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Messages - J3a-614

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#946

HO / Re: Post Civil War Roundhouse

March 21, 2010, 10:22:22 PM

#947

HO / Re: Civil War era 4-6-0

March 21, 2010, 03:48:11 PM

Robert,

The time spread of the 4-6-0 and the diesel is even better than if it were a GP7; that's the 3802, the Trains magazine "All American Diesel," which is a GP-38-2!

#948

HO / Re: Post Civil War Roundhouse

March 21, 2010, 11:35:20 AM

#949

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

March 21, 2010, 11:30:44 AM

I'm a C&O man myself, and I know some people think there is too much PRR on the market, but since Bowser called it quits with steam kits, there have been some significant holes in available Pennsy locomotives, among them the A5s 0-4-0, B6sb 0-6-0, H10s 2-8-0 (and close relative H8 and H9), L1s 2-8-2, E6s 4-4-2, I1s 2-10-0 (someone is supposed to fill this one), and G5 4-6-0s.

Which brings to mind--Life Like once had a plastic G5, back around 1969 or so, which even had the correct tender (something Bowser didn't have); I believe it was made in Austria under contract (Roco?). Did anyone here have one in the day, can anyone say anything about it? And I wonder what became of the tooling. . .

. . .and MDC had a correct low tender for the E6s, which was also used on early K4s, L1s, and assorted 2-8-0s. . .wonder what became of those dies?

Now, if only I could find that link to some excursion footage of CNJ 4-6-0 774 on the New York & Long Branch, which showed the pilot on the rear of the tender for bidirectional service. . .can you imagine such an engine, or a Pennsy G5 similarly equipped at Pittsburgh, running at high speed, tender first?

#950

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

March 18, 2010, 11:10:19 PM

Rye,

I was watching your videos, and this doesn't act like anything I can recall seeing. I do agree with you, it's not something like a short piston rod that pops out of the cylinder block and then misses the hole as it heads back in--that would give a much more sudden stop than what we are seeing here, and it would likely be in both directions. Instead, this bind develops relatively gradually, as if a screw somewhere is rotating as a part turns underneath its head, pulling the screw tighter. If that is the case, then the mechanism will also be at least initially tight as you put it into forward again, possibly to the point that it would not start at all after this. You don't mention that happening, though, so I assume it is still something else, or at least might be happening in a place that's not obvious.

I did have a Bowser K-11 do something like this, and it was due to a main crank pin that was a bit stubborn about wanting to work loose. This engine used an eccentric crank that was like the prototype in that it was tightened onto the main crank pin with a "pinch" fit, like a clamp (with a very tiny tightening screw across the bottom of the eccentric itself), and was held in place by friction. It was a devil of a time getting the main crank pins in tight, as they were entirely circular--no screw slots or hex heads, I was using a set of pliers and trying not to mar the bearing surface (later I was told a better tool would have been a pin vise). The normal rotating friction from the rods and the resistance from the valve gear would eventually cause the crank pin on one side to gradually unscrew itself, with interesting results as valve gear got out of time, and it got even more interesting on the times when the whole pin came out and the main rod and valve gear started digging into the ballast. Talk about a jackrabbit jump!

What you are talking about doing (having your dad look at it) may be the best thing, if for no other reason in that sometimes a brain needs a rest to stop and come to an answer. Sleeping on a problem sometimes really does work! If he can't get to it or find what's wrong, I would start by taking the motor and gearbox out and pushing the mechanism by hand, as suggested by the old-timers mentioned earlier. If nothing else, you will at least find out if your rods and valve gear run freely. If that turns out to be the case, then the problem may be in the motor and/or gearbox and belt drive.

Out of curiosity, did you get to test the original decapod in reverse before you started the work?

Take care, let us know what transpires.

#951

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

March 18, 2010, 12:30:46 AM

Another variation on the 2-8-2T--in this case, on the New York Central, on its former Kanawha & Michigan subsidiary in West Virginia, photo courtesy of the West Virgina University archives:

http://images.lib.wvu.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;g=wvcart;med=1;q1=wvcp;q2=railroads;size=20;c=wvcp;back=back1268882959;subview=detail;resnum=415;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;cc=wvcp;entryid=x-025614;viewid=025614.JPG

For further browsing:

http://images.lib.wvu.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;type=boolean;c=wvcp;g=wvcart;med=1;view=thumbnail;q1=wvcp;q2=railroads;back=back1268882959;size=20;start=1

Enjoy.

#952

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

March 18, 2010, 12:13:49 AM

Recently came across more photos of Pickering No. 12, which was originally built for the Sierra Railway, and ran for Standard Lumber before going to Pickering, all the time running on roads that interchanged with the Sierra. Who would believe that paint scheme if not for these photos?

http://www.samlindsey.com/images/SteamExpo/SE86_28.jpg

http://www.samlindsey.com/images/SteamExpo/SE86_29.jpg

http://www.samlindsey.com/images/SteamExpo/SE86_64.jpg

I don't expect to see this one--and yet, it looks to be standard gauge!

http://www.samlindsey.com/images/SteamExpo/SE_28.jpg

http://www.samlindsey.com/images/SteamExpo/SE86_27.jpg

Where these are from:

http://www.samlindsey.com/TrainExcurs/Steam_Expo_4.asp

Enjoy.

#953

HO / Post Civil War Roundhouse

March 17, 2010, 11:53:47 PM

This is at Martinsburg, W.Va., and was perhaps the very first division point facility in America, if not the world. It would make quite a scratchbuilding project--and it's not likely to be something that will be mass produced!

http://www.samlindsey.com/TrainExcurs/Martinsburg.asp

http://www.martinsburgroundhouse.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPSF4YBnsvk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg5GyxAT-_8&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSKQaCVQK8s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elcXoufYhzo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXuTO5QLRiU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ix1gulfmTc&feature=related

Enjoy.

#954

HO / Civil War era 4-6-0

March 17, 2010, 11:31:43 PM

Just a link from Railway Preservation News on a recently completed restoration of an 1863 4-6-0, which included the change to its original number.

http://rypn.sunserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29068

http://rypn.sunserver.com/forum/download/file.php?id=1176

Enjoy.

#955

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

March 17, 2010, 11:12:32 PM

Rye,

You probably already know this, but. . .

That bit about the clicking sound suggests a possible bent or misaligned power pick-up. With a plastic frame, Bachmann uses a pair of pressed copper or similar material sheets, located under the bottom retaining plate, and hooked up to the engine's electronics. These pickups are small so as to be almost invisible from normal viewing angles, and give driver pick-up from both sides of the engine (as opposed to the single side with a metal frame and tender return in classic models), and as a result are quite delicate and easy to bend. In such a state, they can hang up on driver spokes. You've been really working on your engine from necessity, and it's possible this may be the problem. In any event, based on your description, that would be the first thing I would check, bending the parts carefully back to proper position if needed.

If that were not the case, I would then start checking the valve gear and other parts as you suggested. A classic way the old-timers would check for rod and valve gear bind would be to take the motor and gears out of the engine, and replace everything else, and just push the light mechanism, with cylinders and all motion work, on a piece of track. Free movement, with no hangups, was the goal, as they looked for tight spots and binds, relying on feel as much as sight, and fixing by trial and error. Supposedly the really fastidious took this a step further, rolling the mechanism on a piece of glass (slipperier than track). I haven't seen a Bachmann decapod mechanism apart before (none of the roads I model used them), but it may be intimidating with its enclosed gearboxes and belt drives. As you already know, the secret is to take note of what you do and be patient. I've had my 2-8-0 and 2-6-6-2 apart, they are a little frightening the first time (and always very fiddly), but someone had to put them together in the first place, so you can take them apart and put them back together again. Just watch what you do (don't drop anything on the floor, you may never find it!), have good light available and a comfortable working space (a high-level desk, like a watchmaker's bench, is ideal), an engine cradle is handy (Bowser and others sell them in foam; a plastic liner, such as from a lunch or freezer bag keeps oil and snags out of the foam) and take your time.

Finally, there may be split gear problems, based on the comments others have had about other locomotives, most notably Life-Like diesels and Bachmann's Climax. Nothing to do there but change out the gear, more likely the whole driver set unless you can quarter drivers. Perhaps other readers who own these engines can comment on this.

You are pretty good, certainly far better than me at your age (and in some ways better than me now). . .you very likely know all this and more. . .after all, you're recreating the 34 and possibly others. . .and that's something I wouldn't have even thought of trying!

Good luck!

#956

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

March 16, 2010, 08:37:27 PM

Rye,

I have to say it's looking pretty good. My first thoughts on the use of the Russian decapod was to wonder if the axle spacing would come out right, and also wondered whether its tall, rear-projecting motor would fit in the boiler casting; you got positive answers to both questions. I'm also looking at the Reading main rods you used, and I think they look darn close to what Allen did. I have to think that either Allen used Varney Reading rods (which would make sense, having these engines handy and considering that the "prototype" would need a massive rod to transmit power), or that Varney used the same part for both engines--or that both statements are true!

Some questions to think about (or at least, some I would think about):

How do you plan to use the engine? Will it be a display item, a "fantrip" engine, or will you attempt to recreate a small part of the G&D?

If you are to recreate a small part of the G&D, will it be some portion of Allen's road as built, or will it be some "unmodeled" portion?

What do you plan to run with it? My choice would be a mixture of modern cars--and some vintage kits, too, like the Silver Streak cars. In fact, about 1950 or so, Silver Streak had a modeling contest utilizing their cars, in which Allen entered (and won one of the prizes, of course). Allen's choice was a PFE reefer with his usual weathering job, part of which included some unweathered boards representing a partial wood siding replacement, and cleaned off numbers and reporting marks (something yard clerks used to do so they could read these for their reports). I'll have to check the slides on the G&D site to see if the car shows up "in service."

Finally, I have to wonder if the 34 would have ever had any "sisters" on the roster, and I wonder also what the engine would have looked like in an earlier time (say, "as delivered" in the 1920s), or as a freshly shopped engine.

Finally, do you plan to recreate any other G&D locomotives?

I've assembled a few Bowser and Mantua engines myself, and can appreciate that such a model can be tuned to suit you without worrying about messing up a factory mechanism or paint job (or not having to go through the trouble of stripping the engine for redetailing and painting), along with the robust construction of these old kits. Properly cared for, they should last almost forever; Allen himself had ancient models at the end that ran as well as anything available at the time, including the ten-wheeler and the homemade 34.

Keep it up, and let us know what the old heads at your club think when you show up with the finished project!

#957

HO / Re: Early-Time Kits

March 16, 2010, 01:03:24 AM

My brain cells keep on getting tickled--in this case with another form of motive power, an early diesel craftsman kit, in metal--the venerable, sadly now gone, Hobbytown of Boston. . .

http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/mrr4.html#hobbytwn

http://dsop.com/pipermail/prr-talk/2009-February/001622.html

A bargain here for those of metal kit persuation:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/hobbytown%20of%20boston?_dmd=1&_sop=12

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBBYTOWN-OF-BOSTON-ALCO-1600-HP-ROAD-SWITCHER-KIT-LN--_W0QQitemZ130373298107QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100312?IMSfp=TL100312161011r9078

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hobbytown-of-Boston-HO-EMD-E7-B-Unit-Body-Kit_W0QQitemZ400096502803QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5d279c2413

Going to have to figure out how to use e-bay. . .

I've never seen anything by another more recent metal diesel builder, but supposedly Tiger Valley Models is still in business, just doesn't have a web site:

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=58512

This is included as a reference, in this case primarily for those who may have been able to pick up an older brass engine at a bargain price.

http://brassbackshop.com/index.html

Also for reference, what used to be Pacific Fast Mail's special parts arm:

http://pweb.jps.net/~pia/

This firm used to be Kemtron, I believe, long, long ago--still has at least some parts, too. . .

http://psc1.virtualfocus.com/

At one time the firm (as Kemtron) had a couple of brass kits available in O and HO scales, among them a Wabash 2-6-0. The kit was inspired by Mel Thornberg's last scratchbuilding series in Model Railroader, and I seem to recall some specialized parts were introduced by Kemtron for this model. The prototypes gained notoriety as the last Wabash engines in steam, outlasting 4-8-2s and 4-8-4s because a bridge on the line they ran on couldn't take even the lightest diesels on the Wabash roster; one of the last four survives in St. Louis, Mo., at a museum there:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mogul/?page=wabash

http://transportmuseumassociation.org/images/exhibits/wabash573.jpg

The bid prices here look suspiciously low--or does someone not know what they have?

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3559677

Again, a reference item:

http://daveayers.com/Modeling/DTAM_6.htm

http://daveayers.com/Modeling/images/Brass/2-6-0_Mech.jpg

Bethlehem Car Works apparently has picked up a lot of dies and tooling for former Red Ball parts, including what looks like most, if not all, of the trucks:

http://www.bethlehemcarworks.com/Products/Kit_Bits/index.html#Trucks

Wonder what else will turn up?

#958

HO / Re: Jet Train

March 15, 2010, 07:59:34 PM

Since this is becoming Bachmann's thread on exotic propulsion systems (i.e., "reaction drives"--that sounds so Star Trekky), we may as well round out the list.

From Germany (and Marklin) back in the 1930s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schienenzeppelin

http://greyfalcon.us/FRANZ%20KRUCKENBERG%20SCHIENENZEPPELIN.htm

http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/rail-zeppelin

Looks like an Z-scale version in Japan, linked up simply to illustrate the thing in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQh7BeieADE

An interesting characteristic of this machine was the tendency for the prop wash to blow over baggage and people on station platforms!

The British, of course, would not be outdone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennie_Railplane

http://www.baldernock.btinternet.co.uk/images/Bennie/

http://www.gearwheelsmag.co.uk/archive/the_bennie_railplane_feature_13.htm

Wonder what else will turn up?

#959

HO / Re: Bachmann should make this.

March 15, 2010, 08:48:06 AM

After my comments on the real Jet Train, I knew we'd hear from a monorailist. . .even I didn't think it would be this soon. . .

#960

HO / Re: Jet Train

March 15, 2010, 12:37:56 AM

That must be the one, thanks for the research.

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Messages - J3a-614

HO / Re: Post Civil War Roundhouse

HO / Re: Civil War era 4-6-0

HO / Re: Post Civil War Roundhouse

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

HO / Re: Smaller Loco Suggestions

HO / Post Civil War Roundhouse

HO / Civil War era 4-6-0

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

HO / Re: Modeling the prototype of a freelance locomotive

HO / Re: Early-Time Kits

HO / Re: Jet Train

HO / Re: Bachmann should make this.

HO / Re: Jet Train