O gauge Trains

[monaco75]

Instead of rivets for re installing the ladders, I had some screws that I went with. I don’t have any correct sized rivets on hand for it. However the screws almost look factory correct.

New battery cover installed, and apron re installed on the front truck. I had to add some super glue, to make a nice tight fit.

I broke one of the truck retaining clips on the B unit. Waiting on new ones to show up now... ugh.

 

[monaco75]

Although it was working before, one of the motors had stopped working. They seem to be testing fine. Must have been a bad wire somewhere...



Got the motors cleaned out, fresh lube, and new brushes installed in them. Cleaned and polished the under hood parts. The E unit isn’t the prettiest, but it still functions great, so back in it goes. I’m still waiting on a few parts and decals to come in for the frame. Need to order a new horn and relay for her. Just put the old in for now, so the screws and hardware don’t get lost.

The decal shop sent me over the artwork for approval. Looks like they have done a wonderful job so far. They used the original aged blue for color matching. The fresh new blue is a bit lighter. Having them redo the blue, and should be good to go after that.

Got most of her back together. Now to solder and test it out. I’m eager to get the shell and decals back to start the paint job!

 

[monaco75]

She lives!

 

[Wonderwagon]

Photo my father took

 

[monaco75]

Finally got the shell back from the decal shop, along with the new decals to replace the original heat stamp markings on the shell. Looks like they did a good job! The blue on the decals is a little darker than the new blue, as they were using the original shell to go off of for color. Hopefully they won’t stand out too much.

Both shells got a simple green bath for a few hours to strip the original paint. I used some epoxy to fill in the broke screw hole mount. Sanded it smooth, and drilled a new hole. When drilling and installing a new screw, looks like the epoxy cracked a little. Tried glueing it back together. Will see how it works/deal with it after paint.

Gave the shells 3 new coats of Wabash blue. Came out good! No water in the system issues this go around with the air brush. The real fun starts now. Masking for the other colors will be fun. I picked up some thin (1/8” I believe) masking tape for the job. Will probably be a few days before I’m able to mask em up. This enamel paint seems to take a while to dry.

 

[monaco75]

Got her masked up, and sprayed the gray tonight. Hot damn! Pretty tickled how it came out. Was fun masking that nose!! Got a little trash in the paint. When it drys I’ll try knocking it off, and touching up any areas it might have affected.

Got the white stripes left that I’ll shoot in a couple days, then on to re assembly.

 

[stubs300]

Why'd you plug the screw hole in the nose for, repairing a crack?

 

[Samplingman]

Awesome job masking the shell! Don't worry about imperfections they often came from the factory that way. They were only toys, ya know...

 

[78Brougham]

Why'd you plug the screw hole in the nose for, repairing a crack?

Probably just to annoy you

 

[monaco75]

Yea, the screw hole was stripped, and missing a chunk.

Awesome job masking the shell! Don't worry about imperfections they often came from the factory that way. They were only toys, ya know...

Thanks!! For sure. I think it’s better than the original finish in most regards. It came out better than I thought it was going too.

I’m anxious to get the white on, and finish it. Tried last night, but the paint was still tacky in spots. She will finally look at home with the rest of the F3’s and not just a placeholder on the shelf.

 

[Samplingman]

Something to think about for paint drying, I've seen people use a medium to large Home Depot cardboard box lined with aluminum foil, then hung a 100 watt bulb from the center to create a low temp easy bake oven. It only takes an hour or two and you get a very smooth baked on finish that won't damage the plastic.

 

[monaco75]

Something to think about for paint drying, I've seen people use a medium to large Home Depot cardboard box lined with aluminum foil, then hung a 100 watt bulb from the center to create a low temp easy bake oven. It only takes an hour or two and you get a very smooth baked on finish that won't damage the plastic.

Now you tell me! LOL That is a pretty good idea. Maybe for the next one?? I did use the oven at around 100 degrees on the frame, to dry the spot putty a little quicker. The putty I have is fairly old, and didn’t want to cooperate at first. But that took care of it.

Well I laid the white down tonight, after about an hour and a half of masking. I was a little nervous about getting the front curve right on the bottom stripe of the A unit. Think it came out good!

The gaps are a little bigger than they were originally. That’s due to the tape I have. Thinnest I could get locally was 1/8”. Think 1/16” would have been better. The upper stripe is a little bit higher as well due to the same reason. I don’t think it came out too bad though for eye balling it. The only thing I measured before hand was how far the bottom stripe went up from the back of the A unit. Unless a true purist, I don’t think anyone will notice.

I’ll let her dry for a couple days again, than on to installing the new parts!

 

[monaco75]

The white was dry today, and I was done waiting! LOL new horns, decals, headlight, number boards, and windshield installed. She’s a new engine ready to run the rails. She got a few break in runs tonight. A little hesitant at first, but doing great now. She’s a looker!

Quite the difference!

 

[78Brougham]

Great job Zac!

 

[Fury440]

Awesome !!!

 

[stubs300]

That room has got to be loud with 7 trains runnin!

 

[monaco75]

That room has got to be loud with 7 trains runnin!

It can be!! Depends on what’s running too. The loudest runs are the bottom main line (Realtrax) and the bigger elevated line with the red trestles.

I actually took a big chunk out of the noise of the elevated line today. It had a decent power drop on the straight away behind the Pabst sign, and curve by the rotating beacon. The trains would haul *** around the loop, and come to a crawl on that section. Made it very loud! I added a feeder wire to that section today. No more run away trains! Nice steady slow speed all the way around.

The 2 loudest engines are the 2055 steamer, and the 2344 NYC F3. The 2055 can get pretty annoying after a few laps. The 2344 is tolerable, but she sure does groan going around the track. I thought the 2343 was loud till I got that one! LOL

Of coarse all the vertical motored units are pretty quiet.



The wabash has been getting put through its paces today. I’ve been running em for hours, with enjoyment. As usual I over lube them when going through em. The Wabash is leaving a nice black grease trail wherever she goes. I’ll give the wheels and track a good cleaning after a few more laps, to work all the grease out.

As dirty as it is, atleast I know she’s getting all lubed up. Use cam break in grease on the gears in the trucks, and 10/30 motor oil in the motor. Obviously the oil in the motor works it’s way down the the trucks, and makes a mess!

 

[monaco75]

The other engines must have got jealous seeing the Wabash get all the love it did. The Illinois central decided to let one of its wires loose, and the TX special looks like it needs a new power truck. The gears in the truck look pretty wore out. I shimmed the gear set down with a cut of sliver of a zip tie between the bearing cap, and top plate, as to not let the gear move up in the truck.

 

[78Brougham]

Love that old catalog, when I was akid I had a few that I would share at like a retard for hours dreaming of buying something. Glad you picked one up.
I ran that price through the inflation calculator. No wonder i could only dream... That $39.95 price in '55 was like $382! In today's money. Sheesh!
Keep up the good work!

 

[monaco75]

I’m worse than a kid! Sabrina surprised me with this nice little 2023 Alco. Even came with its original box!! Nice little engine. The rolling gear was almost seized with the dry old grease. Spent the better part of the day cleaning it out, and adding fresh lube. Runs like a champ. It is the older sister to the 2033 I have. They look good together. Now might as well gather the yellow 2023 to complete the set obviously.... LOL.

I gave the postwar stuff a little break yesterday, and let the modern engines have a turn on the layout.