Going 2-R, scratching a boxcar leads to locomotive purchase…

I repair the split gears by carefully filling the shoulders until I get an interference fit, for K&S brass tube ( tight ) this pulles the gear shut, but has to be tight enough so it still fits tightly on the axel shaft, or ! you could buy new ones. The axels in the towers are plastic and can snap off, they can be replaced with 3mm steal shaft ( or a nail ) by drilling a hole in  the housing for a gentle push fit. The wheels are wrong for two rail track, the flanges are too thick, if the wheel is in good condition, you can machine the back till the flang is 1mm thick and then all is good for two rail points. Or !  buy replacement wheels. (NWSL gears and wheels ) The truck side frames tend to snap off. So this is how I fix that, and modify the electrical pickups.The angle is made from brass or aluminium edging tillers use, or some Plastruct plastic angle. For $30-50 dollars you can get a lot of fun from these models, and it amazing how bullet prof they can be, and with detailing they can look great to.

cTr....( Choose the Right )

Thanks for posting that info here! I have come across where you shared that in older posts, but it’s nice to have it in this thread!

We will see what shape the locomotives are in when they get here… the auction photos showed all trucks intact, hopefully they’re packed well enough to survive the postal system…

northwest shoreline has the gears from time to time. I also bought some that were 3D printed and they worked quite well.

Looking forward to when these engines arrive, then I’ll know what I’ve bought. Seller said both engines run well, hopefully they’re telling the truth…

I’m not opposed to tinkering with stuff, I would actually enjoy bringing them back up to par if they need work, and since I’m not worried about resale value I’m comfortable investing a little more money into parts…

https://youtu.be/tVC0ylyWIfQ   Although this features my Scale Craft Hudson you will also see a Atlas F-9 with the mods mentioned above.      cTr....( Choose the Right )

Teaser pic…

more details to come after I get off work…

Both engines are runners! The truck sideframes survived the journey. Between the two engines I have 6 split gears, so I’ll have to address that.

One engine has Kadee-style couplers in the factory truck-mounted boxes, and the other is missing the factory coupler boxes (and has no couplers).

There’s a bit of detail work needed on both engines, but nothing serious. The nicer one is missing a horn, and the worse one is missing both horns, the window glazing, and the number boards…

I’m thinking I might end up eventually repainting them, but I’m going to focus on the mechanical side of things first…

I enjoy fixing up old stuff, so I’m very happy with these locos!

I found some 3-D printed gears on shapeways for $15/engine, I figured I’d give them a try… that’s quite a bit cheaper than the NWSL wheelsets, and I’m not opposed to re-contouring the flanges on the original wheels as they’re in good shape…

Sounds like a good plan...these are fun to play around with, so enjoy yourself. 🙂

Mark in Oregon

Gears are here! I’m installing them now and they seem to be a good fit!

Here’s a quick video:

Just a little bit of fun on some old gargraves track I have lying around…

Very nice... smooth.

I can understand why, when these first came out, they were dismissed by those who were used to the All Nation/Atwater F units : they no doubt seemed lightweight and "flimsy". But they are solid, good running units. Guess that's why I have several.

Enjoy.

Mark in Oregon

They’re definitely “lightweights” compared to my 3-rail engines, but they do run well…

I bought a bunch of old rail from the f/s forums… gonna try some hand-laid track…

Good job on regearing, looks like you have a good runner.

Yes, actually 2 good runners! One is more dirty inside, and is louder, but both engines run well!

Runs great! Looks like you’re doing an awesome job on that boxcar too!

Let's see some pics of the boxcar project!

It starts with the simple ones and then you go full 2-R with the likes of this and this is jus the beginning!

You could do a coffee table book with those!

Wow, that's some nice looking roster there Jonathan, that CNJ passenger GP in particular for me is the BOMB!

Details?

https://youtu.be/NZjn08j-4_w   More Atlas F9 fun                cTr.....( Choose the right )

That's cool.

I had a bunch of that "Tru Scale"(?) wooden roadbed/ tie stuff once. Was using some big rail for it; can't remember what code it was, but it was bigger than 148. Still have some rail joiners, for some reason...

Would like to see more of that layout.

Mark in Oregon

Hey, I might know a guy who might be able to use a few rail joiners… I bought a bunch of old code 172 rail to mess around with…

Great pictures Jonathan, thanks for sharing them!

This forum is making me seriously consider selling a few 3R diesels to fund the acquisition of a 2R steam locomotive project…

@mwb posted:

Let's see some pics of the boxcar project!

there’s a thread about it in the 3R traditional forum (I had originally planned on putting it on 3R trucks). I’ll have to figure out how to link it here…

@Steaming Jon posted:

Hey, I might know a guy who might be able to use a few rail joiners… I bought a bunch of old code 172 rail to mess around with…

Yeah, it was code 172. I'm willing to pass these joiners on to someone who can use them...

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

Yeah, it was code 172. I'm willing to pass these joiners on to someone who can use them...

Mark in Oregon

I’ll email you…

Display track…

Nice...track joiners mailed yesterday.

Mark in Oregon

Looks ok from a distance…

Nothing is spiked down yet, there’s a lot more work to do… but it’s a start!

Mark- joiners arrived today, thank you!

@Steaming Jon posted:

Mark- joiners arrived today, thank you!

Glad to hear. Hope you can put them to good use.

Mark in Oregon

Almost done, just have to figure out what I’m going to do for the throw bar…

Another pic…

First train over the switch!

First switching move!

Jon, it looks like you are having fun with your 'Carpet Express'.

Dan Weinhold

I am having fun! I do plan on moving off of the carpet though… I’ve got to clean up my space in the basement and then I can start working on a proper layout…

@Steaming Jon posted:

I’ve got to clean up my space in the basement and then I can start working on a proper layout…

Good timing for that now.....hope you have a good reasonable source of lumber.

Keep your eyes open for a pair of the All Nation F units, they are totally diecast metal and are nearly bomb proof.  Same for the NW2 switcher from them.  The flanges on the old Atlas units should be fine unless you are going super fine scale or proto 48 track standards.