Guys, that pizza-cutter-equipped 17-car Kato train was flawless running on Pete's C55 layout. My 3 E's made it fine, to boot. I actually have video of the journey. And now it wants to be cranky?
Just shows what happens when you try for perfect track! I wasn't happy with the vertical transitions in some spots, so I adjusted the track. WRONG. Even after 32 years in N scale, I'm still learning.
I _think_ one of the main reasons we choose this hobby is the never ending challenge and since "misery loves company" we all have lots of company. This hobby draws on every aspect of inttellect from the liniear deductive eliminate the variables to the so far outside the box creative thinking that .... well you know.
"misery loves company" That's one of the things that makes these forums so valuable. Imagine if you had to wait for the next club meeting to have someone to commiserate with! Regards Ed
For those of you with memory intact, I posted some pictures in a thread that I now cannot find of a Code 80 turnout at which a Kato Mikado kept on hopping to one side when going into the turnout. I have two Kato Mikados. One with traction wheels and one without. The one without goes through the turnout without any problems whatsoever. Any clues as to why the one with the traction wheels has a problem?
GG: Steam loco's do work if your track work is acceptable and your expectations are reasonable. BTW, I also have many transition diesels on the JJJ&E. The only "modern diesels" I have are a pair of SD-60M's. That was early on, before I settled on the steam transition era. What part of Boston are you from? I lived in Boston for 30+ years before moving to Florida in 1994. Stay cool and run steam....
Mark: The traction tires are slipping. Remove the traction tires, and then take some clear nail polish and paint a thin coating on the metal driver and then put on your traction tire. Do it for both tires, one a at time. You only need a very thin layer of polish. This will stabilize the traction tires. BTW, did this loco stay on the rails before the traction tire installation? Stay cool and run steam..... [ 18. November 2004, 00:41: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Mark: Did you checkthe traction tire drivers to see if they are in gauge? Stay cool and run steam....
Powersteamguy, I just moved from Cleveland Circle, (which is no longer a circle), to Roslindale , (which you may have never heard of). I is part of Boston squashed down near West Roxbury, Brookline Dedham and Jamiaca Plain. The commuter rail and AMTRAK lines are right outside my window. No freight (oh well). PSG, I have been through your RailImages at least twice. Beatiful [ 18. November 2004, 22:19: Message edited by: Grey Gryphin ]
I lived just off of Cleveland Circle from 1968-1972. Talk about flawed trackwork! The squeals from the surface trolleys, and the then "commuter line" out to Riverside were--well--sleep-disturbing.
GG: I lived in Canton for over 30+ years. I'm quite familiar with Roslindale, Brookline, Dedham, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, etc. etc. Thanks for the compliment on my photo's, I appreciate it.. I have more photo's to add as more work has been done on the JJJ&E. Alot of it deals with the detailing of diesels and the turntable module I've started. Stay cool and run steam....
Pete: I used to take the Riverside line from Park Street to Wellesley. When I was in dental school, I used to work at Newton Wellesley Hospital from 1961-1965. I remember taking the last trolley back to Boston at midnight and having that sucker go at 60 -70 mph till it hit the tunnel at Fenway. That wasn't bad for the early 1960's... Stay cool and run steam....
Bob- If we are finished with naming all the depressing places in Boston except Fenway Park, all wheels on the Kato Mikado, incuding the traction wheels, are in gauge.
You had quite a walk after getting off the Riverside line! I guess the far edges of Wellesley border on the far edges of Newton. But there's Route 128 in between. I think Riverside Station, which had a loop, is modelable in N Scale.
Whoops! Newton-Wellesley hospital was on the Riverside line! Just a stop or two before Riverside. Of course, it was in Newton. My bad!
Mark: When you put on the traction tire driver, is the weight on that driver in sync with the other three drivers? (the half circle shape) If it is even out of line by a small amount , this can cause derailments. Stay cool and run steam....
