Puddlejumper's (lack of) layout progress...

[puddlejumper]

I thought I'd start a thread I can post to when some, ANY, progress is made on my layout. Well, technically I don't have a layout, I plan on building an around the walls shelf layout- much less elaborate than Josh's (trucklovers) amazing setup- but for now all I have is my 1'x6' inglenook sidings I built early this year. Here's a refresher.

It still doesn't have much in the way of scenery. I did take it to a couple of club meetings and it was a hit, and we finally decided on some standards for an HO 2 track modular system.

As for my roster, I wanted to show off a couple new additions.

Alpha Models PRR N5E cabin car...

It's a one-of-a-kind on the PRR system, rebuilt from a wrecked N5 with N8 cupola and other features odd to the N5 series. The yellow cupola signifies pool service in non-electrified territory so it is a little out of place in my locale (MD-VA-DC) but I couldn't pass it up.


I've always been fond of Tony Koester's Allegheny Midland. Picked up 3 of these.

And last, but not least my newest loco addition, a PRR A5s 0-4-0.

It's a Mantua, runs like crap, but looks MMM so good. Will have to repower with a can motor I think, and add DCC. Sure love the way she looks, makes me want to dig in and finish my Bowser A5s that has been on the back burner for a year. I also have a John English A5s to build. Want to have a fleet of 4 or 5 of em for my yard.

That's it for now. Thanks for looking!

Dave

 

[puddlejumper]

Also I wanted to get a brass version of the PRR A5s, anybody know who makes one? I plan on handlaying all the track too, thanks alot Tetters!!

 

[steamhead]

I don't know about the A5's...but that's some good looking rolling stock & loco you have there...!!! They deserve a layout to live on..!!

 

[TruckLover]

Well, technically I don't have a layout, I plan on building an around the walls shelf layout- much less elaborate than Josh's (trucklovers) amazing setup- but for now all I have is my 1'x6' inglenook sidings I built early this year.

hehehehe thanks Dave :mrgreen: Slow but steady progress going on my shelf layout lol

Nice pics!!! glad to see you got some ballast and ground cover down and cool shots of your new locos and rolling stock too :mrgreen: :thumb:

 

[bigsteel]

great pics :thumb: the AM hopper is still perty,is it really from tonys layout? and nice A-5 i thought mantuas were damn near indestructible...or is that bowser?--josh

 

[nkp174]

That's an 0-6-0 in the first picture...right?

 

[Triplex]

I've always loved those cute A5s - I hope you can get it running properly.

 

[puddlejumper]

great pics :thumb: the AM hopper is still perty,is it really from tonys layout? and nice A-5 i thought mantuas were damn near indestructible...or is that bowser?--josh

Yeah, the 3 AM hoppers came from Tony himself. Great guy, and I feel honored to have these hoppers for my layout. The A-5 is a Mantua, but the old open frame motor is really loud and jumpy. I am going to clean an lube it and see if it gets better. Otherwise i'll just throw a can motor in there, I like that lokie too much to not run it. The Bowser lokies do have a reputation for being indestructable...

That's an 0-6-0 in the first picture...right?

Yes, good eye! It is a Proto 2000 USRA 0-6-0 and runs absolutely beautifully!

Thanks all for the kind words!
Dave

 

[nkp174]

The A-5 is a Mantua, but the old open frame motor is really loud and jumpy. I am going to clean an lube it and see if it gets better. Otherwise i'll just throw a can motor in there, I like that lokie too much to not run it.

Mantua? Did you perform the beautiful super detailing job? It looks good.

For repowering, have you thought about a faulhaber? My Grandt Line porter has a 2020 in it (a classic coreless for small On3 power), and it runs like a dream. Coreless motors have many advantages over can motors (smoother, much more powerful, better fidelity to prototype speed ranges)...with the principal downsides being that they can't use any decoders in DCC operation...and will instantly be ruined if used on DCC track without a decoder. I plan to put them into all of my On3 power and my HO NKP hudsons...the decoders will be Tsunamis.

Michael

 

[puddlejumper]

Mantua? Did you perform the beautiful super detailing job? It looks good.

For repowering, have you thought about a faulhaber? My Grandt Line porter has a 2020 in it (a classic coreless for small On3 power), and it runs like a dream. Coreless motors have many advantages over can motors (smoother, much more powerful, better fidelity to prototype speed ranges)...with the principal downsides being that they can't use any decoders in DCC operation...and will instantly be ruined if used on DCC track without a decoder. I plan to put them into all of my On3 power and my HO NKP hudsons...the decoders will be Tsunamis.

Michael

No, I bought the A5a already superdetailed. I love it! I will be doing the Bowser and John English A5s' to equal or exceed the detail level on that Mantua though. As for the motor, I have not heard about Faulhaber. I will look into them. If they are small enough to go into the boiler of that A5s and provide a nice smooth, powerful ride then I have several more locos that need motors. Thanks for the tip!

Dave

 

[nkp174]

No, I bought the A5a already superdetailed. I love it! I will be doing the Bowser and John English A5s' to equal or exceed the detail level on that Mantua though. As for the motor, I have not heard about Faulhaber. I will look into them. If they are small enough to go into the boiler of that A5s and provide a nice smooth, powerful ride then I have several more locos that need motors. Thanks for the tip!

Dave

I look forward to seeing your second A5!

The Faulhabers come in many different sizes...I've seen the smallest sizes used in Marklin Z-scale engines. Maxon also makes similar motors. You can get them for $15-$35. In general (and I think, always), a maxon or faulhaber coreless is always smoother and much more powerful than a sagami of the same size.

 

[puddlejumper]

I looked into the coreles Fauhaber motors and it looks very interesting indeed! I am going to take some measurements of several of my 0-4-0 switchers that need repowering (I am an 0-4-0 fanatic LOL) and order some motors to do some experimenting. I have never repowered a loco before so any tips will be appreciated.

Also, I found a Gem models brass A5s 0-4-0 today that also may need repowering. LOL but the detail is very nice.

Dave

 

[puddlejumper]

Ok, the good news is my Gem Models A5s arrived. The bad news, yes it runs like crap and can barely move it's own weight, let alone 1 freight car. It is VERY light, the Bowser, Mantua, John English shells (cast metal) weight more than the entire Gem Brass locomotive! Pix...

So it appears out of the 5 A5s I will be building, 4 of them need motors. (the fifth one is a Hobbyline stationary model and will represent a parts engine). I guess I will be trying out the Faulhaber or similar type micro motor and I'll report back to the group on their performance.

Dave

 

[puddlejumper]

Comparison of 4 of the A5s'. Left to right are Bowser, Gem, Mantua. On top in back is the John English boiler only. It will need a lot of work to bring it up to the same level of detail. I plan on using a Bowser mechanism for that boiler.

Will post updates when I get some more work done. I plan on disassembling the Gem Brass unit and building all 4 at the same time, bringing the John English unit up to the same standard as the other 3. The hobbyline will be static display, detailed to a similar level, but partially obscured by vines, weeds, and rust.

Dave

 

[puddlejumper]

One more pic, the Hobbyline stationary model.

 

[steamhead]

That Gem A5 sure is a beauty...!!! Hope you can "upgrade" it to be useful as well..!!!

 

[UP SD40-2]

Dave, you have some REALLY NEAT STUFF:thumb::thumb::thumb: .

my dad has one of those 0-4-0's, he really liked it, doesn't run anymore though, and i am not sure who made it, but i remember it didn't like switches well, it would either die on them if he had it running to slow, or it would jump the tracks if it was going to fast, quirky little thing.

cant wait to see progress on those unfinished engines, and your modulars:thumb::smilie: .

:upsd: -Deano

 

[puddlejumper]

That Gem A5 sure is a beauty...!!! Hope you can "upgrade" it to be useful as well..!!!

Ya, my plan is to put some weight in the boiler and hopefully these micro motors NKP told me about will work well. I guess you can tell I like to change things up, would have been easier to build 4 Bowser A5s then to rework 4 different units.

Dave, you have some REALLY NEAT STUFF:thumb::thumb::thumb: .

my dad has one of those 0-4-0's, he really liked it, doesn't run anymore though, and i am not sure who made it, but i remember it didn't like switches well, it would either die on them if he had it running to slow, or it would jump the tracks if it was going to fast, quirky little thing.

cant wait to see progress on those unfinished engines, and your modulars:thumb::smilie: .

:upsd: -Deano

Thanks Deano! I hope to add electrical pickup to all 4 wheels on the locos as well as all 8 wheels on the tenders. Hopefully that will cure the stalling on switches. It will be more difficult to drill those cast boilers for working headlights though. And then there's the DCC decoder issue...

Hey Deano I asked in your On Track thread but I think you missed it, was wondering if you had a model of the Desert Storm SD40-2 UP 3593. SD40-2 is my favorite Diesel loco, UP3593 right at the top of the list.

Dave

 

[UP SD40-2]

Hey Deano I asked in your On Track thread but I think you missed it, was wondering if you had a model of the Desert Storm SD40-2 UP 3593. SD40-2 is my favorite Diesel loco, UP3593 right at the top of the list.

Dave

Dave, i am so sorry, I'll be darned if i can figure out how that got by meops: , again, i am sorry.

i don't have the Desert Storm #3593, but i always liked it, in fact, i had plans to get that, and the United Way SD40-2. Sadly all those plans went away though once i back dated the RVS to 69-79.

i can see how the SD40-2 would be your favorite diesel, they came out back in the 70's, and are STILL running on not only shortlines, but class 1 roads too:thumb: . they are probably the most reliable & most widely used diesels that were ever made:thumb: .

i do have 7 SD40-2's, five of them are UP, two are WSOR, i guess you could say they are among my favorite engines too:winki: .

Keep posting those pics Dave:thumb: .

:upsd: -Deano

 

[puddlejumper]

A photo of the Potomac Line's old timer, a Spectrum 4-6-0, soon to become B&P "Old No. 17". I imagine the engine crews will take care of her and show some pride!

And a going away shot, with borrowed Strasburg RR parlor car Marion and B&P 1, pride of the Cabin fleet, bringing up the rear.

Looking at the roof of B&P 1, you'll notice that is green not black. A little PRR influence... :mrgreen:

Dave