Been in the hobby for ages, about 30 years I guess. Aristo FA-1 was first, which I still have on display with the E-8 nose on it I got from Marty. Started with code 250 and still have it. Fits in better with the trains I think. Over the years, I got into live steam some, little of 1/20 but sold them, sold most of my 1/29 and gradually got into MTH 1/32. I like the smaller size/weight and the layout does not look too packed with large cars. I have some Great Trains engines/cars also. I don't buy stuff anymore, just maintain what I have. Run trains about every day, just like sitting on the deck and watch as they go around. Encouraged that many built layouts during Covid, so hope the hobby survives, never be what it was, I don't think. Was fun while it lasted.
Decided to weather my MTH Big Boy 4004 that Ray rebuilt for me. I found some pictures online of 4004 in color showing the way it looked sometimes. ONe was pretty awful, I went with the other. I know some don't care for weathering, I keep my passenger stuff clean, but finally gave in and weathered 4004. Used Bragadon chalks.
$1350 for the pair plus shipping. I made these from kits. Rob Fern, in the UK, put out the A unit kits in a run of 25, then later he did a second. No more will be cast. Kits features etched brass pieces for the grills. Kits were $500. I seem to have lost the ladders. A unit has a plastic frame, the B unit has a metal frame that Jason had made. Both units use Aristo FA drive units, the old style but are new from my hoard. Run fine. They are on track power, there is no sound. They hook together with a plug so pickup from both are shared. I made a cab interior with seats and a figure. Headlight works. will try to get a short video uploaded. Jason made the B unit from scratch, is not a casting. He did arrange to get the grills made from the same supplier. He only did 5 of the B units, so it is rare. B unit has some flaws on the roof. See pix. A unit has some slight rubbing of the paint from when I moved.
If interested this guy still has the parts for the conversion. He makes them to order, so would not be fast.. He's getting old, so if you want to do this project you might want to order from him. No, I don't know him.
Ray fixed up my old 4004. Got updated to PS3, new frames, smoke rebuilt and numerous other items. It had broken frames when I got it and patched them up with fiberglass till the replacements were available. Had a real nice run with it, sure sounds great and smokes like crazy! Guess I have to get it on you tube first.
Yeah, but they weigh 70 lbs, too much for me. I had hoped Mth would do one, but that is gone. I do have a Pacific that I made into 844, with REx's help, has the 4 Boxpox wheels I got from BOB THON.
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How has this hobby progressed for you over the years?
in General Discussion
Posted
Been in the hobby for ages, about 30 years I guess. Aristo FA-1 was first, which I still have on display with the E-8 nose on it I got from Marty. Started with code 250 and still have it. Fits in better with the trains I think. Over the years, I got into live steam some, little of 1/20 but sold them, sold most of my 1/29 and gradually got into MTH 1/32. I like the smaller size/weight and the layout does not look too packed with large cars. I have some Great Trains engines/cars also. I don't buy stuff anymore, just maintain what I have. Run trains about every day, just like sitting on the deck and watch as they go around. Encouraged that many built layouts during Covid, so hope the hobby survives, never be what it was, I don't think. Was fun while it lasted.