It's electric!

I've had the three loops of track laid in for a few months now. But I had managed to assemble it as basically one big circuit - one transformer powered everything and everything got the same amount of current. After mulling this over for MONTHS, I took the first steps to create separate blocks. The good news - I am now using two transformers. The bad news - only two tracks operational.

This is okay - I need to thing this one through so that the cross overs are wired correctly so they will receive power from at least one of the power transformers.

Not related to the power, but I installed another corner piece to even out the 90 degree corners and provide a buffer between the table edge and the tracks.

Lastly - I need a follow up post that should be titled "Why didn't I take shop in High School?" There are lots of basic things  that I don't seem to know. More on that later.

More video of the SD70

A couple of short videos showcasing the recent American Flyer SD70. Its operating with a conventional transformer (specifically, my American Models transformer with built in horn and bell buttons). So no Legacy or TMCC features can be shown. However, it still turns in a nice performance.

This second video does a great job capturing the sound effects present with the locomotive. You can hear the bell and the horn. A short horn blast triggers a random 'crew talk' effect the list of sounds.

I am enjoying the SD70. If I have a regret, its that I did not order a second one at the 'pre-order' prices in 2012.  The budget does not support the current list price.

Walkaround video of the SD70

A short video walkaround of the new SD70ACe

The new American Flyer SD70ACe is out!

Last year (a long long time ago) Lionel announced a new S locomotive - the SD70ACe. Being a sucker for a modern locomotive I immediately ordered on in Norfolk Southern livery. On February 20, 2013, the new locomotive arrived at my home. I think it was worth the wait.

Externally, this a gorgeous piece of equipment. I expected as much as this followed on the heels on the "legacy" equipped U33C in 2012. The level of detail is excellent.

The SD70 is another in the line of Legacy equipped locomotives and you really need a legacy system to get all the value out of this item. But even running in conventional mode, this will be a real treat hauling a string of intermodal containers or some of the long awaited cylindrical grain hoppers.

 

Fresh out of the box 1011 sits with crew in the cab.

Rear end showing the cooling fans and dynamic brakes. The fan cowling lifts off to reveal the controls.

The detail on the lettering is excellent.

The coupler and the stairs pivot independently of the trucks.

Lionel did not use the fuel tank mounted motors as they did on the U33C. 

Instead, they appear to have gone with a tower drive for the SD70.

Note the lettering on the truck frame.

Nice detailing with the ditch lights, MU hoses and grab rails.

The New York Central Wreck Train

No...its not a wreck. This is the train you send in to clean up the wrecks. A diesel switcher pulling a heavy crane, a floodlight and some cars to cart the scrap and service the crane.

The wreck train headed up by a Baldwin S-12 Switcher

The operating  floodlight car - it really does light up when the track is powered!

The Brownhoist crane car. This is a heavy piece of rolling stock with 6 wheel trucks.

The crane work car. Its a combination caboose and flat car. This is the companion piece to the Brownhoist crane. As you can see they fit together as a nice unit.

New American Flyer Mill Gondola with coil covers

My new American Flyer car arrived today - A Pennsylvania mill gondola with coil covers. It is a good addition to the two other gondola's with coil covers that American Flyer has produced - the Bethlehem Steel gondola and the EJ&E car from the NASG. Its not a bad car, but the overall tuscan red paint job is sort of...boring.

Here are some photos of the new car.

New out of the box!

The coil covers don't quite cover the entire gondola.

Close up of the coil cover showing the detail of the brackets and grab wires.

Nice detail on the end of the coil cover.

The covers stack up - just like the prototype

The interior paint is a little uneven.

Videos of the new loop

Well okay...technically, its videos of all three loops. But these are the first videos out showing trains running on all three tracks. The C&O diesel switcher pulling the mixed freight is on the new inner loop. The Burlington Northern U33C diesel hauling the string of Gunderson container cars is on the middle loop and the American Flyer 4-4-2 Atlantic is on the outer loop.