Hobo Jungle

[Tramp]

Jon, 3rd Rail sent me mailings and photos for about a year. They came in three versions and they sold slowly as I remember it. Do they have TMCC?

[2railjon]

Tramp, you can go here for the specs on the engine. It has all the goodies!!!
http://www.3rdrail.com/images/q1.pdf

[2railjon]

I just finished reading a review on the Q-1 and was suprised to fing out it was built on a rigid frame like the T-1. I was under the impression that the Q-1 was articulated. The review noted that only the first and last set of drivers are flanged with the middle ones being blind. And because of this, even though it was designed to run on 072 track, there is some very noticable driver overhang in curves. A wider guage track was recommended to cure it.

But Gary has a little something on his bench he's testing for me as we speak.

[Tramp]

Jon, I'll buy you beer if you'll tell! Oh hell, I'll buy you one anyway.

[2railjon]

Tramp!! Now that's a Bro!!!! I'll take one!!!
I called Gary and he's testing one of the second generation pre-war Pennsy K-4's for me. The improvements are said to be spectacular!!!
On Ebay there a few Lionel and K-line K-4's at GREAT prices. But it's just a brass thing, Bro. You know? Of course you know!!! You cursed me with it!!! I blame you!!!!!

[Tramp]

My fault, no doubt. Can I pour you another?

Man, these last few weeks must have been brutal. You need a reward, R&R, a cold glass of perfectly drafted beer times 20. A well-lubricated Realdoll. (Oh damn. I didn't write that.)

[2railjon]

Bro, Just another day off would be great!! So far 1 in 21, I've got a three day weekend coming up, though!!!
How's your weather? It sucks down here. 99 percent humidity and a 103 heat index!!! And this is September!!!!

[2railjon]

Just imagine a kid standing by the tracks as these two monsters raced it out!!!!!!! What thrill it must have been.( it looks like the Hudson is whipping the pants off the K-4).

[Frank in Steam]

Jon, as it was and as it will always be. Just the way God intended.

[2railjon]

Frank in Steam, Amen!!! I had a long talk with Gary at 3rd Rail and if I were a betting man, I would put my money on the Hudson!!!!!

[penncentral8885]

Yea jon,but look at the black smoke commin'outa that bitch!
Somebody didn't know how to fire her!
As to witch engine beat witch,,,,,,,,,Well I'm like you,,,,I'd just liked to have been there!

[Frank in Steam]

Yeah guys, count me in wishing I could be there, at least for a little while.

Really bugs us NYC fans to read the stories of the Nickle Plate berks pulling their reefer and fast freights catching and passing the NYC passenger trains where the Nickle Plate and NYC tracks ran parallel.

[penncentral8885]

Frank; I grew up in a NYC vs. PRR town where the tracks parrelled each other! And Man the stories I was told by both sides of the argument!
Video cameras were just developed a little too late!

[Chief Clerk]

From what I have been told as a youngster, the Pennsy K4s always had a quicker start off the line from Englewood (I think) so they would always lead the Central for a bit. However, once she got her legs, the Hudson would always overtake and pass the K4...at speed. I understand management on both sides quietly condoned this but never publicly acknowledged it.

BTW, the Hudson looks like a later J-2 class, judging from the Walscharts valve gear. Also, they had automatic stokers in those tenders. I can't imagine trying to shovel that much coal to make track speed.


CC

[2railjon]

Doe's the big sand dome behind the stack make it a "D" Class?