Irony of Ironies!!!

[Anonymous]

This whole thing about "G scale" and garden railroads began when I considered buying one of those Coastal/Silverado Express trains from Scientific Toys. My plan was to operate that train on tracks made of cermaic clay that were to be molded and fired by a friend (we even designed switches with frogs that we molded but never fired, they are now recycled into fish aquarium pieces.)

Well, Vic and Ian and a whole host of others warned me against them due to quality issues and I went on to purchase a few Bachmann Locomotives.

Well, this weekend I was suprised to know that my father had a large box waiting for me. In it was a Silverado Express train set that he said he got from e-bay. It was mine.

Well, needless to say I was quick to open it and see that I had missed. It looked a bit like a toy, but I figured I could modify it for use in the garden for my daughter. Later this week I will post some pics of some of the modifications to add...Locomotive #12 to the N&MRR roster. It is not remote controlled. I am thinking of seeking out one of these that is remote controlled and making the same modifications to please the neighborhood kids.

Well, what a fine turn of events this is!!!!

Capt Carrales
[:p]

[vsmith]

Tell her to keep an eye on it or else..

Mine had a nasty habit of derailing at every divergent switch it met, and with the battery power it would just keep on rolling over the dirt like some insane tractor!

They are probably pretty good for the kids, you can drop kick them and not hurt them too much.

I ended up modifying all the rolling stock to more conventional looking NG stock and blowing the engine apart for kitbashing parts. Your kids will probably get a big kick out of it though.[8D]

[Anonymous]

I've, thus far, only had one SNAFU...while the locomotive with its modifications (pics later this week) takes switches well (much more than I thought) it did run a ground over an overly heavy ballasted track. I had to bru***he ballast away and then it ran fine.

Here are some concerns I have with it...

1) The Battery box is unproportionally heavy than the locomotive itself. I don't know exactally how to solve it, but I may have to add weight to the locomotive itself to improve traction.

2) It has several "traction tires" that may ruin on hot Aristocraft track. So far I run in in the Two Tress, Texas Area (thus the shade from the namesake) I imagine when th eline pushes to open country it may cause a problem.

3) I've got some hooks (Bachmann Couplers) coming in , I'm going to work some magic to convert them to Bachmann. I think it will pull two passenger coaches, or two boxcars or up to four flat cars if conditions are correct.

4) I would like to buy another of these engines, but I cannot find them in stores. They are wonderful vessels on which to practice my kitbashing skills without fear of disaster!!! Does anyone know from whence I might get another set (but one that is remote controlled)?

[Anonymous]

Have you got a picture Captain Carrales sir? This is a battery loco I haven't heard of before and I can feel a desire to aquire one coming on. Is it similar to the Echo 'Classic Rail' locomotive? I know there are a lot of similarities between Scientific Toys and Echo rolling stock.

New Bright trains, - go on you know you want one.

Cheers

Annie

[Anonymous]

Captain sir, - have alook at this on e.bay - New Bright 'G' Scale Steam Loco & Tender REMOTE CONTROL 5969037967
This is NOT a New Bright loco as far as I can tell and it has a radio control thingy.

Update!! The auction title has just been changed to - Scientific Toys 'G' Scale Loco & Tender REMOTE CONTROL Item number: 5969037967

Isn't this exciting! :-)


Cheers,

Annie.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LocoAnnie

Captain sir, - have alook at this on e.bay - New Bright 'G' Scale Steam Loco & Tender REMOTE CONTROL 5969037967
This is NOT a New Bright loco as far as I can tell and it has a radio control thingy.

Update!! The auction title has just been changed to - Scientific Toys 'G' Scale Loco & Tender REMOTE CONTROL Item number: 5969037967

Isn't this exciting! :-)


Cheers,

Annie.

Annie,

Much thanks on the tip. Yes, this is the locomotive of which I speak. This set, from e-bay, is called the Coastal Express. I have the much less expensive (about half) Silverado Express which is not remote controlled.

It has worked well for its purpose, seeing trains run early on my line and entertaining the local kids (namely my Daughter Miceala). I have begun to alter its original appearance. Painting things that should be black or that would look better subdued, adding some cat walks that will actaully allow my few figures to stand on and turning the caboose it came with into a MOW caboose. I should have pics by then end of the week on the slow process I am taking. As I said before, it is my "field test" bed for kitbashing.

I would like to have the remote one so I won't have to press the button on top to start and stop it (forward and reverse alternatively), especially now that my line is not complete for continueous running.

How about these New Bright types? All I have seen for sail is this Holiday train. Are they battery or track powered? I have seen them on e-bay without a tender.

Well, thanks.
Cheers!!!

[Anonymous]

Morning Captn, - New Bright locos carry 6 'C' cells in the tender, but it is possible to convert them to other battery options that aren't so much of a dead weight. These locos are no longer in production as far as I'm aware which is a shame, but at least the Christmas and holiday versions currently available are fine to pilage for spare parts for the older trainsets. Some of the newer Holiday & Xmas trainsets operate off track power and I've been meaning to get hold of one so I can evict the Elves and see if the mechanical parts can be used on the older locos.
My lovely mint Timberwood & Redwood RR locomotive (My Mum says I'm NOT allowed to cut it up to make something else from it)


Cheers,

Annie

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LocoAnnie

Morning Captn, - New Bright locos carry 6 'C' cells in the tender, but it is possible to convert them to other battery options that aren't so much of a dead weight. These locos are no longer in production as far as I'm aware which is a shame, but at least the Christmas and holiday versions currently available are fine to pilage for spare parts for the older trainsets. Some of the newer Holiday & Xmas trainsets operate off track power and I've been meaning to get hold of one so I can evict the Elves and see if the mechanical parts can be used on the older locos.
My lovely mint Timberwood & Redwood RR locomotive (My Mum says I'm NOT allowed to cut it up to make something else from it)


Cheers,

Annie

Yes, that is a fine looking locomotive, pity its no long being made. [:(] I would prpbably subdue the colors for a more "industrial" look.

Most I have found on e-bay have been with no tender, I can't imagine anyone selling it without one...I guess for parts.

I think you would be pleased with a scientific loco. I promise I'll have pics on the way. I'm meeting some friends at the Old Engli***ea Room in Kingsville today (funny, you wouldn't think I was talking about South Texas, that last sentence sounds like I'm visiting a part of THE EMPIRE!)

Thanks,

Capt Carrales

[Anonymous]

Joe never look a gift horse in the mouth , what a great Dad you have, you are a lucky son

All the best mate.


Rgds ian