Model Train Journal

Happy Friday

Busy week at home, so no work done on the layout ( Didn't even get to run them much), but I did pick up this near mint Lake Shore Limited set. I'm really loving these old MPC trains. So much nostalgia for me from when I was a kid. You can find them cheap, they are colorful & they just run

Debating doing something to change the track plan around or adding more action. Not sure what though. My youngest gets a kick out of just watching them & want to add more for him.








NS AC44C6M 4133 (ex NS D9-44CW 8924 ) leads a SD70 through CP-C in East Conemaugh, PA with eastbound coal train 590


With the morning sun glistening off the carbodies, Amtrak 156 gets moving out of Roanoke with Phase IV heritage unit 184 on the point


With word that the F units may be headed to storage, here's a look back on happier times. NS F9A 4270 leads the OCS down the R Line in Fort Mill, SC as it makes the annual trip to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, GA


With NS putting the former Conrail SD80MACs into storage, the variety out on the mainline keeps getting thinner & thinner. Back in the Fall of 2018, NS SD80MAC 7208 (ex CR 4115) brings up the rear of C50 as it heads towards the South Fork Secondary in Summerhill, PA


During a Spring downpour, CSX Dash-8 7766 grinds upgrade through Shawsville, VA with NS 65W on the Christiansburg District

Took this near Easton MD.

Barring space for another loop, operating accessories are always a possibility for fun for kids of all ages. Can rotate different accessories in a spot if only one space is available. Gantry crane and oil barrel loader are two of the favorites. Always liked the culvert loader/unloader but not very reliable. Milk car a relatively space conserving accessory.

Neil wrote:Barring space for another loop, operating accessories are always a possibility for fun for kids of all ages. Can rotate different accessories in a spot if only one space is available. Gantry crane and oil barrel loader are two of the favorites. Always liked the culvert loader/unloader but not very reliable. Milk car a relatively space conserving accessory.

I have the milk car. The oil drum loader may work. Have to check out the footprint to see if it fits. I thought about the coal loader, but I've never had one that works correctly. We were moving some stuff around last night & I may add an elevated loop. Just gives him more stuff to look at & get excited about

christopher2035 wrote:

Neil wrote:Barring space for another loop, operating accessories are always a possibility for fun for kids of all ages. Can rotate different accessories in a spot if only one space is available. Gantry crane and oil barrel loader are two of the favorites. Always liked the culvert loader/unloader but not very reliable. Milk car a relatively space conserving accessory.

I have the milk car. The oil drum loader may work. Have to check out the footprint to see if it fits. I thought about the coal loader, but I've never had one that works correctly. We were moving some stuff around last night & I may add an elevated loop. Just gives him more stuff to look at & get excited about

If you do not already have the barrel/drum loader, I would recommend an original AF/Gilbert unit.

Originals have a metal geared drive train and the big universal motor gives excellent sound effects, too.

Personal experience has shown they work much better than later repros with the plastic
belt driven DC motored drive train. (Plus they are repairable!!)

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Peace,

MYron R. MOOre