Hmmm... a gaggle of Rio Grande S2's showed up last Friday too. I don't have the DCC set-up yet to test them properly... and I could not get one to work on straight DC. Can't tell you how they run or sound... I'll have to depend on others comments until I commit to the DCC connection. BTW... I thought these Atlas models have a dual mode decoder to run on straight DC... any comment on that?
I played with mine a little yesterday, and the instructions specifically recommend not running DC with them. After cleaning the track and test running it, and then cleaning the track again, and then cleaning the wheels... and the track, I was able to get some run time on the loco. She's still in break-in mode, but so far seems to be a good runner. The sound is underwhelming because of the lack of bass that everyone mentions, although it does sound like you're hearing it from a distance, when the higher frequency sounds would be more prevalent. All in all, it's ok. Because my two layouts are very small, I'm going to take another look at Lance Mindheim's speaker/headphones concept for sound.
I was a VW owner for 14 years (2001 Jetta GLS 1.8T)..a great car that I drove from 8 miles to 142K! On topic, last week I got a sweet deal on a set of 6 Walthers Difco side dump cars in MOW green. Three UP and three MP. They need trucks and couplers but for $12, you can't go wrong! My sons will enjoy this project since they are already a bit weathered but need some more.
005cowboys by cal_43spanish, auf Flickr A set of handmade Cowboys, much better than the tabletop figurine.
An F7A shell in GN from @Ryan Wilkerson - that is about to get stripped and turned into a KCS control slug . . . .
Just bought this Proxxon XY table to turn my Dremel into a micro mill. That is a Kato SD45 frame in the clamp
Just recieved my Miller Engineering Animated Rio Grande billboard and supports. Operates on 3 AAA batteries, or separate power source, available separately. Programmed to flash in one of 46 different patterns. Have to get a video of it in action at some point! Really neat to watch! &$@$)($&@ fonts! Can't get it to return to normal at the moment! Oh well.....
the Cowboys was made by http://www.trafofuchs.de/index_N.htm on request not cheap but worth the money
I'm focusing on vehicles for my layout (modern version) and just bought a Trainworx UPS tractor/Trailer. These are very nice models. John
A short view, of sign in action! Just short of 8 minutes!! But, I show ALL 46 flash styles. And an all around view of sign. Notice how thin it is!! Have to finish back support structure. Have 2 of 5 tacked in place for the time being.