Niko Goes Foreign: British Railways "Deltic" (a dream come true- almost!).

So, this is a "New" Series within the Blog, where I tell about "Foreign" Locomotives and/or Rolling Stock- which I have the scale models of. These models are all from my personal collection, and I hope you enjoy the first edition of "Niko Goes Foreign" (extra points for those who guess the joke/reference in the title of the series).

Now, back in October 2017, I went on a Road Trip with my Pops to visit friends "upstate." (I will NOT tell where.). We all met at a model railway show (again, I won't tell where- don't want them to face bedlam like Puyallup; you live in Washington State and are a Model Railroader, you know what I mean.). Anyway, I found a locomotive I've long dreamed of having for my "British Fleet," a British Railways Class 55 "Deltic." These were once the Most-Powerful Locomotives in the World, in terms of Horsepower, at 3300 H.P. They're quite the beasts on British rails, having held down the crack London-Edinburgh expresses, taking over from the famous London & North Eastern Railway "A4" 4-6-2 Pacific locomotives- the Fastest Steam Locomotives in the World (officially). While I'd like to have an A4, the cheapest would be a TTTE HO model from Bachmann (and I really, really don't like that path.), I'm more than content to have a model of their successors (and truth be told, have actually wanted a "Deltic" more than an "A4" really; it's a personal thing.).

The following photo, is a photo of my model: 

 Almost like the picture, this model was made by "Lima Models" of Italy, with stunning detail for its age. Only one truck is powered, but that's okay, the real ones didn't have much guts at the traction motors anyway (compared to contemporary American passenger locomotives.). It's an accurate looking machine, for being an old model. For the Money, it was a good buy. I have no complaints, as with the British in Washington State, "Beggars can't be Choosers," but what a choice to have. It's one would expect for a Lima of about 30 to 40 years of age. Detail's also what you'd expect for the era, which isn't bad for what it is. It's certainly close enough to the book illustration, for my liking.

Overall, I wouldn't trade it. I did a good job, considering I'm half-way between London and Tokyo. It really worked out in my favor. This is just a brief start, as there are other blog posts to write. Thanks for Reading. Cheers (as the British Say!).

New York Central Hudson: "Why did I get a J3a?"

So, it's been a while since I last wrote, but the following post has been a long time coming. A few months back, I purchased a model of a New York Central J3a Hudson (coincidentally- class leader, 5405). It was made by Rivarossi of Italy, and for $20 (including an incorrect N&W tender), I couldn't argue, but as I made the purchase, and ever since, I've had this burning question to myself, as to why; why did I buy the locomotive?

(Source: http://www.rivarossi-memory.it/ENGLISH_VERSION/Riva_American_Locos/Riva_Hudson_Eng.htm#Locomotiva_a_Vapore_4-6-4_Hudson_J3a_ )

A little context- my main model train shop guy, lets me dig through the back room when I'm there, and the repair person isn't there. I found the model, and the N&W Tender, in the back, one Saturday (which in itself, had some funny stories to go along with it), back about June of this year. The model was forlorn, ran- but needed some work, but overall in good nick. I couldn't really pass up the price he threw out for me, so I purchased it. A few months later, I found the proper tender for the locomotive, and I purchased that for cheap, at a shop in Pierce County. All-in-all, I now have a totally correct, New York Central J3a. However, I keep asking myself "Why did I buy it?"


I ask myself that, because of all the American-outline model locomotives in the world, the two most famous models of prototypes, are the Union Pacific "Big Boy" and the New York Central Hudson. As much as I respect the two most-popular legendary locomotive classes in American Railroading History, I never really had a burning desire to own models of either of them (yes, I said it, I have never had a desire to own models of either the "Big Boy" or the Central's Hudsons.). They just seemed a little "cliche" to me personally. However, now I have one, and I'm still asking "why?"

Now I say "first" because it's the first motorized model- I have a "Restoration Hardware" tin toy of the Streamlined Version (like the real one pictured above), but it's not really any sort of "scale" model- by any means, so I count the unstreamlined Rivarossi, like the promotional picture from them (the first image), as the "first".

Many models have been made of the NYC Hudsons- in Steamlined and Non-Steamlined forms, starting from Lionel's O-Scale model in 1937 (only three, yes "3" rivets off on the tender! Whoever did the "rivet counting" infuriated Joshua Lionel Cowan- suggesting that his "masterpiece" needed revision. And people wonder why many model railroaders dislike "rivet counters"!), to A.C. Gilbert's "American Flyer" trains in S and HO scale (the first mass-market model in HO scale, of the NYC J3a Hudsons, and one I'd like to acquire myself!). There's been countless custom and production brass models in all scales, even some intrepid people build their own miniature "live steam" models, that they ride behind (as can be seen below, along side what I believe is a Lionel model.).

(Source: https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5519/31008761811_4c29e5be7a_b.jpg)

Anyway, the New York Central J3a is by no means a slouch- these were the locomotives that powered much of the New York Central Railroad's Top Passenger Trains, such as The 20th Century Limited, The Empire State Express, and countless other luxurious trains from the Late-1920's, to the end of Steam on the Central. Sadly, none were preserved of any of the classes, as the President of the Central in the 50's (who shall NOT be named because he was such a Pain!), was Anti-Steam, and desired NOT to have any of the Central's "Legendary" machines preserved (very few Central locomotives survive today- the most astounding being 4-4-0 No. 999, and two of the 4-8-2 "Mohawk" steam locomotives- one of which, survived because of a railroad in Texas!). There was once an attempt by some unknown American Millionaire, to have a New York Central Hudson, replicated by an Engineering firm in Japan, but the guy died before the contracts could be signed! (Anybody with information on the Proposed Japanese-built Replica, please contact me, or comment on this blog post- with the details on that case. I'm very interested in finding out more.)

The model's not bad by any means (pardon the poor light on this and the next photo). It faithfully replicates the real thing nicely.

In may respects, it's up to specification.

Of course, it looks almost dwarfed and homely with the N&W tender behind it, and not as clean-lined as the C&O L-2/L-2a Hudsons, now does it?

However, they were the most numerous Hudson type in the world (the Canadian Pacific being a distant second with it's 65 H-class regular and "Royal Hudsons", versus the Central's 275 J-class). How none were saved, is tragic, and there's no credible effort to build a replica today (the "Hudson Revival Project" as near as I can tell, is a bust!). And if anybody tells you there's one floating around in Michigan, then that's an April Fool's Joke of the Saddest Order on Railfans. I digress, I may never understand why I got myself a New York Central Hudson, but somehow, I don't think it shall be the last- as I have a healthy respect for the Central, and seeing as only one road operated Hudsons in the Great State of Washington [the Milwaukee Road- with some oil-burning F6/F6-a "Baltics" ("Baltic" being another name for 4-6-4 type steam locomotives.), on the "Gap" between Avery, Idaho, and Othello, Washington.], my Model Railroad, will be utilizing Hudson/Baltic locomotives, on Express Services, from the Late-1920's/Early-1930's onward.

Until next time, may you have the high-ball signal, and clear tracks for miles.

The Strange Case of No. 1016 (Power-Torque proves itself "Torquey"!)

A Big Thank You to the First Readers of my Model Train Blog- first off. The Response was Great, and I am really glad to have you, and glad I started this project. Now, on to the New Post:

********

(Photograph by Nikolaus Bautista)

Back about 7 or so months ago, they held the Puyallup Fair model train show (the biggest mess of nutty hilarity in model railroading, in the Seattle-Metro area!). I usually never go, as there's too little oddities anymore, and too much Puff and Circumstance (an intentional pun). My Pops hadn't been in ages, so we went to the show. While there, going through the wares of this nice couple from Oregon (pretty big in the independent dealer scene- NW model train show circuit-wise). I found a crudely custom painted TYCO C630, with custom paint. Having bought one with a Hobbytown Drive conversion, customized paint, and a strange sideframe truck mess- many years before (another post/another time), I thought, "Hey, may as well take a glance- IHC isn't bringing them anytime soon!" I noticed something though- it was heavy! Taking a closer look, it dawned on me, that someone had done more than a crude paint scheme; they did some weighting, and put TWO (2) Power-Torque Motors in the thing! I immediately asked to see the locomotive on the test track at the booth. Sure enough, the Power-Torque motors burbled to life, and you could hear and feel it could pull every car in the yard, and still have plenty of power to spare (TIP: a finger on the shell, to feel the vibrations of the motor at work, can tell a lot about the condition of the electrics of a model locomotive.). Getting the locomotive for a fair price, it's now awaiting a draft gear fitting, and No. 1016 will be ready to work.

When it comes to Diesel Locomotives, I love the "Other 3" on the American Front: ALCO, BLW, and FM; ALCO and FM are still around- FM still makes the 38-D engines, AND the ALCO 251! Why don't some of these newer Loco builders in America, power their locos with OP or ALCO power? Imagine an ALCO-powered commuter diesel on the Sounder, the FrontRunner, or on GO Transit... That would be an AWESOME Trip!

(Photo by Nikolaus Bautista)

More on this Locomotive: The ALCO C630 locomotive presented here, would have had an origin on the Norfolk and Western, as they had the only High-Hood versions. They had some really sharp blue paint schemes. One of the charmers, is actually at the Virginia Transportation Museum, and is stablemates with N&W 611, 1218, and 2156! 

VTM - N&W 1135

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/aa/f0/ceaaf059189386bce0a470fd12782d76.jpg)

Someone adjusted the draftgear on No. 1016, to take other kinds of couplers (Kadee on the truck-mounted coupler, most likely). So I'm going to have to rummage and experiment.

(Photograph by Nikolaus Bautista)

(Photograph by Nikolaus Bautista)

Frankly, I think if I can find suitable C630 side-trucks, and mount them convincingly, it would be perfect for this gem. I know "Power-Torque" motors get a bad wrap, but they aren't all that bad, if maintained. They got some good praise back when they came out, at least in the press (RMC, MR, et cetera- model train publications). I'm actually impressed that someone went to the effort to rebuild this locomotive, to the way it is today, and it runs pretty darn tootin' well. I like customized equipment like this (private road name, painted, and tweaked as such). If anything, I'm really pleased with my consolidations with the motors, and this locomotive, I'm most impressed, because of what it is- and if TYCO had better quality control, and made specials with two P-T motors, and had the "original" realistic trucks, it would have been universally accepted and praised by kids who wanted Toy Train sets, and Model Railroaders, who wanted 2nd Generation ALCO power, just as they were being phased out- off the American Rails.

I'm betting, that once the drafting gear's set-up, it will be hauling manifest drag freights, unit trains, and maybe, may be, hauling hotshots of Apples, Wheat, and other Crop Trains. ALCO's always look good hauling freight. I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and as a kid, my first issue of "Trains Magazine," was found at the doctor's office. I was getting blood drawn, and my Pops found the March 2003 issue of "Trains Magazine" in the waiting room. Needless to say, a yet-to-be-diagnosed 8 or 9 year old- Autistic kid, with a strong fear of needles, and a "narrow focus" on Trains, a magazine about Trains, is pretty good bribery. (I now have a HUGE railroad and model railroad magazine archive- and my Pops only has himself to blame!). That waiting room, was one magazine short, after we were gone.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Uo8AAOSwBahVRLui/s-l300.jpg)

Anyway, where I'm going with this, is that the issue of "Trains Magazine," that's in question, had a whole article about the Wishram, Washington railyard, of the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle. Seeing those Black and Goldenrod ALCO diesel locomotives, and reading about their diesel roster in one of the sidebar boxes, was something special for a little kid. Those photographs stuck in my mind, and became visions in my head, of what kind of railroad, and later- model railroad I'd like to have. A Railroad, that had Locomotives that were Distinct and Different from the throngs of GE and GM-EMD locomotives that I saw everyday in my Suburban Seattle-Tacoma world (with the exception of the F-units at the head of the long-gone "Spirit of Washington" dinner train; mercy do I miss that train!). My first Train Ride, was either behind an ALCO RSD-4 or an early Fairbanks-Morse H-12-44 (a train ride that will live in infamy, as my Mom WASN'T present, and we ended up going back to Snoqualmie the Next Day! Again, my Pops only has HIMSELF to Blame, and I will tell that story at a future date- I Promise.), and pretty much, the 244, 251, and 38D 8-1/2, inspired me. So now, when I buy diesel locomotive models, I will most likely be buying a Baldwin, ALCO or F-M locomotive (or if I'm lucky, a Krauss-Maffei, or an EMD BL2!).

At the end of the day, I don't regret buying a "TYCO" ALCO C-630, but I would like to swap the "Vampire" Sideframes out with ones that are "More Realistic" for sanity's sake (maybe I could find some IHC/Mehano ALCO C-628 truck sideframes or something! Who knows?). Something about a High-Hood ALCO locomotive, that somehow seems regal (No knocks to the SP&S's C636 fleet; they were the Most Nobel 2nd Gen Diesel Locomotives in the Pacific Northwest. True Rebels against the "Parent" Road.). I hope that when my Pike is built, that ALCO's will be running fast Refer Trains- full of Apples, Cherries, and other great produce, from Spokane, Walla Walla, Pasco, Wenatchee, and Yakima, to the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Aberdeen and Vancouver, Washington; making great time, and kickin' the competition (Uncle Pete and Been Nothing Since Forever). That's the dream- a Pike operated better than America's Railroads today (all in 1/87th Scale.), with Steam, Diesel, and maybe a dash of Traction. With Passenger, Freight, Tourists, and TV and Movie Trains too! Mom, Pops, and I, running the trains as a family- with Mom highballin' a Hotshot Circus Train (her dream, that I've been helping her with for the last 6 years!). That's the dream, and I don't regret this ALCO, I don't regret this TYCO, and I don't regret the Power-Torque motor.

The lesson here, and paraphrasing the Piano-playing, ALCO-Loving Chief Mechanic of the Delaware-Lackawana Railroad, is "Anything is Crap if you DON'T Maintain it!" The first TYCO Power-Torque motor I seriously looked into, to maintain, I carefully went through it, and it became one of my favorite locomotives. Never do I regret buying it (from a man who was very ill- very kind family too). Never do I regret any purchase (buyer's shell-shock, but NEVER buyer's regret). Don't judge a book buy its cover- read the dust-jacket, both inside flaps, and maybe the sample pages available on Amazon, then pass judgement if it's something you want to invest your energy into. That's what I did with these motors, and that's why I have No. 1016.

One last thing, if anybody recognizes the paint-scheme, and the letters "SV&W," I would like to know more about whatever railroad this locomotive came from, and the person who made it the way it is today. Thank you for your time, and enjoy the rest of your day.

My New (old) Mantua "Yard Goat": Here's to the Pioneer "Boomer" Model Railroaders!

Last November, I purchased my first brass model locomotives. This Mantua "Yard Goat" switcher, was one of the two. Now, as you can see, this is an 0-4-0 "Camelback" steam locomotive, like this Reading locomotive, that survives today:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Strasburg_-_Pennsylvania_Railroad_1187.jpg)

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/2a/39/2e/2a392ea19689329d79db1d011c9e5258.jpg)

Anyway, this model, I was ecstatic to have found the model, because it was this type of model locomotive, that came in kit form, and was the starting point for Many, MANY Model Railroaders, after WW2. This was the most common locomotive, because the kit was relatively cheap, compared to other locomotives of the era. The next cheapest locomotive, was $29.50 in kit form. in 1953, This locomotive I have, in kit form, was $24.50. In today's money, this locomotive, in kit form, would cost $224.57, and the next cheapest locomotive, would cost $270.40. Model Railroading, was NOT an inexpensive hobby, back then, and Model Railroaders complain about the costs today! 

It's funny about these, because Mantua brought back the "Yard Goat" as a Plastic and Metal, Fully-Assembled model, as well as in Kit form, about 35 or so years ago. Then, Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC), (one of the biggest DCC control system and model train transformer manufacturers), now owns Model Power, which also had the rights to Mantua's brand name and designs, from 2001 onward (when the Tyler Family got out of the business for the second and final time!). MRC, has recently brought back this locomotive (plastic superstructure wise), but with an 0-6-0 wheel arrangement, for $129.99 at Trainworld (this is in NO way, a plug for Trainworld, MRC, Mantua, or ANYBODY, and I have NOT been paid to point that out. I'm just pointing it out). It's cheaper for the 0-6-0 Camelback by Mantua, from Trainworld, vs. the Original "Yard Goat." I'm REALLY Surprised.

Back to the model I purchased. I have to admit, I bought it on a Shoestring, Hail Mary purchase, made out to an elderly man from Bremerton, with two other locomotives, all paid for in change! He actually won the dealer's show prize, at the Boeing Employee's Model Railroad Club show and swap-meet in Kent. I was grateful to have purchased the little engine, and will hopefully start its rebuilding soon (as soon as I can find "stock" parts for it, I'll get to work). It's a great model, and I wouldn't trade it, as I feel this connection with it- how it was lovingly assembled years ago, by an early model railroader, how time's not been kind to the little loco, and that I feel I owe it respect, doing so, is returning it to a "stock" state. I won't repaint it. I won't remotor it with a can motor, I will just get it cleaned up mechanically, redetail it, and keep it "stock." I owe No. 123, my Mantua "Yard Goat," that dignity, to be maintained in operating condition, as a monument to the Early "Boomer" Model Railroaders, and their struggles to Establish the Hobby. 

First Post: Intro and Explanations

Hello Internet. My name is Nikolaus Bautista, and this blog is specifically about Model Trains, sometimes "Real Trains," model making, and the like. To make this clear, here's some pictures of my model train collection:

As you can see, you can see I like older model trains. So if you're expecting the latest from Athearn, Bachmann, Bowser, Atlas, Kato, or any other make, I'm sorry, you have come to pretty much the wrong blog (that's not to say that that may happen, just not for the foreseeable future). I buy model trains on shoe-string budgets, and usually, they're the old, the tired, the defeated, the uncompleted, and pretty much the locomotives that were Top-End when Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and American Presidents through Reagan, H.W. and Clinton, were in office. There are hopes for FDR-era Model Trains, but it's a long shot (as those very first HO scale models, are very rare). Any Questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. Any Comments, leave them in the comments. And the last two photos just reminded me: I still have to finish up the detailing plans for my Varney/C&O kit-bashed Hudson project. :/

Now that that's out of the way, here's to a Good Model Train blog. God bless this Blog, and the Readers.