That's a neat clip Jet When I lived in Maryland, I enjoyed the occasional "race" between Washington DC METRO trains and CSX freights on the line between DC's Union Station and Silver Spring. There the Red line runs two tracks in the middle of the CSX/B&O Metropolitan Branch with CSX tracks on either side. Sometimes we'd get into a real good pace running side by side, but then the durn METRO would have to stop at a station

Robert

Quote from: Johnson Bar Jeff on September 07, 2010, 01:43:04 PM
... did a little more break-in running of my "new" "vintage" (late model, can motor) Mantua Pacific, along with four truly vintage (early to mid 1960s) passenger cars.

What kind of cars are they Jeff?

Robert

I'm going to try to catch up on some airbrushing trains on the back porch. It's just been way too hot out there all summer, but now it's finally cooled off. Got several "projects" soaking in jars of DOT3 brake fluid to strip them before repaint.

Oh, and I'm gonna eat a lot of hot dogs, corn on the cob and backyard tomatoes

Robert

I remember one of the last Alexandria - Lynchburg VA trips behind Class A 1218. Like all those last trips, she had a huge long train behind. There were traffic delays on the Southern mainline resulting in the excursion having quite a delay departing from Lynchburg. When we finally got going it was late and our train was running at track speed (70 mph) to make up time. For reasons I don't understand, the open doors baggage car behind the loco was empty of foamers who had lost interest after it got dark A friend and I got to an open door for the last couple of hours of the trip. Wearing shop goggles against the cinders, we both had our heads out the window. It was like putting your face into an industrial sand blaster and it was a magnificent ride

1218 made interesting sounds, like when at low speed the two engines were out of sync and there was a disconnect in the rhythm of the chuff's. But I noticed that when she got going at a little speed, the engines always synced up with one another and the exhaust in rhythm. However on this run up the Southern mainline, the sound was just a steady "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...." and there was a bright glow from the firebox. So fine watching her running at speed through the curves and watching the signal lights go from green to red as she passed each one. I will never forget that ride

That's really neat. I saw one of these long trains at Amtrak's Bear DE facilities but didn't get to see it at work. Thanks!

Robert

Thanks hminky, I've been looking for a source of these too.

Robert

On the CSX "Camden Line" between Washington DC and Baltimore, I've seen CP Rail, UP, Helm Leasing (HLCX) and BNSF, and CSX of course. It is not uncommon to see a three loco train with each one from a different road

Robert

Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

Robert

Those are great Ray and that's a fine railroad. What kind of camera did you use?

Thanks,

Robert

Quote from: jward on August 11, 2010, 10:28:55 PM
pipefitter:

nice video. chessie gp7 brings back fond memories of the real ones. and are those lifelike hoppers? i'd recognize that coal load anywhere.....

Yes those are LL hoppers, from their Varney molds, filling in for ballast cars That video is the one and only I've made. Gonna have to try another now that I know it works. Better light and higher resolution.

And yes that Bachmann Chessie GP7 is superb, as is their blue B&O unit (which I also have). My only problem with them are that they are so nice that I'm going to have to get two more of each. I too remember B&O trains behind these locos. Looking forward to the new Bachmann GP9's. They have announced B&O blue as one available paint scheme. Hope a later run will come in Chessie colors as well.

Cheers,

Robert

Nice locos Jon, and I especially enjoy your photos. I have one of those Rivi 0-6-0's in the "to do" box. Motor spins but the wheels don't turn. It's a great looking engine that I hope to get to soon.

Robert

Quote from: jettrainfan on August 09, 2010, 11:09:54 PM
My grandpa (not the g scale one, the trucker) went to a flea market and said he bought me 3 cranes ...

Quote from: jettrainfan on August 10, 2010, 08:28:55 PM... If I could find a way to get knuckles on them id try for a lot more but atleast I got locos that are knuckles who are very good friends with the hornhooks ...

Hey Jet! What a great grandfather you have Because of your post I got out the Tyco crane and boomcar I had in my "to do" collection. They are really nice cars, well detailed and weighted, intend to paint them for B&O. I investigated installing knuckle couplers on them and had no trouble at all, using E-Z Mate Mark II Under Shank - Mediums and 2-56 washers for the talgo truck mounted couplers. I have been using this arrangement for similar old Life Like car trucks. Have been on a coupler replacement binge since I got some E-Z Mates, replacing a train at a time. It seems that the Under Shank Mediums are going to be the go-to replacement for my many old Bachmann, Life Like and Tyco cars. Although I have used the other sizes as well, bought a whole card of each.

BTW, your overhead cranes are especially cool. They're a treasure.

Here are some photos of my cars and couplers:

My private road "Tree Top City" uses cars Life Like made from their Penn Line molds during the 80's. They are 60' cars sold under their Scene Master line. They added nice rubber diaphragms.

Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4883673804_caf1e64116_b.jpg


Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4883068787_c5d583b0f7_b.jpg


Here's the underside of a truck with the E-Z Mate installed. Tyco truck is very similar.
Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4883673886_664a3d48bd_b.jpg


Here's the same truck from above. Note the washer which provides coupler stability while fitting perfectly - no binding and smooth coupler swing.
Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4883673932_99a944c40f_b.jpg


Look how perfectly the E-Z Mate under shank lines up with the Kadee coupler height gage
Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4883674030_1a281a1d15_b.jpg


Here's the crane and boom car with E-Z Mates installed (excuse the dust!)
Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4883069055_96bae9a895_b.jpg


Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4883069097_2943deb138_b.jpg


Full size picture link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4883674146_3c7efca06b_b.jpg


I just discovered today that my little digital camera takes videos Here's my work train with crane and boom behind my Bachmann Chessie GP7. Excuse the radio audio
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36732335@N04/4883687252/

Cheers! Enjoy your Tycos!
Robert

Thanks for this, that's a great web site. I grew up with too many EMD models from Athearn blue boxes. I am especially pleased with a recent acquisition, a pair of beautiful Bachmann F-M H16-44 B&O locos and am looking for diverse brands of first generation diesels

Robert

Quote from: jonathan on August 06, 2010, 04:10:40 PM
I can see it in a Macy's Display window, bringing joy to everyone who passes ...

Yes it takes me back to when Dad would take me downtown (Washington DC) to see the trains and displays in the Woodward & Lothrop department store windows. Then on to Superior Lock & Key Co. which transformed itself into a Lionel wonderland each Christmas. Not very fancy but I remember bins full of used track and switches and other parts. Used rolling stock and accessories, each year we would get a "new" car and perhaps some other goodies

Robert

I like the Strasburg too, magnificent locos and great shop. One of my other favorites is the Valley Railroad in Essex CT which also has great locos and shop. Plus they combine a ride on the railroad with a cruise on a riverboat. Nearby is the Connecticut River Museum. This area was very active with steamboat traffic before the rise of roads.

http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/

http://www.ctrivermuseum.org/

I also like to take AMTRAK from Washington DC to spend the day in New York City. It's a nice ride and sometimes seems surprisingly short. You're hardly in your seat before you're rolling through Wilmington DE, then on to Philly, Newark and the dark tunnels and then emerging into daylight in the heart of the city

Robert