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Elliott's Trackside Diner - April 2012 Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: Centennial, CO
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Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:10 AM

Good Morning Modelers!

It's 58F and clear heading for a record breaking 88F by this afternoon (YUK!!!!!!!) but at least the forecast has things cooling back down with potential rain by the weekend.  Back to "w%$K"...

  • Member since
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  • From: Shalimar. Florida
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Posted by Packer on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:29 AM

Morning guys

I took one of my busted laptops apart and managed to snag the 2 speakers. They are a little wide for a hood unit, but I tried to mount in where the motor would go in my dummy SD40-2 and it fit perfectly. So now I have a few spare speakers I could use for later sound installs.

Dave, I thought it was the person at the top of a page who buys. Unless it's changed while I was away.

Todd, All of our (mine, my brothers, and my fathers) ford 5.0 (old one) have hyraulic lifters, IDK about adjustable rockers since his are aftermarket (COMP). He's since taken all the rockers and pushrods out. It looks like the push rods have wear marks on them, so they may have been too long.

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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Williamsville, ILL
  • 3,698 posts
Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:13 AM

Good Morning!!! Coffee and….ya know, how about some coffee cake. I haven’t had coffee cake in like forever. Thanks.

Vincent- Between casting flaws, and the countless other issues, pretty much anything can happen. Testing is done in batches so there is bound to be some that make it through with a flaw. And I doubt the pushrods being too lomg would result in that one rocker arm breaking. In fact, I’d say all that really did was mess with your valve lift unless the rocker dipped too close to the valve guide. But I would figure the piston would claim right away before that happened. Also it would throw off the valve closing too. Or could, should, might. I’ve learned to never say never and never say will in the automotive game. As soon as you say “it can’t”, just to prove you wrong, it does. Or say"it will" and....it won't. Of course if he had adjustable rockers, didn’t catch if he had solid or hydraulic lifters, he could have set the lash and made up for the pushrod length and never known it.

Curt- I hope the best for your co workers mom and will send up a quick prayer.

Strange things happen with cars….bet J.R. could tell a story or two…Speaking of J.R. Hope he stops in to let us know how “the circuit “is going. And of course that he’s still kickin.

Well today is my jumbled up day so best get thinking of the order in which I shall pursue it.

Ya’ll have a good day!!!!

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

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  • From: IN/USA
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Good Morning...
Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 6:17 AM

 

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

 

 

Cool

 

 

 

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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  • From: upstate NY
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Bill hates galaxy in the Diner
Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 6:13 AM

GOOD MORNING!!!

Today is Tuesday, April 24th, 2012!!!

Make it a Great Day!!!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 1:03 AM

Ken - does that mean you are buying breakfast for everyone? I thought I read that somewhere in the rules.

I stay up way too late too. I find it a good way to de-stress but it doesn't help much with getting things done in the morning, that is if I even get up in the morning which I have been known not to do!Smile, Wink & Grin.

You are on the right track if you are keeping records of everything. I hope you won't need them, but if it comes down to "he said - she said" you will be very glad that you did.

Nasty business this thing called employment!

Good luck

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:19 AM

 Good Morning, it is Tuesday the 24th. Man I stay up way to late.

        Ken

I hate Rust

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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:05 AM

cudaken

 Jeffery Do you happen to have any good PK 1000 motors for there F 3's? Whistling

Sorry Ken, I don't have any spares. The only good one I have is in use.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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  • From: Saskatchewan
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Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Monday, April 23, 2012 11:36 PM

Cederstrand

 

Re-jammed the same index finger on the right hand tonight. It is never going to heal and I fear there will never come a time again when I have even 1 enitre limb working 100% anymore. Frustrating!

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Good Night. Sleep Rob

Whistling

Well Rob,  You can do something that I can't do,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I have no index finger on my right hand or first pointy finger either.   Smile, Wink & Grin.

It's been a long day, time to shut it down.

Prayers and blessings to all in need.

Sweet Rail Dreams to all.

Johnboy out...................................and off to ZZZZzzzzland     Zzz

 

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

  • Member since
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  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
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Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, April 23, 2012 11:03 PM

Extra strong dark cocoa, please.

***Jeffrey, was viewing your vids. Like the sound effects coming from the loco shop.Thumbs Up

Scenic Accents Glue arrived today. Can place some more figures around the town of Sherman's Crossing soon.

Re-jammed the same index finger on the right hand tonight. It is never going to heal and I fear there will never come a time again when I have even 1 enitre limb working 100% anymore. Frustrating!

Healing thoughts to those in need.

Good Night. Sleep Rob

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
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Posted by cudaken on Monday, April 23, 2012 10:55 PM

 Evening Dinners!

 Flo, Beer Please.

 Work Front Spent my day training the new Services Manager for St Peters, lucky stiff. I did enjoy helping him, trying to be better about explaining things to him than they where to me. Boy, I thought I was slow on the computer! Laugh Re-mined of me 27 weeks ago, but he will catch on.

 Told him some of the things to look out for about his tickets being stolen, shame I have to do that.He saw a case of Larry Being Larry first hand. I went to cash out a Oil Change that Larry had keyed, lady handed me a $10.00 off coupon that was not on the ticket. She told me "Larry said to hang on to it till I was rung out"' I closed the ticket, called Larry up front pointed to the coupon and walked away. I later explained to Kevin (new guy) that if he or I had keyed the discount, we would have taken a $1.05 hit on our pay but Larry would have gotten paid for the oil change!

  Write Up. Dave got to the store around 4:00 PM. I was primed for the coming conflict! 6:00 P rolls around and Dave leaves the store, nothing ever said? So either of the following may be the case.

 1 He was having a bad day, and needed me to close and is waiting till he has a back up in the store.

 2 Larry told him I all ready stated I would not sign a write up so he does not want HR to be called in.

 3 Larry was playing mind games with me trying to get me to break and quite.

 Will I am done being played and staring to keep detail log of the days events and making copies of tickets.

 Jeffery Do you happen to have any good PK 1000 motors for there F 3's? Whistling

 Ulrich Front Him an I have been exchanging a few PM's. I need to answer his last one, but I got tied up with the letter I did not need today.

 Band Of Brothers DVD's. This is my 3rd time watching them! Boy it is a good series. I have all so watched the Pacific twice.

 Ken

 .

I hate Rust

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 9:28 PM

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
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  • From: K.I.S.S- Keep it simple stupid
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Posted by teen steam fan on Monday, April 23, 2012 7:46 PM

Hey guys

sorry I haven't come in here lately. I had a fishing tournament friday that got called because of conditions. (Bad wind and fog) and got rescheduled to today. 

It sucked, I couldn't catch a cold today. The wind was bitter strong and the water was rough. There was white caps on the boat ramp. 

If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran

When in doubt. grab a hammer. 

If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer

If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer

If it's broken, get a hammer

If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!

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Posted by fec153 on Monday, April 23, 2012 6:39 PM

Curt- You got them. Deb and I are and will ask for Him to aid them.

Prayers

Phil

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 6:33 PM

Curt: Angel for your friend and her mother. I can well imagine she must be going crazy about now.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Winter Garden, FL
  • 1,546 posts
Posted by Curt Webb on Monday, April 23, 2012 6:19 PM

Evening All,

I have a favor to ask. A co-worker and friend I have known for years had her mother go into Anaphylaxis today and quit breathing and coded before EMS arrived. Her mother was resusicitated but has fixed and dilated pupils and brain swelling. The Doc's are performing the hypothermia protocol on her mother currently to try to reduce swelling. I know the outcome is grim but I am asking for prayers for my friends Mother. 

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 5:29 PM

I made a few little changes on the SD40-2 project. The motor I chose to use has plenty of power but is slightly too wide and was making the sides of the shell bulge a bit. So I dug around in the junk box and found a motor from a Proto 2000 FA2 with flywheels and couplings. It was no problem to lengthen the front shaft with an additional coupling and spline shaft. The rear shaft however was a little bit of a problem. I had the required coupling but no spline shaft. So I had to cut a spline end from another coupling and super glue it into the end of the coupling I had. Once that was dry I was able to insert the new spline adapter into the shaft on the loco and complete the inch and a half long drive shaft. But the shaft vibrates a bit. Guess I can't have everything. Oh well, I'm not building it to run, just to keep my hand in on kit-bashing locos from junk box parts. At least I could convert it to DCC if I wanted to, not that I would want to. An SD40-2 is a bit big for my 18" radius curves.

 

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Monday, April 23, 2012 2:55 PM

Coffee refill, please.

***Vincent, nice looking  BN  loco there.

***Jeffrey, 5 pounds worth of motive power in one trio...impressive! And the new project looks well put together.

Was able to find and order the only Fimco replacement sprayer tank for my model available anywhere. Tractor Supply guy was on the phone with the company for a good half hour. It will be coming from out of state. Big relief, sure didn't want to buy a whole new sprayer. In the meantime, best get out there tomorrow and bushhog the flowers back down. They will probably all be regrown by the time the new tank arrives in 2 weeks or so.

Will be resting in the corner booth awhile.

Cowboy Rob

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  • From: Maryville IL
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Posted by cudaken on Monday, April 23, 2012 1:02 PM

 Time to get ready for work. Dave left a message that he would like me to come in early he has to go to St Louis. Whistling Normal time seems good to me.

           Ken

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:57 PM

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:30 PM

LSWrr
 
Jeff, one of these days you’re going to make a locomotive with enough torque that the layout moves 3” every time it starts up…

Heck, I've already done that!Laugh Heavy Athearn super power F7 chassis with a big heavy metal Varney F3B body and a motor and drive stout enough to pull it and anything I put on it. It's already pulled two dead F7 super's with locked wheels around like they were nothing. It's now the center unit of a three unit consist of F units that weighs five pounds.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Winter Garden, FL
  • 1,546 posts
Posted by Curt Webb on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:28 PM

Afternoon All,

At w**k today and tomorrow. Temps in mid 70's today and tomorrow so that is nice. Last night I uploaded 1 video to YouTube but this morning it is no where to be foundBang Head. Well I got to go, talk to you soon.

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

  • Member since
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  • From: upstate NY
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Afternoon in the Diner
Posted by galaxy on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:22 PM

Good afternoon. At least here it is.

WE only got  a dusting of snow here overnight...and now is drizzling. More rain than anything. It is 43* now. The furnace was fired up to warm up the house then it just maintained, actually rose in temp to 70*F. Then the furnace does not run at all during the day. LIKE that very much..don't need A/C either.. LIKE that. so around 40 outside the inside stays stable and comfy. LIKE that.

We have been running the dehumidifier as the dampness seeps into the trailer. DOn't need that.

Finished off the laundry today. Did the dishes. Got my chores done. now I rest my back.

I found the new {old really} muscle relaxer to be better at helping me if I take two. I accidentally took two the other day {took one then 1/2 hour later thought I didn't so took anothre..then remembered I DID take one}. So will have to see if the DR will give a higher dose of the stuff. THEN it will compare to the other controlled substance my insurance is no longer carrying. WE need to go over a few of my meds anyway, as I think we can reduce/eliminate some.

Well, MOH should be home soon.

My TV show will be on in 35mins. WE have, as of next month, reduced our cable bill by reducing channels we get. WE don't want to see the upper channels go, but at $112 for 'net and expanded cable we said no last year. THEn they offered us a deal at $85 {makes it really $88.66} to give us more channels than we had, but at the lower price. SO now, they want to push 'net, phone, expanded cable to us for $135!!! Again, we said no. SO now next month we go down to 22 channels and 'net and pay only $60. We will just have to get used to not having the upper channels and find somehting on the lower channels to watch.

WEll,

Have a GREAT afternoon...

and Here I sit, fat, dumb and happy...Surprise

Geeked

 

 

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:17 PM

Ray, glad you missed the 12” of snow or the 5” of rain some people are dealing with.

 

Jeff, one of these days you’re going to make a locomotive with enough torque that the layout moves 3” every time it starts up…

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
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Posted by Packer on Monday, April 23, 2012 12:03 PM

Ken, What weird was that rocker arm that broke had less than 250 miles on it. My father took his engine apart and it seems that the pushrods were too long. I would think a pushrod would bend before the rocker would break. The strangest thing for me to break was a steel driveshaft, with a V6 and an automatic. When it broke it took parts of the transmission out too. I have pics of it somewhere.

I've had an issue with the water pump on my car too. When I bought it, there was a hole in it near the top. So it'd leak slowly when hot. I replaced it, but had a bolt break and it was stuck to the block. Had to drill and tap it, but the tap broke... Had to order a tap extractor to finish the job.

Jeff, She seems to be working alright.

Here's my switcher. A lone SW10 (SW1000, BN omited the last 2 zeros), I'm gonna order an SW15 as a mate for it, and stick a Tsunami in one of them.

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.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 11:41 AM

A short video of the test run of today's SD40 project.

 

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: East central Illinois
  • 2,576 posts
Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, April 23, 2012 11:04 AM

Good Morning All...Its sunny and a cool 51 here..Had a freeze warning out last night...I'll have coffee and a sweet roll please...Thank You...Kids and Grand kids all gone..They came in and fixed supper last night had 14 with us in this little apartment last evening..had a great meal and alot of fun..Layout seems to have come thru it pretty well..Looks like 2 cross bucks are mia...they probaly turn up later..My daughter figurewd out how to download books on the nook I got Sallie for Christmas..Got the slows not anything planned on the layout...

Wabash has trackage rights on the I&S

You Alll have a good one...Jerry

ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 10:57 AM

cudaken
Strangest thing I had break to date is the water pump pull on my first Charger motor. Outer bell (if you think about it, it looks something like a bell) broke off the center of he water pump?

I had two incidents like that myself. One on a Ford F250 truck and the other on a Dodge A100 (ugly little brute).

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, April 23, 2012 10:50 AM

 Morning All!

 Flo, Diet Dew Please.

 Work Front Letter It is in its 5th draft and I have taken your advices and put a more positive spin on it. Real shame is I have spent around 3 hours of my free time on defending my self for something I did not do!

 Vincent To be honest, I did not read the whole story. I had other things on my mind. But, yes I can see a rocker arm wearing out to the point it splits. Strangest thing I had break to date is the water pump pull on my first Charger motor. Outer bell (if you think about it, it looks something like a bell) broke off the center of he water pump?

 See you all later.

                    Ken

  

 

 Chrysler Diamante

I hate Rust

  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, April 23, 2012 10:45 AM

Cederstrand

***Jeffrey, still impressed with how you kit-bash locos together and can even make them run smoothly, too.

Thanks Rob. It's not that hard to do. Just a matter of finding the right pieces to go together and if they won't fit just quite right having the patience and ingenuity to make them fit. Take today's project for example. I decided to build a drive for an old Athearn SD40-2. So far it's got an 80's era frame, 70's era Athearn motor, worms and some gears from a Proto BL2 and slightly modified drive shafts from an old Proto E unit. I've already wired it for a test run and it's smooth and fairly quiet with only a faint gear buzz. One of the flywheels is lightly touching the frame making a ching-ching-ching sound but I can shim up that end of the motor and lift the flywheel clear of the frame or I can grind away a little of the flywheel well. Either method will get the flywheel off the frame. Test run on address 00 shows top speed estimated at fifty smph (DC only locos are always slow on DCC because of reduced voltage). Slow speed performance is good. The flywheel rub limits the slow speed to nine or ten smph. I'm sure I can get it lower than that. At some point in the future I may put a more modern Athearn motor in it and convert it to DCC.

 

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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