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 Posted - March 22 2018 : 2:24:54 PM
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I sold off my 4x8 layout that I bought on facebook marketplace, it had code 83 track and many older HO trains just cant run on that without grinding down the flanges. It also made access to my shelves that hold my G scale difficult. Under that layout was the bench work I had started on last year for a "C" shaped layout, kind of a folded dog bone bent into a "C" shape to give me access in the middle to my shelves. I have toyed with several ideas, traction, modern shortline ect. But, have settled on taking Tycos fictional road "The Royal Blue" and running with it. I am looking right now for a custom painter to redo 2 old Mantua GP20's(with the MU2 power trucks) and paint them in the same high gloss blue/silver paint scheme with silver trucks. I have a pair of RB 2-8-0's, one is mint and will remain a engine house queen with the PT drive. The other is nearly new and will get a Bachmann 44 ton chasses transplanted into the tender as its drive has zinc pest. I am thinking a coal hauling line using those blue coal cars that I seen someone post pic of a bunch behind a RB 2-8-0. Tyco buildings and older style scenery will be used. I do need 2 new traction tires for my mint 2-8-0, anybody have a source for ones that fit down in the groove nicely? Both of mine were dry and hard and fell apart the first time I tried to run the old girl. I do want to be able to run the mint one in and out of the engine house once and awhile. (keep the PT from freezing up) Planning other Tyco diesels into that paint scheme, maybe a pair of Sharks might look better than the GP20's. Two Sharks back to back with jumper wires to electricaly tie them together in RB blue/silver with silver trucks might really look good with the 2-8-0! Always taking suggestions or if you can paint!
Still NT's, I have Aspergers.
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Posted - March 22 2018 : 8:04:03 PM
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| I have a friend who custom paints, he would probably charge $50 to $100 per locomotive to paint. You supply the decals. Custom Decals are not cheap either.
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Posted - March 23 2018 : 12:20:26 PM
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Sounds like a great project, Cadet. I run my stuff a lot, and pretty hard.
I mostly steer clear of those Tyco locomotives with PT power, they just
don't hold up. What Tyco I do have I remotored to MU2 motors or
fit the shell onto a more reliable chassis.
On the other hand, RP has had pretty good luck with PT motors, and
there is some youtube articles about remotoring PT motors using
CD ROM drive motors.
RP and I both have had luck using Goody's Hair Bands, $3 gets you
like 100, for replacement traction tires.
I look forward to seeing your project as it comes along. Great idea.
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Posted - March 23 2018 : 1:41:56 PM
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The 2-8-0 that does primary duty will get a 44 ton diesel power chassis in the tender to replace the PT drive. The Sharks will just get serviced and electricaly connected together to help with power pick up. Athearn blue box F7 drives with different side frames would probably go under the shells eventually. 50-100 for painting is typical and what I expected. Just want someone who can pull off the high gloss finish like the factory Royal Blue steamer has. I have a source to get decals at a resonable price. Just matter of him matching the color of blue used. Its just blue lettering, the silver strip would be painted. I started digging out the 4x8 sheet of plywood that needs to be cut to fit the bench work. Probably work on it a bit this weekend. Mike the Aspie
Still NT's, I have Aspergers.
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Posted - March 23 2018 : 5:04:39 PM
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Today is a work night(on the night shift this week) so no layout work, but I got out my mint Royal blue and did some upgrades and maintance. Her traction tires were hard as a rock and one was missing. The ones on the tener drive that is junk(zinc pest) were good. I also replaced the plastic non geared wheel with the nickle silver ones from the pivot trucks off the old tender, giving the good tender pickup wheels on all axles on that side. I just removed the plastic non geared wheel from the nickle silver set, along with the good geared ones with good traction tires, then installed those on the nickle silver wheel/axle sets. I set the gauge with my NMRA tool. I also relubricated the motor and polished the communtator with my ruby polishing stone. Purrs like a kitten now! I will put new magnets in the motor in the future so she can run as best as these PT's can run. I also reassembled the other RB 2-8-0 and cleaned it and the tender shell up. It now waits on the shelf for the new drive chassis. Mike the Aspie
Still NT's, I have Aspergers.
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Posted - March 23 2018 : 6:16:58 PM
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| Well, eat my words!
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Posted - April 15 2018 : 02:42:48 AM
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| Whatz new, Cadetpwr?
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