Model Train Journal

Here's a short video (for your viewing pleasure) of a test run of 13-car train, purchased from the estate of Bob Guillette, an avid New Haven RR fan and O Scale modeler. The style of finish work indicates that these cars were most likely built by two different builders. They naturally split into a day train and a night train, but also combine to make a very cool (and long) single train. Probably don't need two RPOs or two combine smokers, but that would still leave a nice 11-car consist. Set was tested on Rich Randall's exquisite Milwaukee Road layout. Note that Walthers heavyweight passenger cars are indeed heavy (lots of white metal). Impressive then how those two Milwaukee Road hood units simply walk off with the whole train. Most all the cars have interiors. As can be seen, an upgrade in interior lighting would be a welcome improvement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzGK7pfO95s&feature=youtu.be

If this isn't motivation to get my Parmele and Sturges EP-3 track ready, I am not sure what would be.
Jim

Awesome!

R.K. Maroon wrote:Note that Walthers heavyweight passenger cars are indeed heavy (lots of white metal). Impressive then how those two Milwaukee Road hood units simply walk off with the whole train. Most all the cars have interiors. As can be seen, an upgrade in interior lighting would be a welcome improvement.

Nicely done set of cars that roll smoothly. Can these be opened up to upgrade that lighting - removable roof system installed?

There has to be a special place down below for the builders who glue everything together, making disassembly for interiors and better lighting near-impossible.

rex desilets wrote:There has to be a special place down below for the builders who glue everything together, making disassembly for interiors and better lighting near-impossible.

I try rather hard to avoid doing just that, but I will also admit there are times when getting everything to fit together very well overrides any interest in making the interior accessible in the future. Leaving access at times really compromises goodness of fit appearance. Others are probably better at doing this than I. I'm working on such a project right now. Undecided.....

There was a LS manufacturer who sold heavyweights (at least) available "Undec RR". They GLUED the windows in, making it almost impossible to paint them.
Even careful masking gave so-so results.

Add to that their Chinese wiring (and failure to adhere to their own protocols) and a "patented" motor block that the wheels fell off of, no wonder they are WAS. Not ARE.

Very nice set of Walthers cars .... oh my they get heavy.... when you string them together .. Robert Foster was a big modeler in the St Louis area 1938-40's ..having a small layout in the basement, he modified many Lionel 763's to his own liking for his A & P Atlantic & Pacific RR.... his heavy weight crack train was the "American" 9 Walthers cars being pulled by a modified 763.... per his articles at the time . I was skeptical of such a feat till I ended up with Foster's "American" set ....and yes the modified Lionel 763 can pull 9 Walthers cars all with original trucks ...( after they have been oiled) . .... here is a link to prove movement .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBB7c1tqYVs


Cheers Carey