Weekend Photo Fun 6-21-24-??

My steamer for this weekend is Lionel’s model of Reading Locomotive Shops class B-4A 0-6-0T steam switcher #1251. The model (6-28613) was announced in 2004 at MSRP $99. It’s a traditional O-27 model that operates only by conventional transformer control. With a length of 8.5 inches, it’s the smallest O gauge steam engine model in my collection.

Reading #1251 was built by the railroad’s shops in 1918. It ran on 50-inch driving wheels at 150 psi boiler pressure, weighed 120,000 pounds, produced 24,500 pounds tractive effort, and remained in use as a shop switcher until 1963. It is displayed at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg and is the only Reading steam locomotive that has been preserved.

Lionel’s model differs in some details from the real Reading #1251. For example - #1251 has equally-spaced driving axles but the model does not. The prototype for Lionel’s model is a 1910 Alco 0-6-0T industrial steam switcher shown on a drawing on page 32 of Model Railroader Cyclopedia – Volume 1 – Steam Locomotives, by Linn H. Westcott. It shows a length of about 32 feet (8 inches in 1:48 O scale) over coupler faces with 44-inch driving-wheel diameter.

Photos and video show #1251 on my 10’-by-5’ layout.

MELGAR

Colorado & Southern #6 on loan to train Bob’s Garden Railroad pulling PRR ore cars with its own caboose

A 2023 Christmas Layout memory

2 Weeks ago I finished up the plateau in the back left, and also everything on the right side.

I then started with the left side, which is a winter scene.

- walt

I showed this overall of the left side already but you'll see why I'm showing it again here

Now showing it lit up

Some might remember the significance of that big lited metal train.  Once again I found a way to use it.

- walt

Thanks Scott for getting us rolling!  Here are my photos of the fun kind for this fine weekend!   Have a delight-filled weekend everyone!  

The Free State Junction Railway is host to some B&O switchers .. a Fairbanks - Morse H 10 44 and a EMD GP 9.  The GP 9 is helping a steam powered train through town.

Brakeman Lott Waters has just coupled the GP 9 to the B&O Pacific.  The train is now ready for the accent up Mt. Randolph.

At the TCA National Convention in Lancaster PA.......

There is still time to come to the MarketPlace and see the layouts.....130 tables of trains for sale. The announcemnt is here:

https://ogrforum.com/...nvention-marketplace

Seen at the Toy Train Museum........

The bricks honoring Marty......

Scenes from the Choo Choo Barn......

Both worth the visit!

Peter

My favorite big engine.

Really like those huge drivers on this 3rd Rail Q1.

A few videos to share from the the convention.........I have so many pictures and videos.....I will go through them, organize them, edit them(if needed) and share them over the next few weeks.....

The SGMA layout, the Raritan Valley Hirailers layouts, and an authentic Super O Dealer Display layout

Have a great and safe weekend, everyone!

Peter

Just a shot I played with in editing.

Here are my new GGD Superliners at the station while a train of GGD Amfleet cars are pulling out.

Just got my 3rd Rail PRR P5a boxcab back from drive-mechanism repairs... it's running great!

Finally can claim victory.  Years ago I picked up some Lionel TMCC GP30 is CSX and Chessie.  Even though they came from the same 2006 catalog, they were completely different in gear configurations.  Thus, they never cooperated in a lash-up.  I loved the road specific sounds and the details of the engines.  I kept them and since I paid very little originally, I eventually upgraded them with ERR Cruise M boards.  With the nudge feature built into those boards, I could slow one down and speed the other up so they would cooperate in a reasonable speed range.

Growing up near the C&O line, I was always entertained with the mix of power units and rolling stock I saw.  Now can recreate it on the layout.

@Trainbros89 posted:

I’m a big C&O fan.  Love your videos.

@jstraw124 posted:

I’m a big C&O fan.  Love your videos.

Thank you for the kind words!

@jstraw124 posted:

Finally can claim victory.  Years ago I picked up some Lionel TMCC GP30 is CSX and Chessie.  Even though they came from the same 2006 catalog, they were completely different in gear configurations.  Thus, they never cooperated in a lash-up.  I loved the road specific sounds and the details of the engines.  I kept them and since I paid very little originally, I eventually upgraded them with ERR Cruise M boards.  With the nudge feature built into those boards, I could slow one down and speed the other up so they would cooperate in a reasonable speed range.

Growing up near the C&O line, I was always entertained with the mix of power units and rolling stock I saw.  Now can recreate it on the layout.

Same importer, same prototype, same catalog, different gear ratios?  Had either appeared in previous catalogs?  That could mean different production runs otherwise the contract builders are just slapping any parts together that the have at their disposal.  It would be interesting to look up the exploded parts diagram for each on the Lionel website to see if the gears are supposed to be the same.

@coach joe posted:

Same importer, same prototype, same catalog, different gear ratios?  Had either appeared in previous catalogs?  That could mean different production runs otherwise the contract builders are just slapping any parts together that the have at their disposal.  It would be interesting to look up the exploded parts diagram for each on the Lionel website to see if the gears are supposed to be the same.

It surprised me when I discovered it.  They’re both out of the 2016 Vol 1 catalog and below are pics of the rear truck of the CSX and Chessie respectively.

Running with the SGMA at the 70th TCA Convention in Lancaster Thursday, Friday, and Saturday .

The sun is getting low and the shadows are getting long. No.1, the westbound San Francisco Chief, has been rerouted through Fort Worth and Brownwood, due to flooding all across Kansas and Oklahoma, and is now about 10 hours late.  Alcos 70L and 70A idle as they glide downgrade into Caprock, Texas. After a crew change, No.1 will be off on its way to Clovis, where it will regain its normal route.

@Craignor Every time I see one that particular type of tin-plate engine I come closer to quitting my freeze on buying and come closer to getting me one.  I want one of those that has the big bulb headlight like the one that you showed. 

walt

Walt,

It’s a Lionel/MTH 408e Reproduction with PS2. It has two motors, so it is a stump puller. And with the red and green lanterns, it looks like Christmas coming at you!

A very useful engine for pulling passengers or freight.

You can still find them at reasonable prices.