HH Upgrades 3rd Rail Milwaukee Road Set

Wow Harry's work is fantastic.

WOWZERS!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TRAIN!! THE OWNER MUST BE WALKING ON CLOUDS! AN ABSOLUTELY SUPERB JOB BY H.H. JUST STUNNING!! LOVE THE MILWAUKEE ROAD! WOULD THAT BE THE NJ HIGHRAILERS LAYOUT??


Gary.  

Photos were taken at the Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club in New Berlin, WI about 10 days ago. We have a large Club of around 225 members and our club dates back to 1947. This was the first passenger train I can remember seeing as a young boy. I missed the initial pre order offering of the Milwaukee Road E-9 A&B, however was able to purchase the last set 3RD Rail was holding in inventory. I requested they mail the engine set directly to Harry Hieke. Harry has done other beautiful work for me in the past. I asked him to 'go to town on it' and do his thing! I am extremely pleased with every aspect of Harry's work and always have been. I kept thinking, it sure would be nice if I could find the yellow UP livery titled in Milwaukee Road passenger set. When 3RD Rail announced this offering and 'in aluminum', I placed the order for the complete set of passenger cars. I again requested they be sent directly to Harry, never saw them unweathered, except for a few few photos. I must say and I know many of you already know that both Scott with 3RD Rail and Harry offer and make available to us, some of the finest quality and craftsmanship on the market. There are 13 detailed and weathered aluminum passenger cars in addition to the E9 and unpowered B unit. Total length of the train is just a couple inches shy of 26 feet. The passenger cars alone weigh near 45 pounds. I am concerned about the single E9 pulling all the weight. Interesting enough the engine seems to travel at a top speed of about 31 scale mph, either just by it's self or pulling the 13 cars on a 'level' track. Now, I doubt it can maintain anywhere near that performance on an incline, if any. Some day I hope to find a matching power train for the B unit. I'm thinking it will relieve the added stress on the drive shafts and U joints in the engine itself. Harry used his imagination in adding lots of detail to every place interior lighting displays activity through each window. Custom shades and blinds were added to the windows. Seat back Hiawatha towels were placed on all of the seats. Many 3RD Rail figures were added and some of his own creations can be seen in bunk rooms, RPO and baggage cars. I can't begin to think of, to be able to share with you of the added detail. After completing the interiors and weathering of the exterior, all is complete accept for adding the brake and air hose lines provided by by 3RD Rail. They add a lot to the overall realism of each car. Being all metal and hanging down, I was a bit concerned running the complete train on the Club layout. But since I added 4 units to one car, I think its going to be OK and not catch on anything. I did take a couple videos at the same time as the photos posted above, I'm thinking you will have an opportunity to view them one of these days. I'm brand new to posting on a forum and photos/videos - I've never tried. Thanks again Brian for your help yesterday.

James that is a stunning set.

Here's where you can find info on posting a video: o-gaugeforum.com/thread/126/video-update