

It's amusing that an example of the WAGR's second Mainline NG diesel loco classes is still running, still in good nick: TECHNICALLY is an preservation unit (owned and leased from RHWA). Still earning meal tickets when classes that replaced it (and some that even replaced THEM) were scrapped.

Painting up the Louvre vans, or at least the main body walls. You'll have to trust that the roofs are actually masked because the tape's pretty close to the actual body tone. With the sides done, it'll be roof next, which because I want the paint to be set before remasking, will be tomorrow.

As it turns out, the actual time to prime with the airbrush the FD vans was like 15 minutes once it started, but I need to leave them for like a day to cure now, which is less instantly gratifying but okay. Is a fun abstract public art installation having them in the PCB holder stand though.

Last shots of the day, all the pieces before the furniture get a white coat and get glued. As a side thing - any body have experience with the Dioramo lighting system? #modeltrains #nscale

With the except of the aisle end that's displaced because of the stock(won't be there permanently) - something like that. Also, reprinted the door, only thicker.

Also- threw together some supermarket interior furnishings to print, if for not greater reason than to say it's there and cast shadows when the lighting goes in. Got shelves, open display coolers, drink fridges, freezer chests All the basics. At most probably all only going to get a coat of white.

(they also came with couplers and correct diameter wheels (Scale 2.75ft diameter). I am so pumped to both get more of these AND also get started on my own stock, because they proved that standard-gauging these NG vans doesn't lose their vibe. I am SO stocked. Plus I have a line on wheel sets now

So, it's not on their website as far as I know (mid-writing edit: they're not) but at the show Gopher Models/Badger Bits had a bunch of 4-wheel/2-axle stock from around the country on their booth... Including WAGR FD Louvre Vans. Folks, you better believer I came home with a handful of FD Vans.

Sealed, glued, and putting a gloss varnish over for good effect

I have at last achieved the ability to print, so I am at least adding the remaining outside details to the corner store (signs and such). First shots the test prints (left) on copier paper and the final print (right) on photo stock. Second is with them all cut out and roughly aligned with the awning

While out today.

It's friday, you know what that means - Treats.

Some other shots from the string today

Just messing with stuff between some other stuff.

Okay, random early 90s Tagger, you got a laugh out of me

In place, clamped to stay square while the adhesive sets and cures. Ground at base filled and levelled, some light weathering with ground up pastels on the deck. Giving it the rest of the day to sit.

Contraption to find level from the interior floor

Updates, as of right now- painted, sealed, and in place. Paint stage-

What I'm up to

Gonna post it on regular account instead of NIA just because I'm so pumped to finally be back on it. It probably doesn't look much since the last post about it, but it's been a helluva clean-up as parts got merged onto the main body here. Stuff still to do obviously, but it's comprehensible.

Man Photography is like 75% Being There and 25% not fucking up the settings.

Why do I have a Hankyu 6300 set? Because @rotogote.bsky.social and I saw the expansion set for it, and were instantly mesmerised by how good it looked and it's like "gotta have this" for that reason alone