Nn3 Mining Layout Experiment

JimJ Aug 1, 2019

  1. tracktoo

    tracktoo TrainBoard Member

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    I'm not surprised that you're having performance problems with only one truck pickup. It would be worth the effort to add pickup to the front truck. That would likely cure 90% of your pickup problems. I would even be willing to look at that for you if you cared to send me the units. I hate to see you giving up on those with all of the work (and money) that you've invested in them when I'm pretty sure they could be made to work well. A PM would do it.:)
     
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  2. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I received the new motors today and those suckers run smooth as melted butter and quiet as a mouse. Thank you Debbie Vail at Showcase Miniatures. I’ll make a new micro/nano layout to run my equipment on but I’ll eliminate any grades and turnouts. Updates when they happen of course.
     
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  3. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    BCF7A943-5919-4314-875F-E086BA099A9D.jpeg So I installed one of the new motors in my Climax and the wheel base and wheel diameter is much more prototypical. So far so good. Next up will be the Shay.
     
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  4. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    That looks so cool Jim. I'm just amazed at how small these critters are.
     
  5. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett TrainBoard Member

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    Yes very cool, Jim!!!

    Joe
     
  6. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    BABEDFBF-175E-47A0-9855-F41E6FDE0466.jpeg Tonight I completed the motor install on my Shay and it runs smooth as the Climax. Now my faith in this crazy Nn3 scale is renewed. Now I’m going to incorporate a “High Line” loop for my little mining trains to run above the N scale figure 8 layout. Purely fictitious with plenty of impossible engineering is what I’m thinking. I’m taking a break from prototype modeling.
     
  7. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    That is some nifty stuff Jim. I bet if you put some Micro Mark Neo-lube https://www.micromark.com/Neolube-2-fl-oz- on those gears, I bet they would about disappear into the rest of the loco.
    And I am with you on the non proto modeling, its fun to be set free of that. Please carry on Sir. I am enjoying this stuff of yours.
     
  8. urbanex12

    urbanex12 TrainBoard Member

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    Really cool. Looking forward to scenery.
     
  9. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett TrainBoard Member

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    Jim does a great job on scenery and has a lot of detail in his HO layout. I can't wait to see what he does on the N scale narrow gauge layout.

    Joe
     
  10. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Are the piston/rods/primary gear operating on the Shay ?

    Dom
     
  11. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    No but after some more detail painting they may look as if they move. These little buggers are very tiny. Almost too small for me to work with.
     
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  12. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    A little update but no forum worthy photos.
    The original figure 8 is now changed to N scale. I have an Atlas 4-4-0 old timer pulling some early Civil War boxcars around it. I have a second Atlas 4-4-0 on the way now from the bay of E to double head this. The awesome Atlas 4-4-0s are difficult to find “in stock” for some reason. The climb is tough for a single loco even with lead weight in the cab!
    My Nn3 line will run high above the figure 8 with no grades whatsoever. I already have the Nn3 locos, rolling stock and track so I just have to get busy building the “high line”.
    This is strictly freelanced but should be quite fun. No turnouts at all. Just carefree continuous running!
     
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  13. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I truly torture myself. Switched the track back to Nn3 and drove the proverbial “Golden Spike” tonight. This time I’ve eliminated all turnouts for smooth, trouble free running and this is simply a figure 8 to watch this tiny train roll through some rugged steep scenery. So many scales, too little time. Here’s a quick video showing the fearsome grades this little train has to pull. I really enjoy these Showcase Miniatures loco kits and rolling stock and is the only reason I built this in the first place.
     
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  14. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    More videos as you progress, please!!:D

    Looking great!
     
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  15. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I will do that. Thanks.
     
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  16. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    They look like they are very smooth to me Jim. Man that quite a grade they are going up too.
    I am looking FWD to scenery and the details you are so good at.
     
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  17. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is a wicked grade. Looks like the repowered engines, doubleheaded, are up to the task, though. Very cool.
     
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  18. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    The experiment continues. I decided to eliminate all grades and turned it into a level loop. Deep gorges and tall rock formations will give it some more visual stimulation. My recent trip to Yellowstone National Park and my attraction to the On30 Thunder Mesa layout will definitely inspire my scenery. I will also add a small circle of track at a much higher elevation and run a mine train around it with the Shay. The Climax will travel the lower loop. Here is a slightly boring but thankfully short video of how things have progressed as of tonight.
     
  19. Anthony

    Anthony TrainBoard Member

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    Where are the saguaro cactus' from?
     
  20. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    Those where found at my local Hobby Lobby in the model railroad scenery section. JTT I think. Maybe Woodland Scenics but I can’t remember.
     
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