Postwar Paradise

Great way to start a morning...

I think the turbine was one of the smoothest running engines Lionel ever produced. It is a good puller also. Thanks for posting that video.

Fendermain posted:

Great video and topic Arnold. My 682 turbine does not smoke as well as yours..I need to work on it.  Here are my 2383 Santa Fe F3s. There is something about the sound of heavy postwar engines and tubular sectional track. Oh, and don't forget the ozone smell. First video..hope it works.

 

Fendermain

Fendermain, loved your video, 2383 and layout! Would love to see more of your layout! Arnold

My 681 Turbine pulls 5 K-Line PRR "Fleet of Modernism" passenger cars on one of my Christmas layouts. It smokes like crazy.

Nice.  Can't beat the Turbine. so smooth running 

Fendermain posted:

Arnold, here are 2 short videos of other areas. My server won't allow longer ones. Just to add...I think your sign off mantra is the best and true for a lot of us.

Fendermain

Terrific videos and layout, Fendermain. I love everything about your layout. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks also to Bob, Tncentrr, Joe and Christopher for sharing your enthusiasm for these Postwar gems.

My sign off mantra is a lyric in a song I wrote entitled Who Am I (Rollin' By). I made a video to go with the song, and I posted a YouTube link for it on this Forum. I think you folks would enjoy this video/song. To see and hear it, search on this Forum for "Phil Klopp and Model Train Song," which I posted in November 2017. I believe you will find the link there.

You can also access the video/song on YouTube. Simply go on YouTube, type my name, Arnold Cribari, in the search box, and click on Who Am I (Rollin' By). If you do this, I would love to get your honest feedback.

Arnold

Great stuff !   I too am a post-war fan.  

Great postwar / toytrain layouts above. Thanks for posting, guys!

Of Postwar paradise &  passions, Arnold and Fendermain, you guys are enablers of the best kind, lol.  I had a chockful of postwar layout in early 2005., sold everything and went O scale 2 rail.  Now rebuilding simplifying the past layout,  missed the color, sound and smell of it all. Postwar Lionel  is Always a pleasure and a time machine of past thrills.

As in the past, thank you once again. Fantastic videos!

Leroof.

Thanks to all for the positive words.  Leroof keep us updated on your rebuild as it progresses.  I bet it will be great.        Fendermain

Arnold, while on the topic of postwar Pennsy paradise, don't forget the GG 1 on parade on your layout. Looking forward to that installment as well.

leroof.

Hey Fendermain, I intend to share it. Progress is slow but next up is an over head working catenary for my electrics, one or more sidings and a couple of working accessories, followed by some choice plasticville from the great era. I have a few light towers I have plans for too. .Seeing your video and Arnold's  make motivation.

i have to find some decent heaters for the concrete refrigerator I call my basement. It's starting to get cold up here in Maine. What I may do is move the three tables upstairs for winter this time around. I may never go back to the dungeon! Lol. I do store the trains upstairs where it's a normal temperature. 

They share the same room as my couple of fenders ( a telly and a strat ). 

Thanks for your comments.

Leroof posted:

Hey Fendermain, I intend to share it. Progress is slow but next up is an over head working catenary for my electrics, one or more sidings and a couple of working accessories, followed by some choice plasticville from the great era. I have a few light towers I have plans for too. .Seeing your video and Arnold's  make motivation.

i have to find some decent heaters for the concrete refrigerator I call my basement. It's starting to get cold up here in Maine. What I may do is move the three tables upstairs for winter this time around. I may never go back to the dungeon! Lol. I do store the trains upstairs where it's a normal temperature. 

They share the same room as my couple of fenders ( a telly and a strat ). 

Thanks for your comments.

Leroof,  I remember your overhead power from another thread...great work.  We just had a local estate sale with a bunch of nice plasticville...no room for it unfortunately.  Cold here too..not Maine cold..NW Ohio.  I was just spankin the telly plank earlier.  Two of my boys came over...jam session.  I was using an 1x12 combo amp I made last year out of 100 y/o barn wood.  1950s hammond organ reverb amp converted to guitar amp...basically an 18 watt marshall. I made the cabinet not the amp.

Fendermain

This is for Leroof, my Brunswick Green Postwar Pennsy GG1:

Here is the same Postwar GG1 running at the other end of the layout:

Doesn't that GG1 look great pulling Postwar extruded aluminum passenger cars?

Of course, the ultimate is to see it running from operating overhead catenary. Arnold

Arnold,  lovely GG1 and passenger car videos. I just saw your model train song video and enjoyed it very much as well.  I am a musician of sorts myself...playing guitar for over half a century.  Man...that sounds ancient.  Anyway...great job.   Fendermain

Arnold!  A great big personal Thank you for the GG 1 videos. Yeah, they look Mighty Great with the extruded aluminun passenger cars! But really, EVERTHING looks great on your layout!  I like the loop excursion around your Yankee stadium. I can imagine lucky passengers looking for a Mickey Mantle at home plate!"hey, did you see that???"    

     I own a 2332 in black, a 2340 green with stripes , and a stripe less  brown 2360 that was given to me by a colleague years ago. The 2332 and 2340 were bought in your neighborhood back in the day at  Westchester toy and train show at the civic center. Did you ever attend the Tibbetts brook show back then?  Those were the days. 

     When I get my catenary up I will send moving images of GG 1's and NH EP 5 under wire.

Oh yeah fendermain, the Hammond organ amp transplant! I have heard of this done. Like the frankenstinian "it's alive, IT'S  ALIVE" tonal thing. I get the 18 watt Marshall side of the tonal world. Chunky thick, tonalbliss! 

I once had A vintage 1969 British origin Plexi Marshall Popular model #1930,  10 watt  valve with two greenback 10's . A mini blues breaker it was nicknamed.  I would play my 54 black beauty and my 59 LP jr through it.  Just killer response. what was I thinking getting rid of that stuff? You can always find the train you let go but.....so much for old wood. Somethings you just have to win powerball to replace! No I did not win. But my wish list is still for some selective old wood.

Doesn't matter how cold it is in NW Ohio, let the tubes glow warm.

So, you remember my live catenary?  Well my buddy who the layout was sold to did not like it, did not run electrics, so the towers recently  came back to me! Excited to clean them up after 13 years of storage. Some will need repair.  Seeing that the former layout I sold has been resurrected as the new replacement rebuilt to smaller diemensions I will add the overhead power to at least two of the tables. 

Moving images will arrive when up and running. Need to put down the tele first.

your boys play too? Awesome.

good weekend to all. 

Especially Arnold and Fendermain. In postwar we trust.

Sometimes I think I will sell all of my trains, plus the O scale stuff I have  to try and replace the old electric guitar equipment I once owned. But, alas the monetary value of loved postwar trains does not begin to even get close to the monetary appreciation of postwar Gibson and Fender wood. Oh well, I like the smell of ozone machinery more than old hot amplifier cabinets! I once had an old amp that caught fire! This has never happened with PW trains. However, it's well understood but discouraging that old amp transformers die way before ZW's and AC power brethren.

leroof, dreaming again.

Question:  Arnold, Are your loops tubular  031?  Mine are and it's plenty exciting to run PW fast and furious. Last layout I had the outside  031 curves were  banked with great success.

Fendermain, I look at your videos and like Arnold's, the more I look, the more I see.  Your prewar stuff on the layout is equally as exciting as the postwar displayed. I think I may have remarked at one time that it's a pleasure to see a fisished colorful layout with both eras depicted. Mega cool.

now where is the guitar room? 

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, I look at your videos and like Arnold's, the more I look, the more I see.  Your prewar stuff on the layout is equally as exciting as the postwar displayed. I think I may have remarked at one time that it's a pleasure to see a fisished colorful layout with both eras depicted. Mega cool.

now where is the guitar room? 

Leroof   Just got these from the postman today..separate sales.  Prewar 2224W tender...these are all metal and somewhat expensive in this condition.  Matched with postwar 2035...appeared unused for decades.  Clean up, touch up, lube up..rocking.  A little over 40$ for the engine.  My prewar/postwar conundrum continues.   Fendermain

Fendermain, 2224W and 2034, beautiful pair of pre/post war machinery! N I C E .

thx for the photo. I can almost hear them working the rails.

Leroof posted:

Oh yeah fendermain, the Hammond organ amp transplant! I have heard of this done. Like the frankenstinian "it's alive, IT'S  ALIVE" tonal thing. I get the 18 watt Marshall side of the tonal world. Chunky thick, tonalbliss! 

I once had A vintage 1969 British origin Plexi Marshall Popular model #1930,  10 watt  valve with two greenback 10's . A mini blues breaker it was nicknamed.  I would play my 54 black beauty and my 59 LP jr through it.  Just killer response. what was I thinking getting rid of that stuff? You can always find the train you let go but.....so much for old wood. Somethings you just have to win powerball to replace! No I did not win. But my wish list is still for some selective old wood.

Doesn't matter how cold it is in NW Ohio, let the tubes glow warm.

So, you remember my live catenary?  Well my buddy who the layout was sold to did not like it, did not run electrics, so the towers recently  came back to me! Excited to clean them up after 13 years of storage. Some will need repair.  Seeing that the former layout I sold has been resurrected as the new replacement rebuilt to smaller diemensions I will add the overhead power to at least two of the tables. 

Moving images will arrive when up and running. Need to put down the tele first.

your boys play too? Awesome.

good weekend to all. 

Especially Arnold and Fendermain. In postwar we trust.

 

Leroof   I have 3 boys and they all play.  We do one gig a year...pool party in the country.  So I used the JOHN-Q...that's the amp. Open it up with a tele and stand back..upper mid bliss...EL 84 smoking goodness. We have visited the southwest a lot..hence the grill cloth  Pedals..we don't need no stinking pedals...just use volume and tone controls on the tele.  Fendermain

We don't need no stinking pedals! Ain't it the truth with that killer rig. 

Hey, the "REV" would love that amp. That is the Reverand B. Gibbons.

You know I don't own a pedal other than in my car!

thanks for sharing. Now I feel like riffing.

i dig the old barn wood. Great heaps of open for tone business porosity

Could make a good plankercaster too.

JOHN-Q....ahhh I love the smell of  EL 84's in the morning!

Leroof posted:

Oh yeah fendermain, the Hammond organ amp transplant! I have heard of this done. Like the frankenstinian "it's alive, IT'S  ALIVE" tonal thing. I get the 18 watt Marshall side of the tonal world. Chunky thick, tonalbliss! 

I once had A vintage 1969 British origin Plexi Marshall Popular model #1930,  10 watt  valve with two greenback 10's . A mini blues breaker it was nicknamed.  I would play my 54 black beauty and my 59 LP jr through it.  Just killer response. what was I thinking getting rid of that stuff? You can always find the train you let go but.....so much for old wood. Somethings you just have to win powerball to replace! No I did not win. But my wish list is still for some selective old wood.

Doesn't matter how cold it is in NW Ohio, let the tubes glow warm.

So, you remember my live catenary?  Well my buddy who the layout was sold to did not like it, did not run electrics, so the towers recently  came back to me! Excited to clean them up after 13 years of storage. Some will need repair.  Seeing that the former layout I sold has been resurrected as the new replacement rebuilt to smaller diemensions I will add the overhead power to at least two of the tables. 

Moving images will arrive when up and running. Need to put down the tele first.

your boys play too? Awesome.

good weekend to all. 

Especially Arnold and Fendermain. In postwar we trust.

 

Didn't realize there were that many other musicians on here! Full time musician here!

Arnold, it looks like post war paradise has morphed a bit into postwar era guitars and amps!  Oh well post war paradise or passions one in the same.

back to the fabulous  GG 1 running top speeds on your layout, did you spring down the trailing trucks?  I know there i a way to do this that I have read about here on this forum. I am somewhat intimidated by taking my GG 1 apart and doing the spring thing.  My train doctor passed on this year.  

On Another topic:How about sharing a thrilling New Haven EP 5 video on your pike?  I have a mini toggle switch in the battery compartment of mine to utilize overhead power. Soon to be rebuilt.

i never get tired of seeing your PW time machine travel footage!

another question: does Westchester toy and train Christmas show still happen?

thanks and have a great weekend.

Speaking of GG1s running under live catenary, I would like to post this here, at the risk of being a show off, as it has been posted some time ago.  But as I said, since the subject of live catenary has come up, I'll post it again, here.  My layout is small, 3' x12'.  There are O31 curves at each end.  They made the building of the catenary interesting at those places.  

https://youtu.be/Jk8NN1yikTo

https://youtu.be/Pr3zgdBpkvA

I have lots of post war all boxed up. Never run it anymore but I still love seeing layouts from that period. Don

Now if there was a train in this picture...that would be Paradise. Don

Wonderful seeing the PW layouts and trains.

Fenderman, seeing your 397 reminded me I replaced the broken belt on my childhood 397 a week ago; but, I work slow-=-the receipt for the rplacement belt was dated 2015!!!  Works like a champ now and will get its prominent place this Christmas; the 3469 dump car is ready to go.

Pingman posted:

Wonderful seeing the PW layouts and trains.

Fenderman, seeing your 397 reminded me I replaced the broken belt on my childhood 397 a week ago; but, I work slow-=-the receipt for the rplacement belt was dated 2015!!!  Works like a champ now and will get its prominent place this Christmas; the 3469 dump car is ready to go.

Pingman.   It's really great that you have some of your childhood train stuff.  I foolishly let mine go when I was about 20.  397s are fun...mine needs a tune up.   Fendermain

Dan Padova posted:

Speaking of GG1s running under live catenary, I would like to post this here, at the risk of being a show off, as it has been posted some time ago.  But as I said, since the subject of live catenary has come up, I'll post it again, here.  My layout is small, 3' x12'.  There are O31 curves at each end.  They made the building of the catenary interesting at those places.  

https://youtu.be/Jk8NN1yikTo

https://youtu.be/Pr3zgdBpkvA

Spectacular operating overhead catenary, Dan. Congratulations on building it!

Leroof posted:

Arnold, it looks like post war paradise has morphed a bit into postwar era guitars and amps!  Oh well post war paradise or passions one in the same.

back to the fabulous  GG 1 running top speeds on your layout, did you spring down the trailing trucks?  I know there i a way to do this that I have read about here on this forum. I am somewhat intimidated by taking my GG 1 apart and doing the spring thing.  My train doctor passed on this year.  

On Another topic:How about sharing a thrilling New Haven EP 5 video on your pike?  I have a mini toggle switch in the battery compartment of mine to utilize overhead power. Soon to be rebuilt.

i never get tired of seeing your PW time machine travel footage!

another question: does Westchester toy and train Christmas show still happen?

thanks and have a great weekend.

 

 

Leroof, I love your enthusiasm for this topic.

Yes, Westchester Toy and Train Show at the County Center in White Plains is scheduled for Sunday, December 9th. I believe George Tebolt, a great train parts dealer, has retired. I miss him.

Will post my Postwar NH EP5 making a Yankee Stadium run in a few minutes. Arnold

Lionel Postwar New Haven EP5. Turn the sound up and enjoy:

Arnold 

Bravo    Arnold....Great show!!!    Fendermain

Leroof posted:

Question:  Arnold, Are your loops tubular  031?  Mine are and it's plenty exciting to run PW fast and furious. Last layout I had the outside  031 curves were  banked with great success.

 

Yes, Leroof, all of my loops are tubular 031, and none are banked.

When I built the layout 20 or so years ago, my teenage kids, who liked the trains, wanted to also use the modest-sized basement playroom to play board games and do other things with their friends. The layout doesn't completely dominate the room. There is an old sectional couch and there used to be a small TV for my kids in that playroom.  I opted for a long and narrow layout that runs along backdropped walls, with 031 reverse loops for continuous operation.

It gives the impression that the trains are going places, including leaving the playroom, tunneling through a wall partition and traveling around Yankee Stadium and the George Washing Machine Bridge (LOL), and returning through the tunnel to the playroom, etc., etc.

I share this because there may be other Forum members with similar family and space issues. There are creative ways to resolve those issues and still have a great time building a layout and running trains. Arnold

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Oh yeah fendermain, the Hammond organ amp transplant! I have heard of this done. Like the frankenstinian "it's alive, IT'S  ALIVE" tonal thing. I get the 18 watt Marshall side of the tonal world. Chunky thick, tonalbliss! 

I once had A vintage 1969 British origin Plexi Marshall Popular model #1930,  10 watt  valve with two greenback 10's . A mini blues breaker it was nicknamed.  I would play my 54 black beauty and my 59 LP jr through it.  Just killer response. what was I thinking getting rid of that stuff? You can always find the train you let go but.....so much for old wood. Somethings you just have to win powerball to replace! No I did not win. But my wish list is still for some selective old wood.

Doesn't matter how cold it is in NW Ohio, let the tubes glow warm.

So, you remember my live catenary?  Well my buddy who the layout was sold to did not like it, did not run electrics, so the towers recently  came back to me! Excited to clean them up after 13 years of storage. Some will need repair.  Seeing that the former layout I sold has been resurrected as the new replacement rebuilt to smaller diemensions I will add the overhead power to at least two of the tables. 

Moving images will arrive when up and running. Need to put down the tele first.

your boys play too? Awesome.

good weekend to all. 

Especially Arnold and Fendermain. In postwar we trust.

 

Leroof   I have 3 boys and they all play.  We do one gig a year...pool party in the country.  So I used the JOHN-Q...that's the amp. Open it up with a tele and stand back..upper mid bliss...EL 84 smoking goodness. We have visited the southwest a lot..hence the grill cloth  Pedals..we don't need no stinking pedals...just use volume and tone controls on the tele.  Fendermain

My God, we have so much in common. I have an Open Mic at my house once per year. Great fun. My favorite thing is when the women dance to one of my songs.

Back to trains: I think there is a powerful connection between music and Postwar trains. It has to do with rhythm, passion and romanticism. Arnold 

Leroof posted:

Arnold, it looks like post war paradise has morphed a bit into postwar era guitars and amps!  Oh well post war paradise or passions one in the same.

back to the fabulous  GG 1 running top speeds on your layout, did you spring down the trailing trucks?  I know there i a way to do this that I have read about here on this forum. I am somewhat intimidated by taking my GG 1 apart and doing the spring thing.  My train doctor passed on this year.  

 

 

Leroof, I have no idea what it means to "spring down the trailing trucks," LOL

Here's my new to me today 2035 with postwar cars.  It did not run when I got it and probably has not in decades.  Hugging the rails pretty good.... O54 curves.    I used to watch my trains from this angle when I was a kid.   Fendermain

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Oh yeah fendermain, the Hammond organ amp transplant! I have heard of this done. Like the frankenstinian "it's alive, IT'S  ALIVE" tonal thing. I get the 18 watt Marshall side of the tonal world. Chunky thick, tonalbliss! 

I once had A vintage 1969 British origin Plexi Marshall Popular model #1930,  10 watt  valve with two greenback 10's . A mini blues breaker it was nicknamed.  I would play my 54 black beauty and my 59 LP jr through it.  Just killer response. what was I thinking getting rid of that stuff? You can always find the train you let go but.....so much for old wood. Somethings you just have to win powerball to replace! No I did not win. But my wish list is still for some selective old wood.

Doesn't matter how cold it is in NW Ohio, let the tubes glow warm.

So, you remember my live catenary?  Well my buddy who the layout was sold to did not like it, did not run electrics, so the towers recently  came back to me! Excited to clean them up after 13 years of storage. Some will need repair.  Seeing that the former layout I sold has been resurrected as the new replacement rebuilt to smaller diemensions I will add the overhead power to at least two of the tables. 

Moving images will arrive when up and running. Need to put down the tele first.

your boys play too? Awesome.

good weekend to all. 

Especially Arnold and Fendermain. In postwar we trust.

 

Leroof   I have 3 boys and they all play.  We do one gig a year...pool party in the country.  So I used the JOHN-Q...that's the amp. Open it up with a tele and stand back..upper mid bliss...EL 84 smoking goodness. We have visited the southwest a lot..hence the grill cloth  Pedals..we don't need no stinking pedals...just use volume and tone controls on the tele.  Fendermain

My God, we have so much in common. I have an Open Mic at my house once per year. Great fun. My favorite thing is when the women dance to one of my songs.

Back to trains: I think there is a powerful connection between music and Postwar trains. It has to do with rhythm, passion and romanticism. Arnold 

Yes,  open Mic events are cool. When we do our annual gig a lot of people show up to jam with us..great fun and it keeps you on your toes.

As with music being an art form I think creating a model railroad is one as well...it's very expressive as to how it's presented.  I think the prewar/postwar genre lets you create with real antiques.  That says something in itself.     Fendermain

I fully agree with you, Fendermain.

022 is King!

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

022 is King!

Yep..I have two on a dogbone loop.  They've been in service for decades...auto throw works great.  Fendermain

Now Boarding on Track #2: The Broadway Limited:

I always secretly wanted the Postwar Lionel Operating Dispatch Board as a kid, and got it for cheap as an adult at a train show.

Got it home, didn't work. Seemed hopeless at first. Opened it up and dead moths fell out. I tinkered with it, sprayed a little WD40 in the mechanism and Eureka, it has worked like a charm ever since. 

Let's make this a Postwar Paradise weekend!

Postwar power.   I don't know if you guys have upgraded your power or kept it postwar. I have built my layout so the control panel is a visual part of it.  I recently tuned the KWs up with new rollers, whistle diodes and modern circuit breakers.   Fendermain

Fendermain, you Postwar power station is so neat and clean!

Here's mine:

It's weathered. LOL, Arnold

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Fendermain, you Postwar power station is so neat and clean!

Here's mine:

It's weathered. LOL, Arnold

My wife says I have OCD.

Postwar Paradise Sweet Spot.  I agree with Arnold and think postwar may now be the best area for purchases. I have prewar, postwar and modern equipment.   Prewar..hard to find some parts for repair..broken wheels. Newer is expensive and the electronics are difficult if not impossible to repair it yourself.  Postwar...good prices now..most parts easy to find.. easy to fix it yourself. The postwar 2035 I just got was just north of $40..how can you top that.   Fendermain

Fendermain posted:

Postwar Paradise Sweet Spot.  I agree with Arnold and think postwar may now be the best area for purchases. I have prewar, postwar and modern equipment.   Prewar..hard to find some parts for repair..broken wheels. Newer is expensive and the electronics are difficult if not impossible to repair it yourself.  Postwar...good prices now..most parts easy to find.. easy to fix it yourself. The postwar 2035 I just got was just north of $40..how can you top that.   Fendermain

I just bought the 2025 and tender for the same price: $40. I also have the 2035, which is the same except it has Magnetraction.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Fendermain posted:

Postwar Paradise Sweet Spot.  I agree with Arnold and think postwar may now be the best area for purchases. I have prewar, postwar and modern equipment.   Prewar..hard to find some parts for repair..broken wheels. Newer is expensive and the electronics are difficult if not impossible to repair it yourself.  Postwar...good prices now..most parts easy to find.. easy to fix it yourself. The postwar 2035 I just got was just north of $40..how can you top that.   Fendermain

I just bought the 2025 and tender for the same price: $40. I also have the 2035, which is the same except it has Magnetraction.

Wow..better deal yet.  I just got some new smoke pills in the mail...them seem to work better than my old left over ones.  Have try them on the turbine next.    Fendermain

This next video could be in a separate Post entitled Unit Trains, but because the trains are Postwar,  I'll keep it here.

Living in the NYC metro area, I don't get to see freight trains very much. However, about 2 years ago, I did. My wife and I went to West Point, where our granddaughter was a cheer leader for a Pop Warner football game. We sat in bleachers where we could not only see the game and cheer leading, but we also had a beautiful view of the Hudson River and railroad tracks on the west side of the river.

Suddenly, we could hear the roar of a diesel freight train, and for the next few minutes, we had the thrill of seeing what seemed to be endless oil tanker cars pass by.

I enjoy running unit trains because they seem more realistic to me than mixed freight, though there are also real mixed freight trains. I think runit trains are more common in the real world.

The video below shows a Postwar Lackawanna FM Trainmaster hauling Postwar oil tankers through a passing siding on my layout:

Arnold

Here is the same train running through the same passing siding from the opposite direction, into the afternoon sunlight.

Today, I went to a local hobby store, Tom's Trains in Ardsley, NY,  which has a very nice running layout to entertain children and adults alike, and bought 3 Postwar operating log cars. My intention was to create a log unit train because I already had 4 other log cars.

This net video shows for the 1st time on my layout a  log unit train headed by a Postwar 646 Hudson:

Arnold hits another one out of the stadium! Such entertaining videos!

the 022's are the gladiators of postwar era. I have eleven of them that do the non derail operation just about flawless! A couple of them are cut down to fit the tables. My favorite no nonsense switch.

fendermain, a little OCD makes Big for beautiful showmanship. Nice control area.

Arnold, I bet you know where every thing is on your control area, btw it's so laid back, train work well too.

Westchester toy and train Dec. 9th. I am tempted to not do the Big E in January  and visit my friends and family  in New York and attend it for old time's sake. I have pictures of my 1 and a half year old son asleep on my shoulder when I brought him to his first train show there. I have not been to this show in over 20 years! All grown up works and lives in NYC now, it might be a blast to attend with him.

might you be there? 

I used to buy parts from George Tebolt when I live in NYC.  Finally retired?  Wow, funny how time whizzes by. 

Arnold, great NH EP5 footage you sent. One of my favorites. I recently saw 5 of them for sale at a local train show up here. I behaved my self....but I wanted them all! No one bought them! They were in decent runner shape from 125 to 175 bucks. Other Postwar around decently priced .Walked away with a 750 blue American flyer bridge for $10, just needed a clean up, an American flyer fuel station for $3, and two red Lionel small bridges $8 each! Operator stuff makes me smile.

Have a great weekend.

leroof

Leroof posted:

Arnold hits another one out of the stadium! Such entertaining videos!

the 022's are the gladiators of postwar era. I have eleven of them that do the non derail operation just about flawless! A couple of them are cut down to fit the tables. My favorite no nonsense switch.

fendermain, a little OCD makes Big for beautiful showmanship. Nice control area.

Arnold, I bet you know where every thing is on your control area, btw it's so laid back, train work well too.

Westchester toy and train Dec. 9th. I am tempted to not do the Big E in January  and visit my friends and family  in New York and attend it for old time's sake. I have pictures of my 1 and a half year old son asleep on my shoulder when I brought him to his first train show there. I have not been to this show in over 20 years! All grown up works and lives in NYC now, it might be a blast to attend with him.

might you be there? 

I used to buy parts from George Tebolt when I live in NYC.  Finally retired?  Wow, funny how time whizzes by. 

Arnold, great NH EP5 footage you sent. One of my favorites. I recently saw 5 of them for sale at a local train show up here. I behaved my self....but I wanted them all! No one bought them! They were in decent runner shape from 125 to 175 bucks. Other Postwar around decently priced .Walked away with a 750 blue American flyer bridge for $10, just needed a clean up, an American flyer fuel station for $3, and two red Lionel small bridges $8 each! Operator stuff makes me smile.

Have a great weekend.

leroof

 

 

Yes. Leroof, I will be going to the Decrmber 9th Westchester Toy and Train Show at the County Center in White Plains. There is a good chance that Melgar on this Forum will also attend. Maybe we can have a Forum get together at that show.

Sounds like you got some great deal re your recent purchases you mention in your post. I have the same red Lionel bridges (they may be pre-war) on my layout.  Arnold

Leroof posted:

Arnold hits another one out of the stadium! Such entertaining videos!

the 022's are the gladiators of postwar era. I have eleven of them that do the non derail operation just about flawless! A couple of them are cut down to fit the tables. My favorite no nonsense switch.

fendermain, a little OCD makes Big for beautiful showmanship. Nice control area.

Arnold, I bet you know where every thing is on your control area, btw it's so laid back, train work well too.

Westchester toy and train Dec. 9th. I am tempted to not do the Big E in January  and visit my friends and family  in New York and attend it for old time's sake. I have pictures of my 1 and a half year old son asleep on my shoulder when I brought him to his first train show there. I have not been to this show in over 20 years! All grown up works and lives in NYC now, it might be a blast to attend with him.

might you be there? 

I used to buy parts from George Tebolt when I live in NYC.  Finally retired?  Wow, funny how time whizzes by. 

Arnold, great NH EP5 footage you sent. One of my favorites. I recently saw 5 of them for sale at a local train show up here. I behaved my self....but I wanted them all! No one bought them! They were in decent runner shape from 125 to 175 bucks. Other Postwar around decently priced .Walked away with a 750 blue American flyer bridge for $10, just needed a clean up, an American flyer fuel station for $3, and two red Lionel small bridges $8 each! Operator stuff makes me smile.

Have a great weekend.

leroof

 

 

I love the Flyer stuff and I have two of those bridges on my layout...I bought them at York about 20 years ago. You got a great deal.   Fendermain

Fendermain, This flyer bridge is certainly the strongest well built  bridge I have ever had. Structurally better than most.  This one is a bit worn and undoubtedly has seen a lot of trains through it.

just missing the smokestack on the bridge house. Will obtain one from a flyer friend. The show price tag read $20.  I asked the seller would he take $15 for the bridge, he smiles and says NO,  but I will take $10 ! What a nice man. Really nice deal. Certain experiences one doesn't forget. 

Arnold, you know Melgar? 

Does he live down there too?

A Forum get together an intriguing idea.

Maybe a shout out to Tri State forum guys to attend new topic etc.

hey, there used to be some great deli restaurants nearby, just add Dr Browns

cel ray or Black cherry sodas to a great sandwich during a meeting!

ok ok I am getting carried away now. Lol. 

Leroof, yes, Melgar lives in Connecticut about an hour away from me, and we have met a couple of times.  We have discussed an OGR On-Line Forum train get-together in the NYC metro area (preferably in Westchester County, NY where I live), and the December 9th train show in White Plains might be a good location and time to do it. City Limits Diner is across the street from the County Center building where the show is. It is a very nice diner and very convenient. 

Leroof, I see from your profile that you live in Maine, which is quite a trek from White Plains, NY.  Are you definitely interested in attending a Forum get together on December 9th in White Plains? Are there any other Forum members definitely interested in attending a Forum get together on that date and at that location? Once I have a few definites, I will be happy to do a separate Post about such a get-together in the next few days. Arnold

Postwar coal unit train headed by Berkshire #736. This is an important run at this time of year. So many OGR Furum members want coal in their stocking for Christmas, and Santa is on a mission to make that happen:

Arnold

Arnold, what camera do you use to make such well done videos?

do you use a tripod or moving base?  I know you have a method as all of them are 

done with some reliable measure of exactitude. 

I will have to work out a deal with colleagues and family to go to Westchester Toy and Train, but I am willing if I have the opportunity. More on that as I gather pertinent info.

Btw, Your 736 with coal dump cars are awesome.

Another question: there is a red bridge behind the bleachers of your yankee stadium. Who, what, where , when was that made? Ok, four questions.

Running post war engines and cars is certainly nice. The engines do run smooth and pull strong. I have tons of P/W stuff but its all in boxes, because from the MPC era on, the fast angle wheels provide a big advantage for pulling longer consists. If you oil the old rolling stock wheels well they do run OK but you are still limited to how many you can run, but like Arnold I run conventional exclusively for reliability and ease of operation.

BTW that's a very long P/W consist that you're running

Leroof, the camera I use is the one in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which is my smart phone. I just hold it in my hands and follow the train..

The red bridge behind Yankee Stadium is not Postwar, its modern, I bought it at a LHS, and I forget the manufacturer. It has a litle red light on top.

I totally agree with Dennis about the importance on periodically putting 1 drop of oil on the inside and outside of each wheel on the axle for smooth running of long trains with Postwar cars, which minimizes derailments. My primary limitation on running long trains is if I go over 11 cars and caboose, it hits its tail in my reverse loops.

Thanks for the compliments. I also run modern trains, but lately have been enamored with Postwar. Arnold

Ahh, I have the same phone! Do you place the footage in U tube first ? Then download it to the forum?

thanks for bridge info. I did not think it was postwar. It's really substantial.

Leroof posted:

Ahh, I have the same phone! Do you place the footage in U tube first ? Then download it to the forum?

thanks for bridge info. I did not think it was postwar. It's really substantial.

I don't put the footage in UTube first.

On my way to Albany, NY (wife is driving at the moment) to visit relatives. Wouldn't it be nice sipping coffee in the caboose of this boxcar unit freight train headed by this Boston & Albany Hudson?

Arnold

I don't own much Postwar (a 2328 Burlington GP7 repainted into Santa Fe zebra stripes, an ABBA set of 2343 Santa Fe F3s, and 3 2500 series aluminum passenger cars relettered for Santa Fe) but my layout's power is all Postwar. A ZW powers the trains, a Type Z handles all of the accessories. 

Lou1985 posted:

I don't own much Postwar (a 2328 Burlington GP7 repainted into Santa Fe zebra stripes, an ABBA set of 2343 Santa Fe F3s, and 3 2500 series aluminum passenger cars relettered for Santa Fe) but my layout's power is all Postwar. A ZW powers the trains, a Type Z handles all of the accessories. 

You got Plenty of Postwar Power, Lou.

More Postwar Paradise. 646 Hudson, puffing away,  hauling milk unit train:

Arnold

Lou1985 posted:

I don't own much Postwar (a 2328 Burlington GP7 repainted into Santa Fe zebra stripes, an ABBA set of 2343 Santa Fe F3s, and 3 2500 series aluminum passenger cars relettered for Santa Fe) but my layout's power is all Postwar. A ZW powers the trains, a Type Z handles all of the accessories. 

Nice..I see you have sound activation buttons as well.  I use one on my main line for bell sounds on modern engines.    Fendermain

Arnold, I did not know that one could directly down load movies made on a phone. How exciting! Does one need an app to do that? More exciting postwar videos! Much  Thanks. Breeding postwar enthusiasm is your calling! Lol.

Lou, that exact power is what I used on my former layout. Worked so well I decided to do it the traditional way once more. Next purchase will be a Z or a V. What are the numbered black controls on either side of the sound activation devices, momentary switch toggles, or other? 

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof posted:

Arnold, I did not know that one could directly down load movies made on a phone. How exciting! Does one need an app to do that? More exciting postwar videos! Much  Thanks. Breeding postwar enthusiasm is your calling! Lol.

 

Leroof, just take a picture with your smartphone and it goes into Gallery or Pictures on your phone. Then, when you post or reply on this Forum, hit Add Attachments.  Then, hit Files on bottom and that enables you to go to Gallery and include the photo in your Reply.

Leroof, I'm almost 67 and struggle with technology. Most all young people under 35 are whizzes on smartphones and on-line forums. They can help you post photos and videos on this Forum using your smartphone.

Arnold, Fendermain, here is a photo of my 2001 to 2005 former layout , long gone but it was predominantly postwar in its global fabric  I thought I might share in postwar paradise. I shopped for 90% of the accessories at YORK the first couple of years attended.it went from track, to well saturated then added working catenary!

only ran two trains continuously at a time, one track power, one overhead with one ZW. Plus a V powered lights 022's, accessories faithfully.

I used to run the last table  with a switcher and sidings and accessories with spare ZW at times.

ALL SOLD to a friend who lives an hour away. I was going to move to France at that time, but a Big change in plans kept me here. 

I used to play with the layout at his house but it soon went unused, into disrepair and dysfunction without maintenance . And first table was (as seen in forefront picture enclosed, was separated and expanded in his living room. Same layout with a outer loop. I may have put the only other photos of it up long ago but there are a few more I will add next.

Thanks Arnold. You explained it clear enough. I see take a photo or video under file selection. Piece of cake.i have entered photos now it's only a matter of time before I make a film.  I won't ask a youngster. I got it from you, my peer.

Leroof posted:

Arnold, Fendermain, here is a photo of my 2001 to 2005 former layout , long gone but it was predominantly postwar in its global fabric  I thought I might share in postwar paradise. I shopped for 90% of the accessories at YORK the first couple of years attended.it went from track, to well saturated then added working catenary!

only ran two trains continuously at a time, one track power, one overhead with one ZW. Plus a V powered lights 022's, accessories faithfully.

I used to run the last table  with a switcher and sidings and accessories with spare ZW at times.

ALL SOLD to a friend who lives an hour away. I was going to move to France at that time, but a Big change in plans kept me here. 

I used to play with the layout at his house but it soon went unused, into disrepair and dysfunction without maintenance . And first table was (as seen in forefront picture enclosed, was separated and expanded in his living room. Same layout with a outer loop. I may have put the only other photos of it up long ago but there are a few more I will add next.

Leroof,     I like!  I like!   The overhead power is top notch.  Yes, the tele is calling..too much computer...not enough tele.  Calluses are going away!!!  Yikes!!!   Fendermain

Leroof posted:

Lou, that exact power is what I used on my former layout. Worked so well I decided to do it the traditional way once more. Next purchase will be a Z or a V. What are the numbered black controls on either side of the sound activation devices, momentary switch toggles, or other? 

The black toggles are SPST switches for all the blocks on the layout. 

Well technically I forgot to list some Postwar stuff I have, mainly the 3 accessories I own. I have a barrel loader, coal loader, and sawmill on my layout (the ice depot is a modern reissue).

Leroof posted:

Arnold, Fendermain, here is a photo of my 2001 to 2005 former layout , long gone but it was predominantly postwar in its global fabric  I thought I might share in postwar paradise. I shopped for 90% of the accessories at YORK the first couple of years attended.it went from track, to well saturated then added working catenary!

only ran two trains continuously at a time, one track power, one overhead with one ZW. Plus a V powered lights 022's, accessories faithfully.

I used to run the last table  with a switcher and sidings and accessories with spare ZW at times.

ALL SOLD to a friend who lives an hour away. I was going to move to France at that time, but a Big change in plans kept me here. 

I used to play with the layout at his house but it soon went unused, into disrepair and dysfunction without maintenance . And first table was (as seen in forefront picture enclosed, was separated and expanded in his living room. Same layout with a outer loop. I may have put the only other photos of it up long ago but there are a few more I will add next.

Very nice. Would love to see close up photos of the layout in the back, where I see the 97 coal loader in the distance.

Leroof posted:

Thanks Arnold. You explained it clear enough. I see take a photo or video under file selection. Piece of cake.i have entered photos now it's only a matter of time before I make a film.  I won't ask a youngster. I got it from you, my peer.

So glad to be of help.

Lou1985 posted:

Well technically I forgot to list some Postwar stuff I have, mainly the 3 accessories I own. I have a barrel loader, coal loader, and sawmill on my layout (the ice depot is a modern reissue).

 

Also very nice.those accessories put smiles on people's faces.

I see from our profiles we are a substantial distance from each other; Illinois, Maine. NY, etc.

If we were closer, we could visit and run trains on each other's layouts. Just like golfers who play different golf courses, we could run trains on different layouts, which would be interesting and fun.

Still, it's very nice to connect with each other on this Forum.

Arnold, Ah yes table number 4. I will have to look through a thick haze of old PC photos that were not vaporized by a dreaded Trojan virus in 2008. I was able to regain some images through other forums and friends who I shared with. I will look, eager to transfer table  4  images. I am hopeful that there will be extended ennings with this cool topic of PW Paradise. 

Big distances are shortened via this forum. A great thanks to all that share.

Fendermain posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

022 is King!

Yep..I have two on a dogbone loop.  They've been in service for decades...auto throw works great.  Fendermain

This is the power of postwar...022 sluggish=derailment on dogbone loop...clean and lube..back in business. You can fix things yourself.. I don't know how many thousands of throws these have had..still rockin. I have spares..not needed yet after at least 2 decades of use just by me.  Don't know the usage before me.   Fendermain

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

Hey Arnold and Fendermain, and PW friends

Former layout: the three overview photos. Enlarge them if you want to spot what's happening. SOLD with all the trains and accessories in 2005.   Will look in PC for possibly left over close ups. Built on semi hollow doors (3 feet wide doors), homosote, tables fastened  together with luggage latches, supported by  aluminum with extended cast iron leg stands. Original plan  ideas by Peter H. Riddle , Easy Lionel Layouts You Can Build. 

i am in the process of rebuilding it a little bit less busy, with some modifications, possibly with another simple return looped elevated if workable. Given the time it may just happen!

I know the photo quality isn't the greatest but a friend took these photos before buying it. I am glad I still have the photos to share.

Fendermain a 59 LP jr double cutaway came in that box upright in the last photo.

long gone regretfully. At least the PW trains are reachable.

There's a sad story about my two former vintage 57 and 59 LP jr.

"If I didnt have bad luck I'd have no luck at all" Jack Bruce sang.

I've had some tele therapy...now i'm better.  Leroof...lot's of nice things.  Flyer  751 log loader, 785 coal loader and looks like gabe the lamplighter... way cool.  Now's a good time to buy postwar...low prices.  Don't beat yourself up too bad over the instruments...life is short my friend.         Fendermain

Here is my “pop-up” layout I put down in the family room last month. After a couple of weeks, I started getting the sidelong glances that meant it was time to move the operation on up to the attic. 

CoastsideKevin posted:

Here is my “pop-up” layout I put down in the family room last month. After a couple of weeks, I started getting the sidelong glances that meant it was time to move the operation on up to the attic. 

CoastsideKevin what a nice slice it is...WP F3s are beautiful.  Since they are Western Pacific are you along the Pacific coast? I know all about the sidelong glances as well.  Fendermain

Fendermain posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

Here is my “pop-up” layout I put down in the family room last month. After a couple of weeks, I started getting the sidelong glances that meant it was time to move the operation on up to the attic. 

CoastsideKevin what a nice slice it is...WP F3s are beautiful.  Since they are Western Pacific are you along the Pacific coast? I know all about the sidelong glances as well.  Fendermain

Yes, Central California Coast. I get to watch the Coast Starlight go slowly through the Elkhorn Slough from time to time. Those are lucky passengers!

Life is short, you know it. I am in the life support side of things. No beating myself up. But I do miss the Had to return the 1959 eBay stolen item then sold to me merchandise to original owner. No problem.  It was sad but with a good ending. 

His home  insurance paid me in full. Whew.

And the single cut away 57 LP jr. sent to a buyer packed so well, arrived with head broken off!  Cowboy Deliverer threw it out of truck and ran over it as witnessed.

good ending  money refunded and head repaired professionally.

just miss those two. They were awesome.

PW trains easier on the senses.

Coast side Kevin, Awesome pop up layout!!!!

thanks for sending footage.

leroof

Leroof posted:

Life is short, you know it. I am in the life support side of things. No beating myself up. But I do miss the Had to return the 1959 eBay stolen item then sold to me merchandise to original owner. No problem.  It was sad but with a good ending. 

His home  insurance paid me in full. Whew.

And the single cut away 57 LP jr. sent to a buyer packed so well, arrived with head broken off!  Cowboy Deliverer threw it out of truck and ran over it as witnessed.

good ending  money refunded and head repaired professionally.

just miss those two. They were awesome.

PW trains easier on the senses.

 

Wow..that's something.  I've had some LPs come and go including a black 1957 with 3 PAF...nice but not my thing. Tele is more stout...ever see the video of Kief fending off a stage rusher with his? Fendermain

CoastsideKevin I just looked up Elkhorn Slough...looks like wonderful place.  Fendermain

Fendermain posted:

CoastsideKevin I just looked up Elkhorn Slough...looks like wonderful place.  Fendermain

It is an amazing place. Worth putting on your to-see list when you visit CA. I want to take my kids on the Coast Starlight all the way from start to finish - would be an incredible journey. 

Hey Fendermain! you had a real 57 Custom black beauty with three PAF's, very cool. My 54 black beauty with alnicos and P 90 was a Heavy weight, rib bruiser.  I preferred early the feather weight  LP jrs with my marshall 1930. I  don't have any vintage stuff left, but spanking a blackguard tele was an amazing time. Keif wouldn't have fended off a over zealous fan with a burst! No, I haven't seen that footage, was it with the 59 black guard?  

Playing with PW lionel stuff is a different kind of fun. Looking forward to playing with the new old layout again. Great chillin with you here. Have a good one Fendermain.

Leroof   Go to youtube look up keith richards guitar hit...it looks like a 1970s black tele custom.  Less drama with PW trains..too many fakes with old guitars now.      Fendermain

Postwar unit trains, on sidings, ready to roll:

Coal:

Logs:

Milk:

Oil:

"Rollin', rollin', rollin, though the streams are swollin',  keep them doggies movin',    Rawhide. . . (crack of the whip), . . . 

Move em out, let em out, ride em in, let em out, move em out, ride em in, Rawhide."

There's something about Postwar unit trains reminiscent of cattle drives. Not sure what it is.

Cattle drives moved meat to market; subsequently, trains moved all kinds of products to market. 

I was born in 1951, so I'm as Postwar as these trains. Shows about cowboys were often on TV when I was playing with Lionel trains as a kid.

Many on this Forum are also Postwar, having been born between 1946 and 1964.

Arnold

Postwar 646 Hudson and 736 Berkshire:

Got to have it all, modern and Postwar. Don't settle for less!

LOL, Arnold 

Postwar lionel 44 tonners at work

franktrain posted:

Postwar lionel 44 tonners at work

Double-headed Postwar 44 tonners pulling long trains. Set them for forward only. I never thought of doing that. Thanks.

Thanks to Franktrain. now I know that Postwar double-headed 44 tonners can pull long trains, slow and smooth:

I can't believe after having these trains for over 50 years that I never double-headed these engines before. And they have strong Magnetraction.

Cool 44 Tonners!  I always loved them as a kid...  Finally got my first, the NP, a few years ago...

I'm looking to add a PW switcher to my switch yard, and I love the look of these!

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

EL84 fun - now we’re talking! I’m an accumulator of tubes (Dynakit/Dynaco MK IV amps, my son has a Fender Blues Jr amp) - he’s using different EL84s he’s been gifted (Mullard, GE, RCA, Tungsram) and a nice RCA 7025 for the preamp section.

As for postwar my AMT/KMT collection and Lionel trains are tucked away in tubs - I’ll dig some out to put under one of our Christmas trees.

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

How hard is it to service these winches? I have 11 on my layout that need servicing, so debating paying an expert $20/pop, or doing it myself. I'm working full time right now, so time is at a premium in my life. Thoughts?

MTN posted:

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

EL84 fun - now we’re talking! I’m an accumulator of tubes (Dynakit/Dynaco MK IV amps, my son has a Fender Blues Jr amp) - he’s using different EL84s he’s been gifted (Mullard, GE, RCA, Tungsram) and a nice RCA 7025 for the preamp section.

As for postwar my AMT/KMT collection and Lionel trains are tucked away in tubs - I’ll dig some out to put under one of our Christmas trees.

MTN  Time to open the tubs and have at it. Nice that your son has the Blues Jr.--they are very popular.  I have often thought about the Dynacos and their brethren but don't know enough to take the plunge. Haven't found any vintage EL 84s for my amps powered as such but have had good luck with Brimar, Hytron and RCA for 6v6 amps.   Fendermain

CoastsideKevin posted:

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

How hard is it to service these winches? I have 11 on my layout that need servicing, so debating paying an expert $20/pop, or doing it myself. I'm working full time right now, so time is at a premium in my life. Thoughts?

Kevin   It's easy and youtube is your friend.  With 11 once you do the first couple and get familiar with the procedure the rest should go quickly.   Fendermain

Fendermain posted:

CoastsideKevin posted:

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

How hard is it to service these winches? I have 11 on my layout that need servicing, so debating paying an expert $20/pop, or doing it myself. I'm working full time right now, so time is at a premium in my life. Thoughts?

Kevin   It's easy and youtube is your friend.  With 11 once you do the first couple and get familiar with the procedure the rest should go quickly.   Fendermain

Good to know, thanks. 

Made good progress on the layout today - videos coming soon!

Postwar trains passing in the night. 

My 1st Lionel PostWar train......last December on the modular layout....

Peter

My grandson 3 months old. Starting him early with GG1!

Leroof posted:

Hey Fendermain! you had a real 57 Custom black beauty with three PAF's, very cool. My 54 black beauty with alnicos and P 90 was a Heavy weight, rib bruiser.  I preferred early the feather weight  LP jrs with my marshall 1930. I  don't have any vintage stuff left, but spanking a blackguard tele was an amazing time. Keif wouldn't have fended off a over zealous fan with a burst! No, I haven't seen that footage, was it with the 59 black guard?  

Playing with PW lionel stuff is a different kind of fun. Looking forward to playing with the new old layout again. Great chillin with you here. Have a good one Fendermain.

 

So many of us share interests. I play Charvels and Kramer’s from 1987. My amp is a 1974 Marshall superlead mode by Dave Friedman played through a 1971 Marshall cab. I play every Sunday morning at church. 

I’m building a 12x25 shelf layout with pw diesels and scale rolling stock. I’ll get some pictures up by Saturday.

Fendermain, Maybe a Cathedral! Superlead =100 watts of crunch possibly with 4X 12 cab,

could possibly  be some floydrose overdrive ecstasy and fretboard tapping!

Hi there Guitarmike,  glad you get to play ever Sunday.

Also, send photos  when you can, we dig shelf layouts.

thanks.

leroof

Guitarmike..Leroof..tried to do an edit from an old tablet=bad juju.  Anyway, Superlead mega cool and mega loud..need big spaces for those. I had a Marshall 1987x but it was too much for my hearing impaired  self. Low wattage for me now.  Guitarmike we look forward to your pics.     Fendermain

This one is for Pennsylania Railroad lovers: Postwar 681 turbine hauling coal and logs:

Fendermain posted:

MTN posted:

Fendermain posted:

Leroof posted:

Fendermain, hey put down that computer and riff, the telle is waiting! Lol.

crank it!

Leroof   No tele time yet..cleaned and lubed 022 switches.  Now it's time for some EL 84 fun.  Fendermain

EL84 fun - now we’re talking! I’m an accumulator of tubes (Dynakit/Dynaco MK IV amps, my son has a Fender Blues Jr amp) - he’s using different EL84s he’s been gifted (Mullard, GE, RCA, Tungsram) and a nice RCA 7025 for the preamp section.

As for postwar my AMT/KMT collection and Lionel trains are tucked away in tubs - I’ll dig some out to put under one of our Christmas trees.

MTN  Time to open the tubs and have at it. Nice that your son has the Blues Jr.--they are very popular.  I have often thought about the Dynacos and their brethren but don't know enough to take the plunge. Haven't found any vintage EL 84s for my amps powered as such but have had good luck with Brimar, Hytron and RCA for 6v6 amps.   Fendermain

I have NOS EL84s from Amperex/Philips versions from Holland, Canada, France and a few I’ve probably forgotten, Mullard, Brimar, RCA, GE, Sylvania, Tung-Sol, Westinghouse, Matsush*ta, Telam, Siemens, and EI stockpiled (lots still out there, the hunt never ends). My sons amp can get flavored in a number of different ways.

Dynaco amps are great because you get any parts you need for them - Sunn used the MK-III 60 watt mono amp in their early amps. I have a Maxi digital tester for power tubes and a B&K 747B for preamp tubes and can handle repair work on the Dyna amps - there’s a good Dyna forum that has several folks who are good at diagnosing problems.

As for trains, I’m a pretty good Lionel and Flyer repairman - been awhile since I’ve done any O gauge repairs. I pull postwar out for a Christmas floor layout - I try running trains my dad bought back in the 50s and 60s.

I can't believe how many of us on this Forum are into guitars, amps and O Gauge trains!

I have a Martin classical nylon string with a pick up installed (I think Willie Nelson did the same thing) and a Guild acoustic steel string, but no electric guitars.

Wouldn't it be nice for us train and music lovers to someday get together with Neil Young?

MTN  Sounds like you are a tube meister.  How do you source them? Last time I bought NOS was from a dealer... KCA I believe.  I had a Sunn Solarus back in the day...60 watts EL34 as I recall...don't know if it was MK-III powered.

Have fun with the PW trains.     Fendermain

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I can't believe how many of us on this Forum are into guitars, amps and O Gauge trains!

I have a Martin classical nylon string with a pick up installed (I think Willie Nelson did the same thing) and a Guild acoustic steel string, but no electric guitars.

Wouldn't it be nice for us train and music lovers to someday get together with Neil Young?

Arnold you might what to spice things up like Bob Dylan and add some electric action. "Muddy Waters invented electricity."  A+++++ on the Neil Young thing.      Fendermain

Fendermain posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I can't believe how many of us on this Forum are into guitars, amps and O Gauge trains!

I have a Martin classical nylon string with a pick up installed (I think Willie Nelson did the same thing) and a Guild acoustic steel string, but no electric guitars.

Wouldn't it be nice for us train and music lovers to someday get together with Neil Young?

Arnold you might what to spice things up like Bob Dylan and add some electric action. "Muddy Waters invented electricity."  A+++++ on the Neil Young thing.      Fendermain

One of my favorite Rock and Roll electric guitarists is Robbie Krieger of The Doors. He could also do flamenco (Spanish Caravan). Last year I posted a train video on this Forum with LA Woman playing in the background.

Fendermain posted:

MTN  Sounds like you are a tube meister.  How do you source them? Last time I bought NOS was from a dealer... KCA I believe.  I had a Sunn Solarus back in the day...60 watts EL34 as I recall...don't know if it was MK-III powered.

Have fun with the PW trains.     Fendermain

Auctions, estate sales, word of mouth - I’ve done a lot of research and know how to identity tubes (brand name printed on a tube doesn’t ensure that they made the tube) - as a hobby goes it’s taken a lot of work to get where I am.

Sharing a bit of Thanksgiving postwar train joy with my kiddos. Have a great day, everyone. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Postwar style!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.    Fendermain

Aren't the O Gauge 022 switch tracks with fixed voltage plugs the greatest?

What do you think of them?

I know they don't look realistic, but that doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I much prefer their toy-like appearance to the real thing.

They are rugged, reliable, easy to fix (which is seldom necessary) and I love the lights, non-derailing feature, fixed voltage plug  and controllers.

At the moment, this video shows what I'm most excited about on my mostly Postwar layout. Getting the Postwar Double Track Signal Bridge and Operating Switch Tower to work flawlessly:

Arnold, Do you use insulated track sections to activate accessories?

I've always the thought the 445 switch tower was one of the easier ones because they marked the electrical connections 1-2-3. At least they used to on the older PW versions. 1 and 3 (either way) are hot and common and 2 goes to the insulated side of the track piece. Then again, there’s also the mechanical aspects of the tower and getting them to work. I’ve been lucky as my old 445 has been one of my most reliable PW accessories.

John, I use the weight bearing triggering device for the switch tower and signal bridge.

I use insulated track sections for the crossing gates in other videos I have posted.

The insulated track sections are better IMO.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Aren't the O Gauge 022 switch tracks with fixed voltage plugs the greatest?

What do you think of them?

I know they don't look realistic, but that doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I much prefer their toy-like appearance to the real thing.

They are rugged, reliable, easy to fix (which is seldom necessary) and I love the lights, non-derailing feature, fixed voltage plug  and controllers.

On my layout, the O22 switch tracks are powered using the fixed voltage plug.  However, I discovered that running Lionchief Plus locos, where the track power must be kept at 18 volts, the fixed voltage plugs may not be necessary.  

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

John, I use the weight bearing triggering device for the switch tower and signal bridge.

I use insulated track sections for the crossing gates in other videos I have posted.

The insulated track sections are better IMO.

 

You have more patience than I as I always found those pressure devices to be sort of a pain to use.

I use insulated track sections (and a few relays) for all my accessories, signals, etc. Solder the wire right on to the track for a solid connection.

johnstrains posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

John, I use the weight bearing triggering device for the switch tower and signal bridge.

I use insulated track sections for the crossing gates in other videos I have posted.

The insulated track sections are better IMO.

 

You have more patience than I as I always found those pressure devices to be sort of a pain to use.

I use insulated track sections (and a few relays) for all my accessories, signals, etc. Solder the wire right on to the track for a solid connection.

Agreed, John, it's a form of masochism on my part.

Amazed by my 1615 switcher. Here it is pulling some heavy PW operating cars. 

Next step is wiring my freshly serviced 022s to constant voltage. Any tips on best way to attach the drop wires to the main power wire? Splice? Solder? Wire nuts? Going to run 18ga wire from the transformer in a loop and not sure how best to tap in at each switch. 

Thanks!

I was in a Postwar State of Mind, as well as a "New York State of Mind" (Billy Joel song), last night.

Passenger and freight trains led by 681 Turbine and 646 Hudson:

Arnold

I hope it's ok to revive one of my favorite threads from last year.  I acquired this 2046 steamer this year...I believe it's from 1951.  Good year!!!  Pulling some early postwar cars.  

Fendermain

Fendermain, I received a crate full of postwar stuff a colleague's childhood trains, all postwar and worn!  But I like to fix and renovate stuff.  A 2046 is one of the items that will go to the bench for rehab.

I had to air out the stuff and it had been in a garage since the early seventies un run in this crate. 

As it was raining and I couldn't bring it in due to mold allergies in my wife and daughter I had to keep it out until I did a remedial de molding process.

a couple more photos to come.

This Ought to keep me busy there's a lot to renovate (and besides I didn't get the B-15n but I lucked out with this cool free stuff).

Leroof

Leroof.  Good going.  It's very rewarding to bring these treasures back to life.  My 2046 is a good runner...looking foreward to updates.  

Fendermain

Leroof posted:

This Ought to keep me busy there's a lot to renovate (and besides I didn't get the B-15n but I lucked out with this cool free stuff).

Leroof

Leroof,  It's hard to beat free. Rock the rocket..life is good my friend.

Fendermain