Welcome back to Jack on Tracks! In this episode of the Back Shop, we begin work on the Santa Fe Chief passenger train project by completely upgrading an Athearn Blue Box F7 locomotive with DCC sound, LED lighting, and performance improvements.

This locomotive appeared nearly brand new, but like many older Athearn Blue Box locomotives, it still suffered from the notorious split axle gear problem. Follow along as we completely disassemble the locomotive, replace the damaged gears, service the trucks, lubricate the drivetrain, and prepare the chassis for modern DCC operation.Well we met a cuckhold couple last night at the bar and we t back to there hotel room it was fun talking about caks wife with your wife.

Hope you all enjoy this build please ask any questions or leave a comment on how you think it's coming or how you've done it.

WPMA-40's conductor checking out the activities at the Blue Pig.

Bruce

   

Got a new project for another modeller:

   

A rather interesting crane and idler car  from the Northern Alberta Railway.

B&O E7A (Proto 2000) moving through Lieperville Union Station

Over the past few days I have been trying to run my Broadway Limited B&O EA locomotive. I tested the locomotive when I first got it, but I did not have the time to do a break-in session. A couple of nights ago I pulled the locomotive out to give it a proper break-in session.

At first things were going well. When I do break-in sessions I switch back and forth with sound on and off. Personally, I am not a fan of sound. After a time for me it just becomes noise. Also, I want to hear the locomotive and its motor.

I was running with the sound turned off and suddenly; the sound comes on. It took me several tries to get it turned off. Everything is good until a few moments later when the horn starts blowing continuously. Again, it took several attempts to turn the horn off. Then the bell comes on. I do a factory reset and things return to normal and I have no more issues and I call it a night.

Tonight I go to the layout to finish the break-in.  The random sound turning on issues starts after a few minutes. Now if that is not enough the locomotive starts stalling at random spots. I do another reset and first it helps but then we are back to the sound and stalling issues. Another reset. I now try DC. The locomotive does not run.

At this point I pull out another locomotive. The locomotive is my LNE Bachmann DCC onboard 2-8-0 Consolidation. The Bachmann runs without any issues.

I am beginning to think I have a bad decoder. Am I right or could there be something else?

Good morning folks,

I'm sure you noticed when you tried to log in earlier Sunday morning, you got a security warning. The issue has been resolved and all should be good now.

apology for the scare.

WPMA-40 working Pier 34.

Bruce

   

HO Scale B&O ALCO PA1 & PA1B. Both are powered - Athearn - $80 plus shipping

   

   

Rivarossi HO Scale B&O Passenger Cars - 6 Cars in total - 1 RPO - 4 Passenger Cars - 1 Observation - All Heavy Weights - $70 plus shipping

A couple of the passenger cars don't have the couplers or coupler covers as this is how they were when I bought them 2 years ago. Private message me and I will let you know how to pay.

   

   

   

   

   

   

Micro-Trains Flatcar Build | Quick Load Upgrade & Weathering

Hey guys, welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!

In this episode, we take a break from the big builds and dive into a quick N scale project, upgrading a Micro-Trains flatcar with a custom deck, tarp repaint, and simple weathering techniques to bring it to life.

This is a short, relaxing build—but packed with useful tips for anyone modeling in N scale or HO scale.

I was looking for a small sawmill for my logging camp and found an old issue of Keystone's Dandy sawmill. The was however copied here in Canada by Juneco and that's the model I bought. The kit was advertised and started but complete.

   

However when I opened the box I had my doubts.

   

The wood content in the box seems a bit thin. I do believe that all the metal castings are present and that's what it most important.

   

It is a pretty small sawmil. The footprint is about 4 X 7". Mostly I'm thinking it's a rough-cut sawmill that supplies the logging camp's needs and sends surplus rough cuts to other customers.

   

The first step is to build the foundation beams. A quick inventory of the wood strips  and I found that all those parts were missing. 

   

I did have a pack of scale 8X8 from Mt. Albert scale lumber that fit that was the same size. 

   

I cut all the parts needed and thay went into an Alcohol and India Ink bath. They're currently drying before I start assembly.