DFW Portable Layouts -- Mainline and Traction

[J. S. Bach]

To answer the question on the open platform B&O coach. It is an MTH model. I converted it to two rail and scale couplers.

For me that was an easy conversion. MTH offers two-rail trucks (oddly with lobster claws on them ) that replace the three-rail ones and properly located holes for mounting KDs are already there on the end platforms.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I am not sure about the side door caboose. I just noticed it. I will have to get a picture of it next time I see it. The second caboose is I believe a Milwaukee Road bay window. Maroon would have to tell you more about it.

Thanks! You're on, Maroon!

[R.K. Maroon]

The red caboose in Phil's photo is a brass model of a side-door wood cupola caboose. It is painted CB&Q and I believe that is correct for the prototype. It is a Hallmark or Oriental or some other of the smaller importers. I will contact the owner to find out. I checked my photos and I don't have a good shot of it. I will have to go through the videos to see if it appears. It is a very nice model.

The bay window caboose is a Weaver -- brass and factory painted. Overland made one too but they typically sell for much more than the Weavers. Here it is with a USH GP7 in the hole, waiting for the mainline to clear:





Both of these models were out for their first test run. The caboose is stock -- just needed oil and removal of the lighting pickup wipers (Factory lit cabooses are generally too Lionel-like for me). The GP7 arrived with outside third-rail pickups. There is a thread on the conversion back to two-rail here:

http://www.modeltrainjournal.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=15890

MILW Bipolar test run next
Jim

[bob turner]

I like Bipolars. Cannot wait. Put a Skytop lounge behind it?

[R.K. Maroon]

The owner of the caboose that Martin inquired about reports that it is an Oriental Limited CB&Q NE-1 side door caboose. He thinks it was imported sometime in the 1980s, but isn't sure about that. Here is a shot of it from a video:



Now, as promised, here are a shot from the test run of a Custom Brass Milwaukee Road Bipolar:


This was one of the first O-scale models I ever bought. It came via eBay from a seller in Switzerland, of all things. I probably paid too much for it but the paint job is among the best I have seen on this model, so no complaints at this point.

One of the knocks on these is the inadequacy of the drive. A couple of years ago I found a replacement chassis with all twelve driver axles powered by CLW gearboxes (the original drive has eight axles driven). It's a beautiful drive but the rework left the locomotive unable to negotiate curves without tending to short. I finally came up with a solution on how to fix it without major surgery or removal of trim. I am happy to report that it passed its tests with flying colors (of orange and maroon!).


Bob asked for a Skytop behind it but this was just a test run. It will go into revenue service at the upcoming Southwest O-Scale Meet in Ft. Worth (just two weeks away!).

Jim

[R.K. Maroon]

Next up for testing, a Bill Lenoir Milwaukee Road L3 Mikado:



This came from the Jim Seacrest estate. It was not sold as a Lenoir, but the description stated that there was a number stamped on the bottom and a check indicated that the number matched the list in the 200 and 1 Model Locomotives book. I wish I had been the only one to notice that but at least one other bidder apparently figured it out. It was not cheap but I don't think I would have been the high bidder if one or more of the serious collectors I know had gotten wind of it. After it arrived I found Bill's trademark stamped on the bottom.

The locomotive ran very well until it got into a curve, at which point it became balky. Eagle-eyed club member Phil Randall (aka Nortonville Phil) spotted a spark in the area around the bottom of the air compressor and the top of the nearby driver. Later inspection indicated that motion of the sprung driver could cause contact with the air compressor bracket. I have since removed a small amount of the bracket and will test it again at the upcoming Ft Worth O-scale show (Oct 19 and 20). I for one will not be shocked if the problem is still there. Shorts in steam locomotives can be a bear to find and correct.

I failed to get any still shots of this model. Both of these are from a video:



Jim

[bob turner]

Yes, that is a real "capture". Some day a photo documentary? Does it have brake shoes on the drivers?

[R.K. Maroon]

Bob, I will get some better photos of the Milwaukee Mikado to post. I plan to do another test run at the Ft Worth show. If all goes well I'll put it into revenue service and get some video too.

Next up for at test run was another Mikado, a CB&Q O-1-A, scratch-built by the late Bob Hall:



This is another item I purchased from the Seacrest estate. This model had a fair amount of rust damage, mostly to the wheels and drivers. It was the first restoration of a steamer for me that involved pulling the drivers. I plan to prepare and submit an article to OST on that restoration. I am happy to report that there was little damage to the finish, and that it runs very well after restoration.

Jim

[ScaleCraft]

RK Hall built his locos with whatever suitable drives and chassis he had that fit the prototype. Lots of Pearce, SC, that kind of stuff.
He wasn't a big fan of both sides matching.
He stipulated (so I am told) that all his stuff was to be sold out of state, so Seacrest is understandable.

But...Q usually went to Garberson for his Quarter Q line.

[rogruth]

I recall someone that put different car sides on each side of a car so it would look like a different train. ???

[R.K. Maroon]

Dave, I cannot speak for what Bob Hall typically did, but I can confirm that the O-1-A that I have was built on a first-generation Hines Mikado chassis. I know he made at least two more CB&Q Mikados, as they both appear in the OSN issue (#144) with the feature article about Bob Hall -- one appears on the cover and the other in the article itself:

Bob Hall 2-8-2 CB&Q 5136.png (655.78 KiB) Viewed 8983 times

Bob Hall 2-8-2 CB&Q 4972.png (938.55 KiB) Viewed 8983 times

I believe those road numbers are also for the O-1-A. But note the difference in the steam domes. Note also that they both have feedwater heaters while mine does not.
Jim

[ScaleCraft]

I recall someone that put different car sides on each side of a car so it would look like a different train. ???

and I have some like that...and MR used to put colored sheets in the mag for 0 scale cars....two sides different.

I knew guys with whole strings of cars like that, and a caboose or two, and an engine or two.
Explanation was when the balloon track in the mountain reversed the train, the one that came back was different than the one that went in.

[rogruth]

Yes, that was the idea.

[R.K. Maroon]

Next up for a test run was this Baldwin E7:



This one came in better shape than most but needed some cleanup on the wiring and some other minor repairs (and still needs some work on the roof). Check out the chassis -- it's a beast!


The solid cast-bronze "prime movers" were sold as optional weights by Baldwin for the E and F units. Why anybody thinks you need to add weight to a fully cast-bronze model is beyond me. I recall it weighs about 15 pounds, which may be a record for a from-the-factory diesel.

Our standard 4-amp throttle didn't want to budge this. But I got out the 10-amp backup and off it went:



Running current running light was about 2-1/2 amps. It's a big brute of a locomotive.
Jim

[ScaleCraft]

Next up for a test run was this Baldwin E7:



Our standard 4-amp throttle didn't want to budge this. But I got out the 10-amp backup and off it went:

Running current running light was about 2-1/2 amps. It's a big brute of a locomotive.
Jim

There is your problem. These were designed to use Selenium Plate Bridge Rectumfriers. Yours has silicone based ones...and two of them, at that. No wonder the 4 amp supply wouldn't move it.