Big GRANDE power

I'm confused.  Are these 3-rail models?  A little info on them might help.

Erik, Man, that's some awesome rock work. And, I like how high the layout is. I alway's liked the old Rio Grande paint scheme. Who's hopper cars do you use?

Those are MTH Bath-gons... Cool huh! They used to be 3 rail and have been converted to 2 rail with Weaver trucks and NWSL wheelsets. New bolsters had to be made of styrene.  The Grande hoppers are Weaver 2 rail RTR cars.

Thanks man!

Rick are you out there? Rick is somewhat of an expert at the conversion of these cars.. Maybe he could elaborate on the subject a bit?

Hi Erik, I do like Mike's hoppers the best. Do the Weaver truck's you use have the rotating bearing caps? So far, I've done 4 of mine, but I used the generic 3 rail Lionel replacement trucks. They modify easily, are lightly sprung, and have the bearing caps, and NWSL sells the narrow tread replacement wheelsets which are easily installed. After re-working the bolsters and using the scale wheels, they look pretty darn good! And, I learned how to do these by following the forum.

Hey Guys,

The rock work is fantastic and really captures the feel of Utah's Book Cliffs

which was a frequent haunt for Grande power!  DSMR members including Erik made

that rock work magic happen!  The RG units are Brass 2 rail DC running under

conventional block control. These are the same great tower drive units made by Samhongsa for Oriental Limited that Erik posted about in his Tunnel Motor post-one of the best runners in O Scale!  The MTH Bathtubs are 2 railed with extra weight added in line with the couplers and Blue Mountain Hobbies coal loads.  They are lowered, truck centers are increased with the proper car weight distribution over the final rib/bolster support structure.  Testing and design continues to evolve.  

Rick Trinkle

Trinkle-Trains

Rio Grande SD40T-2 "Tunnel Motor" #5378 gets some much needed attention after the run on the Denver Society of Model Railroaders' (DSMR's) Fantastic O Scale Layout! 

Rick, thanks for the info.

Plans are underway to convert the 2 rail to DCC as soon as the narrow gauge is finished. Another year perhaps?

I thought this was BIG Grande power!

I like 2 rail,  No offense but.  Shouldn't you guys put this in the 2 rail forum? Most of the photos posted at the top of the post do not show thru photobucket on this forum unless my computer is on the "fritz"

George

Marker,

I should get out my Key Imports L-105, or my L-131 out and take some photos!

As a steam era- transition fan I would agree with you!

I should get out my Key Imports L-105, or my L-131 out and take some photos!

Or both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I run 3Rail and 2Rail on the same layout!  I even have crossovers to handle both TMCC AND straight DC.

I have been using photobucket for a year and have yet to have any problems.

The Weaver Models D&RGW 4-bay Coal Hoppers were only run for a limited time by Weaver Models.

Andrew

More big Grande Power....

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