Riff,

I myself own two of these Class J's now and both run fine around the 22" curves after some fiddling. On the second J, I had to, as Doneldon suggests, pop the tender apart and re-position/glue the wires together in a way which didn't cause my tender to de-rail. Definitely try that before going to the larger curves.
Once you've fixed whatever issue is plaguing you loco they will run fine around the 22" curves.

As an aside, did you buy the loco in a set or separately? I purchased my first Class J from the Cavalier set and while the loco was fine the coaches were, and still are to some extent, a bit temperamental in regards to running on 22" curves. Was wondering if you had a similar experience.

-Striker

I know Walthers has a Hiawatha line with some nice looking coaches though the trademark engine is nowhere to be seen.

Fox Valley Models makes what looks to be a very nice set of the 1935 Hiawatha; the one EVERYONE WANTS!!!
Site link: http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/hoscalepassenger.html
And here's a youtube video with said set in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMP7CcLGfGE
Though the set is 600$ 

Hope that helps,
Striker

Hah so I guess I should've been a little more clear in my post. Forgive me, I am a wee bit bleary eyed after reading history all day.

I do run HO trains, the 1:48 scale was in referring to  WWII models and such. I was attempting to illustrate my question through means of a similar circumstance. I created a Kursk diorama with 1:48 scale vehicles abut a two years ago and purchased the models from different manufacturers. This created an issue where some of my Stug Assault guns looked off in regards to size (one was noticeably bigger than the other) and thus the 1:48 scale of the entire diorama was thrown off.

As for my trains I only run HO, O trains are too big in my opinion. I was just wondering if Rivarossi manufacturing would have the model physically looking different than a Bachmann model. I know Bachmann doesn't make NYC Hudson's, but MTH does. Was also wondering if Rivarossi was a good manufacturer of model trains.

Period wise it will fit in with what I have planned. I plan to build a layout which exists from 1950-1959 and models three distinct railways, the NYC, PRR, and N&W. The hope is to combine different aspects of the three companies different regions to create a layout which epitomizes the last days of steam operations in America while also showing the rise of diesel locomotives as well. I do plan to purchase a 4-8-4 Niagara at a future date because those were also purchased later (1940's me thinks even post-war) though were relied on for heavier freight trafficking purposes.

As things currently sit I have a N&W Class J, two PRR GG1's, NYC F7A+B, PRR F7A+B, and a NYC RS-3. As far as I know all of those locomotives could have been/were operating in the 1950's on their respective railways. If memory serves the Hudson ran until 1957 when the NYC stopped its steam operations all together though I could be wrong.
Im thinking I'll pickup the loco and coaches. The coaches are bachmann heavyweights in great condition (my friend recently redid the interiors and wiring for lighting). The loco seems to be in good condition too. I've seen it run a few times and it hasn't had any issues I've noticed. I think his price of 100$ also is pretty fair considering the whole lot is five coaches and one loco.
Will post pics over the next few days if time permits.

Again sorry for the confusion, I spent most of my day reading about how religion affected Virginia's secessionist movements in the fall/ winter of 1860 and the spring of 1861!
-Striker

Hey all,

A guy in my grad program at UNC Greensboro is getting out of the railroading hobby due to life getting in the way. He is selling many of his locomotives and rolling stock and is giving me a fair shot a Rivarossi NYC Hudson with coaches. Would the Rivarossi locomotive work on my mainly Bachmann layout? Would it look odd among my other locomotives and rolling stock?
I ask because with models I've bought kits that were say, "1:48 scale" yet do not fit in AT ALL with other models of the same scale, just a different brand.
Also could the locomotive be converted to work with the Bachmann DCC system? It is currently a DC locomotive.

Thanks a million!
-Striker1945

The seller threw in four sets of kadee couplers for free seeing as one coach has those old hook style couplers I saw as a young kid, and the other coach has no couplers to speak of.
I'll try to post pics of the cars later this week!

-Striker

So then its a good thing I didn't spend too too much then. Only dropped 20$ on the lot.

Hey guys!!!

Been a bit since I've posted. The railway took nice shape over the summer, but has been stalled due to my move to North Carolina for grad school.
On that note I went to a train show in Spencer, NC recently and picked up six IHC Norfolk and Western Cars. Two need work before I run em' but the other four are pretty solid in condition.
I wanted to ask how good of a company IHC is?
Are they known for crappy products?
Only one car is lighted, but the other three can be easily adapted for lighting.

-Striker

Quote from: Doneldon on June 20, 2014, 10:09:13 PM

Quote from: jbrock27 on June 20, 2014, 10:14:04 AM
Always nice to meet a fellow History Major.

Jim-

Seriously? That was one of my undergraduate majors, too. Somehow I graduated with three, one of which didn't go
anywhere, one of which led to grad school and a career and one of which just remained a strong avocation. That was
history.
                  -- D

Always a pleasure guys! I'm going for my MA in 19th Century U.S. History and planning to do a Ph.D as well. The next six years will be busy, but I still hope to find a place for model railroading somehow!

Doneldon- I had planned to run trains CCW, but your comment reinforces my thought.

In regards to the switchback I've looked online and am still a bit unsure as to their purpose; more explanation is definitely needed. Furthermore the switchbacks or zig-zags (as I also saw/heard them called) seem to take up more room than I have available so why would I want to use them here?

I've also given some thought to the scene divide; I saw it for the first time when I picked up my first copy of MR magazine Freshman year of college. For this board I do have a city of sorts planned for the center and am gonna keep it that way for this layout.

jward-   As I've futzed around (technical term ) with my board I've become accustomed to the height. Works well for me though, as previously mentioned, that back corner is a wee bit tricky to access sometimes. And as a history MA student I don't always agree or adhere to the thoughts or musings of a given book or magazine 

So I've been spending a good amount of time on Anyrail altering my original track plan.

What do you guys think?

O.K. So then I'll just stow the chip away somewheres as I wont be needing it now (or ever)...

Thanks guys!!!

-Striker

Roger- OK I WONT! =)

I cut the table legs to three feet. The legs fold inward so I can collapse the table if I like and that adds about 3-5 inches so the table sits around 42" when all is said and done.

Doneldon- As for the swaybraces, I'm cutting the two 8ft sidebeams down today to place them inbetween the table legs. I found out that this table sways a bit when bumped as I bumped it myself when placing track. I also need to move it out from the wall another 6 inches so I can fit back there incase anything derails. in that far corner.


Thanks for your comments guys. I really do appreciate all your wisdom!!!

-Striker

Hey Bach-mann!

I recently received a new RS-3 for a college graduation gift! When I opened the box a small computer chip in a bag popped out along with the paperwork and such. However none of the papers explained what the chip is or what it does. Can you help me out here?

-Striker

Just wanted to post an update. The table is finished and I've setup a small layout to test track and such. Waiting on UPS to bring me my darned switches!!!

The finished table sand track. It is a bit higher than I'd like it. Gonna take it down a foot or so this weekend.


The table with track. Again a temporary setup until my new track gets here!


The table populated with some of my loco's. Decided to break out 611 specifically in honor of her current restoration status.


Close up of 611 because WHY NOT! =D


That's all for now. Gonna start landscaping and populating the board with buildings over the next few days. Will probably update this weekend!

-Striker

Okie dokie. I just setup some of my track on the floor to test it out and sadly it doesn't work all that well. The RS-3 never made it around the curve fully, derailed once and stalled a few other times. I think im going to redesign the inner area of the track plan. Any recommendations? I've got my board setup and would like to start laying track this weekend.