A Rather Long Hiatus

Things are beginning to happen around here, layout wise. I just returned from Philadelphia and I'm chomping at the bit to move forward. It helps that my wife is telling me to get the layout ready for a visit from the grandkids. I wonder how many model rails get that kind of encouragement?

While out of town I accumulated some things...

I1s Waiting For Twin Sister

Another I1s is slated to join it's sister in the next few days. Nabbed it on EBay for $44.

A new cab has been ordered from Republic Locomotive Works to replace the one I butchered on the GHQ L1s. Hopefully I can keep the super glue off my fingers this time. This means the Allegheny Eastern now has two I1's, two L1's and two K4's. There is a third K4, but that may or may not be cannibalized for parts. I'm seriously looking into kit bashing a few J, M, and H class engines. I purchased a Trix B class shell to combine with a 2-8-0 chassis I have laying around.

Logan Valley PCC

Two Bachmann PCC shells are on their way to create another double ended car for the Logan Valley. I modified two PCC frames when I made the first and the second one has been waiting quite a long time for a shell.

Altoona Northern Pseudo FM H-10-44 Switcher

The Altoona Northern's FM switcher will get a new set of wheels care of Northwest Short Line. Wheel set 7440-4 has smaller flanges so the pseudo H-10-44 can ride on code 55 rails.

PRR Class EP3 Diesel (EMD E7 ABA Set)

I'm also looking at an E7A. I cobbled together an E7A from a E7B unit and an E8A. Now the EP3 will consist of three "real" E7 units.

PRR Class EF4 (EMD F7 ABBA Set)

There may also an A-B set of F7's. This will mean the EF4 will no longer have two "stand-in" units

I know the classifications are odd but you have to remember that it's 1949 on the All East. The Pennsy's classification system for diesels isn't sorted out yet. Cab units are still operated as sets, not individual units.

PRR Class BP2 Baldwin DR-12-8-3000 Diesel

Another diesel set may become a reality. I did some extensive rework on a digital model of a Baldwin centipede (BP2 in '49 terms) I made for Train Simulator. I submitted the basic shape to a couple of 3D printer services. Shapeways had the best price. In a kind of proof of concept. I ordered one in black satin ceramic, the cheapest material they have available. Since I only want to see if the shape works, it'll be good enough for now. The plan is to use this basic shape as the core for a more detailed model I can create molds from.

Of course the more I look at it the more I see ways to add more detail. If I can create the files they would need maybe I can get Shapeways to make more parts.

Atlas Commander DCC System

A second Atlas Commander has been purchased for the DCC system. This will bring the number of cab controls to 4 and provide a third power supply. Yes it is outmoded 1st gen DCC. I chose it because A- it's actually made by Lenz,. B- it comes cheap (this one was $40) and C- unlike a lot of newer starter sets it supports 99 addresses for locomotives AND 99 addresses for decoder equipped accessories. With over a dozen or more locomotives and diesel sets I needed more than 6 addresses right from the start. It also supports up to 6 auxiliary Commander and/or hand held throttles and three additional power stations (very nice if you have four mainlines).  It has it foibles. Hook it up wrong and it will go to toast. I've learned how to avoid that issue.

I should clarify that last remark for the benefit of others. You CANNOT hook the commander to the programming track and running tracks (ie layout) at the same time. The unit will short out for some reason and one of the little chips inside goes POOF. The good news is that you can buy the chip and repair the unit (provided you don't blow it up a second time like I did). Better news is that you can avoid the disaster altogether by making sure both tracks cannot be connected at the same time. I put a double pole, double throw (DPDT) switch in the circuit to prevent this. The things are so cheap that it's probably a great idea to use a whole separate Commander unit for programming.

I'm also looking into 5 pole Life-Like motors to repower my Trix steam locomotives and Bachmann trucks for their tenders. Why Bachmann? A- improve electrical pickup and B- half the price of Kato. Decided against coreless motors for the same reason. LL motors are WAY cheaper, but effective.

Now it you'll excuse me, I have to go and do some actual work on my layout...

Regards,
Frank Musick
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

Allegheny Eastern Railroad