Years ago, I had a Tyco 0-4-0 Pony I built from a kit and that was pretty cool.
Recently I acquired an AHM Alco RS-2 and the same switcher from Alco Models. I've always loved the RS-2 and had the opportunity to drive one as a kid. <swoon>
(Don't seem to be able to post photos)
Amanda
916- that was my first headend ride on the NEC, and I remember it because it was September 16 (can’t remember the year, though). They were pretty hard-run by then, and looked it.
My faves are my PFM D&RGW F-81 (early version) and an Empire Midland GW #90: both brass, both late ‘70s.
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
I'm from Richmond, VA originally, so when I got back into Model Railroad 7 years ago, the first purchase I made was an RF&P SW1500 #4 (I think it was a SW1500). Anyways I created a really complicated backstory about my railroad because of that locomotive.
Pride of the B&M, the P4 Pacific. All the important prewar passenger trains had a P4 on the point. This started out as a die cast Mantua Pacific.
It has a cast brass pilot, extra lead ballast, other cast brass detail parts, a can motor conversion, and a paint and decal job.
This is a stock out of the box Bachmann Shay. Unfortunately it has suffered from split gear trouble since I took this photo, and NWSL doesn't seem to offer the replacement gear any more.
I have several prototype photos of multi unit lashups of Geeps pulling the big freights. I decided I needed to match. These are Athearn blu box kits. I gave them constant lighting circuits, the simple 4 diode and 1.5 volt bulb circuit, but other wise they are stock.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
It's hard to choose just one, but for me it's probably between a Spectrum GE Dash 8-40CW(UP) and an Athearn blue box EMD SD40-2(Montana Rail Link) on the diesel side of the coin, and a pair of Bachmann 4-8-4s(UP) on the steam side. But, as I said before it's hard to choose just one, as they are all enjoyable to run.
My favourite loco is a True Line Trains U2g Northern. There were problems with the early versions and in fact I sent back 2 that ran very poorly. I did get a refund but later decided to give it one more try with a unit near the end of the production run, hoping they had figured out how to assemble it correctly. I was right and mine runs very smoothly. The detail is brass level and for $400 I think it was a bargain. Besides it is just one great looking loco with a very balanced look.
CN Charlie
My grandfather bought me my first locomotive when I was 10 years old. 45 years later I still have it.
It doesn't work anymore as I beat the crap out of it when I was too young to appreciate it. I found a brand new replacement on eBay. I can't believe the thing runs surprisingly smooth, Bachmann wasn't very good back then.
Haven't gotten far enough on my layout to enjoy it yet but I am anticipating that day
PS I won't beat the crap out of it this time around
Most of mine currently sit in their boxes as life is busy, but the one currently on my "layout" is an Athearn RTR GP50 lettered for the CNW. Found in a display case with two others, same road numbers and all. Their prices were each different, so it's special because it was the "steal" of the group. I also like my Athearn RTR SD39 for the Minneapolis, Northfield, & Southern.
Looking forward to finding a GP30 in either of SOO, Milwaukee Road or Wisconsin Central as well as a SD40-2 "City of Winona" in DM&E paint. When any of these are purchased, the new pride and joy will be in the collection.
My favorite loco is my scaletrains tier 4 gevo. Thats why I bought it. Short and sweet.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
When I first started taking model train pictures with a digital camera, it was borrowed from my daughter, a 2 MP Kodak CX6200, with not too many features. Here's one of my favourites, as I was impressed by the depth-of-field of which it was capable. The picture was taken with the available room lighting (cool white fluorescents, as seen)....
It was pretty decent for close-ups, too...
The next camera after that was a 4 MP Kodak C330. Another point-and-shoot type, it had more options, but was still easy to use...probably my favourite, as it also had an AC adapter, so could be plugged in for long photo sessions, usually involving a tripod. Unfortunately, I accidentally tripped on the plugged-in wire, knocking the tripod and camera to the concrete floor of the layout room. Because the camera remained on when plugged-in, the lense was extended, and that's what hit the floor, knocking it askew. The camera still works, but the lense needs to be straightened manually for every shot, so I no longer use it. I'm not certain, but I think that this shot, below, was done with that camera...
I replaced that camera with a secondhand 4 MP Kodak Z700. This camera also uses an AC adapter, making it ideal for layout room or workshop photos. It also has more manual features for controlling exposure and shutter speed, but I don't often use them any more. For posting pictures on-line, pretty-well any point-and-shoot camera is capable of satisfactory results.This shot is likely from that camera, but because I don't note the camera type or the date that a photo is taken, I can't be positive...
I also have a 12MP FujiFilm X-10, given to me by my brother. It's definitely not just a point-and-shoot (although can function as one) and is probably the one of mine best suited to taking pictures of model trains. However, most of the buttons and controls on it are multi-function, and the user manual may have size-connections related to 'phone directories or catalogues. I was initially put-off by its complexity, but the fact that it can also shoot in RAW format made it appealing if I wanted to submit photos to magazines. After some thought on that, though, I decided that there's not much I can offer that hasn't already been seen, and I simply don't have the time or interest to pursue it.I do use the camera, but it remains overly arcane for my very limited technical abilities.
I think that any point-and-shoot camera is more than adequate for posting photos on-line. I know many people who have high-end cameras, but take only snapshots. Many of them seem to consider themselves "photographers", and I suppose that if they took the picture, they may be correct. I don't, however, consider myself to be one...only a guy who takes pictures, mostly of trains, and I probably delete 3 or 4 for every 5 taken....much easier than when I used film.
Most digital cameras can adapt to room lighting and many focus automatically, so the photographer often need worry only about the subject and the composition.
Wayne
Wayne: I actually asked you this question years ago, first, what kind of camera do you use and how do you light your shots. They always look so clean and well lit, the detail really stands out. All I have is a Kodak digital camera, I think I need to improve the lighting and and maybe increase the megapixals. I am not sure what it is right now, but it is above a 6 megapixal.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester
For me its my P2K SCR SW8.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
My pride and joy is this old Märklin German Federal Railway class E 94 CoCo electric my wife gave me over 30 years ago on the occasion of our 1st anniversary.
The model was first released in the late 1950s and is still being produced with some minor changes, like new and improved chassis with a skew-wound 5-pole motor and lots of electronics inside, including sound, and sone detail improvements.
For her age, the old gal still looks smart.
The engine is nothing special, but being a gift from my wife, I am happy to have been able to save it over dire times, when I had to sell my collection to have money to feed the family.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Yeah, you should be able to log-in if your account is still active, but even if it's not, you can check their new pricing policies and features and/or click on "HELP" to ask questions not dealt with in their FAQ section.I've always had prompt and polite responses from their tech team, and I've found them very helpful - even beyond what I would have reasonably expected.
That might not be a bad idea, do you just go to Photobucket and make application.
Robert
Robert, I'd guess that your current photobucket subscription is not yet expired, and that's why you can still find previously-posted pictures, then copy and paste them here.
I renewed my photbucket subscription last month, at a reasonable cost, and I am currently in the midst of copying perhaps several hundred photos from my account, in order to restore, on disc, original photos lost in my old computer.I know that many here were outraged by photobucket's policy changes, but if you're not totally p/o'd by their actions, you may want to investigate their new pricing policies, before your subscription lapses.
snjroy So many are dear to my heart... Especially those that I assembled myself (MDC kits), and those that I literally took apart to fix and make them run like new with DCC, like this Katsumi Shay and Bowser 4-8-4. Simon DSC_0117 by " alt="" /> 4-8-4 bowser 0113 by " alt="" />
So many are dear to my heart... Especially those that I assembled myself (MDC kits), and those that I literally took apart to fix and make them run like new with DCC, like this Katsumi Shay and Bowser 4-8-4. Simon
DSC_0117 by " alt="" />
4-8-4 bowser 0113 by " alt="" />
I just did the old fashion way, copy then paste-don't know if it will work again but her goes.
Pics from the past
This a brass F unit hand painted-don't use air brushes and I installed the Evans headlight, It's all brass. Robert Sylvestet
That's a new trick.
How did Robert and Drew paste pictures on top of pictures and text?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Henry:
I found my pictures for an old post so I thought I would do it the old fashion way. I copied the pictures then pulled this post back up and pasted them on this post just to see what would happen. The results are futher on the post.
Dr. Wayne, I am not sure if this is going to work but I found the old pictures, copied the post and pasted here, here goes.
I run a bunch from brass to Athearn, Atlas, Spectrum. IHC, Stewart, BLI. kit built steamers, Bachman, Mantua, even the Franklin Mint New York Central Hudson. Some I have to tinker with, especially the brass. The BLI, Spectrum, Athearn, and IHC steamers run well, sometimes the brass is a different story. MY BLI, Spectrum, Bachman, Atlas, Athearn and some other are realy smooth.
She still works the yards and sometimes she'll even take some freight for a short run to the next town. I don't have a train museum but if I did she be the first to be inducted.
This is an old Varney re-built, it has a metal body, of the Pennsy. The SP unit is also brass.
My brass E units on the WTRR.Southern E units both A and B are brass as is the passenger car.
ICG even dedicated on of these to Casey Jones.It is an Atlas GP-38; 37 years old and still run beautifully.
Just a few pics of some of the engine stock on the WTRR.
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
Well I model N-Scale and on the layout I have...
2 Kato E8s PRR
1 Atlas C420 Piedmont and Northern
1 Atlas NS Dash 8-cw9 (I am not exactly sure about this one)
1 Kato SD70ACe MOPAC
1 Kato RDC
1 Con-cor PA-1 GN (Big Sky Blue)
1 Bachmann 44 toner D&RGW
All are DCC. The 2 atlas and 1 Bachmann have factory installed decoders. The rest I converted to DCC.
I made an aqusition of a large collection of N-scale items just before Christmas. Among the items are 3 Kato PA-1s and 2 PB-1s (UP and PRR [Green]) that will converted to DCC when funding allows. There are numerouse other DC locomtives in the collection but they are old enough that conversion to DCC most likely cannot be done or I will not go to the trouble because the install will be considerably more difficult than drop in. Much of the equipment is from an era prior to the developement of DCC..Can we say Arnold Rapido? But this is about what is on the railroad and not what may be coming....
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.
I am trying to get more pictures from the WTRR
ICG even dedicated one of these to Casey Jones. Atlas 37 tears old.
She still works the yards and sometimes she'll even take some freight for a short run to the next town. I don't have a train museum but if I did she be the first to be inducted. Nice brass unit with more brass passenger cars.
Several years ago, while at a train show in Columbia, S.C., I happened upon a display of PRR engines that had been re-motored with new chassis and drive trains but the shells were of a vintage model. Upon inquiring as to the make of the shells they turned out to be made by Varney and Co.
Each engine had a German motor installed with smooth running linkage to the trucks. He only wanted $50.00 per engine. They had lights installed, the shells themselves are a heavy metal and for the money really looked good so I bought one. Here it is, I thought some of you who appreciate the impact Varney made on our hobby might be intersted. Believe me it is heafty.
The SP is brass. The steamer is also brass.
robert sylvesterI have some pictures posted on this sight from years ago and I am not sure how topull them forward to display but one of my favorite engines
There is no method for the rest of us to search, at least in a practical sense. One could scroll through all the pictures, but I'm not doing that. However you have a link to your own pictures on the right side of this page.
(url)http://cs.trains.com/mrr/m/mrr-layouts/2013362.aspx(/url)
Robert, thank you for your very kind words and generous assessment of my work.
robert sylvester.....Wish could pull some pictures from the site and show everyone what I am talking about.
If you have some time to spare, you may be able to find those photos: simply go to your Account/Profile, in the upper right corner of this page, and click on "Your Discussions". A log of all of your contributions to this Forum will appear, and if you can remember roughly when you posted those photos, you may be able to find and recover them.
Of course, if they were linked from photobucket, and you're no longer a Member there, the photos will be gone.If the latter is the case, but you still have the original photo but are unable to post it, contact me via PM.
PFM brass GN P-2, custom painted and numbered for the one that bit a large rock many years ago north of Seattle.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
My favorite engines are the Con Cor/Kato U50B's I have five of them. They will pukk 14 ounces up a 2.93 percent grade at half throttle like their is nothing behind it, I have never tested the full pulling power of them, but it is exceptional.
Dr. Wayne:
I have always admired your work over the years, you pictures are never dissapointing, in fact they inspire all of us to do better. Your photographs are amazing and absolutely beautiful, and so realistic.
I have some pictures posted on this sight from years ago and I am not sure how topull them forward to display but one of my favorite engines is, of all models, an IHC Mountain of the Reading Railroad. To me it is a classic style and a wonderful engine. Very quiet and runs as smooth as glass, a good puller too.
I have many others but probably my favorite is from 1975, an Atlas GP 38, (I believe), that I purchased in Memphis, Tenn. It's not as detailed as the engines today but being old as it is it runs fantastic. Jackson, Tenn, where I lived at the time, still had a yard and the ICG had special proto type painted in the orange and white colors with black lettering. Right below the cab windows on both sides it read, "Casey Jones". The ICG crew let me sit in the engineers seat to get the feel of the engine and even blow the horn, what a thrill.
My model engine is now 43 years old and has never had any repairs, all I do is lubricate it and it still runs like Swiss watch. In fact it is my go to engine when I build a new layout, it is always the to first to run to check out the new track.
Wish could pull some pictures from the site and show everyone what I am talking about.
Looks like steam is the pride & joy winner here.
I don't have any pride & joy engines but I do have an old Lionel Hudson which is pretty beat up from my early childhood that I've kept to whack bad guys over the head with; it has sentimental value.
When ScaleTrains releases their lovely tunnel motor this winter, that will likely become my pride and joy diesel engines.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
OldEnginemanThe 5027. I remember working on that one as a young fireman, keeping the steam generator going. But by the late 70's, it didn't look nearly that clean any more!
Thanks for sharing those great stories, Engineman —
That deserves another look at the 5027:
IMG_6820_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
OldEnginemanMy own "favorite engine(s)"? AEM-7 916
Well, I have the 911 and 901, close but no cigar
AEM_911-901_2k by Edmund, on Flickr
They're pretty clean, too. I'm behind on my weathering chores.
Glad to hear these stories!
Thanks, Ed
gmpullman wrote: "I have a blue and yellow FL9 in Penn Central because that's what I remember seeing and riding behind when I was in New Haven territory in the early 1970s."
The 5027. I remember working on that one as a young fireman, keeping the steam generator going. But by the late 70's, it didn't look nearly that clean any more!
gmpullman also wrote: "Speaking of GCT, I also was lucky to see some of these S-3s operating there:"
When I was a hostler in the Harmon shops during the summer of 1983, they had one of the last running S-motors up there. I remember getting up on it, can't remember if I needed to move it around, but I recall moving it just a little anyway -- that was 35 years ago!
My own "favorite engine(s)"? AEM-7 916 -- when it was a brand-new engine, and I was a brand-new engineer, had my picture snapped in the cab window down at Stamford. The other was the 909 -- very first engine I ran on my first over-the-road trip (I had never run one before, really, I just "got on and went" and learned as I went along!). And it was the very last engine I was on, on the day I retired.