WHAT TRAINS DID YOU RUN TODAY?

I ran my Amtrak Acela sets on the South Fork Railroad.

Been running two pair of 2 trains on 1 track for a total of 5 trains.  Relays are back up and working well but not needed in video as the the speeds were matched well.

Charlie

Funny thing, it makes me anxious to run more than 1 train at a time on my layout even though I have 2 independently powered interconnected main loops so 2 trains running simultaneously should not collide unless I do something very stupid, which occasionally happens. LOL.

To see as many as 5 trains running on someone else's layout also makes me anxious even though I have no skin in the game because none of the trains are mine. Maybe subconsciously they looks like snakes in a snake pit to me? LOL.

Here a video showing the 2 trains on 1 track running much slower and showing the relays in action.  Slow running is now possible with the NO Ox on the rails and wheels.

Charlie

Hey @Choo Choo Charlie.....

The perspective of your video is very interesting! Where you on a ladder; videoing your layout in action? It's pretty cool.

Junior

Yes I was about 4 ft up, standing on a 6 ft ladder.  I was used to seeing and photo'ing  my layout on the floor for over thirty years.  I now found it is easier to just stand on my recliner seat that is just a fewer feet back for videos now.  Maybe I will record one from my eye level standing at the control panels.

Charlie

Had a problem with the valve gear of a 2-6-2 older Lionel 2025 hitting the lift along the rail to trip the giraffe cars arm that triggers the giraffe to duck.  I had to move the lift away from the rail and then the arms on the giraffe cars would not stick out far enough to work.  I then pried the metal sleeve to stick out more and this fixed the problem.  Funny the other 2025 and other 2035 never had this problem.

Charlie

• @Choo Choo Charlie.....

Lionel's Giraffe cars are one of the most animated freight cars they've ever developed....I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! Especially when a whole string of them are run together....the action they provide are just too much for me to handle! I immediately smile every time I see a whole line of them with their heads bobbing.

I was hoping you posted a video....and you did. Made MY day!

Today I ran predominantly postwar steamers; a 682, 2046, 1656, and a 623 - listed from the outer to inner track. This temporary layout is in an apartment, for now, but I am thankful for some space to let these locomotives stretch their wheels a bit.

@W&W posted:

I ran my Amtrak Acela sets on the South Fork Railroad.

I had hoped someone would eventually give us a comparison shot! Thanks.

Reminds me of this shot of lucky 2023.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54690684@N07/6346546807

I ran four locomotives this evening.

First, I tested Central Railroad of New Jersey USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher #107 – model by Atlas O. The sound and tether have been somewhat problematic recently but are normal on the O-72 outer loop of my 12’-by-8’ layout going straight through the Atlas O-72 switches.

Second, I ran New York Central GP-9 #6001 – model by MTH. That engine, like all my PS3s runs smoothly and without any problems.

Next, I ran Long Island Rail Road G5s 4-6-0 #21 – with Dashing Dan Cannonball passenger cars and Boston & Maine ALCO S-2 #1274 pulling freight – both models by MTH. I especially like the steam sounds of #21 when running fast, and that’s how I usually run it. See video.

MELGAR

Mel, I had similar problems with the tether on my Atlas NH 0-6-0 on my O-42 curves.  I ended up damaging the tether while trying to unplug it, so I had the engine converted to PS3.

The tether plugs on my MTH steamers equipped with the “wireless” tether also became loose after a period of operation.  Like the Atlas, the loss of sound indicated the plug was loose, even though they continued to run.

On the advice of my good friend, Ed, I tied the tether plug to the tender drawbar with a black twist tie to hold the plug in place.  This solved the problem with my MTH engines; I suggest you see if you can secure the tether on your Atlas in a similar way.  Let me know if you have any luck!

John

This is what I'm currently running.

Gary: First time I’ve watched one of your videos and it was great! What you had done to that MTH L4 Mohawk is awesome. What a nice looking and sounding locomotive. Well done. 👍

Here is what I ran:

A petite powerhouse:

That's an MTH Railking Proto 3 Philadelphia Bethlehem and New England SW 1 diesel switcher. Arnold

Listen for the whistle and see the train in the distance across the river:

That's an MTH Proto 3 Long Island steam switcher hauling oil tankers. Arnold

Here's a Union Pacific 4-6-2 Pacific pulling a 1950s freight train.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Here's a Union Pacific 4-6-2 Pacific pulling a 1950s freight train.

Very nice, Vern, beautiful trains and winter-theme layout. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Very nice, Vern, beautiful trains and winter-theme layout. Arnold

Thank you, Arnold. It started out as a Polar Express Christmas layout. Then the wife and I expanded it and it’s been up and running for over 10 years now. 😳  I like your layout, too. 👍

It’s Daylight on the track with my favorite SP engines.

Wow, what beautiful passenger and freight  trains are on this fun to review forum, thanks for posting some of your favorite trains. As a little boy in Flora Illinois, everyday at noon the B&O passenger train would pass through and head towards Vincennes Indiana. I rode my bike to the station at noon almost everyday, it was such a beautiful train to me. @@Yellowstone, wow, nice freight train and beautiful layout, @WinstonB that’s a beautiful Southern Pacific passenger train video, a Wow. Happy Railroading Everyone

My latest acquisition that I bought from a local train buddy:

That's an MTH Proto 2 B&O Hudson with 2 K-Line 15 inch passenger cars. They run well on my 031 curves and 022 switches. Arnold

My newly acquired PRR Q2.

.                                          MTH Premier ps3 vo 1000. Run strong & steady !

Thanks to all who recently posted really great videos. Watching them continue to inspire me to keep moving forward on my layout!

@gunrunnerjohn....your Q2 is absolutely gorgeous! Is it all original or did you "perform your magic" and add some upgrades to it?

UP Heritage SD70ACe s' lashed up pulling a new load of Norscott 1:48 Scale equipment from the CAT Factory,

I captured this video and also used it on the Friday Front End Friday thread.

@Junior posted:

@gunrunnerjohn....your Q2 is absolutely gorgeous! Is it all original or did you "perform your magic" and add some upgrades to it?

It's currently "original", actually slightly less than original.  The 5V PS/2 board had croaked when I got it, which is why I got a good price.  However, the original board is a "special" board with FLASH for extra code to support the articulated chuff, and I didn't have one of those.  That being the case, I just stuck a regular 5V board into it to give it a run after cleaning it up, putting traction tires on it, and a little cleaning and lube.  I'm going to pull that board out and use a 3V board that does support the articulated chuff.  I have the 3V board on the bench all loaded up with the Q2 sound file, and I just changed out the 3V connectors for the 5V connectors to allow me to install it.  Since the board is in the locomotive, it's a bit trickier than some installs.

While it's open, I'll also add a pickup roller to the tender.  Even though it's a large locomotive, it has two fairly closely spaced rollers, so a reliability improvement will be an additional roller on the tender.  I think I'll also give it an amber LED headlight as well, they look much better and brighter than the 6V incandescent bulbs.

You never cease to amaze @gunrunnerjohn !

@Wood posted:

UP Heritage SD70ACe s' lashed up pulling a new load of Norscott 1:48 Scale equipment from the CAT Factory,

I captured this video and also used it on the Friday Front End Friday thread.

Hey @Wood...

When I read "Cat" I immediately thought kitty cat 😁!

I love the flat car loads...looks the rail cars might be at their load limit!

And it appears you're a tubular track guy. I am as well. I've made a huge investment in tubular track that it pains me to even think about going to fast track or any other track system. Although all my turnouts are Lionel 072 with a smidgen of 031 used only on sidings.

Thanks for the great video!

@Junior posted:

Hey @Wood...

When I read "Cat" I immediately thought kitty cat 😁!

I love the flat car loads...looks the rail cars might be at their load limit!

And it appears you're a tubular track guy. I am as well. I've made a huge investment in tubular track that it pains me to even think about going to fast track or any other track system. Although all my turnouts are Lionel 072 with a smidgen of 031 used only on sidings.

Thanks for the great video!

@Junior

Yes we have kitty cats. They jump on the table.  Haha.

The value to Norscott products is they are true 1:48. I hate all of the tractors by MTH and Lionel. They're pint size.

Tubular tract. Yup, same story, I had a lot of O27 profile track with O42 curves. My layout is medium sized 17' by 20' and I'm a track junkie. Every siding and mainline connects to the whole layout.

I like the O27 profile because it is low in height, not like Lionel O gauge. I weathered by painting the track.  Added ties and think it looks good. Used Gargraves O42 switches. Tubular has the best conductivity. No dead spots.

We all make choices based on inventory, replacement cost and reliability. I'm ok with my choice the trains run flawlessly.

Thanks for your kind words.

"I like the O27 profile because it is low in height, not like Lionel O gauge. I weathered by painting the track.  Added ties and think it looks good. Used Gargraves O42 switches. Tubular has the best conductivity. No dead spots.

We all make choices based on inventory, replacement cost and reliability. I'm ok with my choice the trains run flawlessly."

I agree Wood.

Check out:  About | WarrenVille RailRoad ,if you have not already, all O27 height track

Ran a coal train with my weathered H10.

How about putting a dinosaur costume on a cat, then you can have a living, breathing O Scale Godzilla on the layout.

MTH PS3 NY Central F3 A & B units hauling a beautiful set (IMO) of Williams NY Central passenger cars I bought from a LHS yesterday:

Arnold

Finished a lengthy project, CLC CFA and CFB units. Out for the inaugural run.

https://youtu.be/ay_lrW3XGbQ

Nice job Daniel.  I assume from your conversation you have been working on this for a while.  I'm interested in rebuilds and restorations. I'll search for your previous posts and try to see what you have done.

@midnightwrecking posted:

Finished a lengthy project, CLC CFA and CFB units. Out for the inaugural run.

https://youtu.be/ay_lrW3XGbQ

What a gorgeous locomotive, similar coloring to the Maine Central.

My first MTH PS2 locomotive: a Railking Pennsy Bantam Turbine hauling MTH Railking Pennsy aluminum looking passenger cars:

Not sure if it's a 5 volt or 3 volt PS2. I know the 5 volt can be problematic.

I'm almost sure I replaced the battery with a BCR, so I thinks it's in good shape.

It has performed perfectly since I bought it many years ago. It's one of my favorite engines. Arnold