Large Scale Central

HLW Orange Sparky modifications

Modeling
#1

Hey Y’all;

UPS Mr. Brown just delivered H-L-W Orange Sparky with pantograph.

Now the fun starts - replace frosted windows with clear.
See about some kind of cab interior.

Replace loop couplers with knuckle couplers.
Hmmm . . . wonder if radial couplers could be fabricated: did that in HO with square brass tube and Kadee’s.

If it gets radial couplers, they would look good sticking out from under an anti-climber.

Had talked about getting started in large scale traction since a couple years ago - finally gotaroundtoit !

Probably next month try to get Pacific Electric one with trolley pole.

later,
Forrest

#2

Look at the Kadee 779 sill mount couplers , thats what I used on several HLW .

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/1gcouplers.htm

#3

Hello again;

Finally figured out how HLW Sparky comes apart.

  1. Motor block snaps into bottom at one end, other held by flat rectangular tab hook. Tab snap is freed much like I once heard someone say about correcting a horse, “brute force applied gently”, although in this case with assistance of a medium sized flat screwdriver.
    “Brute force applied gently” is also the means by which motor block is reinstalled.

1.1 Brass tube rises from motor block through hole in floor/frame almost to cab roof: light bulb extends from end of tube

  1. Cab held by 2 screws, diagonally opposite from each other and partially obscured by motor block.

2.1 Two fairly hefty slabs of metal weights are retained by tabs in cab end walls. Weights fall free when cab removed.

  1. Hoods lift off with each pivoting toward front where rectangular flat hook goes through slot in floor/frame. Hoods have tabs under cab end walls - hoods cannot be removed before cab is removed.

  2. Cab roof lifts off after lens castings removed. Push lens castings out by pushing on long rod projecting into cab.

  3. Pantograph held on by bolt in from top with nut underside cab roof.

  4. Windows slide/snap into slots inside cab molding. Black frame on side window and window glazing are 2 parts: frame molded in a fairly flexible plastic

  5. Number boards on hood ends are press fit with pin on board into hole in hood end

  6. “Air tank” looking things on deck; handrails; couplers; each have tabs each end snap into slots in floor/frame molding

A.)trivia - appears floor/frame molded out of green plastic then painted black. Cab molded out of red then painted orange.

B.)trivia - headlight diameter about 10mm
I plan to replace each headlight’s plastic rod with one 5mm LED or 2x 3mm LED.

later,
Forrest

#4
Forrest Scott Wood said:
A.)trivia - appears floor/frame molded out of green plastic then painted black. Cab molded out of red then painted orange.

later,
Forrest


Thats odd, my Macks have always been the colors the plastics were cast in, even the Pacific Electric Sparky.

#5

There are now photos here http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/HLW%20Sparky%20project/

#6

Found at Radio Shack - 10mm bright white LED :shock: Model RR suppliers list only 3mm and 5mm as far as I’ve seen. This will make a headlight which lights the way!

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/IMG_1159.jpg)

Okay, so what is this obsession with huge bright headlights :?: Umm, the imaginary setting for my freelance RR is a semi-tropical island with a portion of its route through jungle. There are things living in there which would see you as a midnight snack. And it would look really cool lighting up Mike’s garden railway.