I knew it, I knew it. Hawhawhawhaw !!! I knew I'd live long enough to hear that. Aiiyiiyii What the world of Toy Trains has done to Railroading. The desire to rename everything has finally come full circle. LMAO!! Well sort of. okay Chuckling, no gritting my teeth, what's that middle finger of mine wanting to do. Heeheehee Good one!!
I’m an N scale switcher junkie. Here’s a few favorites. SW1 patrol. The lead unit is equipped with Loksound. The others are ESU Lokpilot non-sound. Alco HH660 on Bill Denton’s spectacular New Lisbon module. Scratch/Bash equipped with Loksound FM H-10-44. Shapeways shell on an Atlas VO1000 chassis with an ESU Lokpilot non sound decoder. Davenport 45 ton. Scratchbuilt with an ESU Lokpilot Nano standard decoder.
ATSFCliff, Where did you get your ATSF Zebra Stripe? I like the location of the Santa Fe Emblem. I've been looking for one like it, for way to long. I did catch that it is a Life Like. Scratching head and wondering how I missed them.
Always love the switcher threads. They get better every time !!! A project I can't wait to start is a pair of Alco C415 kits. Has anyone built those yet ??? My first switcher was a Concor, about 35 yrs ago. It is still great for knocking boxcars around, but open the throttle and it is by far the FASTEST N scale anything that anyone has ever seen !!! It has pizza cutters, so it tracks like the old G-Plus slot cars. I intend to paint it like Richard Petty's early-mid '70s Dodge Chargers... some day. Anyone wanna' run for titles ???
\ I have a few SW-1 engines to convert but a quick look through a few online dealers makes it appear that I won't be getting any more. The SW1 has become quite rare....
Bummer. I was not in a place where I could acquire one, when they were originally available. Back then there was rumor a possible second run might include a MILW edition. As I recall, there were two versions? Different window styles? Seems as though the MILW version I was dreaming about modeling had tall, rounded windows...?
I recall more than two versions. Maybe as many as four. I think the closest to MILW were the B&M version. Some has roller bearings, different hood shapes, different cabs. I wish they had done the MILW versions, I'm sure they would have been more popular then the Penn Central or Amtrak ones...
The only version that Arnold released with all the right Milwaukee details was the B&M Black Minuteman scheme. It had the arched windshield, stepped rather than tapered hood, short handrails and single beam headlights. The Blue B&M version differed with full length handrails. The B&Ms ware the only ones with stepped hood which is why I spliced on the Kato parts from the NW2. It was originally a C&NW Unit. These have become extremely rare and only show up on EBay occasionally. It’s a shame they were discontinued because these are superb models.
Is there a site where I can see a picture of this B&M version? Then I can be familiar with it, in case one surfaces....
Here are a few more favorites. Atlas MP15 with a Skytop Models resin shell to convert it to an MP 15AC. It has a Loksound 73100 decoder. Milwaukee TR2 set. The A unit is pretty much stock LifeLike mech with a Kato NW2 cab. It has an ESU Lokpilot Nano standard decoder. The B unit is a modified LifeLike chassis with a Kato NW2 hood with a Rivarossi narrow end spliced on. It has recently been remotored and has a Loksound V5 micro decoder. Bachmann S4 with a Loksound 73100 decoder.
The Milwaukee Road SW1's take me back to my childhood when I used to see the real ones here in Austin. Doug
There are a few modelers here that could use a Jedi button. Jim Starbuck is certainly one of them. Something to aspire to... Randy
Thank you for the kindness guys. One of the things I most appreciate about being involved in N scale and on the forums is the inspiration, sharing of knowledge and encouragement among modelers. I've had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some very talented people and admiring their work both in person and on the forums. Many have posted in this very thread. Maybe some of my stuff will spark others as so many others have done for me. Jim