Not quite, I trawl the LHSs that carry Aristo parts and when I can't get them locally, I use mail order, www.wholesaletrains.com mostly, plus I always check to make sure they are in stock before I order. Aristo parts supplies notoriously come and go (with mostly gone) so I usually don't do projects like this till theres a supply of these of these back in stock, then I get as many as I think I'll need and more importantly, can afford.
The Aristo FA replacement block used on the Roundhouse Climax is more readily available, but less adaptable to geared engines, it just happens to fits the Roundhouse model. The Centercab block I have used on all my other geared engine models can be a bit tougher to find but is my favorite drivetrain power source. I havent tried the Bachmann Shay units yet, and will not until I get proper parts to make those neat spinny things under the cylinders on a Shay!
Have fun with your trains
Just some updates, as for the Roundhouse, all thats left is weathering.
Heres another quickie Hiesler made from a Bmann Columbia pooper, a Bmann 20 foot flat and a couple of AC bricks. Added weights and it now pulls teeth.
PS caboose is also painted, needs decals added next.
Sorry, no extra trucks, I'm looking for them myself. The Scientific sets come with Euro style wheels like LGB Euro stock. So I have to cut off the journals and remove the wheel mounts and replace them with American style trucks which are a PITA to find good small ones, like on Bachmanns 20 foot cars.
Last Xmas I got some super cheep battery trainsets from Big Lots (Pic-n-Save) that ran on 50mm track ( ! ) and scrapped literally everything but the trucks which I was able to modify to 45mm wheels. Dam thing is they didnt have them again this Xmas, Rats!
Tom Trigg
Both wrong...its 2 Scientific Toys cabooses, ya know? the sets they sell at KB Toys every Xmas for $40.
I picked up 2 sets this Xmas, and an even cheeper (and more basic) set at CVS Pharmacy for $20!
I convert the freight cars for use on my line w/ new trucks and couplers. the locos get pulled apart for bash parts, and I kept one set intact for when my in-laws bring their kids over.
I had these two cabooses just sitting around and decided to kill two birds with one model and since I cant afford an Accucraft version, build my own D&RGW long caboose. Still fiddling with it.
PS no lights, I find its really not worth the extra work, plus real RRs of the era I model never ran in daylight with the lights on.
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
Updates:I was able to finish (more or less) and basic paint the Climax;Tank in place:basic paint done:
And I got a little more work done on this terror of genetic mutation:
Nice Climax! What ever do you mean, a messy workbench, as I rutenly vacume up the wood shavings out of the heater vent, (just the heater vent, no sence cleaning the rest) Currently there are: several big maulers(all dissambled) ;a caboose (needing ends and roof) ; and my motly contraption, as well as one verry uncooperative switch. (I need to learn track laying better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)Maby in twelve years they might move off, yes?
Hi capt bob
Geniuses are neat and tidy, just because we cannot find anything in their work area doesn't mean its untidy
Now where did I put?? I am obviously not a genius but I do have my private disaster area the sign says so
Hey Vic
Great work like the mack thing, a 4wh passanger trailer and just the thing for market day.
regards John
Who ever heard of geniuses being neat and orderly???
If you can't find something you need, then you take something else and use it for something it was never intended to be used for; and that makes for a better end product!
My wife got on me about my junky garage, so I had a barn built and told her she has absolutely no say about my barn!
vsmith wrote: Need to paint about 20 projects, wish the home remodel was done. Can't paint due to fumes, workbench is next to the bedroom
Been focusing what little free time I have on some Kitbashes. progress so far:
2 AC FA1 bricks + Buddy L gondola + styrene & assorted junk = Climax #2Still need to add an aux. water tank over the boiler, and other details.
Needed something to do with a broken axle AC brick, and some other left over parts, this case, LGB toytrain flat, HLW cab & radiator, and some junk,
2 El Cheepo cabooses geneticly mutated into one, still a ways to go here
ANYWAY... I'll try to take some dissassembly pics to show how there put together.
PS their about 4 lbs of lead birdshot inside the boiler and bunker of the Climax.
Need to paint about 20 projects, wish the home remodel was done. Cant paint due to fumes, workbench is next to the bedroom
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