enginear joe

If that's right, 5.5% is huge! You'd be limited to pulling maybe ten cars. I would consider changing that. Maybe have the lower end up on table height? Can you change the grade? Switchbacks were used in the old days and for the same reasons, I would not use them today if possible. Some G scale cars are heavy, some don't roll all that well. If you like big trains, you have to work on several things. Keep the grades easy, make rolling stock roll well, etc. As far as for the battery, I don't use them. So I have no experience at all. I do know that motors run much better in command mode. They draw less current. So you don't see the big amp draws as when there's no decoder driving the motors. I have to believe that would help even with battery use? My old USA trains engine drew over 5 amps under load. When I switched it to command, the amps went way down to like 2.

max grade is tuff to answer I would think? It always depends on what you're trying to pull up the hill. I have under 2% and I add helpers to excessively long trains (50 cars+). I would pull dramatically less as the grade worsens. I don't work any single engine harder than it should. The metal gears in the MTH engines hold up better than anything else I've run. The traction tires maybe the weak link. When they're still good rubber, they'll be fine. The triplex has a whole extra set of drivers in the tender like it's own helper attached. I re-inforced the rear end for heavy trains. My new MTH Big Boy has not peen pushed hard yet. One of the techs here can probably answer your decoder specs better than I can. You are driving 2 motors remember and the smoke when used. I figure around 2 amps for the engine and another amp for the smoke is average. The stall could push 5??? I've never stalled one. I would size the batteries and decoder for that and would recommend leaving the smoke off. See what others think.

Exciting just to watch! Congrats. Maybe you could make a dozen now?

I am surprised that MTH never made parts drawings of some of their engines for us to see.

I don't have a cell phone and I did not want to drag my larger camera around the show. So I didn't have any pictures to share until this happened:

Seems you need just the right balance of a tight O-ring to fight the springs on the pantographs. I tried several until I got the tightness of O ring to work (#114). The one in the picture above slipped too much. Now I hope it doesn't wear something out. For some other reason the front pantograph will only work reliably, if the large brass wheel's screw is left loose? Seems like it binds when snugged up. The other's is tight.

I think NWSL will make stuff for you when they run low. I got that impression when I ordered 100 axles for O scale. The posts I read about GR, leads me to think he doesn't stock big quantities and it takes him some time to get stuff in. Maybe it's just that some stuff is in more demand?

anything here that might work? https://www.thetraindepartment.com/wheels-truescale/

I've never seen that wheel's profile before.

So I got the shell off and now I see why the pantographs aren't working. There's also a slight binding spot on one of the larger brass wheels so I lubed them. I will make sure they spin freely with no binding. The pictures are in reverse order. I tried to use a spare O ring that I had and was the closest to fit. I also tried some fatter ones that were too tight.

I'm trying to do some things on the RR as spring just doesn't seem to arrive. I brought in the GG1 to have another closer look at it. I remember that the pantographs weren't going up and down well last year. I brought the engine in and set in on the counter while I took off my jacket. I noticed a piece of rubber that at first, I believed came from some detail on the outside.

Don't know how in the world you changed that so fast? Looks better! I spy a can of mold release. (bity supply?)

It maybe time for MTH to release an updated version of the Challengers. I watch the market for used ones and it's fairly strong again. Updating them with PS3 and more features, could be a good sell? I still hope for any new models from MTH. They don't owe it to anyone. They owe it to themselves to make the line more complete. They did mention it in the past. I'm still waiting for the Premier line too. All metal trucks on rolling stock wood be great. I bet he could do metal bodied steamers better priced than anyone.

Yeap.

I did not get any of the high cubes yet. I really like the bethgons from them. The other covered hoppers from them that I have like to derail. So I was hesitant to get any more. The bethgons perform fine so I'm not sure what the difference is? I think it's good for the hobby to have them trying to release anything in G scale. They must have listened to someone to have offered stuff in 1/29. I would like to get some more 1/32 scale from them to see how the quality is. What I do have, I like. With the scale offerings the way they are, I'm grateful to see anything get made. I wish I could save up and get the Allegheny. I may settle on any diesel that comes thru next.

Really? I have to say it. I think you are at the least, 20 years behind. How long ago (do you believe) did our trains start being made overseas?

They do that to their customers/importers, and then shove their stuff at us. Eliminating any competition? I guess it could be worse. They could have stolen the molds, and produced the products on their own. So they have some scruples??? I expected to see Aristo's products available by now under a new name. I'm left wondering if we are seeing them already, as so many new in box ones have just popped up in the market???

I see that there's a new 4 axle Aristo replacement truck available. The store listing I looked at says it's for the U25B/ FAs/ and RS3. Has anyone seen this new truck in person yet? I would guess it's the same inside as the original?

Hey, I'm just guessing! (out loud)

It looks good from here. Do you want more shine? or a more metallic look? I was wondering if a clear gloss coat over top would be correct?

Posted on another forum, is what's arriving from MTH and shipping to their dealers.

Looks like the next half of the Big boy order has now arrived.

Looks great! Didn't get to see it all. Some screen popped up that demanded a download and froze the rest.

take a look at this larger table on a laser this guy built. I'm always looking at stuff and feel like a dinosaur! I think this is one of those kits out there? https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/2d-laser-engraver-finished?reply=78579203781536215#78579203781536215