Hallmark Heavyweights

kevsmith Jul 4, 2009

  1. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    I have finally got my hands on some Hallmark Lionel ornaments, They are not easy to get over here in England. The U.P turbine I think I am going to put an MTL F7 chassis underneath and haven't got a clue about motorising the PA yet.
    Does anyone have any experience of replacing the wheelsets in the heavyweight coaches with metal ones? I did think about turning down the flanges and regauging them but metal would be better.
     
    kevsmith, Jul 4, 2009
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  2. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    shamoo737, Jul 4, 2009
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  3. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Talk to david f., he did a stunning DRGW PA using a GP35 chassis and some N Fine Scale wheels. BTW: your craftsmanship is great!
     
    minzemaennchen, Jul 5, 2009
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  4. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Ooooor, some of the heavyweights towards the mid fifties used newer 4 axle trucks like the M-T passenger ones out now.:rolleyes: I wanna find someone to paint mine in GN orange & green, and then I can put a set under it, for less hassle.
     
    Kurt Moose, Jul 5, 2009
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  5. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    The August RMC has an article about RI heavyweights in commuter service. It should be easy to modify & paint the Hallmarks. Cut open vestibules to reveal the steps. They ran on 4 wheel trucks. They could be pulled by GP's till MTL can make some E's. Someone may stretch their F unit on a GP mech?
     
    Glenn Woodle, Jul 5, 2009
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  6. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I think metal wheels would be better, and the good news is they are coming from FVM real soon. I have mine on order from Z Scale Monster. When they arrive I will test them with my Hallmark truck mod, and adjust for smooth operation as needed.
     
    rray, Jul 5, 2009
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  7. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for the Heads UP on FVM metal wheels, Robert, be interested in how that turns out. I have been procrastinating on finishing the coach, RPO, and dinner and a full baggage due to the drag on the trucks and hoping we would see something break that would improve these car on the track. Anyway I will have my train at Hartford and if you want to see what we did you can look here <http://www.nn3.ca/main/main-american-zj-gauge-p4.htm> I purchased a bunch when they went on sale at the end of the season so I have lots of parts to play with. At 5 bucks a car it was a pretty good deal.

    Using the idea for the Alco trucks side frames from UP Turbine I am have a Doodlebug ready for the fall shows using GP power.

    I see Searails is advertising his subscription series of heavy weights with 100 bucks advance buy in and you get one third of each car every month which amounts to about a 10% discount overall. Novel way to get seed money.

    cheers
    Garth
     
    Garth-H, Jul 5, 2009
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