At what point is enough, enough when working on a project? Case in point- my parents got me a model power HO scale flat car with a search light for Christmas- http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/miqjEp4WCURujOZP6_3TMQg.jpg and it’s given me trouble ever since December 25th.
The problem began with the wheel flanges that were too high and picked frogs/switch points. It took an afternoon and they were ground down. This did not help. New wheels were in order, which also meant new trucks. This also meant connecting the wires for the search light to the new trucks. Not to mention the old incorrect flanged wheel trucks had truck mounted couplers, so coupler boxes/new couplers had to be installed. Another afternoon gone…
The breaking point came when I got it all put back together and the new trucks (kadee) would not sit properly on the track, and working on it further meant re locating the wires for the search light on the trucks (likely another afternoon) and that’s not even taking into account the car actually working.
At this point I’ve got at least 3 days of afternoons invested in what can best be described as a toy and not a model. I’ve given up on trying to make it operational at this point, and am frustrated that I put in as much effort as I did to try to make it work to begin with.
You probably could have gotten away with just putting new wheels on the old trucks, cutting off the coupler pocket and body mounting Kadees, Probably using up almost one hour.
I’d get it to the point where it would run on your tracks, and then tell your parents you think the bulb burned out, and since Model Power went out of business, you are still looking around for another one.
I’ve got a searchlight car, from the 1950s. It works, other than the horn-hook couplers. But it’s in a box under my layout and I doubt that it will ever work its way to the top of my to-do list.
That my friend is why you shouldn’t let other people buy you trains. Better to have them give you money so you can choose the right ones yourself and save everyone a lot of headache!
When enough is enough is a personal descision that only you can make. How much time and money are you willing to invest in what your doing is different for each of us. I think we all have our albatross.
Mine is an Athearn blue box GP38 that I have had for a really long time. I have put grabs on it, new handrails, marker lights, number boards, lift rings, new fans and grills, working lights, sound, custom paint and decals, and a host of other upgrades. I would be willing to bet I have ~$300 in upgrades on a loco that I bought for somthing like $35.
It still doesn’t run all that great, but I would never get rid of it for any reason.
Model Railroad gifts from family are precious. It’s a sign that your hobby is accepted, even if not well understood. I have several gifts from family and friends over the years - most of which will never fit on any layout. But I treasure and keep them - perhaps one day to be part of a diorama.
I suggest you put the car aside for now. Later when you’re not frustrated, come back to it. You may see ways to make it operational that are not apparent now.
Since the car was a gift I would have parked it on a dummy storage track by the engine house and that would be the end of any issues.
Everybody is happy.
A dummy storage track is a piece of flex track that has no visible switch but,looks like it longer then it is by hiding it behind the engine house suggesting the switch is out of view.
As others have suggested, I’d just put it away for now. You may or may not develop an interest in finishing the upgrade in the future but it can’t hurt anything just sitting there.
What I would do is engage your parents in a discussion of the hobby to convey to them the message that it would be much better if they were to allow you to choose your rolling stock. They can still buy stuff for you. Just give them a small list of what you would really like and where to get it, and let them suprise you.
You should also explain to them the challenges you have had trying to bring the car up to speed. That will give them a bit of an understanding that all model railroad stuff is not the same. If you don’t do that you run the risk of them buying you something else that doesn’t fit your needs/desires in the future. I’m pretty sure they won’t be offended.
A while ago friends of ours dragged an ancient box of toy train stuff out of their basement and asked me what I thought it was worth. I think they were hoping I would offer them some fabulous sum of money for their collection. I had to break the news to them that the most valuable part of the collection was likely the cardboard box they were piled into. We’re still friends[swg][(-D].
I was trying to think of some examples of the search light cars actually being put to use. Other than WWII in Great Britain and Germany when they were used to spot bombers, the only uses I could think of were for special events like election rallies or maybe when the circus came to town. They were probably on standby during the Cold War too.
The topic of search light railroad cars came up once before. This was the only picture that could be found at the time of an actual search light on rails …
Your parents meant well but they did not know what to shop for. Maybe if it’s feasible offer to take them to a train show a day let them.watch as you shop. At least it will be a fun day out.
The only search light cars I have seen are Lionel. I have one on display.
Finally you could do what I did when relations bring me stuff I can’t use it goes on display. If they come they see it. “Well I am not running that today” seems to work.
This is pretty much your call. Because it was gift, you may need to keep it in its’ original configuration. However with how people immediately exchange gifts now-a-days for something THEY like better, maybe there isn’t quite the guilt associated with exchanging/changing gifts
