My Northern Pacific Butte Montana Layout.

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Walthers made this Doodle Bug back in the 90s sometime. I managed to get one and put a Digitrax DH123-D decoder in it. I have detailed it a bit with passengers, the thing has been pretty maintenance heavy! It can get stuck on it's shadow, I have thought about putting on of NWSL powered trucks in it to see if that would improve it.
 
NP2626 ... Hope I am giving you a point or two? Not trying to be critical, but you need to get down more eye level with your photos. It makes them seem more realistic and shows detail better. That picture of the RS on the trestle is a great shot, but just needs to be more eye level too. That is really a nice scene for showing off a model.
I like your roster .. good collection.
 
Sirfoldalot, I am not a photographer and really don't have any interest in photography. Taking the photos I have taken I do really only to help in telling the story. However, I will try to take photos in the future, with an eye towards trying to make the scene more realistic. Thanks for your input!
 


That RS 1 is most likely an Atlas. I had been doing a lot of modifications to my Athearn locomotives when Atlas first brought out their line of Alcos and figured I would give one a try.

Fantastic. Ended up getting RS 1 's, RS 3's, RSD 4/5's and RS 11's. All are still running like new.

By the way, checking by phone from Butte.
 
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This is my latest purchase for the Peep River Logging Company. It is a Bachmann Mogul from the Lackawanna it is equipped with sound. I need to break it in still, as I haven't had much time to run, yet. While doing research on a local logging company here in the center of Minnesota, I found that many of the locos this company, The Red River Lumber Company, used where Mogals, so I determined that I needed one. Really can't comment on how well; or, not it runs. I eventually will paint decal and letter and weather this loco.
 
I'm shocked to the core, I'm speechless, dumbfounded even. You've got a store bought loco on your pike. Finally succumbed eh! :p
 
Well, you should be! Umm; however, all of them where actually store bought.
 
That little mogul is a sweet running locomotive. My son who knows absolutely nothing about model railroading gave me one for a present. He hasn't a clue about what DCC is but I did appreciate the gift as he does know that I do prefer smaller locomotives. It is of course DCC and sound equipped but still is an excellent running little guy. My only problem with it is that it is a wimp on my two and a half percent grades. Four to possibly five freight cars is about the limit it can handle on the grades so it is usually used in the yard as a switcher or to pull a short passenger train.
 
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Here is the Bachmann Alco S-4 switcher I show in the photos of Hoodoo Gulch Trestle. Bachmann made this switcher as a non-sound DC loco. I added a Digitrax DH123-D decoder to the loco, then I bought a Milwaukee Road S-4 which did have sound and swapped shells, so I could have sound in mine. Then I sold the Milwaukee as a non-sound DCC equipped loco for about what I paid for the DC N.P. one. I guess I wonder why Bachmann and other manufacturers don't offer their locos as ether sound equipped; or, non-sound equipped?
 
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I will have to agree with Sherrel. Nice photo and turntable. I must have missed the NP S-4. I did pick up an Alco S-2 with DCC and sound even though I still operate DC only and it is a sweet running locomotive. It is in the video below in my signature "Switching in Churchill". Wish I could have found it in Northern Pacific, but being that I also connect to the Milwaukee Road, it works fine for me.
 
Kato, Athearn RTR & Genesis, Walthers Mainline & Proto and Atlas of the well known manufacturers, still offer both DC/DCC ready and DCC/sound versions. Athearn's products have retrofitting of sound decoders/speakers to their DC/DCC ready locos (same chassis) Walthers are now offering the Mainline with DCC/sound, but don't know if it can be fitted to the DC line. Their Proto line are being offered as DC Standard, which is, as far as I can see, just the previous DC/DCC ready models which could require some modifying of the chassis to accommodate decoder/speaker. Their new sound equipped locos have different chassis to allow for it. Atlas have offered both for some time, not sure on the chassis compatibility though. Same with Kato. BLI, since their DC/sound Blueline range, into which you could put a motor control DCC decoder, have with their Paragon series, are only offered with sound fitted.

As far as I'm aware though all DCC/sound Decoders are what's called "Dual Mode". They will run with sound on a DC track. Earlier examples, the sound was limited to motor/steam and automatic sounds (generators, pumps), no horn/whistle. Latest ones have that capability too.
 
Toot, what I meant was why, if all it takes is swapping shells, don't the manufacturers offer a locomotive as either DC, DCC; or DCC/sound? Are you saying that the manufacturers you listed do offer their locomotives this way? If so, then they seem to be smarter than Bachmann! That they may be "Dual Mode" is also a good idea. I have made the decision that I love DCC and sound, I feel it adds such a huge difference to operating.
 
The RS-1 is an Atlas product, confirmed.

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My previous statement about having shown all my steamers was incorrect.

Above is my Proto Heritage Northern Pacific G-1 switcher. This came equipped with a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder already installed. It has a tire on one of the drivers and is therefor a pretty good puller. The bright rust on the cat walk along the side of the boiler seems to get highlighted with the camera's flash. I also screwed up, calling my other 0-8-0 loco a G-3, it is supposed to be a G-1, also. I have one more steamer and two more diesels to show.
 
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NP2626 said:
Toot, what I meant was why, if all it takes is swapping shells, don't the manufacturers offer a locomotive as either DC, DCC; or DCC/sound? Are you saying that the manufacturers you listed do offer their locomotives this way? If so, then they seem to be smarter than Bachmann! That they may be "Dual Mode" is also a good idea. I have made the decision that I love DCC and sound, I feel it adds such a huge difference to operating.
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I haven't seen one yet that has a specific shell that is made for DCC/sound only, as I mentioned for the latest Protos, a different chassis and driveline, because of the use of 2 speakers in the loco. What you might notice is there are more see through fans and grilles, which is done ostensibly for appearance, but more likely for ventilation, as DCC decoders produce some heat and the sound versions somewhat more. A couple of manufacturers mount the speakers (usually 2) in the fuel tank, facing down, the sound escaping through grilles in the bottom, BLI is one. You need to be certain there isn't any ferrous material in your ballast than can be attracted to the speaker magnets.
 
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I have one more diesel to show after this one. This loco is a Stewart Baldwin VO-1000 switcher. Again, I have installed a Digitrax DH123D decoder in this loco. I think Stewart makes some very good running locos. I have taken the photo from eye level for a more realistic view, per Toot's recommendation.
 
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Another shot on the turntable and another Peep River locomotive. This is my third Bachmann Climax! Don't own three, but have had three, the first one was a three truck that developed problems and was replaced by a Two Truck Climax. That one developed a problem and was replaced by this one. Supposedly this one has metal gears and should last a while,hopefully!
 
Nice photos. Eye level photos are nice like the Baldwin, a lot more realistic. Well done. Got one of them. Fine running locomotive.
 


Here's an old photo I came across of an 0-8-0 switching at the NP yard in Laurel, MT. in 1956. Missed out on getting one when they came out.

Laurel, MT, Fall of 1956.jpg
 
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