highpeak Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I should have added that the defunct RMJ had lots of articles on detailing specific diesels, reflecting an age where you generally started with a decent but more generic model and spent a few dollars on stuff from Detail Associates and Details West among others to create something different. And laid in a good stock of #80 drill bits Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted December 2, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 2, 2012 Alco switchers are a joy - not least the fact that the 539 prime mover, dating in effect from 1930-ish - was still being provided through S4 production, long after road units had been through 244 and were moving on to 251 engines. And the switch from Blunt trucks to the GSC product seems to have been driven by external factors about the AAR standards. My first Alco switcher was a Cary body on an Athearn chassis in the mid-80s, but hardly was the paint dry before Atlas announced an RTR version..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I should have added that the defunct RMJ had lots of articles on detailing specific diesels, reflecting an age where you generally started with a decent but more generic model and spent a few dollars on stuff from Detail Associates and Details West among others to create something different. And laid in a good stock of #80 drill bits Back numbers of some US mags can be found here - regretably RMJ isn't on the list - but there is some good winter reading ! http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/model-train-magazine-index Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Williams Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I ordered one of these as soon as I heard it! Re the grabs, I just wish they had put dimples to help with positioning. The larger grabs that curves around the front of the bonnet are going to be the really tricky one to fit (for me anyway!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted December 2, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 2, 2012 I bought one of these this summer, and was amazed at the value it represented. The sound is superb, and certainly has all the functions you need for normal operation and is very responsive after a tweak or two. As for that turbo whistle - fantastic! Mine is a touch noiser than my Atlas S1's, but for the money... £64 delivered! With sound!!!! OK, it's a touch crude next to the P2K's, but so are the Atlas switchers. I'd love to think other sound equipped models at this value level will appear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted December 4, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 4, 2012 I'm also in the group that thinks some of the sound effects being offered by companies like BLI are getting a bit over the top now, for those that want them it is great but I think that an awful lot of modelers are perfectly happy with a basic system that offers good engine sounds with some extras like klaxon/whistle sounds and remains pretty simple. I have a couple of BLI models and will happily admit I have never used 90% of the functionality of the sound system. Then again, I'm also happy enough with no sound and most of my models are not sound fitted. And yes, I agree that some of the models from the lower end of the price spectrum are very good, the Athearn ready to roll models also seem to be improving steadily to the point where it will question the point of the Genesis line I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridwatcher Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I agree jjb1970..... I cannot for the life of me remember what all the functions are and cannot be arsed remapping them all so that they are consistent from loco to loco. For me, lights, bells, horns, horns, coupler clash, dynamics where appropriate and a mute is about my limit, and good driveability. After that I am overwhelmed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I have dipped the tip of my first toe into the DCC water by buying one of these Sound Value S4s. I got it cheapish on ebay, and I'm pleasantly impressed. At first it kept cutting out and I thought it might be due to dirty track or me running it on a DC controller. But after I'd cleaned the wheels and contact wipers, and bent the wipers out a bit more to ensure good wheel contact, it runs fine. Obviously running it on DC isn't ideal, if only because it cuts out every time I change direction, but if the novelty of sound doesn't wear off I'll take the plunge on a simpleish DCC controller. This could be the thin end of the DCC wedge for me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CVSNE Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I have one Atlas S-4 that has a Tsunami decoder installed (this is one of the older Kato mechs). Shoehorning the decoder and speaker into the thing required a lot of fiddling and I wasn't relishing doing the other three Alco switchers I need. My good friend George Dutka (www.whiteriverdivision.blogspot.com/2013/03/Bachmann-alco-s-2-central-vermont.html) told me about the Bachmann engines that he was pleased with. I bought one with DCC/sound factory installed for less than the cost of a decoder for an Atlas engine. The Bachmann engine ran and sounded great, especially once the decoder is reprogrammed. I now have four Bachmann Alco switchers - three S-2s and one S-4 - on the layout. Adding the grabs, windshield wipers, cab shades etc... are easy changes. Perhaps the biggest weakness they have is the brake cylinders on the truck sideframes appear a little shallow. This could be corrected with after-market parts but I don't find it particularly worrisome on a layout model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 25, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2014 I finally got round to hitting mine with the air brush, powders and dull coat. I fitted the missing grabs on the nose and long hood on the other side. Another couple of years, I may fit some screen wipers to it aswel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Very nice, Gary. I must say I'm not too bothered about adding extra detail. A bit of weathering (when I pluck up the courage) will do me! Having said that, I've replaced the couplers with Kadees, following my usual practice, because the ones supplied would hardly move sideways at all over a magnet, even when I slackened the retaining screws a bit. The Kadee #5 metal plate wouldn't quite fit inside the loco's coupler box, and the Kadee coupler box wouldn't quite fit into the available space under the loco, so I cut the back end and lugs off the Kadee box. They now work a treat. If I continue with DCC I'll have to decide whether to convert my three Bachmann Geeps and my Athearn Blue Box SW1500, but that's another thread! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 26, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2014 If I continue with DCC I'll have to decide whether to convert my three Bachmann Geeps and my Athearn Blue Box SW1500, but that's another thread! Go on Rod, you know it makes sense! I can heartily recommend the NCE Power cab. I don't own one myself but I do use the Pro cab which is similar. My reasons for picking the Power Cab would be because they are very user friendly and functional whilst also being affordable. Like the way the speed control is placed on the throttle so as to make one handed operation easy leaving the other hand free for uncoupling etc. They are a fine way to get into DCC all in my honest opinion ofcourse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I ordered one of these as soon as I heard it! Re the grabs, I just wish they had put dimples to help with positioning. The larger grabs that curves around the front of the bonnet are going to be the really tricky one to fit (for me anyway!) If its any help ,mark it all out on a bit of masking tape ,stick it on the loco and use it as drilling guide.I am going to one of these Alcos especially now I know i dont have to cut off moulded on grabs as I have just kicked my switching layout back to the "the Patch" type 50's era .i have worked a way to put in the building on a curve so distinctive or that area even if most power will be SP / PE .I will do a thread on it when its tidy enough to photograph .I use the MRC Tech 6 blackbox which means I can switch between full DCC and sound or DC at the press of a button and also have a Bachmann EZ DCC . Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Go on Rod, you know it makes sense! I can heartily recommend the NCE Power cab. I don't own one myself but I do use the Pro cab which is similar. My reasons for picking the Power Cab would be because they are very user friendly and functional whilst also being affordable. Like the way the speed control is placed on the throttle so as to make one handed operation easy leaving the other hand free for uncoupling etc. They are a fine way to get into DCC all in my honest opinion ofcourse. Yup, if I do it, I think it will be a Power Cab. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 26, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2014 If its any help ,mark it all out on a bit of masking tape ,stick it on the loco and use it as drilling guide. That's similar to what I did. I made up a template from a piece of plasticard to enable drilling of equally spaced holes. The only small variation I made on the loco was omitting the curved grabs that go around the nose. I just used 8, Details West 18 inch grabs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I use the MRC Tech 6 blackbox which means I can switch between full DCC and sound or DC at the press of a button and also have a Bachmann EZ DCC . Martin I see that Hattons stock the Gaugemaster equivalent, the DCC75. Using this, can you (among other things) change direction on a DC layout without the loco cutting out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I finally got round to hitting mine with the air brush, powders and dull coat. I fitted the missing grabs on the nose and long hood on the other side. Another couple of years, I may fit some screen wipers to it aswel Bachmann s4.JPG One small point - AFAIK, or could find out, this livery is ficticious - the only reference I could find is a painting which shows one in P&LE that was done for the owner of the line - and it seems that was put in by the artist as the owner wanted a loco in the painting ( note the original livery was black with P&LE letering and not olive green AFAIC discover) Edit 1- can't find the one I was refering to - but this is a Howard Fogg Postcard foobie Edit2 The one I refered to in the original part of the post is about 7 down (Bethlehem Steel works ) here http://www.silogic.com/trains/P&LE Postcards by Howard Fogg.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Who were the P&LE anyway? Shortline? Just sent a couple of emails, Jack - let me know if you don't get them! The Canadian thing was to close to home for comfort as that damned Arctic Vortex is paying us another visit this upcoming week... Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 26, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2014 One small point - AFAIK, or could find out, this livery is ficticious - Yeah I know! Ive only ever seen a picture of it re produced as a drawing on a post card! That's one reason I weathered it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 26, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2014 There was ofcourse a Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad but the general consensus was that no S4 carried the livery. Some freight cars carried the logo though. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/P%26LE_on_CIC.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted January 26, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 26, 2014 Who were the P&LE anyway? Shortline? IIRC it was a subsidiary of the New York Central System. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I see that Hattons stock the Gaugemaster equivalent, the DCC75. Using this, can you (among other things) change direction on a DC layout without the loco cutting out? The loco has to stop and then change direction if thats what you mean,you can switch DC locos on the layout by just using the direction button if the loco is slow .Its a good controller for DC as it has very good smooth control .Its a decent solution for small layouts .Its no substitute for a full DCC set up but for me its great ,it also programs DCC easily but you cannot read the CV's .Sound works very well. I find it very useful as my Gaugemaster DC unit failed so I needed a good controller anyway .Its far better than the DC GM Duette type controller I used before .It is very light so i tape mine down with velcro .Its an elegant solution to one simple problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 The only reason I know is that Chris Ellis asked me to check it for a review in MTI Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Pete - just sent you an email Best Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I hope Bachmann follow it up with an S6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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