What to do?

[philnrunt]

I just came over to the Garden forum from the Model RR forum, as I have some Aristo just setting around collecting dust. This is my first time, so be gentle.
So far, this has been the most helpful group of people I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with.
OK, has anyone else considered or built their large scale for yard work? I mean moving grass clippings, pine needles and branches to burn piles, moving driveway stone from point a to point b etc? I figure this way I don't need to invent a trackplan, just go where the work is.
Also, how long do battery packs run the train? Can you haul a heavy freight , do switching and head for the barn on one battery? If you doublehead, do the batteries need to be exactly the same?
I bought the Aristo in honor of my grandpa and uncles(Big Four and NYC boys) and have only set it up inside a couple of times since '89 .
Now I see high hood SD45s, SD40-2s and other things that make me weak in the knees, but I just cant make up my mind on how to spend my rather limited funds. I live in central Indiana, (rhymes with banana) so I have plenty of flat land to build on.
Help me guys!

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine used his RR to haul single malt.

[philnrunt]

Come to think of it, that does sound better than pine needles!

[Anonymous]

Hi Phil,
One of the most popular cargoes in the UK is the contents of the beer train that makes it's way round every so often. Sounds like you could be modeling a logging road where the grades would normally be hellish, the bends tight and it was all ripped up and put down somewhere else when needed. The grass clippings would be interesting, when I cut my lawns I empty the hover mowers tub, compressed grass, about 6 times, each tub will fill a hopper car about ....... times! I don't know how many. Keep us informed mate.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kimbrit

Hi Phil,
One of the most popular cargoes in the UK is the contents of the beer train that makes it's way round every so often. Sounds like you could be modeling a logging road where the grades would normally be hellish, the bends tight and it was all ripped up and put down somewhere else when needed. The grass clippings would be interesting, when I cut my lawns I empty the hover mowers tub, compressed grass, about 6 times, each tub will fill a hopper car about ....... times! I don't know how many. Keep us informed mate.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

Beer train, that's an economy that I had not considered. I wonder if it would be of significance to kitbash a "tank car" that actually used the beer can or bottle as the contents, much like the Bachmann "Skeleton log car."

That could open the hobby to a whole new group. [8D][:p][:)]

[lkydvl]

Phil,
My batteries (2 9.6v 3000mah) will last 2 1/2 - 3 hours in a U25 or a Pacific. Expect about the same with any of Aristos or USAs medium diesels. Larger diesels will drop that to 2 hrs or therabouts. This is all pulling heavy trains appropriate for each loco.

If you are using them for switching I think you could run far longer as the speeds and loads are much less. Doubleheading can be done using a single battery source for both locos MUd together to share power. Then its again a matter of type of loco and use.

Rather than the batteries needing to be the same its more important that the locos gearing be the same. These locos are heavy enough that trying to MU vastly differing geared locos can cause some damage! SD45s and SD40s are the biggest problem children at this point.

However Aristos U25, RS3 and FAs are all built on the same motor block so MUing is no trouble. The new -9 and SD45 use the same block so can be MU'd without trouble. The Mikado and the NEW Pacific may also be of the same motor block according to Aristo so could be too. On USA I am not as familiar but it would seem the same 2 axle locos should use the same motor block and be useable together.

And aren't those high hoods just stunning!

Andre'

[Anonymous]

Phil;

I usually have an opinion on everything but in this case you have stuffed, as i'm not sure what you really want to do. I also have the idea that you are unclear as to what you wi***o achieve as well.

The very first thing to do is to get your track down on the bare ground and get your trains running, no matter how minor your equipment is. it doen't take much time and see if you get a kick out of this if you do, read on.

Then look around your site and try to get some idea as to what you would like to achieve and keep your ideas small, small ideas mean small mistakes and small re do's.

Then buy a Kalmbach book called "Garden Railroading, Getting started in the hobby" and consider what you want to do. Forget about using your railway to do actual work for the time being, untill you have something up and going.

When you have done all that, come back to the forum give us a bit of lip and let us know what you want to do next. This is avery knowlegable group and most helpful.

Regards

Ian Kawana etc.