@CBQ_Bill posted:

Hi Rob:

Sorry to learn that this car did not meet expectations.

Who was the original manufacturer ?

What specific alterations are beyond fixing ?

CB&Q Bill

This is a Golden Gate Depot observation car. Since I have already done makeovers on Lionel and K-Line obs, I have always wanted to try my hand at a GGD just to see how they lend themselves to changes.  If you made a list of pro vs. con on the three named manufacturers it would come out near a triple dead heat. But having done all three I prefer Lionel over the other two.  Lionel outside detail blows the other two makers away.
This car had embossed letterboards so they had to go. The lighting needs to be replaced. The diapragm end was an absolute joke so I modified it with Lionel parts. (I have already spoken my peace on GGD diaphragm ends in previous posts).  When this car is finished I will have 3 options for an obs for the only one TEXAS ZEPHYR I have assembled…this is why I can’t stand in judgement of anyone elses seemingly large collections.
***Aside note just between you and I…I have contacted Microscale in regard to a special run of O gauge E5 decals (which they discontinued).  Microscale said they would do a special run with a minimum order of 250 sets.  (gad).  We need to encourage K4 to do these.  They are true champs of their profession and they create obscure decal sets which highly impresses me. I want to completely strip and repaint my four Sunset Models E5’s in a proper chrome finish, so I have a dire need for decals of which I do not wish to make myself.***

3rd Rail M1b tuneup:

• broken side rods fixed
• led lighting upgrade
• smoke unit upgrade
• 3D printed speaker box to enhance sound
• Quick disconnect (JST) between loco top and bottom
• Added Norm’s solder braid enhancement to the 3rd Rail pickup rollers
• KAder coupler & 3d printed shim

@Lou1985 posted:

Oddly enough, even those 13 years separate them, the red and orange paint on the PS3 version (6006) and the PS2 version (6008) dead nuts match.

Interestingly, the earlier version (rear - 6008) seems to have more nose detail than the later version - an opening door and some grab irons to the side of it.

I've had these ready to decal for quite a while but couldn't find my any of my decal tools. I finally found them this last weekend and starting to get caught up on a number of projects I have started. These two still have a ways to go but not to bad for an hours worth of work.

These were on the workbench briefly last night. I programmed both into my Cab 1L and lubed the gears.

This one is a Lionel PWC remake of the original 624 so the pullmore motor was serviced as well.

Bob

Bob, I’m glad to see you are taking good care of #23. 😊

@Mark Boyce posted:

Bob, I’m glad to see you are taking good care of #23. 😊

Thanks Mark. It found a good home for sure. I have to open it up and swap the 9v battery for a BCR. I think I still have one on the shelf.

@D500 posted:

Interestingly, the earlier version (rear - 6008) seems to have more nose detail than the later version - an opening door and some grab irons to the side of it.

I noticed that as well. Kinda odd the newer version lacks both of those features.

@RSJB18 posted:

These were on the workbench briefly last night. I programmed both into my Cab 1L and lubed the gears.

This one is a Lionel PWC remake of the original 624 so the pullmore motor was serviced as well.

Bob

.Good stuff Bob.........and how many engines are you currently maintaining ?

I'm getting back to the workbench for maintainence fun also.    My very first MTH PS2 from the VFM  ........

Acetone and Q-tips for wheels and pickup rollers cleaning---------'       ACF-50  for corrosion resistance and micro size coupler oiling. ---------EZ  LUBE  ( 99981  ) for pickup rollers and wheel axles to SUPPOSEDLY act to increase conductivity as well as act as a light lubricant.

WARNING........photo DOES NOT depict typical organizational skills of the operator.

@MattD87 posted:

wish I thought of this! Smoke unit replacement went fine. Motor is still noisy but at least I have smoke. Even took it apart again to add some oil to the motor to reduce the noise which worked for a bit but a day later back to noisy. I'm waving the white flag, at least it works, and the noise is nowhere near as bad as before and it is a motor. Almost stripped one of those little screws on the smoke unit board too. Good thing I always order more!

Had the same result with the oil going away Matt.   Mostly started having some noise after a couple days.  I'm going to have to see if anyone used some sort of light grease on the motor that might stay longer.

@Junior posted:

The parts list might make you think it's pretty complex to build, but as you can see the assembly is pretty straight forward.

Here it is in operation. It's a bit noisy but no worse than the 3927 car.

The car does a pretty good job cleaning the track. And no more dreaded sparks!

Hope you like!

Like this a lot Junior.   Well done.                                     Is there a certain product you use on the buffing pad ?

@Dallas Joseph posted:

.Good stuff Bob.........and how many engines are you currently maintaining ?

I'm getting back to the workbench for maintainence fun also.    My very first MTH PS2 from the VFM  ........

Acetone and Q-tips for wheels and pickup rollers cleaning---------'       ACF-50  for corrosion resistance and micro size coupler oiling. ---------EZ  LUBE  ( 99981  ) for pickup rollers and wheel axles to SUPPOSEDLY act to increase conductivity as well as act as a light lubricant.

WARNING........photo DOES NOT depict typical organizational skills of the operator.

Well, let's see.....I went from 0 to 80 engines in a very short period of time soooo, they all need maintenance at some point. 🤣🤣

All part of the adventure of model railroading....👍👍

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Well, let's see.....I went from 0 to 80 engines in a very short period of time soooo, they all need maintenance at some point. 🤣🤣

All part of the adventure of model railroading....👍👍

Bob

.......from 0 to 80 engines Bob !?!      Yikes.     I'll bet you don't sit around thinking  " geez I wish I had something to do today ".

@Dallas Joseph posted:

.......from 0 to 80 engines Bob !?!      Yikes.     I'll bet you don't sit around thinking  " geez I wish I had something to do today ".

IF ONLY.....🤣🤣

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Like this a lot Junior.   Well done.                                     Is there a certain product you use on the buffing pad ?

Hey @Dallas Joseph....

Here's what I purchased/used.....

I also used a 1,000 rpm motor.....

And the following coupler.....

BTW....I forgot to mention....since the sanding disc screws onto the shaft, you have to make sure the motor shaft turns in a clock-wise direction; to constantly tighten the shaft into the sanding disc.

Changing the direction the motor turns is simple. Just reverse the wire leads on the DC side of the buck converter board.

Otherwise the shaft will continually "unscrew" itself from the sanding disc.

Hope this helps!

@Junior posted:

Hey @Dallas Joseph....

Here's what I purchased/used.....

I also used a 1,000 rpm motor.....

And the following coupler.....

BTW....I forgot to mention....since the sanding disc screws onto the shaft, you have to make sure the motor shaft turns in a clock-wise direction; to constantly tighten the shaft into the sanding disc.

Changing the direction the motor turns is simple. Just reverse the wire leads on the DC side of the buck converter board.

Otherwise the shaft will continually "unscrew" itself from the sanding disc.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Junior.  Great amount of info on this project.  Well done sir.

Q: "WHAT’S ON THE WORKBENCH AT THE MOMENT?"

A: Piles and piles of projects and parts to sort out. I need to post a photo of my mess!

@Ricky Tanner posted:

Q: "WHAT’S ON THE WORKBENCH AT THE MOMENT?"

A: Piles and piles of projects and parts to sort out. I need to post a photo of my mess!

Ditto on that

Another prewar set restoration/rebuild, that I'm getting close to wrapping up. Stopped for a few days to go to York, but now back at it. The 154 was originally dark green, but I wanted it in dark gray, and it needed to be painted anyway, so now it's dark gray. The cars were repainted dark olive green, with maroon trim. I had originally thought dark gray roofs would look good, but I was wrong! As you can see in the last shot, they've since been repainted dark olive, to match the car bodies. I'm Just waiting on the decals to arrive, and this set will be done. Loco and cars were in really good shape (other than the old paint), so whoever has owned this set in it's 100 years has really taken good care of it. (Shot of the mechanism without loco shell shows it being wired for single direction. This was just for testing/break-in of the new motor brushes. Manual reverse has since been wired in as original).

Here it is! I present my workbench in all it's messy glory! Let's share our workbench pics!