Wagner Car Company Truck Book No. 2

The full title of the next Wagner truck book is O Gauge Trolley Trucks, Truck Book No. 2. 
I guess the first 2 booklets with the yellow cover were Truck Book No. 1 and 1a.

This is the first more professionally prepared booklet. From what I know, any model shown which was not available from Ken Kidder, Walthers, or other vendor were scratchbuilt by Rich Wagner. Rich was a professional model builder in his own right.

The booklet itself was not dated. The date on one of the additional sheets included with the booklet is 10/1/59.  Another additional sheets is dated 7/20/61.

Photos of many prototype cars and locomotives are included. As an aside Pittman open frame motors are used in all the power trucks. The balance of this paragraph is strictly my opinion. I prefer open frame motors over can motors. Open frame motors seem to have more torque than can motors. A single open frame powered power truck can pull 1 or 2 trailers depending upon how much each trailer weighs. Can motors are able to pull only the powered model.

When looking at the prices in the catalogue, think back in time to how much you or your parents were being paid to put the prices in perspective.

The description of each sideframe along with it's use and examples of electric railways which used the sideframe is the format used in this and subsequent catalogues. This is the information the EPTC member who approached me regarding reprinting old Wagner truck catalogues wanted. The additional pages lists parts and additional info on trucks.

The 8-wheel drives described on page 14 is the same basic design as an All-Nation or Central Locomotive Works diesel drive but for a steeple cab! This is a substantial power drive to have in an electric locomotive.

Cheers,

Ed

Wagner Car Company Catalogue Revised for 1960

During the 2019 EPTC Meet an EPTC member and friend mentioned about my reprinting the 1st Wagner Car Company Catalogue in the blog. See Post for Friday, April 18, 2014. His reason for mentioning this was the Current Lines web site was not longer available. Current Lines (CL) had purchased the Wagner Car Company from the widow of Rich Wagner upon his death.  The EPTC member asked me if I could reprint in this blog other old Wagner Car Company catalogues. He stated with the web page no longer avaiable it was extremely difficult to find out what Wagner and CL sideframes and parts had been available along with their descriptions.

I told him I have all of the Wagner catalogues. Many years ago before All-Nation Hobby Shop closed up, the display cases were being clean-up of old extraneous paperwork, etc. As one of the cases was being cleaned in a drawer below the display area were some old Wagner catalogues. I knew the empoyee and asked for the catalogues. They were given to me.

With the old catalogues given to me plus the ones purchased over the years, I now have all the catalogues up to and including #6. All the catalogues will be reprinted. The reason for replinting all the cataogues is so you'll be able to see the changes of the power trucks over time plus what was no longer available. What's important is both Rich Wagner and Ed Miller, after Rich, had a stock pile of old parts in order to be able built an old truck for a customer who may desire to double power and/or rebuild an old power truck.

The catalogue reprinted below looks like the 1st catalogue reprinted in this blog 5 years ago. However, on the front cover to the right of the "1957-1958" date is "Revised for 1960". Some of the catalogue revision and additions were print on "mimo" sheets. Also included are info about newly available O scale brass models plus sales sheets from All-Nation.

All the reprints will be presented in the Posts in a reduced size of approximately 695 x 900 pixels. Doing this will allow all the pages of a catalogue to be in a single Post. If this causes problems please let me know.

Each of the catalogues had a surprise, at least to me. In this catalogue was info regarding the Sydam Pacific Electric (PE) 1200 series cars. As far as I know the 1200 series combine and coach were the only O scale models imported by Sydam. If I were to have any PE cars, a pair of these would be the only PE cars to obtain.

Cheers,
Ed

2019 EPTC (East Penn Traction Club) Meet

The 2019 EPTC Meet is officially in the history books.  I had a fantastic time talking with Quentin Carnicelli, the owner of Q-Car Company. We've been friends from before he started Q-Car Company. For part of the time Quentin and I talked, Tony Tieuli joined us.

At each of the EPTC Meets my photos seen to have a unique topic(s). This year most of the photos were the models and portable layouts made up of modules.

The 1st set of photos are an HO layout which had a single PCC car operating. If you have a small space this style of layout my be of interest to you.

This is a Z scale layout (I think.). It's one large module with 2 half loop modules at each end. Multiple trolleys were operating.

Back to HO scale. This layout is composed of multiple modules. It gave me the feeling of Atlantic City. I always wanted a lighthouse on my layout! Multiple trolleys were being operated.

Another group which had an operating layout was the Northwest Traction Group. What is important about this group is that the membership is composed of both old, up in age and new, younger members. Moving the modules and setting-up a layout has been taken over by the younger members. The layout is HO scale. Unfortunately I did not take any good photos other than this.

Another layout were I failed to get good photos is composed of 3D printed parts. Is this the future of our hobby?

Finally, some photos of the O scale EPTC modules with trolley models. My model is the blue and white CWT line car. This model has operated at the Meet on the layout for the last 4 EPTC Meets; 2013, 2015, 2017, and this year 2019. The photos are all O scale models.

The last photo is included to show a unique treatment of a loop. This module can be an end module or placed somewhere in a line of modules to turn back some trolleys. Note the dual through tracks are offset.

The best way to take photos of individual models is:

1) Turn off the flash and use normal room light.

2) Place your camera on the edge of the layout. 

3) Take the photo when the model is standing still.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Cheers,

Ed

NWSL (Northwest Short Lines) to Close

NWSL a major supplier of wheel sets, gears, and power truck parts plus other supplies for model railroaders of all scales has announced its closure. The last day of operation will be in early August, 2019. 

Over the years NWSL's array of products grew. It is a manufacturer and supplier of many items of which most model railroads use daily. For O scalers NWSL wheelsets are used to manufacturer power trucks for model trolleys. For the last 3 decades the NWSL wheelsets have been used to replace plastic wheelsets in freight cars. Metal wheels on metal rail make a distinctive sound like prototype freight cars make rolling by. Also, there is less chance of dirty rail!

NWSL has saved many O scale diesel locomotive models from the junk pile. NWSL makes replacement wheelsets with gears on the axels for AHM (ROCO),  Atlas, K-Line, MTH, Red Caboose, Weaver, perhaps other diesel models.

NWSL has a wide variety of gears and gear boxes. Enough to power and/or repower any steam locomotive. My comments have been mainly for the O scaler. However NWSL also has products for N, HO, S, and larger scales.

Then, there are the tools, hardware, parts, and books  every modeler needs. To see the full range of products available from NWSL, you need to look-up their on-line catalogue on the internet.

I hope someone will acquire some or all of NWSL's product line and do well! 

We are entering a drought of scratch building parts. Sometimes old manufacturers are being bought-up and the new owners do well. Other times the new owners find out they are in over their head for various reasons. When this happens the new owners sell off the parts to regain their original investment. Nothing is being upgraded or renewed. 

One way to obtain old parts is to try contacting individuals who handle estate sales of model trains. Always attend model train shows and meets to look for parts. 

Another idea is to find a computer savvy  individual who can prepare the material required for having a 3-D printing of the part. If the individual has a commercial company like Shapeways produce the part, they can make money for their work. This is easier than trying to making, a pattern, mold, and casting the part out of epoxy or metal.

Cheers,
Ed 

Donald A. Bruno 1942-2019

Donald (Don) A. Bruno died on April 18, 2019. He modeled O scale trolleys as well as other O scale trains and scales. He had a college degree in photography and industrial design. He worked for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for most of his career.

Don, will be best known for his deep interest in Italian automobiles. The brand of cars in which he was most interested was Alfa Romero's. He had an antique Giulietta TI which he rebuilt and an Alfa Spyder. He raced a British made Lola. I guess it was, "What Lola wants Lola gets!"

Most may not have heard of Don's model trolley and railroad and railroading interest, as he put most of his interest into his career at the CTA . Upon joining the CTA, Don worked his way up from flagman, conductor, and then motorman on the (3rd) Rail Division or "L". When a position opened up which was more suitable to his education and interest he applied and was promoted. He worked on signage for "L" stations, right-of-way, and "L" cars. When cost savings was instituted on the CTA, Don's job also included the Surface Division.  His work included bus terminals, passenger stops, and bus interiors and exteriors.

It wasn't his normal work that Don was known for at the CTA but instead his ability to solve engineering problems on the "L". He was able within minutes to solve why "L" cars would derail on newly installed trackwork when the engineering department was unable to resolve situations like this.

Perhaps his most important problem-solving ability was to prove to the higher management of the CTA, the proposed design for the placement of escalators for a redesigned multi-million dollar main transfer point station effecting most "L" routes was not workable. He made a scale model to prove his point. He showed his scale model to most of the upper CTA management and the escalator design/placement was changed.

To all of those who knew Don, he was irascible. When 1st  meeting a couple of CTA employees who worked with Don I was met with, "So you know Don Bruno!" However, to Don's benefit, once he knew you, he was your friend forever! He was extremely generous in his friendship!

Over the years by dumpster-diving or grabbing obsolete items, Don was able to amass a number of vintage items from the CTA and the CA&E Ry. Many valuable items were saved all of which may have been destroyed. Most of Don's collection has been donated to the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM). 

Don, the light has changed from red to green. It's safe to put the accelerator to the floor. Or, if you want move the controller to the post.

Thank you. It was great being your friend!
Ed