Train things.

I have some OO9 out.    My Heljan L&B Manning-Wardle, suitably modified per the pertinent thread, and a Bachman USA Skarloey.   I will say, Skarloey is the sweeter runner.   I was double-heading do to constant stalls with the M-W.

This long shot shows the relatively easy load.   Skarloey struggled with it on his own.   Also, the little bit of American I have breaks scale.

Just after Thanksgiving, I ordered a Heljan 1366 when Rails had a flash sale.   Made the thing an actually reasonable price; bill-and-a-half is stupid for a dockyards loco.   I ordered Oxford Rail's Toad as well.   I only had an LMS brake, for the Garratt.

I like both.    The Toad is overdone, and very affordable.   Having an interior is unfathomable to me when the windows are mere mail slots.   I'm happy I read the thread on the 1366 before I tested it.

A simple check to see if the wheels had any side-to-side showed none.   I proceeded to remove the brake plate as recommended.    Following further suggestion, each screw was backed out up to a turn.   I also fiddled with the wipers in an attempt to enlarge the contact area.    She ran very sweetly after the changes, other than some of the track coming up dud.    A recent purchase begets a new track arrangement anyways.   Stay tuned.