Luigi Taveri

We did a (very enjoyable) trip to Gothenburg and Copenhagen via Oresund Tag last September, and in the style of SRman above, these were Mrs Foxy's favourite trains due to their colours....... I thought I'd best really add a couple of photos as evidence rather than hijack Patrick's better efforts. Grab shot on way into Malmo. And a couple of X2000s same day (and in both grey tones as referenced by SRman above). Foxy

I finished this in about September, having plodded through with it for about twelve months prior to that. I bought a spare chassis earlier this year, and since then I've noticed that they seem to appear on eBay on an almost constant basis? Bought some 25 years ago(?) in Southern black colours and original twin motor form. It laid in the drawer for years, particularly after converting to digital, but it was always going to look out of place with the more modern NS stuff I'm running anyway. I didn’t want to get rid of it, and I found a scruffy Greater Winnipeg Water District 100 which matched the Bachmann model and appealed to me. The drive gears had cracked. I tried the baking soda super glue repair first but this wasn’t successful, so I sleeved the gears with Evergreen 1/8” tubing filed out to give a force fit over the axle stub. Chipped initially with a basic Hornby decoder but didn’t get the twin motor connections correct the first time and fryed the chip (which was partly why I used it). TCS M1 replacement and replaced the bulbs with much improved LEDs. This is one of the last locos to be chipped in my collection (I wonder why………), but it hasn’t been used and I wasn’t that bothered about replacing it with a can motor chassis, as it is only going to potter about occasionally (and it was a gift as well, so that was another reason for keeping it). Lot of wiring but not as restrictive as it looks (though it won't be used on tight radii) Kadee couplings were hard work in the end. Despite using #37 as recommended, I found that the box was bearing down on the bogies so it took a bit of messing about to get the box high enough, and the coupler still at the correct level. Flush glazed. Small front windows cut down from Bachmann glazing unit. Big front windows filed down from AMB lasercut for Athearn SD/GP units. Side windows utilise the number board glazing from the same kit (which are virtually perfect fit!). Halfords rack grey, and Vauxhall mustard yellow, although subsequent photos suggest the grey should be silver? Nevertheless, I’m quite happy with the grey, and whilst the intention was to weather it, I actually prefer the clean finish. The black stripes are aircraft specific decals from a hunt on eBay. (The yard area is new and needs toning down) It will be utilised as a ‘contract’ switcher so won’t be worked hard, and I have acquired a later (twin motor) version spare chassis for swapping out motors if necessary. Couple of useful articles 1. Model Railroader January 2001 – Installing DCC in a 44 tonner (Tony Capato) (although I can't have read it properly). 2. Model Railroader October 2000 – Union Freight (John Pryke) – this references motor problems and the softer carbon brushes in first run models clogging commutator gaps. Foxy

I said I would post an update photo in a couple of weeks, so over a year later, here it is. This completes the collection. Not particularly badly weathered but the CNW yellow obviously faded quite badly in the sun, so I painted in 'faded' yellow from the off (Wilkos - there's no colour on the tin but then that doesn't really matter now.......). Bit of light weathering. Three hatches versus the 4 & 5 on the three above. Foxy

Very brief update on this. Covid got in the way of this (but conversely an opportunity to sort out running on my layout and consequent exercise in completing fitting decoders to my loco fleet). Painted and decalled but no further progress since. Foxy

Hi SQ I fitted an SMD84 (solenoids) about two years ago specifically for route setting in a hidden double ended fiddle yard. I use NCE pro-cab (and whilst I can't remember exactly) i found it straightforward, once the decoder was set for programming, to programme macros for the five tracks (between 4 and 8 point changes). There is a minor issue for solenoids in that the SMD84 has an integral CDU which re-charges from track voltage, and therefore draws power away from any operating locos, but I presume this isn't relevant for servos. I believe Team Digital are no longer in business. Nevertheless, I've been really pleased with its performance. Foxy

Hi Steve Sorry it's a week longer than promised. Not sure whether the photo helps or not, but it does show the coupling box arrangement. I used the thicker cover and that's on the top of the coupling ie next to the body mounting. This is the older model (one of the bogies is in the background in 'bits') and I found I had to 'slide' the chassis into place, as it won't just drop in. Foxy

Hi Steve I've just recently fitted a pair to a GE 44 tonner too. I had to download the 44t fitting guide from Kadee in the end, but still needed three hands to sort it. I didn't realise that there was a difference in the thickness of the lids either until I'd glued them in place on the first one but I was lucky enough to get it right first time. I can upload a photo of the coupling in place if needed, but it won't be before Sunday? Foxy

Hi Simon First of all, what a superb YouTube video! I watched it all. The camera work (with sound) is fantastic! Now as to your query then I'm a little out of my depth with coaching stock so I don't know whether there are conversion kits or the like. However, I would approach the problem by looking for other coach models with the 'correct' (ie exactly or very close to) profile and 'cut and shut' in the horizontal plane? Foxy

Hi Keith With regards to the query on the couplings, it does look from the photo as though the (a?) previous owner has done the hard work for you and filed the coupling mount to the correct height, and all you need to do is mount a kadee no5 in a standard box ( possibly using a 2-56 bolt or the BA equivalent)? Foxy

Long time no show! Kit building took a bit of a backstep during Covid (in fact a large step back) as I used the 'spare' time to get my layout running, and tuning loco decoders to suit (my 'spare' time is on a weekend as I work away during the week). I've made a little progress in recent weeks with CovHops but I've had things to sort out of a weekend recently and not had the time to re-set my account after the major IT failure earlier this year. I've just re-uploaded my photos to my content this afternoon. I only had 20 or so missing, but that's time I'll never get back, so I applaud those who have made a better effort to update than I have. Anyway a couple of update photos on my 2 bay 'cut & shuts'. A second Genstar below. And progress photo for a CNW conversion. This one is different to the previous conversions, as the centre cut and shut rib is double width. So, slightly different, but you've got to study it to know it's there? This one is now substantially complete and I'll upload an up to date photo shortly (ie next coming weeks...) Foxy

Further progress with second conversion - SOO 100150 I'm pleased with the way the roof hatches have turned out using the hole punch. I used the latches from the P2K kit for the latches for the new hatches. I will probably lower the hatches on the first conversion I did (ie the Genstar) I didn't go a bundle on the weathering. Bit on the roof, and a bit on the discharge hoppers. The inspiration. Photo from the car window at Burlington WI, 8th Oct 99. A poor photo of WC2057 was better than none, and years later I've also got a picture of a genuine PS 2 bay hopper conversion so it was a no-brainer. I have a series of poor photos but when I look back through them now I've actually caught some interesting details within them. Foxy

Hi Chris I agree with you about the more you research them, the more intriguing they get. I'm really impressed with the front extension, although I will probably limit myself to an air-con unit and straightforward kit build (because I've a stack of stuff to complete and I'm on a mission, albeit a slow mission!). I'm presuming Conrail Shared livery is yellow? I've not made up my mind on my paint scheme, initial preference is yellow, but orange might be a bit different for a change? Foxy

Some further progress photos. Couple of photos showing three quarter views of the general assembly. There is a control panel on both sides of the cab, and I soldered the second with some careful measuring prior to soldering the second side in place. I think I soldered the cab back wall in first to help position the second side before soldering that in place. I then soldered the front cab wall in place after that. All fingers and thumbs to get this sorted. As in the previous post, I'm slowly drilling for the various fixings and hoses so it'll be some time before I get back onto fitting out. Foxy

Hi Chris My kit also includes the monofilament, and that's the point I'm at now, with drilling the various holes for the hydraulics and handrails, before I proceed on fitting out the tamping plant. Foxy

Gents Thanks for your comments on my excess solder problems. I will look at giving them a go (and, Hayfield, thanks for the encouragement to continue!). Foxy