Updated 4/29/2025
LATEST WORK IN THE LOCOMOTIVE SHOP
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Testing the new ATSF F3 on the work bench
Testing the idea of movies on the web site
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Taking on an Overland Brass EMD E9 B UP
963 that stopped pulling and still sounded fine.
This B-unit was part of an A-B-A Overland set of UP E9 units.
The three units were pulling the UP-executive train when the consist slowed and appeared to have lost power. The sound was the same for all units, but a thump was coming from the B unit. After removing the B unit, the train ran well without it in the consist. Testing found the B unit would stop with all wheels locking up.
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All the A-B-A sets have QSI sound decoders, each having two speakers. All the decoders were working fine and giving the impression that the locomotives were providing power, at least the sound of doing so.
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By providing connectors on each side of the decoder made it posible for the QSI decoder to have common plugs. The B-unit has the same decoder as the A-units but there are empty sockets for headlights. The small socket on the right is for speakers.
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Here are examples of the connections for wires to use the QSI plug.
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Removing the decoder, speaker, and the connections we see the drive shafts below the larger weight.
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Removing the gaskets from the speaker locations I found screws that hold the upper frame weight to the lower frame.
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With the upper frame removed I had access to the motor and driveshafts.
I evaluated the drive system with DC on the motor wires. First with the trucks hanging free and then with the wheels on a track.
Removing each connection of the drive shafts I determined that the rear truck was locking the entire drive system.
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I removed the rear truck and removed the lower cover of the gears. This showed a cracked gear on the rear wheel set.
The cracked gear had damaged the idler gear. I removed the idler gear and used an Athearn gear to reassemble the truck. This means that the last wheel set was free to roll, and the rest of the drive system was fully operative.
Now it was time to reassemble the locomotive. Pulling the wires up through the upper weight from both trucks and the motor.
Putting the upper weight and attaching with the screws under the speakers. Then I put in the rubber washer and speaker holding them in place with 4 screws.
With the wires in place and the speakers secured it is time to reinstall the QSI decoder and then reconnect the wires to the QSI plug.
Rather than using push-on tabs I soldered the wires and covered the joints with heat shrink tubing.
All assembled and ready for testing.
The loco was reattached to the 2 A units of the ABA set and pulled the executive train.
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The next task was to install DCC and Sound into an F3 and an F7 using an ESU decoder and a pair of Scale Sound Systems speakers.
First, I had to remove the current DC / DCC ready board and disconnect the wires.
At this point I followed the STOP which was a warning to anyone plugging a decoder using the 8-pin socket.
These are the speakers and while the rear speaker built to fit the Athearn frame, added support was needed to hold it even with the right rear post.
Here are the speakers ready for wiring and connecting the ESU decoder.
With the wires in place, I loaded the decoder with the sound and data files and then evaluated progress with the power and the ESU Programmer.
Before the resistor for the headlight, each was evaluated with the filament.
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THE BIGGEST LOCOMOTIVE YET 
Required a house call, a visit to,
Maricopa Live Steamers Winterfest
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Big Blow #58 receives its BIG SOUND
Update to the Sound System Programing brings out the full sound of a UP Gas Turbine with a QSI Quantum Revolution-U "Sound and Power Decoder."
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Board replacement in UP 1148 with a added Keep Alive (Click Here)
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GP15 #1704 installation of ESU DCC and Sound with speakers located in the upper rear of the locomotive.
(Click Here)
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Mantua 2-6-4, 2-8-2 and 0-6-0
Bob and Paul rebuild their Mantua Mike, Pacific and a Big 6 (Click Here)
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FAs, 310A and 310B
(Click Here for progress)
It is a long story and there needs to be new motors installed. In the meantime, I have 310A with full ESU sound operating and 310B operating as a dummy.
The motor on the left is from 310B a similar motor is in a Mantua F7. These older motors are 3 pole motors and do not work well with today's high end sound decoders. By adjusting the back EMF I was able to make 310A operate while waiting for new motors and drive chain.
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SD7 repaired
Parts as removed to repair a truck that the worm gear had come out in a short fall dislocating the worm gear on the front truck.
This was an easy repair but required me to fully dissemble the locomotive in order to get everything to work and rewire to use LED lighting.
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FA after repair with an FB, for full story
(Click Here)
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Brass GP30 (Click Here)
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GP9 and GP20 to see details (Click Here)
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GP38-2 with GP30B (Click Here)
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U50C All Programmed and ready
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DD35 A Updated Both Comming Soon with
New Sound Decoder and Keep Alive.
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Alco RSC (Click Here)
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6293 updated (Click Here)
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SD45 to join the WC SD45 just delivered
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Big Blow A unit
Watch for Big Blow 58 gets SOUND
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Alco Road unit
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Another FA from a member's box of projects. This project added a FB and sound in each unit.
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End for now, many more pages on each to come,
GP30 gets new trucks,
E Units get motor exchange and Full ESU Sound
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