Hey all! Figured Id share the end result of this little project...I bought a PRR Q1 for a friend who likes big PRR steam, hes been searching for one of these for years, and I found one for him at a train show. Also helped him install TCS WOWsound. He also wanted a cab light and firebox flicker...Here's the results!
If video isnt loading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVbL8FfR0jU
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Thanks for sharing, Charles! Gotta love that TCS creep at speed step 001. Nice job on the firebox flicker, too.
Did you also install the headlights? Would like to see a little more "golden-white" to the hue. It looks more "sunny white" and uncharacteristically stark for a steamer of that vintage, IMO.
FWIW,
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Wish you were my friend. That's a beautiful locomotive. Did it come with a can motor or did you have to repower it?
Too bad the prototype didn't pan out. The rear cylinders limited the firebox size and was a poor steamer. I wouldn't mind a Q2 or even a CC with those huge low pressure cylinders out front.
If you need another friend, I'm here
Pete.
Thanks!
I agree the headlight isnt yellow enough, although it does look yellower than in the video.
And I did tune up the chassis, but it did already come with a Sagami can motor. Runs VERY smoothly with its dual Samhongsa gearboxes! The engine definitely needs 35"-40" min curves though.
OH that is nice! That may be the nicest job on one of their engines I've seen.
I hate to say this, but the exhausts from the two engines would likely have been very different, both in timbre and relative phasing. I never heard the prototype, so I can't tell you what 'right' is, but it won't be mapped exhaust from, say, one of the large simple articulateds.
Charles,
I have an unpainted NJCB 2-6-6-2 Mallet and it's a VERY smooth runner. I think mine also came with a Sagami can motor.
I added firebox flicker on the backside of the backhead using two 1206 SMD LEDs wired in parallel and drilled #80 holes into the grate "indents" to replicate the light of an open firebox. I programmed and remapped the Lok5 decoder so that, when pressing F1, the firebox flicker illuminates the cab with an orangish glow and you can subtly hear the shoveling of coal. Pressing F1 again extinguishes the flicker after a 1-2 sec delay and you hear the grate door close. That was fun project to add to that particular locomotive.
The Lok5 sound file also allows for both simple & compound articulated cuffs. With two speakers wired in parallel in the boiler, the chuff really stands out - especially under load - w/o being overbearing or sounding harsh.
Hopefully I can get it painted someday so that it looks as nice as your PRR Q1.