Latest "sow's ear," N&MRR Locomotive 240

[Anonymous]

N&MRR Locomotive 240 is the newest "sow's ear" I have running on the Norma & Micaela Railroad. I was discussing with my brother the finer points of this locomotive. It began as a Sears Craftsman Locomotive from Scientific Toys. It is remote controlled and battery operated. I have unlocked the mystery of why it does not handle switches well...its not so much the flanges at it is the lack of speed control. It only has one setting for speed, thus it flys off the track. I found that if I stop and start it over the switch...sort of like a poor man's slow speed...it does well.

As you can see below it is a more stately locomotive, but one that seems to be in a slightly different scale. That has been remedied by the "chair" I built for the engineer out of an old car model bucket seat that was left over from some automobile model kit.



(above) Locomotive #240 crosses over the Boracho Gultch trestle, the most famous spot on the line for photographs.



(above) Locomotive #240 is a "mini" Atlantic 4-4-0 locomotive that was purchased second hand by the N&MRR for use on main line service. The Engineer is former Fireman Russell "Rusty" Hammer, he recently passed the necessary test to be an engineer and has a great time with the more streamlined Locomotive #240. He was quoted as saying "Sure beats having to hold Ole Number 6 together." Chief Mechanic and fellow Engineer Whitney Seeligson was not amused. His quote is too unspeakable to be printed here,



(above) A N&MRR publicity shot, "The Sky's the Limit of the Garden Route!" Actually taken from below the Borracho Gultch trestle on a balmy day.



(above) A better view of the cab of Locomotive #240 with Rusty Hammer at the controls. Not visible is the the fireman... Will Stokes. The crew pauses at Two Trees, Texas near the entrance to the Northerly Plantation's main gate.

I promise that by the beginning of the summer I will construct more track, I have some curves that I need to install. I'm looking forward to pics on the matter.