Wow! Thanks Hunt. That goes in my "HO mech. info folder" as well as being used when the 4-8-4 arrives.

lanny nicolet

Hi all,

Hope this question is okay to ask on this forum. After seeing UP#844 with my grand sons he other day, their dad (my son) saw the photos and 'decided' to finance an FEF #844 for our layout. Brass was NOT an option, however . Rivarrossi seemed to be the only viable alternative, but they are out of business. So off to 'eBay' land I went with my dear son's money in my hand .

I was able to purchase on eBay a MIB 'last run (circa 2003) can motor, DCC ready Rivarrossi FEF-3 #844'. It will be running on miniumum 30" radius curves (but on 2.7 - 3.2 grades in some cases) and except for 'testing' has never been run. The seller is a very reputable eBay store dealer, so I am acceptng his description as honest.

I need suggestions for 'lubicration' or any other 'maintanence' issues with a locomotive that has not run since it was purchased new in 2003. According to the 'reputable seller' it has set on a shelf as a collector item since then. This one will definitely be running when the kids and grand kids are over Is the Rivarrossi difficult to lube, etc? and if so, are there any special things I need to be careful of when doing maintainence.

Thanks all for any help or advice on maintance. I've never owned a Rivarrossi model steam locomotive.

lanny nicolet 

Gene,

Do you use a special erasure? i.e. ... one with abrasive in it, or the white polyviynal style?

Thanks

lanny nicolet

Bo,

I hope you can get to at least climb up in the cab. I just go the DVD from the video I shot back. I had never used a cam corder and my footage is really poor ... except for that 2 minutes or so when 844 was climbing up grade past us. Our grandsons were sitting on the roof of our van and I told them to wave at the engineer. The guys in the 844 cab waved back, but we didn't get them to use the whistle. And yes, there were 'goosebumps' and for just a momet I had a bit of trouble seeing ... for some reason my eyes were a bit 'blurry' .

Here's a question for UP experts or any steam expert ... why did the train have three 'baggage style' cars that had only louvers rather than windows? The consist was a fuel/water (tender?) then a 60 foot express box car, then a baggage car, next came 3 baggage style cars, all with louvered windows, one coach ('Salina'), a dome car, and the observation car with the full window floor to roof ceiling in the back.

I'm curious about those baggage style cars ... why so many? and what purpose do they serve?

lanny nicolet

Gene,

Sheldon's 'liquid nails' is a great idea ... clamp very well while drying (you already know this, I'm sure). Also, thin 'finishing nails' such as would be used in delicate trim work, in pre drilled holes, if possible, would also help with structural rigidity.

lanny nicolet

nieljr,

My apologies for suggesting something that has often been suggested. But it works.

To begin with, the reality is that you will probably not get your locomotive to haul more that 4-6 cars up grade around a curve with out adding significant weight to the boiler (which has already been noted by Sheldon as not an option on this locomotive)

But you can very possibly at least 'double' the amount of cars it will haul upgrade by 'reaming the tucks' with a Reboxx or Micro mark truck tuner (10 bucks each). Also add metal axle, metal wheels (I use Intermountain semi scale 33" or 36"). If 'reamed' properly and these wheel sets are used, you will definitely notice a difference in the hauling ablity of your locomotive.

Follow the suggestions already made as well as doing this to your trucks. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

lanny nicolet

George,

If you have those shots in JPEG format and would be willing to send them to me for my file, I would really appreciate it. Contact me offline if that is a possibility.

Thanks for your kind words.

lanny nicolet

Hi Tempest T,

Here's another suggestion to consider.

Remembering  that Spectrum road names and numbers are paint, not decals (silk screened or stamped), you may find  that there will be some slight 'marring' of the surface, no matter how carefully or in what manner you remove the road name/numbers.

I use finger nail polish remover (with an acetone base) scrubbing gently with a tiny brush or 'Q-tip' until the painted letters/numbers are gone. My suggestion would be to get a 'semi gloss' black spray paint and after you have the letteing removed and the surface clean and dry, shoot a very light coat over the area from which you removed the roadname. Careful masking will be important before airbrushing.

lanny nicolet

Matthew,

It sure sounds like something isn't right with your 2-10-2. Could you be a little more specific as to how it acts. Are you running with DC/Analog or DCC? Does your 2-10-2 stop and go, as though it is losing power at times? Is there any loud grinding or humming noise when it runs? If you can help the 'experts' on the forum with more specific information, they can no doubt make some suggestions (I'm not an 'expert', but what you have described doesn't sound 'normal').

Spectrums are very smooth running locomotives. The only time a new Spec might 'jerk' a bit  before it is broken in is when starting or stopping very slowly.

hope you get some helpful answers.

lanny nicolet

Quote from: Bojangle on June 30, 2007, 12:34:58 AM
I am amazed at the tremendous amount of respect given these ancient marvels, not just by modelers but also by the railroads.  I am a firm supporter of preserving history regardless of cost.  Bachmann is doing a great job keeping steam alive. 
Bo

Bo,

I agree with your thoughts. I was standing near the mainline track (probably too near) when #844 wailed for the crossing and when gliding by ... probably only about 40mph ... but a tremendous sense of raw power and elegance at the same time. Just beautiful to behold. But the best part was later when she left her stopover and began pulling her 7 car passenger/excursion train up that 2 mile grade. There is no way I can describe the feelings as I heard the 900,000 lb beauty pick up speed as she worked upgrade.

Those 3 minutes or so, were well worth the almost 2 hour wait and, except for our 2 little grandsons that had to get back home, my wife and I would have 'chased' her for awhile.

I've never seen crowds of people like that ... everywhere we went near the tracks there were crowds. The little town she stopped in for 15  minutes was packed ... I'd guess several hundred easily, if not a thousand or more. It was very hard to get around so we went outside of town where it was a little more quiet, to watch her go by.

lanny nicolet

Glad to hear your getting 'hooked on steam' Bo!  That's great. We need all the 'steam' modelers we can get, no matter what RR they model! And in spite of their lack of 'Harriman' style steamers, Bachman is doing a great job with high quality, well detailed steam!

Hopple, can you post (or send me privately) the URL which will get me in to see your video of 844 and 4449 on 'youtube'?

Thanks!

lanny nicolet

Hi Bo,

No caboose on this excursion train. All UP passenger and express freight cars. The car directly behind the tender I assume was an extra oil or water car (?). Here's a shot of the locomotive with it's number (a 4-8-4 Northern). I've added a description from another source that will give you a bit of info about this beauty.



"Northern class Union Pacific steam hauler â€" 1945 version. While not as big as the other UP steamers, this 100+ MPH locomotive nonetheless represents a solid  puller well suited for higher speed service than the Big Boy was capable of delivering (such as eastern bound reefer, RPO or Passenger service). Built by Alco during the height of WWII in 1944, the ALCO built FEF-3s were equipped with 80’’ drivers and weighed over 907,000 lbs with loaded tender.  Powered with 300 PSI super heated steam and measuring over 114 feet, these engines, the largest of UP’s FEF’s, produced a tractive effort of 63,750 lbs."

Here is one more photo of the excursion train cars. I am not sure how folks got a chance to ride. I assume that folks had opportunity to buy tickets for part or all of its excursion trip?



I'm not personally a UP fan/modeler ... but this beauty certainly brought some chills to my spine as it went by!

lanny nicolet

Hi All,

UP #844 came through central Iowa yesterday. She was running about an hour late due to being held up by freight traffic. But, the wait was worth it for me, bringing back the sights and sounds of when I was a kid and everything (ICRR, Rock Island, CNW, M&STL, CGW, etc) was ALL steam.

What a thrill to watch and listen to this proud Iron Horse almost effortlessly working upgrade outside a small central Iowa farm town! There were huge crowds of people turned out to watch this gallant steed, so it was not easy to find good photo sites (specially when taking care of two active, young grand sons at the same time  )

Enjoy the photos ... even if you aren't a UP steam fan! 









lanny nicolet

I would definitely call Bridget at Bachmann service. That sounds like a mistake made when it was 'built'. Bachmann will make it right for you.

lanny nicolet

(bump) ... here you go, Stephen. Yours is coming! 

lanny nicolet