Model Train Journal

Without specifically trying, I have managed to acquire a few NYC steamers. Here is a USH H10 Mikado, reworked and finished by John Fisher:



John told me that this one would crawl so slowly that you could barely tell it was moving. I inadvertently proved he was correct. The model is shown on Michael Ross's Virginian layout. The mainline throttle is one of those fancy things that emulates real train control. I had seen these but had not operated one. Sure enough, I shut the throttle off but forgot to apply the brake. It coasted to a smooth stop...or so I thought. I turned my back and when I looked again it wasn't where it had been! It was moving with less than a volt on the rails -- The volt meter on the throttle showed a half a volt, but we didn't verify that with a meter -- It didn't matter, the smooth performance was the impressive part, actual voltage notwithstanding. John tells me that the model has a Canon motor, but also that he did a careful job servicing the entire drive chain and chassis when he had it apart for painting.

As I think you all know, I am not much of an imported brass guy, but this is a nice model.

Jim

Jim, The "Water Level" route had some great steam for sure. Niagaras and Hudsons, Mohawks, and the P&LE A-2 just to name a few.

Rich

Michael does nice scenery, john does beautiful paint, and you do superb photography. Thanks!

I always liked the NYC Mikes.

Thank you for the kind words, Bob. Michael Ross's scenery work is spectacular both in quality and scope. Mountain railroads are quiet the modeling challenge. Here is another shot of the H10 that better shows the scenery work:



Michael is taking a very interesting approach. I might have considered getting the ground work completed on all the layout -- that is, covering up all the open framing, before coming back and adding trees and other foliage. And then after that adding buildings, and then finally super-detailing things. Instead, Michael is doing complete sections as he goes. The level of detail is fantastic. There is a lot going on here:



The laundry flaps in the breeze when the AC is running in the layout room (The layout is in Texas, where these days we still have occasional need for AC in November).

I hope to do a full photo-shoot of the layout and get an article in the magazine someday, if somebody doesn't beat me to it.

Another John Fisher model next

Jim

Anxiously awaited. I like the fall foliage.

Very unusual to see the Virginian in Texas, but Michael is doing a first rate job of it. I remember him from the old Yahoo lists. One of the nicer people there!

I would guess that dedicated Virginian modelers (especially in O-scale) are few and far between anywhere (Texas or otherwise). Especially ones that actually launch construction of a substantial mountain layout commensurate with prototype operations.

Michael constructs his own trees. I think there have to be at least a thousand of the on the layout by now -- he hasn't kept count (but he should have) and he has many more to "grow" before the layout is complete.

I promised another John Fisher model in my last post. Here 'tis:



Anybody care to take a stab identifying the model? I believe it's actually quite easy, to a point.

Jim

The easy part is a J1e.

That layout looks really great, especially the mix of foliage which gives the impression of early fall. It would be great to see more of the layout and the equipment.

healey36 wrote: It would be great to see more of the layout and the equipment.

Yes!!!

I might have a photo and legend in my scrapbook (before digital). John could make Scale Craft look like USH.

John will be happy to know that his Lionel Hudson plausibly passed for a USH model -- even if it was at a bit of a distance. The model is a semi-scale version, two-railed by the late, great Bob Hall and fixed up by John. It ran quite nicely by the way. The track on Michael Ross's layout is hand-laid with the full Lou Cross Right-O-Way treatment. The flanges on the drivers clear just fine but the wheels on the pilot truck need a hair-cut. No running problems, but you could hear the occasional contact with the rail hardware.



Yes, it really needs a passenger train behind it but mine is all packed up at present while I move out of the old shop and await the construction of my new shop. Another photo shoot when I can. Video too.

By the way, Nortonville Phil, who was in attendance at Michael's for this run session, was curious about the long tender. A short tender is apparently standard equipment for these. I will have to inspect the tender and ping John regarding this.

Jim

The NYC used the long tender on the J1e, so Lionel copied that for the 700E. This one does not appear to be a 700, because the drivers are different. Many 763s and 773s were 2-railed using Lobaugh drivers. Also the tender trucks, while accurate for NYC, are not accurate for the Lionel 700T or its prototype , 5344 (from memory - somebody correct that number). If the tender is brass, it is either an import, or Bob Hall's work. He was a pretty good modeler.

The short tender was used on the smaller-drivered B&A Hudsons, essentially identical to the NYC except for those two details and the white smokebox front.

Later I will add my Lionel 763 - dinner time!

It will be interesting to see if the Big "L" will expand into 2 rail with the departure of Mikey.

E7 wrote:It will be interesting to see if the Big "L" will expand into 2 rail with the departure of Mikey.

Anybody expanding into 2 rail would be welcome!