Updates

The National Narrow Gauge Convention in Hickory NC has come and gone.

I didn't attend, no good reason just other things came along.

I never got my Saltillo modules done, so I guess it really doesn't matter anyway.

Another Atlas Pacific has joined the ever-growing standard gauge fleet, and three little Z scale Mikados arrived last week to begin their transformation.  I
have RLW parts for the pilots and cylinders and I have Bachmann 0-6-0 shells, but I could really use one more.

I'm trying a little something different with tenders this time around, I have an RLW K36 tender that I am going to put together as a temporary stand-in until I am able to afford the EBT Mikado kits. I think it will do OK, if I like it I will get two more.

And now I'm saving my nickels and dimes and writing letters to Santa for three Republic Locomotive Works EBT Mikado kits.

I would say something about benchwork, but alas I have made absolutely no progress. I have this convertible Mustang you see, and the days have been warm and sunny...

Top picture, from left to right; scratchbuilt tender Bachmann shell, completed locomotive; K37 tender, Bachmann shell, newly started locomotive; RLW EBT Mikado kit, completed locomotive.  The next two pictures show the tenders in the same order. The K37 tender needs to have its upper flange repaired, I broke it off when I was examining it.

I have two other Mikados to transform besides the one pictured, so that will bring me up to a grand total of five Mikados, one Mogul and an American. I have enough rolling stock for a rock train, two TOC coal trains (one for the Mogul and one for the American) and a passenger train. I really need one more bobber and one more eight-wheeled EBT caboose, and then I need to start acquiring and building coal hoppers. I also need to add a good number of boxcars and flatcars to the mix as well. As it is I will end up having more locomotives than trains.

I also need to dig into the new Atlas and find out why it all of a sudden just stopped running. I think I have enough rolling stock to keep most of my standard gauge locos gainfully employed, and I'm hoping the new Atlas will double-head with the Model Power Pacific.

I really need to get started on benchwork now. Winter is coming, so progress should be made sometime soon (I hope).