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 Posted - July 22 2007 : 1:28:11 PM
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Well, if RomCat doesn't mind...I'm gonna introduce this week's Locomotive of the Week with my new Bachmann Spectrum N&W "J" 4-8-4...
I've wanted one of these "J" steam engines for some time. My previous experience with a Bachmann Plus Southern Pacific "War Baby" GS-4 4-8-4 kinda put me off trying this model, as I assumed they would share the same drive. My GS-4 is a later example Bachmann Plus and the drivers are very, very touchy. They get locked up easily and the poor thing seems barely able to carry itself around the track...let alone power much of a train behind her.
Anyway, I got a good deal on this Spectrum "J" and hoped for better luck. This is the N&W Freight Version with dog house on the tender and the Aux. Water Tender is included. It is DCC-ready.
Well, things didn't get started off too well. It ran very jerkily and took almost a completely open throttle to get her moving. Even at a good price, I was not thrilled with another "display model."
I put in a Lenz DCC decoder with back EMF, hoping this might make it run more smoothly...actually made it much worse. I took the DCC decoder out and boxed it back up a week ago.
Yesterday, I took the "J" out again and began oiling the driver rods and idler trucks. Also gave the tender trucks a shot of oil. This made things better, but still not great. I kept running her most of the afternoon though and within a couple hours I noticed it was improving.
The video is from this morning and you can see that it's not doing badly now. Still DC-analog powered and it does take almost 50% of the throttle before it gets going, but it is smoothier now and pulls well.
One of it's biggest issues in pulling turned out to be the Aux. Water Tender. The wheels in the triple trucks of the Aux. Tender have nearly no roll to them at all and will either have to be replaced or I will have to tool out the truck sideframes to make 'em spin freely.
[edited by GIC to embed the YouTube player]
Tony Cook
HO-Scale Trains Resource
http://ho-scaletrains.net
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on July 22 2007 1:48:11 PM
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 Posted - July 22 2007 : 1:35:10 PM
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Hey Tony:
OK, so my toes hurt a bit. It's kinda my baby but it is also about stimulating activity so all good as I see it.
-G
PS: Whats the D&H Alco in the video?
Edited by - romcat on July 22 2007 1:51:13 PM
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Posted - July 22 2007 : 1:56:09 PM
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quote:Hey Tony:
OK, so my toes hurt a bit. It's kinda my baby but it is also about stimulating activity so all good as I see it.
-G
PS: Whats the D&H Alco in the video?
Originally posted by romcat - July 22 2007 : 1:35:10 PM
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The Alco is the Atlas TrainMan RS36 in D&H paint...
Tony Cook
HO-Scale Trains Resource
http://ho-scaletrains.net
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Posted - July 22 2007 : 1:59:39 PM
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Hey Tony:
Yeah I have one of those. I'm waiting on delivery of the new Atlas Alco C-420 in D&H as well as LV "Yellow-Jacket".
I'm also actively hunting a P2K RS-10 a Canadian only Alco (Montreal Locomotive Works) in the old CNR Green/Gold That'll set me back $100+! Gonna sell some other stuff to fund it!
-G
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Posted - July 22 2007 : 2:04:49 PM
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Cool vid! I see the kitty plotting when to strike [;)]
You observation about balky Bachmann steamers is one I've shared. Although I've been fortunate that all my secondhand 1st-gen (non-"Plus") GS-4s run OK, they are quite noisy and really do put on a show about it. Which is sorta appropriate I guess... I don't know how much they will pull.
In your case it sounds like it needed to be broken in, but still: there are lots of people starting out who wouldn't have the skill, knowledge, or patience to do what you did to get 'er going.
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Posted - July 22 2007 : 2:07:39 PM
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Hey Guys:
I have a Bachmann Plus/Spectrum? Based Consolidation 2-8-0 that was masterfully kitbashed into a Camelback. It runs on poor track better than anything I own. Perhaps the guys who did the KB who's gone to the final freight house worked up the running gear!?
-G
Edited by - romcat on July 22 2007 2:17:42 PM
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Posted - July 23 2007 : 03:09:12 AM
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Here's an old MDC Yard Hog I put together.
I built this one as close to stock as possible. I built another that is modified extensively.
Ray
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Posted - July 23 2007 : 08:52:48 AM
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There's a pic of my N&W "J" with an MRC F-7A in SP Black Widow waiting on the siding.
Tony Cook
HO-Scale Trains Resource
http://ho-scaletrains.net
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Posted - July 23 2007 : 11:55:16 AM
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Mine is a Marklin E94, the only locomotive for which I have an original ad and a photograph of the prototype bearing the same number as my model.
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Brakie
Switcher
Status:
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Posted - July 27 2007 : 1:08:21 PM
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Heres another switcher I love to work a yard with..While its a Atlas/Roco it is still a smooth runner and can pull 22 stock weight cars on the level.
Larry
Columbus & Hocking Valley Ry.
Serving The Industries Of The Hocking Valley.
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Posted - July 27 2007 : 4:15:40 PM
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my favourite loco from marklin all metal and runs a dream ken
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Posted - July 27 2007 : 6:03:04 PM
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quote:
my favourite loco from marklin all metal and runs a dream ken
Originally posted by catfordken - July 27 2007 : 9:15:40 PM
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Sweet! I just go nuts over Euro electrics and steam.
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Posted - July 27 2007 : 6:06:19 PM
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Shaygetz:
can I have an AMEN to that!!!!??????
-Gareth
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Posted - July 27 2007 : 6:29:46 PM
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the ugliest
the most beautiful
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Posted - August 07 2007 : 01:31:02 AM
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Nice selection on the Chessie System era power barbie!
A lone amature built the ark! A large group of professionals built the titanic!
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Posted - August 10 2007 : 11:35:26 PM
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| Brakie-Love that Chessie/B&O switcher! That was one of my favorite paint schemes. (Didn't know you were over here too?)
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Posted - September 04 2011 : 6:11:30 PM
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I Have A J
But It Broke
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