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About this blog

Satisfying Anglophilia in the Chicago suburbs with no money.

Entries in this blog

Jidenco LMS 12t 1-Plank

No fault on Jidenco, but man am I bad at this soldering thing.   Real happy I didn't dive straight into the 3F.   So;    Old kit, methinks.   I have option B, the 12t 1-planker.  I also don't have wheels for it.   I fussed with it some years ago, when I first picked up the $10 stick-iron from Radio Shack.   Back when there were Radio Shacks.   The mess on the bottom is from back then.   Trying to tin the thing.   Never got it quite clean.
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8

LNER Y...something?

I bought an N20 motor a couple of weeks ago, along with a pair of 3D printed gears to fit 1/8" axles & the N20.   My original thought was to fit it to this small LNER tank I picked up at an estate sale;   While the motor would probably fit, it won't fit between the frames.   Which means needs to angle into the boiler.   Which hasn't enough space.    Playing around with the brass chassis, I think it was made undersized.    The chassis will 'walk' on my test plank.   
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7

False Starts

I've managed to mangle two projects tonight.    I've taken no pictures, in absolute shame.   Firstly, I had done a very rough cut of a baseboard for my shoebox layout.   General idea was that I could build the whole of the layout on the plywood, so that I could work on it without destroying the box.    Problem with my cutting the baseboard myself is I only have a ripsaw, triangle, and tape measure handy.   Nary a sawhorse in sight.   Also, the sheet I started with wasn't square in the
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3
Ready to Run

'New' Coaches

I purchased a coach lot off that auction site.   Lot was listed as 'LMS Coaches,' and at a reasonable price.       Here's the row.   I needed to have looked closer before committing.  I'm not certain on how much use any of these will be.  Reasoning there, I'm looking for coaches for a preordered Improved Precedent in LMS black.   I don't fancy buying more kits right now, either.       Two Lima vans.   I'm pretty certain the CCT on the right does
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3

T-Trak Planning

For about two years now, I have been planning on a modest T-trak layout. If you are not aware, T-Trak is a system based around Kato's Unitrak system, taking advantage of the strength of the joiners used. The modules are also based largely on Unitrak's standard lengths, with the normal straight module being 2mm shorter in length than a Kato double crossover, the largest single piece of track in the Unitrak catalog.   Part of my goal with this layout is to run...whatever I damn well please!
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2
Kitbuilt

OO Gauge MR 700 Class

Just received this lug in the mail from TMC.  If anyone remembers, I have a penchant for ugly locos.    I lucked out, though.   Built, running, painted not only in the right color for my collection, but numbered correctly as well.   About the only disappointment is the builder made absolutely zero provision for a rear coupling.   I have ideas.     Main problem is that there is no substructure behind the rear tender axle.   Nothing to drill into, nothing really to glue t
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2
shows

All-American Railroad Show + Parkside

Like it says on the tin.  Couple of pics from this year's show.   First, British Train Society's T-Trak layout.  I believe with two of my locos, Earl of Dunraven & my 5600   Next, my current pride & joy on.the European Train Enthusiasts layout, DSB E 991   Finally, starting a Parkside Dundas L&B four-wheel open. Debating whether seeking brass bearings will be worth it.   The open will get Dapol NEM pockets from the outset.  Have
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2

Hornby Dean Single, Clerestories, & Pioneer Diesels

Handful of new acquisitions.   Firstly, I won a Hornby Dean Single & two clerestory coaches in a raffle through one of my clubs;   This did not come in the original box, so I don't know how old it is.   Doesn't look half bad, though.    Open armature motor, but there was an 8-pin decoder socket.   Odd combo, in my mind.    Backhead was detail-painted, as well.   Runs fine, though she will creep with the throttle closed.   I don't think I'll pursue super-detailing, but the ten
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2

Couplers 2

I've gone as far with the coupler project as I can now.   I've run out of couplers.   Well, mostly.   I have two packs of #31, but that micro draft box is impossible.    Not worth the trouble.   These are what I converted during this push;   I feel rather accomplished, cranking this out in a couple of weeks.   I piled the old couplers... ...for no purpose other than to dump the pile in the trash.   I have no use for them.   I managed to bo
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2

56xx Progress 1

As promised, I've taken some pics of what I've done so far.   Tonight was solely the 56xx. I've long had the body built, honestly to a mediocre standard.     This will be my first locomotive kit, so on this build I'll stand the molded handrails, and the castings that came with the kit. Most of my work tonight was finishing the hole for the trailing axle.     I think I managed to get the hole too high, though; the trailing wheels look to be a floating axle.     The
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2

Cooper Craft GWR 'Mink' V5 Van

I had picked up a Cooper Craft GWR diagram V5 'Mink' at my club's swap meet some time back.  Decided I would start on it, feeling on-trains but not interested in bringing the iron back out.      I didn't get too far in one evening.    I set the top-hat bearings in the W-irons, glued an end to the side.   I know I need to alter the bracketry on the solebars.   Sadly, apparently an accurate V5 isn't possible with just this kit.   Pertinent parts for the DCI or II brakes aren't present. 
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1

Couplers

I've dug into fitting Kadee's to my wagon fleet.   I've found longshank underset works well.    I don't plan on using these for shunting.   I'm using Kadee's more due to availability & reliability.   Also, trying to take a 30-wagon train off the line at a show is a pain with tension locks.   I'll keep working on this for now.
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Surprise Finds

I found this line-up by absolute chance on Friday 9/30.  Actually, I suppose to most of this sites' userbase, the date was 30/9.    Either way, seeing an E-unit in the wild is incredibly rare.   I don't recognize the line, though.   Discussion with my one train club suggested a commuter line in Maryland.    Makes this find even more unusual.    I live outside Chicago, and found this on my way home from work.    Still, cool.
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1
Ready to Run

All-American Railroad Show, Part 1

I'm back.   Lack of blogging is resultant of new phones that my boxes won't detect as drives, & use of a fancy new Canon DSLR that I've been too lazy to pick files from.  I have a series of shots from the last show I'll publish in the next few posts, dependent on my file size.    Here I have a couple of shots of our new club T Trak layout.   All Metcalfe I think for the buildings.   Given my somewhat vast 1930's stock collection, I haven't done jack for this layout.  Happy we have it, t
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