Re: Today’s S Scale project
Rich,
thanks. I was leaning on two singles. I have some in inventory, I think. The also take me back to my narrow gauge days.?
--
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
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It is not exactly impulse buying, but I suspect most people think in terms of specifics.? It is hard for most folks to narrow down their wants.? Perhaps because of my advanced age (the same as yours, but I am still buying while you are selling), I generally
have a short list of desiderata in both S and O scale, that Overland Alco switcher being on the former.? Although I started late in S, I've made up for lost time and now have almost everything I really want from what is available (S scale is limited in the
latter, so that makes things easier—one of the reasons I left HO for O scale forty-some years ago was that there was just too much I liked that could be had in HO).
At this point whether I buy something more mostly has to do with seeing it (as with your photos) with a price I can't resist (usually not the case with your listings), as my mindset from a lifetime of being mostly poor is to look at the pricetag first.? Not
how everyone thinks, of course.
People often don't realize they want something until they actually see it, which was the advantage of bricks-and-mortar hobby shops back when those were common.
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On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 09:55 AM, JGG KahnSr wrote:
it should be worth someone's while to make Ed smile.
Thanks for the favorable comment, Jace.? I like smiling and have been doing a lot of it recently.? ?Must be the Christmas season or similar, but the orders have been coming in faster than normal these past two weeks.
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Humans are a funny bunch.? I can say "Tell me what you want" and nobody writes to me.? I can post a photo of an ALCO S-2 switcher and the entire world makes darn good offers.? I do not understand why nobody ever asked me if I had an S-2 for sale.? Would
have saved both of us time and effort.? Humans are illogical at times.? They all make me smile -- especially the S guys.
?
Tell me what you want and avoid the Christmas rush -- New Year's rush also.? Why is it nobody ever wants anything until AFTER I post a photo and make an announcement?? Humans are just human, I guess.??
?
Cheerfully.........Ed L .
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Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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Re: What did I just get into!
The truck is likely as you say, Nimco but the wheels aren't
Nimco.? The wheels unlike the Pullman truck don't require fiber
bolsters--just turned wheels so I'll stick with SSL&S label
for those!
So that little problem was solved by AM's six wheeled trucks--now
mounted, it runs almost too good and without clearance issues.?
Attached are a couple of photos from last night.? I probably
don't go back that far and certainly didn't have the resources to
buy or build those old cars but... it clearly shows the modeling
that was applied to this spliced guy. All different but the result
was certainly good--wonder who the craftsman might have been?
I did chemically removed all the lettering and of course that
will require a light over spray of Pullman green.? The photo shows
the staples used as grabs and stirrups that still stick up through
the floor and even the sides.? you can also see the
Duco/Ambroid/?? used to hold things together.? Also of note, the
builder made up under-body boxes but made them narrow, as their is
room behind them--and a AB brake cyclinder was used but now we
have brass replacement for those things so I can replace those
things.? With the removing of the lead trucks the car has now
become considerably too light, so I'll probably get a postage
scale out to add some additional weight.? I also noticed that the
solid wooden floor is thinner than the NE stuff I've been using in
the past.? The builder also used a chunk of common 2x2 in the
center, probably to keep the splices from breaking.? I might
consider adding something additional to help with that along with
that additional weight. ?
The most obvious uniqueness is that the sides are brass but
silver inside.? The Super Scale cars I've seen have lead poured in
them, but this is just impressed rivets on the sides!? Again I
have no history of that!
Now if I overspray the sides, replace the decals, I've then got
to add the window glass, I'm hoping then I can replace the sides
without messing up the tight fit!? It appears that the builder
might have used some body putty as seams are not visible--a real
chore for most (myself included)
For now!
Bob Werre
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I suspect your passenger car came from the same source as the
other spliced AF coaches I got from you.? Two of those had Nimco
white-metal six wheel trucks (one high-rail sintered iron
wheels, the other scale brass wheels insulated like the old
Millers), so I expect those are also Nimco.
But definitely not SSL&S, as those were cast brass with a
fibre bolster.
In the sale of used S train items (BBB),
sometimes I find something I really-really need, but
generally I can pass on most.? However, sometimes it's just
'a little something' that catches my eye, my desires though
seldom my needs.
I had listed some heavy weight New Haven
style cars that didn't receive much attention, so they just
got shipped from box to box but zero forever homes.? Then I
had a large sale but even then, these cars were passed up.?
One car sort of stuck out from the rest and it sort of
follows some usefulness for the layout.? It's a spliced
(maybe 3 sections) from the AF New Haven cars--good splice,
good paint & a fair attempt at under-body, so I gathered
it under my wing.? The decals weren't done correctly, and
there was no road name announced on the sides (actually
that's plus for my use).? I thought maybe a couple of hours
in the shops and I could send it out for some trial running!
But just like the plumber's estimate, your
car guy or the new couch--ouch $$!? It was a full baggage
car but some of the windows were punched in while the others
were so foggy they appeared to have been on a siding for 30
years!? A quick look indicated that the car was sealed on
all sides and floor.? Okay now a surgeon is required to
remove the skin of the sides--they were punched with fairly
nice rivet belts.? Luckily a #11 blade was able to pop open
the side without any creases.? The glue might be some
yellowish Duco looking cement with reasonable strength.?
Next I devoted some time to the trucks and
couplers!? Couplers were easy--none were present.? Trucks
were unpainted soft-metal six wheeled Pullman looking.? Six
axles were all scale and might be SSL&S??.? The trucks
were mounted with wood screws from two sources so I decided
I'd do an upgrade on them.? I then tried a ancient pair of
solid brass
that Jack Troxell had worked on--he totally rebuilt the
journal area taking a solid truck and creating equalizing
abilities that is a work of art...but they really didn't work
for me.? I then put on the AM six wheeled delrin truck with
NWSL wheels and Kadee 802' on the end.? At first blush, I need
to add a thin washer on one truck for coupler height.
As the side was removed, I noticed that the side and end
steps were made from flat metal material--steel I think.? As
they penetrated the floor they were spike-like--I think
they're heavy duty staples the type used on heavy cardboard
boxes.? A wonderful use BTW.? The bends are factory,
repeatable and very sturdy.? Stay tuned!
Bob Werre
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On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 09:55 AM, JGG KahnSr wrote:
it should be worth someone's while to make Ed smile.
Thanks for the favorable comment, Jace.? I like smiling and have been doing a lot of it recently.? ?Must be the Christmas season or similar, but the orders have been coming in faster than normal these past two weeks.
?
Humans are a funny bunch.? I can say "Tell me what you want" and nobody writes to me.? I can post a photo of an ALCO S-2 switcher and the entire world makes darn good offers.? I do not understand why nobody ever asked me if I had an S-2 for sale.? Would have saved both of us time and effort.? Humans are illogical at times.? They all make me smile -- especially the S guys.
?
Tell me what you want and avoid the Christmas rush -- New Year's rush also.? Why is it nobody ever wants anything until AFTER I post a photo and make an announcement?? Humans are just human, I guess.??
?
Cheerfully.........Ed L .
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 09:49 AM, JGG KahnSr wrote:
Could be these were NWSL replacements, although presumably not for SHS diesels,
To the best of my knowledge, they are upgrade wheels for AM ALCO PA/PB diesels.? ?I have no recollection of buying extra wheels for any SHS engine.? Anything beyond that is speculation.? ?The photos show you what you will get if you cough up some money.
?
"S"miles.........Ed L.
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Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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Looking again at the journals, I can see they are D, so almost certainly AM; initially I had noted only the flat side of the journal and wrongly assumed square.? The nylon journals are unknown to me, as none of the AM (and surely not the SHS) diesels I own
have them.? Could be PA-- or E's--as I've never had any of those.
Even if not NWSL, AM is charging quite a bit for their replacements, so it should be worth someone's while to make Ed smile.
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Hi Jace....
?
The wheels are diesel diameter.? I believe 40 scale inches.? ?With calipers,? .622 actual inches.? Doing the math,? 64 x .622" = 39.8 scale inches.? Close enough?
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The more I look at these, the more convinced I become that they are all upgrade wheels for American Models ALCO PA/PB diesels.? I bought them a long time ago and never got around to installing them.? Check the bearing types/sizes to make sure they will
fit your engine.? Might also work for other AM diesels, but I cannot guarantee that.? Do all AM diesels use the same wheels?? I dunno......
?
And the next question is...................??? ?How much to make me smile??
?
I smiled when other similar wheels sold for $10 per axle to a well-known S modeler in the Chicago area.? That is the only data point I have for these wheels.? I have no other information.? Make your
BEST reasonable offer up front and see what happens.
?
Loizeaux? aht? SBC // Global daht?
net
?
"S"incerely..........Ed Loizeaux
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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AM diesel drives had three different wheelset journals: round, "D", and square (and were not interchangeable).
Could be these were NWSL replacements, although presumably not for SHS diesels, as those had delrin gears cut on?
a bias.
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Hi Jace....
?
The wheels are diesel diameter.? I believe 40 scale inches.? ?With calipers,? .622 actual inches.? Doing the math,? 64 x .622" = 39.8 scale inches.? Close enough?
?
The more I look at these, the more convinced I become that they are all upgrade wheels for American Models ALCO PA/PB diesels.? I bought them a long time ago and never got around to installing them.? Check the bearing types/sizes to make sure they will
fit your engine.? Might also work for other AM diesels, but I cannot guarantee that.? Do all AM diesels use the same wheels?? I dunno......
?
And the next question is...................??? ?How much to make me smile??
?
I smiled when other similar wheels sold for $10 per axle to a well-known S modeler in the Chicago area.? That is the only data point I have for these wheels.? I have no other information.? Make your
BEST reasonable offer up front and see what happens.
?
Loizeaux? aht? SBC // Global daht?
net
?
"S"incerely..........Ed Loizeaux
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
|
Hi Jace....
?
The wheels are diesel diameter.? I believe 40 scale inches.? ?With calipers,? .622 actual inches.? Doing the math,? 64 x .622" = 39.8 scale inches.? Close enough?
?
The more I look at these, the more convinced I become that they are all upgrade wheels for American Models ALCO PA/PB diesels.? I bought them a long time ago and never got around to installing them.? Check the bearing types/sizes to make sure they will fit your engine.? Might also work for other AM diesels, but I cannot guarantee that.? Do all AM diesels use the same wheels?? I dunno......
?
And the next question is...................??? ?How much to make me smile??
?
I smiled when other similar wheels sold for $10 per axle to a well-known S modeler in the Chicago area.? That is the only data point I have for these wheels.? I have no other information.? Make your BEST reasonable offer up front and see what happens.
?
Loizeaux? aht? SBC // Global daht? net
?
"S"incerely..........Ed Loizeaux
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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Re: Some S scale brass available on Rick's website
Oops, use this link instead.
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Scott?
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Some S scale brass available on Rick's website
Hello,
?
Rick has some S Scale brass in for sale including an SD40-2 and Gp38-2 and a big N&W Steamer with Aux tender.? You have to use a Desktop/Laptop to see the photos on his site.
?
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He is taking reasonable offers on them.? Give him a call he is easy to talk too.
?
Thanks
Scott McDonald?
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Thanks Bill.? I follow Leonard which is where I first heard of Nimco.? His channel is remarkable! Thanks, Austin?
> From: Austin Birkey
> Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:47:33 PST
>
> Thanks for looking.? Yes they are surprising large.? But the size does filling the extra space on an AF axle spacing.
Here is a recent 4-minute YouTube video that features an AF Atlantic with Nimco wheels, two Exacta cars, and a view of related pages from the 1949 Nimco catalog:
<>
The low 1949 prices are deceiving. Multiply them by 13 to determine today’s equivalent.
Plus, those modelers interested in old catalogs and information, including a C-D ad from the April 1939 issue of Model Craftsman (before it became RMC), should check out the following site:
<>
--
Bill Roberts
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Re: Switched out the Reading team to Lehigh Valley tonight
I certainly do just that!? A few years after the BC&G closed in 1965 and steam ended, the line was reopened by another company and they brought in a 65-ton Whitcomb.? I built the model years ago and from time to time I substitute if for the Consolidations that are normally on the layout.? ?This engine was nicknamed "Peanut" by the crews since it could only pull a half dozen cars or so.? ?It's the perfect size for my 3-4 car consists.? Interestingly the new company lettered the engine with the BC&G's logo.? The scratchbuilt body rides on an AM Baldwin chassis and it's fitted with a Tsunami Baldwin decoder.? The Lackawana boxcar is one I got from smiling Ed Loizeaux and repaired, repainted and relettered.? Thanks, Ed!
Brooks Stover
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From: Austin Birkey
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:47:33 PST
Thanks for looking. Yes they are surprising large. But the size does filling the extra space on an AF axle spacing. Here is a recent 4-minute YouTube video that features an AF Atlantic with Nimco wheels, two Exacta cars, and a view of related pages from the 1949 Nimco catalog: <> The low 1949 prices are deceiving. Multiply them by 13 to determine today’s equivalent. Plus, those modelers interested in old catalogs and information, including a C-D ad from the April 1939 issue of Model Craftsman (before it became RMC), should check out the following site: <> -- Bill Roberts
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Re: Today’s S Scale project
Well, in my opinion, you never can have too much air.? Air compressors don't run constantly, only after the reservoirs drop below a set pressure. (I forgot what it is.)
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I would suggest two single phase air compressors as shown on my HO model below.? Prototypically, this would allow to pump up faster.
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Even small locomotives benefited from dual single air compressors.
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Rich G(ajnak)
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Re: Today’s S Scale project
  
The first picture shows the locomotive being operated on the layout through all of its paces and grades. From my past experiences working with the bronze boiler weight I was concerned that the smaller motor in this locomotive would not have enough gumption and withdraw too much amperage. But to my surprise, it barely drew4 to a half amp at the most during operations even over the grade. Since it was not carrying a train, which I don’t believe would be more than eight cars 10 max. I went ahead and held a coupler on the tender until the wheels broke loose. I believe this would simulate the amount of amperage. It would take at the most. Through the DCC specialties a?meter the locomotive never drew more than 3/4 of an amp to create wheel slip. The way to the boiler gave it a heck of a lot of tractive effort. This locomotive is going to be great for switching in the yard and may even get some mainline usage.
The next picture shows the boiler sitting on the frame starting to get lined up. It’s not been attached or anything like that just trying to determine where the cylinder exhaust pipes would breach the center of the smoke box and length of the firebox on the back. I really like the taper on this boiler its what I was going for when I was looking to create a boiler out of wrap. Right now the boiler is sitting down on the drivers but when it’s done, it will be sitting with the fire box just above the tires on the rear driver. The cab is soldered up all four corners and has been formed to fit snuggly over the top of the Crown sheet. I haven’t quite determined how far back I want the cab to sit as I’m thinking about doing a back head on the locomotive for GP.
The last picture shows the brakeman on the deck of the tender next to the doghouse really cool. That’s probably where he’s gonna ride once the locomotive is completed. When I painted the inside of the dog house, I decided to go with a darker green then I normally do more on the seafoam with the other locomotives. I think that’s gonna kinda set this locomotive apart from the Mopac locomotives I’ve built for the layout since this one’s going to be a Meramec Valley lines locomotive.
So if you’ve read this far down, I have a question for you guys. The question is I’m thinking about air pumps since this is a small locomotive. I really wasn’t thinking about a cross compound but to singular air pumps like you would possibly see on an older steam engine or in narrow gauge steam engine in the C class. So the question is which air compressor would you guys put on the side of the boiler. And more importantly, when a locomotive is being used to switch in the yard, they don’t pump the air up on cars when they move them do they? So I wouldn’t really need a lot of air pressure in storage so I’m thinking of one air tank under the running board a large one, but not one on each side. Again question to the masses.
Mike Swederska?
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On Dec 11, 2024, at 5:37?PM, Mike S Scale <mikesscale@...> wrote:
? Here is some more pictures to gaze upon showing today and yesterday’s progress. I did cut down the coal slop sheet radius. It was to high. Now there is a 802 instead of a 5 on the pilot.? <image0.jpeg> <image1.jpeg> <image2.jpeg> <image3.jpeg> <image4.jpeg> <image6.jpeg> Mike Swederska? On Dec 10, 2024, at 1:37?PM, Bob Werre via groups.io <bob@...> wrote:
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Gentlemen, I'll testify that Mike knows
how to solder seams in "tender makin--senior Class".? When I was
switching from Dynatrol to DCC, I was attempting to remove a large
receiver from the tender wall of my custom made Mikado (yes the
same one in the NASG/RMC ad).? The double stick foam tape I used
was way too strong so I ended up breaking the seams to the point
of turning it back into random parts.? Mike took on the
responsibility of making everything one piece again!?
Bob Werre
Phototraxx
Today I sat down and started to build the tender for the
Mutt. I did take some photos as I went today to post to those
that are following the build. The wrapper is a photo etching
from SSL&S and the deck is a stamping. I had never seen a
photo etched wrapper from SSL&S and was very surprised at
all its details etched into it. I did fabricated the floor, coal
bunker front of coal bunker and top of the water legs. The deck
needed fabrication also to fit how I wanted it to go on the
wrapper.
?
This project did not take long since I knew what I wanted and
have learned from my mistakes building other tenders. I have
just under a full day in it to the point in the pictures. To
some modelers dismay, I don't use sophisticated tools to make my
tenders. Since I get asked often as to what I use to cut brass
sheet or bending I took a couple pictures of the paper cutter
and two wood blocks. I also use a Pana Vise.? The parts were
soldered with 446F solder paste <IMG_4424.jpg> using
a torch.? ?
The deck was soldered first from inside, then the floor was
soldered in from the bottom. Next was the front coal bunker
between the two water legs. All my tenders have removable coal
sheets to give access to the inside of the tender for any wiring
for lights, DCC decoders and sound speakers. Latter if I did put
a speaker in the tender that is when I would cut the appropriate
hole in the floor.? ?The Coal sheet was made to sit on the front
of the coal bunker between the water legs and the back of the
tender deck. Then the water leg tops as one piece were made to
tie everything together in front and then soldered in place. The
tender shell is now sound tight and ready for detailing. There
will be two holes drilled in the bottom coming up through the
frame into the tender floor to attach the frame and shell
together. Everything is always kept removable. As I have built
enough of my own to know that keeping it easy to take apart for
maintenance is key in designing and building from the
beginning.?
?
I forgot to say that all the needed brass was precleaned
before starting the project. This made soldering prep easier.
Once done the tender shell went into a bath of Simple Green full
strength for five minutes in a heated sonic cleaner. This got
all the fluxes and excess solder off and out of the inside of
the tender shell. Rinsed in water and that is what you see in
the pictures. I most likely will not get back to the tender for
several days.?
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?
--
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model
railroading fun!
--
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
|
It would be good to know the diameter of each type.
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Folks........
Here are some wheels.? The pix speak for themselves.? I think they might be upgrade wheels for the American Models ALCO PA/PB diesel engines.? But I could be wrong.? Check to be sure.
Make your best reasonable offer and cross yer fingers.? Magic sometimes happens.? Smiling is always possible, but ya gotta try.? ?
Email preferred.? Phone works.? ?Loizeaux? aht?
SBC? //? Global? ?daht? net? ?1-650-962-1577
Cheers........Ed L.
Note:? Brass bearings.
Note:? Nylon bearings.
--
Ed Loizeaux
Los Altos, CA
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Re: Switched out the Reading team to Lehigh Valley tonight
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On 12/16/2024 10:25 PM EST Hugh Sinn via groups.io <hhsinn@...> wrote:
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Every so often I switch out my operating teams.
Anybody else change things up on their layouts from time to time?
Hugh
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Folks........
Here are some wheels.? The pix speak for themselves.? I think they might be upgrade wheels for the American Models ALCO PA/PB diesel engines.? But I could be wrong.? Check to be sure.
Make your best reasonable offer and cross yer fingers.? Magic sometimes happens.? Smiling is always possible, but ya gotta try.? ?
Email preferred.? Phone works.? ?Loizeaux? aht? SBC? //? Global? ?daht? net? ?1-650-962-1577
Cheers........Ed L.
Note:? Brass bearings.
Note:? Nylon bearings.
-- Ed Loizeaux Los Altos, CA
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Gentlemen.......
Those of us with gray hair (or no hair) will remember the all-wood Strombecker kits from long ago.? Here is another collection of pieces and parts to make a freight car of your choice.? This "kit" emulates the Strombecker kits and includes two different card stock sides -- box car or pickle car.? Use the sides you like the best.? Use Ambroid glue to complete the memories of the goode olde daze.? The odor is unforgettable.? Building this "kit" will bring you more memories than a high school reunion.
Want trucks?? Let me know.? Need couplers?? Let me know.
Your best reasonable offer might make me smile.? Have to "give it a go" in order to find out.
Email preferred.? Phone works.? ? Loizeaux? aht? SBC? // Global? daht net? 1-650-962-1577
Thanks.............Ed Loizeaux
-- Ed Loizeaux Los Altos, CA
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Thanks for looking.? Yes they are surprising large.? But the size does filling the extra space on an AF axle spacing. Austin?
On Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 8:34?PM Mike Swederska via <MikeSscale= [email protected]> wrote: Austin,
I just went through all my driver inventory looking for that 1.25” diameter and came up short. That is a very large driver. Sorry I couldn’t help.
--
Mike Swederska
Meramec Valley Lines
Modeling Mopac equipment in 3/16
Don't let perfection get in the way of good enough! Keep model railroading fun!
|
Bob Werre
