The return of the SOW's EARS!!!!

[Anonymous]

Yes, folks, it is the return of the SOW's EARS. As some of you may recall last year I was doing some experimental work on some of those Scientific Toy's Loco we all love to ridicule.


Here Locomotive #7 pulls three Bachmann cars and (not pictured) a caboose.

I have found that with some modifications they can be made to look...decent. In fact, the Mogul in these pics might be closer to the types of trains that ran through my hometown in frontier days.


Here are two experiments to see how long wood last. The telegraph pole is made of wood square dowls from Wal*Mart and the fence is also made of that material. They have been out there for a month.

The modifications I made to the Locomotive are all in trying to take those CHRISTMAS TREE denizens and make them into a more viable locomotive for outside usage. I plan to buy one a bit later and give it "the WORKS" I'll order deail parts from the desired places for cosmetic purposes, remove the flange from the center drive wheel, apply a more realistic paint job and weather it.

I think I can get it to pull seven Bachmann cars (which is many more than the Battery Operated Bachmann LOCO I has done). Thisis the remote control model being shown (forward, back and stop)

These SOW's EARs come hightly recommended by me for three purposes..1) Practice in Kit bashing before making a major error in something more substiantial, 2) the use of children who otherwise would destroy a more substantial piece and 3) They are cheap.


Running through Two Trees, Texas on Spring Break.[/img]

[vsmith]

Hey Cappy!

I picked up one of these Scientific sets at Xmas, we were supposed to host the family gathering last year so I picked up the set so the kids would have something to mess with, but plans changed and now I got this engine an dont know what to do with it, just keep it I guess, hold it for the next family gathering. Better to let the kids monkey around with that set than destroy my Climax or my Price!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Hey Cappy!

I picked up one of these Scientific sets at Xmas, we were supposed to host the family gathering last year so I picked up the set so the kids would have something to mess with, but plans changed and now I got this engine an dont know what to do with it, just keep it I guess, hold it for the next family gathering. Better to let the kids monkey around with that set than destroy my Climax or my Price!

Why don't you pretty it up a bit...a black painjob and some...FRANKENSTEINian alterations. Your indoor set might play havoc with the tender, I have found that when you remove the flange from the center wheel it can take the switches...but, the trucks on the tender are problematic. I am eventually going to replace the trucks on it with some Bachmann ones if I can ever find a set.

I don't see a need to destroy good rolling stock for these things. If you blokes know from whence I could find some workable trucks at a good price.

I have yet to try Bachmann metal wheels in the stead of those oversized ones it come with. I have prefected a method to replace the counplers with bachmann Knuckes.

I would say keep it and go TERRIBLE things to it...all in the name of GR Science...of course.

Say hi to all of California for me VIC!!!
Major Carrales

[Train 284]

Capt. ! Good to here from you! Looks like a great project. Those sets come up once in a while on eBay, but I have never thought about purchasing one. Your comments have changed my mind!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train 284

Capt. ! Good to here from you! Looks like a great project. Those sets come up once in a while on eBay, but I have never thought about purchasing one. Your comments have changed my mind!

If you can get a cheap one...Like $15...go for it. But I would not pay more than $30...since that is the price you can get them at a toy store.

Be prepared...they are not what many of us would consider "good." They are to be toyed with for the sake of learning and for the amusement of CHILDREN so as not to mangle the better stuff.

[pimanjc]

The problem with the trucks on the tender is that the wheels have a very thick flange. Replace the wheels with the plastic wheels from Bachmann, Aristo, or LGB, and it will work just fine. Depending on which wheels you use, you may have to trim the axle sleeve 1/16 in. on each end so the ends donT drag on the truck.
JimC.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pimanjc

The problem with the trucks on the tender is that the wheels have a very thick flange. Replace the wheels with the plastic wheels from Bachmann, Aristo, or LGB, and it will work just fine. Depending on which wheels you use, you may have to trim the axle sleeve 1/16 in. on each end so the ends donT drag on the truck.
JimC.

Thanks,

I will see if that works.

Major Carrales

[tangerine-jack]

Cool railroad Cappy!

Here is an interesting picture. This was the footer of part of the stairs leading to my pool. I removed this on Saturday, it has been in direct contact with the ground for I know at least 9 years. I am stunned by how well the pressure treated wood has fared. As you can see it was still moist from the ground when I took the photo. Other PS wood in and around the Dixie D has also shown little if any deterioration. I would have thought otherwise as the ground here never really dries out. Mold is still a problem...................

[Anonymous]

We'll see how these things fair. Thanks for the info. Regular maintenance is a feature of my Railroad...if I have o replace telegraph poles...so be it. I just don't want to have to do it on a weekly basis.

Thanks,
Major Carrales

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I think Joe needs to go redo his profile so his promotion shows up!

I also think he's not going to sell any wood to President Flatbottom in the near future! Guess I'll have to prematurely look at that thread to see if we've got him biting on the bait yet!

The floating one

[Puckdropper]

TJ,

I was reading rec.woodworking a few days ago and they said as long as you keep a piece of wood dry all the time or wet all the time, it won't go bad on you. If you keep changing from wet to dry and dry to wet, it will.

[John Busby]

Hi Capt C
Err OOPS! sorry Major C congratulations on promotion[:D]
Don't expect the telegraph pole to last long its missing an important part.
The metal cap on top of the pole get a bit of cool drink can cut it a little larger than the top of the pole super glue it to the pole and pu***he edges down over the top of the pole beware of sharp edges a decent cut could slow down the modeling a bit.
The cap is put on to stop water entering through the end grain of the wood
also did you dip the base of the pole in preservative before sticking it in the ground?
What have you used for the insulators?? they look quite good.
As does the now silk ear locomotive
Err brace arms?? they could also be made from can metal unless you want to get flash and buy some strip metal in modeling sizes
regards John

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Puckdropper

TJ,

I was reading rec.woodworking a few days ago and they said as long as you keep a piece of wood dry all the time or wet all the time, it won't go bad on you. If you keep changing from wet to dry and dry to wet, it will.

Hmmmmm, yes that makes sense. A 400 year old shipwreck stays intact underwater, and wood beams in a Gothic cathedral stay dry and solid 600 years later. Yes, I would have to agree with the truth of that statement. Around here things never really dry out, hence the preservation of the wood in my deck. [:D]

I

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi Capt C
Err OOPS! sorry Major C congratulations on promotion[:D]
Don't expect the telegraph pole to last long its missing an important part.
The metal cap on top of the pole get a bit of cool drink can cut it a little larger than the top of the pole super glue it to the pole and pu***he edges down over the top of the pole beware of sharp edges a decent cut could slow down the modeling a bit.
The cap is put on to stop water entering through the end grain of the wood
also did you dip the base of the pole in preservative before sticking it in the ground?
What have you used for the insulators?? they look quite good.
As does the now silk ear locomotive
Err brace arms?? they could also be made from can metal unless you want to get flash and buy some strip metal in modeling sizes
regards John

Thanks John,
I am in a process of experimentation with this and your suggestions will come in very handy. I had, on another previous experiement, used a qunatity of "super glue" to "treat" the tip whereas to mitigate the "grain" issue you mention. The Metal cap I will explore.

The Insulators are made of thumbtacks which I discovered quite by acciedent. I think, if a bloke wanted to be very creative, he could even drill these things and actually run wire through them. I am creative enought to think of that, albiet I have neither the skill, time or equipment...but later.

[vsmith]

Yikes I missed the Promo also, Sorry bout that'

How about "Major C" from now on ? [;)]

Keep at it, Vic

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Yikes I missed the Promo also, Sorry bout that'

How about "Major C" from now on ? [;)]

Keep at it, Vic

I don't think the screen name can be changed. Major C is pretty cool, since it is also a musical key (C Major) thus completing a connection to my various hobbies.

As to the Sow's Ears...maybe we can have a contest to see who can make the best modifications.

Hummm....

Thay are cheap certainly enough...and the results of which could be a boon to LARGE SCALERS of limited means.

Major Carrales

[Anonymous]

Joe is that your layout if so it has come a long way since i saw it last, congrats.

Are you back from droving Conroys Sheep along the Diamantina?


Rgds Ian

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the kind words Ian. I plan to take many more pics as the line grows. The line is about halfway done. Lack of monetary reosurces in the main issue and time.

As for...

"Are you back from droving Conroys Sheep along the Diamantina?"

Well, after the release of the feature Film Brokeback Mountain, I'm not sure how to answer that.

I know sheep are a staple in "your neck of the woods," but they are not looked on favorable here in COWBOY country. Still, I would like to visit your "Outback" sometime and compare it to South Texas. I assue the climate is similar save your land is a bit more red.

Well, again, thanks
Major Carrales