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The 312 project

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 4:48 PM

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 2:57 PM

Flintlock76

You did a hell of a job man, my compliments!

 

Thank You!

it was a fun project, some of the issues that pop up make you think. Great brain excercise...

I'm used to working on the Lionel, so I have a comfort level.The Flyer seemed to be a little trickier to fix, but it could just be what I'm used to. 

Lovin this engine though !!! 

One more to go...

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, May 18, 2019 12:09 PM

You did a hell of a job man, my compliments!

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 10:43 AM

The 312:

she runs well

smokes great

got a great deal on her ( spent more on parts than the engine itself)

only issue is the smoke box front tends to vibrate loose after a few laps, which I will look at later.

Happy with the way she turned out 

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 1:21 AM

All my cars have knuckles, so it was necessary to convert

 

 

 

 

 just need to finish the 282

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 1:16 AM

 And smoking...

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 1:13 AM

Running well forward and reverse

 

 

 

 pilot is clearing the track and lead wheels

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Saturday, May 18, 2019 1:09 AM

312 shake down run !

 

 

 

 found a bad solder joint on the reverse unit

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, May 17, 2019 8:20 PM

No, I haven't!

What is it?  Something from the 18th Century you lucked into, or something modern aged (very cleverly I might add) to look like something from the 18th Century?

It would certainly fool me into thinking it was ancient unless I was up-close-and-personal with it.  If that's a product of someone going for an 18th Century look I have to tell you, he sure knows his business!

That "George Lucas" on the cover may be a dead giveaway, but THE George Lucas we all know may not have been the first, and in all liklihood won't be the last!

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Posted by Penny Trains on Friday, May 17, 2019 6:46 PM

Ever heard of this?

 

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, May 16, 2019 9:53 PM

Wow, that takes me back!

When I read the novelization of "Star Wars" in 1978 Darth Vader was introduced this way...

"A Dark Lord Of The Sith was a terrifying sight..."

A Dark Lord Of The Sith!  I  took that to mean there was more than one of them out there!  

 I was right!

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Posted by Penny Trains on Thursday, May 16, 2019 6:17 PM

Flintlock76
A wrapped-too-tight high-strung can't-take-a-joke HO guy after all!

He's so uptight he can split himself into tiny minions to rule the layout at an in-your-face level!  Laugh

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 11:09 PM

Darth  displays great taste with his Marklin trains...

things we learn as we go through the years with this hobby:

when I was in my pre teens , I had an HO layout. I traveled with my family to Solvang, a Danish community in central California. In the toy store, they had a great Marklin layout, which ran all the way down the side wall of the store, with a reverse loop at each end. Fully scenicked.

Every time we went to Solvang, I wanted to see this layout. They sold trains, also. So one time I bought a great looking passenger coach to run on my layout. I did not realize that Marklin wheels are not insulated, and will short out on my layout! Important lesson !

 

On my 312, I am finding an open between the 2 bottom fingers of the reverse unit when they should be touching a common point on the drum.Either my soldering is not so hot, or may need to reform the fingers with more contact pressure against the drum. When I get the time...

haven't looked at the 282 yet, but will run continuity checks on the reverse unit and wiring.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 11:00 PM

Aha!  A wrapped-too-tight high-strung can't-take-a-joke HO guy after all!

Can I call 'em or what?

Reminds me of my brother-in-law "Big B's" N-Gauge club website where they're always complaining about "stinky, smelly, noisy O-Gauge trains" when they have to share train meet exhibition space with 'em!

And he thought I wouldn't find out about that!

My spies are everywhere, and where they're not, Lady Firestorm's are!  Smile, Wink & Grin

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Posted by Penny Trains on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 6:14 PM

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 8:36 AM

Postwar Paul

 

 
Penny Trains

Luke!

You MUSTdiversify your gauges!  Search your feelings, you KNOW this to be true!

Wise,
very wise.... 

 

 

 

I didn't know Lord Vader was a G-Gauger.  Considering his mean streak I figured him for a too-tightly-wrapped HO gauge rivet-counter.  Ever look in on the "Model Railroader" Forum?  Some of those guys are strange...

Isn't the whole point of G gauge relaxation and whimsy? 

Maybe Rene Schweitzer should have a talk with him, considering her time with "Garden Railways."

That boy needs to chill out!   Toy trains are supposed to be about relaxation and fun!

I find his lack of faith disturbing.

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 8:59 PM

Penny Trains

Luke!

You MUSTdiversify your gauges!  Search your feelings, you KNOW this to be true!

Wise,
very wise.... 

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 8:58 PM

Sturgeon-Phish

One of the downfalls of the AF engines is the sticking reverse units.  Lots of moving parts that can be frustrating.  The CRC contact cleaner works great on the drum, and replacement fingers is better than trying to repair worn ones.  The tiny pawl sticking can be especially problematic.  To find which direction to go start by flipping the bottom of the solenoid to see if everything is operating properly, and remember to keep the tender up right because the unit uses gravity to cycle the solenoid core.

Jim

Very knowledgeable advice, thank you !
I have been analyzing what the problem is, and, sadly it may be me...
I have 2 rebuilt reverse units with shiny drums, and new fingers. I have followed the wiring diagram, but neither engine will move. A clue is that nether engine has the headlight come on. I have the same "open" in both engines, I probably missed a wire someplace...
 
I usually find it best in a situation such as this, to set it down, and come back another day with fresh eyes...
 
Much Thanks, 
Paul

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 7:38 PM

One of the downfalls of the AF engines is the sticking reverse units.  Lots of moving parts that can be frustrating.  The CRC contact cleaner works great on the drum, and replacement fingers is better than trying to repair worn ones.  The tiny pawl sticking can be especially problematic.  To find which direction to go start by flipping the bottom of the solenoid to see if everything is operating properly, and remember to keep the tender up right because the unit uses gravity to cycle the solenoid core.

Jim

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Posted by Penny Trains on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 7:36 PM

Luke!

You MUSTdiversify your gauges!  Search your feelings, you KNOW this to be true!

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 3:15 PM

 That's what I'm talkin' about !!!

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 3:11 PM

 Yeah !

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 12:55 PM

So I decided to go back to the hot wire test. Both engines run beautifully

 

 

 

and, the 312 smokes ! The 282 lays out clouds of smoke.

 so when I get the reverse units sorted out....

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 12:51 PM

The 282 won't turn a wheel

 

 

 

 the 312 ran briefly forward and reverse

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 12:46 PM

Having a mildly frustrating day with reverse units, and wiring

 

 nothing working

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Monday, May 13, 2019 8:20 PM

Penny Trains

 

 
Flintlock76
I'll tell you, that is one good-looking model of a PRR Pacific. Almost makes me want to get into S-gauge.

 

That would be the 561, in O gauge....Wink

 

not that I am turning a blind eye to this...

but I am afraid that if I acknowledge that it exists.....

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Posted by Postwar Paul on Monday, May 13, 2019 8:16 PM

Sturgeon-Phish

I just started following your thread, nice work on the Flyers.  As you will find out many of the parts are interchangeble.  If I may suggest, start a "junk yard" of parts only pieces.

And yes, they are addictive.

Jim

 

Thank You so much !

I do the best I can with my limited skills, but they are fun to work on, and, especially to run.

Quality products, to be sure !

Parts are always good to have for all scales...

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, May 13, 2019 7:39 PM

Oh great, a whole new make and model, with a whole new coupler system, and a whole new set of cars I'd have to find.

As Luke Skywalker once said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!   Crying

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Posted by Penny Trains on Monday, May 13, 2019 6:29 PM

Flintlock76
I'll tell you, that is one good-looking model of a PRR Pacific. Almost makes me want to get into S-gauge.

That would be the 561, in O gauge....Wink

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Monday, May 13, 2019 7:32 AM

I just started following your thread, nice work on the Flyers.  As you will find out many of the parts are interchangeble.  If I may suggest, start a "junk yard" of parts only pieces.

And yes, they are addictive.

Jim

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