Large Scale Central

SP USA heavyweights first run photos

Yesterday was the first revenue run for my new USA heavyweights. Here are a few photos of the event.

Paul

They look great ,along with the layout well done

One more. I shot around 36 photos yesterday. Sometimes its hard to pick.

Very nice presentation.

Thanks Paul for the great work and pictures. The pictures remind me when I rode the SP Klamath train on the way to Portland, OR in the 1950s. I still remember going north at Dunsmuir when a helper GP or SD diesel was added to assist the steam engine.

-Ted

Ted,

Did you see the other post on closer coupling?

Paul, I had seen the closer coupling pictures, and the train looks so much better that way. The diaphragms seem to be intrinsically big on the cars and wonder if they could have a section removed for even closer coupling.

-Ted

Ted,

I’m sure something could be done with the diaphragms. Only problem with the ones on the model is that they are soft when compressed from the sides but stiff when compressed from the ends. It might require new diaphragms to make it work. And of course track radius comes into play. I think that I will just be happy the way I now have them. Let us know if you come up with anything. I did put Kadees on the front of the baggage/parlor and the rear of the observation. At around 34.5" coupler pulling face to coupler pulling face any deviation in the track is magnified so I went with the G Kadees to insure against any surprise uncoupling with my #1 Kadees.

I just realized that in my previous post to Ted that we were talking about close coupling but I forgot to put in the link to the original post on closer coupling.

Here it is.

http://largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/30457/usat-heavyweights-easy-closer-coupling

OOOOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEE, Paul… They look great… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)Takes us back to the 30’s and 40’s … Wonderful images… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Paul Burch said:

One more. I shot around 36 photos yesterday. Sometimes its hard to pick.

Yes it is and thank you for the posts !

Now we need a video.

I did try a video with my camera but was not happy with it. If someone with some better equipment wants to drop by and shoot some video they are more than welcome. Might be fun.

Paul, great photos, for video you might try GoPro. I use them for all my railroad and diving videos. They are compact and you can mount the GoPro on train and view the live action on your iphone or ipad via bluetooth. Check out my YouTube channel some videos show the “ride along” feature.

How large is your layout, it looks quite extensive.

Dan,

The layout isn’t all that big. Its L shaped about 100’ down one side and 75’ down the other and about 30’ wide. Its all raised for easy operation and viewing. I don’t call it a garden railroad but a model railroad. The track plan and site lines were done the same way you would for an indoor layout. All battery power. There is no power on the layout at all. The track is code 250 aluminum glued down to smooth concrete roadbed. There are a few air turnouts, the rest are manual. Construction was started in 2004 with the walls and dirt. First track went down in February 2005.

Paul.

The heavyweight’s look great behind your GS-1, and your layout certainly fills in the spaces for a period look. Excellent job on all!

I’ve always imagined your layout was larger than you describe. I find as you note elevated or raised trackage outdoors really helps set the view angles, the skyline and such help much too! I’m starting to think about a track-plan for a layout, the raised aspects of yours and others really intrigue me and being older with bad knees seems appropriate and I’ve got lots of dirt and area to play with here.

Would you please share more on your layouts outline, maybe a top view?

GoPro cameras are very popular with many hobbies, sports, car shows and similar ilk. I’ve used them on drones and aircraft at the least. I’ve seen many a train videos too.

Michael

Michael,

I e-mailed you.

Great pictures! Those heavweights look great!

Beautiful Paul. I have always loved your layout.

Cheers,

Matt