Big Engine Rebuild

[Craig]

Hey Everyone!:)

I thought I would move my prattle on the refurbishing of the big engine here, and get it off the weekly.

A few pics to show progress.

1. Shows the engine up on blocks, and partially re-painted. Going with a lighter color this year, hopefully it will be easier to see at night. I KNOW the color looks horrible in the pic! It's still wet and looks almost ghostly, don't worry, it'll darken....

2. Shows the wheels have been taken off the axles and are in process of being painted.

3. Shows the cab area after I have removed the side panels. They will be replaced with plywood (hardboard just does NOT hold up in weather -LOL)

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Looking great, Craig!

[Craig]

Thanks Grinch!:)

[Sickie Ickie]

Beautiful as usual, dude.

[chris]

Awesome job Craig!

[Nephew Fred]

Your garage is looking like a Roundhouse....

[Craig]

You guys are a RIOT! Thanks!:)

[Just Whisper]

Where is Thomas?

That really is looking good.

[Craig]

Thanks JW!:) I have a few ideas I am kicking around to make it even better! Since Mark won't let me get rid of it, I figured I would try to make it gooder than it was (memories of the theme music from "The Six Million Dollar Man") LOL

EDIT:

If you look at the last pic of the train where I have removed the side panels, I have decided that I will be making a "lightbox" out of the side panels with minis. Will be building the back of the box with 1/4" ply, and covering it with plexiglass. That will eliminate the need for lights being attached to the area around the number "59". I named the engine #59 in honor of Mark's birth year 1959 (yeah, I know....SAPPY.... but he IS my guy....) LOL:D

[theedwin]

That's looking great Craig! I hope you can get the spinning wheels figured out.

[Craig]

Thanks Edwin!:)

I have the general IDEA of how to set them up with contacts and everything, so I can have a power source at the center of each wheel so I can have lights ON the rotationg wheels. And since you came up with the suggestion of double pulleys, the rotation transfer to the wheels is no big deal (thanks for that AGAIN, BTW) It is just going to be a matter of getting it DONE.:D

[theedwin]

I had the idea, the real work comes from YOU! :D