Kato Mikado

[robert3985]

@Dwight in Toronto - Sounds very good!  The old Mike needs to be run-in for about two days to get it loosened up it appears. 

I'm spoiled.  Quite obvious in the video is the "slinky effect" on the short train.  Since I started converting cars to modified MTL True-Scale couplers a few years ago, and now to N-Possibles, that old bugaboo is becoming much more evident when I'm used to trains not slinkying around on my layout.

Anyway, the video goads me on to get my steam sound installs done.  Have to do that shortly after I get my new workshop set up in my new residence before the end of the year.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dwight in Toronto]

Bob, nice to hear from you.

I’m running the Mikado for 15, 20, 30 minute stints every day so as to stretch its legs.

I have been wanting to try N-Possible couplers, and have every intention of supporting Andrew (who resides in my neck of the woods).  I think that short string of reefers might just be prime contenders for coupler retrofit!

Something I have been meaning to mention … neither crank pin has worked loose since that very early incident.

[Dwight in Toronto]

One final update to share, because it’s relevant and significant.

I mentioned earlier that the short video was hastily thrown together.  I was not at all happy with the herky-jerky low-speed performance, but decided to post it anyway, warts and all. 

Earlier today I performed ESU’s auto-tune procedure, and the difference was remarkable … the loco now crawls along as smooth as can be.  A quick re-synching of the steam chuffs, and this Mikado is now one of the best runners in my roster.   

[dangerboy81]

I noticed that in the video, I wondered about it. Glad it was just the decoder.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Just for the record … I was annoyed enough at the crappy loco performance in the first video that I did a quick ‘post-autotune’ re-shoot.  I deleted the original vid from the earlier discussion thread, and have replaced it with this one:

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(apologies for the persnicketyness).