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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 7, 2024 3:42:08 GMT
I managed to sidestep "most" of the dealer sales that have been going on in recent weeks. But I'll confess I weakened when I saw Pat's Trains was have a "dog days of summer" sale through August 13th. And this sale even included one of his Lionel Legacy custom-runs, a Copper Range 2-8-0 Consolidation.
Truth be told, I was scouting the market for a small steam locomotive to head up a whimsical D&RGW passenger "train" consisting of tiny disconnect cars. And I just missed METCA's D&RGW Mogul that recently sold out. It was my own fault, because I must have walked by that little gem several times at recent York and Allentown shows. But I never pulled the trigger on it.
Nonetheless... the beautiful thing about this hobby is there are ALWAYS alternatives. And this case, the 2-8-0 I did purchase comes with whistle-steam, whereas the Mogul didn't. And whistle-steam always seems to increase play value.
The other nice bonus with the Lionel 2-8-0 comes in the form of a snowplow on some of the models -- and you can't miss this one. If I'm not mistaken, I believe this is the first time Lionel offered this style of snowplow on the front of a steam locomotive. So you can't miss this pretty unique feature.
Pat's model as delivered comes with a black snowplow. But Lionel also catalog'd a Colorado Southern version that comes with a red snowplow. I gambled that Lionel's parts department might have the red snowplow as a separately available part. And I was in luck. They did!!! Even better... Lionel shipped their red snowplow quickly enough that it arrived the same day UPS delivered Pat's Copper Range 2-8-0 on my doorstep.
Swapping the black snowplow with Lionel's red snowplow was as straightforward a process as could be. Two tiny screws hold the snowplow in place, along with a vertical rod that attaches to the center of the snowplow. About 15-20 minutes is all it took to swap the snowplows. As luck would have it, the red snowplow is a near-perfect match to the red cab roof of the Copper Range 2-8-0. So they're a match made in model railroad heaven -- even if it might not be 100% prototypical.
Here are some quick iPhone snapshots of the Copper Range 2-8-0 on its inaugural revenue run tonight. Enjoy!!!
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Post by david1 on Aug 7, 2024 3:59:27 GMT
Very cool, really like the red snow plow. Looks like it belongs!
Dave
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Post by Adam on Aug 7, 2024 11:51:39 GMT
Gorgeous photos!
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Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Aug 7, 2024 13:52:55 GMT
Wow, fantastic job!!!
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Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 7, 2024 14:09:46 GMT
Can the snowplow bracket be added to any of the 2-8-0s in that series?
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 7, 2024 15:16:04 GMT
Can the snowplow bracket be added to any of the 2-8-0s in that series? Not sure... that would depend on whether the two holes are drilled into the frame, where the snowplow is attached with two tiny screws. Same consideration for the rod (see my photos) that connects into the center of the snowplow from just below the headlight.
Pat's custom-run had all these components... so I just needed to order the red snowplow and swap out the black snowplow. Unfortunately, Lionel's support website doesn't have an exploded photo of the 2-8-0 locomotive parts. So it's not obvious how you'd identify these other parts for ordering purposes -- even if they'd work on a model that wasn't originally delivered with a snowplow.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 7, 2024 15:43:50 GMT
Can the snowplow bracket be added to any of the 2-8-0s in that series? Not sure... that would depend on whether the two holes are drilled into the frame, where the snowplow is attached with two tiny screws. Same consideration for the rod (see my photos) that connects into the center of the snowplow from just below the headlight.
Pat's custom-run had all these components... so I just needed to order the red snowplow and swap out the black snowplow. Unfortunately, Lionel's support website doesn't have an exploded photo of the 2-8-0 locomotive parts. So it's not obvious how you'd identify these other parts for ordering purposes -- even if they'd work on a model that wasn't originally delivered with a snowplow.
Exactly the issue and uncertainty. Even though not nearly the snow totals it would be nice but not critical to have the option for the New Hope and Ivyland METCA custom run.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 7, 2024 16:26:33 GMT
I can confirm that the METCA 2-8-0 does NOT have pre-drilled holes for the snowplow. You'd be on your own to get your Dremel tool out and make the modification, if you have a steady hand and were so inclined. Just also be aware that there's no center rod that drops down from the headlight to the top of the snowplow. Not a deal-breaker though, because that rod isn't really supporting the snowplow. The two screws are what's really holding the snowplow onto the frame. So you'd need to order the snowplow AND two screws from Lionel's parts department.
Not impossible by any stretch of the imagination. But you'd need to get past the mental leap that you're modifying a stock Lionel product... the same leap folks make when they decide to enter the camp of weathering brand new Lionel products.
As for the gearbox issue... I honestly don't know what's real and what's just an isolated instance that's blown out of proportion. I tend to not put lots of stock in these things anymore, because you might never even experience all the machinations that need to happen before said issue comes to life on your layout. Life is too short. In this case, I have two Consolidations, and they both run very smoothly.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 7, 2024 16:42:48 GMT
You have dissuaded me from chasing my tail on this bit of whimsy that I had. Thanks for talking me off the ledge.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 7, 2024 17:08:49 GMT
You have dissuaded me from chasing my tail on this bit of whimsy that I had. Thanks for talking me off the ledge. Glad to help. I know the feeling all too well of what it's like to keep some money in your wallet a little while longer... at least until the next "must have" catches your eye!!! 
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Post by JDaddy on Aug 7, 2024 17:14:52 GMT
Charlie from our club 'engineered, the copper range locomotive with Pat. He even work with our club guru Bob Shaw in custom painting the MTH wood side passenger cars to match! They did a phenomenal job and I am glad you like it.  Here is the video of the cars fresh off with new paint and decals... |
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Post by JDaddy on Aug 7, 2024 17:17:15 GMT
The Detroit 3 railers Train-a- Poluza here are vids of his layout too:
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 8, 2024 1:08:04 GMT
Those MTH 64' woodside passenger cars are wonderful. And it's a darn shame that MTH sold the tooling to Lionel who immediate priced the re-issued cars so obscenely in the stratosphere for no good reason, aside from the fact that they "could" and "did". Whoever customized the paint and decals did a FABULOUS job!!!
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Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 8, 2024 1:15:37 GMT
Return on investment for the purchase of the tooling is likely the primary reason that you need to raise prices.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 8, 2024 1:32:10 GMT
Return on investment is the only reason that you need to raise prices.
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