Locos and rolling stock

heavyweight combines on mixed trains

In the 1930s (and later) many railroads in the USA were cutting back on passenger service, especially on branch lines. One method was to assign an older steel passenger car to a freight train to make a "mixed" train.Often they installed a coal stove for heat, since steam heat from a train line was not available.

I'm planning to model a heavyweight combine in mixed train service, and have some photos.

Can anyone point me to a reference that explains the typical roof vents and underbody equipment on such cars?

 

RS 11

How long did RS 11 s run , could they be seen in the early 80's

Amtrak Hi-Level Coach Dorm and Diner-Lounge

I've been slowly working on these cars over the past year.  I primarily model Amtrak but over the last couple months I have been distracted by plunging into modeling freight cars.  Anyways with the National Train Show soon approaching I wanted to have these complete to run on our Free-Mo layout.  They are finally finished with the exception to the 3dprinted car ends with era specific details, but those will be as simple as painting and snaping in place.  Both cars received a coat of Alclad II chrome over a glossy gray to try and match the duller finish, they als

united brand brass steam

well some i just bought, some are old out of storage.

but in my steam, the united built labeled brass steam, have almost no problems, just needed oil.

couple other brands need a bit of work. but just out of there boxes they ran good, so just maybe any new brass will only be the united brand.

Stripping Clear Coat and Paint from Brass - Ultrasonic Cleaner and Lacquer Thinner

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a safe, effective way to strip clear coat and paint from brass locomotives and rolling stock. I watched a professional video which used an ultrasonic cleaner with lacquer thinner to great effect. (See around the 10 minute mark.) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs6SPzZjauA

Does anyone use a similar technique?

What or is there a safety concern here putting flammable liquids like lacquer thinner in one of these cleaners?

Cleaning wheels on Atlas Engines

I purchased several Atlas GP-38s when they came out with the high short hood Southern/NS units back in the mid 2000s. These are the vintage that will run on DC or DCC depending on the jumper setting.

Detail part sources - Brake wheel housing in HO

I'm looking for a detail part (30 of them, actually) for a kitbash.  It's this brake housing:

I've got the end detail printed, but that brake housing is not part of the print.  I thought it'd be an easy find, but I haven't located anything in the detail part world.  Does anyone know of a source?

Thanks 

Blair

jeffshultz's picture

Big Rapido announcement today

Good news for those modeling passenger/commuter trains in HO and N scale today:

Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8-40C DCC running issues

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here.  I am having issues getting Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8-40C locomotives running in DCC.  I bought six of these sealed, in the unopened original packing box (a 6-pack) several years ago.  They are the newer Spectrum locos with the larger box, with the frame and shell separated.

manual uncoupling

A question was raised in a discussion with a friend. He mentioned how we might be able to modify a coupler on a car so that one could just barely touch something that protubes from the car in such a fashion that won't bump or move the car that will uncouple. So as to not have to have a pick and try to manage it between cars.  I've seen cut bars, etc. but how could you use them to work. Has anyone done such a thing. Specifically the standard Kadee style coupler. Metal would be preferred, but plastic might work. I'm not really sure how to picture this.


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