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Teen Model Railroader Place-Fall 2012

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  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Monday, February 11, 2013 7:09 PM

lone geep

Lehigh Valley 2089

lone geep

Recently on my railroad, I've realigned part of my high line to give it a less steep grade up to it. what I've also done is build a balsa wood retaining wall that I want to paint gray to look like concrete.

Then I added a cap along the top.

The tracks below are my yard and the tracks behind the wall is my staging yard. Sorry for the messEmbarrassed.

It's looking pretty good. Are your cars free-rolling or are you using cut coupler springs to add some resistance to the wheels? Got thinking about it because the Canada hopper seems to be sitting on a grade. 

As far as it being a mess, you should see my layout right now. I can operate trains on it, but I still need to do some wiring work in order to get them running on all the little nooks of the layout. Specifically the turntable tracks. Also need to do some heavy duty track cleaning, and I think I need a power washer at this point. 

That hopper came from a Bachmann train set so it isn't free rolling and it isn't on a track either, only on the cork, though it is on a slight grade. How did you weather your mini trainmaster? 

Do you remember reading an article about Cody using eye shadow sponges to add rust and grime effects to a former BN SW? That's what I did, only I used an artist sponge to add the effects. I also used a small amount of graphite to add the soot and grime effects using a hog bristle brush. It sure looks sharp.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: outside of London, Ontario
  • 389 posts
Posted by lone geep on Monday, February 11, 2013 3:02 PM

Lehigh Valley 2089

lone geep

Recently on my railroad, I've realigned part of my high line to give it a less steep grade up to it. what I've also done is build a balsa wood retaining wall that I want to paint gray to look like concrete.

Then I added a cap along the top.

The tracks below are my yard and the tracks behind the wall is my staging yard. Sorry for the messEmbarrassed.

It's looking pretty good. Are your cars free-rolling or are you using cut coupler springs to add some resistance to the wheels? Got thinking about it because the Canada hopper seems to be sitting on a grade. 

As far as it being a mess, you should see my layout right now. I can operate trains on it, but I still need to do some wiring work in order to get them running on all the little nooks of the layout. Specifically the turntable tracks. Also need to do some heavy duty track cleaning, and I think I need a power washer at this point. 

That hopper came from a Bachmann train set so it isn't free rolling and it isn't on a track either, only on the cork, though it is on a slight grade. How did you weather your mini trainmaster? 

Lone Geep 

 \

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Monday, February 11, 2013 2:51 AM

Lehigh Valley 2089

Burlington Northern #24

cowman

Gary,

I'm far from being a teen, but I have a suggestion for your "non-buying" period. 

What I have done is set aside a given amount a week, which I call my cigarette money, since I don't smoke.  Ask the controller of the finances if it would be alright if you set aside a given amount weekly for your wishlist.  It could cover more than model rr if necessary.  If you have an allowance or have a job a small amount each week does not up set the current budget and can add up quite rapidly if carefully monitored.  As long as you don't overspend what you have saved, hopefully you will be showing her finincial responsibility.  I did this with the first engine I bought decades ago, the current fund started long after that purchase.  Gives me a source of funds that my controller of finances (wife) doesn't object to.

Just a thought.

Good luck,

Richard

thanks yeah, been buying one train a check/ 2-3 weeks maybe a month. yeah april is the start of my 2nd year as a model railroader.

Me? When the pay is good I set aside most of it and use only about a quarter of it for Lionel or N scale items. When it isn't, I often don't touch it. I usually wait for a better check to come before buying an item. 

yeah, it depends upon how much $ is on the check and how bad I want the train.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Sunday, February 10, 2013 8:07 PM

Burlington Northern #24

cowman

Gary,

I'm far from being a teen, but I have a suggestion for your "non-buying" period. 

What I have done is set aside a given amount a week, which I call my cigarette money, since I don't smoke.  Ask the controller of the finances if it would be alright if you set aside a given amount weekly for your wishlist.  It could cover more than model rr if necessary.  If you have an allowance or have a job a small amount each week does not up set the current budget and can add up quite rapidly if carefully monitored.  As long as you don't overspend what you have saved, hopefully you will be showing her finincial responsibility.  I did this with the first engine I bought decades ago, the current fund started long after that purchase.  Gives me a source of funds that my controller of finances (wife) doesn't object to.

Just a thought.

Good luck,

Richard

thanks yeah, been buying one train a check/ 2-3 weeks maybe a month. yeah april is the start of my 2nd year as a model railroader.

Me? When the pay is good I set aside most of it and use only about a quarter of it for Lionel or N scale items. When it isn't, I often don't touch it. I usually wait for a better check to come before buying an item. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Saturday, February 9, 2013 11:54 PM

cowman

Gary,

I'm far from being a teen, but I have a suggestion for your "non-buying" period. 

What I have done is set aside a given amount a week, which I call my cigarette money, since I don't smoke.  Ask the controller of the finances if it would be alright if you set aside a given amount weekly for your wishlist.  It could cover more than model rr if necessary.  If you have an allowance or have a job a small amount each week does not up set the current budget and can add up quite rapidly if carefully monitored.  As long as you don't overspend what you have saved, hopefully you will be showing her finincial responsibility.  I did this with the first engine I bought decades ago, the current fund started long after that purchase.  Gives me a source of funds that my controller of finances (wife) doesn't object to.

Just a thought.

Good luck,

Richard

thanks yeah, been buying one train a check/ 2-3 weeks maybe a month. yeah april is the start of my 2nd year as a model railroader.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Saturday, February 9, 2013 8:44 PM

lone geep

Recently on my railroad, I've realigned part of my high line to give it a less steep grade up to it. what I've also done is build a balsa wood retaining wall that I want to paint gray to look like concrete.

Then I added a cap along the top.

The tracks below are my yard and the tracks behind the wall is my staging yard. Sorry for the messEmbarrassed.

It's looking pretty good. Are your cars free-rolling or are you using cut coupler springs to add some resistance to the wheels? Got thinking about it because the Canada hopper seems to be sitting on a grade. 

As far as it being a mess, you should see my layout right now. I can operate trains on it, but I still need to do some wiring work in order to get them running on all the little nooks of the layout. Specifically the turntable tracks. Also need to do some heavy duty track cleaning, and I think I need a power washer at this point. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Saturday, February 9, 2013 6:30 PM

Gary,

I'm far from being a teen, but I have a suggestion for your "non-buying" period. 

What I have done is set aside a given amount a week, which I call my cigarette money, since I don't smoke.  Ask the controller of the finances if it would be alright if you set aside a given amount weekly for your wishlist.  It could cover more than model rr if necessary.  If you have an allowance or have a job a small amount each week does not up set the current budget and can add up quite rapidly if carefully monitored.  As long as you don't overspend what you have saved, hopefully you will be showing her finincial responsibility.  I did this with the first engine I bought decades ago, the current fund started long after that purchase.  Gives me a source of funds that my controller of finances (wife) doesn't object to.

Just a thought.

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Saturday, February 9, 2013 3:21 PM

looks good both the trainmaster and your concrete wall.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: outside of London, Ontario
  • 389 posts
Posted by lone geep on Saturday, February 9, 2013 2:19 PM

Recently on my railroad, I've realigned part of my high line to give it a less steep grade up to it. what I've also done is build a balsa wood retaining wall that I want to paint gray to look like concrete.

Then I added a cap along the top.

The tracks below are my yard and the tracks behind the wall is my staging yard. Sorry for the messEmbarrassed.

Lone Geep 

 \

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Saturday, February 9, 2013 12:50 PM

Here's BT&S #790 after decaling and weathering.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:29 PM

Lehigh Valley 2089

Burlington Northern #24

that looks great, I just got CB&Q's Silver streak zephyr. I just don't want to pick it up because it's so shiny.

Thank you, took only about two hours. Just got the time to post a photo of it.,

you're welcome, I'll get a pic of the zephyr once my railfanning vid goes up on Youtube.caugt two BNSF warbonnets one headed north the other headed south. 

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:13 PM

Burlington Northern #24

that looks great, I just got CB&Q's Silver streak zephyr. I just don't want to pick it up because it's so shiny.

Thank you, took only about two hours. Just got the time to post a photo of it.,

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 2:49 PM

that looks great, I just got CB&Q's Silver streak zephyr. I just don't want to pick it up because it's so shiny.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 1:59 PM

Here's the passenger car with supports. Looks pretty good there.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Monday, December 24, 2012 10:49 AM

Currently adding wood supports to a passenger car that just kept giving me trouble. It is to become a part of my logging camp. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Monday, December 10, 2012 5:00 PM

 just moved the layout back to my room, decided to finish putting down the ground cover, I may or may not yank some track and replace it to fix derailment problems. I need to draw up a 4x8 plan so I can build one eventually, it'll be my show/ personal layout so I can run my BN passenger and executive trains. mom said I can't buy anymore trains for a while Sad I was gonna buy a vomit bonnet, oh well I guess I could super detail my locos and cars and switch them to MTL's. 

but for the mean time just running on the fly ops. I need to buy a new two stall engine house.

SP&S #50 sits out in the rain on the shop track.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Monday, December 10, 2012 3:57 PM

Problem.............

The E-unit in my 2020 is still not clicking every time. Still think it is just dirt keeping it from clicking, but I am unsure at this point. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Sunday, November 25, 2012 1:59 PM

Me no have photobucket, can't readily post photos. Everything I posted can be viewed by visiting my photos page. Please check it out!

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: outside of London, Ontario
  • 389 posts
Posted by lone geep on Sunday, November 25, 2012 1:00 PM

Just got it working again. Here are the rest.

 

Lone Geep 

 \

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: outside of London, Ontario
  • 389 posts
Posted by lone geep on Sunday, November 25, 2012 12:54 PM

I worked on the yard/paper mill lead and took some pics with my RS10 and my dad's Arthearn BB wooden caboose.

 

Grrr, my photobucket just started acting up. I'll post the rest later.

 

Lone Geep 

 \

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 2:21 PM

Lehigh Valley 2089

Burlington Northern #24

if it means getting a GS4 back up and running that five bucks will pay itself off. thank you.

Actually, hold off on that. I just looked at it again and it said "for models produced before 2002". If your GS -4 is from before that, okay. But if not, well, I don't know what to do. There was a forum of someone trying to install a decoder in such an engine, so you may want to take a look at that.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?96619-KATO-GS-4-Tsunami-install-Step-by-step!

I saw that forum post but it wasn't much help. that's alright I got an SP flatcar I'm sure I can do something with my none working GS-4

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 1:55 PM

Burlington Northern #24

if it means getting a GS4 back up and running that five bucks will pay itself off. thank you.

Actually, hold off on that. I just looked at it again and it said "for models produced before 2002". If your GS -4 is from before that, okay. But if not, well, I don't know what to do. There was a forum of someone trying to install a decoder in such an engine, so you may want to take a look at that.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?96619-KATO-GS-4-Tsunami-install-Step-by-step!

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 9:05 AM

if it means getting a GS4 back up and running that five bucks will pay itself off. thank you.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 6:18 AM

I did see that kato has a parts catalog avalible for $5, which includes parts diagrams. If you are willing to spend an extra $5, you can very well have that GS-4 back together.

http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-1078&keywords=diagram&maxhits=25&go=Search&bool=AND

 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 8:03 PM

Lehigh Valley 2089

Burlington Northern #24

Lehigh Valley 2089

Performed some servicing on my E-unit (yes, I did all of a sudden get the guts to rip it apart) and now it works properly. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I just need a 6020W or 2020W tender.

I'm not sure I may be able to disassemble another one of my locos, my first GS4 is sitting in shambles so I guess it's spare parts for my second one.

Key to success for Lionel was simplicity. The E-unit may sound like a complex item, but it's nothing more than a drum, metal fingers, a plunger, and an electromagnet. 

If you could mention who produced the GS4, I maybe able to find the parts diagram for it, making reassembly easier (I'm assuming Kato made this item). 

correct you are it is a kato, 

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 7:00 PM

Burlington Northern #24

Lehigh Valley 2089

Performed some servicing on my E-unit (yes, I did all of a sudden get the guts to rip it apart) and now it works properly. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I just need a 6020W or 2020W tender.

I'm not sure I may be able to disassemble another one of my locos, my first GS4 is sitting in shambles so I guess it's spare parts for my second one.

Key to success for Lionel was simplicity. The E-unit may sound like a complex item, but it's nothing more than a drum, metal fingers, a plunger, and an electromagnet. 

If you could mention who produced the GS4, I maybe able to find the parts diagram for it, making reassembly easier (I'm assuming Kato made this item). 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2012
  • 2,297 posts
Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:54 PM

Lehigh Valley 2089

Performed some servicing on my E-unit (yes, I did all of a sudden get the guts to rip it apart) and now it works properly. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I just need a 6020W or 2020W tender.

I'm not sure I may be able to disassemble another one of my locos, my first GS4 is sitting in shambles so I guess it's spare parts for my second one.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:45 PM

Performed some servicing on my E-unit (yes, I did all of a sudden get the guts to rip it apart) and now it works properly. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I just need a 6020W or 2020W tender.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 10:27 PM

Just had to replace a wire in my 2020. It's all original wiring, so I'm not surprised that it needed some new wiring. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

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