Alco PAs gleaming in the morning sun

Ron H posted:

I tend to agree with Melgar. I can take my trains outside and put photo backgrounds behind them, but I prefer to photograph them with what I have built with my hands. However, I'm sure if Eric were to do the photography on my layout it would be spectacular.

Ron

Hey Ron, Melgar, and 48, it’s simple what I do!

As stated I’m “not a modeler” “not built with my own hands” whatever it is I do with the miniatures; just take your models outside and go! So easy my 4 year old can do it, right? So guys, please show me. I urge you.  

If my images offend you guys this much then why do you pay any attention to them ? 

I am not sure how to react to these statements. You say not “built with my own hands” “I’m not a modeler” a photographer perhaps? A magician with a computer ? Tools, I don’t know what to say. Thank you ?

As far as modeling my past posts here on OGR speak strongly to that answer no need for me elaborate. 

Look, It would be the furthest thing from my mind to ever insult or discredit or defame anything you guys do on OGR. It’s not my character  and you are entitled to your opinions yes  and if you and your friends agree with one another then please let us know; but calling me out as a fraud of sorts is highly offensive.  I had no idea that my work would be so offensive too you guys. I thought we all enjoyed this hobby as a family on here. I’ve been a strong member of OGR for over 10 years. This is the first time I’ve had too resort to this kind of a post. 

Im deeply offended, sad at the same time. 

kindest regards

Erik 

Erik, as I have said many times after looking at your photos, both on the layout and outside your modelling skills and photographic skills combine to blur the line between modelling and reality.  While the natural light and background, be it sky or the Moffat Tunnel portal, are the real deal, the modelling skills on the trains bring the whole photo to life.

Erik....You have demonstrated over the years that both your modeling skills and photography are top notch....  It is not surprising that others will have their own opinion especially those folks that are not familiar with your ability.  The important thing here is don't let other's opinions get to you....

Erik,

I have always admired your work and did not mean to offend. And I considered whether it was wise to make my post. The posted photograph is outstanding. All I said is that I consider it to be more of a photographic work than traditional model railroading. It was just an observation and an opinion. No criticism was intended.

MELGAR

Ron H posted:

Hers are the finished ATSF Alcos live on the layout. Super chief KC. to Chicago.

Hi Ron,

Are these the new Lionel Santa Fe PA's?

Did you make any adjustments/improvements, or are these how they came out of the box?

Thanks,

It's time to get back to the original subject of the thread. Here is another Alco PA.

MELGAR

Erik,

Your photography and modeling skills are outstanding, and I greatly admire your work. Don't ever stop posting here on the OGR forum.

Joe

Ron - nice video.  Do us another with the same trail creeping by so we can savor the details.  And did you go 2-rail, or just do really well disguised track?

And Erik did not say "no" - so here is one of my favorite Erik Lundgren shots:

Erik, please don't be offended, none was intended.

Kindest regards,

Ron Howard

Craignor, these Lionel Alcos were customized and detail by me. They were modified with hand made brass fixed pilots, custom steps, lowered chassis, with hand made additional details peculiar to the ATSF. There are posts from 5 years ago that detail what I did.

Bob2, will do. Also, Track is Atlas code 48 rail with N scale middle rail. I employ code 48 in areas where I like to view the trains running.

Erik, again, no offense meant.

Ron, ok, looking good, thanks.

Erik - I want to second Joe's (JVEGA2) post above - your modeling work and photography (and the two combined) are really outstanding and add a lot to the OGR fora.  I really enjoyed your recent 4014 pictures.

Your excellent use of forced perspective is terrific and I'm happy you made note of Michael Paul Smith's work (I hadn't realized he died...) - who perfected the craft to high art.  For those who are unaware of his work of combining a small model diorama with an outdoor, real-world background, here's a small sample:  https://petapixel.com/2013/10/...-perspective-250-ps/  I'm not sure this represents his best work - but I can't recall where I saw additional pictures.

In any event, since Bambi's mom's advice seems to be completely ignored these days ("if you don't have anything nice to say...") --

Illegitimi non carborundum

and keep on truckin' (errr... 'training') and posting...

- Rich

I am heart sick to have just learned of Michael Paul Smith's passing.  I started scratch building in 1:24 scale modeling after a friend introduced his work to me.

He was a true inspiration and the master of forced perspective model photography.  Here is the link from the NY Times with much infor and his short interview film.  There is over 700 photos in a memorium on Flicker as well. 

He was the nicest person one would hope to meet'.  He will be surely missed. He had 74 Million followers on Flicker'...

Michael Paul Smith, 67, Founder of a Beloved Imaginary Town, Dies ...

Be sure to visit 'Elgin Park' ... 

And now a little light weathering on # 62

SeanG posted:

My Lionchief ALCO's

Those are EMD FTs. Not Alcos.

Lou1985 posted:

SeanG posted:

My Lionchief ALCO's

Those are EMD FTs. Not Alcos.

Withdrawn!

Received my NYC A's and B yesterday.  I was very happy that the greasing, oiling & the start-up went flawlessly.  I was concerned when I set addresses for each one, the trailing A did not make a verbal signal.  I just reread the description and it refers to the Sound System on the leading unit, not the trailing A unit.  Hence no volume pot in that engine.

Really glad I bought them.  Very smooth runner also.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Received my NYC A's and B yesterday.  I was very happy that the greasing, oiling & the start-up went flawlessly.  I was concerned when I set addresses for each one, the trailing A did not make a verbal signal.  I just reread the description and it refers to the Sound System on the leading unit, not the trailing A unit.  Hence no volume pot in that engine.

Really glad I bought them.  Very smooth runner also.

Hey Bryant, sure would love to see a few photos...

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Received my NYC A's and B yesterday.  I was very happy that the greasing, oiling & the start-up went flawlessly.  I was concerned when I set addresses for each one, the trailing A did not make a verbal signal.  I just reread the description and it refers to the Sound System on the leading unit, not the trailing A unit.  Hence no volume pot in that engine.

Really glad I bought them.  Very smooth runner also.

Hey Bryant, sure would love to see a few photos...

I will take some photos tonight.  Will also include a video pulling 1940 MTH passenger cars.  Not really a color match, but my Lionel Baggage cars I bought earlier this year are on the train shelves.  Glenn Snyder is not getting shelves until the end of June.  Until then, I have no place to put the 11 cars on the 1940 set to exchange for the baggage set.  Will see when I get home.  I might do something to get the baggage cars on these engines.  Photos tomorrow.

I forgot to ask, has anyone looked at fixed pilots for these yet.  I would think it would look very good with fixed.  I did the change on my Atlas F-3s and it really changed the look for the better on curves.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Received my NYC A's and B yesterday.  I was very happy that the greasing, oiling & the start-up went flawlessly.  I was concerned when I set addresses for each one, the trailing A did not make a verbal signal.  I just reread the description and it refers to the Sound System on the leading unit, not the trailing A unit.  Hence no volume pot in that engine.

Really glad I bought them.  Very smooth runner also.

Hey Bryant, sure would love to see a few photos...

I will take some photos tonight.  Will also include a video pulling 1940 MTH passenger cars.  Not really a color match, but my Lionel Baggage cars I bought earlier this year are on the train shelves.  Glenn Snyder is not getting shelves until the end of June.  Until then, I have no place to put the 11 cars on the 1940 set to exchange for the baggage set.  Will see when I get home.  I might do something to get the baggage cars on these engines.  Photos tomorrow.

Don't worry.  Plenty of railroads had mixed cars especially RPOs, baggage, and passenger as the heydays were coming to an end...

Bryant...looking forward to those photos! In the meantime I've posted an admittedly amateurish video review of the new Alcos. Have a look, but be gentle!

https://youtu.be/3-ppZNAtCxQ

Hi James,  Just watched your video'.. Have you tried switching the engines around,, Have the now front trail.  They appear to run fine.  It looks as though the rear truck or just the coupler arm is not aligned correctly.  Is it possible there is a flaw in the coupler arm.  Have you examined the bottoms of each loco  with a magnifying glass for any irregularities in the frames, coupler arms and trucks.  ALso, check and see if all the screws connecting the frame to the shell are fastened completely.  One screw incompletely fastened,can create an off balance effect on the tracks'...

I'm curious as well as others are I'm sure.  We need to get to the bottom of this issue'...

I will have a look tomorrow. Railroad is shut down for the night! Thanks for the suggestions. 

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Received my NYC A's and B yesterday.  I was very happy that the greasing, oiling & the start-up went flawlessly.  I was concerned when I set addresses for each one, the trailing A did not make a verbal signal.  I just reread the description and it refers to the Sound System on the leading unit, not the trailing A unit.  Hence no volume pot in that engine.

Really glad I bought them.  Very smooth runner also.

Hey Bryant, sure would love to see a few photos...

I will take some photos tonight.  Will also include a video pulling 1940 MTH passenger cars.  Not really a color match, but my Lionel Baggage cars I bought earlier this year are on the train shelves.  Glenn Snyder is not getting shelves until the end of June.  Until then, I have no place to put the 11 cars on the 1940 set to exchange for the baggage set.  Will seewhen I get home.  I might do something to get the baggage cars on these engines.  Photos tomorrow.

I took a couple of pictures with the MTH 20-65237 series cars which total 12 cars.  As you can see, it pulls with no effort.

The other one shows the comparison between the fixed pilot on the Atlas F-3s compared to the one on the ALCO.  ALCO would be really nice with fixed also.

I was not able to load the video showing the 3 NYC Baggage cars in the lat catalog, or the one before it  I will retry when I get time.

Nice ballast work!

Ron H posted:

Nice ballast work!

Thank you for the compliment.  I did it with a "Ballast King".  Sold it when I was done.  Well worth it considering you can sell them for what you payed for it.

Wow Bryant, beautiful layout !  I like the blue walls with the painted clouds on it'.  Very nice touch.  Did you figure out why the  new Alco's are lopsided?

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Wow Bryant, beautiful layout !  I like the blue walls with the painted clouds on it'.  Very nice touch.  Did you figure out why the  new Alco's are lopsided?

Thank you for your kind compliment.  I did not notice a lopsided car problem.  Only the need to reassign often.

Old work; the GM&O had 3 PA's.

Only an old, custom-painted/weathered and custom-detailed (GM&O-correct lower headlight added; can't see it here) Williams. Fixed pilot.

Comparison with a factory TMCC NYC Lionel (early production; 2 can motors with no flywheels - actually made in Michigan, if you care; decent runner)

I always thought that the Wms tank was too shallow and short; it is indeed too shallow, but not too short - what Wms did was put the trucks in the wrong place! Too far outboard. The Lionel is correct and much better proportioned.

However, the Wms trucks are actually nicer than these Lionel or the MTH A1A trucks. More see-through and, even more importantly, they pivot in the center and do not have that silly-looking "truck-back-end-protrusion" on curves. 

I don't know about the new Legacy PA trucks.

I think the high end Lionel trucks are great. You have to pick out the detail with a wash. This truck has ATS shoe and brake lines added.

Yeah, me too.  The latest Lionel trucks compare well with top-of-the-line brass import trucks.  And the Lionel body is nearly perfect!  Too bad it is plastic.

D500, do you have any additional photos of that old PA?  We need to see more of that baby'..