Marty's O Scale Narrow Gauge

Here's Connie! I don't know if I just call all consolidation types Connies for short, or if this will be the name for this loco. I'll figure it out over time.

 

If anyone knows of disassembly instructions, please let me know! Would like to try changing out the domes for fluted types and maybe touch up the paint job.

 

Testing the Connie after some adjustments to the pilot and it seems to be all good now. Here she is, hauling a short mixed. Apparently expecting a load of some sort for the low-sided gondola and bring a large delivery of cold drinks for the workers!

 

I am in two minds about it. Whether to keep the log loads or to change to coal. That said, the good thing about the way Bachmann have set it up, there is fairly minimal effort in changing between coal and timber loads and most even include an oil tank of some sort.

 

Today I fitted new lower-slung underframes to most of my wagon fleet. My three boxcars already have the low underframes. The five low-side and one high-side gondola now all have them too. Of course, this means I have surplus original underframes which may serve as the basis for my own freelance projects. I just have to find a stash of the correct trucks/bogies to do it. I put all my Bachmann freight cars (except for one still in pieces in the project box) behind the Connie and she seemed very happy to have an appropriate load to haul. I still have to get around to fixing that problem with the board.

 

Hi Gary!

It gave me a good excuse to try out airbrushing. The one I tried out was okay for getting started but I want to get myself a proper compressor. I will be supporting a local hobby business and buying from a bricks-and-mortar shop front. Kind of making up for the fact that I bought so much stuff online over the last few years. I think eBay must be making most of their money on their global shipping program these days.

I will be giving the SMS paint range a go. I have heard good things about them. I was thinking about going with Vallejo acrylics, but I kind of like the durability of lacquer paints for model trains.

Have a good one!

 

Well, stumbled across a website which answered a question I had about the relative size between the Bachmann Porter and the Fleischmann Magic Train locomotive:

http://g-gauge.world.coocan.jp/BIGMODEL/FLEISCHMANN-SL101.html

I get the impression that the Magic Train locos would go well with the Trix Tippers for a 35n2 scale layout.

 

So... I bought another Connie. Good price. Not as good as the other one, but a good addition to my fleet. I hope she comes with the accessories. I hate those onion stacks.

It is amazing what turns up at good prices if you just keep looking.

 

I decided to see if I could make something out of the "imposter boxcars" and I have managed to remove the moulded-on ladder with a sharp knife and a sanding board. I then took a scribing tool from MicroMark to make the boards complete.

I am wondering if I should leave the doors as-is or if I should make some representation of a sliding door. Maybe I'll do one of each since I have three of these boxcars to convert. I have removed the roof-top walkways and intend to put some corrugated metal over the top of the roof.

I am thinking of making something based on the Buderim Tramway rolling stock.

 

Yeah... I was watching a listing for two 4-6-0s. One was sold, so I jumped on the other one. I had hoped originally to buy both! I have a set of fluted domes for this loco already, though it should come with them as it is being supplied in its original box.

 

Thanks Gary. since I have three of them, I was thinking to make one that resembles the Innisfail Tramway Class C Box Van. Although, there is also a Guard's Van of a similar size from the Buderim Tramway which would require only adding a door and a ducket on each side.

 

I have a whole bunch more of the lowered freight underframes on the way now. I like how the sit just that bit lower. Of course, now I have a whole bunch of original style underframes as well which may make for good scratch-building/kit-bashing fodder. I just have to find a cheap source of suitable trucks. Possibly something from kadee's HO scale range.

 

Found myself an Na Class in this rather attractive "Canadian Red" livery. Got it for a good price (less than RRP!)

 

I am waiting for my new airbrushing equipment to arrive so that I can make this more about modelling and less a journal of what Martin has found cheap on eBay!

I have acquired a damaged/incomplete AHM/Rivarossi "J.W. Bowker" 2-4-0, and a couple of NOS bodies for the same. No tender yet. I am thinking perhaps something based on Disneyland Railroad No.4 I will also see if I can install a smaller and more modern motor, perhaps even with a flywheel!

 

Well, to make this a modelling thread and less a thread where I show off my purchases, I went and fitted three of my moguls with new pilots with the working couplers. This involves removing the coupler lift bars from the original pilots and re-attaching it to the replacement pilot. This went well on the first two, but on the third I broke a couple of the stanchions. A rummage through my parts supply revealed a packet of 7951M Slaters Handrail Knobs (Medium) which are slightly longer than the originals but they look right and are made of solid brass. I had to drill out the holes slightly larger to fit them. The trouble with all of these is that you have to try and get all four inserted, turn them over and put tiny drops of CA glue to secure them in place. I found it much easier if I got one on the end glued into place first because then the whole assembly wouldn't fall off and disappear into the carpet (and re-appear in the sole of my foot - OUCH!) The three locomotives to receive the upgrade were "Bud", "Emmy" and "Macca" which respectively bear the branding Budweiser Beer, M&Ms Candy and MacDonald's Hamburgers.

 

Today I did a couple of minor modifications to my 4-6-0. Fitted the optional fluted domes and spoked lead bogie wheels. I was disappointed that I didn't have white-tired wheels to match, which were available as a spare part, but not included in the box. I am rather torn between having all white-rimmed wheels or getting rid of the white lining with a black paint marker.

I kind of vaguely want this one to resemble BHP Whyalla No.4, but I want the older fluted domes. Also fitted a metal kadee coupler to the front. I am not a fan of the Bachmann EZ-mate couplers. I find they lack the durability needed for On30.



*EDIT*

I've decided that the more I look at the fluted domes on the 4-6-0, the less I like them on the 4-6-0. I'll be going back to the regular domes.

 

What do you do when you own two consolidations? You double head them, of course!