Running In The Junk Room

[steamaheadstephen59]

My running has been assigned to the junk room but thats better than no room, and the old layout can be seen staked in the back ground. The loco is a scratch built Great Northen Pacific, with All Nation boiler and drivers. https://youtu.be/VTOtU84HZnw?si=5AI8fwGpf1W8KD30

[De Bruin]

Nice looking train Stephen, that GN pacific is really cool. At least you have enough space for some decent curvature and the bench tops don't look that narrow either so I'll be interested in how you scenic this. My layout (aka Track World) albeit longer is not that different in that it's currently pretty much devoid of ground cover too.
Pete

[steamaheadstephen59]

Im building a knew room for the old layout, 60x20 but its 20 miles away from home, but Ive found this smaller loop quite satisfying. Im going to put in a three rail loop also. That way I can run my yet to be converted locos for some extra satisfaction. The thing is, just how much can you hid a third rail?

[R.K. Maroon]

I second my brother's comments about the Pacific. I find it no surprise that GN is a popular road to model -- they sure had some distinctive motive power. Please tell us about the consist.
Jim

[steamaheadstephen59]

Heres a short video on the loco. The cars are mostly LaBell except for one which is Walthers or American Heavy Weight the resin kits with the plastic trucks, which I don't think are to bad, and I wouldn't mind some more, some say they can be twisted but mine are straight. https://youtu.be/rKfSRDQKk_k?si=HI1YsZVQ-VgMI2L7

[Dennis Holler]

The thing is, just how much can you hid a third rail?

I know it isn't ideal but I still like outside third rail. in a lot of angles you don't notice it or it is not overwhelming. I suppose the sweeps are the exception to that claim though.

I know I need ballast but not quite ready for that yet... Just finally got the third rail loaded on this section so trying to get it installed and move on to the next one.

[steamaheadstephen59]

Dennis I like what you're doing, and I prefer hand laid track. What are you using for your outside rail, looks not to be rail but something else. I agree outside three rail is more pleasing to the eye, but most of what I wont to run is inside three rail. I figure converting centre rail pickups to outside would be pain-full.

[Dennis Holler]

Thanks Stephen, the third rail is code 100 HO rail soldered to some nails and painted Rustoleum camo brown. Same color on sides of the running rails. As I go forward will probably use 1/16” or 1/8” thick ties to save on ballast. I do need to decide whose ballast I will use. I think for anything with a screw or bolt on center rail pickup you could modify and make a bracket to mount an outside wiper too. I was thinking you were mostly using battery power though.

[steamaheadstephen59]

Dennis I tend to use battery in my older un-insulated loco's but for the more modern three rail Im still deciding, centre rail seems to make sense. I was thinking of using N scale rail. I mostly run analog 2 rail.

[Dennis Holler]

Stephen, as my doorstop collection grows, its probably fair to say my locos are probably split 50/50, maybe 60/40 between uninsulated and insulated. I’m trying to do this so I can go either way on this track similar to your plans really. I have 6-7 williams and weaver brass PRR locos and those are all three rail at least as built. Will probably convert some of them but as slow as I am at getting stuff done, for the most part uninsulated stuff will stay that way at least for now. Definitely having fun though.

[steamaheadstephen59]

Yes! conversions take time, Im trying to take thee option of least resistance for now. Id say fun and sometimes frustrating.