USN 1969-1993.  I became interested in the Ahnapee & Western and the parent Green Bay and Western during my tour as U.S. Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, 1977-1980.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

Alex:

All I remember of the G&U was a forelorn ALCO swicher sitting on the tracks just outside Grafton Center when I was on my way to the rifle range (come up the hill from Lake Ripple, and go left at the center).  There was also a forelorn coach on a siding right at the grade crossing.  The ALCO was basic black, well-weathered, with "Grafton and Upton" lettered on it; and I don't remember if it was on the hood or the cab.  That was probably about 1972~73, just before I went back in the Navy.  There was some interesting trackage in the area.  I used to fall asleep in the summer nights in the 50's hearing the B&A whistling near the depot (B&A was still in steam). 

Enjoyed your pix ... have not seen trains set up on the floor since about 1954!

Resp'y,
Bob S.

It's odd to see European prototype in "my" North Grafton.  I lived in Shrewsbury ("Shoosbree") about 1/2 mile from the North Grafton line and spent much time at Nelson Park and Braddock's hot dog stand ... we would take our bikes through the tunnel under the B&A tracks to visit the small general store that was right across the street from the North Grafton depot, a great spot for train-watching in the 1950's and early 60's.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

I'll second that request.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

Robman:

Explore the NorthWest Short Line site:

www.nwsl.com

The catalog is online in pdf format, but unfortunately they posted it in single page bits instead of a consolidated document.   

On page 4-11 under regear/re[powering, they offer a regear kit for AHM  that will give lower speed with the existing motors, in the notes they suggest a couple of motors that have been used successfully to repower.   Although they don't package a "kit", they make just about any bit that you would need to do the job.  Walthers does stock most of their stuff.

Good luck!

Resp'y,
Bob S.

How is this done?

Nothing is "broke", just looking for parts for improving electrical contact on 0-6-0 or 2-6-2 tenders (easily done with an extra front truck assembly and draw bar), and for kit-bashing.  There is fertile ground here for altering to specific prototypes of small steamers.  And yes, I realize that this will void the warranty ... I'm an engineer, and when I buy a locomotive, I usually look at it as "raw material".   

Resp'y,
Bob S.

Charles:

No problem.  The contact strips were folded over to conform to the new length between "windows", and super-glued back in.  No-brainer.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

All I had to do to the Spectrum 2-8-0 to make it "convincing" as Green Bay and Western No. 351 was shorten the tender.



The sand dome should be a bit further forward and should be round, but it's "close enough"  ... operation trumps cosmetics around here.  There is one cosmetic detail that I might have to change though ... that round Baldwin builder's plate sticks out like a sore thumb.  I might have chisel it off and replace it with a rectanglar bit of styrene laser-printed for "ALCO Schenectady"   :lol:

The Spectrum 2-8-0 and Atlas code 55 track were the two items that convinced me I could switch to N scale and be happy with it.  I had the HO version of the loco; when the N scale came out, I purchased one, and enough Atlas code 55 for a small temporary switching set-up.  Right out of the box, the loco would crawl through the Atlas turn-outs (with the frogs unpowered) without even a hiccup, and the tractive effort is prodigious.   I bought a second, which will be the Ahnapee and Western incarnation of the same loco, and it performs as well as the first.  The frogs of the turnouts will be powered on the permanent layout (as "permanent" as layouts are .... )

Resp'y,
Bob S.