USA Trains "Mighty Moe" switcher

[trammayo]

I got this loco for £60 - didn't look to have been run at all - but what a niggling job fitting things like the cut bars with their tiny eye bolts! THe bolts made of hard plastic, flew out of the tweezers with some speed - frustrating (but I found them all).

Anybody else have problems or is it just my bunches of bananas?

Anyway tested it (after cleaning and wiping a wet track) and was quite pleased with it.

The only items missing were the knuckle couplers, so resorted to running some 'demic' stock (awaiting conversion or repairs). The exhaust smoke is quite copious when first topped up.

 

[funandtrains]

Fitting the handrails and small bits get be a bit fiddly on all USAT locos. The wholes tend to be a bit filled with paint and it help clearing them with a small drill bit first.

 

[Dtsteam]

I've got one of those in the same livery. I bought it ages ago 'cos I like the look of it, but I've nothing that really goes with it at the moment. I fitted some old hook & loop couplers, but the bouncy suspension was a problem. I haven't the heart to repaint it, convert it, or sell it, but at least now it has C&S no5 & one toy train box car for company in the 4 wheeled american 'fleet'. I think the appeal is that the bodywork is so plausible.

 

[trammayo]

Fitting the handrails and small bits get be a bit fiddly on all USAT locos. The wholes tend to be a bit filled with paint and it help clearing them with a small drill bit first.

Must admit it was a pain in the proverbial - never thought the holes might be blocked - just assumed previous owner had tried and given up!

 

[trammayo]

I've got one of those in the same livery. I bought it ages ago 'cos I like the look of it, but I've nothing that really goes with it at the moment. I fitted some old hook & loop couplers, but the bouncy suspension was a problem. I haven't the heart to repaint it, convert it, or sell it, but at least now it has C&S no5 & one toy train box car for company in the 4 wheeled american 'fleet'. I think the appeal is that the bodywork is so plausible.

Yes I liked the livery - have a REA Rodgers in CBQ livery - thought I'd add to the stable. Now you mention the suspension, that's why it dumped the Aristo caboose whilst crossing the points (2 points and a crossing close together). It didn't have a problem with the Sierra coaches as they are less likely to bounce I suppose.

I don't have much with hook and loop so I was limited to what I could draw. Maybe I need to make a match truck.

 

[a98087]

Here's a link I bookmarked earlier

It shows a pair of repaints done by another forum member

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?high=&m=130068&mpage=2#138651 < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...=130068&mpage=2#138651

 

[KeithT]

The fiddly bits are just that and yes it is bouncy but it runs well.
Take care with the smoke fluid, if you tip it down the funnel it tends to seep out onto the bonnet and removes the paint! Smokes well though.

 

[trammayo]

Here's a link I bookmarked earlier

It shows a pair of repaints done by another forum member

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?high=&m=130068&mpage=2#138651 < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...=130068&mpage=2#138651

Ah, yes Syd's repaint totally transforms it. I need to pluck up courage to do something like that! But, if I don't follow Keith's advice (many thanks for the warning) about the smoke oil I'll maybe have to do something like that.

Thanks Dan & Keith.

 

[bigjack]

I have a couple of these loco's, they are superb pullers.

I run mine without the handrails, as they are very delicate, so i left them off.

 

[KeithT]

Here's a link I bookmarked earlier

It shows a pair of repaints done by another forum member

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?high=&m=130068&mpage=2#138651 < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...=130068&mpage=2#138651

Ah, yes Syd's repaint totally transforms it. I need to pluck up courage to do something like that! But, if I don't follow Keith's advice (many thanks for the warning) about the smoke oil I'll maybe have to do something like that.

Thanks Dan & Keith.

I think the paint problem might only apply to the original paint job. I haven't had it happen to any other loco.
In any event the chimney is easy to remove and replace.

 

[trammayo]

I have a couple of these loco's, they are superb pullers.

I run mine without the handrails, as they are very delicate, so i left them off.

I lift it by the bonnet (hood?) - I trust this is well secured It is quite a nice model but, as you say, easy to disturb the scale detailing!

And I'll keep my eye on it when dropping the smoke fluid in (I use an eye dropper). I put 4 or 5 drops in but it doesn't seem to last long.

At the moment I'm using the Bachmann 1A controller which is about 14v. What is the voltage range? I know it will run on 12v (which is what I run my trailer layout on). I'm toying with going back to 12v for the garden with a 5A control but some locos need a higher voltage to make the smoke unit work.

 

[bigjack]

I have a couple of these loco's, they are superb pullers.

I run mine without the handrails, as they are very delicate, so i left them off.

I lift it by the bonnet (hood?) - I trust this is well secured It is quite a nice model but, as you say, easy to disturb the scale detailing!

And I'll keep my eye on it when dropping the smoke fluid in (I use an eye dropper). I put 4 or 5 drops in but it doesn't seem to last long.

At the moment I'm using the Bachmann 1A controller which is about 14v. What is the voltage range? I know it will run on 12v (which is what I run my trailer layout on). I'm toying with going back to 12v for the garden with a 5A control but some locos need a higher voltage to make the smoke unit work.

That's why I left the hand rails off. They were originally put on but after they'd been bashed a time or to, I removed them.

I do believe that the motors are up to 20 v, but couldn't swear to this.