11-16-2009, 04:20 PM
I've successfully managed to increase the pulling power of my AEM7s and ALP44s by adding an ounce of weight in one end, and putting the bullfrog snot on an axle below that weight.
I can now coax my ALP44 to push an 8-care train up a long 4% grade, which may almost be beyond the capabilities of the real thing (I think they have a realistic limit of something around 10 cars on the straight and level). the ultimate goal is to get the power of an AEM7-AC, and be able to pull a long distance train with it, though i think thats gonna require more weight.
I've also got a replacement truck for the E60MA, which may actually be repaired in time to run in this year's train show. If i add that bull frog snot, it is guaranteed that it will be able to pull the heavy amtrak train i want up that 4% grade by itself ( I've seen it do it when it had dirty wheels that gave it traction. this snot should make it work).
Speaking of my club's trainshow, If you live near the philadelphia/ South Jersey Area, keep an eye out on the local news channel when they have a "things to do" segment. I can't remember exactly which channel it is, but we are getting a TV spot to advertise that is sometime around 7 am/pm (i'll check). our club was filming the other thursday, and my trains were the only ones running. If you see a pair of Conrails or an NJ transit train, its probably mine! yay TV!
last but not least, i recently repainted and decaled to models. I painted on E44A blue (it will be Conrail 4456, which was repainted early 1977 from the photos i've seen), and i patched a Spectrum Erie Lackawanna SD45 to match a unit that was common in NJ and i don't think it was ever given the blue. it needs some detail work, but no big deal.
notice the siding behind the SD45 has been removed, so that a normal catenary pole will fit. there will now only be one tank car unloading track.
![[Image: catenaryjigs018.jpg]](http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8014/catenaryjigs018.jpg)
the E44A is so glossy (prep for the decals), that the blue on the pilot is actually a reflection, not a bad paint job! once the decals are on, a good layer of dullcote should bring it down!
![[Image: catenaryjigs012.jpg]](http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3027/catenaryjigs012.jpg)
thats it for now.
I can now coax my ALP44 to push an 8-care train up a long 4% grade, which may almost be beyond the capabilities of the real thing (I think they have a realistic limit of something around 10 cars on the straight and level). the ultimate goal is to get the power of an AEM7-AC, and be able to pull a long distance train with it, though i think thats gonna require more weight.
I've also got a replacement truck for the E60MA, which may actually be repaired in time to run in this year's train show. If i add that bull frog snot, it is guaranteed that it will be able to pull the heavy amtrak train i want up that 4% grade by itself ( I've seen it do it when it had dirty wheels that gave it traction. this snot should make it work).
Speaking of my club's trainshow, If you live near the philadelphia/ South Jersey Area, keep an eye out on the local news channel when they have a "things to do" segment. I can't remember exactly which channel it is, but we are getting a TV spot to advertise that is sometime around 7 am/pm (i'll check). our club was filming the other thursday, and my trains were the only ones running. If you see a pair of Conrails or an NJ transit train, its probably mine! yay TV!
last but not least, i recently repainted and decaled to models. I painted on E44A blue (it will be Conrail 4456, which was repainted early 1977 from the photos i've seen), and i patched a Spectrum Erie Lackawanna SD45 to match a unit that was common in NJ and i don't think it was ever given the blue. it needs some detail work, but no big deal.
notice the siding behind the SD45 has been removed, so that a normal catenary pole will fit. there will now only be one tank car unloading track.
the E44A is so glossy (prep for the decals), that the blue on the pilot is actually a reflection, not a bad paint job! once the decals are on, a good layer of dullcote should bring it down!
thats it for now.
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)