Steamtown in Scranton, PA

Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania is a National Historic Site situated on the former yard of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. Building on the original collection assembled by F. Nelson Blount in the 1950’s and 60’s Steamtown today comprises a large roundhouse and 90 foot turntable and exhibits illustrating the history of steam locomotives in the United States.

Steamtown National Historic Site was established October 30, 1986, it was deemed as the “most flagrant pork barrel project” using Park Service funds by many including Kenneth R. Clark of the Chicago Tribune. The project contributed millions of dollars into the depressed coal mining region of Scranton, PA and without it this important site would not be preserved today. A nominal fee of $7.00 for adults allows entrance to the grounds and exhibits which are sequenced along the spokes of the roundhouse, they eventually lead to the workshops with numerous steam locomotives in for repair and restoration.

Set of pilot wheels and side-rods awaiting installation.

This is an educational experience, but one can also be inspired by the impressive mass of walking next to the behemoth locomotives including a Union Pacific ‘Big Boy’.

A display locomotive not to be missed has cutaway sections revealing the fundamental engineering of a steam locomotive and tender.

Displayed outdoors is a rare diesel for this museum, an A-A F7 diesel of the Reading Railroad.

A separate museum located across the parking lot of Steamtown is the Electric City Trolley Museum, if you time it right you can take on ride on one of the trolleys for $2.00!

A rare sight is this electric shunting locomotive, it is part of the Electric City Trolley Museum’s collection and displayed just outside the museum.

Playing its part with the railroad theme of this museum are the ‘T’ rails used in the parking lot’s perimeter fence.

A day at the museum can include rides on a steam train and electric trolley. Trains don’t run everyday, you will need to plan ahead by checking the schedules.

In Pennsylvania we are lucky to have a number of excellent train museums, in future posts we will be visiting others including a narrow gauge railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

How A Steam Locomotive Works

Every once in awhile a book needs to be mentioned that relates to railroading history. One such book is one I found at the book shop at “Steamtown” in Scranton, PA. Aptly titled How A Steam Locomotive Works – A New Guide is a fine textbook on all functional aspects of steam locomotion by the author Dominic Wells published in 2015 by Ian Allan Publishing. The author begins with a simple description of creating steam in a pot before embarking on a clever description of adapting it to train locomotion, a simple but highly complex system of engineering. Expertly written with numerous illustrations this book is the reference guide for all interested in steam trains. More than 150 pages covering every important function and design of the steam locomotive. I highly recommend this book above any other on this topic.

Collecting Marklin Z and Preserving Train History: 88300, 88301, 88302

from top – side 1:

Marklin 88300: V300 Diesel Hydraulic Loco, Insider Model 2009

Marklin 88301: ML 2200 C’C’ experimental loco, builder: Krauss-Maffei, 1957 paint scheme

Marklin 88302: ML 3000 C’C’ factory paint scheme after 1957-1958 rebuild

side 2:

Collecting Marklin Z is bigger than acquiring model trains, it is a collaboration with Marklin: preserving the history of trains. Every collector of trains in all scales is participating in train history simply by collecting model trains, books and ephemera. Our passion for trains is passed on to the next generation, thus block by block trains are well documented and understood thanks to model train manufacturers and their collectors.

Historical preservation is at the heart of some Marklin Z releases including the experimental locomotives: ML 2200 and ML 3000.

The German locomotive maker Krauss-Maffei produced a variant of the 4 axle V200 locomotive in the 1950’s for the Yugoslav Railroad with lower axle loads and improved air conditioning thus the 6 axle ML 2200 was born. Delivery of three ML 2200 locomotives 1.77 meters longer than the V200 took place in Belgrade May 27, 1957. Marklin’s One Time Series 88301 is a model of the ML 2200 prototype.

The ML 3000 represents a rebuilt ML 2200 with increased power and improved transmission. The failure of negotiations to secure an order for ML 3000’s with the DB ended any potential success this locomotive would have for load restricted routes in Germany, the surviving prototype was used in Bavaria before it was leased in 1963 and later purchased by the DB. Marklin #88302 is modeled on the ML 3000 prototype.

In 1963 the DB leased the ML 3000, it was reclassified V300. The locomotive was repainted with the DB color scheme otherwise unchanged. In 1964 the DB purchased the V300, it was used in express and freight service. The service life of the V300 lasted roughly 17 years before it was scrapped. Marklin model #88300 represents the V300, it was a limited production release for Insider members.

As a point of comparison there were 4 total locomotives produced of the ML 2200/ ML 3000/ V300 variants and 86 total locomotives produced of the V200. Maybe the V300 would have been more successful than the V200 if negotiations with the DB had not failed to secure an order for them.

Blue? Prussian Blue rolling on the rails

Marklin Magazin has been published by Marklin for a number of years, it is a glossy well produced magazine with contents covering Marklin trains and train history. And it is included with your ‘Insider’ membership! So what’s with the title of this post Prussian Blue? Prussian Blue is the traditional blue used in blueprints and since 2001 the characteristic color used for Marklin Magazin’s special edition cars. Marklin Magazin’s “Car of the Year” is often Marklin’s car with new tooling for that year, pigmented in Prussian Blue and lettered for Marklin Magazin. Sometimes a theme is introduced such as the 2002 release 80812: type Lgjs 598 flat car loaded with tanks corresponding to printer’s ink used in the production of the magazine. Or the 2006 release 80816: type low side car with brakeman’s platform loaded with real rolls of paper, Marklin notes 20 metric tons of paper are used for each issue of Marklin Magazin. New releases of Magazin special edition cars are available from your dealer through Walthers, but they sell out quickly.

Faller 222114 turntable for goods depot

Utilizing a small motor the new Faller 222114 is a working turntable for a freight depot. Packaged as a multi scale turntable modifications are made for z scale following Faller’s instructions. This item is currently available from Micro Macro Mundo for $42.03, I just ordered mine.

Faller 2016 Releases: 282780 + 282781

Available later this year (2016) are two laser cut kits by Faller featuring half timber and stucco townhouses with further variations in roof sheathing. Kits 282780 and 282781 build on the continuation of new laser cut kits offered by Faller and other manufacturers. The realism achieved by laser cut kits is completed by correctly pigmented cardstock and architectural correct designs. Matte surface features are more closely related to original architecture than has been previously available for modelers.

Faller July 2016 Release: 282704

Several very interesting new releases have been announced by Faller for 2016 including the Bahnhof Hulinghausen train station. Borrowing from the manufacturer’s website is their description: A monument! Laser-cut model of the station building in Herscheid-Hüinghausen put into operation in 1915, with a characteristic hipped roof à la Mansard and an adjoining half-timbered goods shed. The station area forms today the operating central point of the museum line Sauerland Local Railway. The proposed release is July 2016.

*Available as a pre-order from http://www.ajckids.com/products/Faller/282704 .

Faller Osterode-Sud 282705 laser cut station kit

A perfect train station for a briefcase layout is without doubt the Faller Osterode-Sud station, it measures just 2 3/8 x 1 5/8 inches which makes it ideally suited for a rural diorama for the smallest layout.

For several years Faller has released laser cut kits for z on a limited basis including a lumber mill, farmhouse and town hall. The laser cut kits tend to be priced higher than the plastic Faller kits, they include many more parts and probably a higher investment in design time. The architectural design of this kit is half timber and stucco with terracotta roof tiles typically found in Germany.

Kit features numerous parts including individual stucco sections, each is cut out from a larger sheet and individually glued in place thus giving a realistic impression of stucco infill. Note: tweezers and magnifying goggles are required due to the many small parts. Window glazing is included in the kit as well as interior lighting masking material which I did not use, it is required when lighting plastic kits due to translucence which is not a factor with laser cut kits, but you will gain window details such as curtains when using the masking material included with the kit. Faller 282705 is a challenging kit comprising numerous small parts in a small size. Some dry brushing could be used to add realism but not required. Signage is included as add-on details, I would recommend some improvement to graphic signs for future kits; the included signs are difficult to cut out with precision from the paper sheet, perhaps the station signs on heavy card stock would be better.

Testing Testing!!! Marklin Roller Stand 89932

I am not sure when someone came up with the idea for the 1st model train roller stand, but I am sure it was someone who I would have enjoyed meeting. A simple and complex precision instrument, it has quickly become an essential tool.

Several good roller stands for z are on the market, but I am only going to cover the Marklin 89932 which I use, and I would heartily recommend. Not everyone will need a roller stand, it is primarily intended for testing and repair of locomotives, but Marklin mentions in their literature usage for display; it is good looking so I cannot refute this suggestion. Marklin released two roller stands this one and a smaller 4 pair roller #89931 each is delivered in a foam lined cardboard carton with instruction and standard Marklin plugs with two Marklin logos mounted on either side of track section.

An accessory pair of rollers (#89933) can be purchased separately and added to either roller stand. Power is provided by two power terminals at one end, standard Marklin plugs are used as well as the Marklin mini club transformer.

Stainless steel rollers are in pairs, train wheels each sit atop a pair of rollers.

Two pair of rollers per section are adjusted by loosening and sliding. Note: electrical shorts and shocks are eliminated due to the installation of heavy acrylic under each section. The track section is intended for tenders.

Instructions for adding accessory roller pair #89933 is rather simple but care should be taken to put it back together in a specific way as will be outlined:

locate end opposite power end
gently wiggle off white plastic cap
slide white plastic sections out of channels on both sides
clear acrylic block sections are installed with the channel sections
fine holes are drilled through the top portion of acrylic block sections these go on top during reassembly, and metal electrified rods running length of channel fit these holes. Note: if the metal rods are not installed in the holes in the acrylic blocks the unit cannot be put together. *Do not force parts together risking damage, parts if they are correctly installed will go together easilly.
reassemble

*Stay tuned for roller stand in action coupled with the new steam locos with newly designed side rods.

5 Pole Upgrade for the 8998 Turntable

The Marklin 8998 turntable was produced from 1984-2002 featuring 3 pole motor, plastic construction with metal railing details and remote control. The original 3 pole motor can be upgraded to a 5 pole motor part #211914. Repair requires soldering, removal of bridge and disassembly of motor housing. *Special attention should be paid to electrical contacts at each end of bridge as they are delicate and subject to bending, it will not operate correctly if they bend.

The option to upgrade motors is available, but care needs to be taken each step of the way.

Marklin 5 pole motor for swing bridge:

Original 3 pole motor on left next to new 5 pole on right: *Notice capacitor on 3 pole motor is bent forward (usually capacitors are bent in opposite direction in locos).

Step 1: turntable face down *notice plastic cap in center, this is removed to expose center bolt.

Step 2: with center bolt exposed use flat screwdriver to push off spring click that holds bolt together, set aside along with thin brass washer.

Step 3: with a gentle grip of the bridge (careful not to bend or break anything on bridge) push center bolt out and set aside

Step 4: remove bridge from turntable assembly and place face down, notice motor housing identified by small screws holding the compartment together

Step 5: remove 4 screws and set aside compartment door

Step 6: take note of motor and gearing

Step 7: great care should be taken to prevent bending of electric contacts on each end of bridge

Step 8: with soldering iron remove leads to motor

Step 9: remove 3 pole motor, gearing, clean and replace then add a drop Labelle 108 oil to gears and track rollers

Step 10: test motor and break-in brushes with forward and reverse throttle, install new motor, bend capacitor wires as illustrated and solder leads to capacitor

Step 11: capacitor must fit tightly under plastic housing before screwing back together otherwise it might not clear the base of the turntable preventing level smooth turning

Step 12: carefully re-position bridge locating the pointed plastic end of bridge in place before positioning other end. Care should be taken to avoid bending electrical contacts at each end of bridge.

Step 13: replace center bolt, install thin brass washer and spring clip followed by plastic cap.

Z Trains Weekly

World of Z scale trains!