Thanks, Mark. I try.
=========
Milwaukee F-7 4-6-4 Hiawatha decoder install (cont);
Decoder not working:
A voltmeter was used to test the wires from the decoder to my 8 pin connector and all was good so it's gotta' be the decoder.
The coal pile needed some new coal: old stuff was wearing off.
Routed all the LED wires and put heat shrink tubing over them to protect them (they were not 'heat shrinked').
Four pin connector made.
The top of the boiler has a stream line casing so there is a gap inside the boiler so I added some lead weight in that area. The original lead weight was, also, reattached to the boiler.
Some extra room in the boiler so a sheet of lead was rounded over and placed inside the boiler. The friction up front will hold the lead around the original weight plus some tape in the back is good enough and makes it removable for servicing the LED wires (should the 'time come').
Since the new decoder isn't working, I used another tender and no juice: found out that the driver's wheel's insulated side is on the wrong side so I had to reverse them.
All assembled with a temporary tender. The person who did this paint job did incredible work. I'm guessing he must of used decals as I could never get that crisp of a line on the entire engine, especially as complicated as this paint job is. That paint on the cow catcher is superb.
The black and maroon lines are perfect.
The running board lights are hidden with the skirting. Nice clean paint lines.
Nice uniform points on the maroon paint.
Window painting is not easy.
Fins look great.
Gotta' be a decal!
Great work, also, on the tender.
