Here are a couple shots of my newly finished SP type 23 depot. Not much scenery around it but it is a big accomplishment for me as its my first wooden laser kit. I must say it took me much longer than anticipated and it did not go together very well in my opinion. Hopefully the newer kits are better in dirrections and fit and finish. I intend to use a wash on it to tone down the paint and weather it some. I have yet to add the stacks to.
SNFF 2010 02 28 Hi, all, For this week, my contribution are these informal comparison photos of the new N scale Broadway Limited PAs, compared with the June 1998 Kato PAs. Frankly, the photos are rather bad in lighting, but within the time availability I had, I trust these will be of good public service to our N scale community. Draw your own conclusions . For myself, I think both do really well. Especially considering the Kato is 12 years old. Here's some of my observations / thoughts: * Note the Kato PAs have been lightly weathered, and in particular, the trucks have been painted, weathered, and then given a wash to increase the appearance of depth. * The BLI is stock, no weathering, the only modification is that I painted with silver, the ugly black BLI PA diaphraghms and the standard BLI Micro-trains 1015 couplers. (Otherwise, the BLIs would not have compared as well with the Kato PAs in the photos). * The Kato weighs a hefty 5 ounces, the BLI weighs 3.75 ounces. * The BLI DCC/Paragon2 Alco sound is great. In my case, I turned down the master volume CVs, to '96' from the stock '128' - otherwise the sound was out of proportion too loud. (The Kato is standard non-sound). * The powered BLI PA had no problem towing one of the dummy BLI PBs and a 8 car Kato passenger train around my level layout. * As has been reported elsewhere, the electrical pickup on the BLI PAs can be problematical. These BLI's will occasionally stop due to break in the pickup, then restart again - the sound of course, will cut out then restart when that happens. Just expect that will be the case, it's prudent to expect many N scale sound locos to be a bit finicky. In comparison, my Kato PA's never have a problem with electrical pickup running on exactly the same track (Kato Unitrack). Here's the photos: More photos following.
Hey John, this comparison is great and probably should have its own home for more to see. Thanks for the pics. With the differences I see It appears as if each manufacturer modeled a different run. From what looks like a light on top of the BLI cab to the stripe wrapping up and over the cab windows to the ladders, etc... I do like the BLI as the ladders look better and the logo is multi colored. I do have a question. How do your BLI locos navigate turnouts compared to the Kato? A friend of mine has a couple of the BLI and they seem to struggle over Atlas code 55 #7 turnouts. They rumble over them and refuse to take the diverging routes. The layout used is also utilized at shows and everything else rolls through as expected so I don't think the track is at fault.
Hello, all, As a followup to my BLI/Kato PA post above.... As a public service to all who are interested (especially in DCC).... Wanted to let any of you who are in the San Francisco Bay Area, that next weekend you are invited to come as a guest to the Coast Division Meet on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Buchser Middle School in Santa Clara, CA. Buchser Middle School, 1111 Bellomy St., Santa Clara, CA Of particular interest to all,is that Mark Gurries will be giving two DCC clinics. Mark is literally a world-known model RR DCC expert and contributor, with innumerable and continuing support of all things DCC on the various Yahoo DCC Groups. We're lucky to have him right here in Silicon Valley. Guests are always welcome at the NMRA Coast Division meets, and there's no charge (what a deal!) Thought there may be many of you who would like to enjoy these two clinics greatly, and you do get to find out about the NMRA Coast Division at the same time as well. Mark's two clinics on Sunday, March 7, 2010 are: 10:00 AM ......Decoder Hardware (selection and installation) 11:00 AM.......Decoder Software (programming and software support) More about these two DCC clinics (including copies of handouts), as well more info about Mark, is at: Meeting Clinics You get to also have great idea exchange, seeing and kibitzing with your fellow model railroaders and guests. Learn more by seeing our web site at: Welcome to the Coast Division of Pacific Coast Region of NMRA Here's what we have planned: 9:00 AM.......Doors open. Free Door Prizes. Buy Raffle Tickets. 9:30 AM.......Get Auction Cards. 10:00 AM ......Decoder Hardware (selection and installation) by Mark Gurries 11:00 AM.......Decoder Software (programming and software support) by Mark Gurries 11:00 AM.......Model Railroad Roundtable moderated by Jerry Littlefield 12 Noon.........Business Meeting ~1:00 PM*.....Auction starts, Roundtable continues 1:30 PM .......Model/Photo Contest Results – afterward Auction continues 3:30 PM .......Timesaver Results, Raffle – afterward Auction continues if required 9:30 AM – 1:15 PM: Model Contest: Caboose, Freight Cars, Maintenance of Way Photo Contest: Steam Locomotives Allen Fenton Timesaver Switching Contest (until 3:15) See more about all this by downloading the March 2010 Coast Dispatcher: http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/dispatcher/Dispatcher201003.pdf There are Coast Layout Tours on: March 13 & 14, 2010 North East Bay - Andy Schnur is coordinator If you want to know more about Layout Tours, come to the meet, or check our web site at: Layout Tours We also have Show and Tell: bring any model to share and show off! Works in progress welcome! =============== The Coast Division callboard is online at: http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/Coast_Call_Board.pdf ============= SWITCHING CONTEST Have a go at the Allen Fenton Timesaver switching puzzle, Which is a fun, devilish little switching layout and friendly competition we have at every Coast Division Meet. You got to try it! ============ Hope to see many of you Coast Division, Pacific Coast Region, as guests - if nothing else, you'll love the DCC clinics - they alone are worth the drive . As a public model RR service On behalf of the NMRA Coast Division, John Sing Coast Division Model Contest chair-flunkie NMRA PCR Coast Division Model Contest / Photo Contest / Show and Tell web pages: http://www.pcrnmra.org/coast/contest.shtml
Here we see C&HV 200 working the transload center and industry overflow yard. With bell ringing the 200 eases a N&W boxcar back pass the dock area to the "team" spot. After looking at these pictures I decided the Unitrack will never work on my permanent ISL..I am thinking along the lines of C55.The only hold up now is Atlas C55 will not be in stock till 2nd quarter of the year!!!
Well, I have no new models to show. But, finally I am beginning to plan my new layout. Construction within the new train room, uuuhhh, train attic should start within 6 weeks. Here is a shot of where the new Albemarle Division will reside. It is a 30 x 32 (net clear) room with a 14 foot ceiling. I am stoked at the thought of getting in there and getting started.
Hi, spidge, The BLI's definitely have some occasional trouble stalling when negotiating the tuned Kato #4 Unitrack turnouts on my layout (the BLI's don't have any problem with the Kato #6's). For whatever reason, the BLI PA's have tendency to stall on the Kato #4's. I have not done any investigation, but clearly, there is something going on in terms of the BLI PA's wheels losing contact, and even creating a momentary short. The Kato PA's have absolutely no problem going through these same turnouts. Bears more investigation as to the cause, which I won't have time to do.... but perhaps someone can chime in here. In fairness, I wonder if it has something to do with the traction tires or truck design causing a momentary 'lift' or lack of contact. Because...... the Precision Craft Models (BLI) E7 with factory LokSound that I have, exhibits similar occasional break-in-electrical-contact symptoms, on exactly the same turnouts, in exactly the same way. Hmmm..... Yet, the Athearn Tsunami-sound FP45s have no problem on these same turnouts. Hmm... So, I think part of what is going on is the manner that BLI/PCM electrical pickup may be designed and/or working (or not working). I have heard anecdotal reports that some BLI/PCM N scale loco users have replaced the traction tire with a normal wheel (they got the appropriate parts from BLI/PCM), and have resolved the electrical pickup. I've not done this myself, so I don't know if for sure, but if that is really the case, I am super-willing to dump the traction tires and replace the rear wheel sets.... if anyone can confirm this will help... and can also explain how one goes about taking apart the truck and replacing the rear wheel set. Anyone with useful input, feel free to chime in here.
Yep. It will be an investment for sure. But I will frame all the knee walls around the cathedral myself, do the insulating myself, as well as do all of the electrical work. So that will save a ton. I can't afford to have someone and "turn-key" it, so that is why I'll tackle those things I'm comfortable doing. I will have someone come in and do the sheetrock, floor, and HVAC. I have already beefed up my electric service to deal with additional panels here in the trainroom and the one I added in my workshop. So I'm ahead of the game on the "juice".
Thanks for the photos and the info, John. Those BLI PAs look really nice. I'm getting an A-B set of Grande PAs in March and I think they'll be sweet. BTW, I used to go to Buchser when it was a high school and the current Buchser Middle School was called Santa Clara High. So many years ago...
Here's picture of the Buchser Middle School auditorium, and the NMRA PCR Coast Division Meet in progress: Enjoy ..... memories..... nice to know that, WPZephyrFan... I'll be thinking of you during our meet next week.
