Acquired from friends some time ago, and the escapades of getting the mighty sound of steam function repaired were arduous and long, but worth it. At least…. Until I heard just how LOUD it is. But, it’s still working!
6616 - GE D32-8C - unknown - added exhaust, ac unit, and ditch lights.
853 - GE ES44AC - Bachmann - custom painted.
2026 - GE AC44C6M - Athearn - custom painted and kitbashed.
6411 - EMD SD40-2 - Bachmann - custom painted.
4177 - EMD PS70AC - Walthers - custom painted and kitbashed.
2293 - GE D44-9CW - Athearn - custom painted and kitbashed.
4057 - GE AC4400CW - Athearn - custom painted and kitbashed.
6070 - EMD SD45 - Athearn - custom painted.
8212 - EMD GP38-2 - Lifelike - custom painted.
7868 - EMD GP38-2 - Athearn - added ac unit and ditch lights.
5068 - GE E40-8B - Atlas - kitbashed.
8911- EMD NW2MG - Varney - custom painted and kitbashed.
8090 - EMD GP38-2 - Lifelike - custom painted.
7536 - EMD GP59 - Bachmann - custom painted.
3298 - EMD GP40 - Bachmann - custom painted (by previous owner).
9402 - EMD SW1001 - Athearn - added ditch lights.
0 - shop switcher bug - scratch built.
5762 - EMD SD75I - Athearn custom painted.
6075 - GE D40-8CW - Atlas - as is.
6856 - EMD SD50R - Walthers - custom painted.
Seen here teaming up to pull about the longest train I can realistically run on my compact layout, up the hill to Oberstockingen.
I have 13 of the 14 by centennial cars to the collection. All I need is Virginia and I'm just trying to get a good deal on one. They're not expensive but it seems eBay has crazy shipping on some. But at the end I am curious on what locomotive would be the best to pull 14 freight cars. I would love it to be DCC with sound if not have room to put a DCC and sound Dakota in. Please let me know your thoughts
First two images are Arrow IIs I got printed. Then Cantrans Comet Ib, Penn Central Arrow I, NJT Arrow III, and the new Amtrak Airo cars. I've gotten really excited about this
Unfortunately, it's not a runner. I did give it power with something else but only the light came on. Considering I don't have 2 Rail track should I make it a freewheeler? Like a dummy unit?
Waiting the mainline power to run around the train of iron ore loads they just brought into the yard.
Just a little scenery work this weekend!
For context, both my IHB RTR GP40-2 and SSW Bluebox GP60 have started making a grinding noise and seem to slow down. I have investigated the gearboxes, and nothing seems wrong. the IHB will run smoothly for a few seconds before starting its schtick. Any ideas? Ill get videos as soon as i can.
I temporarily installed the bridges to get a feel for the action. Soon to be removed to work on the rock faces, riverbed, etc.
Definitely my favorite area of the layout
I’m thinking of modeling the railroad that serviced my home town in southwestern Wisconsin that was narrow gauge.
What would you recommend for the scale to use. Ho, n, other?
Thanks
I haven't paid much attention to the local scene over the last few years, and between work and family commitments, and generally being short on free cash, haven't attended the BMTS for nearly a decade.
To my surprise there's been a fair bit of movement for people modelling Queensland (1067mm gauge). While Wuiske seems to have taken a back seat after a surge of RTR releases a decade ago, the baton has been picked up by SDS models, CGI Models, and some smaller suppliers.
SDS Models has the 1460/1620/TR1460 class locos on-shore now and about to be sent to buyers, PCUY wagons are again available, and the 2800 class locos are 'late next year'. I almost squealed with delight when I saw that IDR Models had RTR 5-car and 2-car sets of SX coaches available, then sucked air through my teeth when I saw the price ($795 and $320). A collection of casual 3D modellers had set up a stall showing off their 3D printed QR stock in three scales (the detail on the resin ones are easily a match for 2000's era moulds and approaches some near-current stuff), and Black Diamond Models continue to supply their range of hand-built polyurethane-based models.
The 3D printing scene looks like it will be an absolute boon to modellers of less-patronised and niche prototypes, but sometimes at a cost. While filament and resin models can be made relatively cheaply, some technologies like 3D inkjet printing (which I didn't know existed until Sunday afternoon) are quite expensive: Platform Printing Australia showcased a wide range of full-colour 3D prints but unfortunately a single Australia Post streetside mailbox is $20. Hopefully the price of the ink comes down because while they are great prints, they're not viable to outfit a full layout with the resulting products.
Several sellers had laser-cut plywood kits for sale, there was a couple of second-hand sellers, and of course the usual retail shops had their own stalls set up with everything from Australian to American to European models. I hit my credit limit pretty quickly and unfortunately(?) my online banking was down so I couldn't go full-send on shiny things.
One disappointment was the selection of layouts themselves; while there were several new layouts, several of them were the same layouts I have seen at the BMTS since the 90's. I know I can hardly complain too much because they are being displayed for free and I haven't made one myself either but it's still a bit disappointing not to see more new things each year or two. If you go regularly it might get a bit same-same very quickly, but if you are going for a yearly stock-up on supplies then the $20 entry fee is a bargain when you consider what you'd spend on postage otherwise.
The kids clearly loved it all and there was plenty of them to see and try to touch, including a Thomas self-drive layout and another hi-rail that they seemed to be occasionally allowed to run. The Japanese layout was just Kato track directly on some plastic picnic tables but I still stood there for quite a while looking at all the different models we don't usually get to see, and now I 'need' some myself (oh my poor bank account). The fictional Mt Mee tramway had an extreme amount of detail placed on it, but I moved on from Shelob's layout very quickly. 😂
All in all, an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon and just more incentive to clean out what I laughably call my 'train room' and actually build something again.
Really nice new show! It’s great to have something that feels so fresh and modern in terms of modelling. If you are interested in seeing the layouts in motion, this video goes over everything that was on display: https://youtu.be/46z8UcmiqRQ?si=epiuVKcjXMnvHV4i
If I was in search of this bridge for my HO layout does anyone make one? What would I call it?