My Last Locomotive Project

[jonathan]

Again, thanks, Woody.  You helped get me to this point!

I think the crewmen were a Precision Scale product.  They came in a little plastic bag with the folded cardstock stapled over the top.  I got 'em for $3 at an old LHS (the good, smelly kind).  Was going to use the plastic Model Power guys, but I couldn't pass up these fellows.  I'm an 'old school' guy.

I may have to consider a rework at some point and put the fuel line tubing in as a connector one day.  I believe you're right about the universal connector.  The motor was so big, I couldn't get an angle pointed straight at the gearbox.  As this was my first, um, my last brass rebuild, I'll take it as a learning opportunity.

Regards,

Jonathan

[ebtnut]

I think those brass figures might have been made by Kemtron. 

[ebtnut]

Oh, and BTW, great job on the project!

[Barney R]

Wow- I have been following the thread and watching your progress. You did a great job.

Barney

[rogertra]

Excellent job Jonathan.

Full marks!

[jonathan]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for the kind words.  As always, it was a fun build... mostly.  

Regards,

Jonathan

Addendum:

Don't want to bump the thread up, but I have received some nice messages.  Based on the number of views, and kind comments, I'd say this little project went over well.  Thanks again, to all of you.  I am humbled by your kindness.

jev

[OldTimer]

Excellent job, Jonathan.  It really turned out well.  Thanks for sharing.
OldTimer

[Thomas1911]

I too have been following along.  I think it looks great.  Couldn't ask for much better.

[Bill Baker]

Do another project!  Do another project!  I really enjoyed your series.  I've printed all of the pages of this thread and have placed them in my "Bachmann scrap book".

Bill

[jonathan]

Thanks, Bill, Thomas and Old Timer.  Always happy to share my foibles.

I'll see what I can do about a future project.  I don't know that it would be very interesting to anyone but a B&O fan, but I am searching for an old, brass, wagon top caboose to rebuild.  There's a Timonium train show in mid February.  Maybe I'll get lucky.

Locomotives are quite an undertaking.  Despite looking for the best deal on a fixer-upper, the projects do get a bit pricey before they're done.  I'm lucky that I didn't need to get a puller and quartering tool this time.  I did miss out on some sleep...

Regards,

Jonathan

[NWsteam]

Fantastic job! How about some videos?

[Doneldon]

jonathan-

You can work on my railroad any time you want. I know that's important to you now that you've finished your own last locomotive project.

                                                                                                                                           -- D

[jonathan]

Doneldon,

Thanks for the offer!  I am focused on scenery work for the remainder of the winter.  I'm adding a water column on the approach track of my turntable, and fixing some scenery elements that need attention.  Scenery goes slowly, as I make it up as I go along.  Should really be following some sort of prototypical area along the B&O line.  Would love to play trains, um, get together for an operating session sometime. 

NW Steam,

I shoot videos with a point-and-shoot digital camera.  They are jerky and blurry at best.  My layout is in my garage, so I can't do any real running of trains until the weather gets warmer.  I'll try to shoot some moving pictures at that time.  I have only run this loco along 20 feet of track for testing purposes.  Right now, the L-2 is resting in a cubby on my desk until I can give her a proper workout.

In reply #57, on the bottom of page 4 of this thread, is a video of the mechanism during testing.  With the volume up, you can hear the sound it makes.  It's not loud, but the universal connector 'whirs' a bit.  The sound is louder with the shell attached.  The connector pieces fit right between the halves of the boiler, which acts like an amplifier/speaker.  I don't have the nerve to tinker with it right now, since it runs.  But I will have to revisit the universal connector one day.

Regards,

Jonathan