A couple of days ago, I ordered a steam engine. It's a Kato D51-498, which is a Japanese 2-8-2, with a 2-truck tender. It's going to lead an excursion train of three 1930s era lightweight passenger cars (Kato 5067). Wanted to get a Big Boy but it just won't look right on my door size layout. Also, this was about 1/3 the price. A bit of history: http://steam.fan.coocan.jp/museum/restored/D51498.htm
Just received the new run Kato Alaska 4015 SD70MAC. We rode in the Alaska RR Denali to Anchorage trip last year. Could not resist. Ordered an ESU 58941, will install it with microLEDs and an OWS speaker and large backcase. Stay tuned for pictures.
My pipe loads made it in for the Micro Trains Bulkhead Flat Cars. And now I have extra in case I find more of the same flat cars in the future. Or set them on the layout. Really like them, a a lot! Bought all they had, figured I might not be able to find them again, or at least at that price. Plus it bugs me to pay shipping for one low cost item. Now I can carry ALL pipe loads or add the few lumber loads to mix it up. BTW, I got really lucky they were the ones that fit the bulkhead flat cars perfect. I asked them and they had no clue If not I would have returned them. Click to Enlarge!
I just found a spare quiet minute or two to install the DCC card in dad's birthday present (October 31st). I don't normally enjoy installing DCC cards but this one was so easy. I put a Digitrax DN166I3 in this Atlas SD50 in a couple of minutes. It doesn't even seem to need Kapton tape. The real good part was I had mistakenly purchased the decoder over a year ago and thought it was going to sit in its packet forever.
The shipment arrived with some issues. The D51 is a beautiful locomotive and runs perfectly. As far as getting the number boards attached, I'm pessimistic. N scale is ill suited to my bifocaled eyes. I did change the rear Rapido to the supplied knuckle coupler. I ordered 3 passenger cars, but only two arrived. They informed me hours before delivery that they made a mistake in shipping. They're going to send another. I couldn't change the couplers to the knuckle type because they failed to include them. Before I ordered, I specifically asked if knuckle couplers were included, and they said yes. When I brought up that they were missing, I observed in their emails that perhaps they didn't know the difference. That turned out to be the case. I'm now promised that I'll receive knuckle couplers along with the missing passenger car. The steam D51, with the Soundbox, sounds amazing. Going to have to get at least one more Soundbox to cover the other controller(s). Might have to switch to only running steam.
Top view showing shell, the 9x16mm OWS speaker and backcase, and the ESU 58741 decoder in place. Side view showing the large volume 3D printed speaker case. The front LED is a warm white 3mm shaved a bit for clearance. The rear LED is an 0402 white with a 2.2kOhm SMD resistor in series. Close up of the mounted speaker with backcase. It fits perfectly under the ESU decoder. Yes, there is an LED in the background, stuck to the motor magnet when I took the picture...
The three new Atlas MILW log cars. (Wish I could read the built date. If what I think these represent, I was on the PC&F crew that made the bunk parts.) Found an interesting 3D print on that big auction site. A very decent representation of a MILW substation operator's bungalow. Also found an M/T box car (runner) on my wish list.
Have you added ESU decoders to ScaleTrains locos and if so, can you describe it or add a topic in the DCC section? I purchased a few tunnel motors which I will need to add decoders to.
I have not yet bought any Scale trains locomotives yet. Although by summer of next year I will be purchasing some SD40-2’s from them! If anything. They should be like the new Atlas silver and gold series. The little electronic board should be able to unplug it from the motherboard. Then plug the decoder back in. Here’s a video from YouTube showing the same thing I have in my atlas locomotives. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for posting this video, Clayton. I don’t have any Scale Trains locomotives right now but I would gladly add a couple to my engine roster if they ever offer any contemporary era FEC models.
The third passenger car finally arrived today. No promised knuckle couplers, no promised $3 credit, no promised 15% discount on a future purchase. I'm going to omit the messy details and just say that I won't be dealing directly with Kato Japan, in the future. Going to check the weights of the passenger cars and possibly add a little lead. Meanwhile, they look and run great.
My latest purchase is kinda model railroad related, but also not. So I added a 2nd Elegoo Mars 4 MAX to the collection. This one came with a curing station and wash station as well. My older Anycubic printer and cleaner is smaller and not easy to use with the Mars. So the Anycubic is being retired or at least limited use. I should now be able to assist my friend in printing the military models he sells, as well as printing the ones I make to sell as well. I will be expanding my collection of detail prints here soon, and hopefully I will be able to get my company officially up and running. This is one of those steps.
Picked up odds and ends for fun. A used Lima reefer with MTL trucks, a few used extra trucks and Evergreen 4526 "Metal Siding" I removed the shell (A permanent elimination) and most likely use as a flat car (or with the EVG siding, some other car) until suitable ones can be found.
Took a ride with a friend today to the annual International RailFair in Sacramento, California. While there were fewer vendors and less N Scale than I would have hoped for, I did find a few treasures at good prices plus had a great time.
The Mrs and I went for a drive to our local train store.I needed track for the addition to the layout and to pick up the MTL FEC Ortner hopper 4 pack. While there I found the 61’ bulkhead flat car and strip wood so I can make another pipe load like this one. Making these loads is easy and fun.
Really like the pipe loads. After seeing your pipe loads, going to try to make some with EVG224 1/8" styrene stock.
