Task: Complete Coal Car build and load

I received a couple more of my favorite coal hoppers in the mail today. The 3-bay 100 Ton Hopper is a great car for my coal operations. I have over 15 of these models from Bowser. I have a few from other model makers, like Bev-bel, Athearn and Concor, but Bowser is by far my favorite. I follow the included instructions for construction. I throw away the plastic inserts for the inside of the hopper wells. I only add the 2 weight plates included, but I then add 8 pennies -- 2 in each bottom corner with adhesive caulk.

I then cut the included cardboard insert for the box to fit down inside the car with it being slightly wider on the sides so it bows up and holds firm. I insert it and push it down about a 1/4 inch. I then use Woodland Scenics Lump Coal to create the coal load, by pouring in it until the car is full and then I set the coal using a 50/50 mix of white glue and water. The pictures shows the coal load completely wet as I really pour the glue on. I really enjoy the way this looks when dried, especially compared to mostly cheap unrealistic looking plastic coal loads available on the market. To me, my method looks the most authentic.

The test of the load comes 24 hours later, when I flip the car over and to check to see if any coal comes off. Normally only 1 or 2 tiny pieces do. I then install the included McHenry KS Couplers and the trucks -- I replace the stock plastic wheels with 36" metal wheels from Proto 2000 or Intermountain.

I have yet to weather my large fleet of coal hoppers. I will probably just wash them with windwasher fluid mixed with a mix of artists tube water colors. Probably a blend of black, white and raw sierra. Then dullcote the car. I will finish up with dusting powders.

Task: Check out new Atlas Gold Series loco

I purchased my first Atlas Gold Series locomotive with QSI sound. And I have to say its by far the best sounding engine I've ever heard. I will post more when I complete the build and detail/weather it. The engine is a CSX flagged, GE Dash 8-40CW, road # 7681.

Did I mention how great it sounds? I now own engines with DCC/Sound decoders from all the main manufacturers except Digitrax. Ranking the ones I own would be: 1) QSI 2) BLI's new Paragon2 3) ESU LokSound 4) SoundTraxx and 5) MRC Sound.

QSI and BLI's Paragon 2 sounds easily out pace the others with QSI edging out BLI for the top spot. The QSI is so good that down the road--money allowing--I will replace 3, 4 and 5 ranked sounds with QSI sound boards.

Also arriving in the mail was my new MRC 8 Amp DCC Booster. I think this booster will provide all the power I need to run my 13 DCC engines (8 of which have sound) and accessories.

Task: Test fit the layout plan

I took some time out and did a dry run of the layout plan to double check my thoughts and ensure the space I've allocated will indeed work. Essentially the plan involves two complete and separate loop runs in a large inverted U shape. The right side of the upside down U will be 11 1/2 feet out, the back part 13 feet long and the left side will be 7 1/2 feet out. The width on the right side will allow for nice wide turns with 33" curves and the left side will be more compressed with 22" curves.

In the center of the wide turns will be the coal mine/loading operation and on the left side in the more narrow turns will be the siding for the Tropicana train and a mock-up of an orange grove.

The 13" feet run along the wall will allow for nice long runs of trains side by side. There will be a connecting turnout area to allow the two separate loop runs to crossover if needed or desired.

I am enjoying the decision to go with Kato's outstanding HO Unitrack.

Task: Replace plastic wheels with metal wheels

I began the process of replacing all of my plastic wheels with metal wheels. I have purchased 33" and 36" metal wheel sets from several different vendors, to include Kadee, Intermountain, and Life-like Proto, as I found good deals on Ebay. I started with my intermodal car fleet.

I will continue the task as I weather and seal the various rolling stock I have. Overall I really like the way metal wheels sound on the rails over the sound plastic wheels and metal wheels go along way in keeping your track cleaner longer. Also, with rolling stock the lower the weight of the car, the lower it's center of gravity - and that provides for smoother rolling with a lot less wobble. Especially important in double stacks and Hi-Cube cars. I am using 33"s on my intermodal fleet and 36"s on all the rest.

Task: Tag Conrail #4133 as a NS SD70MAC

NS gained half of Conrail's 70MACs and the other half went to CSX when Conrail ended operations for the most part in late 1998. So the last detail I completed on my former Conrail 70MAC was adding the black square with white NS beneath the #4133 to show this loco is now operated by NS.

In Microsoft Powerpoint, I created a small graphic that resembled it and printed two out. I attached it will some kid's stick glue then sealed it with a dab of acrylic sealer. Looks good enough.

Interesting that Conrail was primarily formed in 1976 by these famous railroads: Penn Central, Erie Lacjawanna, Jersey Central, Lehigh and Hudson River, Reading, and Lehigh Valley. And it was the bankruptcy in 1972 of Penn Central that led directly to the massive overhaul of US railroads by Congressional action in 1976, The Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Refrom Act of 1976. It was from this action that modern railroads rebound to form the money making industry that is today's US railroad environment.

Footnote: On August 22, 1998, Norfolk Southern and CSX purchased 58% and 42% percent of Conrail stock, respectively, dividing the railroad between them. Each owner began operating their portion on June 1, 1999. In three jointly-owned "shared asset" areas, Conrail still exists as a local freight provider.

Task: Install EOT device

I purchased a neat replica of the modern era of railroading device called the End of Train (EOT) marker. This device on prototype trains took the place of the old Caboose car marking the end of a train. Actually what killed the icon of railroading - the Caboose - was not this device in and of itself, rather it was the modern age of computers. As locomotives became more and more sophisticated with computer technology - the job of the Brakeman became obsolete. Now computers in the loco could read out to the Engineer and control the brake pressure and release it without the need for the Brakeman to do this and/or control it. So, the rail car he rode in, the Caboose, also became obsolete and largely faded from modern railroads.

This EOT device was made by Ring Engineering and comes ready to install with its own replacement truck set w/33" metal wheels, circuit board and wired LED-powered flashing light attached to a metal knuckle-coupler. It draws power from the DCC master unit through the rails. Installation was a snap. At around $45 each, I just started with just this one, but plan on purchasing 4 or 5 more to add to the end of all my trains.

Task: Weather and Locos check out (Cont.)

I've owned a pair of Proto-2000 SD-60s for 5 years or so that have sat in their boxes awaiting the day a layout could be built. 1 in NS and 1 in Conrail colors. I ordered NCE DCC decoders customized by Tony's Train Exchange for correct install and operations in these models. Installation had a snag though, Life-like uses 1.5v bulbs that arent compatible with the DCC decoders. So I had to buy 14v bulbs from Circuitronics and replace the stock bulbs. Installation wasnt to bad overall.

I heavily weathered these units. First I airbrushed along the bottom and trucks with Floquil brown "Leather" paint. I had masked the wheels off while I painted the trucks - however some paint did get on the wheels. I cleaned this off with Acetone. Then I used a lot of dusting powders, mostly grimy black and brown, and a wash of black ink/rubbing alcohol.

Overall I am pleased with these two. Lots of good details were included with the Proto-2000 models.

These locos will be prementatly consisted with a new Athearn Genesis SD60M due out late April 2009. These new units look to be really nice. I have one pre-ordered from Standard Hobby online, NS#6778 . For around 175 dollars these units are sorta pricey. Athearn is promising all new recorded sounds. They are shipping with MRC DCC-Sound decoders. We will see if MRC has improved its act with their new sound decoders, because to this point they've had less than a stellar reputation.

Consist # will be 78.

Task: Weather and Locos check out

While construction of the actual wood benchwork and backdrop awaits the room being available, I have been weathering each locomotive and installing DCC decoders and/or DCC-Sound decoders as needed.

So far I have a Kato SD80MAC (EMD) in Norfolk Southern colors (#7204) which I installed ESU LokSound v3.5 DCC and Sound decoder. Installation was straight forward and the system sounds great. The decoder was purchased from Ulrich's hobby shop in California and they pre-programmed it with the correct SD80MAC sounds (air horn, etc). Weathering consisted of a some rust/grim on the trucks and a light grim dusting on the exhaust fans. This unit remains "pretty" for the most part as its my favorite loco. I installed the correct Multi-Unit (MU) hoses on front and back (these were purchase from Detials West online), painted them red and also painted all the step edges and hand rails yellow and then both gas tank covers and gauges red just like the prototype. I sealed the loco with a matte acrylic sealer. I also installed Kadee #58 couplers.

Next is a Kato SD70MAC (EMD) in Conrail colors (#4133) which I installed a MRC DCC-only decoder. Installation was also straight forward with no issues - simply remember to shield the decoder from all metal parts with black vinyl electrical tape. This unit will be permanently consisted with the NS #7204. MU consist #004. I weathered it heavier to show age and use with several dusts - grimy black, grey, and brown. I installed the correct Multi-Unit (MU) hoses on front and back (these were purchase from Details West online), painted them red and painted all step edges and hand rails white and again painted the gas tanks following the prototype. I sealed the loco with a matte acrylic sealer.

Task: Install good train room lights

Part of model trains looking good as they run around a layout is good lighting and that fact is often over looked imo. I installed a track light set that allows for custom configuration. Lowes had these lights on clearance so I picked them up, however I was 4 short - so went to Ebay.com and acquired those 4.

Overall pretty easy install. One corner piece for the track was in-op so had to take it back and exchange it. I am happy with the results.