I stopped buying stuff well over a year ago. I _think_ my last loco / crazy purchase was probably Hmm, I have no idea. Most likely it was more than 2 years and it never left the box. The ones that I haven't ordered are: DD40 GG1s 4-8-8-4 SDXXs from Kato and FVM SD45 from Kato 3 of the 1940s/50s stream lined from Con Cor
I just picked up a slightly used Bachmann Spectrum EMC "doodlebug" yesterday using some of my shop credit. I have some ideas for this one, mostly involving detailing and repainting.
Yes, I think it's very good :thumbs_up: Thieu has an video on Youtube were you can hear it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybzbra4bIyk
After reading this incredibly interesting topic in its entirety, I stopped to think about my purchases, why I did them, why I feel pretty darn good about making the purchases, and what I learned. My plan of action is to go back to my adopted LHS who still has some of those fabulous Atlas Kato diesels still on sale for ridiculously low prices, next Wednesday when I get paid, and purchase a chunk of them, and make decisions whether to sell them over the bay, or at a swap meet, or keep certain ones. I learned a little about the former owner's MO, and concluded that because the locos with rapido couplers had no tire wear, while the locos with MT couplers had some wear, the owner before passing, purchased large lots of locos, and back then everything had rapido's, and they sat while he installed MT couplers then ran them. My reflections on purchasing this last bunch over the past couple of months. (now at 22 locos and counting) So here goes.... 1. Never be afraid to walk away from a good deal, as there is always another one around the corner. 2. The new Kato and Atlas diesels are much better than I could ever imagine. 3. I was disappointed in my Kato GS4, and appreciated my ConCor GS4 even more. 4. Older high quality locos retain their performance characteristics. I trust old Atlas and Kato diesels implicitly and explicitly. 5. Right now is the time to buy older quality diesels. I will be paying about $25 for Atlas/Kato classics in perfect shape. 6. I have developed a high level of respect and admiration for Model Power steamers. 7. Bachmann's Spectrum line is no guarantee of a higher quality of loco. 8. If you look into mis-titled searches and listings on Ebay, you will find great items with little activity and get great stuff at low prices. i.e, 3 Kato Hudsons for under $80 each. 9. I will only purchase used Kato, Atlas, ConCor (certain ones), LifeLike (metal frames and steamers only), IM, Kato, and Model Power without hesitation; others I will have to inspect and test first.... I think that is about everything I can think of. Even if there were more considerations, they would not be as important to me as those I listed above. I feel great to have learned from this experience...... Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
For the longest time I just had lifelikes and bachmanns.. I found out what I was missing in a big way.
Kato IC SD40-2 #6260 with MRC 1806 and LIGHTS! Here is my latest addition: A straightforward stripping, detailing, painting and weathering job on a Kato mid-production SD40-2. It is weathered to represent time spent in the iron country of Minnesota where it runs with CN units. I still have to add the front window wipers. That's me in the cab, BTW, in the yellow T-shirt. My conductor in the orange safety vest is on the other side and didn't rate a picture. We are ready to move out... OK, if you know about MRC sound decoders, specifically the combination of this particular Kato engine and the 1806 sound decoder, you know that you lose your ditchlights and have to accept a weak headlight. Basically you trade sound for light. Through sheer luck from tinkering with an 0603 micro LED attached to a 10K ohm resistor, I found a way to bring back the ditchlights and headlights, still controlled by function 0, and still have the rear light functional. The method is still my secret to have, but I will have to write it down soon because I will forget it within a week. I believe this is the only engine in this Universe in which a Kato SD40-2 mid combined with an MRC 1806 DCC sound decoder, has controllable lights of good brightness. No Digitrax TF-2 function decoder added, just one decoder. The ditchlights don't blink, but that doesn't matter, as CN doesn't do that anyway. I used BLMA fans on top with the idea that it would help "let the sound out", but I don't think it makes much difference. No matter what, any speaker only 10mm in diameter is not going to produce frequencies under about 1 KHz that anyone can hear. I am thinking of replacing the speaker (which is 32 ohm, according to the fine print on the decoder manual) with an 8 ohm 10x18 oval, which should be considerably louder and a bit better on the lower end. The manual says you can do this. I know these are relatively low-end decoders, but the sound and functions are acceptable and the motor controls are OK too. A smooth runner like this doesn't need to be improved electronically. I recently sent a decoder back for repair as it seemed dead, and in a couple of weeks it came back all fixed, no charge. Very friendly service too. Well, I hope you like the power, it's time to lock n' load, notch up!
The recently aquired FVM Gevo now has a lash up with the recent grab from ebay... AC4400CW. Now it just needs some details... Both shown on section of Unitrack (Ballasted and weathered)
I kind of got the urge to return to my B&O roots (again) and take a vacation from the C&O. So I finally decided after waiting for a long time for feedback on the Bachmann Heavy Mountain with DCC to go ahead and order an undecorated one with the Vanderbilt tender. This will be a stand in for a B&O T-3. I'm doing a break-in with it right now - so far a couple issues - the valve gear on the fireman's side locked up, but I put it under the magnifier and got it straightened out; the other problem is that the headlight tends to shut off from time to time - a re-start fixes it. Other than that it's running well. Also got an A-B set of Intermountain FT's in B&O - really nice.
I've probably already replied but the thread has gotten so long I don't have time to go through it all. I'm buying only little engines today: 0-8-0 and the 44-tonner, 2 of each. My mainline fleet of diesels is pretty complete; I have enough passenger cars for too many expresses; the freight fleet could be expanded 50% or so. Unless a Centipede or M-1 came along, I'm not buying much mainline power. Basically, I'm now in upgrade mode, especially with freight cars.
Putting the Kato AC44 with the FVM Gevo shows all the big errors on that GEVO. Mainly the handrails in the front and back and the missing third DB vent.
Quite true! It doesn't bother me too much thou, the crisp molding and details, excellent paint job, plus 'all' the grab ons supplied, makes it a step above the Kato in that regard. The only item I would try to fix on the FVM would be handrails. I'd say it runs better then Atlas, but just a tad behind the Kato.
My newest locomotive is a kitbashed SP T-31 4-6-0, number 2353, built from a bachmann consolidation!!! Here's some more pictures: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=124429
You have done a nice job with this loco, I like EMD SD40-2's. I have 2 of those miyselve, one CN and the other is one from the Ontario Northland Railway.
