I know this is a bit late, but I've recently been playing around with a couple of those old RS-11s. One day before watching this video, I discovered that the finicky performance of the motor isn't actually the motor. It's the cheezy headlight installation. The metal contacts fit loosely and jiggle around while the locomotive is running down the rails and over the joints. The loose contacts serve up both open circuit and short circuit situations, resulting in jerky performance. To test this, I simply cut the red wire (ground) that runs from the motor to the light fixture. The thing ran great with this "modification". I intend to install LEDs and four wheel pickup in both of mine, and that should make these acceptable performers with the original motors still in them.
@PatrickCrossfire.16 сағат бұрын
Most informative video I have ever seen on this excellent subject. Very good job. I salute you.😊🎉
@charlesmorschauser525819 сағат бұрын
Got to love the Alco chug
@wargamingrefugee90654 күн бұрын
Thanks for the ride.
@caboosech4 күн бұрын
Great video
@Trains-With-Shane4 күн бұрын
Looks like that was a great little weekend getaway!
@Trains-With-Shane4 күн бұрын
I have had more than one issue with Atlas units new in the box. One I sent back to Atlas and they claimed that USPS destroyed it in transit after letting the box sit unopened in their posession for 6 weeks. So I was out $200 there. I just picked up another brand new Atlas N scale locomotive. this one DC, and it also doesn't work out of the box. Not sure what is up with their QC, or lack thereof, lately.
@Trains-With-Shane4 күн бұрын
Nice revival, Peter!
@user-xr4ze5cn8e4 күн бұрын
The key to getting a cheap Amtrak fare is not by booking early. Amtrak fares are constantly going up and down. It depends on people not booking as much as expected.
@donttreadonmetal50735 күн бұрын
My question is this.....whole the hell had the idea at Life-Like of putting no straight track pieces in a train set? I got one of those P1K PRR erie-builts. It runs well now, but when I got it the thing would die 2 feet into running. Beautiful locomotive. I also got a NYC c-liner at the same time, and a PRR one. the NYC one didn't even have a headlight for some reason, so I had one custom installed. That was weird.
@coleheister73905 күн бұрын
that shade of blue is better known as bankrupt blue.
@user-kw5qv6zl5e9 күн бұрын
Nice work Thank you
@book195710 күн бұрын
Atlas had an FA-1years ago. Was first N Scale locomotive with a flywheel. This is based on the Life Like FA-1
@ex-iu6ci12 күн бұрын
Might want to clean your track before testing a loco with no keep alive installed.
@alcobufff12 күн бұрын
I did end up cleaning the track during this test, unfortunately it didn't help much. I found that properly barking-in the locomotive got it to run more reliably. What seemed to be really holding this locomotive back was the fact that the motor was dragging and hand a wine to it. Needing more current to spin was causing it to cut out more then it should have. Thanks for watching!
@Mauscmkwk12 күн бұрын
Next documentary when?
@soldiersvejk205314 күн бұрын
If it is the same as Alco PA-2, then it is not forgotten since it is featured in Railroad Tycoon II!
@49commander14 күн бұрын
I don't know if you ever mentioned that the Tax Money the railroads were paying on their local infrastructure and right of way was supporting local schools, sherriffs, Fire Departments and other local governments! No Trucks, Airlines or Passenger Cars were forced to pay these taxes on top of the usual taxes. Railroads were excessively burdened which in the pre-ww1 era wasn't a problem since they still owned the majority of passenger and freight business!
@49commander15 күн бұрын
I also read that EMD actually sent factory engineers to key customers to get to the root cause of any early issues!
@49commander15 күн бұрын
This what happens when operating and sales executes make decisions and tell engineering to just shut up and hurry up!! Sad
@49commander15 күн бұрын
I bet it was Torsional Resonance too! That can break any crankshaft in any engine!!
@WIWETheRailfanner15 күн бұрын
Amtrak ALC-42 345 Needs Repaired. 0:00
@railwayjade18 күн бұрын
Those ex-ATSF Blue Warbonnets are beautiful!
@georgeronn126319 күн бұрын
Enjoyed this video, lots of great information; but I am wondering since many railroad used the RS units in passenger service with a steam generator in the short hood, why did WM and LV (and Pennsy too I believe) have what was referred to as the Hammerhead short hood? What made their steam generators so much different to the Rock Island and others with steam generators?
@alcobufff19 күн бұрын
If i remember correctly, the Hamme heads were rebuilt RS-3's, with EMD prime movers, with the hammerhead section it self, housing dynamic brake erumpent..
@georgeronn126319 күн бұрын
@@alcobufff thanks for your reply. At the same time as I posted my question to you yesterday, I posted one on the WMRHS FB page where I’m a member. Several members answered that on the RS units the standard short hood could accommodate a steam generator or dynamic breaks, but not both. The Hammerhead units were those that had both a steam generator and dynamic breaks. Additionally, I knew that none of the WM units were rebuilt with EMD prime movers, but WM unit 192 did end up with a supercharger at some point in its career.
@warrenlindner783020 күн бұрын
You are supposed to install kaptan tape around the two frame half openings. If either one of those motor leads touches the frame halves it's goodbye decoder.
@alcobufff20 күн бұрын
Not according the the instructions for this particular decoder, Digitrax DN163a0. They only say you need to insert the motor contacts into the slots in the decoder and check the clearances when you are done and to bend them if necessary.
@jasonminier678220 күн бұрын
I have one of those u25bs from 93. One of the best locos in my roster.
@Mauscmkwk20 күн бұрын
Next documentary when?
@lennyhendricks462820 күн бұрын
As said by David P Morgan, Streamlining on steam locomotives was to lower customer resistance, not wind resistance.
@frankmarkovcijr545922 күн бұрын
N Scale is twice as expensive as HO and half the size.HO was the way to go. Best value for your money 💰.
@TheWarbonnet66022 күн бұрын
Really I only want this set for the coaches, not spending a kidney for the Lionel ones
@sirblack161925 күн бұрын
Great commentary on the Rock Island. I did not some of the history right at the end of the railroads life. That two parts of the Rock that I lived nears (Saint Louis line and the Colorado Springs line) both ended up in UP's hands in the end.
@MDTASHA092625 күн бұрын
Wilmington can bang that out. Beech Grove has not worked on these units. There also is a shop outside Chicago that fixes units.
@fredjacobs26 күн бұрын
Awesome reporting, keep up the great work!
@thefateofslate909526 күн бұрын
What the heck, did you use AI to write this bro😂
@goldstandardaviation166727 күн бұрын
Adventure awaits on Amtrak
@gerardlang135627 күн бұрын
Oh yes… I was in that locomotive when we hit that tree. I was qualifying to Savannah, my crew base, when we came around the bend and my Engineer and I saw a huge wall of green right in front of us. We don’t have much time to react as the e tree was lying on a trestle as we came around the curve. My engineer set the brakes at full service and he shot out the seat. I was making notes to study and did not have enough time to react and all I can do was lean down and cover my head because I couldn’t unlock the seat in time, while my engineer shot out the seat and took cover. We hit the tree at 55 mph, and glass shattered everywhere. It was a very scary experience, but I’m grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been if that tree would’ve been much thicker. But, I was also part of the crew that picked it back up the next trip going north. Good times!
@TroublesomeSlateTruck27 күн бұрын
Cool. 😎
@snagletoothscott372927 күн бұрын
Beech Grove mechinc "Hahaha, look at that nose" ALC 42 "Yea? You should see the other guy!!!"
@TheRealGalaxyExpress99927 күн бұрын
Those things belong at the scrap heap.
@johncox228428 күн бұрын
I never saw one of those cabs with 4 seats. Maybe on another road. Three seats has been standard with the possible exception of a jump seat on the back wall.
@johncox228428 күн бұрын
GE took over the Cooper Bessemer plant at Grove City, Pa and used it for engine assembly
@THR33STEP28 күн бұрын
Siemens equipment is absolute garbage.
@allyreneepenny944724 күн бұрын
Yes ! In Germany has the DB many anger with trains of Siemens .The Trams from Siemens are not better.The Combino Tram is absolutely Trash👎
@sietafak28 күн бұрын
Well done!
@sgtdebones28 күн бұрын
That was fresh out the factory unit too
@himbourbanist28 күн бұрын
Looks mostly cosmetic, pretty sure those panels on the front can be swapped out. Hopefully it's back in service sooner rather than later
@camerondixon906028 күн бұрын
Can you next talk just tell the story without at 2hour pause
@mister33j29 күн бұрын
not even 5 years and amtrak fucked up several new locomotives
@ecoRfan27 күн бұрын
I’m somewhat superstitious when it comes to spirits around vehicles and the people that drive/run them. Seems like a black cloud around the Charger series. Brightline with the fatalities I suppose is more of a geographical concern, but early on was known for body count. There was the Cascades train that derailed on a curve. I recall some Charger hitting something on a maiden voyage (might have been engine 300). And yes the crash total seems high for the low amount of years.
@WilliamLockwood-de7yo29 күн бұрын
this is supposed to be about EMD's "E" units no Alco. You are totally biased toward Alco and should not be talking about GM locomotives, plus you really don't have a speaking voice for this sort of video.
@alcobufff29 күн бұрын
If I were "totally biased" I would not have mentioned the PA's issues that doomed it. As for having alco in this documentary at all, I'm telling the whole story by doing so, by giving all relevant background info. As for my voice, I can't do anything about what the big guy upstairs gave me.
@cpttankerjoe29 күн бұрын
I really enjoyed the fast-paced and almost aggressive narrating style
@TheRperreault29 күн бұрын
Which of these models is the Napa valley train in California ?
@alcobufff22 күн бұрын
The napa valley currently, but not for much longer, run MLW FPA-4's, not featured in this video. theses will, sadly, soon be retired. Thanks for watching!
Пікірлер
I know this is a bit late, but I've recently been playing around with a couple of those old RS-11s. One day before watching this video, I discovered that the finicky performance of the motor isn't actually the motor. It's the cheezy headlight installation. The metal contacts fit loosely and jiggle around while the locomotive is running down the rails and over the joints. The loose contacts serve up both open circuit and short circuit situations, resulting in jerky performance. To test this, I simply cut the red wire (ground) that runs from the motor to the light fixture. The thing ran great with this "modification". I intend to install LEDs and four wheel pickup in both of mine, and that should make these acceptable performers with the original motors still in them.
Most informative video I have ever seen on this excellent subject. Very good job. I salute you.😊🎉
Got to love the Alco chug
Thanks for the ride.
Great video
Looks like that was a great little weekend getaway!
I have had more than one issue with Atlas units new in the box. One I sent back to Atlas and they claimed that USPS destroyed it in transit after letting the box sit unopened in their posession for 6 weeks. So I was out $200 there. I just picked up another brand new Atlas N scale locomotive. this one DC, and it also doesn't work out of the box. Not sure what is up with their QC, or lack thereof, lately.
Nice revival, Peter!
The key to getting a cheap Amtrak fare is not by booking early. Amtrak fares are constantly going up and down. It depends on people not booking as much as expected.
My question is this.....whole the hell had the idea at Life-Like of putting no straight track pieces in a train set? I got one of those P1K PRR erie-builts. It runs well now, but when I got it the thing would die 2 feet into running. Beautiful locomotive. I also got a NYC c-liner at the same time, and a PRR one. the NYC one didn't even have a headlight for some reason, so I had one custom installed. That was weird.
that shade of blue is better known as bankrupt blue.
Nice work Thank you
Atlas had an FA-1years ago. Was first N Scale locomotive with a flywheel. This is based on the Life Like FA-1
Might want to clean your track before testing a loco with no keep alive installed.
I did end up cleaning the track during this test, unfortunately it didn't help much. I found that properly barking-in the locomotive got it to run more reliably. What seemed to be really holding this locomotive back was the fact that the motor was dragging and hand a wine to it. Needing more current to spin was causing it to cut out more then it should have. Thanks for watching!
Next documentary when?
If it is the same as Alco PA-2, then it is not forgotten since it is featured in Railroad Tycoon II!
I don't know if you ever mentioned that the Tax Money the railroads were paying on their local infrastructure and right of way was supporting local schools, sherriffs, Fire Departments and other local governments! No Trucks, Airlines or Passenger Cars were forced to pay these taxes on top of the usual taxes. Railroads were excessively burdened which in the pre-ww1 era wasn't a problem since they still owned the majority of passenger and freight business!
I also read that EMD actually sent factory engineers to key customers to get to the root cause of any early issues!
This what happens when operating and sales executes make decisions and tell engineering to just shut up and hurry up!! Sad
I bet it was Torsional Resonance too! That can break any crankshaft in any engine!!
Amtrak ALC-42 345 Needs Repaired. 0:00
Those ex-ATSF Blue Warbonnets are beautiful!
Enjoyed this video, lots of great information; but I am wondering since many railroad used the RS units in passenger service with a steam generator in the short hood, why did WM and LV (and Pennsy too I believe) have what was referred to as the Hammerhead short hood? What made their steam generators so much different to the Rock Island and others with steam generators?
If i remember correctly, the Hamme heads were rebuilt RS-3's, with EMD prime movers, with the hammerhead section it self, housing dynamic brake erumpent..
@@alcobufff thanks for your reply. At the same time as I posted my question to you yesterday, I posted one on the WMRHS FB page where I’m a member. Several members answered that on the RS units the standard short hood could accommodate a steam generator or dynamic breaks, but not both. The Hammerhead units were those that had both a steam generator and dynamic breaks. Additionally, I knew that none of the WM units were rebuilt with EMD prime movers, but WM unit 192 did end up with a supercharger at some point in its career.
You are supposed to install kaptan tape around the two frame half openings. If either one of those motor leads touches the frame halves it's goodbye decoder.
Not according the the instructions for this particular decoder, Digitrax DN163a0. They only say you need to insert the motor contacts into the slots in the decoder and check the clearances when you are done and to bend them if necessary.
I have one of those u25bs from 93. One of the best locos in my roster.
Next documentary when?
As said by David P Morgan, Streamlining on steam locomotives was to lower customer resistance, not wind resistance.
N Scale is twice as expensive as HO and half the size.HO was the way to go. Best value for your money 💰.
Really I only want this set for the coaches, not spending a kidney for the Lionel ones
Great commentary on the Rock Island. I did not some of the history right at the end of the railroads life. That two parts of the Rock that I lived nears (Saint Louis line and the Colorado Springs line) both ended up in UP's hands in the end.
Wilmington can bang that out. Beech Grove has not worked on these units. There also is a shop outside Chicago that fixes units.
Awesome reporting, keep up the great work!
What the heck, did you use AI to write this bro😂
Adventure awaits on Amtrak
Oh yes… I was in that locomotive when we hit that tree. I was qualifying to Savannah, my crew base, when we came around the bend and my Engineer and I saw a huge wall of green right in front of us. We don’t have much time to react as the e tree was lying on a trestle as we came around the curve. My engineer set the brakes at full service and he shot out the seat. I was making notes to study and did not have enough time to react and all I can do was lean down and cover my head because I couldn’t unlock the seat in time, while my engineer shot out the seat and took cover. We hit the tree at 55 mph, and glass shattered everywhere. It was a very scary experience, but I’m grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been if that tree would’ve been much thicker. But, I was also part of the crew that picked it back up the next trip going north. Good times!
Cool. 😎
Beech Grove mechinc "Hahaha, look at that nose" ALC 42 "Yea? You should see the other guy!!!"
Those things belong at the scrap heap.
I never saw one of those cabs with 4 seats. Maybe on another road. Three seats has been standard with the possible exception of a jump seat on the back wall.
GE took over the Cooper Bessemer plant at Grove City, Pa and used it for engine assembly
Siemens equipment is absolute garbage.
Yes ! In Germany has the DB many anger with trains of Siemens .The Trams from Siemens are not better.The Combino Tram is absolutely Trash👎
Well done!
That was fresh out the factory unit too
Looks mostly cosmetic, pretty sure those panels on the front can be swapped out. Hopefully it's back in service sooner rather than later
Can you next talk just tell the story without at 2hour pause
not even 5 years and amtrak fucked up several new locomotives
I’m somewhat superstitious when it comes to spirits around vehicles and the people that drive/run them. Seems like a black cloud around the Charger series. Brightline with the fatalities I suppose is more of a geographical concern, but early on was known for body count. There was the Cascades train that derailed on a curve. I recall some Charger hitting something on a maiden voyage (might have been engine 300). And yes the crash total seems high for the low amount of years.
this is supposed to be about EMD's "E" units no Alco. You are totally biased toward Alco and should not be talking about GM locomotives, plus you really don't have a speaking voice for this sort of video.
If I were "totally biased" I would not have mentioned the PA's issues that doomed it. As for having alco in this documentary at all, I'm telling the whole story by doing so, by giving all relevant background info. As for my voice, I can't do anything about what the big guy upstairs gave me.
I really enjoyed the fast-paced and almost aggressive narrating style
Which of these models is the Napa valley train in California ?
The napa valley currently, but not for much longer, run MLW FPA-4's, not featured in this video. theses will, sadly, soon be retired. Thanks for watching!
Rest.In.Peace ALC-42 345