The B&M Snow Plow {part 2}

     Once the caboose section was assembled, the next thing was to install the window frames.  I am dealing with wood strips that are 1/16th of an inch square, and pieces less than a quarter of an inch long.  I'm not going to get into exact measurements.....it's HO.....ans HO means "small", in any language. 

     The front plow framework is installed and will serve as the basis for the track plow.  there is a blade tip that will have to be fabricated later on.....they show a drawing of it in the plans, but no dementions.  I guess that's left to the imagination of the builder.  I'm using two cameras here, so you might see subtle differences in the shots.....one being better than the other.  after the window frames were finished, it was painted in Italian dark Brown, the most logical color that I had on hand.  I tried to find that picture I saw of a Union Pacific car, but was unable to find it.....oh, well.  Brick Red would have been another color to use for the B&M, bit i saw that a shade around this color was also used.

     Before it was painted the caboose crossbeam was installed.  as this was drying, I decided to do a bit of work to the plow wings.  these wings will fit in the gaps on each side of the body.  hinges will have to be installed, and if I can do this correctly, they will be able to swing in and out.  the roof halves were also painted, in order to give them adequate drying time.  the wings are very flimsy, I was very careful as not to break them.  I installed what looks like angle irons on them, actually 1/16th milled wood, made to look like angle iron.  I used a new razor blade to cut the pieces to avoid breakage, and did something a little different than what the plans direct.  they have them set up in opposing positions, so they don't "mend" together.  I reversed one of them and cut them to do just that.

     There are are a couple of beams that will be installed at a later time.  these will support the hinges.  I will have to do a bit figuring concerning placement.....the plans again are kind of vague.  the cupola was next, window frames had to be installed in the openings.  this will sit on the roof towards the front, by the track plow.  it will later have to be beveled at the bottom, to mate the roof and at the top, to accept a roof of it's own.  the front face will jut diagonally on either side, meeting at the center, joining like an arrow point as it spills out on the upper plow frame.

     Once this was finished, I fitted the roof in it's place to see how it looked.  I like the color, as well as the contrast of the two aspects.  as these aspects come together, it begins to gather more detail and take on the shape of what it is to be.  it's piquing my interest like you wouldn't believe! 

     In this last picture, the roof is cemented into place.  clear cello was cemented in the windows and the same will be done to the cupola as well.  I even remembered to do the round windows in the doors.  I fitted the cupola on to see how it looked on there, hoping to soon be able to add it to the collage, finished to the point where it can be.  it still looks naked without the trucks {wheels}, but I will soon be able to change that as well........a trip to the hobby store is in my horizon, maybe even today.

     This concludes this build session.......looking at the clock, it had better be!  it's 2:00AM.....time to get some shut-eye.