I think I might be hooked on G and its all Bills fault for being so helpful, informative and publishing videos of G trains plowing snow in the yard, then traveling under the house, etc. :D (Don't worry everyone else here is just about as guilty as Bill) Being on a very limited budget has kept me in "trade mode" only, and had been unable to find a Bachmann G local to trade for. But in the last month I did manage to trade for a Great Land 2-6-2 passenger Christmas set, battery op., a Lionel/Scientific 2-6-0 radio controlled battery op. (U. Pacific#3691) ., and a 1980's Lionel G 0-6-0 porter(?) (D&RG #1, gold rush set, nice)(not the new one)(conventional dc track powered). I got the cheap ones knowing I will want to bash a better one into a radio remote controlled unit, plus Ive got a dozen pieces rolling stock now. Slight scale differences aside, I only need to change some couplers and place them carefully for an acceptable forced perspective. I got tired of waiting for a Bachmann loco to appear. I guess no one sells theirs once they get one. I fear I will have to wait a while to find one in trade. Bashing is my plan with the cheap engines, and for now I've decided to just lay the "all plastic" track, just to see how it survives a Michigan winter. The layout will be small, and in the front yard. I had a bush trimming accident a while back and one died, leaving a bare eyesore behind. So, I raised the area with a box garden and will fill the empty space with a "stump" planter, 1/2 barrel planter on a stump, a well, well hand pump, a large home made water tower, or something similar. Still need to add more pickets, some drainage material, rock filler, and decide on the final color for the box walls, and besides as I see it, this project has only just begun. (http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u570/GGa1lin/Snapshot_20130726_2_zps77702819.jpg) (http://s1322.photobucket.com/user/GGa1lin/media/Snapshot_20130726_2_zps77702819.jpg.html) (http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u570/GGa1lin/Snapshot_20130726_1_zps23c8b813.jpg) (http://s1322.photobucket.com/user/GGa1lin/media/Snapshot_20130726_1_zps23c8b813.jpg.html)
Oh re-hung Gramps old cast train ornament on the gas lamp too.(waiting on the city to fix my lawn and sidewalk)
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Just curious, does anyone know the scale of the trains I have? I couldn't find a reference to scale for them anywhere.
Well Im off to the races (Telegraph rd. car cruise) Thanks all. Ill try to gather the trains for a group pic. this weekend.
I have been told that all my life ;D ;D. Welcome to the hooked members of large scale 8) ::).
Lots of bachmann locomotives on Ebay maybe about 100.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Bachmann-/19152/i.html?_sop=1&_from=R46&_dcat=19152&Type=Locomotives&rt=nc
Seems like large scale covers a lot of ground and the most popular are 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1/29th and 1/32nd, but of course there are many other variations as well.
Right now Bachmann has 4-6-0 chassis on sale for 30 bucks and with a great running mechanism as well.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_148&products_id=4087
This would be a fantastic chassis for doing some kitbashing with the things you already have!!
All that matters is having fun!!!!
I thought this post would get your attention :D
Thanks for being you Bill. 8)
Going back to local car show with some dry clothes now. Ill try to get back here in depth before Monday am.
Im thinking about a layout on a pickup bed topper for the cruise next year. I mostly just park anyhow. Now the question, O or G for the pickup?
G all scales of course 8)
Quote from: GG1onFordsDTandI on July 27, 2013, 09:17:41 PM
Now the question, O or G for the pickup?
Go with G for the WOW effect!
I'll put my 2 cents in. I originally set up the Large scale on the back patio for Memorial Day, it has remained there and since we plan to have the backof the house redone I asked the builder to accomodate the train tracks into the garden!!!!!
I never intended to get into this but we have had a lot of fun outdoors and friends of ours who come over like hanging in the backyard where I have the trains.
The Hopper cars hold a bottle of beer nicely or a bottle of Scotch. After Labor Day I may take it down. This is a great hobby!!!
Quote from: M1FredQ on August 04, 2013, 01:07:37 PM
I'll put my 2 cents in.
After Labor Day I may take it down.
This is a great hobby!!!
1. I wouldn't have it any other way
2. Why? Im looking forward to plowing real snow with mine someday.
3.
The Worlds Greatest
Plowing and then running in snow is a blast. I have a rotary that under good conditions, dry powder and not to deep, will throw it over 8'. Leaving a nice clean track behind.
Chuck
Here is a link to a thread on My Large Scale. There are some pictures of my rotary and it throwing the white stuff.
http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/aff/8/aft/124246/afv/topic/Default.aspx
Snow is coming get ready!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foEq_SCn5TM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbDL79akR78
A good close up! Boy was it cold that day 5 degrees and remote was slow to respond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipKPtIyu1XI
It's all about having fun!
Not just snow! Thing 1&2 @ work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAXxFnmbm70
Thanks for the show guys! I'll likely go with a splitter first. My memories of one special giant plow in Traverse city, Mi demand it. It was much larger than the others I have seen. Any threads on making one? Buyable ones? Never mind, that's worthy of its own post. See you there soon.
If I ever go for the rotary (likely) I have an extra drill already w/bad battery. Chuck, "you madman, I want to party with you" (Stripes-movie). That is one mean little snow blower. Bet I could get the mailman with it :o
We did a lot of plowing over the years on my son's layout in Denver.
Here is a link. we are using the aristocraft plow which is still available:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Y5fJGrJ3k
Here is one I kitbashed from a Bachmann Eight wheel caboose.
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The blade was made by Gerry Gray, a friend of mine, for a very reasonable price. He has done some nice projects.
You could use one of Gerry's blades or make your own and mount it to a gondola.
No matter what you do Large Scale railroading is fun and Bachmann makes it even more fun with great equipment at reasonable prices!!
In Denver it did throw it over 8' into the neighbors yard.
Chuck
Im not sure Im happy with either color of the garden box, or the box itself. So Ive done no new work. But!, I got 22-8"x24"(44ft) boarder bricks yesterday for the right price....free! Im gonna lean some against the box today or tomorrow to see how I feel about them. The left over Ill store till next spring for the backyard. Two more loops there and a mainline connection between all...... eventually. Im not an "in a hurry type guy", but I do usually follow through on my long term projects. Took me 7 years to rebuild a Manx copy dune buggy, but I never spent over $100 on any one item. It is actually made of 90% junk, thrown away paint and all. Not for sale, but the last offer was Ill give you $4500 cash. I wonder what he would have offered if I wouldn't have said "she's not for sale", and hard balled him 8).
If the Aristo price I found is correct, I will soon be picking up a few splitter blades, in multiple scales ;D. My only plow now, (fun to say :D), is the one on my photo, a corgi bulldozer straight blade, with eyes and teeth, on an whimsical 0-27 dockside bash running cab forward. The account is open if you right click pic, and open in a new tab your free to browse my O junk. Its about half my stuff. Gramps old layout will live again too.
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Loco Bill
That was incredible to watch that plowing action!!!!
It made my day.
When I linked to it my 2 older boys 16 and 14 came into the room and said NO WAY that little snow plow is going to push any snow.
They were ready to laugh. As that plow train plowed the tracks it got quiet in the room!!!
Thanks !!
M1FredQ,
Glad you and the boys got a kick out of it. Actually I wasn't to sure if it would make it myself, because it had gotten a little warmer and the snow was heavier. The plow gondola was loaded as much as possible with stones to keep it from derailing. Even with the four units it was quite a struggle along the fence.
Winter can be fun too!!
One time we had snow so heavy we had to back up and hit it again several times just to get thru just like some of the real railroads did ;D.
Have fun, Bill
Does water from the melted snow affect the G-Scales when they are outside.
I may just leave the track up during the Winter instead of taking it down!!!!
As long as you use outdoor track it will not be a problem, in spring I re level the track and when I ran track power I tightened all the joints. We always take time to remove all snow from the locomotives and rolling stock used in wet conditions, and always re lubed the journals and running gears on steamers. All loco's and cars are stored inside.
Quote from: M1FredQ on August 11, 2013, 08:29:16 PM
Does water from the melted snow affect the G-Scales when they are outside.
I may just leave the track up during the Winter instead of taking it down!!!!
I had the same concerns, it was one of the reasons Ive decided to start my G scale on the extreme side of the cheap stuff, the battery powered "Holiday Trains". Ill wait for deals on the better ones, till I figure out for sure what niche Ill pursue in G. Its also given me a couple battery holding tenders and a radio remote to bash off of once these become the bottom of the barrel trains for me.
Plastic toy track and trains will likely survive complete submersion in water if given time to dry. Too many people fear getting things wet will destroy things. Its not drying them right, or at all, that really does the damage. Rust forms quicker in air than under water. Removing the wetness quickly is the key. For years, when I worked for a large pizza/game company, I used to throw video game mother boards into the dishwasher to rinse off "baked" on soda pop(no caustic detergents, just HOT water) Never a failure. My pal lives in a dusty area and washes his living room furniture, in the driveway, with a bucket of suds and a hose each summer, they look great, and no dust clouds from the cushions.
Anyhow with the cheap plastic stuff I wont be out much if/when I forget to take care of my "toys". This will also give me time and experience, building up good habits, that will allow me to someday run anything outside with confidence. Ill save the powered track, and the one "good" train I found, for inside the house....for now. So any how here's some pics of what Ive picked up so far. Each a slightly different scale. The loco with the silver boiler was the hoakiest, smallest and had the loudest gearbox, but smokes too. First thing I did was disconnect the mechanically operated, extremely annoying, and constantly ringing, bell. :P Its a New Bright battery-op. Christmas special. One nice passenger car, and a fancy caboose. I removed the stickers and painted the cab and some details black, then added the whimsical Mich. Central gold lettering, and sparkling background (my family were professional gilders back then). I wasn't that into it, so it ended up a bit sloppy, but it will do for now, gave me a good idea what Id like it to become over time. I also had to remove the front wheels for it to run on brass track. If I cant modify the assembly to take the turn, Ill shorten the pilot platform, and move the pilot back turning it into an 0-6-2. The blue UP is a Lionel/Scientific radio controlled battery powered train. No smoke, better sound, slightly noisey gears, but runs well for the price. I was surprised. The rolling stock and radio control was the reason I got this one. The hook and loop couplers sit a little higher than the N.Bright's, and it's a larger scale too. The last one, a powered track, Lionel G, "gold rush" from 1987. I was looking for a good used Bachmann to buy or trade locally (seems no one sells their Bachmanns ;D) and this
set was offered up for a great price, track, power pac and all. It is honestly the best running train of any size, any mfg. Ive ever ran. Pretty engine, slow start, pulls and creeps well. No smoke or sound..... I mean no sounds at all, cant hear the motor, or gearbox in a quiet room, the cars behind it make more noise. The couplers are knuckles, but I have an extra one to create an adapter car so I can run all the stock together. Being the largest of the three, and having a very large cupola on the caboose, means leaving the caboose off when mixing the different scales. It just doesn't work for a forced perspective. Any how I kept well under my $150 budget(a bit over half) I set for myself till I decided whether or not to stick with G. ......PS- I don't think Ill be selling any, ever. The decision was easier than my dabbling in HO or N too. Those are sold now. Besides, if asked what kind of trains I like best, I can now answer "O, G, I don't know! (
Oh, gee, get it? Its a joke son http://youtu.be/KTwnwbG9YLE or more serious joking? http://youtu.be/_9gxoDlpEAY )
Take care folks! See ya.
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GG-1 what an incredible nice set up of shelves for the trains.
Thanks GG-1 and Loco-Bill for the help and ideas.
I am going to leave the track up over the Winter. There are days that are nice so I'll just make sure the track is clean and dry.
ALL trains etc will be kept in-doors until we run them over the weekend or around Christmas. I just want to give it a try.
I remember my exchange student days in Germany and those Germans had LGB track up all year round and very soft brooms to brush the snow off. I liked how with those "Italian Lights" set up around the property it was really festive. I am thinking I would like to try something like that.
\What a hobby