Southern RR Fans- PHOTOS

Photo posted by Norfolk & Southern this past weekend on Facebook to tribute to Father's Day

I will try to get a video of the Southern SD45 Hi-nose this weekend. So you can hear the sound the engine make, include the horn.

S & J Trains posted:

MTH Trains new Southern F-3 A Unit Diesel Engine (20-20769-1).

I would of had some more better picture to show. But had to send it back to MTH service. I want say  what is wrong but you may be able to tell. It been a MTH service over a 4 week now. The engine runs and sound great!

Would you or can you articulate exactly what is WRONG?!

What I see is a bona fide Southern Passenger paint scheme  for early EMD F3's.  Albeit all the F3's I have seen pictures of in passenger dress had "small" number boards  and a center band with three portholes with NO louvers  ( that do distort the lettering in this case).

Please would you, can you enlighten us?  I thought after GG1 4877 comments you would have.

And from what I see of the MTH catalog image it is a match except the catalog is 2D and the product is 3D.  In #d those louvers get in the way of a smooth even  lettering.

Or am I totally missing something?

PRRronbh posted:

S & J Trains posted:

MTH Trains new Southern F-3 A Unit Diesel Engine (20-20769-1).

I would of had some more better picture to show. But had to send it back to MTH service. I want say  what is wrong but you may be able to tell. It been a MTH service over a 4 week now. The engine runs and sound great!

Would you or can you articulate exactly what is WRONG?!

What I see is a bona fide Southern Passenger paint scheme  for early EMD F3's.  Albeit all the F3's I have seen pictures of in passenger dress had "small" number boards  and a center band with three portholes with NO louvers  ( that do distort the lettering in this case).

Please would you, can you enlighten us?  I thought after GG1 4877 comments you would have.

And from what I see of the MTH catalog image it is a match except the catalog is 2D and the product is 3D.  In #d those louvers get in the way of a smooth even  lettering.

Or am I totally missing something?

Ron - look at the lettering very carefully. A"N"ythi"N"g missing?

Larry Neal posted:

PRRronbh posted:

S & J Trains posted:

MTH Trains new Southern F-3 A Unit Diesel Engine (20-20769-1).

I would of had some more better picture to show. But had to send it back to MTH service. I want say  what is wrong but you may be able to tell. It been a MTH service over a 4 week now. The engine runs and sound great!

Would you or can you articulate exactly what is WRONG?!

What I see is a bona fide Southern Passenger paint scheme  for early EMD F3's.  Albeit all the F3's I have seen pictures of in passenger dress had "small" number boards  and a center band with three portholes with NO louvers  ( that do distort the lettering in this case).

Please would you, can you enlighten us?  I thought after GG1 4877 comments you would have.

And from what I see of the MTH catalog image it is a match except the catalog is 2D and the product is 3D.  In #d those louvers get in the way of a smooth even  lettering.

Or am I totally missing something?

Ron - look at the lettering very carefully. A"N"ythi"N"g missing?

Oh yes!!  Missed the tree from the forest.  Thank you I was going to check the spelling but got caught up.

Thanks again Larry.

Christmas in June!  As a die hard Southern fan, my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today.  Can't wait to get them in front of Lionel's 21 inch passenger cars.

Wow! Four E8s. That is going to look cool. You must post a picture/video of the whole train. 

lionel89 posted:

my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today."

I wonder what your heart will do when the credit card bill arrives....

congrats though - they are gorgeous ladies and hopefully Scott Mann can break down and Make some proper southern cars to go behind these engines. 

Southern nights.....

Pat Kn posted:

Wow! Four E8s. That is going to look cool. You must post a picture/video of the whole train. 

I'll second that motion!

M J Breen posted:

lionel89 posted:

my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today."

I wonder what your heart will do when the credit card bill arrives....

congrats though - they are gorgeous ladies and hopefully Scott Mann can break down and Make some proper southern cars to go behind these engines. 

I definitely 2nd that! Both streamlined (with or without black roofs) and heavyweight cars with the 1940s - 1970s block lettering. Getting tired, frankly, of seeing the 1920s era two tone green cars over and over (especially since all went Pullman green during the Depression). 

Mark Boyce posted:

Pat Kn posted:

Wow! Four E8s. That is going to look cool. You must post a picture/video of the whole train. 

I'll second that motion!

Lionel89, I'll third that motion!!  Those F8's look fantastic.  I was somewhat dissaponted MTH F8's as they derail over switches when they are in a lash-up  They sure don't like reverse curves.  I am curious in how these will run for you.  

kjstrains posted:

 I was somewhat disappointed MTH F8's as they derail over switches when they are in a lash-up  They sure don't like reverse curves.  I am curious in how these will run for you.  

KJ,

My 3rd Rail 3R Southern model runs great.  The best difference from the MTH E-8 version, which lack the fantastic air tanks, is that 3rd Rail's 3-axle trucks are blind on the middle axle.  The leading and trailing axles on both trucks are wheeled (W-B-W) and track very well through switches, both in forward and reverse.  The MTH trucks are wheeled on the leading and middle axles (W-W-B [   ] B-W-W]  (front to rear of engine) so the blind innermost axle can swing out and allow the MTH model to run on O-36.  They regularly derail in multi-unit consists for me as well.  The same for their E-6s.  

Scott Mann belted a homerun with these Southern E-8s, in my humble opinion.  Congrats to Lionel89 on getting four of them!

M J Breen posted:

lionel89 posted:

my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today."

I wonder what your heart will do when the credit card bill arrives....

congrats though - they are gorgeous ladies and hopefully Scott Mann can break down and Make some proper southern cars to go behind these engines. 

Thanks M J Breen.  To reduce spending, I only buy Southern items now due to limited availability.  I have been saving for these for a year...

Maybe we will get some passenger cars.

Pat Kn posted:

Wow! Four E8s. That is going to look cool. You must post a picture/video of the whole train. 

Will do.  Can't wait.

So are all of the MTH 20-20768-1 and 20-20769-1 missing the N? Will MTH fix them?

Just added to roster.

I have 4 Weaver Southern E8 but of course the details are not as good my 3Rd rail unit. I'm trying to find the right size tanks that can be used on the roof of the weaver E8's so far I haven't had any luck. I might have to try and contact MTH about what part number is used on the roof on the RF&P Gp9.

Picture of the Southern 4501 when I rode it at the Tennessee Valley Railroad.

Southern Railway Sean posted:

I have 4 Weaver Southern E8 but of course the details are not as good my 3Rd rail unit. I'm trying to find the right size tanks that can be used on the roof of the weaver E8's so far I haven't had any luck. I might have to try and contact MTH about what part number is used on the roof on the RF&P Gp9.

Hey Sean, not familiar with RF&P GP9 but if like my B&O the tanks are not actually correct.  They are paired which probably could be cut apart.  They are too long measuring 3-inches (scale 12-foot) and mounting saddles not in correct position.

From pictures I have of 6901 topside and track-side of 6900 I estimate the tanks are made from plate rolled to "10-inch pipe size"  (seam welded and circumferential welded) with connecting pipe "1 1/2-inch pipe size." 

Also looks like tanks are about 10-feet long (2 1/2 inches scale).

Now if I recall you work for Duke.  They have or had a fantastic model shop.  As I recall many of the models looked like 1:48 scale.  So they would have anything and everything to model 1/4" scale piping.

By the way what is the measured length of the tanks on your 3rd-rail E8s? 

Ron

lionel89 posted:

Christmas in June!  As a die hard Southern fan, my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today.  Can't wait to get them in front of Lionel's 21 inch passenger cars.

 

I think I've seen this image years ago but don't recollect noticing that it was all A units running!

This probably was the Lake Pontchatrain east end bridge between New Orleans and Slidell on the way to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We used to look forward as kids to seeing the trains cross these old bridges that literally surround New Orleans as the city sits in a swamp!  Sadly, Katrina took out many of these old trestles...

c.sam posted:

lionel89 posted:

Christmas in June!  As a die hard Southern fan, my heart skipped a beat when the UPS truck arrived today.  Can't wait to get them in front of Lionel's 21 inch passenger cars.

 

I think I've seen this image years ago but don't recollect noticing that it was all A units running!

This probably was the Lake Pontchatrain east end bridge between New Orleans and Slidell on the way to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We used to look forward as kids to seeing the trains cross these old bridges that literally surround New Orleans as the city sits in a swamp!  Sadly, Katrina took out many of these old trestles...

Remember - Southern did not own any E8B units, and the E6 and E7 B units were gone by the time Southern painted the E8s back into green. 

Hey Ron, 

Thanks I got the B&O and RF&P Geep mixed up. Yes I'm still with Duke I'll have to see if there's someone around that builds models. I know a lot of the older timers have left the company.  I knew several that where buying the Duke train cars that were made by weaver. They ended the program when Duke donated the  holiday train Layout to the Cincinnati Museum Center. At the time I was working the R&D for Duke and Weaver to have a Piedmont & Northern RS-3 to power the full set of Duke Energy Cars.  As for the air tanks I can cut the MTH version down to size and used brass wires for the piping.  If I need to pull some strings at the NCTM and get detailed photos of the roof on 6900 I have a source I can get in touch with there. I have to find my scale ruler and measure the air tanks on my 3rd model to get the correct size or ask 3rd if they have any extra tanks laying around!

Southern Railway Sean posted:

Hey Ron, 

Thanks I got the B&O and RF&P Geep mixed up. Yes I'm still with Duke I'll have to see if there's someone around that builds models. I know a lot of the older timers have left the company.  I knew several that where buying the Duke train cars that were made by weaver. They ended the program when Duke donated the  holiday train Layout to the Cincinnati Museum Center. At the time I was working the R&D for Duke and Weaver to have a Piedmont & Northern RS-3 to power the full set of Duke Energy Cars.  As for the air tanks I can cut the MTH version down to size and used brass wires for the piping.  If I need to pull some strings at the NCTM and get detailed photos of the roof on 6900 I have a source I can get in touch with there. I have to find my scale ruler and measure the air tanks on my 3rd model to get the correct size or ask 3rd if they have any extra tanks laying around!

Sean, I am talking about the model shop that builds scale model of various areas of the power plants including piping, lots and lots of piping.  If I recall correctly it seems that the model of the McGuire Reactor building may have been 1:48.

If you get  measurements on the 3Rd-Rail tanks please posted them

Ron

Recent releases from Atlas O, ACF 50'6" boxcar and ACF 60' double door auto parts boxcar 

Neal Jeter

Hey Southern RR fans.  We had a great Southern running session last night.  I finally got a chance to run my four Southern 3rd Rail E8s with the Lionel 21 inch passenger cars.  Also pictured are the Lionel SD-45, Lionel Crescent Limited, and MTH tuxedo E8s.  Here are some pics while I upload videos.  Tyler.

lionel89 posted:

Hey Southern RR fans.  We had a great Southern running session last night.  I finally got a chance to run my four Southern 3rd Rail E8s with the Lionel 21 inch passenger cars.  Also pictured are the Lionel SD-45, Lionel Crescent Limited, and MTH tuxedo E8s.  Here are some pics while I upload videos.  Tyler.

Tyler,

Fantastic look with your four 3rd Rails running in proper elephant style.  And with the air tanks, they showcase the more muscular appearance of the Southern model when a little extra effort is added (Thx, Scott Mann!).  Congrats on a fine looking consist!   

Bryan

And the videos...

RidgeRunner posted:

lionel89 posted:

Hey Southern RR fans.  We had a great Southern running session last night.  I finally got a chance to run my four Southern 3rd Rail E8s with the Lionel 21 inch passenger cars.  Also pictured are the Lionel SD-45, Lionel Crescent Limited, and MTH tuxedo E8s.  Here are some pics while I upload videos.  Tyler.

Tyler,

Fantastic look with your four 3rd Rails running in proper elephant style.  And with the air tanks, they showcase the more muscular appearance of the Southern model when a little extra effort is added (Thx, Scott Mann!).  Congrats on a fine looking consist!   

Bryan

Thank you, Bryan.  You are correct.  The air tanks set everything off.

Tyler,

Very nice photos and videos.  Those E8's look great on your layout!  Ken

Nice video Tyler. Those Tuxedo models look terrific too!

kjstrains posted:

Tyler,

Very nice photos and videos.  Those E8's look great on your layout!  Ken

Thank you, Ken.  I wish I could say that this is my layout, but it actually belongs to DGJONES.

The Lionel Vol 2 2017 Catalog has a few Southern items in it...

I will be curious how the Kanawha 2716 will match up to MTH's version.  I have the MTH version so I will not be buying this engine.  I missed seeing the Smithsonian Southern Boxcar on my first look at the catalog.  I probably will get the boxcar but that is it.  I thought at some point that Lionel would be offering Southern F3 Legacy set, but not this catalog. 

kjstrains posted:

The Lionel Vol 2 2017 Catalog has a few Southern items in it...

I will be curious how the Kanawha 2716 will match up to MTH's version.  I have the MTH version so I will not be buying this engine.  I missed seeing the Smithsonian Southern Boxcar on my first look at the catalog.  I probably will get the boxcar but that is it.  I thought at some point that Lionel would be offering Southern F3 Legacy set, but not this catalog. 

The sand and steam domes are NOT in the correct position for a Kanawha!

A MAJOR physical attribute of a Kanawha.

PRRronbh posted:

kjstrains posted:

The Lionel Vol 2 2017 Catalog has a few Southern items in it...

I will be curious how the Kanawha 2716 will match up to MTH's version.  I have the MTH version so I will not be buying this engine.  I missed seeing the Smithsonian Southern Boxcar on my first look at the catalog.  I probably will get the boxcar but that is it.  I thought at some point that Lionel would be offering Southern F3 Legacy set, but not this catalog. 

The sand and steam domes are NOT in the correct position for a Kanawha!

A MAJOR physical attribute of a Kanawha.

Ron, good catch.  Lionel is basically rehashing the tooling for the NP Berk to make engine in another road name when they need new tooling to make it correct.  The number boards up front should not be there either.

NS posted this photo of their Southern Railway E-8 #6901 at their Juniata Shop in Altoona yesterday. 

I received my 2017 v2 20-95266 NS (ex. Southern patched) gondolas with pipe loads today.  Thought I'd share some pix and a few things to be aware of. 

The gondolas are typical modern Premier in details, i.e. added handrails/ladders/steps, molded wood decking inside, etc.  For me, the draw for these particular cars was the "weathered" Southern lettering.  Unfortunately, out of the box, the Southern paint stamp is identical in distress style on both sides of the car and on both road numbers of the car.  The only visual difference between the two cars is...well...the road number.  Disappointing to say the least, when MTH is mimicking distressed paint, that two or more different stamps weren't used.  But somehow it's not surprising.  I'm sure the cost of using more than one paint screen drove the decision even though the cars retail at $64.95.

Both of my pipe loads came bent because of the packaging.  The Styrofoam package design bends the pipes down on the ends forcing a bow up in the middle.  A few foam inserts, if placed correctly in the middle, are supposed to push the center down straightening the bend.  However, if those inserts were not inserted correctly at packing or became loose in transit, the pipes do bend upward due to end pressure from the packaging.  The plastic pipes remember the forced bend.

Overall, I like the gondolas but I am disappointed that a little more effort is needed to give them some uniqueness.  Nothing hobbyists don't already expect, I suppose.  Got to carefully convince the plastic pipe to relax the bend too.

Styrofoam packing design bends the pipe stack up in the middle due to the package pressure on the ends

Three foam inserts are supposed to push the center of the pipe stack down to prevent the bend.  They are shown inserted correctly here.

Lionel Southern Railway SD40s

Neal Jeter

Greatest thread ever 

I wish I had one of these on my railroad.