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

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Sam,
Isn't this the Hamilton station, not Middletown, at the beginning of the post?

PAM

@samparfitt posted:

Checking out the 12" to the foot 'layouts'.

Hamilton, Ohio.

Happened to come across an article from 2019 saying CSX wanted to tear down the Middletown, Ohio passenger station and Middletown wanted to save it.  Figure I'd better get some pictures as I thought, with the pandemic and municipalities being short of 'funds', any move was not going to happen.

While Joe and I was there, CSX and a moving company was checking out the building.

Hamilton, Ohio 2020 30

New Delivery.

NYC 4-8-4 Niagara.

The engine was made by Tenshodo in 1984.  It has some unique features which will be mentioned later.  Supposedly, only 62 were imported into the 'states'.

The usual silver box that Tenshodo used.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 01

Tender underside.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 02

One unique feature; this is the only engine that I have that has sprung journals as most wheel sets are just put into a hole drilled in the side of the truck.  This is, usually, only found on the drivers.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 03

Engine's bottom side.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 04

Has metal brake rigging versus the, usual, plastic.  I prefer plastic as, if the brake rigging touches the wheels, it will short out the engine but no problem with this 'setup'.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 05

Around 1974 Tenshodo started labeling their engines, usually, around the bottom of the cab.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 06

Here's another unique feature.  Tenshodo started using what they called TPE equalization suspension system.  Instead of the usual springs on each journal, this system makes all drivers interconnected with each other as the prototype.  There is a triangular piece of metal between each set of driver journals that rotates in the center.  Thus, when one driver moves vertically, it affects the other driver allowing all drivers to make contact with the rail at all times.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 07

The split draw bar that Tenshodo started using around 1974 that makes easy connection between engine and tender.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 08

One more unique feature.  Normally, a long screw and spring are used to secure the lead/trailing trucks to the engine's frame.  This bar is part of the TPE system so the lead/trailing trucks are part of it.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 09

Instead of a spring, a cone shape piece of plastic fits on the U shaped bar in the previous picture allowing free movement of the trucks.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 10

A very high efficient motor that is directly connected to the gear box and not connected to the engine's frame.  Motors are, usually, connected to the frame.  I'm sure this is needed to allow the TPE to work as intended.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 11

I had to remove the boiler as the lead weight was loose and the screw needed to be tightened.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 12

Here's an example of the TPE system working.  One driver is raised but all the other drivers still has contact with the rail.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 13

Tenshodo's yellow foam liners would seriously degrade over time and has ruined many an engine due to contact with the factory painted paint.  I cut a new insert for the box.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 14

All better.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 15

Very nicely detailed parts.  The number plate is exceptional. The headlight is 'lighted'.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 16

The 'elephant ears' are screwed to the running board.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 17

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 18

Only engine I have that has 'plumbing' going to the trailing truck.   A spring painted black is used as a hose to connect 'water connections'.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 19

Cab detail

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 20

Tender detail.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 21

There are foam particles on the engine but they are like dust particles; not attached so I need to get my 'air tank' and blow it off.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 22

Doesn't come with a coal load.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 23

This was a big engine and NYC had a lot of restricted areas ie tunnels so 'stuff' had to be 'compact' such as the smoke stack being short.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 24

Also, the 'pop valves' are recessed.  Lagging stays along the top of the boiler.

NYC Niagara Tenshodo 25

Right side.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Thanks, Mark.

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

New delivery.

DM&IR 2-8-8-4 M-3 Yellowstone.  I reserved this engine last July, 2020.  It was made by MTH.  MTH is closing their 'shop' but Scaletrains is taking over the HO and S gauge line.  I reserved it because, not only does it smoke, but the whistle also smokes.  Also, the price is quite reasonable for an articulated.

Looks like MTH is emulating BLI with the long boxes and having the engine and tender pre-attached.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 01

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The usual secure packaging.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 03

The 'belly'.  While upside down, all needed points were oiled.

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Tender 'belly'.

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To allow the engine to negotiate sharp curves, there is a lot of side play in the tender wheels as I've pushed one wheel set  to the left and another wheel set to the right.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 07

Same with the drivers.

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Tender water hatch removable.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 09

Accessories.  The fine funnel is for the steam whistle hole which is very small and has it's own, separate, smoke unit.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 10

Programming track.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 11

Decoderpro via SPROG.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 12

New address and data loaded on the 'roster' as well as in the engine.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 13

Function check on the programming track.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 14

Nicely detailed. Working headlight, number boards and marker lights.  I thought the 'previews' said the engine was all cast metal but it doesn't feel like it: will have to check this out, later.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 15

MMM; just noticed that I missed removing some padding!

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Cab detail with crew.

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I like MTH's  no wire setup on the drawbar.  Would have been nice to have an enclosed vestibule between the engine and tender.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 19

Smoking whistle.

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There is a very small hole on the boiler for the whistle smoke.  I must of put too much fluid in this hole as the whistle didn't smoke.  Will have to wait for it to dissipate.

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Working headlight, number boards and marker lights.  Nice that they add nomenclature on the back of the tender.

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Real coal load.

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Lagging clamps were not added.

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Smokes well (versus good).

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Videos later after Youtube finishes uploading them.

Road trip to test the engine.

Tye.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Glacier.

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Basin tunnel.

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Wilmar.

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Waverly.

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Upper staging/return loop.

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Wilmar.

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Glacier.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Tye.

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Snokomish.

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I've got 3 DM&IR Yellowstones.  Right to left: MTH, Westside and Tenshodo.

GNRW leased DM&IR Yellowstones during the winter when DM&IR couldn't haul ore.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 44

Detail on all 3 is very nice.

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I believe DM&IR used grey and not a grey/green color.

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The Westside model has a functioning vestibule.

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Most detail the same on all 3 engines.  The Tenshodo has see through running boards and lagging clamps.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 49

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See following post for picture of steaming whistle picture.

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 51

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Last edited by samparfitt

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone by MTH.

Videos showing the steam coming from the whistle

Leaving Hillyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6vsll_D44s

At Skykomish:

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

At Tye:

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

Glacier:

DM&IR M-3 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 2021 54

Finally, got around to running all the passenger trains that ran from the last 'OPS' to the upper loop and back to get all the cars in the correct order.

PRR centipedes.

Skykomish.

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Havre.

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Basin tunnel.

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Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Used a PRR GG1 instead of the B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 to reverse the B&O passenger cars: must faster.

Tye.

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Havre.

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Tumwater canyon trestle.

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Last was the N&W J 4-8-4.

Chumstick canyon trestle.

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A few buildings added.

A railroader gave me a couple buildings.

I, literally, have no room for more buildings but made a triangular space in the upper staging, return loops area.

Nothing fancy in the staging area but I figure a few buildings, etc. makes running trains through that area a little more enjoyable.

I cut and screwed a couple support pieces of wood along the outside edge.

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A cardboard template made.

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Used some leftover homosote for a base.  Had to glue/screw a piece of plywood between two pieces.

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One oil refinery.

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

Tender booster truck.

Patience is a 'virtue' (my daughter says I have no 'patience'!).  These are extremely rare.  Made back around 1967 for the DM&IR 0-10-2 by PFM.  Very few were made.

I put a 'notify' on Ebay for when one would be for sale.  I had to wait 9 months.  Unfortunately, I didn't get it for what it say on the outside of the box!  Don't ask how much I had to pay!   $2.95 doesn't sound like much but that's about $24 today; back then one could buy an Athearn car for about a buck 50.

I had to enlarge the screw hole but it was already painted.  I believe they were made by Tenshodo.

Left in picture is the truck that came with the engine.

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DM&IR 0-10-2 engine

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Not powered but the side rods rotate as the engine moves.  Doesn't take much to make me happy. 

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Last edited by samparfitt

Franklin, Indiana train show.   

YEAH: first train show in over a year

108 miles from home.

Wow, great to get to a train show after sooooo long!  It was at the county fairgrounds.  All the buildings were recently constructed.  There were 4 buildings for trains; aaaahhh!  Never been to this train show (not sure why).  We had a great time.  All the big doors were open so it felt like we were outside.   Very nice day at 71 degrees.

Joe and I went but we met a few other railroaders from the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Franklin, Indiana 2021 01

Lots of passenger and freight station pictures.

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Didn't know there was a T scale; that stuff is really small.  To the right was Z and the N to the left look 'huge'!

Franklin, Indiana 2021 03

Military theme layout.

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Fellow railroader Bob was there.

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Lots of buildings for sale.  Overall stuff was very reasonably priced.  Guess people wanted to sell stuff after a year!

Franklin, Indiana 2021 06

N scale.

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Another building.

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John and Joe.

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Another building.

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Two separate layouts connected in the center.  The owner has covers for them when in 'transport'.

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Dave from Middletown: 2 rail O gauger.  Building a layout: so far, two mainlines done.

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Last building.

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Live steam layout.

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HO gauge.

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Two tables of bridges for sale.

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Building kits.  Very nice.

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Didn't know MRC built such a large 'transformer'; even has 'inertia'.  Probably cost a 'few bucks' when it was made.

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Very nice eating area on the fairgrounds.

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A very large N scale layout.

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2 rail O gauge layout.

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Some 'wall' decorations.

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More nice building kits.

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Another large N scale layout.

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Didn't know they made such one of a kind 'motive power' for just one railroad in N gauge.

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Another engine that, I believe, only UP had in N gauge.

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One more N gauge layout.

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Some 3 rail.  The owner is GN and belongs to the Great Northern Historical Society

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Looks like John Allan's 'time saver'.

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Another N gauge layout.

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Booty:

I went mainly to 'get out of the house' and socialize but I did manage to buy a few things.

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I'm a sucker for the old Athearn and Varney all metal freight cars to I bought more....just what I need!

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Some 'sugar cube' speakers.  Good price at 15 bucks for two of them including the 'sound boxes;.

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I already have 7 logging engines but I couldn't pass up buying this engine for sale.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 01

This thing is beautiful.  Made in 1984 by Key.  I have several of Key's engines from the 80's and they reached their 'pinnacle' during that 'time period' as I have engines with functional sand hatches, turret hatches, smoke box doors, cab doors and tender water hatches; truly amazing work.

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'Tons' of detail.

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Really nice cab detail.

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I couldn't believe how quiet the engine runs.  Has a can motor and can't even hear it 'go down the track'.  My other logging engines sound like 'meat grinders'.   I'll post a video of it running when Youtube is 'done'.

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Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 09

Americana.

A beautiful town hall in Franklin.

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The kind of small town anyone wouldn't mind 'living in'.

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Nice railroad station.

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Nicely kept houses.

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And some were really large.  Could put a really big layout in there!

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Also, some unusual houses with flat roofs.  Not normally seen in 'snow country'!

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Next door to the flat roof house.

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Can't pass up a picture of nice old barns!

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Don't think I've ever seen a house with an octagon on top!  Counting it, it looks like it may be a pentagon or just 4 sided.

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Came up to a big railroad crossing with lights plus gates: must be a major mainline track........

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...NOPE,  weed covered!



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Went into one building figuring it was more trains....wrong.  A dog show.  All collies.   Had to get pictures since my daughter has a dog grooming business.

Didn't know they had unusual colored ones.

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Long haired.

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and short haired.

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Black ones.

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And, yes, even 'regular' ones!

Again, that's the most fun I've had in a year; well, not counting 'playing with my trains'!

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Mark, I'm sure Franklin's rating as a 'great place to live' is very high.   

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GNRW operating session.

Started out with really good pizza: 'meat lovers delight' with about a 1/4" of cheese!

GNRW May 15, 2021 01

Alan wanted to run the new MTH DM&IR 2-8-8-4 yellowstone freight drag by MTH mainly because of the smoking whistle.

At Skykomish about to enter the Cascade tunnel.

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Bob's N&W J passenger train.

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DM&IR M-3 yellowstone at Tye.

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Dave's B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 passenger train departing the passenger yard terminal.

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N&W J at Hillyard.

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DM&IR M-3 departing Waverly.

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Dave's B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 passenger train at Marias pass.

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B&O EM-1 passenger train at Wilmar and DM&IR M-3 at Marias pass.

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Steve operating the St. Paul freight yard.

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Bob's N&W J passenger train at Wilmar.

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Alan doing some 'yard work' at Seattle.

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Joe using 'sticky notes' to know which named trains are 'where'.

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N&W J at Marias pass.  Alan 'switching' the Seattle yard.

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N&W J taking on water at the functioning water tower.

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N&W J at Skykomish.

GNRW May 15, 2021 16

Dave's B&O EM-1 passenger train at Chumstick canyon trestle.

GNRW May 15, 2021 17

St. Paul's freight yard.

GNRW May 15, 2021 18

Steve brought his RS-1 (I think) and it shuffled 54 cars at once; not bad.

GNRW May 15, 2021 19

New N&W Y6B by BLI.  MTH and BLI are good 'smokers'.

GNRW May 15, 2021 20

Post ops having an orange creamcicle and discussing the 'usual' stuff!

GNRW May 15, 2021 21

I got my 25 ton 3 truck shay next to the new 150 ton 3 truck shay.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 10

MMM; could pass as On30 gauge!

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 11

Can't get over how detailed this engine is.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 12

All those crome valves move.  Piping running to all the pumps, etc.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 13

Even has detail in the interior of the engine.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 14

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  • Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 10
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Last edited by samparfitt

Fellow railroader brought his engine to check it after his decoder install.

PRR K-4 4-6-2 by Sunset.

Things to fix;

1) solder tender ground wire.

2) Insulated back tender truck from touching tender steps and shorting.

3) reverse motor wires

4) Raise valve gear support bracket due to insulated driver side tire touching the bracket causing intermittent shorts.

5) Adjust brass brake shoes from shorting on the insulated driver side.

6) re-solder tender front steps, engine back frame support and front two steps on the boiler.

7) put insulation washer on draw bar due to shorting on engine side.

8) updated address, etc on decoderpro via SPROG.



PRR K-4 01

My new 150 ton shay overwhelms my other logging engines.

Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 15

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Images (2)
  • PRR K-4 01
  • Shay, 3 truck, 150 tons, Greenbrier Cheat & Elk Key 15
Last edited by samparfitt

Live steam visit.   

Miles: 40

Joe and I visited the Cinder Sniffers live steam railroad.  I believe they said they started in 1965.

They have 4 gauges.

Videos will be posted, later, when Youtube 'finishes'.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 01

Cinder Sniffers 2021 02

Raised turntable.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 03

Unloading/loading dock.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 04

Cinder Sniffers 2021 05

Lead to turntable.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 06

Hudson.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 07

Cinder Sniffers 2021 08

All electric (dead rail in HO!)

Cinder Sniffers 2021 09

Cinder Sniffers 2021 10

Most steam engines are 'coal' driven but this one is 'propane' driven.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 11

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Cinder Sniffers 2021 15

Steam powered turbine.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 16

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Very nicely detailed boxcar.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 18

Powered fan on smokebox to create initial draft for the fire box.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 19

Hand shovel that coal.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 20

The spouses served a really nice lunch with lots of homecooked stuff

Cinder Sniffers 2021 21

A northern  4-8-4.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 22

Bill (sitting on the right) invited us.  Presently, attendance only by invitation.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 23

Cinder Sniffers 2021 24

Hudson.

Cinder Sniffers 2021 25

Two very nicely made engines.

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Yellow poles placed opposite ends of each turnout to 'remotely' throw them.

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Lubricator.

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 challenger.

Imported by Sunset in 2013.  Sunset has been importing engines since the 70's.  Now most of their brass is O 2-rail and 3-rail.  The engine is factory painted with QSI sound.  This is my first engine with QSI sound.  I wasn't expecting to 'win' this engine as my 'hi bid' was less than half of the 'present suggested price'.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 01

The manual states where one can down load the DCC commands.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 02

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 03

Double speakers.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 04

Unusual to see the front trucks on a centipede tender to be 'electrified' via wires.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 05

Nice brake detail.  The tender had a coupler but, by the looks of the drivers, this engine may have been test run, at the most.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 06

Functioning vestibule.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 07

Well detailed cab.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 08

Took a minute or two to connect the tender wire harness to the engine.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 09

QSI had a lot of options under decoderpro via SPROG.  I kept opening folders until I found 'Sunset NP Z-8'.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 10

Inputted address and other data successfully as the engine did the usual 'jerking' as the decoder accepted the new data.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 11

Used the 'throttle' to insure all's 'good'.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 12

Nicely detailed engine with a warm yellow headlight.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 13

Very nice factory paint job with a matt finish, which I like.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 14

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 15

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 16

Surprised the trailing trucks are sprung.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 17

I'll have to drill a new hole in the draw bar to get the functioning vestibule cab to contact the back of the engine.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 18

Impressive: sprung tender trucks, front truck plus the pedestal section.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 19

Tender also has a warm yellow headlight.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 20

Functioning water hatches.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 21

Boiler cover 'stays'.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 22

All hand painted brass poppets and whistle and red handles.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 23

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 24

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 25

Engineer's side.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 26

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 27

Comparison to a KEY Z-8 that I painted up for SP&S.  NP and GN 50/50 owners of SP&S plus president Hill owned stock in the NP.  Key on the far side.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 28

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 29

Even has a detailed builders plate.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 30

Glass in the windows.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 31

I've got several Sunset engines.

GN O-8 mike that I painted and installed a decoder and all the LED's.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 32

Ditto on this T&P 2-10-4 that I did last year.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 33

The SP AC-9 also painted, etc.  Those flexible connecting pipes, I added.

NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 34

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  • NP Z-8 4-8-8-4 Sunset 2013 01
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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

SP AC-12 4-8-8-2.  Made by Tenshodo in 1976.  Tenshodo only made two runs; 1974 and 1976.  They came factory painted.



SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 01

The box has the new foam in it as the old foam would deteriorate and damage the paint.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 02

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 03

Tenshodo started using number plates around 1974 indicating year and numbered engine of total number made.

Another engine that was, at most, just test run.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 04

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 05

The circuit board draw bar was broken so I replaced it with a 'scissor's draw bar.  I had to use a collared washer plus another washer to insulated the metal drawbar from the engine.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 06

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 07

Tenshodo was 'ahead of their time' when they made engines in the 70's by providing excellent detail.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 08

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 09

Hex heads to secure the side rods which was new for the 'industry'.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 10

Sprung trucks.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 11

No light in tender but easy to add one.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 12

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SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 14

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 15

Removable cab; another 'first'.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 16

Engineer's side.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 17

I'm a 'sucker' for cab forwards.

AC-4 by Key that I painted and another AC-12 by Tenshodo.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 18

AC-6 and AC-7; both by Key. All the Key have removable cabs, also, which were made in the 80's.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 19

AC-5 by Key and pulls an 18 car SP passenger set.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 20

AC-9 by Sunset.  Only engine not a 'cab forward' in the AC class.  They ran in the south where there were no snow sheds.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 21

GS-4 by Westside.

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 22

AC-1 2-8-8-2 by Westside with removable cab.  Painted and installed a decoder and LED's but has some 'bugs' so it's sitting in the 'wait to be be completed' pile!

SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 23

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  • SP AC-12 Tenshodo 1976 #4278 01
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New delivery.

GN C-1 0-8-0.

Tenshodo produced this model in several runs.  This one was made in 1968.  It was factory painted which was another first for brass engines as most were 'clear coated' in that era.  This was purchased as a 'back up'  as the yard switchers get the most used.

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 01

The foam was replaced with non degrading foam from reboxx (which is no longer in business).

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 08

The engine has light running and a sound cam was added by a previous owner.

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 02

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 03

Previous owner installed a headlight.

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 04

and a fire box glow.   Very nicely detailed engine for 1968 which was 53 years ago!

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 05

The bell lanyard was painted.

GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 06

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  • GN C-1 0-8-0 #828 5th engine 01
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Last edited by samparfitt

A good day: trains and planes!

This morning doing trains and scheduled flying this afternoon

Ric's East Broad Top narrow gauge railroad.  One of the around 65 layouts located in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Started in 1993, Ric has 'dividing walls' so none of the layout can be seen at once.  The mainline is very long so trains take awhile to reach their destination, especially since narrow gauge trains run at a prototypical speed of 15-20 SMPH.

EBT 2021 01

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I ran this 'local' and it took about 3 hours with 'switching moves'.  I was impressed by how smooth these engines ran and how reliable all the track was, both running and coupling cars.

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Lots of bridges.

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and towns/industries.

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Taking on water.

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John and I had a 'meet' at one of the passing sidings.

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Lots of excellent kit and scratch built buildings.

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Here the PRR inter changed with the EBT so lots of dual gauge track and switches.

EBT 2021 23

Had to do some car 'drop offs' and 'pick ups' at the 'brick' factory.

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This afternoon, my buddy Doug and I will be doing some formation flying with our warbirds.

WORKS 2021 May 21 07

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  • WORKS 2021 May 21 07
Last edited by samparfitt

Testing the layout before this Saturday's operating session.

Seattle yard working.

GNRR10605

Dispatcher's panel working.

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St. Paul's yard is good.

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Added some more engines with decoders in the St. Paul's roundhouse.

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Swan river logging railroad is working after cleaning track and the engine wheels.

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On the mainline saw one turnout point higher than the stock rail; turns out one of the screws securing the rail to the throw rod was loose.

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Fixed the functioning water spout on the water tower.

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The newly acquired baggage car was always, and only, derailing at one curve under Glacier.

Couldn't find any problems with the trucks so swapped them with another N&W car.

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Tested the two cars and all's good.

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Ran the full 10 car passenger train and another car derailed. 

Reached under the scenery and pulled some old paper out that may have been near the track. 

Opened the 'access' hatch and all seems to be working, now.

GNRR10614

The old paper was pretty old!

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Tested the 10 car N&W and all's good.  Had to run them up to the upper staging/return loop to get them back in proper order after they have been operated once on the layout.

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Same for the B&O cars.  I like using the Bachmann's PRR GG-1 to test the mainline: it runs fast (50-100 SMPH) so it doesn't take long to test the 1000' of mainline (from the passenger yard) plus passing sidings on the return trip.

GNRR10617

Trains ran great counter clockwise on the upper return loop/interchange but about every car derailed running clockwise.

The joint between 2 rail ends were off plus a big gap (about an 1/8").  Pliers to align them plus some glue to fill in the gap.

All seems ready for Saturday.

GNRR10618

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New delivery.

GN Z-1 electrics. Imported by Nickel Plate products in 1976.  I purchased this set of two at a very reasonable price especially since both are powered.  The 'standard' set only had one powered and Nickel plate brought in a few motorized mechanisms that was a replacement into the non-powered unit using the existing top structure so these are kind of rare with both powered.

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 01

Interesting packing: instead of the 'normal' cut out of the foam, they used blocks of individual foam to secure the two engines which would be 'cost effective' versus 'stamping' out an imprint on a solid block of foam.

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 02

The open frame motors will need to be replaced plus order some non sound TCS decoders.  The only engines I don't put sound in since they only 'hummed' at the most.

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 03

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 04

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 05

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 06

I have two other Z-1's (back set) by Oriental Limited made in 1984 and came with can motors which I have installed decoders in them.

The previous owner painted the Nickel Plate Z-1's using a darker green but it is not noticed until next to the OL Z-1's.



GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 07

This 'rounds' out the GN electric roster with 3 Y-1's and 2 W-1's.  All have decoders and LED's.

The Z-1's were classed as 1-D-1.  GN had 10 units.

The Y-1's were classed as 1-C-C-1 (green unit, left in picture).  GN had 8 units.

The W-1's were classed as B-D-D-B; yes all wheels were powered including the front and trailing trucks.  They were the largest single engine electrics made and weighed in at 720,000 lbs and 101' long.  Since all wheels were powered it probably could hall more cars that any single unit engine ever made.  The engines were very tall at 15'6" and, I've read that, initially when the engine first arrived, the crew were 'ducking' when entering a tunnel.  (Empire builder colors, right in picture). GN had 2 units.

All the electrics were used in the Cascade division to pull all trains (including the engine) through the 8 mile Cascade tunnel.

Initially, GN had some box cab electrics but those didn't last long.  GN only had about 73 miles of track that was 'electrified'.  GN was thinking about expanding the electric division but, after some research, found it too expensive.  In the 50's , when diesels arrived, a huge set of fans were put in the tunnel and 'electrics' were 'no more'.

PRR bought some of the Y-1's and were impressed by how well they were maintained.  One W-1 went to the UP for their 'one time' coal burning turbine.  The rest were scrapped.

GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 08

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Images (8)
  • GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 01
  • GN Z-1 electric Nickel Plate 02
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Last edited by samparfitt

GNRW operation session.

All worked well and the mainline, as usual, was very busy.

Also, as usual, pizza first!

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 01

Paul brought his newly painted PRR 0-6-0 to operate.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 02

PRR 0-6-0 at Marias Pass.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 03

Jerry running a GN S-2 4-8-4 passenger train bypassing the Seattle's freight yard.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 04

Joe doing the usual dispatching.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 05

Bob is running the newly acquired NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 with a freight drag at Tye.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 06

NP Z-8 departing Tye.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 07

Steve and Gary departing the passenger yard with a Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4 passenger train.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 08

Gary's GN S-2 passenger train at Tye while Steve and Gary's Milwaukee passenger train bypassing Seattle's freight yard.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 09

Gary's GN passenger train at Marias pass.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 10

GN passenger train passing the NP Z-8 freight drag in the siding at Havre.

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More meets at Havre.

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C&O H-8 2-6-6-6 freight drag at Chumstick canyon trestle.

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Bob's NP Z-8 4-6-6-4 near basin tunnel.

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PRR 0-6-0 at St. Paul's freight yard.

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Paul's 0-6-0  going to the 'escape' track.

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Milwaukee 4-8-4 passenger train at Hillyard.

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Milwaukee's passenger train at Havre.

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Milwaukee passenger train at Havre and NP Z-8 nearing Waverly.

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Milwaukee 4-8-4 at Tumwater canyon trestle.

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It wasn't me!

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 21

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

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First time the upper interchange loop had 3 trains occupying the 3 tracks.

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8' diameter loop so no problem with long trains.

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GN S-2 really 'smoking'.

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John's C&O H-8 at Basin tunnel.

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Steve getting a SF 4-8-4 out of St. Paul's roundhouse.

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Bob's UP 2-tone Challenger passenger train departing the yard.

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5 fingers always works!

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C&O H-8 'pulls' into the roundhouse.

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UP passenger train at Marias pass.

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GNRW ops session June 26 2021 32

UP 8500 turbine at Tye.

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Steve's SF freight at Glacier.

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SF northern taking water at Tye.

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UP passenger train near Waverly.

GNRW ops session June 26 2021 36

Final close eating orange creamcicles plus discussing 'train stuff'.

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Last edited by samparfitt

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