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This is my take as well. Something is wrong with the plastic wheels. Its funny that some work just fine and others won't go 2 feet without the wheels coming off. I'm with you Wombat, metal are the way to go.
The wheels came in today. I will mess with it tomorrow. I had to go up to the VA at Fort Sill today for the va to replace the C-Pap that died on Friday. I would have got it yesterday but it was a holiday..yeah that... I'll get some shots of the fun then. I haven't slept very good in 4 days now. I am burned out. Laters

I got the wheelsets replaced on a few of the cars today. i ran them around some. I now have a new issue. some of the scenery around the track is getting to close to the track and is causing the engine to hang and cars too. And that is causing derails so i have a few things to fix. since this is on the back side i can kill two birds at the same time. I can add the telegraph poles to that side of the layout. I have 3 shots on the camera and will try and post them here. My linux system is needing something to help me post videos yet. am working on that too. Didn't know i would have that issue till i was trying to upload a video today. it don't like you tube. for uploads so i need to find a program to fix this new issue. I'll get it. I still love Linux yet. I have way less issues wit it than with windows 10 or 11. Anyway three shots coming, Laters
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Anyway.. I got to the back side and got all the telegraph poles installed. I also got the safety rails installed on the big bridge. so its drying now. Have a few shots of the work there. I got 12 cars done so far. I took them and added weight to them with NMRA standards. They were all light but a couple were really light. Top heavy too and they were always jumping track. Waiting for the track to be ready for running trains. Tonight or tomorrow. Still am having issues with getting videos yet. I made my main computer linux and then i started looking for the same for my tablet. Is in there but am having issues to getting the videos to youtube from my tablet. I will get it soon. i had a list before i did the change but its lost in the mess on my desk or something. My room is all stacked with piles of junk everywhere. shots below. laters
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I’m just catching up with this again, lookin' good Smokey!
I love that bridge and trestle, reminds me of places I’ve actually seen!
@OleSmokey
Looks great and I LUV your trestle bridge

Personally, I think its the best part of the layout. It is definlally the biggest scratched built thing i have ever built. Thanks for the flowers!

So, as promised, I finally got my linux program to do a video on You Tube. I am showing some of the cars i put metal wheelsets in. I am showing three of my engines. first is a Bachmann 44 toner. second is a S-2 from Atlas. and last up, a NW2 from BLI. that last one is junk!! worst engine ever!!!
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
So, as promised, I finally got my linux program to do a video on You Tube. I am showing some of the cars i put metal wheelsets in. I am showing three of my engines. first is a Bachmann 44 toner. second is a S-2 from Atlas. and last up, a NW2 from BLI. that last one is junk!! worst engine ever!!!
Big tank car accident with your second locomotive! Better get the ROW crew over there to get it off the track.
Seriously, thanks for posting the video!
Hehe, you didn't see it but that was just before there was a shift in the force! Trying to get that loco out on the track, trying to get it to run with the load. afterwords, i wanted to slam that NW-2 into the wall... I didn't but i was thinking that it could improve its behavior. I love that 44 toner from Bachmann. it runs great! the Atlases run great! so.. what the hell did BLI do wrong??? seriously.. where did they get those engines anyway?? and they charge twice as much as other engines..Where did they get that idea??? They need more quality control before they let them go out the door!
Its been awhile since i caught up. The only thing i have done other than running trains is painting ties and rusting out tracks. I saw Mike Fifer doing his track and thought i may try that to mine. I got the front half all done. but now want to do some ballast to the main line.Some of my track was used from earlier track plans. some have ballast and some were painted black or dark brown to get the logging camp. I plan to do that again but want to get the main line done. Also i have been cleaning the switch controls cleaned and no ox applied to keep corrosion at bay. i have a shot around here somewhere to show the work so far. Smoke
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I decided to paint the ballast to get the ballast to look good with the kato ballast. I have the back side to do yet. The yard and the track will be done with earth and or cinders. shots below
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The ballast i ordered from Mike came in today. I decided to try and play around with that. It don't look to bad so will continue the way i am doing it. I don't have the machine that helps to ballast the track around where it is needed but with so little of track i just didn't feel like i needed it. I just did a 3 ft section. Its ok. i can live with it. Shots below,Smoke
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I was doing more today. i got to the turnout and i was brushing the ballast that went over in the direction of the turnout. It made it into the turnout so, i have to cut it out and clean it out. it looks ok but it isn't. I had all the ballast in place but i spelt some on the track itself. I am going to have to cut it out and clean it out. the fun part is putting it back together.
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Thanks to your thread, I learned what a switchback is. Well I saw the word and had to do some research. Thanks
yep that and turnout, throws, frogs anyway you get the idea. I got the turnout all cleaned out and fresh Graphite in it and put it back together. While i had it out i painted the ties and rail. Now i have a rant here. on the soapbox, Tidy track paint pins give you two tips for the stick. There is no way to get additional tips. it don't matter that you still have about half of the paint in the pin. Woodsland and tidy track is ripping us off for those tips! Off the soapbox. anyway once this is dry i will get it back in and will balast it once more without getting it in the turnout itself! shots below.
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So. next is the logging tracks and turnouts. I'm just thrilled... I have one turnout and some track around the houses and one spot at the trestle. I think that is all. The shot of the turnout isn't the best but i couldn't get any closer to it. Thats all for now. laters
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Northern Pacific history enthusiast
yep that and turnout, throws, frogs anyway you get the idea. I got the turnout all cleaned out and fresh Graphite in it and put it back together. While i had it out i painted the ties and rail. Now i have a rant here. on the soapbox, Tidy track paint pins give you two tips for the stick. There is no way to get additional tips. it don't matter that you still have about half of the paint in the pin. Woodsland and tidy track is ripping us off for those tips! Off the soapbox. anyway once this is dry i will get it back in and will balast it once more without getting it in the turnout itself! shots below.
Here is a trick they won't tell you, you can trim the end of your paint pen with a sharp razor blade or exacto knife. I will trim (sharpen the felt tip) my pen several times before putting on the other tip.
Dave LASM
I finally got the yard work done on the logging side of the yard. i can run engines with no issues. Next will be the logging line up to the camp. if i can get it up to the trestle i have it made from there. Anyway i got the logging yard finished. soldered, wired and painted. shots below.
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