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Post by jers2709 on Aug 2, 2017 4:26:30 GMT -5
It’s looking great
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Post by EMDX6043 on Dec 6, 2018 18:26:56 GMT -5
Here's one of the cabbages I built years before Rapido released their versions. Standard Walther's core with paint, details, DCC and LED lighting installed.
She's not-quite-perfect but good enough to be sold off...
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 6, 2018 20:31:00 GMT -5
That looks sharp. The weathering really helps set it off. Kinda too bad when a good RTR comes out.
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Post by EMDX6043 on Dec 9, 2018 9:19:28 GMT -5
Here's another custom NPCU I did for someone. Looking back now, I would have done some things differently, but hey, I don't see any available off-the-shelf...
Unit returned to the shop for DCC upgrades, and by that point a 3d-printed skirt was available and installed.
The customer sent his F59 along for upgrades too. There was supposed to be an entire Talgo train in between, but, unfortunately, money and time constraints ended that project.
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 9, 2018 15:53:43 GMT -5
Did you keep the drives intact,or gut them?
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Post by EMDX6043 on Dec 9, 2018 22:18:37 GMT -5
Did you keep the drives intact,or gut them? I gutted all of the cab cars I made, to stay true to the prototype. Come to think of it, I found out that Athearn trucks will fit after doing some simple work. Walther's trucks are horrible...
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 10, 2018 15:10:55 GMT -5
The Walters Drives are Athearn Clones,had to mod the truck mount on that frame to allow the athearn trucks to fit?? Did a "low cost" NPCU by using a "lifelike" train set F40 as a basic core,and made into a "sister" unit to 406,the NPCU kept with the exhibit train.
Will install NWSL 42" wheelsets in the trucks the next time it's in the shop. Still has the plastic wheelsets,used as a "background display" for now.
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 11, 2018 1:22:37 GMT -5
Now, until I figger out how to make "Amsleds" roll, having the NPCU powered kinda helps...
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 11, 2018 3:00:08 GMT -5
Lets see,Make sure you lube the bearings on the latest Walters run of Amfleet cars,or there's a conversion option for the earlier cars Same conversion option also works for the Bachmann Amfleet cars.
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Post by EMDX6043 on Dec 11, 2018 8:09:41 GMT -5
The Walters Drives are Athearn Clones,had to mod the truck mount on that frame to allow the athearn trucks to fit?? Did a "low cost" NPCU by using a "lifelike" train set F40 as a basic core,and made into a "sister" unit to 406,the NPCU kept with the exhibit train. Will install NWSL 42" wheelsets in the trucks the next time it's in the shop. Still has the plastic wheelsets,used as a "background display" for now. Yeah the drive seemed okay, but the power pickups on the Walthers trucks are a dumb design (copper strips rubbing on the wheels) so that's what led to the Athearn retrofit, along with a desire for more robust electrical pickup. The WMKW sideframes have good detail though, so I saved them. The hardest part about using the Walthers F40 is wiring the ditch lights, since the body mounts to the frame using two posts right in the front left and right corners.
I managed to snag a photo of the work I did, surprisingly! The new bolster may have affected the ride height by a few scale inches, but it's barely noticeable. I have noticed that a few ride a bit high since they are missing the prime movers and all...
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Post by EMDX6043 on Dec 11, 2018 8:15:15 GMT -5
Now, until I figger out how to make "Amsleds" roll, having the NPCU powered kinda helps... Rapido used that reasoning in one of their NPCU advertisements...in my opinion they should have been true cab cars. No big deal though.
There's always the option to run 3 or 4-car trains like the Pere Marquette (370/371) or the Hoosier State (850/851)...
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Post by thejadefog on May 9, 2019 22:04:41 GMT -5
I am amazed at some of the modeling prowess and attention to detail displayed in the work in this thread. I can only tip my hat to the intricacies of your work. My collection is older units and some of the more entry level offerings from over the years, but fine examples of where the hobby has come from. So buckle up your seatbelts, we're going in a ride in the "Wayback Machine". And no chuckling! First stop is Rivarossi for an RPO and baggage car Bachmann Amfleets waiting at the elevated platform on the Keystone Corridor The platform is a kitbash of a Life-Like elevated platform and Atlas girder bridges In better light and before the Kadee swap, the oversized sockets for marker lights look a lot better with mini-gems from Hobby Lobby The reverse of the platform And I'd be remiss if I did not show the Penn Central Metroliner transit poster And finally, an Amtrak caboose waiting by the venerable Atlas station.
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Post by thejadefog on May 9, 2019 22:28:31 GMT -5
A little bit newer: I raided an antiques mall for a friend who was looking for Superliners. Thes Con-Cors at $11 each made him a happy man. There were 13 when I arrived and only 2 on the shelf when I left. Those two left behind were duplicate cars. Part 1/3 of the stash and 2/3 of the stash
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Post by thejadefog on May 9, 2019 22:36:26 GMT -5
And as a post script, I leave you with this awful twin-spin of Bachmann- a nice looking E-60 but mechanically unsound, and the even worse Plasser track-cleaning unit. Dreadful, but that was what was available way back in the day.
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Post by backshophoss on May 10, 2019 21:54:25 GMT -5
Those Con-Cor Superliners will need extra weights installed to run on a layout,Metal wheelsets will help,along with body mounted KD couplers That RPO was a close "stand-in" for the Conrail run Mail train's ex-PRR RPO back in the early years of Amtrak.
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