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Union Pacific "Big Jack" Electrical Equipment Train

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Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, February 17, 2017 12:29 PM

Thank you very much.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, February 17, 2017 12:20 PM

Steven, If I may butt in here, a little off topic, but in one of your replies in this thread, you mentioned you are 16 yrs. old, you want to model in HO scale, you like the 50's time period, and you don't have a layout yet.

A large percentage of us that have been responding to your many threads that you have started, are old enough to be your grandpa.  Have patience with us, as we learn to have patience with you.

I have a suggestion for you.  There are many trainsets out there that will get you started, which is the way many of us got started, with that first trainset.  Walthers as many listed from a variety of manufacturers, for under $200.00.  With that, you can now actually run a train, and develop your skills.  Don't ever stop dreaming about that grandiose layout you describe in your web site, just get started, learn, develop, grow, and one day, that huge layout in your web site will be alive with long trains, moving through all of the fascinating places you want it to go.

For the 50's, the F7's were prominate, along with the GP7's and 9's.  I don't think you'll find a set with the GP7's, but there are many with the F7's.

Always remember that it's a great hobby, and to have fun learning and building.

Just a suggestion from one of us "old guys".

Mike.

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Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, February 17, 2017 11:01 AM

These!

Image result for union pacific veranda turbine

Image result for union pacific big boy

And here is both in one train!

Image result for union pacific veranda turbine

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, February 17, 2017 10:57 AM

cascadenorthernrr

Thanks, NorthWest! Where would I find the manuals (if they exist) for the Big Boy and Veranda Turbine?

 

Big Boy or Big Blow?

Alton Junction

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Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, February 17, 2017 10:42 AM

Thanks, NorthWest! Where would I find the manuals (if they exist) for the Big Boy and Veranda Turbine?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, February 17, 2017 5:01 AM

dehusman

Quite true, but by the same token the people who ask the question themselves can learn more by doing the basic research themselves.  

cascadenorthernrr

Ok then, what exactly is the Big Jack officially called DDA40X or DD40AX?

 

At this point, I have to agree with Dave Husman that a forum member has an obligation to do some basic research before posing questions on the forum.

In this case, a simple Google search would point to some obviously valid and comprehensive information about the EMD DDA40X locomotive.

In fact, that same Google search would reveal that the DD40AX designation is a mistake made by Bachmann when it produced its version of the Big Jack locomotive.

Rich

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Posted by fourt on Friday, February 17, 2017 12:36 AM

What's your question that you are looking up an answer for?

Rich

 Dont know how to the qoute replay thing, so copy and pasted it.

 Hopefully will be able to find what i am looking for this weekend. Finding a ton of what i am not looking for and very liitle of what i want. Most of what i find is outdated info. If i dont find it by monday i am going to ask here if anyone knows.

Modeling on the cheap

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Posted by NorthWest on Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:31 PM
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Posted by NWP SWP on Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:05 PM

Ok then, what exactly is the Big Jack officially called DDA40X or DD40AX?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by dehusman on Thursday, February 16, 2017 1:11 PM

DSchmitt
I have learned a lot by Googling to find answers for people and from the answers others give.

Quite true, but by the same token the people who ask the question themselves can learn more by doing the basic reseaech themselves.  There are a lot of times when there are details that might not be clear in a general text, then yes asking on a forum is absolutely the right thing.

I have learned more by just happening on things while searching for something else.

Its the difference between looking at something with just your eyes or looking at it with a telescope.  If you ask a question on the forum, you only get the answer that somebody else has and only to the question you asked.  If you go searching for things yorself you can find answers to questions you haven't had a chance to ask.  Sometimes "wasting time" by searching your self is the best way to spend time.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by DSchmitt on Thursday, February 16, 2017 12:58 PM

I don't mind people asking questions. I have learned a lot by Googling to find answers for people and from the answers others give.  I enjoy research on the Net (and in my 1000+ book library). Others don't and get fustrated.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:45 AM

What I have found through Googling is both wheat and chaff, so to speak.  

By searching, I have found some very valuable railroading web sites, while disregarding the less helpful sites.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by dehusman on Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:33 AM

fourt
The probelm with looking on the internet is wading through all the junk to find what you want if it is even there. Why not ask a question here and maybe get it answered faster. I have been looking on the internet for two days now trying to find out something very fustrating to say the lest. I find no problem with the OP asking questions here, is that not part of one of the reasons for this board?

Yes, the purpose of the forum is to ask questions.  Having said that, the OP has started over 2 dozen general "fishing expedition" threads in the last month. 

He asks a question here because he is unwilling to "Google" for an answer.  Yet he expects the people who answer the questions to provide information.   Half the time somebody asks a question the first thing I do is Google the question to find the answer.  If he doesn't want to waste his time to try and find an answer, why should I waste my time to Google it for him?  If he is having to sift through a bunch of junk on the internet, maybe he need practice on figuring out how to better define his searches so he gets less junk.  After so many general, broad questions, the people who like to answer questions start to get burned out.

I would suggest that rather than having us type a book for him, he might want to read some books or read some on line material and answer some of the basic questions himself so he can ask more focused questions.

 

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:59 AM

fourt

 The probelm with looking on the internet is wading through all the junk to find what you want if it is even there. Why not ask a question here and maybe get it answered faster. I have been looking on the internet for two days now trying to find out something very fustrating to say the lest.

  I find no problem with the OP asking questions here, is that not part of one of the reasons for this board?

 

What's your question that you are looking up an answer for?

Rich

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Posted by NWP SWP on Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:44 AM

That is so true!

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by fourt on Thursday, February 16, 2017 1:43 AM

 The probelm with looking on the internet is wading through all the junk to find what you want if it is even there. Why not ask a question here and maybe get it answered faster. I have been looking on the internet for two days now trying to find out something very fustrating to say the lest.

  I find no problem with the OP asking questions here, is that not part of one of the reasons for this board?

Modeling on the cheap

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 6:51 PM

I think I will try building a layout then!

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 6:43 PM

Bundy74
There's nothing wrong with asking questions.  Just give building something a shot, it's worth it, I promise.

All the above is excellent advice Mike.Bow

Cheers, the Bear

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Bundy74 on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 6:13 PM

Hi Steven,  

The strongest piece of advice I can give you, as a young(er) modeler myself (29), is to go build SOMETHING.  I'm like you, I like information, and there's a ton to be had here, Google, and many other places.  But you'll learn most effectively by building something.  You've asked a lot of good and interesting questions.  Now it's time to put things to use.

As an example, I model a grainger RR in 1988, and I have many Accurail 3-bay ACF hoppers.  When I started, my weathering was rough, glue joints inconsistent, and my results were sub-par. But through practice, I got better.  I also learned about the 3 phases of these cars, prototype paint schemes, etc...  I now have 20+ of these that are prototypically done in paint and weathering, but that wasn't possible without the ones that I screwed up, and re-did, or sold on ebay.

How does this relate to you?  Practice makes perfect.  You asked about these generator loads, wire coils, etc...?  Take one of your flats or gondolas, or go to your LHS if you don't have any.  Look up some generator photos on google images, and scratchbuild one.  Use Styrene, wood, cardboard, or something else.  You'll learn alot this way, like:

1) what materials you like working with.

2) What parts of the hobby you enjoy most

3)How to handle small parts.

4) working with a hobby knife (do NOT cut towards yourself!!)

5) working from photos, and scaling down measurements. 

There's nothing wrong with asking questions.  Just give building something a shot, it's worth it, I promise.

-Mike

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 6:00 PM

I am new to the hobby, I am 16, I prefer to model the 1950's, I do not have a layout, and I use HO scale. I am asking all these questions because I think getting the information straight from the horses mouth is the most effective way for me to learn.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by mobilman44 on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 5:27 PM

Original message deleted by the author......................

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:46 PM

Ok thanks.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:20 PM

cascadenorthernrr

Great! Where can I find loads such as transformers, utility poles, wire spools, transmission tower components, substation parts, ect?

 

Google is your friend for stuff like this.

When I need this type of data, I find that Google is an ideal source to track it down.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:12 PM

Great! Where can I find loads such as transformers, utility poles, wire spools, transmission tower components, substation parts, ect?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by dehusman on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 2:35 PM

Search E-Bay for flat cars, schnabel cars, depressed center cars, etc.  Even if you don't want to buy them it will show a lot of what there might be out there on the market (which isn't much).

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by NWP SWP on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 2:26 PM

Interesting! Now I'm looking for HO scale freight cars with loads related to electrical substations, trainsmission lines, ect. can anyone help?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 9:16 PM

gmpullman
 
cascadenorthernrr
Ok then, glad that's settled.

 

Until Wikipedia can be trusted, you can read some information here:

http://utahrails.net/articles/up-dda40x.php

I cannot attest to its authenticity, but it has some good information.

Somewhere I read that the "Big Jack" name was tossed around by a group of Northern California railfans and, as these things become legend, kind of stuck.

Many railroaders had names for equipment that would sound Greek to us.

For instance, any carbody type i.e. Alco FAs, PAs; EMD F and E units would all be refered to as "Covered Wagons".

Ed

 

Interestingly enough, utahrails is the listed source for that wikipedia article, but a search of the website yielded no hits for "Big Jack". 

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Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 10:14 AM

Ok thanks!

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 1:44 AM

cascadenorthernrr
Ok then, glad that's settled.

Until Wikipedia can be trusted, you can read some information here:

http://utahrails.net/articles/up-dda40x.php

I cannot attest to its authenticity, but it has some good information.

Somewhere I read that the "Big Jack" name was tossed around by a group of Northern California railfans and, as these things become legend, kind of stuck.

Many railroaders had names for equipment that would sound Greek to us.

For instance, any carbody type i.e. Alco FAs, PAs; EMD F and E units would all be refered to as "Covered Wagons".

Ed

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