rbrown7713

To put a cap on this post, I thought that I would finish the build with this video of the T1 pulling some brass heavyweight cars. Bob.  

I started the 4 cars in January and finished in December, so here is the Superliner cars pulled by the two P42's. 

Thank you.  I, as an 8 year old boy, I rode 4 times across the US on the El Capitan and Super Chief to Chicago and then down to Florida and that is when I got inspired, Bob.

I only ballast the areas that are low because the temperature changes here in Florida moves the track quite a bit, so I would have to continually cleanout and re-ballast too many times.  I have to let the track do what it wants to do.  Thanks for your support for all of my work Sean, I appreciate it, and thanks for the comments on my YouTube videos, Bob.

Well, that is about it for trains for a while.  I am going to work on my Cadillac and boy what a lot of work, but that is what I do. Bob.

The Muppet guy is great, love it, or I should say LIKE. Bob.

Here is a, not so exiting video of the E8 and cars.

I was bringing it up to max speed and the throttle stuck wide open.  No harm.  Better video to follow. Bob.

The train worked well with no derailments after waxing the diaphragms and I am happy with how well it runs, and now on to the E8 pulling some MTH cars. Bob

I goofed. I tried to post a video of the P42 and pulling the Superliner cars and evidently didn't click on Submit Reply.  It is just as well as I could only run them slowly anyway, so today, I will attempt to get them running properly, Bob.

Thank you Jan.  Beautiful trains that you have there, would like to see more, Bob.

I don't include anything in my models that I can't see, Bob.

Here is the train being backed into the shed. Bob.

Here is the T1 with heavyweights running better this time. Bob.

Yes, it is amazing. Bob.

Here are two types of 3 axle trucks for heavyweights.  The green one is a J&M truck, and the black is a Fine Arts Models used on PRR cars.  The FAM truck has working brakes.  If I pull on the brake cable, all of the clasp shoes move to brake.  Unbelievable.  Both are brass and sprung. I want to add some PRR Broadway Limited passenger cars to my consist, so I am going to copy the FAM  Napoleon type PRR 2 axle trucks for the cars. Bob.

The parts came out perfect and will work. Bob.

These cars that I am working on are all about 20 years old and I think that the plastics that I am using today are better than they were then.  I have some old urethane parts that I have had for five years and they seem to be just as tough as when I poured them. Bob.

Yes it is.  I will continue to test the T1 hoping that this small motor works out.  I ran it up to a pretty fast speed last time I ran it, and it seemed that it was OK. If, at some point that I feel that the motor is too small, I will install a larger motor. Bob.

I am repairing seven heavyweight cars, 3 J and M cars, and 3 Kern Valley Railway cars, and one of my own to be pulled behind the T1.  I am switching over to battery powered lights to get rid of the drag of the wipers on the wheels and making sure that they are well oiled to reduce drag.  That motor in the T1 is maybe too small so i am giving it it's best shot.  I just made some more parts for the trucks and will get another car on the rails tomorrow, I hope it works out well, Bob.

These sprung heavyweight trucks must have been made from plastic that gets brittle over time because there is alot of breakage and warpage of the parts.  I am having to make new parts out of urethane plastic, so I might as well make the whole truck because most likely some of the trucks on the 3 cars that I have will eventually fall apart. Bob.

I ran the T1 again and this time I fully charged the battery and it ran good. So, the problem was simply an under charged battery, whew, I thought it was something more drastic. Bob.

With a little tweeking, I made it all the way around the layout without any derails and was able to back it up all the way into the house.  I need to do a little more work to make it better.  This picture is how I wanted to close couple the cars, looks like it will probably work out ok. Bob.

Did it scare you?  Better not watch it again. Bob.

I installed these two Easy Peasy light strips, 10 1/4 inch long each in this Amtrak Amfleet car in 20 minutes for 35.00, including shipping.  They are controlled by waving a magnet over the roof. Bob.