For the construction proses is slow since I work 12 hour shifts. but I did build one full truck assembly but got stuck with the wiring connections. And what sources are you looking for bob. Where to get info, parts and the prints.

The location of L-8 is at east troy railroad museum which I'm a member there. And 20 minutes north of east troy.
the parts are from hobby town, Hiawatha hobby's and radio shack.

I've had some fun discovery's modeling L-8 with her history and operating her as crew. I will say the guys at ETTM call her slugger for a reason.

I set up one truck assembly today and tried pulling my heaviest car. No problem with traction and pulling power with 2 motors. And what I payed to build 2 trucks is 40-45$.

here is my youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1UX-3354J4&feature=youtu.be

Made a little error when I built the cab I forgot weight in the humps at each end. Today I fixed that by cutting up two old rail spiks. now she Is heaveir then my Bachmann climax. Currently working out my traction motors and resistor bank. Will be trying one truck assembly on it's own. will have a video of that working.

http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/uscgtanker/library/L-8%20project?sort=3&page=1

the body is built and three of the four traction motors are also built. will be building one truck to test the motors hauling power traction rating horsepower to scale and suspension. Last saturday was riding on L-8 to elegant farm to move three south shore cars.

Frame of L-8 is in measurement to real prototype. Started with the traction motors and trucks today will have more pics latter this week.

Here are some pics of the passenger car set i'm currently holding on any of L8 till i get more measurements. Nice thing I live 20 minutes to east troy and have a membership. Plus being one of there main track inspectors and MOW crew I can get things done. All the passenger cars have lights, though the ops is going to have a blinking LED and barrel head light.

http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/uscgtanker/library/?sort=3&page=1

Refring back to the sounds traction motors give off a nice low hum same with the transformers. the sound would hear the most is the track and wheel pound on rail joints.

ON real streetcars East troy open car 21 has 26 inch wheels that are 12' apart. normally street cars have small wheels so the car is closer to the ground. need more info just ask.

I would like to see more paint schemes or undec cars that you can paint up. chicago south shore south bend, TMER&L, north shore, Iowa traction, sacramento northern and more.

I'm starting a new project after building the main body for a line of passenger cars. So now i'm going to put my hand at building a TMER&L steeple cab # L-8. The one part to this project that needs a little magic is the traction motors. There is a company that makes them but 75$ for one is not really in my budget. So i'm going to try making them with readily available parts. I will try posting pics for those that want to see.

One more thing to consider. Brass track is a great conductor, but given time out doors it will corrode and turn green. Then the rail is no good. I have been trying to clean some 15 year old LGB track with varying degrees of failure / success.

You could cut them off but I don't know if there will be a hole. If there is fill it with clear glue. If not trim to flush. With adding the ears I would like to see what you have. The Niagera is one of my favorite steam locos.

I finally got the shell off. Thanks for the help gents.

Easier said then done Mr. Bachmann. The full tank seams to be glued or have tabs on the inside.

Historically the DM&IR used there mallets funny enough as switcher engines. looking at my blue prints of the m3-m4 the drivers are the same. just the wheel design is different. we brought this up some time back for a conversion from a em1 to a yellow stone. I'm not buying a brass engine that dosn't work well till you replace the mechanism.