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"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Everything is within 'line of sight'.  Average flying is 1000' left and right and several hundred 'in front'. AMA safety says no people or structures where the plane flies: that way, if it crashes, no one or property is damaged.  Usually, it's out in farmland where the only damage is to some corn stocks.   The receivers have safety built in them so if loss of signal, plane engine goes to idle and plane goes down in field.   There are clubs all across USA for safe flying.  Unlike people that fly drones around people and buildings that can harm person and property (plus it's illegal).   

Trains: Sept to May, Planes: May to Sept.

Landing, safely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfeyqWyrBw

 

Last edited by samparfitt
RadCam posted:

The rivet detail on the jug is insane. P-47, F6f, and Corsair all used the same P&W 2800. The Brits didn't have a problem operating the Corsair from carriers, and neither did we once they showed use how to do it.

It takes about 130 hours just to put on the aluminum tape and rivet detail.  Like they say: there's a fine line between your hobby and insanity!

Last edited by samparfitt

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 decoder install.

The SP&S was owned by the GN and NP (50/50).  James Hill also had stock in the NP and the Burlington and he wanted to merge all four railroads but the ICC nixed it.  It finally happened in 1970, after he died a long time ago.   Congress finally got rid of the ICC around 1980 after they realized how bad the railroads were (PRR and NYC failure) as the ICC was killing the railroads.  Probably the only time a government agency was dissolved!

Not sure when I painted this engine but it was before my digital camera as I have no pictures while painting it.   The usual TCS 1517 WOW101 with keep alive.  The model is by Key and was made in 1981.  It has a huge can motor.  Three lead weights in the tender were removed as just the brass tender, by itself, is heavy enough not to derail.  A cut off wheel was used to cut through the solder joint on one side of the lead weight and, then, it came off easily. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 01

This model has a functional closed cab diaphragm. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 02

Needed to cut a rectangular slot at the bottom, front of the tender but a thick plate (about 1/16" thick for attaching the diaphragm) needed to be cut.  Fortunately, when using a small diameter (used) cut off wheel, the solder joint came loose and the thick plate fell out.  Was, then, a lot easier to cut about an 1/8" off the bottom.  The top solder joint of the plate was too confined so I drilled/tapped a screw off to one side to secure the plate to the tender along with soldering the bottom of the plate to the tender.   Some loco black will be used to touch up the bare brass as it dries dull. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 03

The marker lights had very fragile arms connecting them to the front of the boiler so I wasn't going to drill them out for LED's but, after touching one, it was very loose and fell off.  Figure I might as well install marker lights, now, and I drilled out the marker light while holding the marker with some pliers but the pliers came loose and twisted off the marker's arm.  There was a small hole for the arm so I used some .020 wire to make a new arm.  A small bend was put in the wire and soldered to the front of the boiler.   A little too much solder but, with a little black paint, no one will notice.  

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 04

The fine tip soldering iron was then used to re-attach the marker to the arm.  The other marker was sturdy and I was able to drill it out with no problems.  Two routing holes for the LED wires were drilled in the front of the boiler.  The boiler front was soldered to the boiler so the LED wires were twisted together to make them rigid and, once through the front wire holes, they went to the back of the boiler where I could retrieve them. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 05

All LED's dipped in canopy glue to protect the bare wires plus some black paint for the first couple inches to hide the red wire when routing to the markers lights. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 06

Decoderpro used to insure all wires are 'good' and load in engine address.

 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 09

Tested on the mainline to make sure all works (had to reverse the can motor leads, again!).

 

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The wires for the marker lights, being from the front, were easy to route to the back of the boiler.  The four running boards light wires, being at a 90 degree angle, I thought were going to be difficult but those were easy to route, also.  Need to bundle up all the boiler wires, make the 4 pin connector and re-assemble the engine. 

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Last edited by samparfitt

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 decoder install (cont).

Assembly and test run.

Video: at Tye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4H3Ll6ooA

 

All tested OK except for the tender wheels were not picking up 'juice'...

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 10

Normally, just the 4 screws securing the frame to the superstructure is good enough but not in this case.  The manufacturer had wires going from the wheels to the draw bar pin but I left the wire disconnected.  Soldered a single connector (left over from PFM sound days) from frame wires to superstructure.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 11

Assembled.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 12SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 13SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 14

Engine would, occasionally, short.  Found the brass brake rigging was touching the insulated side drivers.  Two were loose and re-soldered.  

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Road test:

Chumstick Canyon trestle.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 16

Havre.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 17

Wilmar.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 18

Taking on water at Wilmar using BLI's functional water tower.

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East of Wilmar.

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 20SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 21

Waverly.

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East of Waverly.

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More water at Glacier. 

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Whitefish. 

SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 25SP&S Z-8 4-6-6-4 Key 26

Skykomish.

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Seattle's freight yard.

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After doing 33 decoder installs, I think I'm getting the 'hang' of it!

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SF 2-10-10-2 decoder install (TCS 1517).

A Westside model made in 1976.  Updates made in 2017.

Videos:

Skykomish: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3_I4genYLI

Tumwater Canyon trestle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeWHjaFjtn4

In 2017, open frame motor replaced with can motor.

sf 2-10-10-2 westside 11

Also, there was no deck or back head detail so that was added before it was painted.

sf 2-10-10-2 westside 15

Surprised I didn't add the PFM sound back in 2017 so I had to drill out speaker holes in the tender frame. 

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 43

Rectangular hole cut in front of tender for decoder wires. 

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 44

All wires done except those going to the boiler LED's.  Headlight (engine/tender), cab light, fire box glow and running board lights were installed in 2017 so it saved me time when installing the decoder. 

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 45

Decoderpro used to check wiring and add engine number.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 46

Tested on the mainline (can motor wires needed reversing).  While in this state I, usually, adjust the chuff rate to 4 per '360'.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 47

Sugar cube speaker used on this engine. 

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Speaker used.

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Will not sound good without the plastic enclosure for the speaker.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 50

Boiler lighting wires, connector done.

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In the top front of the boiler was a plate with a screw hole in it.  I assume there was a piece of lead that went in there but was not in the engine box so some lead was used with a 4/40 screw to secure it in the boiler.  The gear sets run along the center of the boiler so there is little room for additional weight.  It's a 'light weight' without a lot of lead so it can only pull 15 cars up the 0.5% grade.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 52SF 2-10-10-2 westside 53

Paper towel is good to form enough friction to secure screw to hex head screwdriver to reach into small spaces.

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Assembled.  

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Unusual back end on this tender. 

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Departing Seattle's freight yard.

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Tye.

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Marias pass.

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Hillyard.

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Havre.

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Waverly.

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St. Paul.  Right tracks to St. Paul's freight yard, left tracks to upper staging yard.

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Santa Fe roster: (left to right: 2-10-10-2, 2-10-4, 4-8-4, 4-8-4).  All painted in the last 3 years.

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SF diesels: E1's and PA's.  Besides the PRR centipedes, these are the only diesels on the railroad. 

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 by MTH.  

I have an H-8 by Key and had no intention of getting another one but trainworld had them for $400 (list $600).  I checked out a video review of the engine and was impressed: all cast metal (including tender), nicely detailed, sprung drivers (usually only on brass engines), lighted number boards, smoke and could pull a lot of cars.   Smoke and could pull a lot of cars pushed me into buying it (remembrance of Lionel days).  Also, when they mark 33% off, I couldn't resist.  I have an MTH N&W J and was impressed with it so I was familiar with their products.  They also make 3-rail O gauge and they are high quality.  

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 01C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 02

It seems most contemporary motive power comes with nice boxes and secure them in a plastic case within a plastic sleeve.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 03

This makes for a pretty secure shipping method. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 04

When I saw the steam dome laying on the box I thought the glue came off the steam done but it has a magnet and covers an access screw. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 05

Cab hatch moves. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 06

Nice brake rigging.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 07

Un-prototypical rear drivers rotate to handle sharp radii but not noticeable on my layout. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 08

Tender electrical pickup. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 09

Interesting how they use a four wire contacts (no plugging in required) to operate functions on the engine side. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 10

Tender side draw bar.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 11

Remotely operated tender coupler which I'll, probably, convert to kadee. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 12

Nice cab detail with crew and a deck plate to the tender. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 13

The side rods are very thin so, probably, will have to make sure they are lubricated to prevent wear.  Brass engines have nickle plated brass rods that are thicker. 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 14

Key on the left, MTH on the right.  Very impressed with the detail on the MTH engine.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 15

Key to the rear, MTH to the front.

Not much difference between the two.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 16C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 17C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 18C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 19

MTH side view.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 20

Key side view.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 21

MTH cab.  No way could I paint those window frames.

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Number boards lighted.  I believe the marker lights are, also, suppose to light but mine doesn't.  F5 is suppose to work them but nada.  The engine is new but was made in 2015.  

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 23

Nice smoke out of each stack.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 24

Road test.  Nice to be able to pull out a full string of 43 cars out of one of Seattle's yard tracks without slippage.  The back drivers have rubber on them (traction tire). 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 25C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 26C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 27C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 28

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Last edited by samparfitt

Local train show at Ross repurposed high school near Hamilton, Ohio.

Sale plus 5 layouts open.

Show in gymnasium. 

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Four HO, one N scale and one 3-rail. 

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3 rail.

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HO

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HO

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HO

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Hoppers 'printed'.

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Nice stone train viaduct in Hamilton.

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Viaduct is to the far left, bridges span Miami river. 

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Only planned to socialize but found these nice vintage metal cars with Kadees for only 6 bucks each.  Flatcar with load; had to have that!  Some Intermountain wheel sets and 'all ready' for the GNRW. Nice book on the Allegheny (good timing) for 5 bucks. 

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Last edited by samparfitt

More road testing:

SF 2-10-10-2.  Had to install a longer shank coupler on the tender with the cow catcher on the rear.

 

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 66

Chumstick Canyon trestle.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 67

Havre.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 68SF 2-10-10-2 westside 69SF 2-10-10-2 westside 70

Marias pass.

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 71SF 2-10-10-2 westside 72

Tye

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 73

Skykomish

SF 2-10-10-2 westside 74

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6.

Videos: something different: taken from a distance giving more view of the railroad.

Chumstick Canyon trestle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWBte7M5EP4

Waverly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOJpKtbdKgo

Wilmar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddchCRgOLk

Glacier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF59E8F-dMI

Whitefish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj7i_nHwqjM

Tye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PYMUxL0Vt0

Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6az6NgbTZ8

Seattle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc5CtvM7KVs

 

Marias pass.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 29

Trailing truck came off a couple times.  Back wheel was a little too wide.  Had to remove to adjust the gauge.

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Running trains.

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH:

The traction tire came off hauling a 44 car freight train.  Put it back on and hope it stays on!

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 32

Have two C&O cabeese.  This one's marker lights work and the other doesn't and can't figure out why (using NCE's light only decoder). 

C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 MTH 33

Weird stuff.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 PFM.  Testing on the mainline and shorts at one spot, consistently (only engine that does this).  Must of ran it by  that spot 20 times.  Thought it was the draw bar contacting the engine frame but nada.  Works OK with another tender.  Couldn't figure out how it was shorting but no short when just pulling the tender by the decoder wires without draw bar connected so I drilled out the draw bar and put a draw bar insulated washer (with shoulder) on the tender side and all's good.  Go figure!

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 100

Made a removable coal load for the mike.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 119

More testing.  Any new engine always needs a complete run of the mainline, east and west to insure no bugs. 

Videos:

Tye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5dS_amBc74

Havre:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0z6o7pwHhk

Tumwater Canyon trestle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi3cDVymAg

 

Whitefish.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 101

Basin tunnel.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 102

Wilmar's watering hole.  MMM: got some dirt on the lens, again.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 103

Havre.

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St. Paul.

NYC H-10B 2-8-2 105NYC H-10B 2-8-2 106NYC H-10B 2-8-2 107NYC H-10B 2-8-2 108

Bare bones area.  Three track loop staging.  A few flats and vehicles to 'dress' it up some since one can stand in the middle of the 8' wide return loop staging area.  It's high (61") so easy to duck under.

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A lumber yard made of wood that I made back in the 60's or 70's.  Green building is Menard's.

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Menard's gas station and Walther's passenger station.

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Back to St. Paul.

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East of Wilmar.

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Glasgow. 

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Havre.

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Hillyard.

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Skykomish.

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Seattle's yard throat.  Switcher's drill track to the left and lead to the ore dock.

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Last week, while installing these microscopic 0402 LED's, one wire broke off.  Amazing, I was able to solder it back on.  Put some canopy glue on it to secure the area. 

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  • NYC H-10B 2-8-2 113
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  • NYC H-10B 2-8-2 118
  • NYC H-10B 2-8-2 120
  • NYC H-10B 2-8-2 121
  • LED wires soldered 01
Last edited by samparfitt

A little PM.

GN S-2 4-8-4.

A Oriental Limited made in 1985.  Purchased 2 years ago.  Didn't need it but it was 42% off present prices so 'I had to get it'! Discounted as it had some kind of white corrosion around the tender trucks and leading/trailing trucks.  I'm guessing that the builder didn't properly clean the brass parts before painting them. The drivers and wheels were fine.  I cleaned off the white stuff and painted the trucks and all's good.  

Was factory painted.  One of the few engines that I didn't have to paint.  Has coast drive.

GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 12GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 13GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 14

Didn't have a cab number so added one.  '2588' was on the decal sheet and non of my other S-2's had that number.  Has nice cab detail.

GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 15

A Tenshodo model.  Made back in the early 70's.

GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 16

Got two of the BLI hybrid versions.  Nicely detailed.  

GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 17

Westside model.  Made in 1978. Had to paint this one.  I like that they included the bell and whistle lanyard. 

GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 18

Attachments

Images (7)
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 12
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 13
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 14
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 15
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 16
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 17
  • GN S-2 4-8-4 FP GP OL 18
Last edited by samparfitt

Southern Pacific AC-9 2-8-8-4.

Decoder install (TCS 1517 WOW 101).  Thought I'd install a decoder in an engine not seen too often versus the cab forwards.  This class was used South of LA so, with no snow sheds, 'cab ahead' was not needed. This model was made in 1981 by Sunset.  I obtained it in 2016 and painted it.  I added all the LED's back then to the markers (engine, tender) headlight (engine, tender) and cab light.  While installing the decoder, four running board lights and a fire box glow were added.

 

All wiring done except 4 pin connector from frame to boiler.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 42

Decoderpro says all's good.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 43

Mainline says all's good!

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 44

Front engine support from frame to boiler riding plate. 

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 45

Assembled.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 46

Digital cameras are great for little light exposure but not good with lights.  Both the tender and engine headlight has hollowed out number boards on each side of the headlight so engine numbers were applied to it using thin plastic. 

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 47

Added 3 hoses for steam/air lines from front articulating engine to boiler.   These are fine springs but heat shrink or wire insulation can, also, be used. 

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 48

Initial tests in the yard resulted in a short.  Found the lead truck wheel would touch the side frame.  A Kadee thin gray washer solved that. 

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 52

Road test.  

Leaving Seattle.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 53

Skykomish.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 54SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 55

Hillyard.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 56SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 57

Havre.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 58

Tumwater canyon trestle

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 59

Chumstick canyon trestle.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 60SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 61

Glacier.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 62SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 63

Wilmar.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 64

West of Waverly.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 65

St. Paul.   Half the test running East done: Next run is West. 

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 66

AC-9's 'brothers'.  GS-4

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 49

AC-4,6,7,12

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 50

AC-5.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 51

Attachments

Images (25)
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 42
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 43
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 44
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 45
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 46
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 47
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 48
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 52
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 53
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 54
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 55
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 56
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 57
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 58
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 59
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 60
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 61
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 62
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 63
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 64
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 65
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 66
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 49
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 50
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 51

Thanks, Mark.

============

Two engines tested.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 final testing: heading West.

Tye

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 67

Skykomish

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 68

Seattle.

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 69SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 70SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 71SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 72SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 73

Milwaukee EP-2 bi-polar by MTH.

Thought I'd run this electric but one set of  drive wheels would not turn when engine coupler held in place. 

Two screws removed to remove top housing.  Two wire connector goes to operating pantographs. 

MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 24

Motorized pantograph mechanics. 

MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 25

I figured something wasn't tight so I white marked the drive shaft and one wheel so I could, easily, see what part was slipping.  

MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 26

Wheel marked.

MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 27

All by itself, the slipping stopped (I hate intermittent problems).  Ran it two and half times on the mainline (which is about 650') and no problems so I put the top housing back on.   Coupler on back of electric needing adjusting as it was too low.  Three freight cars also needed some PM: low couplers and wobbling (don't need them to look like the 60's!).   These were the plastic cars made in the 70's.

MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 28

Attachments

Images (12)
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 67
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 68
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 69
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 70
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 71
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 72
  • SP AC-9 2-8-8-4 73
  • MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 24
  • MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 25
  • MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 26
  • MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 27
  • MTH Milwaukee bi-polar 28
Last edited by samparfitt

Videos:

SP AC-9 2-8-8-4:

Whitefish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeGcIaZS7X8

Why I need an eight pin connector between the tender and engine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4s7T6Alvfk

=======

Milwaukee EP-2 bi-polar:

Leaving Seattle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iau-pbUkJLU

Hillyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFk5p9t9O40

Functioning pantographs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ArDi7DmFC0

 

More train running.

GN O-8 2-8-2 (open cab) pulling turn of the century passenger cars.

Need one of my H-5 pacifics 4-6-2's but haven't put any decoders in them, yet, for these old passenger cars.

No pictures of painting this engine so it was many moons ago (pre digital age).  Sunset model made in 1976.  Has a very large can motor. 

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 08

Some passenger cars that I picked up on ebay from a woman who's father passed away and he built these. He did a very nice job. Always think of him when I run them. Nice to know the history of models.

Skykomish.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 09GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 10

West of Waverly.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 11

Wilmar watering hole. 

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 12GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 13

Havre.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 14

Hillyard.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 15

Tye.  Lead truck on the engine derailed at this turnout, going WITH the points.  Checked and all's in gauge but remembered this same situation on another turnout: points were a little lower than the stock rail and forced the truck off the track (of course only this one engine).  Some filing over the sharp edge of the stock rail fixed it.  It just occurred to me that, with all the train running, there have been very few derailments.  

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 16

Skykomish.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 17GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 18

12 inches to the foot GNRW.  What I'm attempting to replicate, at least the 'flavor' of it!

 

gnrw full size 01

The previous owner even added green to the clerestory windows.

GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 19

GN RDC-3 by Hallmark.  Was going to run this but no lights.

gn rdc-3 21gn rdc-3 22

Only 4 screws to remove bottom frame: quick fix with a bad solder joint for the red wire.

gn rdc-3 23

gn rdc-3 25

Nice see through screen on the roof. 

gn rdc-3 24

A few more full size pictures:

montana 01montana 02montana 03montana 04montana 05montana 06

 

Attachments

Images (24)
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 08
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 09
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 10
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 11
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 12
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 13
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 14
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 15
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 16
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 17
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 18
  • GN O-8 2-8-2 open cab sunset 19
  • gn rdc-3 21
  • gn rdc-3 22
  • gn rdc-3 23
  • gn rdc-3 24
  • gnrw full size 01
  • gn rdc-3 25
  • montana 01
  • montana 02
  • montana 03
  • montana 04
  • montana 05
  • montana 06
Last edited by samparfitt

Heading West.

UP 4-12-2 bald face pulling vintage freight cars.

Leaving ST. Paul area.

UP 4-12-2 Key 90

East of Wilmar.

UP 4-12-2 Key 91

Whitefish.

UP 4-12-2 Key 92UP 4-12-2 Key 93UP 4-12-2 Key 94

Chumstick canyon trestle.

UP 4-12-2 Key 95

Havre.

UP 4-12-2 Key 96UP 4-12-2 Key 97

Tye

UP 4-12-2 Key 98

Skykomish.

UP 4-12-2 Key 99UP 4-12-2 Key 100UP 4-12-2 Key 101UP 4-12-2 Key 102

Worked on the new track lead to the lower staging (passenger) yard.  Some cinders and lots of diluted carpenter's glue (still wet).  Still have to cut a hole in the right side of the movable scenery panel before replacing it.

GNRR10457

12" to the foot GNRW.

GNRR10458

Attachments

Images (15)
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 90
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 91
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 92
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 93
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 94
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 95
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 96
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 97
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 98
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 99
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 100
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 101
  • UP 4-12-2 Key 102
  • GNRR10457
  • GNRR10458
Last edited by samparfitt

Just got off my shift pulling a freight drag to Seattle.

Motive power for the day: UP 8500 turbine.

Managed to get some videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vpw_8qQGc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYihtoAuaM

Lots of freight car wheel noise over the rails after the turbine noise diminishes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0tJFgEDD6I

 Initial inspection:

UP 8500 HP turbine 30

Yep, sanders working.

UP 8500 HP turbine 31

Time to get into the cab.

UP 8500 HP turbine 32

Back up to get freight drag.

UP 8500 HP turbine 33

Glacier.  Plenty of heat in the cab with that turbine!

UP 8500 HP turbine 34

Exiting Basin tunnel.

UP 8500 HP turbine 35

Wilmar.

UP 8500 HP turbine 36UP 8500 HP turbine 37UP 8500 HP turbine 38

Whitefish.

UP 8500 HP turbine 39UP 8500 HP turbine 40

Tye

UP 8500 HP turbine 41UP 8500 HP turbine 42

Seattle.

UP 8500 HP turbine 43UP 8500 HP turbine 44

Attachments

Images (15)
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 30
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 31
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 32
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 33
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 34
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 35
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 36
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 37
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 38
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 39
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 40
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 41
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 42
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 43
  • UP 8500 HP turbine 44
Last edited by samparfitt
samparfitt posted:

They are in the 92" to 96" wingspan territory with around 85 cc engines.

Cut all the parts.

ZiroliP4706

Build fuse.

ZiroliP4738

Build wing.

 

ZiroliP47139

In the 'bones'.

ZiroliP47358

Cool, is that Nick Ziroli or other?  Too big to be one of the older Topflite models.  I still have a TF Bearcat.  I was always into control line and never really got into RC, but the art is still the same lol   Nice jig, nice build!

Dennis Holler posted:
samparfitt posted:

They are in the 92" to 96" wingspan territory with around 85 cc engines.

Cut all the parts.

ZiroliP4706

Build fuse.

ZiroliP4738

Build wing.

 

ZiroliP47139

In the 'bones'.

ZiroliP47358

Cool, is that Nick Ziroli or other?  Too big to be one of the older Topflite models.  I still have a TF Bearcat.  I was always into control line and never really got into RC, but the art is still the same lol   Nice jig, nice build!

Good eye.  Yep a Ziroli.

New delivery:

Milwaukee 3 car passenger set.  Made in 1972 by Nickle Plate Products. Factory painted. 

Got them on ebay at a good price as they are pretty inexpensive.  I bought them since I have a Hiawatha Hudson 4-6-4 that will go well with the cars, especially since they are made by the same manufacturer.  From what I remember, the early Hiawatha was a short train so the Hudson and 3 cars should look nice.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 01

Fortunately, the cars are in plastic bags to protect them from the deteriorating foam.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 02

The old foam was disposed of and new foam cut for the box and cars.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 03

Trace of cars made and scroll saw used to cut out the car's profiles. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 05Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 06

Nice factory paint job.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 04

Beaver tail.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 04A

Milwaukee F-7 4-6-4 Hudson.  If I remember, correctly, I bought this engine in the last year. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 01Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 03

Disassembly to start LED install and decoder install. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 07

Classification light mounting is thick enough so it can be drilled for the 0402 LED's.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 08

Holes drilled for LED's.

Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 09

Attachments

Images (13)
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 01
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 02
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 03
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 04
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 05
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 06
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 01
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 03
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 07
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 08
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 4-6-4 09
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 04
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha 3-car set passenger 04A
Last edited by samparfitt

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