Large Scale Central

Bad day on the J&B

General Discussion
#1

I was out putting down some ballast this morning and some folks came by and wanted to see the trains.

It was time for a break!

I brought out the Connie as I hadn’t run her for awhile. But, she still had a charge when I powered her on. I was backing it off the carrier and noticed that the tender truck had cracked somehow. Argh. Back to the basement.

I pulled out my 1:20 ten wheeler. I ran it a bit last week, but figured she’d still have a charge. She was doing fine. Then I had to back up, because I hadn’t cleared a pile of ballast from the track yet.

I was talking to the lady and not paying attention - all of a sudden I hear this crash. I look and the ten wheeler is on the ground at the highest elevated part of the railroad. I don’t know if she caught on the holly or what, since I didn’t see it.

The cab is now in multiple pieces. Headlight broke off, as well as the smokebox front. The lower part of the firebox is separated from the frame - and this is the part that holds the drawbar to the tender. Smokestack is cracked. I picked up a number of pieces, packed it all in the carrier and returned it to the basement; further damage assessment was postponed as I had some yard work to complete.

Dang.

Well, this may be the time to change out to a “metal” cab, change the color and who knows what else.

The real problem is that this is a bad time for indoor projects; it’s such nice weather. Also, not knowing why the crash happened, I’ll be spending time looking at that section of track.

#2

Sorry to hear that Bruce.

I’ve sometimes had a train derail on a high elevation for no apparent reason–I go look at the track, see no problems, cautiously run another train, no problems

It’s the automobile industry’s secret, sinister work

#3

So much for your “I have too many locomotives”… Guess you needed spares.

#4

Glad to hear I’m not the only one who has luck like that!!! LOL The Regal

#5

ow Ow OW!

Mine tumbled off the trunk of the car onto the pavement once. Detail pieces flew everywhere!

#6

Your intensions were good to show the people the railroad but you know what they say

the path to hell is paved with good intensions.

Sorry for your trubles.

#7

Bruce,

My condolences on the untimely demise of the engines and tender… It’s always sad to read, hear of, or see someones equipment get damaged…
Will there be a viewing???

#8

Oh, that sucks!

So far I haven’t had any disasters like that, though it’s a constant worry. I have so much elevated track, and nothing but rocks below. So if anything ever does fall off, it’s definitely going to take some damage. I worry about it more now that I have some locos that are worth worrying about. Didn’t matter so much when it was just the Bloody L.

#9

I’ve had days like that. My railroad has performance anxiety.
A train will run fine unattended, for an hour or more. If somebody’s watching, I’m lucky if it makes 2 minutes without a problem.
I guess we just have to be thankful it’s not always like that :slight_smile:
Ralph

#10

A viewing, eh? I hate to go look at it. :wink: These are the pieces I picked up. I haven’t been back out to see if I missed any.

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/IMG_6150.JPG)

A shot from the side

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/IMG_6152.JPG)

And the back

(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/IMG_6153.JPG)

Actually, it’s not THAT bad. I just can’t run it for awhile. One part of me says I think I can repair the cab. The other part says that maybe it’s time to upgrade to a steel cab. Maybe paint it black.

#11

IN the back of my mind I some how think this may be intentional so you can make something out of it?? :lol:
As for working inside…your retired now so you have all day, sit a card table up in the yard run the trains and work away…Oh and trim the holly bush;)

#12

YIKES! Anyone have a Connie cab they can sell to Bruce?

#13

Been there, done that a couple of times. In my case the explanations were simple. Human error killed a loco, and coupler failure damaged some cars due to a runaway.

I’m sorry for your loss.

#14

I’ve seen photos of prototype wrecks that look pretty darned close to that. All that’s missing is the wreckage lying at the base of the hill, with the wrecking crew posing on top of the mangled mess.

Later,

K

#15

Bruce,

OUCH!! Let me know if there is anything I can do for the poor ‘child’.

Barry - BBT

#16

Not good Bruce. Look on the bright side, now you have an excuse to rebuild the loco. Like someone mentioned set up a table outside and work as the trains run.
It seems trains always crash in the middle of the tunnel or at the highest points, never fails. Hope you get the engine running soon again. Thats why it is always good to have more then one engine.

#17

Awwwwwwww, a couple of operations, a little glue, some paint, and it’ll be as good as new…
Doctor Bruce to the rescue… :slight_smile:

However you decide to return it to service, it will once again become a great locomotive…
<I’ve met the builder and seen his layout> :slight_smile:

#18

And the Garden grench shows up once again. Never fails. Hope you can get her fixed back up again. Later RJD

#19

But I don’t want this slowing you down on that EBT mikado!

#20

Bruce,
Oppurtunity sometimes knocks rather harshly. Been there, done that. I don’t know why they have to fall from the highest points, but they do. Sorry for the problems, so did you ever show them the FUN of having a garden railroad? You know those little speeders, this is what I use them for. :wink: