12-09-2013, 01:40 PM
Jersey Arrow I
As is typical, As soon as I am almost done with a project, it is negated!
For my birthday that just passed, one of my gifts was a set of THREE Jersey Arrow I kits, from 1997. I am just getting set to finish off the molding project of one of these from JWB's loaned Arrow I.
On the plus side, I now have three kits that have all the parts, including the trucks (rare) and the specially made Decals (RARER).
On the other hand, this may not be all bad. These Jersey Arrow Is technically still ride the rails. From 1968 to 1980 they were self propelled, from the mid-80s to early 2000s, they were converted to "Comet 1B" Push-pull coaches and cabs, some of which saw brief service loaned to Canada, and now California is rebuilding these cars yet again as long distance coaches until more bi-level equipment can be purchased.
I wouldn't have DREAMED of doing any of those projects given the rarity of these kits (and I strongly suspect few of these kits ever were modeled as the MU version). Being able to cast these shells and floors will let me play with the possibility of the Comet 1B.
Metroliners on tour
I did get to see the Walthers Metroliner trainsets at Sattler's Hobby shop in Westmont. I'm definitely on-board for at least a trainset of these, and I'm looking forward to them.
I also got a good look at the Stemman Pantographs on the coaches. These are VERY good, and my only complaint is that they are plastic. That said, the details are right, and they are equalized. If possible, I will order a large bunch of these pantographs for my Jersey Arrows (almost 14 of pantographs, and a few extra).
This is the first time any Stemman Pantograph is available in HO scale, period. Technically, there were some being sold in very limited quantities with the IHP Arrow Is (seperate from the kits), but i'm told they made and sold so few, that they almost aren't worth looking for.
I may also get the faively pantographs from the Cafe and Parlor Metroliner cars for my Jersey Arrow IIs and my remaining Silverliners, which use this sort of pantograph. I do have many of the old Bachmann Metroliners, so I can always use those pantographs if the walthers are not available.
GG1 Pilot Truck fix
I have largely solved the problem with the BLI and MTH pilot trucks on the GG1. They bounce VERY easily leading to derailments. I went to Lowe's, and bought a few washers (#6 and 5/16" Steel washers), and sandwhiched them between the truck and the existing spring/washer assembly. It doesn't really seem to add significant weight to the trucks, but it does limit their up and down movement to almost non-existent.
This pretty much eliminated all the "pilot truck bounce" in the GG1, and has made these units far more reliable. I have since re-equipped all my GG1s with this modification.
Another issue was the couplers. The stock couplers provied by BLI are miserable, and the "automatic" couplers with the MTH not much better. While an Kadee #5 box can fit, it blocks the pilot trucks, even on broad curves, causing derailments. the boxes either need to be cut back, or Type 30 couplers used.
On the MTH GG1s, the pilot trucks and unprototypical notches that prevent this issue, but you can only use the "scale" couplers. "regular" couplers like the #5 will not fit past the pilots unless you use a long shank coupler.
Even more freight cars
On top of the three mentioned before, I also have a few more freight car kits either built or approaching completion, including two Accurail open autoracks, 2 tank cars, and "club car" AC&F hopper painted for the Rancocas Valley Lines, the Burlington County Club's free-lanced roadname.
Pictures coming soon (they are uploading to photobucket as I post this, but it may take a while).
As is typical, As soon as I am almost done with a project, it is negated!
For my birthday that just passed, one of my gifts was a set of THREE Jersey Arrow I kits, from 1997. I am just getting set to finish off the molding project of one of these from JWB's loaned Arrow I.
On the plus side, I now have three kits that have all the parts, including the trucks (rare) and the specially made Decals (RARER).
On the other hand, this may not be all bad. These Jersey Arrow Is technically still ride the rails. From 1968 to 1980 they were self propelled, from the mid-80s to early 2000s, they were converted to "Comet 1B" Push-pull coaches and cabs, some of which saw brief service loaned to Canada, and now California is rebuilding these cars yet again as long distance coaches until more bi-level equipment can be purchased.
I wouldn't have DREAMED of doing any of those projects given the rarity of these kits (and I strongly suspect few of these kits ever were modeled as the MU version). Being able to cast these shells and floors will let me play with the possibility of the Comet 1B.
Metroliners on tour
I did get to see the Walthers Metroliner trainsets at Sattler's Hobby shop in Westmont. I'm definitely on-board for at least a trainset of these, and I'm looking forward to them.
I also got a good look at the Stemman Pantographs on the coaches. These are VERY good, and my only complaint is that they are plastic. That said, the details are right, and they are equalized. If possible, I will order a large bunch of these pantographs for my Jersey Arrows (almost 14 of pantographs, and a few extra).
This is the first time any Stemman Pantograph is available in HO scale, period. Technically, there were some being sold in very limited quantities with the IHP Arrow Is (seperate from the kits), but i'm told they made and sold so few, that they almost aren't worth looking for.
I may also get the faively pantographs from the Cafe and Parlor Metroliner cars for my Jersey Arrow IIs and my remaining Silverliners, which use this sort of pantograph. I do have many of the old Bachmann Metroliners, so I can always use those pantographs if the walthers are not available.
GG1 Pilot Truck fix
I have largely solved the problem with the BLI and MTH pilot trucks on the GG1. They bounce VERY easily leading to derailments. I went to Lowe's, and bought a few washers (#6 and 5/16" Steel washers), and sandwhiched them between the truck and the existing spring/washer assembly. It doesn't really seem to add significant weight to the trucks, but it does limit their up and down movement to almost non-existent.
This pretty much eliminated all the "pilot truck bounce" in the GG1, and has made these units far more reliable. I have since re-equipped all my GG1s with this modification.
Another issue was the couplers. The stock couplers provied by BLI are miserable, and the "automatic" couplers with the MTH not much better. While an Kadee #5 box can fit, it blocks the pilot trucks, even on broad curves, causing derailments. the boxes either need to be cut back, or Type 30 couplers used.
On the MTH GG1s, the pilot trucks and unprototypical notches that prevent this issue, but you can only use the "scale" couplers. "regular" couplers like the #5 will not fit past the pilots unless you use a long shank coupler.
Even more freight cars
On top of the three mentioned before, I also have a few more freight car kits either built or approaching completion, including two Accurail open autoracks, 2 tank cars, and "club car" AC&F hopper painted for the Rancocas Valley Lines, the Burlington County Club's free-lanced roadname.
Pictures coming soon (they are uploading to photobucket as I post this, but it may take a while).
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)