N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[Doug G.]

Yeah, the three fans. That isn't the Mehanotehnika version, is it? Could it be?



Doug

[peteski]

Yeah, the three fans. That isn't the Mehanotehnika version, is it? Could it be?

Doug

Could be. I guess we could ask Lee to see what is written on its fuel tank.

[Doug G.]

Or look to see if there are stanchions right next to the cab where they don't belong. Or if there are four holes in the sides for lateral locks. Or...



Doug

[peteski]

Or look to see if there are stanchions right next to the cab where they don't belong. Or if there are four holes in the sides for lateral locks. Or...
Doug

Yes.

Borrowed from Spookshow.

[johnb]

Is it the 3 radiator fans?  Who made that one?  It has black handrails and seems to have truck-mounted couplers.  I thought Kato only made GP38-2 and GP50.

Mehano

[wm3798]

Sorry guys.  It's an Atlas split frame.  Note the printed number boards.  It's an early one, with the two separate light boards fore and aft, and factory Rapido couplers, and of course the old Johnny Lightning speed motor.  Sort of the transition between the first generation A/K models and the later "Classic" line. 

The frame says "Atlas 1996" so it's still 24 years old... almost an antique!

If you're running lazy loops and don't need sound or DCC, you can get some really nice running old stuff for cheap.  Which we all know is my favorite color...

[peteski]

ONLY 24 years old?! Lee, shame on you. We expected nothing newer than 25 years old!  You fooled us all! 

[Frank Amato]

Freakin' nuts that "the 90s" were that long ago

[dem34]

Freakin' nuts that "the 90s" were that long ago

Yup, us Gen Z kids are legally drinking now.

[Doug G.]

I saw the number boards but I thought maybe somebody...you know... spiffed up a Mehano.



Doug

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sorry guys.  It's an Atlas split frame.  Note the printed number boards.  It's an early one, with the two separate light boards fore and aft, and factory Rapido couplers, and of course the old Johnny Lightning speed motor.  Sort of the transition between the first generation A/K models and the later "Classic" line. 

The frame says "Atlas 1996" so it's still 24 years old... almost an antique!

If you're running lazy loops and don't need sound or DCC, you can get some really nice running old stuff for cheap.  Which we all know is my favorite color...

Yep. I've got some Chessie GP40s from that era that are that same way.

I remember when those first came out they caused an issue at our NTRAK club because our throttles couldn't go low enough to keep them from moving. It sounds like an odd problem, and in retrospect it is, but I remember everyone being absolutely wow'ed by them.

[Doug G.]

The local hobby shop had the C&NW version of that GP40 and I put off buying it because there were others I wanted I considered more desirable. The day I finally decided I was going to get it, the store was closed permanently.

Doug

[wm3798]

So the conversation on the Weekend Update turned to my current enjoyment of DC current...

Then I started thinking about how much fun I'm having setting up different schemes to run on the layout day in and day out.  I have a bunch of engines that are great runners and fun to watch, and relatively easy to take care of, so I can keep all kinds of variety out to keep me entertained. 

As such, I thought it would be a good time to introduce a bit of how I "operate" the railroads with my growing fleet of old jalopies.

If anything, my small layout with its limited capabilities has spawned a monster... I can run passenger trains from several eras now, I can have any of the following combinations running thanks to the endless possibilities of my little four loop railroad...  My road name ethos stays pretty close to home, but other than that, there's a lot going on here.

B&O steam night
B&O Transition night
B&O Diesels (blue and gray)
B&O Diesels (all blue)

PRR Steam
PRR Electrics
PRR Diesels
Streamliners or Heavyweights on the Broadway

Western Maryland Steam
WM Fireball Diesels
WM Speedletter diesels (I haven't converted any of my "circus" scheme WM...)

I have my old Laurel Valley engine that also makes appearances hauling those fancy hoppers around at times.

And of course Penn Central night with my U28Cs from Trix, GP40s from Bachmann, an Arnold GG1 and a Trix FM... and the Metroliners.  Probably my best equipped collection outside of the B&O and WM stuff the layout was designed for)  I even have removable cat poles for the times I run the G's and Metroliners.

And just because I can, I'm cultivating a fleet of Conrail models, with an Amtrak train to take care of passengers.

Or I can run makes of models...
Arnold-Rapido night (Steam and Diesel)
Life Like Lead Sled Night
Trix Night (Steam and Diesels)
Early Atlas/Roco night
Bachmann Night (I can only run them when I'm home alone... too much noise!)

Or I can run all FAs.  Or all Switchers, or all EMD cab units.

I also have a couple of 1880s 4-4-0s and a smattering of rolling stock to enjoy turning back the clock a little further than usual.

At least when I had the big, themed layout, I could focus my purchases on the traffic and road names that supported that effort.  All that's now out the window, and if the vintage and price is right, I tend to hit the buy button.

One of my goals during this bizarre period we're living through is to take my modules out into the yard on a sunny afternoon and document the collection in a proper setting.  I'm still pretty busy with work, but I'm hoping to get a little break here soon.

Lee

[Point353]

Then I started thinking about how much fun I'm having setting up different schemes to run on the layout day in and day out.  I have a bunch of engines that are great runners and fun to watch, and relatively easy to take care of, so I can keep all kinds of variety out to keep me entertained. 

If anything, my small layout with its limited capabilities has spawned a monster... I can run passenger trains from several eras now, I can have any of the following combinations running thanks to the endless possibilities of my little four loop railroad...  My road name ethos stays pretty close to home, but other than that, there's a lot going on here.

Clearly the roundy-round therapy sessions are having a beneficial effect and should be continued.
Call the office immediately, however, if you experience any sudden urge to start modeling in HO narrow gauge.

[wm3798]

With the resurgence of the East Broad Top, it's very possible that there's potential for that sort of infection.  But so far my efforts at social distancing have been successful!

Lee