Hey everybody!
I noticed nobody had started a new thread since the start of winter, so I thought I would. I hope the holidays have been good to everybody, they certainly were to me! I received an ATSF auto-rack and a brand-spankin' new Kato SD38-2, UPY #833. I have always wanted to own a Kato product, I've heard so many great things about them and this Christmas my family decided to get one to shut me up.
Been procrastinating a bit on starting in on my track ballasting, I keep telling myself to wait until I put in the new switch machines. Whatever.
One area I have made progress in is converting my nicer rolling stock and all 4 (yes, four of them) of my locomotives to knuckle couplers. My SD70ACe has been giving me some trouble because, well, look for the thread! (MTH SD70ACe--I've had Enough!)
Enjoy the rest of your break off school, however long or short it may be!
Acela
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
I don't know where everyone else is, but I'm here!
Acela, sounds like you got a nice load!
I got a Walthers covered hopper, a Walthers Centerbeam, a decoder for my SD70M, and some guardrails for my overpass project.
Speaking of my scratchbuilt overpass, here's what it currently looks like:
I need more materials before I can continue, but, overall, I'm pleased with how it's coming along!
I also went to the LHS today, and came home with a P2K Conrail GP38-2 and a NS 2012 calendar. The geep was $75, a full $60 off MSRP! Score!!! It's my first P2K loco, so I'm excited to see how it runs, since I've heard very good things about them. Appearance-wise, it's beautiful, so I can't wait to test it out after the weekend (I'm down the shore until Sunday).
And, just for the heck of it, here's a railfanning photo from this Tuesday:
NS GP38-2 leads Allentown, PA-Washington, NJ local H65, with a whopping one boxcaar, off the Lehigh Line, onto the Washington Secondary, past Phillipsburg Union Station, and under Main Street at CP PHILLIPSBURG.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Well, the GP38-2 isn't ending up as smoothly as I expected. See here for explanation: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/200951.aspx
To solve the problem, I ordered a DH165L0 decoder from Tony's Train Exchange last night. While I was at it, I also ordered one of the Digitrax decoders for Athearn locos. They are to be shipped tomorrow. That will fix the headlights, and I'll probably just end up disconnecting the numberboard lights. Hopefully, THEN, it will run great!
Sorry to hear you're having problems with a brand-new loco! I guess I've been lucky, so far the only problems for me have been the ditchlights on my SD70ACe have been turned off last time it ran on DCC (I still run DC ) but no operating problems.
Wish you luck!