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Offline Alsterstreek  
#51 Posted : 13 November 2016 23:26:37(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
More power to the people. I had a go at two ordinary Life Like GP 38 two rail locos. While road no. 3600 was already born as a dummy, road no. 3500 was converted to one by removing the cog wheels and feeder cables inside the loco. Both are quite (but not too) heavy.

Then the useless humps were removed under the rear trucks to make room for a center-PuKo pickup shoe, respectively. Left = before and right = after, respectively:
LL2016trucks2.jpgLL2016trucks1.jpg

The two dummies from below.
LL2016pwr1dummies.jpg

Road no. 3600 matches the blue and yellow war bonnet paint scheme applied to ATSF locos as of June 1972. In due time, road no. 3500 with the cheap, shrill and wrong paint mix will obtain a classic 1960s blue with yellow book ends paint scheme (with which the first GP38 batch was delivered to ATSF in June 1970).
LL2016pwr2dummies.jpg


The two SD 40 locos by Mehano received decoders, and I managed to adjust wheels and couplers, but I couldn't fit any decent pickup shoe under the six-axle trucks due to lack of space. Now Life Like dummy no. 3600 feeds them with center-Puko power. At least they can pull themselves up the hill, but I did not dare to haul a train yet. Of course riding comfort of the Mehanos does not match the one Maerklin locos offer.
LL-MH2016eggheads3x.jpg

Cable connections still to be improved.
LL-MH2016cables.jpg

Road no. 3500 is supposed to power other Geeps. To be continued.

Edited by user 14 November 2016 12:14:23(UTC)  | Reason: paint scheme info finetuned

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#52 Posted : 08 December 2016 17:59:58(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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As I am happy with the six-axle Life Like Proto 2000 (P2K) EMD E8 described earlier, I converted a series of P2K four-axle EMD GP30 locos, two Santa Fe and one Rio Grande loco. Rewiring and decoder installation was a routine job. Finding a solution for the chassis mounted couplers allowing operations on R1 curves was more challenging.

A Maerklin 701570 coupler gets an additional hole where the "wings" meet. Excess length cut off for avoiding interference with loco truck.
e705070m-manip.jpg
The hole has the same size as the ones of the Maerklin draw bar. The Maerklin draw bar screw 753030 serves for fixing onto loco chassis. The coupler is now - like a draw bar - freely pivoting around the screw.
2016LL701570p2kfr.jpg
Procedure repeated at other end.
2016LL701570p2kfrbk.jpg
This is the one and only way to move a train through a R1 curve. The coupler moves with the curve. Only - and in my view unimportant - drawback: the coupler needs to be straightened manually before coupling.

Before obtaining a patent and starting industrial production, I will have R&D fix that via a spring mechanism, similar to the Kadee coupler box mechanism.
:o)

P.S: I do not want to destroy any truck or gearbox for installing a pickup shoe. The black cable dangling from the loco is to be connected to a second dummy unit which is equipped with a pickup shoe.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#53 Posted : 08 December 2016 18:22:49(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Regarding the dummy with a pickup shoe I am following two separate avenues.

(a) A Maerklin EMD F7 chassis has the same dimensions as a Athearn EMD GP7 (or GP9) one. While the motor sitting in or on a motorized chassis does not fit into a sleek GP body, a dummy chassis offers an alternative. To fit an Athearn shell with its flat veranda on such a Maerklin dummy chassis, the latter needs to flattened by folding outer ledges. The GP chassis is longer than the F7 one. Therefore, 215860 couplers (having an extended neck) are mounted on each side. GP front skirt openings are widened to allow wider swings on tight R1 curves. Right before and left after cutting.
2016GP2skirtwide.JPG
Then one of the dummy trucks obtains a standard Maerklin pickup shoe to feed the motorized GP30. Here is the consist in action. The dummy is still lacking handrails.
2016GP30GP7no1handrails.jpg

(b) A Life Like GP38 dummy obtains a pickup shoe (see November 13 post). Again, 701570 couplers are manipulated by clipping their wings and pushing them into the existing coupler pockets. Finally, paint jobs are to be done. The Santa Fe version in the works (in the rear),
2016ATSFpaint1.jpg
The Rio Grande version in the work (in the rear).
2016DRGWpaint1.jpg
Unlike the Santa Fe, the Rio Grande did not own GP38 locos. However, they had GP40 locos with exactly the same outside dimensions, but with different engine (invisible) and therefore different roof ventilator combination (visible). We pretend that this is an early Rio Grande GP40.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#54 Posted : 08 December 2016 18:54:30(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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One GP30 did not budge. It turned that one worm drive was blocked by hardened grease. How to fix this: After weight removal - left side. Pry off Worm drive cover with small screw driver.
2016P2kwormdrive1.JPG
Right side with removed worm drive cover.
2016P2kwormdrive2.jpg
Truck (here without wheels) and worm drive can be separated and pulled apart.
2016P2kwormdrive3.jpg
Watch out to collect all lose parts, e.g. a minuscule washer.
2016P2kwormdrive4.jpg
Dismantle and clean worm drive. In my case the quadratic part with the hole sitting at the extreme end - functioning as bearing - was clogged with hardened grease. It was so bad that I had to replace said bearing. Remember the minuscule washer before reassembly...

That does the trick.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#55 Posted : 08 December 2016 19:05:06(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Then, one GP30 suffered from split cog wheels. How to fix this: Pry off truck side panels. Then carefully pry off bottom cover, using small screw driver.
2016P2Kundercaover1.jpg
Cover removed & right wheelset pulled out...
2016P2Kundercaover.jpg
Existing wheelsets can easily be pulled apart, releasing the split cogwheels.
2016P2Khalfaxles.jpg
When reassembling with replacement cogs, make sure that the latter stay in the center, leaving some "balanced" slack on both ends for the square bearings. Repeat/adjust/redo until loco runs smoothly (annoying task). At the end: success.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#56 Posted : 08 December 2016 19:08:52(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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And to conclude the day, something more tangible. Life Like US freight cars run well on C track. Interestingly, Maerklin F7 loco couplers fit into coupler pockets of Life Like freight cars. Here is a short Life Like hopper coupled between two Maerklin ones.
2016LLhoppercoupled.jpg
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Offline kimballthurlow  
#57 Posted : 09 December 2016 07:37:49(UTC)
kimballthurlow

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Then, one GP30 suffered from split cog wheels. How to fix this: Pry off truck side panels. Then carefully pry off bottom cover, using small screw driver.
......
When reassembling with replacement cogs, make sure that the latter stay in the center, leaving some "balanced" slack on both ends for the square bearings. Repeat/adjust/redo until loco runs smoothly (annoying task). At the end: success.


Hi Ak,
I have owned about 20 Life Like locos of the type you are dealing with.
On all, I had to replace the split axle gear (cog), which had itself been cracked.
You cannot see the crack, just the loco does not behave to it's best, and clicks (jumps) along.
Terrible quality and a lot of work.
I had to wait 2 years for a batch of replacements to come from Walthers. Though NWSL (expensive) and Athearn (hard to get) replacements work for these.

regards
Kimball
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
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Offline Carim  
#58 Posted : 09 December 2016 10:34:09(UTC)
Carim

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Location: London
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Then, one GP30 suffered from split cog wheels.


Hi,

Any chance of annotating the photo to show the split as I can't see it? Kimball has already answered my second question about how you would notice that part has split.

Thanks,
Carim
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#59 Posted : 09 December 2016 11:50:29(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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As Kimball wrote, it is very hard - if not impossible - to see the crack.
2016-12-09_10-45-37.jpg
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Offline kimballthurlow  
#60 Posted : 10 December 2016 12:32:55(UTC)
kimballthurlow

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Location: Brisbane, Australia
Originally Posted by: Carim Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Then, one GP30 suffered from split cog wheels.


Hi,

Any chance of annotating the photo to show the split as I can't see it? Kimball has already answered my second question about how you would notice that part has split.

Thanks,
Carim


Hi Carim,
You cannot see the crack. As Ak says, it is hairline.
The ony way to see it is to prise open each gear by using a small round piece of steel (screwdriver) through the hole, and twisting somehow.
If it opens up.... there is a crack!!!!!
Not worth the effort, just replace every gear on a loco that displays the symptoms..... (clicking or thumping, mildly jerky or lumpy under power).

regards
Kimball
HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#61 Posted : 11 December 2016 19:26:18(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Originally Posted by: kimballthurlow Go to Quoted Post
The ony way to see it is to prise open each gear by using a small round piece of steel (screwdriver) through the hole, and twisting somehow.
If it opens up.... there is a crack!!!!!
Done:
cog2016split.jpg

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#62 Posted : 14 December 2016 19:04:49(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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2016-12-14_18-03-18.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#63 Posted : 14 December 2016 19:21:49(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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2016-12-14_18-22-30.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#64 Posted : 25 December 2016 01:15:45(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Further to post no. 53 - large decals, glazing and railings in place.
IMG_5008.jpgIMG_5003.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#65 Posted : 04 February 2017 12:29:29(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Praise forum member JVuye aka Dr. Eisenbahn (and praise Webmaster who enabled the two of us to meet in the first place): JVuye was so kind as to adapt the wheels of my formerly 2-rail Kato Alco RS 2 by cutting grooves on his lathe so that traction tires „sink in". Much obliged !
:o)

Kato Alco RS2 3-rail test run with traction tires.

Over trailing points:

Uphill:


Power pickup shoe mounted under first freight car. This is not ideal and should be rectified in due course.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#66 Posted : 13 February 2017 22:52:54(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Okay, who can say what´s different? Yes, now with (metal) railings.
railings2017gp1sf2x.jpg
Courtesy of BrandonVA´s GP7 railing emporium. Much obliged BrandonVA !


P.S. There arrived also a spare B&O shell complete with railings.
railings2017gp1B+O1x.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#67 Posted : 14 April 2017 09:58:37(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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3060 undercarriage "nose" slightly shortened, motor upgraded (5-pole core and decoder), 4063 shell mounted:

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#68 Posted : 15 April 2017 12:38:17(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
There arrived also a spare B&O shell complete with railings.

I had a go at the GP7 railing hitherto stuck on the B&O shell, getting it finally removed and mounted on the third ATSF GP7 shell.
FullSizeRender.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#69 Posted : 16 April 2017 15:48:14(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Ok, it is a B unit in the middle, but besides...
7452.1075593360.jpg
RailPictures.net
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#70 Posted : 16 April 2017 16:41:39(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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What is possible now? The new Spring Collection:
GP7F7AMU2017frv.pngGP7F7Bwstlc2017.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#71 Posted : 16 April 2017 16:45:12(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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And not to forget, the initial reason why I started this adventure:
IMG_5901.jpg
GPs MU-ed on Maerklin C rails, now finally running.
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Offline jvuye  
#72 Posted : 16 April 2017 22:06:48(UTC)
jvuye

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Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
And not to forget, the initial reason why I started this adventure:
......
GPs MU-ed on Maerklin C rails, now finally running.


...and more coming up, I know for sure! Wink

Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#73 Posted : 30 September 2017 03:02:27(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Rio Grande single black stripe paint jobs.

Alco PA and PB: First "Aspen Gold" and silver metallic applied.
IMG_9266 (1).jpg
And then the single black stripe added. The paint scheme is matching the ultimate looks of Rio Grande units 6001 and 6002.
IMG_9347.jpg
Decals still missing and grab irons, window panes and horns to be mounted again.

RPO car in the making.
IMG_9358.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#74 Posted : 10 October 2017 14:21:14(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Alco PA and PB plus RPO car now with decals and detail parts.
IMG_9493a.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#75 Posted : 10 October 2017 14:36:02(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Inspired by the prototype.
2017-10-10_13-28-49.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#76 Posted : 19 August 2018 23:28:13(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Alco RS2 by Kato conversion perfected by finally installing a flawlessly working pickup shoe right under the front truck.

Credits for the following works go to a trusted MU forum member, who might want to come forward?

IMG_1680.jpgIMG_1684.jpg
Cog wheels out, bottom plate gone, styrene plate glued into place (and painted black) to create basis for pickup shoe. Drill hole into said plate and fix pickup shoe with center screw.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#77 Posted : 20 August 2018 00:05:31(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Test drive.
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Offline jvuye  
#78 Posted : 20 August 2018 10:17:23(UTC)
jvuye

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Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Test drive.
....


Glad it worked out well also for you!

In fact there is nothing particularly difficult about this conversion except for the "leap of faith" to go and permanently disable one of the power bogies and cut the groove for tyres in the wheels of the remaining powered bogie.
But the "obstacle course" and "uphill test" sequences in the video prove that a simple procedure, with a couple of simple tools and some attention to precision can give excellent results.
No need to look for replacement wheels and the like.
For US locos rolling stock I also have standardized on Kadee couplers. (e.g. my Märklin Challenger runs with Kadees NEM couplers #18

Leaving the original set up on all US original stock saves me the headache of trying to fit Märklin compatibles couplers.

This all process works for european prototypes too.

PS: Love the colorful NYC box car in the middle of one of my typical Western style freight manifest! Thanks again! Laugh Wink Wub
Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline dominator  
#79 Posted : 20 August 2018 11:34:40(UTC)
dominator

New Zealand   
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Location: Kerikeri
Hi Alaterstreek, check this out fro you coupling. 1borna's in my workshop. https://lh3.googleuserco...jJ49hwh6h5w=w932-h589-no

Dereck


page 66
Northland. NZ REMEMBER 0228 for ä
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#80 Posted : 27 August 2018 22:43:37(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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The Rio Grande caboose evolved.
IMG_E0633.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#81 Posted : 27 August 2018 22:48:29(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Originally Posted by: BrandonVA Go to Quoted Post
Now we know you are the master of the EMD F7. The above reports suggest the same is true for a GP7/9 unit.

Now, F7s, B units, and GP9s! What more could you want?

UserPostedImage
Source: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=251450&nseq=1

Hot Sulfur Springs, CO, 1957.

Ok ok, so maybe you think some other modeller should have a monopoly on D&RGW ;)


A Rio Grande Perlman Mallet like that?

IMG_E1032.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#82 Posted : 08 December 2018 22:27:28(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Rio Grande cabooses: Existing 01480 improved with decals and one newly painted 01459.
2018IMG_3133.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#83 Posted : 09 December 2018 09:30:38(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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1960s Rio Grande lightweight passenger cars.

Baggage car 1210
IMG_3140.jpg

Coach 1240
IMG_3139.jpg

Diner/Lounge "Shavano" (not a prototypical name, but the others were too long for the plate...).
IMG_3142.jpg

These are re-painted Santa Fe coaches by Frateschi. I used Microscale #87-577 Ski Train decals (one set suffices for three coaches) since there is no alternative on the market.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#84 Posted : 27 December 2018 15:54:45(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
Mehano hoppers (and added weights) + black paint + Microscale decals (and various Vallejo products).
E79A2EEC-FE71-4657-B985-4756AC53908F.jpeg428FF516-C433-4281-BB68-49494D00C94D.jpeg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#85 Posted : 27 December 2018 16:03:06(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Black Rio Grande caboose: yellow stripes (meaning „radio equipped“) added.
A69C7996-5486-45C1-AF26-D799E4F33331.jpeg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#86 Posted : 27 December 2018 16:05:30(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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And since I had the silver primer ...
B9CBF197-6F54-4535-8CC1-636D2048CF84.jpeg
...and box car brown paint at hand.
1F181C63-D793-4B64-9ADB-716FDE085989.jpeg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#87 Posted : 27 December 2018 16:26:22(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Roco-made Rio Grande GP40 (marketed by Atlas) in front, rewired and decoder-equipped; puko pick-up shoe in trailing LifeLike dummy (introduced in above posts #53 & 64) feeding power to motorised unit via thin black cable - see:
https://www.marklin-user.../t41332-1-pin-connectors

The wheels are behaving, but traction is disappointing on ramps. I ordered Bullfrog Snot „liquid traction tyres“, hoping that the latter will improve the situation.
0B1E62C2-6D1A-47E7-B030-E73654E088CA.jpeg
P.S.: Being a Wild West railroad, Rio Grande’s lettering colors actually varied in all shades of yellow/gold/orange over the years.

Edited by user 29 December 2018 14:49:42(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Offline jvuye  
#88 Posted : 29 December 2018 17:03:22(UTC)
jvuye

Belgium   
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Posts: 2,881
Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
....

The wheels are behaving, but traction is disappointing on ramps. I ordered Bullfrog Snot „liquid traction tyres“, hoping that the latter will improve the situation.
....
P.S.: Being a Wild West railroad, Rio Grande’s lettering colors actually varied in all shades of yellow/gold/orange over the years.


Well, I suppose you know how to (definitely...) fix that traction problem , don't you?Laugh Wink

Cheers

Jacques


Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#89 Posted : 06 January 2019 12:18:00(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Painted a glaring red Mehano CN crane to become Rio Grande big hook 028. I guess I matched the ramshackle maintenance-of-way equipment looks.
3FA45CD3-B39F-4827-A036-F65B8E81EE53.jpeg548D4D5C-C2B0-47CE-A0B7-155E1B4F4FBA.jpeg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#90 Posted : 06 January 2019 12:22:07(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
And since I had some black paint left over, I dealt with some glaring yellow Mehano SOO hoppers to become Rio Grande ones.
72B8B32C-3760-4D4E-934A-F1F557C77180.jpeg
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Offline jvuye  
#91 Posted : 06 January 2019 15:33:18(UTC)
jvuye

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Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
And since I had some black paint left over, I dealt with some glaring yellow Mehano SOO hoppers to become Rio Grande ones.
....


Looking sharp! ThumpUp

Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#92 Posted : 20 January 2019 13:04:29(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
The Rio Grande F-types wore various liveries during their tenure. The Maerklin F7 is sporting the latter day single stripe version introduced in the 1960s. I painted four units to reflect the 1950s four-stripe livery.
2355B392-FDBB-4AC1-B465-8EC9555FEA08.jpeg
My creation above the Maerklin one. Both versions are prototypically correct and co-existed side by side.
3B188013-6E32-4D2F-AFF1-0992AAD9A901.jpeg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#93 Posted : 18 May 2019 20:52:00(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
A Western Pacific (WP) caboose for my WP diesel.
4287E765-1CF9-4B12-9384-F10EB5DA298A.jpeg
Box car brown paint, WP decals, glazing and Maerklin coupler.
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Offline jvuye  
#94 Posted : 20 May 2019 20:37:02(UTC)
jvuye

Belgium   
Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC)
Posts: 2,881
Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
A Western Pacific (WP) caboose for my WP diesel.
4287E765-1CF9-4B12-9384-F10EB5DA298A.jpeg
Box car brown paint, WP decals, glazing and Maerklin coupler.

Cool! WP has always had a **special** place in my RR heart!
It had just been purchased by UP when we arrived in San Francisco in the early 80'S
Incorporation into UP was underway but I still had a chance to see a number of engines in the old UP livery , some of them switching in the yard in Fremont .
And I'll never forget the stories I heard and read about the Cal Zephyr, and above all my visit to the Portola WP Museum where I had a chance to get at the controls of a Silver/Orange F7 and a dark green GP9 for a run around the balloon track!
Then we drove the car several time through the Feather river Canyon route and finished with a ride from the Railfair in Sacramento to Portola on the UP "Shipper's special" in 1991.
At the point were UP 3995 and UP 844...
Geez! Where did all the years go?
Cheers
Jacques

Edited by user 21 May 2019 07:54:41(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#95 Posted : 01 September 2020 18:13:19(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
My ultimate locomotive conversion project: 3x Kato GP35

When starting, I faced the following:
- Not much space for a decoder in the shells.
- One of the truck gear cases to be “disabled” for installation of the pick-up shoe.
- One decoder could feed two motors, but AFAIK not a third one.
- Locomotives delivered with Kadee couplers.

So, I decided to have a three-loco consist with two motors controlled by a single decoder, equaling eight powered axles. Wheel spacing was reduced to Märklin standards. The loco in the middle saw its power train dis-connected with the idle motor remaining in place as ballast; one of the trucks - without cog wheels - became the pickup shoe bearer: a 0.250” Evergreen strip serves as a base for mounting the pickup shoe; thin black cables with tiny male/female plugs (allowing connection/separation of the locos) provide power to both motorized units. I left the Kadee couplers “in the middle” connecting the three locos, but mounted Maerklin coupler hooks at the front and rear of the loco consist. The loco consist instantly mastered R1 curves as well as slim and not-so-slim turnouts, but the dummy derailed on wide-radius 2477x turnouts and crossings. The pickup shoe was the culprit. I reluctantly mutilated the central “fixed” cog wheels remaining on the two former driving axles (no way back to DC there anymore...) under the pickup shoe, which finally solved that problem, too.

A57B52F8-9C1A-4011-8F73-D6E34639BB69.jpeg
M*-compatible coupler hook fixed with the regular pin.
4FE428B6-61EE-4507-BBAE-7A70FB6DA0E3.jpeg
Pickup shoe; the white beams (still to be painted black) are needed to hold - in the absence of the removed axle retainer - the truck sides together.
6439C504-186D-41BB-BE7F-C7C8A1A5A304.jpeg
Feeder cables and Kadee couplers (trip pins bent upwards with pliers to avoid C track center stud contact).
8F975386-D7EB-4FF0-AC49-3D2FAF6A210A.jpeg
The trio
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#96 Posted : 02 September 2020 10:31:20(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
I believe I did not report this paint job up to now:
68F78887-44FB-49AF-8A98-AF79C375A823.jpeg
A former B&O MTH GP35 for M* "AC" became a Rio Grande.
C5D1E3C5-4FC6-4EFD-9E63-618360A267E3.jpeg
I painted the Zebra stripes myself instead of using decals.
7A822158-004C-4A88-95A2-F082982CF34F.jpeg
Of course road number and speed lettering are decals.

P.S.: Oops, the merciless camera lens reveals that one of the axles is derailed...
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