Good morning, Fred,

Your reply helps and makes my imposed limits reasonable. The logging company complex is "off-layout" on a siding but gets inbound/outbound cars delivered to the siding. I too like the small logging-type engines which is why I have the Porter and Shay and created an excuse for them to do the regular (non-logging company) industry switching. All of this comes from my interest in the logging operations in northcentral Pennsylvania during the late 1890s and inspiration from the Graham County Railroad in North Carolina which ran a Shay for its normal operations until it closed mid 20th century.

Old Pilot

I have created a viable reason for two logging company engines (2-truck Shay, Porter 0-4-2)to be doing the general switching (industries not associated with the lumber company) in my layout "history." To create operational interest, I set a self imposed pulling limit of 5 cars for the Shay and 3 for the Porter. Using real world prototypical info for these engines and general freight cars (boxcars, flats, and gondolas in the 26' length range with reasonable load weights), can anyone tell me if these limits are practical/reasonable?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Old Pilot

Hello, Tom_C.,

No problem on the delay. I'm just getting back to you due to a health issue which is wiping out all three holidays' celebrating. I will give your info more time when I am in better shape.

Thanks and Happy New Year.

Old Pilot

Good morning all,

I've been running these two engines for a while so its time to lube/oil and perhaps weather a little. I have the parts diagrams included with the engines but would like an almost step-by-step instruction sheet so I don't do something wrong and ruin good running engines. Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.

If you haven't guessed from my other posts, I'm not too mechanically inclined. My handle says I busted the aircraft and had a crew chief to fix it.

Happy holidays.

Old pilot

Good morning all,

P51, no I have not, too many summertime activities. Hopefully this winter as here in the north, the cold winter months are for working on my train layout.

I have 2 Bachmann 26' flatcars for the project; one for the 2 caissons I originally ordered in my early concept idea, the 2nd is the one Bachmann produced with the Confederate cannons for the load. As of now I plan to have one flatcar inbound with the artillery pieces (one caisson and cannon) needing restoration, the second flatcar will be outbound with the pieces restored (the other caisson and one cannon).

Old Pilot

Good morning all,

P51, you are more correct than I am. I just heard from Ranger Karlton D. Smith at Gettysburg Battlefield. Keeping his explanation brief, cannons were placed on the battlefield prior to 1887 by the Memorial Assoc., first on rocks, then on metal carriages made by Gilbert & Smith in the 1890s. Many of these metal carriages are still in use on today's battlefield. There are only 4 pairs of limbers and caissons on the battlefield, all in one grouping.

So, I will change my flat car load plans to repairing artillery pieces from local town squares.

Old Pilot 

Good morning, P51 and others,

Still no word from Gettysburg, must be busy preparing for the anniversary. I do like your idea of rebuilding "memorials" from local town squares; I'm going to change my concept for Jeb rebuilding the two caissons I ordered for the flatcar load.

A small unrelated sidebar, my wife and I judged a BBQ competition in Bainbridge.

Old Pilot.

Good morning, Len and P51, thank you for your info.

P51, after receiving your reply, I sent an email to the National Park Service at Gettysburg inquiring as to when the battlefield park was established, when artillery pieces were first displayed, their construction at that time, and when they were rebuilt with all metal parts for longevity. I am still waiting for a reply. Until then, and their reply contradicts my "poetic license" (I try to be close to accurate for my fictional layout history), since Gettysburg was created circa 1895 and my layout time frame is the late 1890s, I am going to have Jeb rebuilding the caissons to their original composition of mostly wood with some metal parts.

Len, the company you advised to check has a caisson which I believe suits my purpose.

Again, I will apologize for straying from the exact purpose of this forum. Also, forum monitor, you are going to have to make the verification letters larger and plainer for my old eyes.

Good morning all,

I am building a Bar Mills kit, Jebediah's wagon repair, and thought it might be interesting if Jeb had a contract with the National Park Service to restore artillery pieces to be displayed on a local battlefield; thus creating a somewhat unique flatcar load. So, I am looking for O scale caissons, limbres, etc., that will fit on a Bachmann On30 scale 26' flat car. I have done some scanning on the net but most offerings seem to be complete kits with horses, soldiers, etc. which I don't need. So I am turning to my favorite source for info on possible solutions. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Old Pilot

Good morning all,

I had the chance to attend my first such train meet, it was well worth it. Nice to see a lot of On30 products in person, not just photos in an ad. Also saw a lot of items not previously known. At first, I thought $20 admission was a lot for a train show, but with the "bargains" I came home with, it was cheaper than "shipping." Hopefully I can more such shows in the future.

Old Pilot

Good morning all,

I'm curious as to whether the mentioned difference in the sizes of the trucks between the 18' and 26' cars causes any alignment problems for coupling/uncoupling between the two sizes. For me, it is a consideration for future purchases.

Thanks.

Old Pilot

Good mornig, Fred,

Besides "getting old is a b---h," we can always use the justification or "excuse," if you can't see the detail from 3 feet, you are wasting your time. I guess that's why my new layout will have a lot of detail only seen in my mind's eye.

Old pilot

P51, besides coordination, fading eyesight also enters the picture with age. Even with correct glasses, some days those couplers are a small target. Your handle and picture finally registered with me. If I am seeing what I think I'm seeing, we have more in common than just On30. I consider that era the "golden age of aviation." My experience came later when the wings went around; I'm an old Huey driver. My apologies for getting away from the intended scope of this forum.

Good morning Fred,

I never would have thought of your tip, but it works the best yet on my quick testing. I just happen to have that type of dental brush on hand. The brand name is GUM, comes with a blue and white striped handle and is about 2 3/4" long. It works by just slowly pushing it between the jaws of the couplers and twisting slightly. Be careful when the uncoupling is completed and you are removing the brush. One of the couplers can slightly grab the brush and could cause a derailment if you are too hasty in the brush removal. The 2 3/4" length made it a little tricky between two 26' boxcars but I found that the clear tube that covers the brush (probably sanitary reasons) can be forced onto the handle end, now making the "tool" about 4" long. I'm guessing the brush will wear with use, requiring a periodic change to a fresh one. I can't wait to tell my dentist that his recommended brush for tooth maintenance also has another use.

Hello all,

I have progressed to the point of beginning to operate my switching empire. I am having problems with uncoupling some of the cars. I have tried a shish kabob pointed stick and a sharpened small screwdriver. Each works on some cars but not all. I have checked the couplers for correct height, operation, burrs, the simulated air hoses (pins) all point about 20-30 degrees to the right of the centerline, etc. but I have found no problems I can see. Is there a simple solution I am missing or should I replace the problem couplers? Thanks in advance for any help.