MotleyDang thats a damn shame, sorry to hear about your troubles with that great looking Pensy. I have recently bought 2 BLI steam engines, have not even run them yet, or tested. I hope I don't have any troubles with them.
There's hope!
Sure, it requires a little effort and an outlay of cash (so what else is new?) While looking at the K4 box I saw a little gold emblem that stated "Go Pack Compatible" or such. While looking for a keep alive solution I discovered that BLI is finally getting on the plug-in keep alive bandwagon.
https://www.broadway-limited.com/gopackpowercontinuitycapacitorpackwithplug.aspx
And they have indicated where connections can be made for your own KA capacitor:
http://www.broadway-limited2.com/support/GoPacks%20and%20Keep%20Alives.pdf
I still can not fathom why pickup should be a problem on these heavy steamers but the keep alive should certainly help.
Regards, Ed
Evening
Just wanted to stop in and say thanks to everyone who posted this weekend. I always enjoy this thread seeing what everyone's been working on.
Great looking stuff here
TF
BRVRREd: Digitrax really changed their controllers! Is that on tethered or is it radio/IR? I have a couple of DT400s which I assume your new one replaces.
Hi, Allan. Yes, this throttle is wireless and, now, Digitrax is only offering the duplex system where you can select locomotives without plugging anything in. There is a short (RG-12?) jumper wire but they got smart and put a plug on the throttle itself so you don't snag anything on the plug! Good idea!
I sent both my DT 400s in to be upgraded to duplex a few years ago. That was a good deal. I still use them, of course. The new throttle will supplement them.
Yes, Kevin, that is a 1936 Loewy design. I'm not a big fan of his style (much prefer Dreyfuss) but it was emblematic of the era, for sure! PRR was a frequent adopter of the Loewy style.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Railroad_class_K4
The frustrating thing about the Broadway engines is that there is no obvious reason for the power interruption. All my turnouts are powered with powered frogs. Eventually the engines seem to cure themselves after continuous running.
An earlier K4 I bought about a year ago would stop dead at the very same turnouts and crossings. Plus the three P5a electrics, with very different wheel configurations also died in a similar fashion!
Add to the list a PRR L1 and H10. Seven engines all together. Just doesn't make sense.
Great stuff this weekend, folks! Always a pleasure
Michael: Nice job you did weathering your box car.
Peter: Your idler flats look really good and ready to work. Thank you for sharing your flat cars with the Detail West castings.
Philo: I'll bet your are proud of that Challenger. I currently only have one articulated steam locomotive, but I have "plans" for two more.
Ed: The streamlined locomotive sure is handsome, it is a shame the running and details are not where they should be. That is a Lowey K-4 isn't it?
Allan: Glad to hear you were running trains this weekend. The jadxe green E-unit is an eye-catcher. Mail Trains are the only passenger trains I really like.
Michael: I gave up on mass produced steamers a while back. My Athearn Genesis and other models gave me fits. Only the Bachmann Spectrum models have run as I expected. Brass models have their own problems, but at least they are easy to service and repair.
About Log Bunkers: Does anyone know when those Detail West log bunkers are appropriate for? I have a few packs of them, but do not know if something like that would have been used in 1954. My understanding is that most of those were home-made in company fabrication shops.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
gmpullman The red class lights are a no-no. Markers would be red if only backing up. Unfortunate, too, is this is yet another Broadway engine I've recently acquires that has a horrible "track" record! It stops DEAD at nearly every turnout it encounters. This has happened with the past five or six BLI engines I have. Eventually the stuttering goes away but I'm at a loss to pinpoint exactly what causes this. It takes a good four or five hours of "run-in" time before it improves I'm glad to see all the great contributions here, folks! Great Stuff Regards, Ed
The red class lights are a no-no. Markers would be red if only backing up. Unfortunate, too, is this is yet another Broadway engine I've recently acquires that has a horrible "track" record! It stops DEAD at nearly every turnout it encounters. This has happened with the past five or six BLI engines I have. Eventually the stuttering goes away but I'm at a loss to pinpoint exactly what causes this. It takes a good four or five hours of "run-in" time before it improves
I'm glad to see all the great contributions here, folks! Great Stuff
Dang thats a damn shame, sorry to hear about your troubles with that great looking Pensy.
I have recently bought 2 BLI steam engines, have not even run them yet, or tested. I hope I don't have any troubles with them.
BLI has some great offerings, but their quality is in the tank, I am hearing all kinds of complaints about BLI.
Might have to stick with Athearn Genisis and MTH Steam locomotives.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Kevin: Thanks for starting WPF. Thats a good looking boxcar.
Ed: Digitrax really changed their controllers! Is that on tethered or is it radio/IR? I have a couple of DT400s which I assume your new one replaces.
York1 John: Nice cabin.
Mel: Good job on the camera loco. Very complex.
Michael: The layout is coming along.
Philo426: Nice job on the switcher paint job.
Rick: You've been busy. Love the caboose, very colorful. The RI loco looks good. I like the blue on the WABASH locos.
Paul: Good looking reefers. I think I'll look for a few like them.
Donn: Nicely done.
Garry: N de M? N of Mexico?
Little Timmy: Flat cars always look better with a load.
Kevin; Nice unusual boxcars.
Michael: Nicely weathered box car.
HO Velo: Good work on the flats.
Little Timmy: Good looking log loads.
Phio426: A Challenger!
Ed: Great looking Pennsy locomotive. For the Broadway Limited I'll bet.
A little something from the BRVRR. Grandpa got to run a few trains this weekend.
A rail fan's view of New York Central #4053 at the head of a short Mail and Express as it negotiates the curve at the east end of the BRVRR layout. Number 4053 is one of only three NYC locomotives painted in the Jade Green livery.
Great job everyone! Keep the photos and ideas coming guys. Thanks to you WPF is always the best thread of the week.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
SeeYou190Ed: That is a neat looking throttle. Can you use it to control two trains at once?
Hi, Kevin. Yes, it is pretty simple to keep track of two DCC addresses on this throttle and on the previous DT400 series, too. I'm still learning the ins and outs of this latest version.
So far, one thing that seems to be missing is a way to "nudge" the speed up or down one step at a time. The previous design you could tap + or – buttons to raise or lower speed by one "click".
Weekend Update: I was going to upload photos of some Amtrak Superliner interiors I've been working on BUT this arrived in the mail today —
PRR_3768w by Edmund, on Flickr
Yeah, only a Pennsy Nut could really have an eye for such a thing. I was expecting more of a "copper-bronze" color rather than this shade of chocolate brown. I understand the paint samples are non-existant and color renditions have to be made from only a few sources.
PRR_3768 by Edmund, on Flickr
Little TimmyDetails West castings. Item numbers LB- 171 and LB -1030
LB -1030 are low version. These are LB-171. Regards, Peter
The log bunks are indeed Details West castings.
Item numbers LB- 171 and LB -1030
(I have no idea how 20 identical parts , can have two totally different numbers ...)
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Yeah, Details West is what I meant, not Precision Scale.
What was I thinking?
Say Tim; those log bunks look like the puppies made by Details West.
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
Kevin, Thanks for starting the WPF with your nicely done boxcar, amazing how automobiles were shoehorned into those cars.
Finally got around to improving safety for the carfloat switching crew by adding hand holds to the idler flat cars, but cheaped out on providing a deck shelter. Also replaced the brake hand wheels and gave bending some coupler lift bars a whirl. Glad to have regular work for these old customized Mantua 'Heavy Weights'.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers, have a good weekend, regards, Peter
I just weathered this intermountain boxcar yesterday.
Little TimmyBTW: What kind of trucks are on the N&W boxcar? I have never seen them before. Some kind of passenger trucks ?
I have no idea. On the Yarmouth website they describe these models as coming with "Tahoe Models Trucks", but Tahoe does not list a truck that looks like these.
Also, the two prototype photographs on the Yarmouth site shows these cars sitting on very typical looking 50 ton frieght car trucks.
I will see what is in the box when it arrives.
I'm not sure who made the log bunks. (I have had them floating around my shop for at least the last 15 years. )
BTW: What kind of trucks are on the N&W boxcar? I have never seen them before. Some kind of passenger trucks ?
Ed: That is a neat looking throttle. Can you use it to control two trains at once?
John: The N scale cabin scene is very nice to see.
Mel: Everything you do completely amazes me. I don't know how you do it.
Michael: I appreciate the updates to your layout. I cannot wait to get going on mine.
Philco: The paint job on your brass locomotive really turned out great. Congratulations on a job well done.
Rick: Funny you should mention Yarmouth models. I just placed an order with them earlier today that included the sill steps for the Life-Like boxcars and these two unique boxcar kits.
Paul: The refrigerated boxcars are striking. I think I have about a dozen of Train Miniatures Billboard Reefers I run in a train every once in a while.
Donn: The buildings sure are looking good.
Garry: Your Mexican boxcars are very appropriate this month.
Timmy: Are those the Prescision Scale log bunker castings on the first flat car?
I decided to put aside the "Buffalo Brine" refeer... I need to practice my freehand technique a bit more ( yea, it looks like a dead buffalo all right...)
So for the weekend "Fun", I'm having a try at a few easy flat car's ...
I have several log bunk's , so I will be doing Two 50 foot flats, and Two 40 foot flat's with them.
And, for some reason , I just CAN"T build a flatcar.... without putting something on it. So this one got Plastistruct H columns.
AND: I just got my new shippment of Microscale decal's in ( 13 sheets of alphabet's and 8 other sheets) I'm going to start a few Wyler's Gulch & Western car's. The past few year's have been sparse for the WG&W, only the one loco and 2 cars lettered..... they have been forggoten for too long....
Sooooooo, let the mayhem begin !!!!
This week, I must be very brief. Sorry I can't acknowledge each contrinbuter individually this time. You all psoted great stuff.
Here are two boxcars painted and lettered for N de M. I already showed this picture in the Diner which is in Mexico this month. Don't forget everybody is welcome to particpate in the Diner thread.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I'm finally ready to put this one aside for a while. It needs roof detail, but that can wait for a second pass on everything once the rest of the 4x6 is done!
Next up will be Walther's General Store; I hope to try out Cody Grivo's hairspray weathering technique on that one.
Happy Friday!
-Donn
Another weekend already!
Kevin: Thanks for kicking off WPF. That's a nifty box car scheme.
Ed: I'm glad you posted the throttle photo. I don't tend to keep up. I presume you can adjust speed on two locos (vs. one on my NCE, without toggling to another)?
John: Your cabin looks nice, part of a nice scenic area.
Mel: Your SQ8 reminds me that I have one. I did a layout tour pre scenery and should now do an update. The problem is having to re-learn the video editing software. Not even sure which I used last.
Michael: I like the background, including how it works around the corner.
Philo: The paint job on that steam switcher came out great.
Rick: Those Rock Island and Wabash locos are worth a prize, looking good!
Last weekend I entertained myself by putting 4 Walthers reefer kits together. I like the colors. I turned around and ordered more...good prices on EBay as less in demand than newer Accurail kits, I guess.
20200807_144801 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Good afternoon from Northeast Ohio!
Late checkin as I took my wife to have an Endoscopy early this morning and just got home, also Photobucket was having its usual troubles.
Kevin, thanks for starting us out, another imagenative boxcar, for your information Yarmouth Scale Models makes metal sill steps for those cars.
Ed, thanks for stopping by, can't wait to see your new pictures.
York1 - John, nice picture, I gave up on my camera, I get better pictures with my I-Phone.
Mel, your electronic and rehab work is maginificent!
Motley - Mike, your layout is coming along well, coil cars are always good, I have a raft of DT&I ones.
Got a lot of stuff done this week!
Athearn bay window caboose kit, as the Rock Island purchased some close to SP design bay window cabooses, I used this one for one of them. Painted with Scalecoat II ATSF Red, Reefer Yellow, Black and Silver Paint and lettered with Microscale Decals.
Atlas FMC 5077CF Boxcar Kit, painted with Floquil MEC Harvest Yellow, Scalecoat II Black and Silver Paints, then lettered with Highball Graphics Decals. One of the infamous IPD boxcars of the late 70's era.
Since I had a Rock Island caboose, I needed a Rock Island engine to pull it. Stewart U25B, with Utah Pacific GE Lift Rings, DW Snow Plow, Cal-Scale late model exhaust stack and various grab irons. Painted with Floquil Rock Island Maroon and Scalecoat UP Covered Hopper Gray paints then lettered with Mask Island Decals.
Another shot of of Wabash U25B and GP35 on the Strongsville Club Layout.
Thanks for looking!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
GHC brass switcher painting project completed!Very pleased with the result!
MotleyI have been dying to start scenery even though I don't have all trackwork completed in the yard.
Michael, nice looking layout. You want to get done with the trackwork so you can do scenery. I was sorry I finished the trackwork because I don't enjoy doing scenery.
I guess that's one of the advantages of belonging to a group. Each person gets to do what they enjoy the most!
Mel, I always enjoy your posts. You have such great ideas, and can carry them out far better than I can hope to do. I'm probaby going to buy an SQ camera in the near future. I don't think I will be able to fit it into an N Scale loco, but I will mount it to a flatcar.
Ed, I hadn't seen one of those before. Nice.
York1 John
I got a lot done this week. I have been installing feeders wires for the two mainlines. And I hooked up my NCE Powerhouse Pro wireless, and was able to run some trains, about 3/4 around the room. And I had so much fun, very exciting to finally run trains!!!
Got some more painting done. I created this mountain for the left corner, a couple months ago (using foam peices and plaster).
I have been dying to start scenery even though I don't have all trackwork completed in the yard.
I also got some new Coil Cars for the steel mill.
OK, You ask for it.
But first:
Kevin, there is no shuch thing as Nonsense in model railroading.
Ed that’s the first time I’ve seen that Digitrax controller. Looking Good.John, looks good to me.I have spent the last couple of weeks working on improving my camera cars and locomotives.This is my conglomeration from Hell. An Athearn SD40-2 frame with a Mabuchi FK280SA motor and super modified front end to hold an SQ8 Mini Cam.The framework is Styrene with .040” Phosphor Bronze Wire reinforcement.For added lighting I used six 3mm clear super bright LEDs at 19.5ma each.The shell is a old Proto 2K E8, that still needs a lot of work should I decide to use it. I have a half dozen Proto E7/8/9 shells.
↑↑ LEDs OFF ↓↓ LEDs ON, I used a latching reed switch for the LEDs.So far so good. The shell has to be removed to activate the camera but I made it so it slips on and off super easy.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Kevin, thanks for starting the best thread on the forum again.
Your Fleet of Nonsense is a great idea.
I think I've posted a cabin picture a while back, but I've added some more trees. N Scale, scratchbuilt with Tichy windows and Atlas pickup truck.
My biggest problem is that I don't have a nice camera. Not a good picture, but it at least shows the idea.
SeeYou190Wow, slow start this week... I do not recall Weekend Photo Fun making it to 10:00 on Friday morning with no responses.
Hey, Kevin — Thanks for turning on the lights for our second week of August WPF. I guess summer chores have caught up with some of the "regulars?
I haven't had a chance to photograph any of my past weeks' projects but I do have a shot of the new Digitrax throttle that arrived early in the week:
Digitrax_DT602Df by Edmund, on Flickr
One nice improvement is a newly-designed LCD screen. I'm still trying to get used to some of the new features while trying to find out how to access some of the familiar "old" features.
Digitrax_DT602Da by Edmund, on Flickr
I'll stop by later tonight if time permits and make any updates.
On to more great contributions, please.
Wow, slow start this week... I do not recall Weekend Photo Fun making it to 10:00 on Friday morning with no responses. I woke up thinking I would have lots of responses to type.