Diesel locos
Weekend Project Part 3 - N-Scale Kato F7s with Sound Completed
At the end of July, I showed the results of my first installation of a drop-in Digitrax SDN144K0a into an N-scale Kato F7A . The unit had a modified Aztec frame that accommodated a TTX 16mm speaker. This is also the same decoder that I had previously installed into an N-scale Kato E8A back in April.
Source for Kato SD38-2 Non Dynamic Brake Hatch
I am looking for a Kato SD38-2 Non Dynamic Brake Hatch. Kato is sold out and I have not found any on eBay or turned up anything through local train shows and swap meets. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
Don
Kato-repowered P2K Geeps
I wrote this up on the old Atlas Forum several years ago, but seeing comments from "MikeC in Qld" in this week's WPF thread about how poorly his P2K Geep runs made me realize it might be good to repost it here. I'm moving the bulk of the post to the first reply so all the text and photos don't repeat on each page.
Weekend Project - Installing Sound Decoder into an N-Scale Kato F7A
Just finished installing a Digitrax SDN144K0a into an N-scale Kato F7A. The engine frame was modified by Aztec Mfg so it has a machined slot in the rear to hold a round 16mm speaker from Tony's Train Exchange. The decoder comes with front and rear LEDs, a capacitor, and a 13mm speaker. Here are some pictures of the F7 disassembled and the machined opening for the speaker:
IAIS's West End - UP power on IAIS
I've been on a UP locomotive building kick lately and thought I'd share the results. Many of the models in this post had previously been in service on the layout, but in untouched factory paint with no weathering. A big part of this push was to renumber, redetail, and weather them to match units that operated on the IAIS during May 2005.
EMD GA8 (Work in Progress)
A work-in-progress animation of an EMD GA8 narrow gauge export diesel locomotive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkRdgkHCgd4
I'm looking for feedback from those of you who are familiar with this type of locomotive. Any feedback or information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Damin.
Setting Up JMRI and and using the Bachrus MTS-DCC to speed match locomotives
After doing the podcast on A Modelers Life JMRI month I got a few questions on setting JMRI and speed matching my locomotive. So i did a video on setting up JMRI DecoderPro and Using the Bachrus MTS-DCC to speed match my locomotive. I use Excel for the grafting. I hope this is helpful for those of you trying to get this set up.
I am setting the follow standers for my locomotive:
Yard switchers top speed 35 mph
Freight Loco top speed 55mph
Passenger Loco top speed 65mph
Intermountain HO SD40-2 upgrades
Like a lot of modelers, I've long been in search of the "perfect" SD40-2 - in my case, to model UP units using trackage rights to operate over my prototype. Athearn's models have grown consistently better in detail and paint over the years, but in my experience, have never run as well as Atlas and Kato diesels. Kato SD40-2s, on the other hand, can run great, but earlier versions require the factory pick-up system to be re-worked, and all fall short of the level and quality of detail of most current offerings.
Test-Fitting 3D Collars for HO Scale F40PHM-2 and F40C
Tonight, I test-fitted a pair of 3D printed collars onto the donor mechanisms of two upcoming projects: a Metra F40PHM-2 based on a Walthers Trainline F40PH (back). and a Metra F40C based on a Bachmann SD40-2 (front). The collar for the F40PHM-2 fits nice and snug. Unfortunately, the collar for F40C needs some corrections.
Thanks,
Damin.
How to tell if Loco has the DCC plug
When looking online at locomotives the description doesn't really tell you whether or not the DC engine has the 8/9 pin DCC plug?
I tend to like both Atlas, some Athearn and Walthers engines, but the Walthers description doesn't tell you almost like they want you to buy the DCC model over the DC model. I have a couple of Walthers Trainline GP9M's that I will have to hardwire when the time comes.
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