Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Matt!  Thanks, Scott!

DFF

[glakedylan]

Dave
your work is excellent and a daily inspiration
I so enjoy following your build
and never surprised at your wonderful results
I know I can expect such from you
thanks for sharing!

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Gary!

[davefoxx]

This video's for Allen (Bendtracker1), co-starring one SBD SD45-2 and B&O GP40-2 that were purchased by the Seaboard Central from the Little Rock Line:

I have to admit that I really like this IM SD45-2, despite the "faded" paint job and some gloppy paint on the corners of the handrails that I think I can clean up with some fine sandpaper.  I have hemmed and hawed for years about getting one of these locomotives, due to some horrendous reviews online.  But, it runs very well and much more smoothly than the Atlas SD50s that it is MUed with in the video.  Hopefully, someday when I get around to weathering the fleet, I'll figure out a way to darken this locomotive a little without affecting the lettering too much.  If it really starts bugging me enough (the contrast is not really as bad as it seems in the video), then I'll keep an eye out for an SCL SD45-2 shell with a much better paint job and swap it out.

As for the B&O GP40-2 that played the part of the helper in the video, it was probably the easiest DCC conversion that I've ever done, and I've dropped quite a few decoders in GP38s and GP40s.  Being lazy after a hard day of work, I didn't bother to add solder to the decoder's pads to engage the frame better, nor did I bother to fuss with the motor's contacts to the decoder.  I just dropped it in there, and it worked on the first try!  I literally had this locomotive's wheels gauged, the unit torn down and put back together, and the decoder programmed with the road number for the DCC address in just three or four minutes.  I wish they all worked out that well.

Enjoy,
DFF

P.S. Thanks, Allen.  Oh, and, "Damn you and your cursed peer pressure!"   

[Scottl]

Positive IM locomotive comment alert!   

[Bendtracker1]

P.S. Thanks, Allen.  Oh, and, "Damn you and your cursed peer pressure!"   

You're more than welcome Dave!  LMAO!
A pleasure doing business with you and The Seaboard!

What can I do to get you behind the throttle of your next locomotive?

[crrcoal]

What a great video!! Love those coal drags!!

This video's for Allen (Bendtracker1), co-starring one SBD SD45-2 and B&O GP40-2 that were purchased by the Seaboard Central from the Little Rock Line:

I have to admit that I really like this IM SD45-2, despite the "faded" paint job and some gloppy paint on the corners of the handrails that I think I can clean up with some fine sandpaper.  I have hemmed and hawed for years about getting one of these locomotives, due to some horrendous reviews online.  But, it runs very well and much more smoothly than the Atlas SD50s that it is MUed with in the video.  Hopefully, someday when I get around to weathering the fleet, I'll figure out a way to darken this locomotive a little without affecting the lettering too much.  If it really starts bugging me enough (the contrast is not really as bad as it seems in the video), then I'll keep an eye out for an SCL SD45-2 shell with a much better paint job and swap it out.

As for the B&O GP40-2 that played the part of the helper in the video, it was probably the easiest DCC conversion that I've ever done, and I've dropped quite a few decoders in GP38s and GP40s.  Being lazy after a hard day of work, I didn't bother to add solder to the decoder's pads to engage the frame better, nor did I bother to fuss with the motor's contacts to the decoder.  I just dropped it in there, and it worked on the first try!  I literally had this locomotive's wheels gauged, the unit torn down and put back together, and the decoder programmed with the road number for the DCC address in just three or four minutes.  I wish they all worked out that well.

Enjoy,
DFF

P.S. Thanks, Allen.  Oh, and, "Damn you and your cursed peer pressure!"   

[Rich_S]

Dave, To much roundy round running and not enough work being done on the scenery  Just kidding Dave. The streets look fantastic and like mentioned above, got to love those coal drags, especially with a SD45-2 in the consists.  

[davefoxx]

Not a good day on the Seaboard.  The curved turnout that I built several weeks ago has been giving me fits every now and then.  Because I didn't use a jig, I've been tweaking it as problems arise.  While it worked okay for some time, lately (change of season?) it's been becoming more and more unreliable.  Now, I basically have tweaked the thing so much that it's just getting worse.  My F40PH operated immaculately through it until yesterday, and now it can't go through either route (facing point direction) without derailing.

So, while I tried to build a turnout without a jig, I'm going to call this one a failure.  It happens.  I've got it working okay as a trailing point turnout, but it's really unreliable as a facing point turnout.  At least I can still operate trains on the layout in one direction until I replace this turnout.

I bit the bullet and just ordered the necessary turnout jig from Fast Tracks.  Yeah, the jigs are expensive, but I need a couple of these turnouts anyway.  So, that helps spread the cost out.  This will be worth every penny, though, if I can build reliable turnouts.

DFF

[wm3798]

What's the geometry of the jig?  Maybe I can help defray the cost by subcontracting out a turnout or two for the CH&FP...  It's a pretty tight turn, as I recall...

Lee

[davefoxx]

What's the geometry of the jig?  Maybe I can help defray the cost by subcontracting out a turnout or two for the CH&FP...  It's a pretty tight turn, as I recall...

Lee

Thanks, Lee, the curved turnout is a #8 with 16" outer radius and 12" inner radius.

I need two of them to get the south end of Hamlet Yard finished.  I built the first turnout, but never got around to the second, because I wanted to test the first for several weeks before I installed the second turnout.  This time, I'll build both on the workbench and install them together.

DFF

[Rich_S]

I built the first turnout, but never got around to the second ...

DFF

Here you go Dave, this should help 

[davefoxx]

Here you go Dave, this should help 

Heh, Rich, "Round tuit" is my railroad's motto.

DFF

[Rich_S]

Heh, Rich, "Round tuit" is my railroad's motto.

DFF

 

[davefoxx]

I was in Wilmington, Delaware for a seminar today, and, during the lunch break, I walked about ten blocks down to the Amtrak station.  Seeing the Silver Star pass through town made me wish I could escape this wintry weather by hopping aboard and being taken down south to warmer weather.  Upon returning home, I was inspired to set up the Auto Train on the Seaboard Central for a southbound run.  "Calgon, take me away!"

DFF