I personally like sound, but I'll acknowledge it's usually expensive. I haven't tried running more than 2 sound-equipped engines on my Zephyr, I would like to put my C30-7 and F45 together at once just for kicks. On that UP U30C that I shell-swapped and sold, I may have gotten lucky a bit since it cost me 75 bucks and the decoder in that is right for an SD40-2. So If I find an Athearn SD40-2 at the Pensacola show and put it in that, I can save a bunch of money over getting a BLI SD40-2.
I'm begging to wonder if I should sell those C424s though. BN only had 7 so they were kind of rare but I have 3 (which is really imbalanced since BN had 838 SD40-2s and I have 0). I figure if I do, I could get a decent chunk of change since those Kato drives are expensive (I've heard the drives are worth 50 bucks alone). If I change my mind, the newer Atlas C424/425s in BN seem to rarely go above 40 bucks, and they already have holes and removable weights for speakers and much better detail.
Well the camera's betteries are dead, so no pics or vids of the C30-7 till I get new batteries.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
ns3010The numberboards for my GP50 are lost
Did you try to cut them with an old and abused Xuron tool so they'd fit in the shell, and did they fly off into the depths of the basement? Luckily in my case we were able to find them!
Vincent: That's why I model a shortline with no sound... Getting the correct prototype details and installing sound is just so darn expensive! When I have a detail problem with one of my units, I either ignore it (nobody can tell me I'm wrong!) or have the "shop" fix it just like on a real shortline. Of course, the FRA would have a field day with all my missing grabs, broken handrails, and painted over windows and numberboards (although the paint was done by a contractor), which the shop says they'll fix "someday..."
For sound, I can live without it. My booster would fry under the load (I already have overloaded it several times, temporarally shutting it down and causing all 6 locos in Run 8 on a 4% grade to stall and dump a bunch of cars on the ground!) and it's just too expensive, to the point that if all my engines had sound, I'd have run out of money while still on the benchwork stage of my layout!
My C30-7 came in today, and it sounds and looks great.
Regarding the B30-7A, that'll wait until I finish myother projects. I would have scratched off my GP35 and SD9 tueday but I got sick. I'll probably scratch them off tommorrow, along with putting together the coupler mounting pads for my C424s.
I have been looking at the calcuated costs of some ofmy projects, and some of them are WAY up there. To finish up the C424s will cost close to 150 bucks due to some stuff from the Kato not fitting as planned on the Atlas shells. Then comes a sound decoder, 2 other decoders, detailing, paint, decals, and getting working beacons on the units. I'm saving this poject for last since it's the most expensive and time consuming. I've been thinking about loaning these units out in the meantime.The U33Cs are probably the least expensive but the busted up grilles on one of the units is going to be difficult to fix (worse comes to worse, cutthem off and get a second U33C shell just to cannablize for the grill). Also need to get the detail kits for these in addtion to handrails. I already have decoders in them.My U30C would probably be the easiest, but the second most expensive. Needs a Tsunami for a GE and handrails (Atlas didn't paint the walkways the right color)
Tyler: Very true. The hardest decals are the small ones, and the thin, long ones. It makes sense about how your roster was numbered.
The numberboards for my GP50 are lost (I'll do what NJT does and just put duct tape over the holes, lol), the SW1500 came with blank ones, and I'm assuming that my GP9m won't have any. My roster is more or less numbered by category or type, or whatever. Switchers are in the 1XXX series, MOW locos in the 2XXX series, and Geeps (non-MOW) in the 4XXX series. If TSRy does aquire any SDs (eventually, they almost definately will), they would more than likely be in the 3XXX series. Each class is specific loco type, and starts on a multiple of 50 (for example, Geep classes start with 4000, 4050, 4100, 4150, etc.).
Vincent: Sounds like a cool project!
Sawyer: Hmmm, that sounds exactly like what I do in geometry... Speaking of which, I have a double tomorrow... I need to find stuff that I can do to waste 83 minutes...
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
PackerPackers#1Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future. I probably won't ever get either of those units. Reason bieng BN didn't have and U23Bs, and they only had 6 B23-7s. A future kitbash I'm thinking of doing would be a B30-7A; starting point would be a high-nose B23-7 that would have the cab removed.
Packers#1Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future.
I probably won't ever get either of those units. Reason bieng BN didn't have and U23Bs, and they only had 6 B23-7s. A future kitbash I'm thinking of doing would be a B30-7A; starting point would be a high-nose B23-7 that would have the cab removed.
cool man.
Well, in science today, I scribbled out the predecessor roster for SCRail, as well as the few locos SCRail has purchased. I'm going to type it up in a chart in Microsoft word.
As to my layout, I'm going to plan the other side of it not in a track planning software but seeing what will work where.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Joe: It's because it's really, really, hard to decal those tiny little numberboards and have them turn out good... We had originally planned to number the fleet by the locomotive's horsepower, and 1701 (now retired) was numbered that way, as a GP9 (1750 HP) downrated to 1700 HP to fit with the GP7s. But that unit didn't have (and still doesn't have) printed numberboards. The rest of my fleet does, so I'm sticking with the numbers printed on the numberboards...
Tyler: Nice roster! Is there any reason why the numbers are random and so spread out, or is it just because? Also, decals aren't that hard, they just take a little getting used to. My first job was the bakery, and they came out pretty good. [rant]I just don't like the really long ones, because you have to get them straight without tearing them.[/rant]
For my roster, I'm trying to stay away from GEs. The locos I have come to know and love (Geeps on NS and NJT, and even an EMD prime mover in the PL42s) are all EMDs. For now, the roster is all geeps, but SDs will probably work their way in sometime in the future (and then maybe some GEs, if I'm in a good mood when I need more power!.)
[secondrant]And I was thinking before. I have 3 (4 if you count the GP9m) working models in my fleet. That is double the number of freight cars in my fleet. One of the locos is a NJT F40, and I plan to have commuter service. But I don't have any passenger cars. So I need freight cars (particularly tankers, covered hoppers, centerbeams, autoracks, and boxcars, with others mixed in). And I need passenger cars (a lot of Comet Vs, some CIIMs, and a few CIIIs and CIVs too. And maybe a set of MultiLevels [and that would require a PL42, which I wouldn't mind]. So probably enough Comets to make two trainsets, and extras so that the same cars wouldn't always be running, and six or so MLs, so that I could have a 4 car set, with a few extras.). So basically, I need to buy a lot of cars (I'll start with the freight cars and Comets).[/secondrant]
I'm working on getting my new website up. I'm gonna put the full roster up there, to make it easier to track which locos are which, which ones I actually model, and the rest that aren't modeled. Currently, there are "seven active locos, three of which are stored." One of them is modeled (4100), as well as one of the stored ones (1300). Since 1300 is a dummy, I'm saying that the SW1500s are in bad condition and need work, but TSRy doesn't have it's shops yet.
I redid the patches/numbers on the GP50 and SW1500. I printed new ones in a different font, as well as adding the loco type underneath the number.
TrainManTyThanks. I really like how the scheme looks on those big EMD units! Once I learn how to apply decals, I might try to put a WRS logo on the nose, and definetely one on the pug-nose U-boat #2306!
Thanks. I really like how the scheme looks on those big EMD units! Once I learn how to apply decals, I might try to put a WRS logo on the nose, and definetely one on the pug-nose U-boat #2306!
Yeah man, those U23Bs are perfect. I'm probably gona end up getting 2 more, and a B23-7. do i need them? no. do I want them? yes. when will I get them? some time WAYYYYYYYYY in the future.
Sweet units Tyler. Especially love the SDP35.
School today was actually fun! In bio, we (FINALLY!) dissected(sp?) the starfish. I ended up doing most of the work, but I didn't mind. Next week, we get to do the frogs.
Got word that Walthers received my order today. In the past, they've been pretty fast, so it should be here on Thursday or Friday (at that point, the GP9ms [2200-2202] will officially be added to the roster). Although there are three of these units on the roster, I'm representing the fleet by modeling one of them, 2201.
I though 70% alcohol was usefull to strip dullcote if something didn't come out right.
Jordan, Did you count the SD45 at IRM?
The operating session looked fun Tyler! Great job!
Only 8 WC road units left active in the States. This is the best looking one...endangered.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
Packers#1Railfan AlexSawyer, 70% Alcohol makes a good paint stripper. thanks man! I've now heard 91% and 70% alcohol. Might look for that in Food Lion next time I bike up there.
Railfan AlexSawyer, 70% Alcohol makes a good paint stripper.
Sawyer, 70% Alcohol makes a good paint stripper.
thanks man! I've now heard 91% and 70% alcohol. Might look for that in Food Lion next time I bike up there.
I haven't noticed any difference between the two, other than the 91% seemed to work faster.
Alex
demonwolf224Nice Saywer!
Nice Saywer!
thanks. like I said, ordered through my LHS. should be here Wednesday or Thrusday is what the guy said. I'll pick it up this weekend.
Also, my move into the bonus room of our house will be permanent until I go to college, so I'll more than likely be able to convince my parents at some point to let me add onto my 4x8.
This also means that the room color will be changed from the purplish color it is now to something else. i'm thinking New York Mets blue and orange, lol
demonwolf224Sawyer, I would go with the code 55. I am back at the house now, and I am gonna get some mountain dew, then go down into the basement, and rip the rest up. I will sub to this thread. I don't know if you guys know this, but I'm NS9708 on the teen mr fourms.
Sawyer, I would go with the code 55. I am back at the house now, and I am gonna get some mountain dew, then go down into the basement, and rip the rest up. I will sub to this thread. I don't know if you guys know this, but I'm NS9708 on the teen mr fourms.
I've already ordered it.
Sweet demonwolf.
GG, can't wait till you start building scenery. great work on the WRS units too!
Tyler, nice operating session.
ok, I'm gonna end up playing around w/ that river stuff next weekend, as well as checking out the code 55 track. Also, I will eventually get to sketching the other side of my 4x8.
GG, I'll try that on a car that lacks powder,. as of now, that boxcar is among the lord knows how many things I need to strip paint off of. anyone got suggestions for a cheap paint stripper (other than brake fluid!)
I HAVE 6 LEGS! 2 are people legs, and 4 are layout legs. Next weekend I'll get a 4x8 sheet of plywood, and build the frame. Then that weekend or next I'll install the legs and maybe add the foam.
I really have to stay with this thread. I have one more section of roadbed from my 4x8 layout left, I'll probably get that tommorow, then it's on to purchasing more code 83 flextrack. I am modeling Central Pennsylviania Lines (as I've said on the Teen MR forums.) Listening to A7X right now, gonna go up to a friends soon. I'm gonna be modeling patchouts untill I get a can of propelant. That'll be when I get to State College next. My order of AIM weathering powders is in at the LHS, and it's on to weathering then! YAY! I don't know if I'll include the NS interchange on my layout. Well, gotta get my clothes ready so untill later.
I really like that last video. Pretty neat show, with the helper cutoff and all.
Okay, that explains it. The grades I was on with the 50+ car trains only did a 1/2 circle, straight about a foot and a half, than another 1/2-circle. (Yes, it was a helix). Would using broader curves (like 30" and up) make it easier? I ask because I have been wanting helper operations for when I build a big layout of my own (many years down the road). Throwing all the helpers on the head-end would probably work, but it isn't really prototypical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CntEdKRnz5Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMQX7Pd7F80http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygab6YnYrOI
All those vids are of BN coal drags. They have a bunch of engines up front and around three in the back.
The grade is a piece of cake. It's the curve that kills you! That curve is almost a 3/4 circle, and you've got the head end pulling on one end, and the friction of the 20+ cars before the helpers on the other end. That's a sure-fire situation for a stringlining wreck.
The only way to get out of that is by placing mid-train helpers every 7 cars or so, which unfortunetely brings up the problem of individual control. If both engineers had DT400s with duel throttle knobs, it might be possible, but with just UT4s (one knob) it's impossible to control that many locos at the same time.
Tyler, Good to see that ops session went well.
Regarding your 36 car train, I've ran 50+ car fast freights up 3% grades before with out problems (gratned the engines were all on the head end; and I had about 4-2 times as much power as was needed). Does that extra 1% make that much of a difference? Or could the helpers be running too fast? I don't know much about using helpers on Model railroad since I've never used them (I should, my prototype did like 5-8 engines on the front, and 2-4 on the back based on the youtube videos I have)
Went to Pensacola today, but came back with nothing. Wishing I would have stayed home and worked on some of my stuff. Despite that I finally found that tube of silicone sealent that has been evading me for a while, so I should be able to finish GP35 2507 soon, and improve the sound quality of my SD9, which was my first sound install. The SD9 has a NCE DA-SR, with a MRC sounder wired to the track pick-ups on the DA-SR. The speaker is a box speaker with a baffle that I cut the closed end off so I wouldn't have to modify the weight. Then I used Double-sided ducttape to secure it. Turns out the tape isn't airtight. Silicone would fix that. I'm thinking of putting in a soundtraxx and replacing the speaker with a oval one; but that'll wait (like I am for that C30-7 to arrive)
I also came up with a solution to the dilema regarding an engine I bought a few months ago. That Sound-equipped U30C with the 2nd gen EMD sound. I figure if I can get lucky enough to pickup a few SD40-2s at the Pensacola show, I could proably throw the decoder into one of them. The C30-7's sound will suffice for the U30C and U33Cs.
Alex, I was actually able to make something out of our attempts to make the grade with 36 cars... Now I just need to give it a cheesy title like "MUST SEE!!!! TRAIN DERAILS ON CAMERA!!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5k701eD9eo