Reply 2 : N & W J Class 4-8-4 611 Fan Trip Photos

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

Thanks to all who have commented on this question, as I am looking for the same general information.  I have a BLI J611 and a set of the 6 Bachmann Powhatan Arrow Cars.  They are painted as Coaches 501, 512, 531, 540; diner 492 and Obs 582.  I cut off the truck mounted couplers and body mounted KD #5s with relatively close coupling.  I changed the wheelsets in the trucks to Lifelike 33" wheels.  note that the original wheels that came with mine were so small that I had to bend the brake shoes outward to clear the 33 inch wheels.  They run well on my layout.

I recently bought a Walthers B60b REX baggage, I haven't numbered it yet.  Walthers gives you decals for 125 thru 134; anyone have any comments or recommendations on what number(s) is appropriate?

I got tired of seeing a train full of empty passenger cars so I thought that I would add some people inside.  At about $1 each for painted people, I opted to by a set of the unpainted seated people and started painting them.  It's not a bad job if you take it a little at a time.  When I had a couple of dozen passengers ready, I opened one of the coaches and started installing them.  Surprise.  The vacuum formed interior has some issues if you want to install figures.  With a seated passenger, the head is above the window level as the seats are too high relative to the car body.  I have attacked one of the coaches to lower the seat and floor level of the interior by trimming the bottom flange from the vacuum formed insert (you have to see it to understand) and reinstalling the interior.  This seems to work on the coach, I haven't investigated the diner or obs yet to see if similar treatment will be necessary and feasible.

Ed Sproles

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org 
  To: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org 
  Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 5:23 AM
  Subject: Re: Reply 2 : N & W J Class 4-8-4 611 Fan Trip Photos


  To begin, you appear to have the same set that I have, only that some of my cars are marked "Powhatan Arrow". My cars came in the same way, individually packed in their own boxes. I am converting the couplers to McHenry type offered for IHC/Rivarossi 4-wheel trucks #52 though the McHenry couplers for 6 wheel trucks/4 wheel baggage/RPO are #53. The 6-wheel baggage/RPO set is #54. Each come in pairs of 2.  I have not done anything with the trucks or added lights, though I have noted that Walthers have on occasion offered a lighting set for Rivarossi cars. You may want to check the Walthers website (www.walthers.com) for information. If you get the recent Walthers reference book (I have the 2005 edition) you will go far in finding ideal options for updating the cars. I might finally note that the trucks and wheels of these cars may have to be changed for lighting (as they are light plastic) and metal wheels and trucks maybe a good option. Again, refer to the Walthers book or website. I myself use the Walthers book a great deal, though for N&W accuracy, I urge you to seek out pictures of N&W passenger cars (I use the out-of-print book on Williamson, WV for reference), though the N&W passenger equipment diagram book available from the N&WHS may be a useful alternative. As for the 611 tender, I am still seeking someone to assist me in that matter, so have not progressed anywhere there as yet.
  Lois J. Ponton
  611 Historian/Modeler

                                         Info on Correct HO Passenger Cars 

                                         (nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org)


    Hello Lois:


    This is a correction to the other reply I made last night. Still waiting for your reply also.

    [A] I believe the Bachmann 611 locomotive is of the first "Pre Spectrum" run. As it doesn't

    have any DCC Card or provision for one. The Aux Tender and the Loco are packed away

    so I don't know if they have a rounded end instead of a flat end. 


    [B] The passenger cars I picked up were packaged in Bachmann Boxes with the cars made

    by "Rivarossi". What follows is the  Update List of the cars I picked up. Brought home the

    Dinner that I had at work. 

    [1] Item No. 43 - 1080 J1 Norfolk & Western Coach No. 1722

    [2] Item No. 43 - 1080 J2 Norfolk & Western Coach No. 1724

    [3] Item No 43 -1081 J6 Norfolk & Western Dinner No. 493, General William Mahone

    [4] Item No. 43 - 1083 J3 Norfolk & Western Pullman Virginia Polytechnic Institute

    [5] Item No. 43 - 1084 J4 Norfolk & Western Baggage No.128 

    [6] Item No. 43 - 1085 J5 Norfolk & Western Railway Post Office No., 93


    Again, after checking the cars, the only markings they have on them are the Coach numbers, 

    and / or the name of the car. All are painted shinny Maroon with gold lettering and pin stripes.


    [C] Detail Improvement Questions: [1] ideas for correcting the passenger car trucks that were

    provided - to better ones, please cite manufacturer name and model. [2] Replacement of the

    Horn Hook Couplers with [a] Kaydee or [b] McHenry couplers, [3] Adding more weight and 

    interior Lighting. Thank you for your time and consideration, Please Reply. Thanks.


    Mike Balog

    NHRHTA Member / Modeler

    blueknightA1 at adelphia.net

    ====================








----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ________________________________________

    NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org

    To change your subscription go to

    http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list




------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  ________________________________________
  NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org
  To change your subscription go to
  http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/attachments/20060203/564c824c/attachment-0001.html