Great Northern railway

GNRW ops session.

With Christmas a 'week away' I figured it would be a 'light' attendance as only 2 'showed up' but all I need is one other railroader to have a 'good time'!

Besides there was more pizza for each of us!

videos:

Erie 0-8-8-0 camel back departing Seattle's freight yard:

The engine's first 'road test'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJb_NB1nokQ

PRR K-4 streamline 4-6-3 passenger train departing Seattle.

I was surprised this small pacific could handle a 14 passenger car train especially since 8 of the cars are 'brass'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGWpBEGDNf8

UP 8500 turbine freight drag departing Tumwater canyon trestle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7GtwRBvyec

PRR K-4 passenger train departing Tumwater canyon trestle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2rCGNNPjI8

DJ brought one of his diesels.

Ben brought his C&NW cars to run with my new C&NW E-4 4-6-4 but the engine was too 'light'.  Will need to add some 'canopy' glue to the drivers.

Skykomish.

GN W-1 electric at Waverly.

Seattle.

Willmar.

UP 4-8-8-4 big boy Tenshodo model made in 1961 final assembly plus comparisons to present big boy's.

Video:

Yard test.  Runs remarkably well and quiet for a 61 year old engine (like 'dog' years, for a model engine that's ancient!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ugav4bgYcg

The front piston steam pipes are screwed to the piston cylinders.

I cleaned up all the 'fuzzy' dirt.

Some foam to keep the trailing truck from 'flopping around' and scratching the paint.

A huge lead weight in this engine.

The Tenshodo 1981 model is quit a bit lighter; like over a pound!

This paint matched exactly the paint on the engine with a matte finish.

Fortunately, all the 'chips' were on pipes, etc. that are easy to 'touch up'.

Assembled.

HMMMM: I reduced the pictures size from around 5 to 3, figuring it would not need as much light and give a better picture but it seems to have the 'opposite' affect as a lot of the pictures are blurry.

I never claimed to be a photographer!

Fireman's side.

Tenshodo instead of a builder's plate.

Nicely detailed for a 61 year old engine!

From what I have read, Tenshodo were jewelers so they were true craftsman.

Also, this engine came factory painted which was just about 'unheard of' at that 'time'.

Another 'Tenshodo' plate on the tender.

This appears to be a 'paint stamp'.

Top views.

Those 'smudges' are oils from my hands!

Engineer's side.

Had to 'straighten' the 'ash pan' wheels.

Comparison to the 1981 Tenshodo model on the right.

Some 'extra' smoke stack detail on the 1981 model.

Perforated walk boards on the 1981 model.

Very similar. Tenshodo must of used the same 'dies' for all those decades!

1981 has cab detail.

Wood grain on the 1981 model.

Also, it appears the 1961 model has the water hatch on 'back wards'!

1981 has 'boiler jacket stays' plus cab roof rivet detail.

=======

The other two are (from top to 2nd in) are by BLI and Key (1981).

The BLI engine is all cast metal with lighted number boards, marker lights, etc plus a smoking whistle.

Engines seem to 'propagate' somehow!

The last is a 1984 model by Key with all the 'bells and whistles': ie functioning sand hatches and turret hatches.

Apart as installing a decoder.  The tape is needed so the hatches on chains don't 'move around' and scratch the paint.

Functioning smoke box door with interior.

Perforated walk boards.

Looks like the three of you had a nice time with the layout!  I always like seeing your comparisons of different manufacturers models of the same prototype.

Train station move in Hamilton, Ohio.

Joe and I went to the location the day before the move.

There are 2 buildings and they are only moving the smaller one tomorrow.

'They' said at 9 AM.

Large 'L' brackets on all corners connected by steel cables.

The walls have support wood under the entire length of the walls.

1" thick plywood to support the window openings.

Surprised they were throwing out a lot of this nice 1" thick 'ply' in the 'dumpster'.  4' squares and larger.

The small 'connecting' building between the two buildings was 'torn down'.

Original 'center building' that I took last summer.

Interior of the larger building.

They said it would take a couple weeks to 'prep' this building for the 'move'.

Some sophisticated 'hydraulics'!

There's a couple 'side streets' that 'dead end' onto the main street that we can 'park on' tomorrow morning.

The 2-story building is the one that will be on the move tomorrow.

The Journal-News has an article with details & viewing information for everyone  >>   Here's how to watch the move of the Hamilton train station

Train station move in Hamilton, Ohio.

Joe 'time lapsed' the move.

A train passed with some unusual freight cars.

Moved, probably, about a 1/4 MPH.

Remote control operator of all wheels that rotate independently plus 'hydraulics'  keeps it level.

On the road.

Lots of spectators.

Only about 1000' on the pavement.

About a 1/4" thick steel plates laid on all dirt areas.

Departing from the street to the new lot.

The 'final resting place'.

The foundation of cement already 'in place'.

They stopped moving the building so we left.

Only about 2 hours 'total time'.

Joe's 'time lapse' video of the station move:

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

Pictures from a 'parking garage' roof:

Great photographs!  Please tell Joe I liked his time lapsed video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1nw3atAK8E

That certainly is some nice scenery!  Seeing the end of the guy renaming an Angie in his remote, The video looks like a collection of topics

New delivery and some PM.

Western Maryland 2-8-0 imported by Broadway Limited in 2022.

Always liked the big 'fire ball' on the tender so I acquired this engine from BLI.

There aren't very many brass engines made for WM plus there are no decals for steam engines so my choices were 'limited'.

From what I've read, this engine is a PRR 2-8-0 painted as WM as the head light should be in the center of the smoke box front plus I don't thing WM had marker lights on the pilot.  The engine was, also, marked 40% off list so I'll take what 'I can get'!

video:

Nice that BLI has the squealing brakes plus the 'keep alive' like my TCS decoders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Bql860nCo

The 'smoke box' front and 'head light' came detached but was an easy fix as everything is 'friction' fit.

The boiler and tender are suppose to be 'cast metal' but the 'smoke box' and head light appeared to be plastic.

Bottom views.

Traction tires.

The engine and tender doesn't 'feel' that  'heavy' for 'cast metal'!

'ON/OFF' switch for the 'smoke'.

A 'tradition' 'draw bar' but 'reversed' where the 'draw bar' pin is on the engine.

2 speakers.

Engineer's side view.

Lighted 'marker lights' and the side 'number boards' on the 'head light' are, also, lighted.

The usual good paint finish.

Deck plate plus cab detail and crew with light.

Cool that the marker lights are functional.

Fireman's side view.

Functioning tender light.

Legible builder's plate.

Appears to be 'real' brass bell, 'pop valves' and whistle.

Functioning cab hatch.

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

Erie L-1 0-8-8-0 camel back engine PM (imported by Custom Brass models in 1984).

Last Saturday, the engine stopped 'moving'.  Found the hex pins on the front set of drivers are binding on the side rods.

Had to 'look' through my 'stash' of screws to find some that didn't recess into the side rods.

Will need to assemble and 'road test'.

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

CP 4-6-4 Royal Hudson PM (imported by Tenshodo in 1971).

Last Saturday the engine started to 'short'.

Found the tender truck to be the problem.

These 3 axle trucks are functional in that the sides are not one solid side piece but 2 pieces as the 'prototype'.

Had to add a Kadee 'insulated' washer to one of the wheel sets to keep the wheel from contacting the truck sides.

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

C&NW E-4 4-6-4 imported by Nickel Plate products in 1975.

The engine was so 'light' that it could barely pull a few passenger cars.

Added some 'canopy' glue to the drivers 'insulated' side.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Great photographs!  Please tell Joe I liked his time lapsed video!

Will do.

'Train running'.

Needed a 'break' from installing decoders!

MMMM: I modified my camera's parameters and a lot of the pictures look like those movies from the 40's and 50's with the bright colors.  I saw an 'option' where I can 'reset' the camera back to 'original' settings.  The camera, now, defaults to 'flash on' so I have to remember to change this option every time I 'open' the camera.

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

I needed to 'turn around' a passenger set of cars so I used 3 engines to accomplish it.

PRR K-4 4-6-2 streamlined engine imported by BLI in 2020.

Departing the passenger yard.

Seattle's main 'yard throat'.

Camera was on 'flash' for this picture.

Skykomish.

Chumstick canyon trestle.

St. Paul's freight yard.

I need to 'plant' these conifers!

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

Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 imported by BLI in 2022.

First road test.

video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUGJOv_Ej00

Upper return loop staging/interchange tracks.

Willmar.

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

SF 4-6-4 Blue Goose imported by BLI in 2022.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsF4PErqIpc

Glacier.

Whitefish.

Tye.

Skykomish.

Back to the passenger yard.

New delivery.

For the new engine.

@samparfitt I know I don't comment on every post Sam, but I really do enjoy your posts! Merry Christmas!!

Thanks, Bill.

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

That’s a really nice picture, Sam!  Merry Christmas!

Thanks, Mark.

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

STUFF.

2 engines and 2 'cabeese'.

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

C&NW E-4 4-6-4 PM.

Video:

Marias pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-ON6VJQG8E

This engine wasn't 'pulling' very well so I added some canopy glue to the back drivers plus all the insulated drivers.

I was getting poor electrical contact so I had to remove the canopy glue from the back 'pick up' driver.

Found out that I was able to move the 'connecting' wires from an area over the drivers in the boiler to the back of the boiler so I could add some lead weight to the boiler over the drivers.

The original weight was in the boiler but had a space above it so I used one weight that slid above the original weight plus added some more weight using a screw to secure the two weights.

Drilled and tapped.

Some Kapton tape so secure the weight to the boiler.

I, usually, glue or screw weights to the boiler but thought this would be sufficient.

Found there was space for one more piece of lead weight.

Had to use my band saw to cut this weight to the proper length.

'tons of room' for the drivers.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Road tested.

Only 'road tested' with 9 hoppers.

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

Erie L-1 0-8-8-0 camel back articulated.

Videos;  'road tests'

Waverly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMIL1jnUJ94

Willmar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0ou90IweKI

Departing Tumwater canyon trestle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JRs9i9JzM

Marias Pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkx8b4y1N-w

Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkD7qaphkPY

The front drivers were, periodically, binding.

Found the front hex pins were deformed and 'catching' on the side rods.

I add some longer hex pins to the front drivers.

There was no weight in the engine so I added some above the back drivers....

and, also, the front drivers.

More canopy blue on all the insulated side drivers plus the back set of each set of drivers.

'Road test' without the 'valve gear' so save me 'time' for 'adjustments'.

All seems 'good' so I added the 'valve gear'.

Engines ready for 'hauling revenue'!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

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

'Cabeese' PM.

C&NW caboose needed some 'resistors' so the 'signaling system' can detect the end of the train.

Quick and easy 'wrap around' of the resistor's wires around the axles after turning one of them 'around' for polarity.

==========

SP caboose PM.

A few months ago I acquired this caboose at a train show.

It was highly detailed and only 15 bucks so I bought it.

Previously, I was going to add resistors to the truck wheels but they have 'rotating end bearings' and could not be rotated.

I thought that, maybe, I could route some resistors between each truck 'internally'.

I was surprised to find a decoder inside!

The caboose came with no box and I found no name on it but I'm guessing it is one of those new Athearn 'cabeese' with all the fancy LED's and interior.

I put the caboose on the track and 'dialed up' address 03 on the throttle and, sure enough, it came 'to life' with a red led on each end plus interior lights.

This caboose is highly detailed.

See through walk ways and steps.

A 'paint job' that I would have difficulty duplicating with the white window trim!

'Rotating' bearings.

GTW U-4B 4-8-4 final assembly.

I thought this engine had a 'short' as I couldn't upload any data into the decoder.

I found out that the tender wheels are not making good contact with the truck's side frames.

The wheels were pre-blackened at the factory so I'll have to remove the wheel sets and clean all the ends of the wheel axles.

Used an old weight for the front of the boiler which was the 'perfect size'.

The front weight cannot extend into the open area as the motor and gear box is in the center of the boiler.

There was room at the back of the boiler for some extra weight; 2 rectangular pieces and then some 'plate' type weights over the wires.

The 'ash pan' covers up the weights.

The trailing truck had to have the screw secured from the other side of the driver retaining plate to insure the truck was parallel to the 'rails'.

After assembly the drivers were binding.

Had to detach the gear box to find the problem.

The 'piston cylinder chest' (PCC) is secured in two elliptical holes but the center hole for securing the frame to the boiler was not aligned so I moved the PCC back to align the two holes but, now, the 'piston rod' was hitting the front of the PCC.

I moved the PCC forward and then filed out the hole so they were aligned with each other.

The original screw was badly damaged on the 'head' so I had to use a Dremel 'cut off disk' to remove it.  I used some of my black matte paint to touch up that area.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Front view.

Lots of work applying all those stripe decals.

Fireman's side view.

Decoder wires had to be routed through the 'coal bin'.

Will make a removable foam 'coal load'.

Engineer's side view if a duplicate of the fireman's side.

Next, the tender wheels need to be cleaned.

Strange results on the the programming track using the 'throttle' screen.

The 'throttle' screen worked until about 6 months ago.

I thought I'd try it again and it's working again (go figure!).

It's nice testing via the 'throttle' screen as voltage is low so not likely to 'smoke' the decoder if 'wiring' is incorrect.

GTW U-4B 4-8-4 final adjustments.

videos: 'road test'

departing Tumwater canyon trestle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJzGCc1m5xo

Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olnOi3XpON0

Cut a piece of dark soft foam so it's removable for access to the decoder's wire connector.

I must of shorted one of the tender LED's when I inserted the foam 'coal load' and I had to replace both of them.

A 'brite boy' was used to clean the electrical side (right side in picture) of the tender wheels.

The factory put a 'heavy' amount of 'blackening' agent on all the wheels.

That cured the tender electrical problem.

Some canopy glue on the 'insulated side' drivers.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

MAN: I just noticed that the number boards are hollow so I could put LED's behind them and some clear plastic on the 'outside' (pictures always show 'defects'!).

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

C&NW E-4 4-6-4:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

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

A fireman for the Erie 0-8-8-0 camel back.  Had to make a shovel out of brass as the 'original' was missing.

Next, I plan on 'finishing up' the Virginian electrics.

Nicely done Sam

Thanks Den.

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

Virginian EL-2B electrics.

Video: yard test:

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

I was assembling this engine last month but needed another TCS KAM-4 decoder.

These decoders have no sound.  Electrics only make a 'humming' sound so I see no need to install a sound decoder plus I know of no one that makes a decoder for 'electric' motive power.

One engine had the decoder installed.

The decoder conveniently fits under the universal shaft.

Both engines programmed into the 'roster' (A and B unit).

Nice that the 'throttle' screen is 'working'.

Initial test of the motors to insure correct 'wire orientation'.

Connector from 'drive unit' to the 'super structure'.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Assembled.

These were the largest 2-unit coupled set of electrics made.

To the left is the GN W-1 electric which was the largest single unit electric made at about 101'; even the leading and trailing trucks were powered.

Each engine has 16 powered wheels (8 axles) so a total of 32 (16 axles) powered wheels.

Lights, also, added under each ladder.

Unusual 'name plate' as one side had 'VIRGINIAN' and the other has 'VGN'.

The 'box' had a 'draw bar' to connect the 2 units but I opted for 'Kadees' as it'll be easier to 'handle them'.

The  prototype had the engines permanently coupled so I'm guessing there was not a 'front and rear' plus it was unlikely that they would 'fit' on a turntable.

'Windows' were added.

Top views.

Surprised at how heavy they are so I didn't added any additional weight.

All the 'main' gears were cracked and I had to replace them.

The truck gears were good but I bought some brass gears 'just in case'!

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

Next will, probably, be the 1999 last Tenshodo engine imported; UP 4-6-6-4 challenger.

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

I added a fireman (a Weston figure) to the Erie L-1 0-8-8-0 camelback.

Some canopy glue used to 'secure' him!

Some black soft foam for the 'coal load'.

UP 4-6-6-4 2-tone grey challenger and CNJ 4-6-4T.

UP 4-6-6-4 imported by Tenshodo in 1999;  decoder install (TCS 1517).

Made the 8-pin connector between the tender and engine plus 2 head lights and red marker lights for the tender.

Used an old PFM speaker. 

Some foam along the top of the tender.  The 8-pin connector protrudes out a rectangular hole under the deck plate.

4 of the wires connected to the back engine and motor.

The other 4 wires go to the boiler.

Soldered the wires on the 'other side' of the 8-pin connector.

Programming track.

New data loaded into the decoder and 'saved'.

Next: route all the boiler LED wires and connect them to the remaining 4 wires.

This engine has 2 motors so will have to 'diagnose' routing wires to it and still be able to remove the 'unit' from the boiler using another wire connector.

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

CNJ 4-6-4T imported by PFM (United) in 1969.

Installed the 0402 LED's in this engine.

For such a small engine (being a 'tank' engine) it'll be lighted like a Christmas tree.

Besides headlight, 2 green marker lights, plus....

Head light and 2 red marker lights on the 'tank' and 2 LED's for the 'running board' ligthts'

UP 2-tone grey 4-6-6-4 challenger;  Tenshodo 1999 release final assembly and CNJ 4-6-4T assembly.

UP 2-tone grey challenger final assembly.

video: 'yard test'.  The engine sound 'cuts off' for a few seconds: must need to clean the wheels!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSZyV0b8ZsE

Wire routed for the head light with 2-pin connector.

Testing.

Another set of motor wires (orange/grey) from the back motor to the front motor.

2-pin connector for the front motor.

2-pin connector for the rear motor.

Heat shrink tubing to protect the wires.

Multiple pieces of 'heat shrink' tubing to the front motor for 'flexibility'.

4-pin connector from frame to boiler. The green pin not used as I didn't install LED's in the marker lights as I didn't want to drill holes into the front 'smoke box' cover.

Had to caulk one piece of lead weight that 'fell out' during disassembly.

Reinserted another piece of lead weight in front of the 'back head'.

Unusual place for lead from the 'builder'.

All wires taped to the top of the boiler.

I used multiple pieces of 'heat shrink' tubing to route the 'running board' lights to the top of the boiler.

While testing the decoder I noticed sparks and smoke coming from one of my 8 pin connectors.

I 'lucked out' as I thought, for sure, it would 'smoke' the decoder but nada.

I had just connected the front engine for testing when the 'smoke' occurred so I figured I hosed 'something up'!

After diagnostics, I found that the 8-pin connector was defective as 2 pins were touching each other.

I used my voltmeter to check all the wires and found that the grey and black wires (2 pins next to each other) had internal defects.

I was going to unsolder all the wires but the 'light bulb came on': hey stupid, just cut off the old pin connector and install a new one!

Retested on the programming track and all's 'good' 

Re-assemble, again!

8-pin connector from engine to tender.

2-pin connector between the 2 motors.  This allows 'ease of disassembly' for any future PM.

Program test, again, after attaching the rear engine to the boiler....

and, again, after attaching the front engine to the boiler.

Front smoke box cover is a 'friction' fit.

This plate that goes on the front smoke box fell off during disassembly.  Will use caulk to secure it.

All exposed wires taped.

There are 3 steam lines that are secured with screws for the front engine to 'articulate'.

BEFORE:

Pilot and boiler was damaged.

Front engine was 'binding'.

Cab roof badly damaged.

Dents on the tender.

AFTER:

This was my first 'job' trying to restore such a badly damaged engine.

Tenshodo imported a few of these as 2-tone grey so I painted this one a 2-tone grey.

I had one original 'elephant ear' from Tenshodo but had to make a duplicate for the other side.

Running board lights added.

Fire box glow.

Cab light added.  Nicely detailed interior.

2 head lights plus marker lights added.

Engineer's side.

Wore out my soldering iron tip!

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

CNJ 4-6-4T assembly.  Imported by PFM (United) in 1969.

Running gear assembled to the frame.

Caulked the new can motor.

You did a great job repairing that damaged engine. I think it looks fantastic now.

Cam

CNJ 4-6-4T engine: routing all the LED wires.

There are 2 head lights, 4 marker lights and 2 running board lights so I had to route 16 very tiny wires!

Installed the 'brakes shoes'; having this option on an engine in 1969 was pretty 'fancy'!

'Heat shrink' tubing cut in short pieces for flexibility on the 'smoke box' front;  Headlight and 2 marker lights.

Testing at all steps.

Ready to route through the boiler.

Some 'slack' on this end in case I have to do some PM. 

A longer piece of 'heat shrink' tubing is taped to the top of the boiler.

The 'running board' wires were also routed to the top of the boiler.

Just enough room for the TCS 1517 decoder.

'Keep alive' at the back of the 'tank'; inserted the frame with motor to insure everything 'fits'.

Wires for the 'tank' head light and marker lights, also, has multiple pieces of 'heat shrink' tubing.  Will protect the wires plus 'black' will be less visible from the cab.

All wires routed to the decoder area.

Final test with the 'signal tester'......

Tomorrow the decoder wires will be connected to all the LED's.

I love retirement; everyday is Saturday and I can work 8 -12 hour days on my hobbies

@RadCam posted:

You did a great job repairing that damaged engine. I think it looks fantastic now.

Cam

Thanks Cam,

Once in awhile I get it 'right'!

@samparfitt posted:

Thanks Cam,

Once in awhile I get it 'right'!

More often than not, from what I've seen.

@samparfitt posted:

   

SOME  REALLY  NICE  SHOTS  Sam.

Thanks Dallas.

I take hundred's of pictures so like a 'blind squirrel'; bound to find a good nut or two!

I did a 'camera' reset as I made changes and didn't know how to remove them.

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

CNJ 4-6-4T final assembly.

Video: yard test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEGXaQduo8Y

Managed to 'cram' everything into the boiler!

The factory supplied weight inserted into the boiler.

Having all the LED wires taped to the top of the boiler allowed enough room for the weight.

With no tender only one 4-pin connector was needed for this engine.

Frame side.

Had to reverse the motor wires and then put tape over the contacts.

The trailing truck is the 'tender side' pickup for electricity.

It is insulated from the frame.

MMM: need to paint that piece of brass I made for the 'ground'!

Programming done.

Before:

After:

Front view.

Fireman's view.

Nicely detailed, especially for an engine made in 1969!

I believe PFM only made one run of these so not very many are available.

No light in the cab as no detail plus it would only show all the wires!

Engineer's view:

Had to put the small 'sugar cube' speaker in the 'coal load' area.

Some black foam to cover the speaker.

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

Next will, probably, be the GN Y-1 electric.

Imported by KEY in 1995.  Two motors plus the 'bus bars' on each end of the locomotive.

Sam, I agree with Dallas.  I have noticed you take lots of photographs.  I appreciate all the ones you post!!

@samparfitt posted:

Thanks Dallas.

I take hundred's of pictures so like a 'blind squirrel'; bound to find a good nut or two!

Lots of good nuts you are generous to share with us on this forum Sam.

( ..........unlike the squirrels in our yard that bury their nuts in the yard and cant seem to find them later . )

HAPPY NEW YEAR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmtyvQw5ROk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXBPsXn6f3k

WM 1309 video:

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

PRR T-1 new build video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUfXP7GtHik

Sam, thank you for the links!  I’m partial to the Western Maryland and it is great they got 1309 running!  I hadn’t seen the WMSR Polar train until now.

GN Y-1 electric decoder install.   

Imported by Key in 1995 factory painted with directional lights and functional windows and doors.

videos:

Yard test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgjv0ho5XDU

Yard test with the Tenshodo version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOEdUu4BVFo

6 screws secure the frame to the superstructure.

KEY used some 1-pin connectors for the lights in the cab and headlights.   The lights were incandescent so they were replaced with 0402 LED's.

The TCS KAM4 just fits on the frame as there is little room with 2 motors and weights.

I taped the decoder between a weight and one of the motors, vertically.

The KAM4 has no sound as electrics are 'quiet' anyway plus there would have been no room for a larger decoder plus speaker.

All the old lights and wires, including the diodes, were removed.

Connected the red and black wires to the trucks and the orange and grey wires to the motors and then 'down loaded' the new data with the engine on the programming track.

Put LED's in the headlights and each cab.  Both are 'directional'.

Installed a 4-pin connector between the frame and super structure.

Functional windows.

Unusual for an HO engine.

Functional 'sprung' doors.

LED added to the steps on each side of the engine.

I did not add LED's to the marker lights.

Detailed cab interior.

The engine on the left is a Tenshodo model made in 1985.

I had to do some 'PM' on this engine as it was losing power about every 5 seconds.

I checked the decoder and no signs of 'smoke' and the circuit breakers were not being 'thrown'.

I cleaned all the wheels and that seemed to 'fix it' although the wheels looked perfectly 'clean'!

Previously, I installed a TCS KAM4 decoder in this engine including head lights, marker lights and lighted steps.

I believe the Tenshodo model is more accurate with the orange pantographs and black running gear versus the 'green' running gear on the Key model.

Key model.

Tenshodo model.

I have several GN electrics.

This is the GN Y-1 'green version' with DCC at Tye.

The right engine is a Tenshodo Y-1 and the left 2 engines are Z-1 electrics (Oriental limited) that only were painted 'green'.

Both are DCC located at Skykomish.

The top engine is a GN W-1 electric (custom brass) and the bottom 2 are the GN Z-1 electrics (Nickel Plate products; both powered).  These are in the 'yet to be converted to DCC' line.

The last electric is another GN W-1 with DCC.  GN only had two W-1's.

Testing both electrics.

The Key model needed 40 MPH (2 motors) while the Tenshodo model only needed 25 MPH (one motor) to run at the 'same speed'.

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Next will,  probably, be the UP 4-8-8-4 big boy by Key.

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Purchased some Kadee couplers and 'pockets' and some '3-in-1' oil.

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Got some old vintage metal Athearn/Varney and wood Silver Streak/Ambroid models that need some couplers.

Plus, it's time to send my daughter (executor) my annual inventory of all my possessions and their 'relative value'.

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Finished up labeling the bulk of my engine 'boxes' with the engine number and whether they have 'DCC'.

A 'low stick' scotch tape is used.

Will make it easier for my daughter to find the correct box for each engine when I 'croak'!

UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy imported by KEY in 1987.

Decoder install.

Tender:

The usual TCS 1517 decoder along with the usual PFM speaker and the usual 8-pin connector made.

This tender had no marker lights so only an LED was installed in the tender's head light.

Usually, I like to make a rectangular hole below the deck plate on the tender but there was a lot of detail that I didn't want to 'butcher'.

The decoder wires have to make some 'sharp' turns so I used a lot of short 'heat shrink' tubing on the 8-pin connector.

Fortunately, there were two small holes to route the wires.

Crammed everything into the tender.

All 'closed up'.

Connector wires routed so they don't interfere with the front tender truck.

The usual yellow foam was replaced with black foam inside the tender since the tender water hatches open.

Key didn't 'clean' all the parts thoroughly and some of the running gear had 'wrinkled' paint so I had to disassemble some parts,  repaint them and reassemble them.  Of course, I got a 'discount' for 'damaged goods'!

Some assembly still needed on the front drivers.

A valve linkage 'rivet' broke so I had to put some solder on the back to secure it.

The other side had the same problem.

Boiler:

Tested all the LED's from an earlier 'work on this engine'.

With a 'fire box' glow in the cab I needed a 5-pin connector instead of the usual 4-pin connector.

Glad I tested a 'dry fit' of the back frame to the boiler as there is no 'opening' for the 8-pin connector wires.

There is an ashpan that covers the entire 'fire box' so I drilled 2 holes in the fire box for the wires; 4 wires through each hole.

Programming track.

Turned on all the LED's.

Head light, green marker lights and running board lights.

'fire box' glow LED.

Pretty cool; Key has the 'fire box' doors open for the 'fire'.

Nicely detailed cab.

Cab roof vent has a metal tab to keep it open.

A separate LED was needed for the 'external' fire box glow.

Next will be final assembly and 'yard test'.

@samparfitt posted:

thanks Larry.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Thank you Sam.    Always a beautiful experience  ' feeling '  the warmth of  a creation by the great Norman Rockwell..........even on the OGR forum.

Family  ,  fun  ,  interaction ,  love  and  kindness...............seems to fit with our endeavors.

UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. Final assembly.

Imported by Key in 1987. Has many unique features: coast drive, 'see through,' walk boards, functioning sand hatches, turret hatches and cab vent hatch, glowing 'open fire box' door glow, functioning smoke box door with interior and tender functioning water hatches. A TCS 1517 decoder was installed including LED's for the headlight (engine/tender), marker lights, 'running board' lights, fire box glow below 'ash pan' and in the cab, and lighted cab.

Video: yard test plus 'coast drive' demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIXU5qePtM

Tender:

Had the wrong screw for the front trucks as the 'short' screw was for the tender...

and the longer screw to attach the front engine to the back engine.

Following my 'normal procedures, I attached the back engine and then tried to attach the front engine but it was too difficult to attach the 'sliding universal' while inside the boiler.  Both engines had to be 'connected' before attaching to the boiler.

After attaching the the boiler I was getting a 'short' so 'disassemble' for diagnostics.

Thought the problem was in the boiler but one of the brass brake shoes (rear) was contacting the insulated driver.

Original screws were difficult (plus the screwdriver slot got 'butchered') for attaching the center steam pipe so 'new ones' were used.

Screws used to secure the two outside steam pipes to the boiler and piston assembly.

Headlight and 2-pin connector attached to the engine.

Unusual in that the front truck axles had to be 'press fitted' to the truck.

It appears this engine had little, if any, 'run time'.

Usually, I don't have 'left over' parts but I had no idea what this piece was 'for'!

Normally, this kind of piece would be on the front engine.

Large and small hex pin screw drivers.  Even the small screws for the 'valve gear' had hex screws.

'Left over' wiring for the old incandescent lights.

Assembled, finally!

Front coupler rotates.

Fireman's side view.

'Heavily' detailed engine.

Even has the 'chain' guards on the 'valve gear' assembly.

Deck plate.

Glad I used a lot of short pieces of 'heat shrink' tubing as it was 'tight' between the engine and tender!

Fire box glow.

The cab has 4 screws securing it to the boiler so the interior roof could be painted green.

Functional tender water hatches.

Auger.

Functional cab vent hatch and turret hatches with interior detail.

Functional sand hatches.

Back sand dome.

MMMM: that 'low stick' scotch tape that's been on there all summer needs to have that residue removed!

Front sand dome with interior detail.

'see through' smoke stacks.

'See through' walk boards.

Functioning smoke box door with interior.

Engineer's side view.

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Next is the N&W Y-3 2-8-8-2 decoder install imported by Custom Brass in 1978.

N&W Y-3 2-8-8-2 final assembly.

Imported by Custom Brass in 1978.

Video: yard test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saW6oIFo7_4

An engine that I painted last Spring.

Installed a Tenshodo silent slant drive gear, 2 motors (1 can was bad), TCS 1517 decoder, LED's in head lights (engine/tender), marker lights, running board lights, cab light and fire box glow.

It took me a day to get the 'drive train' to work properly.

The first can motor (from last Spring) drew too much amperage so my new can motors that I install in all my engines was used.

The white plastic universal attached to the motor wasn't 'balanced' with those two screws so I used some rubber tubing.

Clear caulk secured the motor to the frame.

I didn't like that 'angle' between the 'high' box and the universal to the left.

I had to file some metal off the front of the 'high' gear box as the frame was in front of it so the gear box would be aligned with the universal.

The caulk was cut and re-caulked to have all 'shafts' in the same 'line'.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Front view.

Fireman's view.

Removable cab roof.

Highly detailed cab.

Engineer's side view.

Other N&W engines on the roster.

Right to left:

Y-3 2-8-8-2 by Custom Brass.

Y-6B 2-8-8-2 imported by BLI in 2021.  Cast metal boiler/tender with smoke.

J 4-8-4 imported by MTH in 2017. Cast metal boiler/tender with smoke.

     This engine 'powers' the 10 car passenger train by MTH.

J 4-8-4 imported by Sunset in 1983.  I was lucky to have a set of decals for this engine since they are difficult to locate.

2 auxiliary water cars; one by NWSL and the other by BLI (lighted).

Class A 2-6-6-4 imported by PFM (United) in 1962.  Installed can motor, TCS 1517 decoder and LED's headlights, marker lights, running board lights, cab light and fire box glow. Also installed a 'back head'.

MMM: need to clean off the 'leaves' as it was 'sitting' under one of my trees!

And last the Jawn Henry imported by Alco models in 1982.

A Loksound decoder with turbine sounds was installed.

N&W only made one and it only lasted a few years.

The old gear set.

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Next is the SP AC-1 2-8-8-2 final assembly.  The last engine that needs assembly that was painted last Spring.