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Locomotive Breath

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  • Member since
    August 2021
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Locomotive Breath
Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Monday, October 11, 2021 7:22 PM

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

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    February 2014
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Posted by Leverettrailfan on Monday, October 11, 2021 11:22 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/



  

Golly gee, I love me a good ol' Marx windup! Got a few, they're loads of fun. Just gotta be careful to check when buying, don't wanna spend too much on a non-runner!

Happy winding
-Ellie

"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 10:07 AM

Thanks!

it's a fun little train to run!

But once you turn it loose, it's completely out of your hands......

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Posted by pennytrains on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 5:55 PM

I got rid of most of my clockwork in my downsizing but I kept my commie!

And pulling a Lionel tender it can haul lightweight latch coupler cars.

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 9:10 AM

Great looking Commodore! These wind ups are less common than the electric versions, been wanting one for a while....

It's a whole separate experience.....

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, September 16, 2022 4:39 PM

Since I've been retired, been able to work on the train room layout a lot, and probably have 2 15 minute operating sessions daily. Quite proud of the progress so far....

but it's a " work in progress "..

click on the " Locomotive Breath" link at the top of this thread to see the photos I have added to the share....

Paul

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Posted by pennytrains on Friday, September 16, 2022 6:14 PM

Looking great!  Bow

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, September 17, 2022 7:58 AM

Thank you! Of course, it will morph and change as time goes by, and ideas hit....

for me, this is not only a layout, but also a test bed for ideas as they come to me...

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, September 30, 2022 11:34 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

I'm adding some die cast vehicles to the layout! Plus, I've got a few kits to build. Just added some pics.....

Paul

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Posted by pennytrains on Saturday, October 1, 2022 4:46 PM

Big SmileThumbs Up

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:17 AM

Thanks!

 I was lucky to come across those vintage cars, I love the look!

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 10:24 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

Dropped some new pictures in my share.

Paul

  • Member since
    July 2020
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Posted by pennytrains on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 6:18 PM

Bow  That Flyer Hudson sure makes you stop and take notice!

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 6:33 PM

Thank you! Those are my 2 favorite Flyer engines: the 326 Hudson and the 312. Really love the smoke effect on the Flyer steamers. I wanted to share these because I felt they were better pictures than what was shown previously.

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, November 19, 2022 11:26 AM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

I S.P. Ed my 726 rr. Always to try this. 
Paul

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    July 2020
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Posted by pennytrains on Saturday, November 19, 2022 7:01 PM

Looks great!  I gave an MTH Santa Fe 2-6-0 the SP look after watching a video about 2472.  Wink

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, November 19, 2022 7:43 PM

The S.P. Look in the days of steam was quite beautiful! They had shiny black steamers with a silvered face, and red highlights. Many from Baldwin, the Daylights from Lima.

 I went to Railfair '91, and chased 2472 from South San Francisco to Niles junction. I have a photo of 2472 at Niles Junction around here somewhere.....At Railfair also was 4449. Went up into the cab, and there was an S.P.  Herald emblazoned on the cab floor! In a similar vain, I got a cab ride on S.P. Diesels working L.A. harbor around 1987. There were S.P. Heralds embossed into the seat cushions in the cab!

Just a little piece of trivia....

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, December 2, 2022 3:35 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

I added some pictures: some have a Christmas feel.

Paul

  • Member since
    July 2020
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Posted by pennytrains on Friday, December 2, 2022 5:46 PM

Having toy trains does it for me no matter what time of year it is!  Wink  But a Hudson in the snow is always cool!  Big SmileThumbs Up

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, December 2, 2022 6:10 PM

Thank you! My wife says these trees look like Christmas trees... so, every time I look at this scene.......

Paul

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Posted by pennytrains on Saturday, December 3, 2022 5:25 PM

Snow on the conifers will do that to you!  Wink

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, January 13, 2023 9:44 AM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

Picked up a new train in Japan at a great price! The latest version of the " RomanceCar".

Paul

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    January 2023
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Posted by El Fixes Things on Friday, January 13, 2023 12:26 PM

What brand? Kato are very well known for their quality and smooth running drives, but I know Tomytec makes a lot of N scale stuff.



I have a c. 1950s-1960s Japanese O gauge locomotive I need to get back to working on some time... it needs a full restoration unfortunately, but the price wasn't too bad. I also have some cars for it that need work.

(auction picture)

The reason it needs restoring is that there are parts that need to be soldered back to the body... which means heating the metal to the point that the paint starts burning. Have to make a few parts from sheet brass.

I'm always a fan of electric multiple units, especially those of the former New Haven, but I find japanese electric trainsets are very cool too!

-Ellie

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Friday, January 13, 2023 4:26 PM

Hi Ellie,

  this train is Tomix, which I believe is part of Tomy. It is a common N scale brand in Japan, not seen as much in the US. I bought it at the RomanceCar Museum in Ebina.It was 20% off for New Year's!

 If you're not familiar with the RomanceCar:

  it is an upgraded service on the Odakyu lines. Extra fare, reserved seating, limited stops. It blows through intermediate stations at speed without slowing down! Plush seats. Many of the models over the years have a bubble on top that the driver sits in. Some models in recent years went back to a conventional configuration, but the new GSE went back to the driver on top. It is possible for passengers to reserve the end seats at the front or rear.

Paul

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    August 2021
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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, February 12, 2023 6:12 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

I can't believe I just SCORED this jumbo box of Flyer: $ 107 out the door! Everything I wanted!

Paul

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    August 2021
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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Thursday, February 16, 2023 10:18 AM

Here's an update on my Flyer 312 SIT:

the transformer works, green light comes on. When I turn the handle, the engine headlight comes on, but just buzzes. Needs a complete service!

Started with the SIT, bellows ok, cleaned and serviced smoke motor, it is still sluggish, need to keep at it to wake it up. Looks like Somebody put Lionel smoke pellets in the smoke unit.May need to clean it all out and rebuild it.

Haven't opened the engine up yet, but I can see from the bottom that the brushes are completely worn down to almost nothing. Don't know about the reverse unit yet, but I'm expecting a full rebuild.

The best thing about this train is there is no rust, and everything is complete, not missing anything. So, a great candidate to restore to operation.

 Trying to find room for another loop of track in my congested train room is the next big challenge!

Paul

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 3:59 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

She's gonna be a runner!! What a relief! This will give me 2 running 312's, this one with the hook coupler to pull my classic train cars. All other engines have knuckle couplers. Making a list of parts to order: brushes, reverse unit fingers. Biggest challenge is the SIT. The smoke motor has one open winding, and the smoke chamber is clogged with pellets. I can finish restoring the engine and run it without smoke until I get everything I need.

This is exciting!

Paul

  • Member since
    August 2021
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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, February 25, 2023 4:17 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

I don't know How I did it, but I did it! Got my " new" 312 running! It cycles forward and reverse, and hit the test track! Performance smoothed out, and speed increased with running. Serviced two other Flyer engines, and a  Lionel 2035. It's been a productive two days! Want to get my 312 smoking again.

Having a vintage train experience!!

Paul

  • Member since
    August 2021
  • 244 posts
Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Monday, February 27, 2023 9:22 AM

The new 312 is really running well now! 1/2 or 2/3 on the throttle is more than fast enough! What a sweet engine! 
 An issue is developing with the 290: the electrical pickup wipers on the tender wheels. My next project.

 As an observation, the Flyer engines are definitely much more difficult to fix than the Lionel. Although the motors are virtually identical in design, it's all the wiring and connections from the tender that require a much higher skill level. Many possibilities for a broken wire, or bad connection.

 But, all the sweeter when it's running properly again!

Paul

  • Member since
    August 2021
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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Monday, February 27, 2023 12:45 PM

Swiss-Colorado-Lines

Old Charlie stole the handle

and the train it won't stop

oh no way to slow down

-- Jethro Tull

bought my first Marx wind up....https://locomotivebreath.Shutterfly.com/

 

That turned out to be a simple fix!

Back in the saddle again....

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