Weekend Update 2/5/17

[Mike Madonna]

Beautiful scenes and modeling Wolf .

Exactly!

[POVC]

The front is FVM ES44AC and the long hood is from a Kato C44-9W. The prototypes were converted from DC to AC traction and received the GEVO wide cab. These are one of NS' new rebuild programs for the standard cab dash 9s. Here's one of the prototypes, in one of their fancy paint schemes:

FYI - if you didn't know already, CMR Products makes a decal set for those units.

https://www.cmrproducts.com/store/#!/N-Scale-Norfolk-Southern-AC44C6M-Decal-Set-4000-4001-Blue-Yellow/p/58487947/category=16025943

Tim

[powersteamguy1790]

I've been wondering if rare earth magnets could be embedded between the rails for use with magne-matic couplers.

Lenny:

I used Radio Shack rare earth magnets to uncouple magne-matic couplers on the "original" JJJ&E which was in operation for over nine years before being dismantled in 2009 when I moved to Frisco Texas from Florida. These magnets are easy to embed between the rails.

Bob...............

[BCR 570]

Last week I completed the sub-roadbed and track-bed for the approach curve into Dawson Creek; this week I was able to get the track laid up to the first yard turnout, which is pinned in place at present:




The next step is to connect the feeders for the first track section to the bus wires underneath, which will provide a temporary power connection into the yard as it is laid.  I am hoping to be back tomorrow with a photograph of the first train over the new trackage.

I received my order for the sheets of track-bed today which will enable me to forge ahead with the yard.


Tim

[jagged ben]

...

Thanks Jagged Ben!

You're welcome!

[jagged ben]

I've been wondering if rare earth magnets could be embedded between the rails for use with magne-matic couplers.

Certainly.  I can't comment on the results of using different grades and such, but magnets are magnets, and the neodymium ones are stronger for being the same size. 

The only thing wrong with buying them from Radio Shack is the price.  I suppose the importance of that depends how many you need.

[BCR 570]

The wiring work took less time than anticipated, and the feeder wires for the first section of the approach curve into Dawson Creek have been soldered to their respective bus wires.  THis will provide a temporary power supply into the yard as it is built.  I have thrown the switch to energize the power district for Dawson Creek, so here we go:

2017-02-04 Manual Block Clearance 2017-03
To Eng 632 at Tremblay
Eng 632 work between Tremblay and Dawson Creek 2100-2200
Issued 2048 TJH


Departing Tremblay:




Crossing the Kiskatinaw River:





Arriving at Dawson Creek:




When building a layout it is always gratifying to see a train travel over new track for the first time.  This is the first train to reach the benchwork on the south wall and it is the first to arrive at the start of the Dawson Creek yard.  Champagne awaits inside cook diner car BCOL 6508 upon the train's return to Tremblay.


Tim

[nkalanaga]

Truck on cliff:  He drove it up there before the cliff was dug away for the railroad.  The lack of paint is due to weathering, as it's all been washed off, sandblasted by windstorms, and faded by the desert sun.

[Sokramiketes]

Here's a B&O M-15k conversion from an FVM M-53.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

While this is from an RPM Chicagoland Mini-kit, there's nothing hard to find for the N scale conversion. More info can be found in the attendee program here: http://www.rpmconference.com/index.php/2016-rpm-program-complete/

[SP-Wolf]

Exactly!

Thanks, to both you guys!!

Wolf

[bman]

I found a bit of motivation after picking up WE 305 at the Great Train Show was in town a couple of weeks ago.  I need to get the handrails to seat a bit better in the sill piece I just noticed.  Thanks to OHCR 4218 for the photo.

[cbroughton67]

After a couple of weeks of effort, I finally finished-up some extensive upgrades to a Key brass PRR H9 2-8-0 for @Ed Kapuscinski 's dad. The upgrades included replacing the headlight housings with older-style oil headlight housings, making the headlights (front and rear) operable using 603 LEDs, replacing the tender trucks with a pair cannibalized from a Bachmann Spectrum tender to give it 8-wheel electrical pickup, installing a Soundtraxx Econami (ECO-100) sound decoder, a TCS K4 Keepalive, and a 8x12mm Sugarcube speaker. The Keepalive required milling-out the coal bunker to make room, and a piece of styrene was glued in place to support a coal load. The boiler and tender are still detachable thanks to a TCS micro-connector. I gave it a new paint job and a light weathering as well. It's a lot of work, and a bit unnerving at times, but I'm very happy with how it all turned out.


Here's a video of it in action:
https://youtu.be/dT_EGU8uFW0


[ Guests cannot view attachments ]


[ Guests cannot view attachments ]


[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Cajonpassfan]

Chris, that's beautiful! I bet the KAA makes a huge difference....
Otto K.

[cbroughton67]

Chris, that's beautiful! I bet the KAA makes a huge difference....
Otto K.

Otto,


Thanks! The KA makes a HUGE difference, especially in addition to the improved electrical pickup. With the locomotive running, I can lift it up off the track, and the drivers will continue to run for a few seconds afterward. It's amazing. Just by theirselves, they can really give new life to brass locomotives and their notoriously bad electrical pickup.


Chris

[garethashenden]

I've been wondering if rare earth magnets could be embedded between the rails for use with magne-matic couplers.

My understanding is that they will work but they'll need to be mounted sideways. Kadee and Micro-Trains couplers need the poles of the magnet running across the track, to pull the couplers away from each other. There are some British designs of magnetic couplers that need a vertical pull, so putting the magnet face up works for those.