1. RGW1

    RGW1 TrainBoard Member

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    Now that we know that J 611 will be restored, how many people will get the Bachmann J to run on there modern era layouts?
    I have two, However I have added some paint and lettered one for the Milwaukee Road. They are great running engines ( latest release 2006) and mine have pulled 70 cars up a 2% grade and unlike other engines there top speed at around 13-14v is
    actually a little slow, I have not timed it but I estimate maybe 80 mph. Any way I am just happy to see the real time will be running again. Is bachmann listening, maybe a J with a dual mode decoder with sound?
     
  2. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    Makes perfect sense to me. Is it for sure the 611 is being restored?
     
  3. RGW1

    RGW1 TrainBoard Member

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    I do not know how to add the web site , but google fire up 611 at the Virginia train muesum.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just copy the web site URL, then paste it into your post.
     
  5. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Apparently a work in progress. Basic info here, a fund-raising site here. Sounds as if the intent is definately there, but any kind of timeline depends on donations/fundraising.
     
  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Short answer: No

    As far as a "J"...Making a steam locomotive streamlined is like trying to make a Lamborghini out of a VW...JMO....LOL
     
  7. Nick Lorusso

    Nick Lorusso TrainBoard Member

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    I have a J with sound for my troop train. It looks great running around the layout. Fortunately mine is 603 built in 43' 611 wasn't built til 50'.
     
  8. RGW1

    RGW1 TrainBoard Member

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    I received a Email from the Museum ( I am on there email list) They have the money for the rebuild and will go ahead with
    restoration, they are now getting funding for maintenance buildings.( also check trains magazine site) My point is now those who model the modern era will have an excuse for buying a J.
     
  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 26, 2013
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rick-

    For some reason I am not getting any sound with that video link?
     
  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just poking fun at you steam guys :p

    I have a brand new Bachmann 4-8-4 that I got for THE Wife for her excursion train on THERR. It was a donation from Rick and needed replacement from Bachmann. The new one never ran right out of the box. I also read its a PITA to put a decoder in :-( She hated it. Its now on static display at THE Museum in 'Jeans Valley' :)

    She bought her an E5 to pull her excursion train. Its a diesel...I'm happy..and its an older one...she is happy.
     
  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You got me again. There isn't any~!

    My camera doesn't take a good video but the stills are almost awesome. If we could teach the guy behind the camera how to use it. col

    Then teach that so and so how to download to You Tube. Mine have to be boosted to 480 pixels or HD 720 to get a clear picture. Not sure what happened on the download.

    George, You might want to send the latest museum piece back to the B word. The newest batch out are better then any of the prior's but still leaves MUCH to be desired. Sorry to hear of the troubles. They key is finding a way to wire up the tender for plus and minus (Do they still call that polarity?) and hooking them to either a decoder or directly to the motor. You need to isolate the motor from the frame and you should be good to limp along. I said without much of a reassuring grin.

    LOT's of luck!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 26, 2013
  13. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nah Rick...I'll leave it as a static display...a constant reminder of why I'm NOT a steam guy...LMAO !!! :teeth:

    *btw...thanks again for sending it the first time. It was an adventure for sure.
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bummer.

    I know of an AF, (American Flyer) S Scale locomotive doing the same thing on the O & S Rail Link. Yes, sir this phenomena happens in all scales. We even took modified sand and threw it all over the locomotive is if kids had tried to cover it up. We did what? Sigh!
     
  15. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Believe me...I have nothing but respect for all you guys who run steam. You have to have the patience of a saint ^5

    Sorry for the thread drift *heading back to my corner*
     
  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    George, you are fine. No problem-o. What you need is something that will turn your head and perform like a fine Swiss Watch.

    I have a fair amount of steam and it's the late arrivals I.e., Athearn's Big Boy and Challenger, Kato's GS 4's and Mikado's, Con Cor's GS 4's and Intermountain's "Back-up" that run sweet. I promise you will do a double take. Do I dare add in Bachmann's (latest) J series and a few others out there in the Spectrum Line that are impressive runners. It's getting better.

    There was some early Rivarossi, ConCor, Trix and MRC stoves aka steam locomotives that ran fairly well. I still have some of those but I warn you they are sitting on the repair bench, shelf, table in boxes under the bench...., bad ordered. Missing traction tires, needing new electrical pick-ups and electric motors. Bull Frog Snot to the rescue and I don't know yet what I'm going to do about the motors.

    I have a few other Botched-up's, Northern's that I'm holding onto in hopes of picking up some Kato mechanism's (at a fairer price then you find on E-pay) and switch them out. I have one Northern, I cheated and gutted out the motor and gears turning it into a dummy. It can be seen ahead of my Super Chief as a helper on occasion. The light still works so why not? Beside those Kato F's and E's run sweet and pull hard. Nice!

    What was the question we were trying to answer?

    Edited add on: Yes, I'm glad to hear they are bringing the N & W, J, 611 back to life. I chased her on one of her last private varnish runs, from Cincinnati, Ohio, to some where north of Richmond, Indiana and back. You've never seen as pretty and smooth a runner. SWEET!
    I was able to get my brother in-law and nephew up into the cab for a visit. Awesome, was my nephews response.

    I'd like to see N & W bring back their steam program. Nothing like hearing those stoves, move through the foothills and canyon's of Ohio and Kentucky.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 26, 2013
  17. sillystringtheory

    sillystringtheory TrainBoard Member

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    I remember back in 1991 or 1992, 611 had stopped at Painesville to get water. I was on my way home from work and spotted her just short of the crossing. Knowing this was one of 611's last trips, I parked and walked up to her and the thing I remember most was the brass plaque on the cab below the engineer's window which read "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do".
    When Bachmann came out with the improved J, I had to have one. It is the sweetest steam engine I have owned to date. Really glad to hear she will live again.
     
  18. cnw mike

    cnw mike TrainBoard Member

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    Great news, Southron-built steam has always been some of the most beautiful. It must be that Cavalier bloodline.
     
  19. Jerry M. LaBoda

    Jerry M. LaBoda TrainBoard Supporter

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    It was announced just a couple days ago that the restoration project is a go with all the funds needed for the restoration to take place now in hand (thanks to the many who have contributed as well as a number of corporate sponsors and the engine is to be moved to Spencer Shops/N.C. Transportation Museum very soon. Now the fund railing for the facility that will house and maintain the 611 is taking place, with the hope that the 2-mil plus will yield a truly fine looking Lubitorium and 611 visitor's center. The N&W Lubitoriums were state of the art and were able to crank out a large number of steamers on any given day with full lub jobs... their choice to pattern 611's new home after one of these historical facilities is truly a great choice that hopefully new generations of railfans will come to appreciate and enjoy!!!

    Need a link? This one should work...

    [​IMG]
     
  20. DaveWonders

    DaveWonders TrainBoard Member

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    Hey jerry, do you have inside knowledge of the restore? I see you're in NC so maybe you know someone who knows someone.

    I took the press release to be carefully worded that donations are lower than expected. And I also understood that although they have enough to do the restoration, it would not happen until they have enough to make the facility in Roanoke, which sounds like it might not be so soon. I have no information and I don't want to sound like I do or spread false info. I'm trying not to get too excited. Anyway, they seem to be keeping info very close to their chest and I can understand on one level, but the pessimist in me worries.
     

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