Shop I got it from, owner boxed it backwards! That's what broke the horns, and the steam generator vent. Radio and Sound equipped. Makes it interesting. Blowing the horn, when it has NO horn! Have several N Scale PA's as well. As delivered - LifeLike A/B set BLI - ABA, Aspen Leaf, with DCC/Sound Kato - ABA, Aspen Leaf, ABA 4 stripe ConCor - ABA single stripe Tried to strip, years ago! Black was only thing that came off! Should be able to decal it, with minimal trouble. Gotta work on the cars now. Truss rods on Pullman causing derailments, if run the wrong way!
Design could be a little better, I think. The queen posts could have been made stronger! Metal part, instead of plastic! Truss rods themselves broke at the bend, where rod meets car underfloor. With Aristo gone, locating repair parts is just about impossible! I’m sure someone with Shapeways could make them. But, they would have to be made out of a material MUCH stronger than FUD. Grab the car wrong when carrying, or a derailment and chances are, somethings broke! Epoxied one rod in place, but it came loose. If I can redo it, I should be OK. Don’t run the passenger that often. Minor track work needed, to help with minor problems with the USA coach. Equipment box(es) under car snag track, if run the wrong way. Too much of an angled transition at the top of the grade. My fault! Gonna be making grade changes in that area come spring/summer. Among other things! Have a 4 3/4 inch grade in about 4 1/2 feet of track! A noticeable grade from a short distance! The coal train, or a freight train run pretty good, despite the abrupt grade changes! This year is gonna be busy, and interesting! Still gotta figure bridge abutments, and tunnel construction method(s).
You might try searching for someone who makes replacement queen posts. Be sure to get a prototypical length. (Many models come equipped with versions which are WAY too long.) Use brass wire to re-create the rods. Be sure to get turnbuckles as well. I did this with cars in On30 scale. Was not at all difficult.
Found someone who makes 1:20.3 posts. Sent message, asking if he could do 1:29 version. What he offers now, are available in both plastic AND metal. Now, I wait. And hope. Then, IF I can get the parts I need made, I need to find a source for the truss rods! Brass wire, at least 18" long! Almost tempted to set up something short, and run for an hour or so. Even though it's a bit under 40* right now! Not going to though.
Have been running a bit in recent days! A short freight train, or the GP30's with cabooses only. Or as tonight, the PA and 3 cars. Also recieved, in about 3 days, another NCE G-Wire throttle! I was actually able to locate one! Now, I have 4 throttles overall, to run with. I've got 2 NCE throttles, and 2 T-9000 throttles. Need to send the T9000 in for a check up and repair. Dead in the water for at least the next 5 days! Possible rain/snow every day. May not amount to anything, but......I do NOT care for the cold!
Beautiful spring day here. Snow melting. Dry. Blue skies. Had the windows open all morning. Very inspiring. Wishing I had a yard so I could build.....
Checked with Mom earlier, going to be mid to upper 60’s today, with cold and yuck later tonight into the early part of the week. So, I think I’m gonna set up the coal train today and play for a while!
Had a decent day yesterday, 4/18, so I decided to run a short train. Did NOT have the extreme winds like the day before! Cold and yuck slated for Friday/Saturday. A couple of views of what the front yard looks like at present! Another angle. And yes, the section of track just below the SOO gon has been taken over by plants for now! That will change, once I start getting something done to the left of here, on the new and improved "mountain". Same with siding. Although, could leave it, as a rarely used, overgrown spur.
Wow. Look at all those flowers! Nothing like that here, as yet. Had to scrape frost from my vehicle windshield this morning....
This tends to be the one factor that says we WILL be getting major snow! Or so it seems anyway. Flowers come up like this, they could be buried under maybe 6” of snow!! Not a guarantee though, but....... I’m surprise personally. Went out one day, and there wasn’t much to see. Stepped out the next day, and there’s 3x more than what I recall seeing only 24 hours prior! Possible snow today/tomorrow, last I heard. More than likely, just rain. Something possible for at least another month yet. Then it’ll start acting more like spring! Again, no guarantee though! Mom can’t wait! She wants to get out and play in the dirt!! Gardening fever is hitting! Looking forward myself!
Neighborhood seems to enjoy what's there! Get an occasional person that will stop by and talk briefly. Or, they walk by and comment on flowers in general. And it'll surprise many folks, if they don't realize the railroad is there! Unless they see, or hear it! It's the most unique yard on the street!
Was looking to start a bit of work outside today! Maybe start moving rocks from the hill, and start adding more dirt to raise the height of the mountain. Until I got hit with the cold wind that was blowing! Have about 5 days upcoming that will be in the low 70's, so I think I'm gonna wait until then! Hopefully, the tunnel I'm wanting, can be created! As long as I can figure out HOW to go about the process! Not sure though, if I'm gonna have to get a small load more, or dirt yet. That's gonna have to wait, since I'm now without my truck through at least Friday! Having minor body work done. Just added 3 new AML DRGW PS-1 steel boxcars. Individual numbers! Should be here by May 1. And even found a MAGA USA Trains boxcar! With spring approaching fast, it's time to start thinking about what projects to start preparing for! Biggest one, is lifting more track, about 3", to ease a problematic area. Both legs of the wye, drop about 4 3/4 inches in about 3 1/2 feet! The grade is rather noticeable from a short distance! Causes trouble with trains! Freight trains derail, and 85 foot passenger cars get hung up on rails! Depending on which way they're being run! A few changes and improvements planned for this year! Maybe a bit more, depending. Just hope I'm up for the task(s) at hand!
I tried to spend time Monday, at my storage unit. Nice and sunny. Wanted to dig out train stuff. But the winds just cut too much. I was chilled, and just went home.
AML Rio Grande boxcars arrived already! Purchased 3 different numbers on the 25th. They arrived the 27th! Just one more car to arrive. Maybe today, but doubtful! Not sure where it’s at. Was not provided tracking info! Funny T-Shirt maybe today. Shipped DHL to Post Office. In Denver as of Friday. Thought it would have been here by now! Gonna grab a quick nap. Headed to Cheyenne later, for railroad club tour of UP steam facilities again! Should be interesting.
Got some playtime in Sunday. Gotta get it in while I can, at the moment. Last I heard, we’re due for up to 1.5” snow between Wednesday and Friday. So the news is stating. However, that does NOT mean we are going to actually get anything! I want to get out and start working on things! I have to lift most of the wye out front. From one switch, it’s just shy of 5” too low! Track goes UP about 4 1/2” in maybe 4 foot of track! Causes selected problems. And I want to get started on raising on hill, and trying t9 figure out HOW to add a short tunnel. About 3 foot at most! Gotta be able to get whatever crashes inside the tunnel! Cant get anything right now, since I don’t have my truck! Undergoing minor body work right now. Getting the small dents/dings, one small hole and a rusted bumper fixed! The hole caused by someone pulling out in front of me, with about 600# of rock in the back of the truck, causing me to have to hit the brakes! Sliding the sharp edge of a rock through the front of the bed. Having that fixed, then looking to get spray in bed liner next. And maybe a hard tonneau cover, since my current one was blown about 75% OFF the back of the truck by the severe winds a couple weeks ago! Too many projects! Am I gonna have the time to get the, done this year??
If you wish, I can put you on my waiting list. Due to overwhelming demand, my patented 25 hour day is currently out of stock. (Production problems in China.) Unknown when I will have more available....
