a Soo Line introduction

[yankinoz]

I think I'm still the newest member at TrainBoard and thought I should introduce my self to the other Soo modelers around here. (and anyone else who is listening.)

I grew up in Illinois but my grandparents lived in Ladysmith Wis - in the late 70's and early 80's this was still a Soo Line crossroad and I remember watching the trains as much as possible whenever I was at "camp grandma." Later, I built a 4x8 HO layout in my parent's basement, it never really had a theme - but I collected as much Soo as I could afford. It was dismantled but many structures and rolling stock were stored (and still are stored) with my parents.

After College I lived in Chicago for several years (lots of Soo action - unfortunately I have no photos.) While there, I fell in love and got engaged. Then my job took my fiancée and me to Sydney for "a one year assignment" - four years later we are still here, married now, and trying to stay permanently in Australia. My wife is so fantastic she has encouraged me to get back into model trains and well now here I am.

The plan is to keep building and detailing models trying to keep focused on the Soo Line of the 1990's. Eventually we will have an actuall house with room for a layout. At the moment, intermodal is interesting for me. I think the best part about intermodal is that containers and trailers are less intimidating when it comes to learning how to paint, decal and weather.

[E-8]

Welcome yankinoz. Australia is a long way from Illinois. (I've never been to Spain but I've been to Oklahoma ... oh that's another tune :D )

Charlie

[Gats]

Welcome aboard TrainBoard, Yank in Oz!

I'm a fellow Soo modeller here in Sydney as well. That makes 3 of us!
Where in Sydney are you located?

Gary.

[yankinoz]

There's more than 3 - I missed the P2K SD60's in SOO paint - and I know you two are N Scalers. Tom's Discount said they didn't have 'em long enough to get into the window! :confused:

Anyway - I'll contact you off line - Colonel has already emailed me.

Cheers

[Gats]

I look forward to hearing from you.

Gary.

[GAS]

Hi Guys,
Hey Gary what this keep two other SOO models in Sydney from me smile.gif and no one ever mention trainboard.com!

Graham

[Colonel]

Graham,
welcome to trainboard it is good to see more aussies finally realising trainboard is such a great site we need more of us guys to spread the word. We also have an Australian forum that could do with a little boost. Like Gary I am an N scaler, what scale do you model?
Looking forward to seeing more of your contributions.

[Gats]

Hey Graham! How the heck are you? Welcome aboard!
My apologies for not mentioning this site to you - my bad! Yankinoz (Rob) is new here as well so I haven't been holding out on you :D
The other Soo modeller I alluded to is a guy in Sydney N that has some RTR Soo equipment (SD60's).
Is there another here in Sydney I don't know about?

Gary.

ps. Have you still got the same home number?

[Dee Das]

My god, this forum seem to consist entirely of Aussies. Is there no one from "de homeland". Well, I'm not originally from Minne-soder either, but its Home now.
Looks like we'll be drowning in Fosters from now on... ;) .
Just kidding Graham and Gary...Hope to see you in September..Graham, say hi to the wife and kids from us. Gary, will probably run into you soon if I ever get sick of flaming out over the Pacific in my Hellcat.
Cheers guys!

[yankinoz]

Welcome abord Dee. Looks like your a nite owl in MN. Where were you from before MN (and why did you move there?)

[Gats]

Hey Dude... Welcome aboard!

We've got a nice little Soo cartel happening here, mate, so you just be careful. :D
Still fiddling with that flight sim, huh? Thought you would have tired of getting creamed by now... hehe. Look forward to catching up with you soon!
Love to Jo and Dani for me.

Gary.
Typing from a Fosters-free environment!

[Dee Das]

Thanks for the welcome guys.
Rob, I'm originally from India. I moved to MN from there by way of Lagos, Nigeria. Its a long story..hehe..don't ask. I went to school in MN and WI.
I've known these Aussie Misfits for a long time (big Grin). I've met Graham and Gary and talked to Paul on ICQ.
BTW, I missed the SOO SD60's too. I did manage to snag two undecorated units though. They are very smooth runners!
And, Gary, as for fooling around with the flightsim.....I'm on my 4th joystick..LOL
-Dee

[yankinoz]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dee Das:
Thanks for the welcome guys.
Rob, I'm originally from India. I moved to MN from there by way of Lagos, Nigeria. Its a long story..hehe..don't ask. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow - I will want to hear this story - Maybe someday over a Leinenkugel :D

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> BTW, I missed the SOO SD60's too. I did manage to snag two undecorated units though. They are very smooth runners!
-Dee[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Darn smooth! Graham helped me track a Soo Line SD60 in Melbourne. I don't know if you saw the comments on cpheavyhaul or not, but the colours LL used don't look right :( I think I'm going see how it looks with some chalk weathering - or I might repaint it...

Cheers

[Dee Das]

Rob,
Well at one time, since I went to school in WI, I consumed enough beer to float a small battleship ;). Sadly, its usually Caffeine free Coke nowadays. So if you want to hear it, you'll have to ask Gary to sneak you into his suitcase when he comes over for the SOO convention.
The reason that I bought undec. models is that the rest of my Candy Apple SOO locos dont match what the commercial model makers are putting out. I used ScalecoatII Bright Caboose Red over a silver undercoat. Sadly, Scalecoat has discontinued that color now and the only bottle of that paint that I own has solidified. So an alternate color will have to be selected.
Currently working on 3 SD40-2's. 6618, 775 and 6623. Did all the cutting and installed Cannon grills and brass fans and Athearn goes and updates their shell. Isnt that the way it goes?
-Dee

[yankinoz]

LOL Dee

I'm working on 6613 (my first prototype detail project) from an old Athearn SD40-2 I have had for a few years. I have have been trying to figure out how to do the extended range dynamics and then - Athearn to the rescue! So I ordered one with the new style dynamics and old style fans and chicken wire. I'll swap the dynamic and non-dynamic hatches. I'm planning on doing the new one as 768 cuz I think the red sunshade on 768 looks kinda neat. Of course I will need to get a cannon 81" hood. It's a good thing this stuff isn't available in N - otherwise Gary would rub it in smile.gif Just kiddin Gary - as soon as work lets up (I've had 10 - 12 hour days all week) I'll stop by and check your SD40-2's out.

Dee - If you haven't seen what Gary is working on, check his web site out. "I can't belive it's not HO!"

[ 07 March 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]

[Dee Das]

Rob,
Dont tell him, but Gary's work is pretty darn incredible :D He might get a swelled head..He's also a glutton for punishment..
Just had some bad news: our model railroad club is losing its building. Progress, I guess.. theyre tearing the building down to make room for something else. 12 years down the toilet..Oh, Well.. onto to something else.
We had over 300 ft of mainline. Can you imagine racks and stacks with two SOO 60's on the front tearing across the prairie..Mmmm! BTW have you started detailing your 60 yet? I have the Railroad Model Craftsman (2 part) article on detailing SD60/SD60M's.
-Dee

[Gats]

Nah, if I start the head swell, Dee, I'll put my helmet on. That should keep it in check! :D

Sorry to hear about the loss of the club's premises. Where to now?

Rob, I have the SD60 book brought out by Wither's Publishing/Diesel Era if you would like to borrow it. Covers all SD60's produced.

BTW, the new toy -
Classic 3/4 roster shot
http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/photos/R1100S%20front.jpg

Business end of the deal!
http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/photos/R1100S%20rear.jpg

Gary.

[Dee Das]

Hey Gary,

Dani here: "Hey there, no use to come up here anymore this year to try and convice the school to have more snow days.We're already having to go to school till the first week of June to make up for it.lol".

KEWL BIKE! Dani wants a ride.
Just don't let that crotch rocket rear up and bite you ;)

Take Care,
-Dee

[yankinoz]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dee Das:
Just had some bad news: our model railroad club is losing its building. Progress, I guess.. theyre tearing the building down to make room for something else.
BTW have you started detailing your 60 yet? I have the Railroad Model Craftsman (2 part) article on detailing SD60/SD60M's.
-Dee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry to hear about your club :( any leads on a new place for it?

I haven't started work on the SD60. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. It was so hard to track down, it seems silly to repaint it. I think I'll let it sit for a few months and see what happens... the pair of SD40-2s comes first.
As for what I would do with the SD60 - the various pilot hoses will be replaced with better parts, I'll move the cab air vent forward. Remove the big MU cable as Soo doesn't seem to leave them attached to the front pilot like that. I think the air filters are wrong as well but I'll have to confirm that. Other than that, there isn't much to do. Maybe I will start with undecorated ones and keep this one as a collectors item - wrong paint and all!
:rolleyes:

Gary - thanks for the book offer - I might take you up on it.

[Gats]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dee Das:
Hey Gary,

Dani here: "Hey there, no use to come up here anymore this year to try and convice the school to have more snow days.We're already having to go to school till the first week of June to make up for it.lol".

KEWL BIKE! Dani wants a ride.
Just don't let that crotch rocket rear up and bite you ;)

Take Care,
-Dee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Dani - that's bad news. I didn't realise any time you lost through snow-bound days hadto be made up before summer vacation starts. What if it is a really bad year and you lose 4 weeks of school - do you have to make all those up?
And can you cross-country in snow-shoes?? ;)

Dee - rearing up can be done, but it's not as easy as a chain drive to do it with. Being shaft driven (the ONLY way to go), the crown gear would rather ride up the pinion before pulling up the front - makes the bike lift both ends at once rather than pulling down the rear and lifting the front.
Biting, on the other hand, is totally contolled by the operator. :D

Dani - whenever you're ready for a ride... Maybe I could hire a bike when I'm there next? smile.gif

Rob - give me a call when you're ready to drop around. I'll have it waiting for you.

Gary.

[yankinoz]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats:
Dee - rearing up can be done, but it's not as easy as a chain drive to do it with. Being shaft driven (the ONLY way to go), the crown gear would rather ride up the pinion before pulling up the front
Rob - give me a call when you're ready to drop around.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought the shaft had the effect of leaning the whole bike over - but has BMW sorted that problem out? Boy - talk about getting "off topic" smile.gif

And my last bike in USA:
Pris (http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/robnamy/pris/pris_side_350.JPG)

And the business end :D
Pris Rear (http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/robnamy/pris/pris_rear_400.JPG)

"Pris, your basic pleasure model"

Gary - I'll give you a ring today. I am planning to paint 6613 this weekend and I want to see what your "Soo Line White" looks like. - hmm - that's a new topic...

[ 13 March 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]

[Gats]

Neat beast! A Honda CBR600!

The torque reaction is still there but I wouldn't consider it intrusive. It was never anywhere near enough to upset the balance of the bike when moving and I guess you get used to the effect when taking off - I don't recall feeling it to tell the truth. :D

Give me a yell on the mobile as I'll be at work tonight - I can get back to you on a landline. :cool:

Obligatory RR content -

Your question regarding Soo Line White I answered and I'm sure Dee will add to that. One thing I need to ask you, though - do you have the Candy Apple scheme HO decal set? I need to find out if the small SOO will be suitable for a N Scale switcher and GP9 repaints. There's wre smaller than those used on the SD's and GP38-2's

Gary.

[yankinoz]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats:
do you have the Candy Apple scheme HO decal set?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No mate I don't - The last time I was out at MRC in Blacktown (about 4 weeks ago) they had one in stock - I almost bought it (ya know - I'll use is someday...) but I was already spending too much that day smile.gif he might still have it.