Hi is there anywhere else to get these jewls besides eBay? If so please comment![:D][?]
Most decent hobbyshops take them as trade-ins on newer stuff. I picked up two Mikes at a good price, then reworked them mechanically and cosmetically.
Wayne
Thank you Doc! Where did you get those? Could you put up some more pics of these engines?[:D]
Just a quick warning.
Those genesis Mikes & Pacifics have a gear issue. Apparently it cracks easily, causing the teeth to slip… causing the loco not to run.
Are aftermarket replacements available from anybody like NWSL? Or are they some oddball size that leaves you SOL?
Check with Athearn. I believe they actually have some replacement drivers now. NWSL has the gears too, only $10, but not the easiest install around.
Im going to add another condition…
1- They run BEAUTOFULLY smooth.
2- They can barely pull a caboose on level and hardly move itself upgrade, even the natural tilt of a home is enough to bog it down.
I purchased the first two when Athearn first introduced them: nice running locos, but they had trouble moving their own shadow. When I learned how to boost their tractive effort, I bought two used ones from the LHS in St. Catharines, Ontario, for less than $100.00 each. Both were B&O, with high headlights, which I moved, and footboard pilots, which I kept.
I’ve not had an issue with cracked gears, yet. The four that I have are modified to pull a heavy (100 oz.) coal train on my layout. A pair will move the 12 loaded hoppers, plus a caboose, up a curving 2.5% grade, which is the job for which I bought them.
Wayne
Everyone, Thanks for the tips!! Doc, again thank-you for the pics![:D]
Beautiful Pics Doc!
Thank you for the kind words.
Wayne
| Your Railroad is soo beautiful, I think I’am going to faint!![bow] |
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Once again, thank you.
Wayne
I went to Zealot Hobby Fourms and saw your Layout! It’s soo beautiful! Now, I have two questions. 1. Could you post your layout desgin. 2. What is the size of your layout? |
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Now |
I’m sorry, but I don’t have a trackplan. In fact, after I lost part of the proposed layout area to other family considerations, I built the current layout without a formal plan: just a few ideas in my pointed little head and a couple of sketches.
Wayne
| What is your roster of Engines[?][swg] |
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I’m sorry, but I don’t have a trackplan. In fact, after I lost part of the proposed layout area to other family considerations, I built the current layout without a formal plan: just a few ideas in my pointed little head and a couple of sketches. Here’s a crude drawing of the layout room, which is about 560 sq. ft. in area. Click on the drawing to enlarge it.
Boffo stuff, Wayne. Your layout should be written up for “Great Model Railroads” or “Model Railroad Planning”. It’s one of the finest examples of a free-lance railroad I’ve seen. As far as I’m concerned, it rates right up there with the Utah Belt and Virginian & Ohio.
And why haven’t you written up some of your kitbashing projects for publication? I especially like your kitbashed passenger cars.
Andre
P.S. I just added a folder for links to your work as they come available.
Thanks so much, Andre, not only for the kind remarks, but also for taking the time to view some of the links.
As for my roster of locos, a pretty eclectic mix. I’ve got the four Athearn Mikes, plus 4 Bachmann Consolidations, an IHC Mogul, and another re-motored brass 2-6-0. There’s also a kitbashed gas electric, a re-built Proto USRA 0-8-0, and a reworked Bachmann Mountain. In the shops for major rebuilding are 3 more Bachmann 2-8-0s, one for another Grand Valley loco, one to be made into a CNR N-2-b and the other for a TH&B loco. Also two Bachmann 10-Wheelers that I’m modernising with piston valves and new cabs, a Bachmann 2-6-6-2, and an old John English Pacific. I also have some diesels, for those times that I feel like running my layout as a mid-50s era. Four Modelpower FAs, with two more rebuilt as an FPA/FPB-4 pair, a Model Power E8A, and kitbashed E7B, an Atlas RS-3, an S-4, and a pair of RS-11s. In addition to these, there’s an Athearn SW re-built as an NW-2, and another four as SW1200RSs. The last five, plus the brass Mogul have all been remotored with can motors. In all, way too many locos for such a small layout, but I find it very difficult to part with any of them, especially after putting so much work into them. [swg]
Wayne
That’s a lot of engines!
| Could you post pics of the 2-8-0’s and the 0-8-0? |
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