Hi Rich,

I have tried that, I know for most people its not a big problem. But I got several problems, I have nerve damage in my hands so bad I cantfeel what I am holding like a pair of tweezers for example I have broken more grab irons and detail parts in the last few years I have about given up on detailing freight cars In fact I have tons of trouble right now just replacing a cheap O McHenry coupler on the front of a 2-10-2 due to my fingers not being able to hold the micro cover and screw driver. Not to mention 4 Atlas U33Cs waiting on handrails and new couplers still in their boxes. Not mention I only can see out of my left eye. My right one will no longer focus on small print or detailed parts. What maybe simple for some is complex for me.

Stephen

IHC makes a conversion coupler called a Magic Mate 2000 that will couple to both the  horn hook and knuckle types they are sold in 8 packs . I still have a few on some of my old timer work cars from IHC and their locomotives comes with them equiped most of the time.



Stephen

  Wish Bachmann and P2K would do the same thing then overly smal fragile connectors on the bottom of the tenders that you dont dare unplug to try and store your locos in the boxes when not in use! My little 4 track yardis  full of Proto 2000 and Bachmann steamers because once I test run them I am scared to unplug them for the fear of breaking the wires or messing up the plugs.

Stephen

Typing with one good eye.

  Scot,

Very good links  to the pretty pitchures HEHEHE.

I belong to the 9th Mississippi Light Artillery my great great great Grandpa was a private in that group at Siege of Vicksburg in 1863. One reason I love big guns lol He was a brakeman before the war on the Alabama and Vicksburg Railroad that ran from the Eastern border of MS to  Vicksburg, MS
Most steamers in the War only weighed between 25-60 tons had whale oil headlights and no automatic lubrication on the slide rod valve gear which they used tallow or other forms of grease. 99% of all locomotives in the South were 5 foot gauge and were wood burners with the tenders carrying 10-12 cords of wood and around 100 gallons of water. I have a vvery good book here long out of print that covers alot of Early American Railroad history operations and folklore it was published in 1940 and the Word Diesel is not mentioned once! My kind of book.

The Hawthorne village set is pure fantasy nothing like it ever degraced Southern Rails a typical  Civil War train would of been of one or two 4-4-0s 0-6-0s 4-2-0 Norris  even in some places 30' wood boxcars flat cars for cannon and horses even troops a water car maybe and some woreout passenger cars remember the caboose did not exsist during the Civil War it came afterwards.

 

the two trains on the top shelf are my Civil War troop trains the Battleships and 86 foot boxcars came along alot later lol.

Stephen

EBTNUT,

Is Correct the General and Texas as preserved looks nothing like they did in 1862 during the Great Locomotive Chase. I am reading a wonderful book that just came out called "Stealing the General." That goes into great detail about the raid the chase and the aftermath including what happened to the locomotives. I have photos somewhere I took of the General I will have to find and upload to my photos site.

the Large scale Bachmann 4-4-0s and 2-6-0s very poor choice for the War of Northern Aggression Locomotive designs.

Even the  UPRRs 119 and CPRRs Jupiter were somewhat modernized compaired to the Locos used during the War.

Stephen

Hi Rich,

I am Stephen and I  don't mind who you mention in your posts. Terry and I got into a minor disagreement with a Post regarding someone out right advertising Lionel  in the General Forum so pay Terry's comment no mind as I may need help with some wiring or a PROTO 2000 2-10-2l ater on   

Pardon any typos as I am still recovering from major eye Surgery.

Stephen

  I agree Lanny, now you see why lately Proto 2000 has  been getting my modeling funds and not Bachmann,I don't think  I will ever have use for a Berk.

Stephen

Morphine after laser surgery tomorrow yes, a berk no.

More small steamers are needed like the Harrimon types. Enough huge steam.

Stephen

Your most welcome Gene,

I used to have alot of old maps digitized on my computer until the operating system fried and scrambled the hard drives thats been 5 years ago now and no one has yet been able to crack those suckers and Micro crap isn'tletting out any tips or secrets.

I don't have access to a huge flat bed scanner no more so I cant scan the maps I now have. IF I can even still find them.

Stephen

Hi Gene,

The IC never did run to Alexandria, Heres a copy of  the post.
Stephen

I lived in Dry Prong,La which was close to Alexandria. I don't think
> the IC did. The KCS, MP, RI, NL&G did. The IC ran through Ruston, La.
> That later became Midsouth.
> Michael Hale

Mr. Hale is correct, the IC never went to Alexandria: however, it did get closer than Ruston.  In 1967, IC bought the Louisiana Midland, which ran from the Mississippi River at Vidalia to a connection with the KCS/CRIP at Packton via Jena and Georgetown.  ICG sold this line to a new shortline -- also named the Louisiana Midland -- in 1974, and the line was subsequently abandoned.

  Thanks Paul,

Very nice depot.Gene I just posted the question to the IC list to see if some of the experts will reply.I will post  the answer when I learn more.


Stephen

Hi Gene,

The Illinois Central merged  with the Gulf Mobile and Ohio in 1972. I forgot the actual month 3 years before I was born. But I remember for years on up to the early 90s ICG, GM&O and Plain unrepainted IC engines and cabeese rolling pass my aunt's house in Bentonia,MS she lived right across the road from the Yazoo Mainline so it was the perfect place to grow up and fall in love with the IC ICG and all her many colors. Just wished I knew what a camera was back then.

I believe the IC or the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad owed by IC did run through that area of LA,but I am not for  sure at the moment. On my 1914 IC map it doesn't show Alexandria so it might have been the T&P or MOPAC. I will have to look and  see to be sure.

Stephen 

  Hi Guys,

Thought I would share some photos of my ICRR #908 custom kitbashed by the most talented Lanny and  my repainted Bachmann Big Hooks done for me by my friend Alex in MA AKA Guilford Guy.


In the beginning it started life as a Rock Island 2-8-0 behind is a Hallmark  Brass model with all her defects.


Lannys version of IC 908 with a Centralia Car Shops steel caboose. Pardon all the junk as this will soon  be rebuilt.


2nd shot of 908



her big sister Proto 2000 2-10-2 #2924 IC's 2542 was this wheel arrangement before being converted into a 4-8-2


ICG big hook #100434 painted and weathered by Alex. The line now has around 10 big hooks. From Bachmann, Athearn RTR and Tyco. I have always loved big cranes since I got to ride one in the IC yards at age 10.





Former  Tyco Santa Fe big hook now in modern IC paint, guess next time I will have to find some Green Diamond decals and do a set for the steam era ICRR.



The Tyco Santa Fe  crane before repainting the black one is an old  AHM crane from the 1960s.

Stephen

Hi Gene,

To be perfectly honest it shouldn't matter with some weathering the two rail sizes should blend in with each other. I seen some wonderful model bridges with code 83 bridge track  on them with older code 100 rail leading up to them and if you didn't really stare I couldn't tell the difference. 

Stephen

  Guess I can save my money, nothing on the list for me  this time around In HO and since I can't fool with my LS right now any ways.

Stephen