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 Posted - November 16 2012 : 9:40:16 PM
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Got this a couple weeks back in a trade in another forum with the idea of modifying it with close coupling and Favely pantographs. The idea of Amtrak trying out a Bullet Train over here is not far fetched at all as they tried several different foreign locomotives and trains in the early daze of service. The weak point on this model is the awful gap between cars...
/tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/P1160025-950.jpg
...it measures out at 8 scale feet. Three feet is more prototypical but, with 20" radius curves, would I be able to do it? Fortunately, it was quite easy, the truck casting literally having the cut line cast into it. By mounting a stand Kadee #5 box to a small brass strip, I got 3' of coupling space AND found it can easily traverse my 20" curves AND not hit freight cars on the adjoining track...Note that I found that a Rivarossi Hudson tender wheelset is a drop in fit. Being metal, it's a much better setup for the train...I only need 5 more...sigh...
/tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/P1230020.jpg
Here is is, installed and setting on a 20" curve...
/tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/P1230037-950.jpg
...a side-by-side comparison of the old and new gaps...
/tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/P1230034-950.jpg
...the finished train...
/tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/P1230039-950.jpg
[URL=http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/3shaygetz/?action=view¤t=P1230018.mp4] /tyco/forum/uploaded/shaygetz/th_P1230018.jpg [/URL]
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Posted - November 16 2012 : 10:40:47 PM
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Was this a short production run? I've seen these sell on ebay, but never seen one in person, nor have I seen ads, flyers or mention of it in old Model Railroaders... Is it like anything Amtrak actually had?
I had only bid a single locomoitve unit of a set like that, just for the pantograph. Is that an evil in of its own? (I lost anyway)
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Posted - November 16 2012 : 11:03:37 PM
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Amtrak never ran this train, it's a Shinkhansen, the nose actually lights up in real life, too. I have the Amtrak version, there's a blue and white version I just got a set of at Timonium MD show, and also a Coke version. Playart also sold this train, maybe buying it from Model Power, or vice versa, dunno.
Here's my blue and white set, not sure where my Amtrak set of pics is.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - November 16 2012 : 11:25:40 PM
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Ah, found a few websites with pics of the other versions.
Here's the Coke version.
Here's a Santa Fe version.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - November 17 2012 : 10:37:09 AM
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Nice work.
I was wondering what diameter the Rivarossi wheel are.
I looked at the AHM part lists to see if wheelsets from anything else would interchange but it doesn't look like it.
Ray
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Posted - November 17 2012 : 12:14:25 PM
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| Ray, they're .427" in diameter...it'll probably be awhile before I can find them.
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Posted - November 17 2012 : 2:12:02 PM
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Shay, I'll check with the AHM guys at the Greenberg show next weekend. I've never seen those wheelsets in the stock they bring, but I would be surprised if they didn't have them.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - November 17 2012 : 2:37:36 PM
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| Thanks Nelson...alas, there are no train shows me here in Bug Tussle...I do miss the Shriner's one every year in Pensacola...
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Posted - November 17 2012 : 3:40:40 PM
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I'll let you know what they say, Bob. You might be able to order some sets from them.
The Tyco Depot
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