cudaken Thank you for the detailed answer John. Sounds like I won't be after the sitting Big Boys at my LHS. Hope you get the bugs worked out and enjoy it as much as I do my Y6 b. Far as motors, ask Darth Santa Fe, he seems to have a handle on the motor topic. Thank you for your time, Ken
Thank you for the detailed answer John. Sounds like I won't be after the sitting Big Boys at my LHS. Hope you get the bugs worked out and enjoy it as much as I do my Y6 b.
Far as motors, ask Darth Santa Fe, he seems to have a handle on the motor topic.
Thank you for your time, Ken
Yeah, but I got it for about $40 bucks off ebay. I wouldn't pay much more for it.
I hate Rust
cudaken John, good job on the old Rivrarossi. Was it worth the effort? When I got started in this hobby I was looking for a affordable Big Boy and my LHS had some new in the box. ( 6 years later he still does) The owner said not to buy one, they where junk. Just wonder what you think about Rivraossi. Ken
John, good job on the old Rivrarossi. Was it worth the effort? When I got started in this hobby I was looking for a affordable Big Boy and my LHS had some new in the box. ( 6 years later he still does) The owner said not to buy one, they where junk. Just wonder what you think about Rivraossi.
Ken
I dunno. I think I'm mixed about it. This was my first dcc/sound decoder install into a Rivarossi. It was kind of a pain. The next one though won't be so bad, I'll know what not to do. One of this biggest challenges was figuring out how it was wired-- it seemed obvious, but then in the end it turned out not to be. It was only a little tip I saw somewhere on the web that said you need to cut a strap from the motor's brush to the frame. And then later, the a-ha moment hit me, you need to connect one side of the decoder (on the track in [-] lead) to the frame, and that was the last bit to making it work. I used the Soundtraxx DSD-something or other, the one with the articulated pattern. Being the first one and the non-obvious pickup, I ended up doing a lot more disassembly / reassembly than I would have preferred. I may have to do some repair / realignment work on one of the valve gear-- but either it came like that or else I fat-fingered it somewhere-- that shouldn't have happened. I think I got it straightened back out though (fingers crossed) and I'm hopeful some plain running for awhile will smooth it back out.
All told, the first one was a pain. The next ones, if any, won't be anywhere near so bad. The thing I really want to do with this one though is wire the tender trucks for power pickup. I think that will help smooth out its operation. I also put extra weight into the tender which helps it track much better too. I pulled out the original light bulb in the loco and replaced it with a grain of wheat bulb-- probably should have used an LED, would have if I'd had one sitting around. I also added a bulb to the tender-- it doesn't come with one out of the box. Both mods were also easy, though I'll probably switch it for LED's eventually.
The biggest issues, aside from figuring out power, were how to run the wires. I should have used a connector between the loco and tender, I didn't. I just hard-wired them with an extra length of wire, which is tucked into the tender. I used a bit of black shrink-wrap, cut alternately halfway across from the left and then the right, etc. to make a flexible hose to hide the wires. I drilled out the location on the tender where the coal autofeeder is-- it was almost the exact correct diameter, and fed the wires and shrink-wrap "hose" through that. So it looks like the autofeeder.
The one thing I would like to do, if I keep operating the loco, is to figure out where/how to repower it (the motor) and where/how to re-driver it. The drivers are pizza-cutters. Even the tender wheels were pizza-cutters. I tried to switch out the tender wheels but the metal wheels I have wouldn't fit right for some reason. So I'm leaving that for another day.
John
My first entries in this thread...
Been working on installing dcc and sound into an old Rivarossi Y6B 2-8-8-2. My kid and I were having fun running it this morning and we took a video to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODwmxQIT_Y
While we were taking video of stuff, we also did one of our BLI Paragon2 NW2 Switcher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhYdFNZdWT8
Good looking stuff again this week guys. Keep them coming.
Not much doing on the BRVRR this past couple of weeks. A trip to Seattle slowed things down even more than summertime.
Here are a couple of photos I took today:
NYC Hudson #5335 rounds the bend in front of the General Industries building on the East end of the BRVRR layout.
NYC Mike #9519 crosses the truck access road behind the Farmers Union grain elevator at the West end of the layout.
Keep the photos and ideas coming guys. You are always inspiring.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Santa Fe all the way! Tomkat, Hawk Point is not too far from where I live!! When I used to work/live in Jacksonville,ILL, I used to go thru Hawk Point when I went back home.
Tomkat, Hawk Point is not too far from where I live!! When I used to work/live in Jacksonville,ILL, I used to go thru Hawk Point when I went back home.
Hawk Point Missori is about 2 1/2 hrs Southwest of Jacksonville Illinois.
I finally got off my chair and started doing more work on my next diorama. Next time I should remember to paint the styrofoam before I lay down track and road.
Track repair at Hawk Point Elevator.
jacon12 I think I'm going to eliminate business 1 altogether. That'll solve that problem.. :)
Jarrell,
Having seen your previous modeling efforts and the detailed pit and the rock face already done I anxiously wait to see what you do to complete the scene.
Happy Railroading
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
G Paine MotleyYes I did use the alcohol with an eye dropper, then used the WS scenic glue with an eye dropper, and it still floats the ballast. Hi Motley, sorry for the late , but the wife and I have been busy hosting a family reunion today; I did not get to WPF until this evening Adding the alcohol with an eye dropper will float WS ballast and ground foam - too much volume of liquid. Get a good misting bottle and spray a fine mist of whatever wetting agent you like into the ballast. Once it gets damp, you can increase the volume and get closer to give it a good wetting. The key with both ballast and ground foam is start lightly; sometimes I have to spray up in the air and let the mist gently rain down on fine ground foam so that it will not wash away.
MotleyYes I did use the alcohol with an eye dropper, then used the WS scenic glue with an eye dropper, and it still floats the ballast.
Hi Motley, sorry for the late , but the wife and I have been busy hosting a family reunion today; I did not get to WPF until this evening
Adding the alcohol with an eye dropper will float WS ballast and ground foam - too much volume of liquid. Get a good misting bottle and spray a fine mist of whatever wetting agent you like into the ballast. Once it gets damp, you can increase the volume and get closer to give it a good wetting. The key with both ballast and ground foam is start lightly; sometimes I have to spray up in the air and let the mist gently rain down on fine ground foam so that it will not wash away.
As he said. When using alcohol mix it 50/50 with water and spray it on. The scenic cement is still done with eye dropper but the wetting is sprayed. Makes all the difference in the world. The glue will absorb right in.
Springfield PA
superbejacon12I'm trying to decide where to put what Jarrell, You asked so here goes... Two thoughts.... First, I find the stone wall to be objectionable mainly due to it's height and it doesn't look like it has a purpose. Secondly it looks like you have something in mind as you have created a very nice pit for hoppers to dump "whatever'. Perhaps one industry with the track in the center. Also maybe a smaller building were business #1 is located. Happy Railroading Bob
jacon12I'm trying to decide where to put what
You asked so here goes...
Two thoughts....
First, I find the stone wall to be objectionable mainly due to it's height and it doesn't look like it has a purpose.
Secondly it looks like you have something in mind as you have created a very nice pit for hoppers to dump "whatever'. Perhaps one industry with the track in the center. Also maybe a smaller building were business #1 is located.
Drilinezgardner18 I don't have any good cropping tools on my computer so I just used Microsoft Paint to add scenery on the bottom to cover my bench work. Another great looking shot. Who is the manufacturer of the blue and red trucks?
zgardner18 I don't have any good cropping tools on my computer so I just used Microsoft Paint to add scenery on the bottom to cover my bench work.
I don't have any good cropping tools on my computer so I just used Microsoft Paint to add scenery on the bottom to cover my bench work.
The Green truck is a Ford F150 from Atlas and the Red truck is a Ford F250 from Herpa (I think). Everyone in Montana has a truck for the most part so that is the look that I am trying to go for here. Those are my 3 SD45's. The first two are P2K models that I custom painted and the last one is an Athearn RTR that I just patched. All three are modeled after actual MRL units that at the time I was living there were in these colors. All still need a bit of weathering though.
--Zak Gardner
My Layout Blog: http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com
http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Been moving some structures around on the layout. Here's a run-through shop on the Knutzville spur before it splits to a dead end and the engine house.
I have two model railroad workbenches 500 miles apart. One is at my home in a 1800 Sq ft basement which I am building a HO scale layout. Last job change we decided to keep the home. I plan to retire in about ten years.
Home workbench
Apartment workbench
I have been spending the time in the apartment installing DCC decoders in my locomotive fleet. I have a two track 6 foot long test track and use a DB150 as a command station to test locomotives. I use a PR3 and Decoder Pro to program locomotives. I just completed adding a Digitrax SFX04 sound only decoder to a Digitrax DH165AO. It works great. I had to move the headlights so I am waiting for the parts to dry. I used latex caulk to hold the LED headlights in place so they can be removed if needed.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
jacon12A spot that I'm trying to decide where to put what. We've all been there, haven't we. I think business 1 is going to have to go away, it's getting a little too crowded.. Jarrell
How true. Many times for me. It's happening right now for one of my projects. You're doing well with that scene so far, Jarrell
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
MotleyVery nice shots Ken!!! The lighting looks fine to me....Love those Monon F3's.
Very nice shots Ken!!! The lighting looks fine to me....
Love those Monon F3's.
Far as the Monon F'3's, there is still hope for you! Just added another B unit and the speed matching is driving me a little nuts.
I will add Micheal your picture look pretty darn good as well.
Nice photos all!
Looks like they have fired up old Mogul #38. Probably for helper duty as there is a heavy train to get up and over Bare Mountain this evening.
Yep! here she comes out of the roundhouse:
As evening falls, the crew has arrived to get Connie #217 ready to take the head end:
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
zgardner18I don't have any good cropping tools on my computer so I just used Microsoft Paint to add scenery on the bottom to cover my bench work.
Recently some have been asking for work in progress shots and if you look in the dictionary under works in progress there is a pic of my layout! I have learned some things doing this one that I will not soon forget! things like you should really have a master plan and not make it up as you go along, also you should really find the bridges you like and make the land fit them, not the other way around! with that in mind here are some shots.
I have managed to get 2 of the 3 tracks ballested, also have some roads marked out, and the last shot shows the lake in progress, so there is that, thanks for reading and looking.
Chuck.
Hamltblue,
Thanks for your concern on the trackwork but I believe this is just the transition from Micro Engineering rail to the rail in the Walthers tunrout. I think I am going to have to make some tranisiton rail joiners in HO scale
Be Wise Beware Be Safe
"Mountain Goat" Greg
SP&S Oregon Trunk
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,...
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
mountaingoatgreg I have made a little progress in my shelf layout... I was able to get all the turnouts working with Tortoise switch machines and DPDT switches in place on the edge of the layout. All the track is in and has been tested in DCC mode without any problems. Next I will tackle the small staging area and test the operations. Here is a photo of the completed track and some trains staged in action. Here are a couple of photos of some structures I am mocking up. I am still not sure where everything will go but I am getting some good ideas from the stand ins. As always more photos on my blog OREGON TRUNK BLOG
I have made a little progress in my shelf layout...
I was able to get all the turnouts working with Tortoise switch machines and DPDT switches in place on the edge of the layout. All the track is in and has been tested in DCC mode without any problems. Next I will tackle the small staging area and test the operations.
Here is a photo of the completed track and some trains staged in action.
Here are a couple of photos of some structures I am mocking up. I am still not sure where everything will go but I am getting some good ideas from the stand ins.
As always more photos on my blog OREGON TRUNK BLOG
Hi Greg,
In the lower left corner by the turnout there looks like an alignment issue. The track connecting to the turnout looks like the rails are higher. If so it will probable give you some headaches.