Hot metal car truck repair.

Sometimes in steel mill hot metal cars trucks need to be repaired. This is a hot metal car hospital truck its a temporary truck so these massive cars can still be moved around in the shop area while there trucks are being repaired. 

Kling Hot metal

An experimental Kling double pot hot metal car has been put into service at The D&D Steel Works. First couple test has seen good result. There will be more done before the car goes into production.

New hot metal cars

D&D Mining & Steel took delivery of 4 new hot metal cars. The following pictures are from the yard and one from the yard tower. With the new blast furnace and electric furnace up and running these are much-needed cars. Each car is different due to being tested in the mill to see which design will best work within the mill.

The cars are a combination of ST&D cars and spouts and Walthers cars. One car is a stock ST&D car while the Walthers car is stock except for the spout. The other 2 cars have the end platform changed out with each manufacturer. The paint is aluminum color.

#2 highline Part 2

Update on #2 highline January 24, 2017

#2 highline Part 1

Been working on #2 highline. Before the highline stopped one car past the rotary dumper. Now it extends to the edge of the layout and has 2 tracks with a crossover. Longer car cut can be loaded and unloaded with having to run back to the yard for more cars.

The highline is two standard Walthers highline combined. Instead of having the legs in the open they will be placed in simulated concrete footers so the occasional hit from a dozer or loader will not damage the steel.

Still, have to finish the footers and the walkways on the highline. and a set of stairs. Then paint and scenery.

Rolling Mill & Ingot Striper Part 3

Painted and started laying track.

Rolling Mill & Ingot Striper Part 2

Really wasn't satisfied with the legs of the ingot building. I added additional supports from an extra Electric furnace I had. I added one more press and another set of rollers to the rolling mill and the plan is to add at least another set in the future.

Rolling Mill & Ingot Striper Part 1

Crews are still at it. The rolling mill was working on the past couple days. The car bay was added so the finished product can be shipped and the ingot reheating station was built. Crane and supports will need to be worked on before they are put into use at the ingot striper. Just a minor few details to be done on the EAF and it will be at full production. Coke ovens have been relocated and partially assembled.

Electric arc furnace Part 1

While waiting for a couple parts to complete the blast furnace #2, crews turn their attention to the electric arc furnace. Just a few more odds and ends and she will be ready to put into service

Blast Furnace Upgrades Part 2

Crews worked long into the night getting the #2 blast furnace ready to be fired up.

Blast Furnace Upgrades Part 1

Been putting this off for a while but last night I started adding a second blast furnace to D&D Mining and Steel. I had to move the #1 BF about 6 inches to allow for the stoves to the #2 BF. The roof sections will not be permanently attached but attached with magnets so it can be removed to be viewed on the inside. Had to relocate the blower house (spot undetermined yet). After the blast furnace, a 2nd ore bridge and 2nd hullett will be built.

3D Printed Quenching locomotive Part 3

After a couple days in the paint shop, the quenching locomotives is looking good. I'm painting Rust-Oleum Orange Gloss to match the rest of the locomotives in the mill. Once decaled it will get a coat of dull coat and weathered.

3D Printed Quenching locomotive Part 2

Added ladders, handrails, cut leavers and couplers to the locomotive, next is off to the paint shop.

3D Printed Quenching locomotive Part 1

I was asked by Carsten Lundsten, to review his HO scale 3D printed version of a quenching locomotive that he modeled after his N scale version that he also created and is offered through Shapeways. The quenching locomotive will be offered in 2 versions. I am reviewing the left-hand version due to where the quenching tower is located and, the end the quenching car will be coupled to on the locomotive.

This model is 3D printed in white nylon plastic with a matte finish and slight grainy feel. The locomotive is a static model and the locomotive measures in at 2 3/8 long, by 2 13/16 wide this includes the platform that is on the oven side of the locomotive, the height is 2 ¼ from the top of the rail to the top of the locomotive. The locomotive isn’t modeled after any particular locomotive, but there are a few quenching locomotives that similar body style. I was very impressed with the details of the locomotive and how sturdy it is. The printed posts, steps, and platforms, the parts that I would think would be flimsy are very sturdy. Below the platform on the coke, oven side are brackets for electric pickup. (((The platform on coke oven side of this sample is a little high compared to the coke guide beach on the coke oven. This has since been corrected and will be level with the coke oven.))) On the opposite side are doors for maintenance and an air conditioner. The truck details are also very well printed and the printed wheels are spaced the right width apart. The front of the locomotive does have a spot for a heat light and a platform to access the control cab. The rear of the locomotive has another set of maintenance doors. The locomotive does have a grainy feel and some of the edges do need to be cleaned up. The locomotive could have been printed in a different material to make a smoother surface but that would have increased the price from $40 to $80

Coupler pockets are also printed into the locomotive with a pilot hole for screws. I used Kadee #58 couplers with a Kadee #232 gearbox. I cut the ears off the gearboxes and it slides in the opening with no other modifications and the screw pilot hole lines up perfect with the Kadee gearboxes and the couple came in at the right height.

One could power the locomotive if they wanted too. By removing the printed wheels and inserting a powertrain of their choice. Overall I’m am really impressed with this model. Carsten has done a great job in modeling this quenching locomotive in 3D. With all the steel mill equipment out there this is the first quenching locomotive I know of that has been made available to the steel mill modeler.