Under The Hood: World's Champion Hack Job

that’s some very clean work, i’d bet there is a good story behind it we will probably never know. one question though, does the speaker actually “do” anything? or was it just left there? it looks to be wired up.

Signalwoman posted:

that’s some very clean work, i’d bet there is a good story behind it we will probably never know. one question though, does the speaker actually “do” anything? or was it just left there? it looks to be wired up.

It was just left there.  The sound chip would have been in the loco, and would have sent the sound to the speaker via the cable.   What I plan to do is find another sound chip or air whistle,  pull the harness out of the tender, rig the tender trucks with pickups and make it a standalone sound tender.  

Mitch 

At least he was a butcher who cared!

Not a bad find for $20 bucks at all Mitch.

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

At least he was a butcher who cared!

Not a bad find for $20 bucks at all Mitch.

Bob

I’d agree with you Bob, butchers don’t use heat shrink or mount things to be secure....I’ve seen some of those little guys look like the ax murderer got a hold of them.....at least the fella before Mitch got a hold of it attempted to make chicken salad out of chicken......... most likely the PS2 5 volt system that the engine was equipped with croaked...a rectifier is the least expensive and super simple way to at least move again....I’d score the repair at a B+....I’m sure Mitch will bring it up a notch or two.......Pat

A chum of mine in a different chat was wondering if the locomotive could still pull anything with the vitals removed.  So, after rigging a temporary headlight and doing a bit of fitting to the chassis...

I'd say the answer is yes!   

Mitch 

I've created several of these "One Way Wonders" for my layout and for the local train shop layout. They are the preferred motive power for situations where the operator cannot devote full attention to running the train.

They are foolproof, have good slow speed operation, no loss in power, and are simple to double-head. Multiple power units are always in sync.

Sometimes IMO an engine just doesn't warrant an expensive conversion or even a basic reverse unit.

Jim

I gutted the tender today and wired it for sound.  Not only was the factory speaker dead, it took the first Lionel diesel board I installed with it!  Thank heavens for parts locos...

In order to fit an MPC pickup to the MTH truck, I hammered a piece of brass wire flat and soldered pieces to the end of the pickup wipers.  

Not really a whistle, but it'll do until I can afford a decent sound board... 

Fortescue was duly impressed... 

As was his Aunt Matilda!  

Mitch