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Big John running outdoors

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  • Member since
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  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:35 AM

ttrigg

Capt Bob Johnson
Triggy, looks like a good bash of a coffee can.  Aint tin snips wonderful???  Like da pix, sure looks better than my layout! 

1. Tin snips?  I bet if you ask the guys in his maintenance yard, they will tell you they used boiler plate form an old C-16 and Oxy-Aecett welding rigs. 

2. What layout? I thought one of those hurricanes washed you well out to sea!

Large metal coffee can are great for projects :-)

  • Member since
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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:32 AM

g. gage

Thanks Snowshoe. I built a string of log cars from one of the GR pull out plans some years ago,I've tried pine limbs, sage brush and bitterbush, but they're all too crooked. We have a creek a block from us where willows grow wild, in fact they bring in tractors to tear them out periodically. When the snow clears I'll fell some (should'nt need a timber harvest plan) and load them, will post photos.

Thank again, like your work, Rob

It should have read pussywillow tree but the moderater bleeped out the first word.  They may bleep it out again.  I think the bark is more gray on this species of willows.  I have plenty left if you want some ley me know the size i can send you some.  Just e-mail me

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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Monday, December 15, 2008 7:02 PM

Capt Bob Johnson
Triggy, looks like a good bash of a coffee can.  Aint tin snips wonderful???  Like da pix, sure looks better than my layout! 

1. Tin snips?  I bet if you ask the guys in his maintenance yard, they will tell you they used boiler plate form an old C-16 and Oxy-Aecett welding rigs. 

2. What layout? I thought one of those hurricanes washed you well out to sea!

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: N. California & Nevada
  • 448 posts
Posted by g. gage on Monday, December 15, 2008 4:51 PM

Thanks Snowshoe. I built a string of log cars from one of the GR pull out plans some years ago,I've tried pine limbs, sage brush and bitterbush, but they're all too crooked. We have a creek a block from us where willows grow wild, in fact they bring in tractors to tear them out periodically. When the snow clears I'll fell some (should'nt need a timber harvest plan) and load them, will post photos.

Thank again, like your work, Rob

  • Member since
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  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Monday, December 15, 2008 1:28 PM

g. gage

Looks good, like pix. What do you use for logs?

Rob

 

The logs are from a *** willow tree that fell during a snowstrom last year.  They make great looking logs

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  • From: Michigan City, In.
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Posted by spikejones52002 on Monday, December 15, 2008 12:23 PM

 I did not notice it until I started to do car pick-ups. The engine they had on display at HLW did the same thing when run slow. One set of trucks ran at a much different speed. Just like a Big Boy, Challenger or other articulated engine. One set of drivers can break away from traction with all that weight on them. Problem with the Big Joe it was continous run away.

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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Monday, December 15, 2008 12:07 PM

spikejones52002

 Does the Big Joe still have the wheel slip problem.

I live about 3 miles from HLW. I purchased a Big Joe when they first came out.

It looked OK when running it around the rails. Then I went to couple up some cars. One truck ran about twice as fast as the other.

I called HLW and they said to bring it in. I asked for the Technician but had to show the receptionist. Her comment was do not run it slow. The tech came out when I responded.

He agreed that both trucks should run at the same speed. I waited for a month for return. 

I placed it back on the test track there. One truck still ran faster than the other.

The recptionist said, " What do you expect for something that only ++$350.++. She said to take it back to where I purchased it. That cost me 20% restocking fee.

Im suprised you had a problem.  Your the first person that I have heard with a problem.  The Big John runs great.  All wheels run at the same speed with no slipping.  I even ran it on wet track with no problems.  Cant see how something weighing in at 8 lbs would slip.  I did have to return it once. The first one came damaged thanks to the postal service.  I called hartland up and they said they will ship a new one ASAP and they wont wait for the other one to come in.  They even  called UPS to pick the damaged one up at my house. This engine is a million times better then bachmann.  Built much stronger. 

  • Member since
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Posted by spikejones52002 on Monday, December 15, 2008 11:07 AM

 Does the Big Joe still have the wheel slip problem.

I live about 3 miles from HLW. I purchased a Big Joe when they first came out.

It looked OK when running it around the rails. Then I went to couple up some cars. One truck ran about twice as fast as the other.

I called HLW and they said to bring it in. I asked for the Technician but had to show the receptionist. Her comment was do not run it slow. The tech came out when I responded.

He agreed that both trucks should run at the same speed. I waited for a month for return. 

I placed it back on the test track there. One truck still ran faster than the other.

The recptionist said, " What do you expect for something that only ++$350.++. She said to take it back to where I purchased it. That cost me 20% restocking fee.

  • Member since
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  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Monday, December 15, 2008 6:55 AM

ttrigg

SNOWSHOE

SNow plow waiting for the next snow storm

Looks like a modified (previously used) coal tender, or was it a short freight?  Plow blade is weathering nicely, is that your doing or is mother nature?

 The plow is from a hartland mini series gondala.  I just added metal weights to the inside with a pile of stone.  Mother nature did the weathering

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Posted by g. gage on Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:28 PM

Looks good, like pix. What do you use for logs?

Rob

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  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Sunday, December 14, 2008 7:34 PM

Triggy, looks like a good bash of a coffee can.  Aint tin snips wonderful???

Like da pix, sure looks better than my layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Sunday, December 14, 2008 6:30 PM

SNOWSHOE

SNow plow waiting for the next snow storm

Looks like a modified (previously used) coal tender, or was it a short freight?  Plow blade is weathering nicely, is that your doing or is mother nature?

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
  • 436 posts
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Sunday, December 14, 2008 5:20 PM

I forgot these two shots

Pulling up for a load of wood

SNow plow waiting for the next snow storm

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Posted by gbbari on Sunday, December 14, 2008 5:17 PM

Thanks for the great pictures of the landscape Snowshoe.  Always nice to see where other railroaders live especially if we haven't ever been there ourselves.  Your train & railroad looks great as usual.  I can't wait to see the new extension in the spring.

Al

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Posted by SNOWSHOE on Sunday, December 14, 2008 4:40 PM

GearDrivenSteam

I always love your pictures, snowy. I want one of those things real bad.....but it'll have to wait. Word on the street is they pull like a beast. How is it?

 

It is a great engine.  It does not let anything get in its way.  Hartland is number 1 in my books for quality and affordability.  Im pretty much set with engines.  Only really need two.  I might get a small diesel like the hartland mack.  I need something for my mining carts whe I get them.  Even the flats I get at wholesale trains for 14 dollars each.  Cant beat it.   

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  • From: Jones County, Georgia
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Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Sunday, December 14, 2008 4:25 PM

I always love your pictures, snowy. I want one of those things real bad.....but it'll have to wait. Word on the street is they pull like a beast. How is it?

It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
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  • From: SOUTHERN, WI
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Posted by JRB 1953 on Sunday, December 14, 2008 2:40 PM

NEW PICTURES ARE ALWAYS A TREAT.  THANKS.

JOHN

  • Member since
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  • From: NJ (Kittatinny Mountains)
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Big John running outdoors
Posted by SNOWSHOE on Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:29 PM

I hooked up my new Big John with the flatcars and boxcar.  Had a good day finally after heavy rains and ice storm the last few days.  Also practicing my photography skills and finding the good picture spots.  Hope no one is getting sick of my pictures yet.  Oh I also got another  50+ft of track and a turnout for expansion this spring.  Cant wait.  The lighting today was not the best

Of course the ice storm.  Picture from High Pt up the road from my house.  Luckly my house did not get the ice nearly as bad

 

Ridge with ice from my house

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