Dorfan Bonnie Blue Passenger Set 1st Impressions

Steve,

 

Hurry up and fix the light! Can't wait to see photos!

 

Sunrise

Steve, thanks for the update.  Always nice when MTH tries something new, even if it's a new color - and you were brave to take the plunge based on catalog color rendering.  Glad it looks even better in person.

 

All the MTH Dorfan I have came with the couplers detatched; the explanation you suggest makes sense, I hadn't thought of that.  Probably true.  But the Dorfan couplers are pretty cool in their own eccentric way, I enjoy them.

 

MTH also did a nice job staying true to the Dorfan cast wheels and trucks.  Availability of these as replacement parts has been spotty.  Some times I have been able to get all I need, other times they are out of stock for months.  Presumably with this new manufacturing run they may have extras back in stock again.  We are fortunate to have them as a source: I have used them on all my vintage Dorfan standard gauge freight and passenger cars that had the die-cast wheels and trucks deteriorate.

 

I suppose in the distant future all tinplate will have been converted over to more modern bulbs, but for some of us not-so-younger operators, the LED's just go against the grain.  The lighting of all those little 14v old-style bulbs is just so much a part of the tinplate experience. 

 

First guess on the loose screw would be center rail pickup roller assembly, that has been the case twice with me. But of course it could come from anywhere...

 

Keep us informed.  Power problems here too, but on a different scale.  This ice/snow storm has us without power going on my fourth day, power company says now it'll be next week.  Running generators part of the time, but not much doing with the trains.

 

 

Got a chance to run it for 20 minutes or so. Rear truck derails every now and then shorting out. I don't think that triangular pivot likes my 42" curves. Have yet to actually see it when it comes off. I was letting it run while I tended to other things in the garage so I need to run it when I can just sit and watch for a while. Also one pair of cars uncoupled after about 15 minutes. Still a good shake down run.

 

Steve

 

Don't blame it on the 42 curves; there are gazillions of 1134's out here running on 42's without issue, it's what it was designed for - unless MTH has changed the design for this loco, which I don't think is the case.  That trailing truck will just need some tweaking.  Glad to hear it's up and running!

 

 

I've decided the derailing issue is the MTH Realtrax joints do not line up well and the funky way the trailing truck mounts. The truck ends up a but cockeyed allowing the edge of the wheel to dig into the poor track joint. I experimented with a piece of thin card stock to keep the forward part of the truck from sliding too far each direction. I now have about 40 minutes of run time without derailing, although the same two cars as noted above uncoupled once more during that time. Getting better all the time.

 

Steve

 

 

Steve,

 

Lets see a photo of the engine and cars!

 

Sunrise

Sunrise, I bought the parts to fix the lights today. Maybe tomorrow or Saturday.
You could come to our TTOS SP Holiday meet and see it running this Sunday. We're only  bazillion miles away.
Steve

 A little far for me my friend!!!!

 

Sunrise

Ok Sunrise. The lights are not fixed, but a nice day out so I used some natural light.

 

Steve

 

Steve,

 

Beautimus!!! Love the blue/red/cream combo.  Thanks for taking the time to share that beauty!  You're right the catalog doesn't do it justice!  You and hojack do a great job with the videos! Thanks again!!!

 

Sunrise

Wow -what a looker.

I only have one Dorfan car. A 1928 ish "PULLMAN" Observation car.

I was born in Newark, NJ and can't let the car go. Nice to see --what it could

have looked like in the past. Would  you have any up close  pics of the Observation deck?

Thanks in advance

 

Floyd

Floyd
I'll try and take one later tonight.

Steve

Floyd

Here are some pictures of the set, including the Observation Platform.

 

Steve

 

 

fantaboulous!!!

Thanks for posting the "Palmetto Express" Observation car.

The trim work is exceptional. What Dorfan catalog year is this

representing?

 

Floyd