THIS is why...

[Dave V]

...I'm looking forward to putting N scale behind me.

These things are just so damn light, small, and fussy.  Lubricated the loco today and after I got the gear plate back on her valve gear started acting up.  She was stuttering and stalling.  I did what I could to try to get the eccentric cranks aligned correctly and she was almost good until POP.  So sick of the crap..this was my most reliable loco and I have a train show coming up at the end of the month.  Meanwhile my HOn3 stuff runs like a dream and weighs like a brick.

Screw N scale.  I'm not a microsurgeon.  And I have no idea why, with as much effort as I put in to quarter the drivers, the counterweights are all out of alignment here.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's caliente testicoles indeed hombre.

Sorry for you kick in the stones.

[Bendtracker1]

Well no one is stopping you, but do you think it may be more due to the complexity of steam than diesels?  I don't remember you complaining about your locos on the Juanita layout?  That's why I don't model the steam era in N scale.  I have no patience for that, I'm into MRR'ing to run and play, not fiddle.

Also how much less did you pay for that n scale steamer than you did for your HOn3 steamer?
 

[OldEastRR]

Oh no, it's the N scalers v. HO scalers again...

The simple fact is a person should go with whatever scale he finds the most relaxation with. Me, O scale is too big because with my attention to detail I'd be spending all my time adding noticeable details and weathering to all the equipment and not having any fun. But since N scale is so small details are hard to see, I can add realism to easily without hours of dedication(frustration?), so I get to run it too.
But I second the "skip N steamers" sentiment. I have three (2 of them in pieces needing maintenance) and the chances of something going wonky with the fiddly parts are pretty high; sometimes minor, sometimes major. Plus I don't like having to put all those WHEELS with the itsy flanges on the track! You get the tender on, then wrestle the engine on, and the tender is now off!! I have the same complaint about the GG-1 (anybody's) -- too many goddam wheels to get on all at once!!

[alhoop]

Sounds like you dropped the drivers. Maybe you should either get out of N-Scale or follow this maxim:
Them that can do, those that can't either buy new or move up to tinplate.
Al

[Dave V]

Apparently I threw both traction tires (WTactualF, Bachmann?) and could only find one.  Salvaged a spare from an old Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 and apparently it's too wide because it keeps getting thrown.  And the damn eccentric cranks...  Damn the eccentric cranks.  They either seize up or fall out.

Sounds like you dropped the drivers. Maybe you should either get out of N-Scale or follow this maxim:
Them that can do, those that can't either buy new or move up to tinplate.
Al

Listen, pardner, you know I've done the dance with N scale steam many times before.  This ain't about "can't."  I reassembled this b!tch another half dozen times tonight and had it all smooth until the tire popped or the damn eccentric crank seized yet again.  This isn't about my skillz.

I have another one on the way, an undec, should be here in time for me to letter before the show.  But dammit...  This is stupid.  All for want to a traction tire the right width and some damn eccentric crank hangers that aren't made of the softest Delrin known to man.

And yes, my Blackstone engines are more expensive.  They also have phenomenal sound versus nada in this 4-6-0.
 
I'm getting the sense that if I want sympathy around here I ought to look in the dictionary between "sh!t" and "syphilis."

[GhengisKong]

Would you consider tapping the driver for a hex head cap screw to act as the crank pin? And some thinned bullfrong snot might be your key to traction tire success.

[Dave V]

Would you consider tapping the driver for a hex head cap screw to act as the crank pin? And some thinned bullfrong snot might be your key to traction tire success.

Tried BFS.  No luck.  Don't need to use a screw...the crank isn't popping at the driver but at the hanger which is basically a plastic pin that pops in between the hanger sides.

I have a new 4-6-0 on the way.  The good news is that I found some photos of CMRy #38 which not only has a simpler lettering scheme but was the only member of Class 102 that by my era had lost its box headlight, making it an even better match to the Bachman 4-6-0 than #34.

[jpec]

¡Viva la Revolución!

[brokemoto]

I had a B-mann ten wheeler throw a traction tyre.  I used a Stewart/Virnex tyre to replace it.  It required only a minimum of stretching.  I wonder if there are more of these out there that are throwing tyres and we are not hearing about them.

I have had two of these things and one mogul fry their decoders on DC.   That is no big deal to me, as I do not use DCC, anyhow.  What is funny is that they operate much better without the decoders on DC.  In fact, I have had a number of other B-mann products fry their decoders on DC and they operate so much better without them.

Are the drivers on the ten wheeler the same size as on the consolidated?

I have Bullfrog Snot, but have yet to try it on anything,

[DKS]

I'm getting the sense that if I want sympathy around here I ought to look in the dictionary between "sh!t" and "syphilis."

Woah, dude. Time to take a chill pill. Work in the scale with which you're most comfortable. No one is forcing you to stick with N Scale, except possibly yourself. I feel your frustration, truly. I'm not quite in as bad shape physically, but I'm getting there, and N Scale is becoming a bigger challenge every day.

For myself, my plan is to stay in N, but to lower my expectations, take more shortcuts, etc. That also probably means no steam. If changing scales solves your problem, then just do it. No need to get anyone's permission, or to justify your decision. Look at Dave Fox: switched to HO cold turkey, no fuss, no muss.

Do whatever you've got to do to get your modeling mojo back. And if modeling becomes a dead end, regardless of the scale, then so be it.

[mcjaco]

The heck with traction tires, use Bullfrog Snot. 

[peteski]

I actually enjoy the microsurgery aspect of N scale.  Dr. Hot Cajones: do  whatever makes you happy as a hobby.

And, BTW, move this thread to the appropriate section!  It is *NOT* about N scale anymore. 

[Dave V]

Woah, dude. Time to take a chill pill. Work in the scale with which you're most comfortable. No one is forcing you to stick with N Scale, except possibly yourself. I feel your frustration, truly. I'm not quite in as bad shape physically, but I'm getting there, and N Scale is becoming a bigger challenge every day.

For myself, my plan is to stay in N, but to lower my expectations, take more shortcuts, etc. That also probably means no steam. If changing scales solves your problem, then just do it. No need to get anyone's permission, or to justify your decision. Look at Dave Fox: switched to HO cold turkey, no fuss, no muss.

Do whatever you've got to do to get your modeling mojo back. And if modeling becomes a dead end, regardless of the scale, then so be it.

Dave, that line was from a movie, presented in jest.

But yeah, my N scale days are almost necessarily numbered.  Big neurology appointment this week.  So far the news hasn't been encouraging.

[Dave V]

The heck with traction tires, use Bullfrog Snot.

I tried to use the BFS for holding the tire to the wheel but I have never been successful in using it to evenly fill a traction tire groove.

I had a B-mann ten wheeler throw a traction tyre.  I used a Stewart/Virnex tyre to replace it.  It required only a minimum of stretching.  I wonder if there are more of these out there that are throwing tyres and we are not hearing about them.

I have had two of these things and one mogul fry their decoders on DC.   That is no big deal to me, as I do not use DCC, anyhow.  What is funny is that they operate much better without the decoders on DC.  In fact, I have had a number of other B-mann products fry their decoders on DC and they operate so much better without them.

Are the drivers on the ten wheeler the same size as on the consolidated?

I have Bullfrog Snot, but have yet to try it on anything,

Looks like the diameter is pretty close but the groove width is wider on the 2-8-0.