Thanks! I used parts from the now discontinued Micron Art GP38-2 upgrade kit (namely the sand fill hatches, sunshades and cut levers) as well as pieces of styrene for things like the antenna plane. The air conditioner I designed and 3D printed. My next project will use the entire Micron art kit, looking forward to that build. Steve W
Been too busy with work, summer gardening and vacation to even set at the workbench — but got some train time in for vacation nonetheless. Isn’t that what vacations are for anyway??? The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge is a world class train trip, rated as one of the top 10 train rides in the world. This was my fourth trip. Note the steam double header - a rare treat for any era!
Lance, Nice trip and pictures! Finally get to put a face with the words. I agree with Kurt on the waterfall. Good looking locos and coaches. Scott
Thanks Scott. I cannot emphasize how nice the D&SNG Railroad is. Over a period of 45 years, I’ve been on this train four times. This was by far the most funnest and most exciting trip I’ve taken. AMERICAN HERITAGE RAILROADS owns and operates this and the great Smoky Mountains Railroad. They have done an incredible job of maintaining and managing the D&SNG, preserving and even improving upon its history. For anyone, considering, taking this trip, send me an IM and I will give you some tips to ensure you maximize the fun and experience.
ZScaleplanet - Do you know was the double header a special event, or do they normally need to do that now after converting them to oil?
My presumption is due to the large consist of this particular train, which I think was 12 cars (completely sold out), that was the reason for the doubleheader. Although the fact that they have converted to reclaimed oil versus coal could be a factor as well. Now interesting, but during the trip we stopped to pick up more people at a small depot. I did not see this take place as we basically had to remain on the train, but they split off the front loco and it ran ahead of us. I did ask one of the engineers why that occurred and he said there is a bridge along the route that they do not trust with two locos crossing it. So one loco got us pretty far up the mountain, and we joined the second at a watering station. So it may very well have been a special event. Hence the reason for the flags as well. It didn’t occur to me to ask the engineer about the double header. I was still reeling from the trip Plus there’s a mad scramble to get to the restaurant in Silverton before everybody else does.
Just confirmed with the D&SNG - they were running a double header out of necessity, due to the size and length of the train we were on. They also said coal -vs- oil made no difference. However, as the locos age, they lose power and thus need assistance.
Not ON my workbench, but this will BE my workbench for the foreseeable future. Not the POD, but the modules within the POD. Arrived this morning from far out west in Oregon. Can't wait to see my east coast trains on this west coast layout!
Any issues with the shipping? Did everything arrive safe and sound? As nice as the modules look, I sure hope so.
It's clear that the modules took some serious bounces at some point during the journey, but so far as I can see with brief inspections, no MAJOR damage, mostly just scenery and stuff shaken loose. They are beautiful, no doubt, but will require some serious cleaning and testing before they are show worthy. Good thing I'm retired....
I'm glad Loren's modules went to a good home. This morning Jeff Bathke a.k.a. Marmot here on Trainboard came by from Colorado and picked up my modules. I had not used them since the 2019 NTS in Salt Lake, and can no longer set them up myself, so they went to a good home. I was told there are several Z Scalers in the Colorado area and they formed a modular club to run Z at their shows.
Hey there John, Strangely enough, I found them right here on Trainboard. It was Loren's post in the "How Much is Too Much Z" thread that alerted me to the fact that he was retiring from doing Z-Bend modular show setups. I just couldn't stand to see them forgotten, or be broken up for parts, as I knew the quality of Loren's work from many years ago, so I pulled off the crazy stunt of having them shipped across the country in a POD, with MUCH help from Loren. I think RobA and I are going to share them, as they have pretty well taken over my house!
Loren does fantastic work! I always love watching him create mountains and trees cause those are totally opposite of what I have on my layout. Glad you’ll be carrying on Loren’s work.
Good to know these fabulous modules from Loren and Robert will continue to be seen for years to come, too beautiful!!
