7mm American O scale Southern Pacific Motive Power and Rolling Stock

[James Spooner]

Many years ago, as a teenager, I fired oil burners (mainly Linda and Blanche) on the Ffestiniog. We fuelled from a bogie tanker at Portmadog, which had an electric pump. One shift they told me the electric pump didn’t work and we needed to hand fuel.

I didn’t question it then, but to this day, I don’t know if they were winding me up…

Sadly Simon, back in the day, the Ffestiniog was permanently running hand to mouth as any surplus was spent on extending to Blaenau and the railway was then hit with the oil price shock caused by Opec. I can assure you that you weren’t being wound up. It got worse later when the railway was forced to use waste oil as an economy measure, but probably best not to go there.

Nigel

 

[Stephen]

It got worse later when the railway was forced to use waste oil as an economy measure, but probably best not to go there.

Nigel

I went to Cuba many times in the late 90's to see all the steam still working on the sugar cane plantations, they were all fired by very crude waste oil - this stuff was like treacle and had to be pre-heated to 'move' it from the tender to the firebox. You soon learnt that in other countries, there were parts of the tender that were too hot to touch rather than just solely on the loco itself! Inevitably various items of clothing would get tarnished, and in some instances were jettisoned at the end of the trip seeing as nothing would have removed the oil from them.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[mickoo]

I went to Cuba many times in the late 90's to see all the steam still working on the sugar cane plantations, they were all fired by very crude waste oil - this stuff was like treacle and had to be pre-heated to 'move' it from the tender to the firebox. You soon learnt that in other countries, there were parts of the tender that were too hot to touch rather than just solely on the loco itself! Inevitably various items of clothing would get tarnished, and in some instances were jettisoned at the end of the trip seeing as nothing would have removed the oil from them.

Cheers,

Stephen

Both SP and UP also had heaters in their oil tank tenders to help the oil flow.

 

[Northroader]

I think the oil the Ffestiniog used was a thinner oil than the American usage, if you could move it with an electric pump. Over there its 3500 sec, which refers to the viscosity, extremely thick at room temperatures. It has to be heated, usually with steam coils in the base of the tank, before it becomes runny. It burns well, but the problems with handling it make quite cheap, and price competitive with coal out West.
We heated our shops in Cardiff with it, there was electric trace heaters on the feed pipe to keep it flowing. If there was a fault in the system and it stopped running, you were in big trouble getting it going again. The other place I met it was Ebbw Vale steelworks, delivered in big bogie tankers, then hitched to a steam heater line to discharge. One time the bloody things broke loose in the siding and derailed at the bottom, knocking off the discharge pipe underneath too. Mamma Mia! There was a blizzard going at night, just for the icing on the cake. When the breakdown gang got back to depot, the whole rig had to be scrapped, overalls, boots, vans, it was too far gone to clean up.

 

[James Spooner]

I think the oil the Ffestiniog used was a thinner oil than the American usage, if you could move it with an electric pump. Over there its 3500 sec, which refers to the viscosity, extremely thick at room temperatures. It has to be heated, usually with steam coils in the base of the tank, before it becomes runny. It burns well, but the problems with handling it make quite cheap, and price competitive with coal out West.
We heated our shops in Cardiff with it, there was electric trace heaters on the feed pipe to keep it flowing. If there was a fault in the system and it stopped running, you were in big trouble getting it going again. The other place I met it was Ebbw Vale steelworks, delivered in big bogie tankers, then hitched to a steam heater line to discharge. One time the bloody things broke loose in the siding and derailed at the bottom, knocking off the discharge pipe underneath too. Mamma Mia! There was a blizzard going at night, just for the icing on the cake. When the breakdown gang got back to depot, the whole rig had to be scrapped, overalls, boots, vans, it was too far gone to clean up.

You are quite right. The FR initially converted to oil using diesel and when it went over to waste oil the waste used was as akin to diesel in terms of viscosity, flash point etc as one could get. Of course, dealing with waste, one never fully achieved that and I remember failing an engine because we had effectively filled up the oil tanks with a sort of emulsified water. The whole system needed purging. Now we are struggling with different sorts of coal, partly because of the UK government’s (of different political colours) antipathy to mining the stuff in this country and partly because of overseas sources of good steam coal (notably Russia) being banned as a result of the Ukraine war. Suppliers are experimenting with ovoids and we seem to get some good types of ovoid and some that are less good…

Nigel

 

[simond]

Sadly Simon, back in the day, the Ffestiniog was permanently running hand to mouth as any surplus was spent on extending to Blaenau and the railway was then hit with the oil price shock caused by Opec. I can assure you that you weren’t being wound up. It got worse later when the railway was forced to use waste oil as an economy measure, but probably best not to go there.

Nigel

Thanks Nigel, it would have been 73 or 74 at a guess. There was an initiative for waste engine oil, I remember them collecting it. I do remember that there was an oil crisis, but I guess it was before I was driving, so I don’t recall much about it.

 

[Scale7JB]

You are quite right. The FR initially converted to oil using diesel and when it went over to waste oil the waste used was as akin to diesel in terms of viscosity, flash point etc as one could get. Of course, dealing with waste, one never fully achieved that and I remember failing an engine because we had effectively filled up the oil tanks with a sort of emulsified water. The whole system needed purging. Now we are struggling with different sorts of coal, partly because of the UK government’s (of different political colours) antipathy to mining the stuff in this country and partly because of overseas sources of good steam coal (notably Russia) being banned as a result of the Ukraine war. Suppliers are experimenting with ovoids and we seem to get some good types of ovoid and some that are less good…

Nigel

Couple of shots from a ‘bad ovoid’ induced rescue mission as second man on the WHR, with Vale Of Ffestiniog towards the end of last year.

Driver and I were both hoping for a proper mission into the Aberglaslyn Pass, but we picked them up at Pont Croesor and pulled the train out of section.



JB.

 

[Stephen]

In between a few days spent in the garden, then smaking back naproxen to kill the pain, I've found time for a few sessions modelling.

I've still got a fair number of box cars 'on the go', but I decided to start one of the Intermountain USRA 55Ton Hopper wagons, I purchased at March-O-Meet last year. Although these are not prototypical Southern Pacific wagons, they were $10 each so a no-brainer for something different in a future consist. The SP had very few USRA designed freight vehicles, however there are 'similar' Hopper cars the SP had to these, so Rule No.1 applies.

No denying I'm a fan of the Intermountain Box Car and Reefer kits, they are usually pretty straight forward to assemble and can easily be detailed or converted with new resin/etched parts. The 55ton Hopper Kit has a lot more parts supplied with the kit:



Trucks are included and I've also purchased the usual IM Metal Wheels and Kadee couplers. Seeing as I have two kits, I initially decided that I'd build both at the same time time in the same steps - that soon came to an abrupt halt.

Initial progress was under-seen/hampered by the mog:


The underframe sections were fairly straight forward:


Then things started getting frustrating. The instructions with this IM kit arn't that great - the wording is okay, but sometimes a tag vague, and there are a few parts aren't mentioned, or not shown on the few expanded diagrams. Thankfully the internet came into play, and there are a few photographs of the Atlas RTR models on Ebay with some decent detailed phots - that combined with the large computer monitor allowed a decent zoomed image to be studied and thus worked out where 'bits' went.

The main AB brake end of the car was initially the most troublesome, but thankfully all the photos online allowed completion:



What really has been the pain in the arse is all the ladder rungs. Unlike other IM kits where you don't really need to drill out of any mounting holes, practically all holes for the rungs need to be enlarged. Even then they are an absolute pain to fit - I can wholly see why people would rather replace them with metal wire hand made rungs, but alas I don't have the time/desire to paint that option.

Installation was partially helped by adding a strip of plasticard to prevent the rungs 'falling' whilst installing/gluing into place:




To be honest, the end result is pretty poor, and I know I have done a lot better job on other kits, but these have tested my patience and probably confirmed the requirement for a set of magnifying glasses for when doing the fiddly stuff. Hopefully some weathering in the future can hide any excess glue...

It has also compounded the decision to move away from OO/HO scale, although I am wondering whether even O scale/gauge wasn't a step far enough....Gauge 3 could be calling!

It has got to the stage with this kit, that I'm dreading doing the remaining three sets of rungs, but I'll persevere....however I don't think I currently have the desire to continue with the second hopper, so that will probably go back in the box for another day.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Stephen]

I had another session on the rungs on the other side of the Hopper, and for something so basic, I really wasn’t enjoying the time spent on the kit, so it’s been put back in it box for another time…..maybe…

Instead I’ve started one of the Glacier Park Southern Pacific G-50-23 Wooden side Gondola kits.



These were produced a few years, and although no longer in production can still be picked up second hand. They require Protocraft trucks and suitable couplers, both of which have been sourced, along with Protocraft transfers.

Contents of the box:



Thankfully there ladder rather than rungs, so hopefully no frustrations there, but a hell of a lot of detail no less.

Instructions are pretty good, 12 pages and some decent colour photos, although a few more exploded drawings could help….however there are plenty of photos of the vehicles in the Tony Thompson SP freight car book, which will be of great help.

Mouldings are very good, there is some excessive flash on some of the frets but that is easy removed.

Had a few hours on the underframe today:



GPM also sold weights specially sized to fit in the individual sections of frame of the car, these were also purchased and duly installed.

All going together nicely, so definitely bringing the enjoyment factor to time spent at the modelling desk.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[richard carr]

That looks a nice kit Stephen, the parts look very crisp.

I wouldn't worry too much about the hopper cars grab irons, you hardly notice them from normal viewing distances. They are a fiddly model but are nice once they are finished. You could of course look to buy the atlas rtr one, it's one of Atlas's nicest models.


Richard

 

[Stephen]

The haphazard nature of my modelling continues with the GPM Gondola sidelined until have have a good few hours to dive back into it.

I’ve moved back to working from home on a more regular basis, which is giving back 12 hours a week of time previous spent on the M25, thus the odd hour can be spent on modelling in the evenings.

Looking for a quick win on a box car, I’ve never been happy with the moulded wooden roof walkways supplied with the majority of the kits. This has been really pushed to the forefront with the purchase of this rather stunning kit built box car, weathered by Lee Turner, who is well known within American quarters….

The roof walkways speak for themselves, so I’m making an attempt to copy them. First requirement was evergreen 030 x 125 strips, which I’ve temporarily stuck to the modelling desk, then using an IM box car roof marked up where the walkways would be bolted to the roof.



Next step was simply using a 0.4mm drill in an exacto knife and the process of drilling out the holes undertaken, followed by cutting the breaks in the walkway boards:



Then using an old emery board, I’ve scuffed the plasticard to give a bit of texture. Next step will be to turn the board over and collect them to form one solid unit, with appropriate spaces between the boards. Then I’ll prime the ‘unit’ and see what the overall effect is.

The big problem here, is that if this works out well, I’ll have a fair number of previously built box cars that could do with a ‘new’ walkways fitted. If that’s the case I’ll try and make some sort of template and mark/drill/cut/rough a batch of boards to cover multiple box cars.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Stephen]

Bit more progress on the Roof Walkway - thanks to @Boyblunder for printing some very useful part, including these stands which were designed by Sarah G (Train Kitchen) and can be downloaded here: Erie 1932 AAR Boxcar - Trainkitchen





Many years ago when I was working for Mott MacDonald, I was heavily involved in Electro Magnetic Compatibility testing, known as EMC.....whilst in a meeting with the client, one chap innocently asked 'what does EMC stand for?'...to which someone replied.....'Everything Made Complicated'.....that comment went down like a lead balloon, but its always stuck with me, and to a certain extent describes my modelling...

With the main walkway installed I started to think about the lateral running boards. Robin had kindly printed me some other boards for another project so I looked using a spare set of these.
The main problem was they sat too high at the main running board end, and the end bolsters sat too far out to attach to the side of the roof.

So the only option was to file them down and then cut the end bolsters off, shim off a couple of mm and then reattach.


Once glued on, the handrail was formed from spare wire and glued in place.

Next step will be to prime the whole roof unit again, then repaint the main section black and finally do a weathered good effect on the running boards.

Jury is currently out as to whether I do this for all the other wooden walkways on other box cars. I do however have at least three other box car kits that will require a solution similar to this.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Stephen]

Quick spray with primer this morning, and all looks okay.


Once the roof is attached to the body, and I add the end support, that nearest running board should straighten up, although I’m sure in reality they drooped and got battered through their lives.



I guess the only oddity is that the main walkway has sunken rivet holes, whilst the lateral boards has protruding rivets….but then again….who would really notice that level of detail this side of the pond?!?

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

….but then again….who would really notice that level of detail this side of the pond?!?

Depends on if it's pointed out or not....

 

[JasonD]

RTR+ the IM cars are great and MTH and Lionel are starting to work on some of new stuff - like our supmarket food products. I started working on my Atlas 50ft PS boxcar in the D&H blue and white diagonal panel sides a little while ago. Of course the removal of the roofwalk on the prototypes revealed the L shaped brackets down the centre of the roof and the model is getting these additions made from plastic strip (rather than brass. (why ... 'cos). Critics can then focus on the huge red heart in the ️ I❤️NY logo which turns out to be correct. Hopefully that will ensure nobody will spot the incorrect doors(!) which will save me replacing them and having to paint them over here in correctly-matching colours.

Anyway I'm pleased to see someone is taking O-scale more seriously than me, thanks Stephen. No, I really mean it!!
Jason

 

[garethashenden]

Quick spray with primer this morning, and all looks okay.
View attachment 252917

Once the roof is attached to the body, and I add the end support, that nearest running board should straighten up, although I’m sure in reality they drooped and got battered through their lives.

View attachment 252918

I guess the only oddity is that the main walkway has sunken rivet holes, whilst the lateral boards has protruding rivets….but then again….who would really notice that level of detail this side of the pond?!?

Cheers,

Stephen

The running boards are held down by round head bolts and usually countersunk so that the bolt head doesn't protrude. Exceptions abound I am sure, but all dimples is more correct than all raised.

 

[Stephen]

Managed to get the roof of the box car painted black again today, so just need to start painting the running boards.

Whilst in a ‘running board’ mood, I also started to produce a set for a North Western Pacific box car that I obtained from Jason a few years ago.

The prototype seems to be specific to the NWP, and was seen in their distinctive Redwood Empire Route overnight livery, which I have decals from Protocraft for.



However, I decided to look back at the other SP AAR box cars and dearly wanted to see whether I could replace the IM one piece walkway.

I thought I’d try my luck and give Sarah Griessenböck a quick message to see whether she could do a 3D printed design for the lateral running boards. That message including some drawings was sent at 20:35,
The following renders AND 3D file was received at 21:24!




I’ll hopefully be able to few a few printed out and see whether they fit (which I have no doubt they will), then I’ll have little excuse (apart from time) in revisiting a fair number of previously ‘finished’ box cars and re-doing the walkways.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[JasonD]

Hi Stephen
As you know I started with Nth American O back in the 70s when the little that was available in the UK was wood and metal kits and Japanese imports. I'll skip the next few chapters and just say I'm glad the hobby introduced me to Rotring pens, Unimat lathes, Laker DC-10s and the World Wide Web (yes, dub,dub,dub before the Internet).

With all those kits, RTR improvements and repaints waiting for me, 3D printing has been easy to interpret as a side issue, but..... Anyway, son Simon emigrated to the USA last year with family to a little town I'm sure nobody over here will have heard of ... Topeka, KS.

Real point of the ramblings, he'd left me with a modest 3D printer ... interested? Or maybe another O-scaler here, OK, OK, other scales too. He used it for his military figures I even have some liquids in bottles marked 'Do not drink' or similar.

Thanks for my excuse to wander down Memory Lane.
Jason

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

a little town I'm sure nobody over here will have heard of ... Topeka, KS.

In best pantomime form - "Oh yes we have!!"

Topeka, KS will be the same Topeka as in "Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe". Even non-believers in the UK have heard of that railroad!!!
..and they'll have seen pictures of the 'classic' American train livery, and I do have to admit, probably the best-ever livery to adorn an EMD F-Unit (and many others!!)

Photo via American-Rails.com, Warren Calloway collection.

 

[Stephen]

Real point of the ramblings, he'd left me with a modest 3D printer ... interested? Or maybe another O-scaler here, OK, OK, other scales too. He used it for his military figures I even have some liquids in bottles marked 'Do not drink' or similar.

@JasonD I’ll give you a shout!

I do have to admit, probably the best-ever livery to adorn an EMD F-Unit (and many others!!)
View attachment 253242
Photo via American-Rails.com, Warren Calloway collection.

Jordan, if a consist of these came up at a decent price, I'd be hard pushed not to indulge - you are spot on the livery is legendary! Did they haul freight in this livery? Dont answer that question, I don't need any more distractions in Chicago....

Cheers,

Stephen