The Next 8 Feet

As things have gotten back to normal after the Holidays I have turned my attention to the next 8 feet of railroad needing completion. After months of toying with so many different building placements and ideas for this 8 foot by 1 foot area along the back wall  just beyond the highway overpass I have finally moved forward. Scenery is being installed and buildings are now dedicated to their sites. A second highway overpass that will be about eight feet from the one above is being built and some other scenery elements are being worked in as well. Work began yesterday, January 16th 2012, and progress has been slow but steady. Updates and pictures will be posted to show improvements to this area.

Drawbar equipped Athearn F7s

Here are some photos of an easy to project that swapped out traditional couplers for a draw bar between Athearn F7 A units. Start by removing the old coupler assembly. Locate the mounting hole on coupler mounting ad and drill this hole all the way through. A note of caution here is that you should either remove the motor and trucks or at least cover them well so the metal shavings do not get into the gears. Using a piece of plastic from my scrap box I attached one side to #210 with a 2-56 screw. On #215 I installed a 2-56 screw with just enough protruding from the bottom of the coupler pad to hook the draw bar. When assembled the units are close coupled and the plastic draw bar insulates the units to eliminate any potential electrical shorts.

A-B-B-A Lash UP of NYC FTs

The Pacemaker Freight train has left Terminal Yard behind an A-B-B-a lash up of EMD FTs. 

ATSF 3500 Help for a fellow modeler

The following pictures are posted to help a fellow modeler convert an old Life Like GP38 from talgo couples to body mounted couplers.

More Southern Railway Photos

Southern Railway #1078

Coal Drag climbs out of Empire City

A Pennsylvania Alco A-B-A lash up heads up a forty plus car coal drag climbing out of Empire City. Long trains, steep grades and curved tracks at top and bottom of grade put these locos and cars to the test. This is where good practices and keeping to model railroading standards really pays off. Any out of gauge wheels, misaligned couplers, vertical coupler box play and poor performing engines will make themselves known in a hurry.