Locos and rolling stock
Converting from steam to diesel
No, I'm not changing eras, nor am I giving up on my steam locos. I just saw this and found it fascinating and unusual..
I've seen a few geared steam locos which were converted to internal combustion at some point in their lives. Mechanically, the conversion isn't that complex - just connect the output shaft from the transmission to the drive shaft of the locomotive, and off you go. Here's a Shay, for example:
Shortened roundhouse gravel cars?
I just had the good fortune to get my hands on a 3-pack of the Roundhouse gravel cars.
They can be shortened, and the middle section made into narrow gauge cars. Has anyone done this? If so, how difficult is it? And how does it come out?
I should be geting the cars later this week :)
Visit to Knotts Berry Farm
I uploaded a few shots from my visit to Knotts Berry Farm today. As you may know, Knotts has the D&RGW C-19 340 and the RGS 41. It also has the Galloping Goose #3.
Along with the engines Knotts has a good selection of original passenger cars and business cars Edna and Durango.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23101722@N06/sets/72157634018640676/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23101722@N06/sets/72157634018477844/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23101722@N06/sets/72157634018382378/
Cleaning the rolling stock?
Did any railroads do any cosmetic maintenance on their freight cars? I see many beat up- rusted cars, and was wondering if any of them took pride in their freight cars, to the point of trying to keep them looking decent.
Athearn 5300 hopper...
I have 6 athearn 5300 undecorated 3-bay covered hoppers, and im having trouble with the brakes assemblies on all of them.
Has anyone else put these together at all, and if so, how did you fix the brake assembly issue?
Rebuilding the MANTUA LOCOMOTIVES of old vintage
I rebuild old (1940's to 1970( Mantua steam locomotives ( 040, 060 , 262 etc) :
Anyone with ideas about :
1. Motors that give realistic low speed performance-lots out there but would love your actual performance evaluations.
2. Adding DCC to the engine
3. Anybody but NWSL with good gearboxes to get rid of the old straight worm drives?
4. Photos of what extra piping etc to add - there are some on Dan's e=website- any other ideas?
5. Any ideas on cab forward designs?
Which kits create the best finished models
I'm going to have a very small layout, and intend to have some very detailed rolling stock, as my skills improve. Which kits result in really good out of the box builds? I've had nice results so far with Tichy and F&C, and have an American Model Builders caboose and an Alkem flatcar awaiting construction.
Looking for an image of: IC 50' Welded door Boxcar
Particularly showing if there was a roofwalk on these cars. Note that many times IC was different in their construction, so other RR may or may not agree with what IC had. HO models are all over the map on yes or no, which is why I want a photo of a real car.
Painting steam locomotive running gear
With the demise of Floquil and Polyscale (not that that necessarily has much to do with this) I'm wondering what brands/colors of paint folks use to detail the side rods, eccentrics, rockers, etc. of their steam locomotives.
If you have steam engines on your layout for other applications (pumps, donkey engines/loaders, etc.) do you paint/weather those any differently than locomotives?
When considering the piston rods, do you try to make them look polished? If so, how?
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