Starting with the traction freight engine

Last year, I obtained a beheaded MTH PCC streetcar. It was complete, with only one detail missing; the plastic hood. Since, the C&LE box trailer needs a matching box motor and the gentleman of the Seashore Trolley museum was so friendly to send me the technical drawings of the 648 C&LE freight engine, I decided to try and convert the MTH PCC streetcar into this freight engine. One of the clear differences between the two is the larger truck to truck distance in the latter, so I had make a new under-plate to build the engine on. I decided to work with 1 mm (1/25th inch) Aluminium sheet. With the help of a precision saw and a drill I took the first step in making this box motor. In order to make the under-plate a bit more rigid, I will attach some brass L-profiles to the sides. This will help with fixing the new hood to this underplate and make it more sturdy. Well, there is still quiet a lot to do, but the first step is taken. Yesterday, I checked the electrical functions of the engine and fortunately they are all still working correctly.

TCA MG Club cars 2011

Last week the TCA MG club cars arrived from Weaver. This year I bought the three-pack because it were Reading cars; 2-bay composite hoppers. Some hand-crafted coal-loads were made by Don and he sure did a great job. They do look awesome.
I hooked the cars up to the SW-1500 switcher and drove them around with some other Weaver cars I had accumulated over the years. The night express run slowly over the attic floor.

Historic train film

A really special historic train movie has been placed on-line.

This movie was specially made in 1939 to celibrate 100 years of railways in the Netherlands. It is in Dutch and shows many steam engines, early electrical passenger trains, bridges and buildings, of which some are no longer present. Although most of the visitors to this blogsite will not understand the spoken and written language in this film, the pictures are universally understood by train enthusiasts all over the world. The total length is almost half an hour and hence this film can best be watched with a drink close at hand.
The films starts with a re-enactment of the first train ride in the Netherlands between Amsterdam and Haarlem in 1839. For this purpose, they specially rebuild the first steam engine that ever run (slowly) in the Netherlands. It is named "De Arend" (the eagle) and is now part of the collection of the Dutch railway museum.Then the film speeds to 1939 and shows what was regarded as modern trains back then.
For those of you, who would like to see something special, go fetch a drink and click on the link. Once on the local history site, click on the video on the top left hand corner and enjoy.
I specially like the idea that many of the pre-war toy trains that I cherish, run and restore are even older than than this film.