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

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Thanks, guys.  It keeps me off the streets at nights!

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

40 year plan finally materializes!

Thought I'd test the 'passenger' route through the freight yard.

When the layout was first built, I installed a separate track for the passenger trains.  I rarely run any passenger trains so this track has been idle for 40 years.  I thought it best to test it.  It took a few hours to clean plus several guard rails were missing plus a turnout needed to be activated and there still is a few 'dead' spots where the 'keep alive' transitions over (more cleaning).

New track from staging yard.

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Engine passing new turnout leading to staging yard.

 

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Engine going by original passenger platform;  lots of cleaning along here with that plaster cast platform.  The original passenger platform only has two tracks.

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Passenger track is separate from the freight yard save one track serving the far side of the icing platform. 

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Passenger track runs along the highway with two turnouts: one connecting to the freight yard and the other to the caboose track.

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Passenger  track goes left of the caboose track and freight yard.

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Passenger track will allow easy departure/arrival without interfering with freight operations.   With 9 tracks in the staging yard, I will also have 'off road' engines and trains depart this same route. 

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Double crossover at the throat of the freight yard where the passenger track can depart Seattle without interfering with freight.   Right two tracks are mainline and far left track is the freight drill track for the freight yard as well as the ore dock.

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Last edited by samparfitt

Staging yard (cont)

Electrical (cont)

Toggles installed and (except of the slip switch) all ground throws are installed.  Not much room between the tracks for the ground throws.  Had to insulate the track leading into the left side of the slip switch.

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All tracks have juice.  I used an engine with coast drive to check clearances. 

 

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The engine runs close to the ground throws so I put a slight bow in the opposite track for some extra 'wiggle' room.

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Took awhile to find this short.  Didn't need a ground wire there and not sure why I installed it!

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New delivery.

First addition to the staging yard.

An 8 car PRR smooth side passenger set by Balboa.   These were produced back in the 70's, factory painted and came with interiors that the modeler had to install.  My friend Gary sold these to me.

PRR balboa 8 car set 01

Very clean models.  Looks like they have never been on a layout.  

PRR balboa 8 car set 02

They are lighted.

PRR balboa 8 car set 03

A nice touch with passengers.

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PRR motive power.

A T-1 (4-4-4-4) or an S-1 (6-4-4-6).  Both have decoders installed in them.  The usual TCS WOW steam decoders with lots of LED's.

 

PRR balboa 8 car set 10

PRR Q-2 (4-4-6-4). S-2 (6-8-6) and J-1 (2-10-4): to be painted plus decoders, w/ full complement of lights.

 

PRR balboa 8 car set 11

And last, the just arrived set of centipedes factory installed decoders.

 

PRR balboa 8 car set 12

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Last edited by samparfitt

Impressive, Indeed!  Thank you for posting, Sam!

If you want more of Howard Zane's layout by Nace's Videography, look at his website shown at the beginning of this clip.  www.nacesvideography.com Forrest Nace has a 2-hour video of Howard Zane's layout complete with interviews, layout tour, and much more.  That one was edited by Hoffer's Video Productions here in Butler, Pennsylvania.  Forrest Nace who lives here in Butler did all the videoing and interviewing.  My son-in-law, Dustin Furman, did the editing, sound dubbing, graphics, including a layout diagram with real time movement showing the location as the camera moves around Howard's fantastic layout!  I was given a copy of the video because of my interest and sharing my opinions with Dustin and his employer, neither of which have worked with model train video before.

Also, they are completing a similar video on Tony Koester's layout even as we write.  Yes, the Website still says late September, but it won't be much longer.

First test of passenger trains from the staging yard.

GN S-2 4-8-4 pulling the Empire builder.

Leaving staging yard.

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Passenger track.

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Passenger track bypassing freight yard.

GNRR936GNRR937GNRR938

Still a few bugs on the 40 year old passenger track: some plaster build up on the inside of the rail had to be removed.

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S-2 at Skykomish.

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S-2 at Hillyard.

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S-2 at Chumstick canyon trestle. 

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Glacier.

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Returning to staging yard.

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Some foam to protect the engines (not scale but effective!).

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PRR centipedes with passenger train at Skykomish.

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At Hillyard.

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Chumstick canyon.

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Passenger testing:

Videos:

GN S-2: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

PRR centipedes:

You can hear the one wheel rubbing against the bolster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

PRR T-1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

 

PRR T-1 4-4-4-4 for testing new passenger cars.

Much better than that diesel! The T-1 had trouble pulling the cars out of the staging yard but OK going downhill. The trucks tires were cleaned and the axles oiled which helped a lot but there's a lot of drag on those old 40 year old trucks.

GNRR951GNRR952GNRR953

One problem on drag fixed: the center wheels on the 6 wheel truck was rubbing against the bolster so it was ground down.

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I like their method of connectors: a ball socket with a slip on contact.

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Lighting that was used 40 years ago and still is!

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Last edited by samparfitt

Stuff:

1)  The balboa PRR baggage car was derailing.  Checked gauge, obstacles, etc and found nothing.   Finally, got the idea of moving to the last truck on the observation car and all's good, go figure!  Had another coach that was the only car that derailed on a straight section of track: found the two ends of rail were off by maybe a 1/32" but enough for that one car to derail.

2) Too steep of a grade on the staging yard: I used a level and used too much of a slope as, after 26', the drop was 3.5": way too much.  Fortunately, had several stools that were the right height to hold tables while unscrewing and re-screwing the tables to the wall and angle supports.    Now drop is about an inch.

GNRR958 

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NMRA MCR Div 7 fall train show (Oct 12/13) at Lakota High school.

 

NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 01

It looks like every room that wasn't a class room was used, including the halls.

Not counting all the layouts, I think there were 260 tables.

NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 02NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 03NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 04NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 05NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 06NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 07

That's a turning tornado.

NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 08NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 09NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 10NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 11NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 12NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 13NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 14NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 15NMRA MCR Di1v 7 2019 fall train show 16

Pennsy group.

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A character group!

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Huge 3 rail.

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I've laid a lot of rail and turnouts but nothing like that 3 way crossing!

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Very nice trolley RR.

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Live steam.

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New delivery.   

The start of 'populating' the staging yard with my favorite passenger trains.

SP articulated car set by Broadway Limited.

SP articulated car BLI 01

BLI makes some real nice passenger cars.

SP articulated car BLI 02

First time I've seen diaphragms work like the full size ones.

SP articulated car BLI 03

Interior detail.

SP articulated car BLI 04SP articulated car BLI 05SP articulated car BLI 06

Hard to find smooth side NP passenger cars.

Found these on ebay.  They were pretty cheap.  IHC made them in the 70's and 80's. Brand new: hard to believe these have sat on a shelf for 40 years without being used.

IHC NP passenger cars 01

Will make a nice NP train.

IHC NP passenger cars 02

I was surprised at the nice end detail

 

IHC NP passenger cars 03

Also, for such old items, the paint is very crisp: very nicely done.

 

IHC NP passenger cars 04

Surprised there was any kind of under body detail.

IHC NP passenger cars 05

Trucks have plastic wheels and old horn hook couplers.

IHC NP passenger cars 06

Coupler came off easily as it's just a 'snap on'.  Will install Kadees on the body.  Intermountain wheels replaces the plastic ones. 

IHC NP passenger cars 07

Had to slightly bend the brake shoes for free rolling of the wheels.

IHC NP passenger cars 08

The axles were just  slightly longer than the originals but a few strokes of 220 sandpaper reduced their length so they spin freely in the truck frames. 

IHC NP passenger cars 09

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Images (15)
  • SP articulated car BLI 01
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Last edited by samparfitt

Thanks, Mark. 

They put tarps on the floor.

Last week, while in Cleveland,  I visited my old high school and the floor is still the same.  2"X4" dimensions laid on end.  I've never seen this on another basketball court.  One didn't even want to get caught walking on it with street shoes.  Today, it would, probably, be too expensive to have it done this way.

Lutheran west 2019 07

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NP passenger car upgrade (cont)

Used Plastruct .060 for a mounting plate for the kadee couplers.

IHC NP passenger cars 10

This softens the plastic to attach to the car.

IHC NP passenger cars 11

3/8" square.

IHC NP passenger cars 12

Drill

IHC NP passenger cars 13

and tap for 2/56 screws.

IHC NP passenger cars 14

Dividers to insure consistency of coupler location.

IHC NP passenger cars 15

About as close as I can get to allow for minimum 48" curves.  The diaphragms are hard plastic and they don't move so a space is needed on curves.

IHC NP passenger cars 16

No room in the tail end for a kadee coupler pocket.

 

IHC NP passenger cars 17

I cut and put lead in the cars to 7 ounces per NMRA standards but too much weight in 8 cars and engine was struggling to pull them.  I removed the large center piece and cars are much lighter and run fine.  There's about 4 oz per large lead piece times 8, that's 2 pounds: too much. 

 

IHC NP passenger cars 20

NP motive power.  

Northerns: A, A-2, A-4, A-5

Z-5: 2-8-8-4

Z-8: 4-6-6-4.

Unfortunately, no decoders in any of them, yet.

 

IHC NP passenger cars 18

Ran the A-4 on address zero via DCC.

IHC NP passenger cars 19

Videos:

NP A-4 passenger train.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

 

GN S-2 with NP passenger train.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

 

I testing the PRR passenger train and the defective truck on the last car came off again. 

Checking the wheels, they are skewed, so I put a Central Valley truck on it and, finally, all seems good.

PRR passenger cars 01

Original truck: probably can't see the skewed wheels via the picture.

PRR passenger cars 02

PRR T-1 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

 

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Last edited by samparfitt

New delivery.

Broadway limited 13 car Zephyr passenger train.  Used but appears to have little run time, if any!

 

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 01

These are, without a doubt, the most impressive passenger cars that I've ever seen.  Super detailed.

Nice under body detailing.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 02

Comes with decals for individual numbering.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 03

Outstanding stainless steel patina.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 04

Tons of detail. 

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 05

Interior detail and lighting.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 06

 

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 07

Nice close fit between cars.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 08

Counting the observation car, 6 dome cars.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 09

Lighted exterior lights and drum head.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 10

Some of the other cars.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 11Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 12Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 13

Makes for an impressive train.

 

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 14

Motive power:

Burlington Northern's O-5 and O-5B 4-8-4.  Yeah, a little weird but no diesels!  

Two rules:

1) it's my railroad

2) see rule 1.

 

 

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 15

D&RGW power:

L-105 4-6-6-4

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 16

L-131 2-8-8-2

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 17

M-68 4-8-4.  All need decoders.  No WP stuff.

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 18

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Last edited by samparfitt

Testing new Zephyr passenger train.

I used the Burlington O-5B 4-8-4 for head end power.   This engine has been painted and LED's installed but no decoder so I ran it on address zero.  Initially, I had my doubts if this engine could pull 13 passenger cars 400', all uphill but those doubts were soon diminished when she went the full length of the layout without slipping.  The engine has been weighted but it's a tribute to the free rolling trucks on the passenger cars. 

Videos:

Leaving Seattle:  I'm always amused when people say brass engines are grinders and don't run well.  This engine is over 30 years old, original gear and motor and runs like a fine watch  and extremely quiet.  

HEY, the passenger car interior lights are at a scale brightness.  Initially, when I applied power to the rail in the staging yard under the LED strips, I thought they weren't lighting.  I guess the passengers won't be able to get a sun tan, now, with 'normal' lighting!

HMMM: I just bought two Kato rerailers.  One negative of this passenger yard is no 'turn  around' so all cars are done manually.  I guess the 12" to the foot guys had the same problem!  Things you don't have to worry about with freight cars!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

At Tye: Some weird scraping noise in the video; not sure the cause and only at this location.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

At Hillyard.  Trying a new video technique: instead of 'along the tracks', view whole train from a distance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

At Waverly:

Will post when upload is completed.

 

Found out that my reverser at the staging loop doesn't like DC operated engines.  The engine starts running backward and  shorts out the CB.  Have to 'five finger' pull the engine past the breaks in the rail. 

Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train at SkykomishBurlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train near Mariasa PassBurlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train at Wilmar

Lighted cars in the dark:

Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 19

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  • Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train at Skykomish
  • Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train near Mariasa Pass
  • Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train at Wilmar
  • Zephyr 13 car passenger BLI 19
Last edited by samparfitt

More testing:  

videos:

GN F-8 2-8-0 pulling vintage passenger cars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

GN Z-6 4-6-6-4  testing GN passenger train:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

GN Z-6 at Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

GN R-2  2-8-8-2 freight drag:

GN R-2 over Canyon trestles. The trestles were made in late 50's when I was at my parents house and I was a young teenager. They have been on 4 layouts.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

 

Burlington O-5B 4-8-4 passenger train.

Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train near Mariasa Pass

GN F-8 2-8-0 pulling vintage GN passenger cars.  

One of the few engines I didn't paint. A Tenshodo, factory painted. I haven't done anything to it as is 'out of the box'. The passenger cars were bought from a woman who's dad painted them in GN colors. I believe they are by Roundhouse. He did a nice job on them. Hopefully, I have time to add interiors and lights.

GN F-8 2-8-0 passenger train at Skykomish

GN R-2 2-8-8-2 freight drag.

GN R-2 2-8-8-2 freight at Skykomish

GN R-2 dropped off train, left escape track and heading for the roundhouse. 

GN R-2 dropped off it's train and backing to the roundhouse.

 

 

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Images (4)
  • Burlington O-5B pulling Zephyr passenger train near Mariasa Pass
  • GN F-8 2-8-0 passenger train at Skykomish
  • GN R-2 2-8-8-2 freight at Skykomish
  • GN R-2 dropped off it's train and backing to the roundhouse.
Last edited by samparfitt

New deliveries.

Two more NP cars: both domes (gotta' have some domes!).  Seller only sent one by mistake.  Other on its way.  As wiih the other cars, pull off horn hooks, put kadees on body and replace pizza cutter plastic wheels with intermountain metal wheels.

IHC NP passenger cars 21

Southern Pacific 8 car passenger set from MTH.  These were made in 2008 but these are brand new and never used.

SP 8 car set, MTH 01

SP 8 car set, MTH 01B

One piece packaging using white foam. 

SP 8 car set, MTH 02SP 8 car set, MTH 03

Still has all the protective foam to protect the diaphragms. 

SP 8 car set, MTH 04

I have to say that these rival the BLI Zephyr cars.  Extremely detailed with interiors and led lights and drum head.

 

SP 8 car set, MTH 05

WOW: these roll even better than the Zephyr cars.  After I put the car on the track, it started rolling down the very slight slope in the staging yard.  Should be able to pull a nice long train with these.

SP 8 car set, MTH 06

Yep, just as detailed as the Zephyrs.  These also have a scale size coupler. 

Pictures of each car.

SP 8 car set, MTH 07

Nice interiors.

SP 8 car set, MTH 08SP 8 car set, MTH 09

Ditto again, nice diaphragms like the Zephyrs.

SP 8 car set, MTH 10

The 3-car articulated set.

SP 8 car set, MTH 11

Pins on the other two cars rest on the trucks.

SP 8 car set, MTH 12

3 car articulated: cool.

SP 8 car set, MTH 13

This is the 2-car articulated set from BLI.

SP 8 car set, MTH 14

Looking at the BLI on the left compared to the MTH on the right, I'd say they're 'spot on' as the Brits would say.  The BLI diaphragms are a little wider.

HMMM: Wonder if the same company did these for both importers?

 

SP 8 car set, MTH 14B

Remaining MTH cars.

SP 8 car set, MTH 15SP 8 car set, MTH 16

Motive power: judging by how well these cars roll, the GS-4 should pull it. This is a Westside factory painted made in 1980.

SP 8 car set, MTH 17

I've got 4 sets of the 2-car articulated cars from BLI due to arrive shortly.  That will make an 18 car train so I may need some more pulling power.

In reserve:

I painted all these but no decoders installed, yet.  If I remember correctly, the AC stands for articulated class.

AC-5: Key

SP 8 car set, MTH 18

AC-6: Key

SP 8 car set, MTH 19

AC-9: Sunset.

SP 8 car set, MTH 20

AC-12: Tenshodo

Correction: This is factory painted.

SP 8 car set, MTH 21

AC-4: Key

One more correction: this was factory painted but I did the grey boiler.

SP 8 car set, MTH 22

AC-7: Key

SP 8 car set, MTH 23

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  • IHC NP passenger cars 21
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 01
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  • SP 8 car set, MTH 13
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 14
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 14B
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 15
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 16
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 17
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 18
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 19
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 20
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 21
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 22
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 23
  • SP 8 car set, MTH 01B
Last edited by samparfitt

Thanks guys for the kind compliments.  Always wanted to have a large passenger yard but didn't think I had any room for it.  Just had to think 'outside the box'

==========

Lead truck jumping track.

The NP A-5 leading 4 wheel truck didn't have enough vertical movement as supplied by the builder.

northern pacific A-4 46

The original setup was the extended frame to boiler bolt with a collared screw on top that only allowed about a 1/16" vertical movement.

northern pacific A-4 47

The original bolt (silver) was replaced with a brass bolt to secure the frame to the boiler.

northern pacific A-4 48

An old draw bar was used to allow lots of vertical and horizontal movement.  New shoulder bolts used to secure 'draw bar' to frame and truck assembly.  The draw bar was cut to the length needed and drilled/tapped to move in the same arc as the original design. 

northern pacific A-4 49

All's 'good' again.

northern pacific A-4 50

Took awhile to clean up the work area but worth it: I can now find stuff!

work area 01

Junk food and beverage all ready for Saturday's railroaders.

junk food 01

 

 

Attachments

Images (7)
  • northern pacific A-4 46
  • northern pacific A-4 47
  • northern pacific A-4 48
  • northern pacific A-4 49
  • northern pacific A-4 50
  • work area 01
  • junk food 01
Last edited by samparfitt

New deliveries:    

Milwaukee Hiawatha 10 car passenger set by Walthers review.

Includes:  2 coaches, RPO, 2 Baggage, diner, dome, lounge/parlor, lounge/coffee shop and observation.

These are used but appears to have not been run much.  No boxes.  

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 01

The 'obs' is cool. Cars have interiors but no lights.  Also, no wire hand rails and basic under body detail.  The cars have recess points where one can drill holes and insert hand rails that Walthers sells as a separate package, along with interior lighting. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 02

Definitely unique window openings. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 03Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 04Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 05Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 06Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 07Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 08

Ribbed roof.

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 09

Motive power:

MTH bi-polar.  Has DCC. Pretty neat: the pantographs are motorized.  (haven't understood why a train web flags 'coupler' and 'pantograph' as incorrect spelling!)

 

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 10

Milwaukee S-3 4-8-4: I believe one of these is restored and operating.  Been painted but no decoder.

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 11

Couple more bi-polars: again, painted but no decoders. 

Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 12

Attachments

Images (12)
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 01
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 02
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 03
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 04
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 05
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 06
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 07
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 08
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 09
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 10
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 11
  • Milwaukee Hiawatha wathers 10 car set 12
Last edited by samparfitt

New deliveries (2nd and a review).

PRR smooth side passenger cars by Rapido.

I got these as add on's to the present 10 car set.   These are all new.  Rapido's cars are very expensive but I managed to get these for 37% of MSRP.   They are highly detailed, though.

PRR passenger cars Rapido 01

The cars use batteries (392 type) to light the cars.  A metal wand is used to turn them on and off.

PRR passenger cars Rapido 02PRR passenger cars Rapido 03

The underside is extremely detailed with all the piping included between parts. 

PRR passenger cars Rapido 04PRR passenger cars Rapido 05PRR passenger cars Rapido 06

Same with the trucks.

PRR passenger cars Rapido 07

The roof easily pulls off to insert the two batteries. 

PRR passenger cars Rapido 08

Two small batteries go in, flat side up. (392's: 1.5 volts each).  They are not very bright: I bought some new batteries in case the provided ones were bad but the same results.  I'll be leaving the lights off.  I used to have my cabeese lighted this way and always forgot to turn off the lights with the usual results.

PRR passenger cars Rapido 09

One of the bolsters was broken so some CA fixed it.

PRR passenger cars Rapido 10

Attachments

Images (10)
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 01
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 02
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 03
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 04
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 05
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 06
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 07
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 08
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 09
  • PRR passenger cars Rapido 10

New deliveries (3rd).

UP passenger set review.

14 cars total, all Walthers.  It appears Walthers make about 3 different levels of cars.  These are the basic ones called mainline.  Same as the other more expensive cars but no hand rails and lights but have interiors.

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 01

These are the other 3 UP cars.  An observation car arrived last week but not shown here. 

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 02

The 10 latest ones.

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 03

Interesting: these have truck mounted couplers versus body mounted on the Walther's Hiawatha set.  The couplers appear to be the metal kadee's versus the other importers using plastic couplers.

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 04

I just checked some other Walthers UP cars and the couplers are body mounted.  These are the '932-' series versus the above mainlines are '910-' series.  I'm not fond of truck mounted couplers but I'm thinking it will be OK with my 48" curves: if not, I'll change them to body mounted.  

 

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 10

Basic body detail.

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 05

They do come with decals, though.

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 06

Only UP engine that I've installed a decoder in so 'it gets the job' of pulling the passenger cars. 

UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 07

Last are 4 more of the 2-car articulated sets from BLI that I covered, previously.  I hadn't plan on buying more for the present 10 car set but they were being sold for 40 bucks each set so I got one of each type (that's only 20 bucks for each car that is really nicely detailed and has lights).   I'm guessing they made way too many so there was excess ones to get rid of.  The MSRP was $150 so that's quite a discount.   

SP articulated car BLI 08

With so much detail on a lot of these cars, one must be careful in handling them as well as getting them, safely, out of the box.  Some manufacturers have holes in the back so one can push them out of the foam with one's fingers. 

SP articulated car BLI 09

SP articulated car BLI 07

Use a butter knife to keep from ripping the end tabs. 

 

butter knife to open box ends 01

These pliers with a V on one side and a wedge on the other makes easy adjustment of the metal air hose, either up or down.

 

coupler air hose adjuster 01

Attachments

Images (13)
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 01
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 02
  • SP articulated car BLI 07
  • SP articulated car BLI 08
  • SP articulated car BLI 09
  • butter knife to open box ends 01
  • coupler air hose adjuster 01
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 03
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 04
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 05
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 06
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 07
  • UP passenger cars walthers 14 car set 10
Last edited by samparfitt

Thanks, Mark.  That's about it for passenger trains.  

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

Video tests of the cars.

UP Big Boy passenger train at Skykomish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

at Tye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

at Hillyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

SP AC-5 passenger train at Waverly:

Post when upload completed. 

At Chumstick canyon:

Post when upload completed.

 

The UP passenger cars made it half way on the mainline with no problems.  I stopped it at a siding so the AC-5 could pass.

UP Big Boy passenger train at Chumstick canyonUP Big Boy passenger train at Chumstick canyon 02

The SP train shorted twice.  On the last one, after resetting the CB, the train went full throttle and pulled apart one BLI 2-car articulated set.  There is a button on the end of the shaft that goes into the right car.  I decided to push the two cars together and I could feel the button slipping into a recess and it stayed in place.  I had to guide the rubber from the left car into the right car while engaging the two cars. 

Under the cars on the track was that piece of silver part.  Not sure where it came from but it appears to be a pilot or plow for a diesel.  I only have 3 diesels and it didn't come from them.  I'm guessing it may have fallen into one of the SP cars by mistake. There are contacts on the car ends so it may have been shorting the car.

SP articulated car BLI 10SP articulated car BLI 11SP articulated car BLI 12SP articulated car BLI 13

Attachments

Images (6)
  • UP Big Boy passenger train at Chumstick canyon
  • UP Big Boy passenger train at Chumstick canyon 02
  • SP articulated car BLI 10
  • SP articulated car BLI 11
  • SP articulated car BLI 12
  • SP articulated car BLI 13

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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