I've finished the mechanical modifications and DCC installation in my Alco Models brass N&W steam turbine "Jawn Henry". This model was made in 1979 and as such had a fairly primitive running mechanism. I improved it where I could by replacing rubber couplings with universal joints and upgrading the motor, as well as adding nearly 4 pounds of weight to improve its pulling capabilities.
This is a video of a pulling test on the North Shore Model Railroad Club layout and it took nearly every car I own over the more than 2% eastbound grade without any issues (76 cars not counting tenders and caboose). This is obviously more than the prototype would pull and probably more than any other single locomotive has hauled over this grade in the 40+ years it has existed, so I'm pretty satisfied with that. I will be painting, decaling and installing lighting in the locomotive soon. After that I'll add more cars and see what its limit really is.
10 сен 2024