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Today, for the first time, I ran my Atlas O USRA 0-6-0 steam locomotive model of Central Railroad of New Jersey #107, purchased new in 2008. I have always admired the fine details on this engine but had avoided running it partly because of its unusual tether and partly because my layout looks like New England, not New Jersey. When I went down to the layout today, I lifted it off the siding where it was parked and decided to give it a run. The tether was definitely difficult to plug into the tender and I didn't get it right the first few times, but eventually it powered up and slowly began to pick up speed. It ran smoothly at around 30 miles-per-hour on 14 volts and less than 1 amp. The chuffing and whistle sounds were perfect, so I coupled a CNJ caboose behind and just watched it run for half an hour. I like switchers and small steam locomotives, so I plan to run it often. What trains did you run today?

MELGAR

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Last edited by MELGAR
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I ran my long-dormant MTH Premier PRR T1 duplex steam locomotive.  I don't even model the era in which they ran, but I can't part with it because 1) it's a massive, really heavy hunka metal (and I've loved heavy things since I was a kid); and 2) there's simply nothing else like it.  At the same time I purchased it, I purchased a matching set of "Fleet of Modernism" cars, whose prototypes ran behind the T1.  That plus several of the fantastic Weaver PRR head-end cars makes a lovely train indeed.

I wasn't sure until today that the T1 would negotiate the curves on the inner loop of my new layout, but after a simply modification to a plate girder bridge, thankfully it does.

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I don't have an image at the moment, but I also ran my Premier PRR A-5 0-4-0, pulling my wreck train.  I need to post pics of that too.  I always realize I need pics when I'm posting.  This forum is all about images and videos, which is great.  I'll post images of this train soon.  The A-5 is a sweet little locomotive.  The bell is fantastic, with an uneven cadence that a hand-rung bell would have.

Last edited by RETINPA

Haven't run anything today but I generally swap out the trains on the layout once a week, usually Friday PM or Saturday.

Currently, on the track is:

-Lionel 4-4-2 Pennsylvania Flyer set

-Lionel Postwar (1950) 773 with postwar freight train

-MTH Chessie Show Train with the gold GP40

-MTH New York Flatbush Ave. Subway set.

 

Not sure what I'll put on there next, there are several things I haven't run in many, many months I may pull down such as the LionChief Plus Camelback, Williams/Bachmann 4-6-0, Williams RS3, MTH SD70ACe, MTH H10 switcher, etc, etc. I may pull out the Christmas cars this weekend and get them running.

Also another engine catching my attention at the LHS. Not sure if I'll get it, don't need another one!

Lionel post war 1615 steam switcher with bell, pulling operating barrel car; such a classic; I had to have it when I saw one of these on a video of Phil Klopp's layout many years ago.

K Line Pennsylvania GG1 (Big Red) pulling 10 postwar boxcars and caboose on outer loop, while Lionel postwar 646 Hudson pulled 8 operating ore dump cars and caboose; The 646 has Magnetraction and plenty of power and is another Classic; K Line made some smooth and sweet running engines during the last 10 years of its existence and this is one of them.

For passenger service, Lionel postwar Brunswick Green 2340 GG1 with Magnetraction pulled 4 streamline aluminum passenger cars. For me, this engine and passenger cars are the best of the best.

I have a long and narrow layout that goes around 3 sides of 2 rooms in my basement. The rooms are the playroom and, to make the layout more interesting and for dramatic effect,  I tunneled through the wall  many years ago to have trains on two independent loops of track leave the room and go around 3 sides of the laundery room, and then come back through the tunnel to the playroom.. (Please don't have your trains run through the laundery room unless, like me, you have an understanding wife.)

The reason I'm describing my layout is because if you have long and narrow space and still want your trains to run continuously, like me, you will need to use 031 curves and trains that can navigate them. One of my favorite engines to run on a layout like mine, which I ran today, is the Lionel Postwar 6220 (or 623) ATSF NW2 Switcher with Magnetraction. It hugs the rails, and has plenty of heft which makes it a good puller.  I ran it today and it pulled several operating log dump cars, several gondolas and a work caboose with search light. 

 

 

No images, but currently running a Lionel Classics dark gray 2-400E pulling three green MTH state cars: California, Maryland and New York,

Also a Lionel Classics Fireball Express set pulled by a red 2-390E.

Finally, an LGB #414 Suisse RhB "baby" Crocodile electric loco with digital sound pulling two 26" green/cream RhB coaches and a 24" Dark blue Gourmino dining car with interior detail including lighted lamps at each table!  

BIG TRAINS rule!   

Last edited by Tinplate Art

   I'm running the Rivarossi IC 382 with an Old Log Beer woodside (ye old huffnpuff), and some other goofy stuff to trail it... empty keg flat, bobber tanker simply marked XX, a W&A wood coach (R.I.&P actually), followed by a little bobber cabin.....Two chrome RI&P generals, one mixed, one pure passenger..... and that same trolley.

An hour meter on the trolley might be fun over time, lol. I don't any but the 382 or my childhood 2037 can compare in run time vs ownership time and come out ahead.

JHF,

   Just moving into our place a couple months ago I have not been able to spend much time running, most of the time is spent building and making changes we wanted to the house.  

I did get time to spend about an hour or so in the Train Room.  Marty E just upgraded my DCS TIU's and HHRC's to the 6.1 level so I ran some Trains today.  What a difference the 6.1 makes.  Everything now runs perfectly!   

PCRR/Dave

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Resurrected an old favorite this afternoon.  I cranked up my old Lionel 221 "Empire State Express" engine and accompanying Whistle Tender circa 1946/47 and had her hauling a few all metal 6442/6443 Pullman/Observation cars from 1947  around the layout.  She runs just as good as she did back in  the late 1940s.IMG_1616

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My Postwar 2026 Locomotive that I bought from an estate sale. It would hardly run.  I disassembled it cleaned out all of the dried up grease, dirt, hair, and lint. Removed the brushes from the motor sprayed contact cleaner over all of the contacts, gears and axles. Cleaned the gunk off the brushes so they now make proper contact instead of being stuck in the holder. Brushed away all the grime that was left. Polished the armature, lubed the shafts, gears and axles reassembled the motor , Washed the die cast body inside and out then dried it and reassembled it. It runs like a champ! It pulls all my post war rolling stock with ease. I actual feel like I accomplished something!

Noah posted:

My Postwar 2026 Locomotive that I bought from an estate sale. It would hardly run.  I disassembled it cleaned out all of the dried up grease, dirt, hair, and lint. Removed the brushes from the motor sprayed contact cleaner over all of the contacts, gears and axles. Cleaned the gunk off the brushes so they now make proper contact instead of being stuck in the holder. Brushed away all the grime that was left. Polished the armature, lubed the shafts, gears and axles reassembled the motor , Washed the die cast body inside and out then dried it and reassembled it. It runs like a champ! It pulls all my post war rolling stock with ease. I actual feel like I accomplished something!

Total victory is yours, Noah! Congratulations!

MELGAR posted:

I ran my MTH Premier PRR G5s steam locomotive #5740 with an N8 caboose. This is a PS1 model with a BCR that I run occasionally. It is well broken-in and runs almost as well as a speed controlled locomotive at low speeds. The sounds are very entertaining at higher speeds.

MELGAR

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Melgar, not only is your locomotive beautiful, so also are the pastel colored buildings in the background.

I ran a Lionel #622Switcher with 3 loaded coal hoppers out of the coal mine....

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A trolley through a late 1800's town

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A rotary coal dumper to unload coal for the power plant of the coal processing facility

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An Extra Budd RDC's to the top of the mountain

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A trolley through downtown suburbia

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And caught the incline railway to catch my ride home.

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God Bless America BABY!  

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Ran ACL #1689 4-6-2 pulling an 11-car train yesterday:

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This is a Williams/Samhongsa 3-rail brass USRA Pacific that has been repainted/lettered and converted to BPRC (the on/off switch and charging jack are under the removable black foam coal load), running on Atlas, Micro-Engineering, and Signature Switch 2-rail track/switches.

I'm still testing the layout, making sure the track plan is what I want before I attempt to put down any scenery, I'm in no hurry.

An 11-car train takes up a lot of space, even on a 12x30 layout.  A whole lot of clickety-clack going on as the train makes its way around the mainline, I like it!!!

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Arnold D. Cribari posted:

For passenger service, Lionel postwar Brunswick Green 2340 GG1 with Magnetraction pulled 4 streamlined aluminum passenger cars. For me, this engine and passenger cars are the best of the best.

A PW GG1, pulling a string of aluminum passenger cars...that was the image from the Postwar Lionel catalogs that enchanted me the most!

LionChief + Camelback Erie hauling Eastcoast boxcars:

Excellent sounds and smoke, which I expected from LC+. What I did not expect was the stunning detail on this relatively modestly priced engine.

I think Camelbacks have been the subject of prior Forum threads. This is my first Camelback, and now I understand why they are popular.  Arnold

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