Crazy Train

Definitely a fun take on rail Rhodes. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

Definitely a fun take on rail Rhodes.

Jonathan - I have been to Rhodes - and the once great Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world, is no longer standing. I am flattered that you would allude to the Colossus of Rhodes in regards to my creation. I can assure you that the 5 deck structure is remarkably sturdy and rigid, and hopefully, it wont collapse like the Colossus did.

Those Marx engines will run forever. And so will Ozzy ! Nice work !

@Mossback Mike posted:

Jonathan - I have been to Rhodes - and the once great Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world, is no longer standing. I am flattered that you would allude to the Colossus of Rhodes in regards to my creation. I can assure you that the 5 deck structure is remarkably sturdy and rigid, and hopefully, it wont collapse like the Colossus did.

That is a great analogy too!    I was referring to Randy Rhodes and his amazing guitar work on Crazy Train. 

I too hope that your creation does not go the way of the Roman empire in general. 

I like both of your analogies. Part of the chorus of the song "Crazy Train" includes the lyrics "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train". I hope that never happens to Mike's trains, but it certainly happened to the Colossus of Rhodes when it toppled in an earthquake in 226 BC.

@Norman R posted:

I like both of your analogies. Part of the chorus of the song "Crazy Train" includes the lyrics "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train". I hope that never happens to Mike's trains, but it certainly happened to the Colossus of Rhodes when it toppled in an earthquake in 226 BC.

Well, I had one of the 999s that derailed when my Grandchildren were over last weekend. The locomotive fell to the concrete floor and it bent the front truck mount at the steam chest. Fortunately, Marx 999s are virtually indestructible. I was able to dismantle it, straighten it out and reassemble it. But the lesson learned is that I really need to put some sort of guard rails around the outer perimeter of each deck.

My grandchildren were mesmerized by the Crazy Train - and they like watching the video too.

@Norman R posted:

I like both of your analogies. Part of the chorus of the song "Crazy Train" includes the lyrics "I'm going off the rails on a crazy train". I hope that never happens to Mike's trains, but it certainly happened to the Colossus of Rhodes when it toppled in an earthquake in 226 BC.

I know this is slightly off topic but ... my wife and I were in Rhodes in 2019. The remains of the ancient Colossus are located at the Fortress Saint Nicholas at the entrance to the harbor. The fortress is in the distance, in the photo below.

I think the opening licks on Ozzies , " Crazy Train ", are some of the best of Rock N Roll.  Just one old farts opinion.

Ron H

Mesmerizing video.  I love the creativity of going vertical. I have a hard time going with just two levels, so this is inspiring as well. Thanks for sharing.

I made some improvements to my 5-deck Crazy Train.

I took off the roof to facilitate load-ins and load-outs.

I installed guard fencing around the tracks (20 gauge galv steel L brackets with monofilament fishing line).

I mounted the unit on a Harbor Freight tool cart, and installed a removable transformer shelf.

I installed a 45 watt Lionel transformer for each of the five decks.

The portability and controllability is greatly improved. Also, the guard fencing prevents catastrophic derailments.

Here are some pictures:

@Mossback Mike posted:

I made some improvements to my 5-deck Crazy Train.

I took off the roof to facilitate load-ins and load-outs.

I installed guard fencing around the tracks (20 gauge galv steel L brackets with monofilament fishing line).

I mounted the unit on a Harbor Freight tool cart, and installed a removable transformer shelf.

I installed a 45 watt Lionel transformer for each of the five decks.

The portability and controllability is greatly improved. Also, the guard fencing prevents catastrophic derailments.

Here are some pictures:

Nice work!

@Mossback Mike posted:

I made some improvements to my 5-deck Crazy Train.

I took off the roof to facilitate load-ins and load-outs.

I installed guard fencing around the tracks (20 gauge galv steel L brackets with monofilament fishing line).

I mounted the unit on a Harbor Freight tool cart, and installed a removable transformer shelf.

I installed a 45 watt Lionel transformer for each of the five decks.

The portability and controllability is greatly improved. Also, the guard fencing prevents catastrophic derailments.

At first, I was thinking this there is no way to sing this version of Crazy Train, but with a little more thought on the cadence, it does work

Thanks for sharing your progress. 

Mike, this is the first I have seen your original version or the new and improved version of Crazy Train!  Very well done!!  I'm sure the grandchildren like it!

I am not an Ozzy or metal fan myself by any means, but I do get the analogy; especially when the 999 went off the rails. 

Is that just all-thread connecting all the levels?