WHAT’S ON THE WORKBENCH AT THE MOMENT

New victim, a TMCC JLC Challenger getting an upgrade.  Super-Chuffer, Chuff-Generator, and also the Cruise Commander M.  Of course, a smoke unit tune-up to give it decent smoke is also part of the upgrade. 

Almost done, just have to get the chip LED into the headlight and then solder all the wires to the Super-Chuffer and we're ready to hit the rails.

A few painting/decaling projects...

Tom

Just finished this: 

https://ogrforum.com/...locomotive-from-junk

Going to need a new project at some point, but I'm probably done with stuff till the fall. Weather finally got nice 😀

John, how did the Challenger project work out? All up and running?

Rod

Rod, the challenger is running fine.  The only issue I'm having is an age-old issue of how the smoke comes out the stack.  It's the same old story, the lousy funnel design of these makes most of the smoke come out one stack, or it comes out at an angle.  It's just a lousy design.

I wondered about that when I looked at the funnel in the picture. It's very similar to the Lionmaster Challenger, but without the S shaped lateral displacement segment. It's too bad, the JLC line of engines should really have had a better design. 

Rod

Yep, still mulling over what I can do about it.

My JLC Allegheny does not seem to have this issue, but I have no access to my pictures of the engine at the moment, to see what it's funnel actually looks like.

One solution is a fabricated brass collector-distributor like the one I made recently for the Lionmaster Challenger. It works great, but it is crazy time consuming to make. There is no way you could charge a customer enough to make it worthwhile IMO.

Another option is a 3d printed version like the one Bruk did for an LM Bigboy I think it was. But I dont know if he is prepared to do custom designs for sale to other people. And he would need some key dimensions off the current funnel to do the design.

just some thoughts,

Rod

I like the idea that Bruk had, that stack looked perfect.

GRJ,

How about putting a thread on the forum with video once you finish the JLC TMCC Challenger. Would love to see that SUPER-CHUFFER set to max kicking out the smoke

Erol 

Well, the smoke output is actually dependent on the tuning and/or type of smoke unit.  The Super-Chuffer is controlling the fan and doing some lighting enhancements, but it's not determining the volume of smoke.

Here's an upgrade that is using the MTH smoke unit and the Super-Chuffer.  This is what is possible.

Really nice work SIRT. That bus looks great. I am just a little worried that your passengers might get sunburnt! 

Really like the led lighting effects earlier of the turnpike toll station too. Very nicely done.

Rod

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, the smoke output is actually dependent on the tuning and/or type of smoke unit.  The Super-Chuffer is controlling the fan and doing some lighting enhancements, but it's not determining the volume of smoke.

Here's an upgrade that is using the MTH smoke unit and the Super-Chuffer.  This is what is possible.

Really nice work John - Love that smoke!

Thanks Sean, that's an MTH smoke unit I used for that upgrade.

@SIRT posted:

Fooling with lighting....

Gorgeous!

@Sean007 posted:

Really nice work John - Love that smoke!

Geez, that smoke is awesome. I'd love to have a steamer that smoked like that. 

Hey this is some great work everyone is displaying! 

Currently on the workbench i have a lionel VL Pennsylvania CC2S 6-11154 , in need of major repair. First photos are the Bulher can motor which needs to be replaced. I will keep updating this repair as i make progress. 

Thanks, Alex

That's interesting Alex, those motors and Pittmans are usually really reliable.  I've replaced a bunch of the junky Canon motors in newer Legacy, but only one Pittman and no Bulher motors.  I have a bunch of Pittman motors, could you use one of those for a replacement?

Hi Alex,

I didn’t realize Lionel used Buhler motors; they are well engineered German products. Depending upon the model of motor, average life expectancy can be from 600 to 4000 hours.

Can you tell if this just wore out near it’s expected lifespan or if it was shorted or otherwise mis-used?

Mack

Go with a Pittman Alex. Check the shaft diameter. If its 4mm it should be a fairly easy swap. Lots of 12V and 15V 9334s and 9344s on the bay.

Pete