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Here's another book I purchased recently. Titled "Southern Pacific and the KM Hydraulics", it tells the story of the high horsepower diesel hydraulic units which were built by Krauss-Maffei for the SP and Rio Grande in the 60s. The coverage is thorough and and discusses the concept behind the locomotives, their development, construction, testing, delivery, operation and retirement. The remarkable preservation of the sole survivor is included as well. The text is complemented by many diagrams and photographs in a manner which makes this one of the most comprehensive motive power books I've ever come across. The book is already in its second printing as the first run sold out in a matter of weeks. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the second run as it is almost sold out as well.

 

Bob

      

KM

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You guys should see that big K-M on the Niles Canyon Railway near Fremont, CA.  Howard Wise and his restoration crew are doing an INCREDIBLE job of completely rebuilding the unit.  Right now, the basic MU controls are complete, so that it appears the Unit on the lead is operating, but it is actually controlling the diesel unit hooked behind it!

The main worry was trying to find the very complicated power trucks and hydraulic transmission mechanisms, otherwise, forget it !  By God, they found them in a scrap yard in FRANCE.  Had them shipped over and installed.  This K-M will eventually be a totally new machine.  Amazing !!!

The railfan community will come out in droves when the big day comes !!  I can hardly wait!

Cheers.

 

KEN SHATTOCK  (KRK)

Member, PLA/ NCRY

Interesting amtrack passenger set I found on ebay. I just took it out to run.

Per the bay "Vintage Elliot Welz O Gauge Amtrak Metroliner set 1 serial number 686 that rates C7 excellent with the boxes. This set includes powered Metro Coach 820 and 3 non powered cars, Snack Bar Coach 859, Metro Coach 829, and Metro Club 881. The powered unit tested good on O32 track and the lighting worked. It would not change direction until it was cycled a few times and then functioned ok. A typical E unit occurrence after prolonged storage. The lighting worked in the other 3 cars. All of the cars are clean and show minimal use. The cars are about 16 inches long. The cars will ship in the original box within our shipping box to keep it all nice.

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After our Neal S. posted this photo.........

 

NEALSHORR

I thought it was so cool I had to replicate it...in a way.....

My layout is set 1950's but I do own more modern equipment. I had never really looked at the Atlas 'Auto Parts' Hy-Cube box cars....Neal's photo changed that.

I had to order me a few. First one came this week....

 

AUTOPART

Very cool box cars.....big, well detailed but it took me less than 30 seconds to slightly bump the brake wheel and pop it off!!! And since my RR is the D&RGW set in WV this one works for me! I also have a B&O (great grandfathers rr) and N&W coming.

So to paraphrase an old commercial....' I wana be like Neal'!!! 

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Awhile ago my girlfriend's cousin sold my his Arbor press with the lionel style tools, wheel cups and some American Flyer cups and a couple other AF tools, The lot also came with two post-war Lionel shop books and a modern one (like the Greenburg reprint) some AF and lionel cataloges and a reel of post -war lionel 8 or super 8 film(need to put on dvd) And he built a gun cart(for cowboy action shooting) The whole lot was only $170.00! He used to work for a Northern Calif. shop as a repairman. Missed out on the spare parts tho.

I was looking for car for the big boy to pull. thanks to the advice of other members I looked for 40 foot wood sided cars.  I searched and found on Stouts auction site Atlas "Steam Era Classics". I picked them up on Tuesday and after laying track for a siding for the Big Boy I unpacked them tonight. I wasn't to excited because it was Atlas. As I was unpacking them there was a notice inside that said "Please note: This car is highly detailed. Use care when removing from Styrofoam."  This is a understatement as the detail is incredible with steps below the door and couplers!!

Now I have to add Atlas to my search list.  My exposure to Atlas prior to this was their controller for track power and switch controllers. Too borrow from Shane Twain they didn't impress me much. But this cars did!!!!

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Originally Posted by rboatertoo:

I was looking for car for the big boy to pull. thanks to the advice of other members I looked for 40 foot wood sided cars.  I searched and found on Stouts auction site Atlas "Steam Era Classics". I picked them up on Tuesday and after laying track for a siding for the Big Boy I unpacked them tonight. I wasn't to excited because it was Atlas. As I was unpacking them there was a notice inside that said "Please note: This car is highly detailed. Use care when removing from Styrofoam."  This is a understatement as the detail is incredible with steps below the door and couplers!!

Now I have to add Atlas to my search list.  My exposure to Atlas prior to this was their controller for track power and switch controllers. Too borrow from Shane Twain they didn't impress me much. But this cars did!!!!

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I've almost never unwrapped an new Atlas car without having to glue stuff back on.

Rboatertoo,

    The detail on the Atlas O Master Series Steam Era Box Cars is just incredibly real, IMO some of the very best ever done.  If you were able to pick them up at a reasonable cost, you were definitely lucky.  The great thing about Atlas O Steam Era is that they come either in 3 rail or 2 rail, and Atlas produces special runs of the small old time logging Railroad Box Cars for people like me to acquire, they are heavy quality Box Cars, for constant stable running, so you can put many Box Cars on a running consist.  Atlas O Steam Era was definitely a wise purchase on your part, they should make a great consist for your Big Boy Engine to pull. 

PCRR/Dave

 

I agree the detail on these Atlas O Masters Series Steam Era Box Cars is fantastic.

The Wellsville, Addison & Galeton, Sole Leather Line Box Cars are some of my favorites.

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Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad

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