The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Thanks guys. I still need to get ballast down (maybe today?), so the track isn't so wonky in places, but its getting there.
Put together a quick video of the new car running behind Los Dos. It takes a bit more hands-on throttle control with a load behind it, so the video is a bit short. Here it is.

Next pics/video will hopefully be with ballast in place and the Ruby pulling the gravel car. Its almost time to finish those little nagging things that are still issues with Los Dos.

Well, I found that my only source of local decomposed granite sells it with a minimum order of 15 tons. A bit more than I need. I guess next time I'm in the big city I might be able to pick up about 20 lbs though.
I did get the union nut tightened on the Ruby, and gave her another run today. I learned two things - my track has a steeper gradient on the south side than it does on the north, and that the Ruby and the gravel car have couplers of different heights! Eee...I guess I'll have to fab up some multi-height links to fit between the couplers.
Los Dos has been getting some good runs in, but between the steam leak at the reverser block, the solder issue on the steam-dome, and the cracked pistons, worn-out wheels, it may be time to put her back in the roundhouse and get some replacement parts in (copper boiler, new reverser, regulator, lubricator, pistons, etc.). But then I'm $400 into new parts, for which I could just buy a new locomotive...but I want Los Dos to run. Maybe if I spread the parts out over a length of time...I don't know...

Ask your local guy who his customers are, if someone has 15 tons ( tandem axle? ) I bet he would part with a 5 gallon bucket full for a reasonable sum.

The Ruby now has running boards instead of side tanks (well, mine never had the side tanks installed, but the brackets looked kinda funny just bare).

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

I think it looks good

but then I would lol

Looks good especially now it has a chimney as well.

The Ruby (thinking of calling her Chinle, but nothing for certain until I get a new cab) had another good run today. She's really getting in the groove now. Was able to get her going fast enough to actually derail on the downhill curve (on accident)! Gotta get the ballast in, since track shifting was also part of the problem. Might also solve the "sand on the wheels" issue with derailments.

Good run, like I said. No pics, but soon I think she'll really be run in enough to haul a rake of cars.

Winter comes to the RRR!
Woke up this morning to find that the playa near Deadwood (the future location of my station) to be filled with water - frozen water! So I took the Ruby out for a quick steam-up. Great plumes when the wind wasn't blowing. The frozen playa looked really cool, thought it has turned to mud now. There were even a few stray flakes that floated down during the run. Despite the weather, performance of the Ruby is improving, since it did make a complete circuit (including climbing my moderate grade) before stopping to take a breath and without derailing. Pictures and video to follow later!

Sounds like a great video!

YouTube it being slow for me right now, so you get pictures first!

Ruby looks really good, you've done a nice job. But Oh my god, Rob, if you don't get a stack on that ##$% mamod engine before the next time you video it, I'm going to come to your house and steal it. Even a temporary one for goodness' sake. It's hard to look at like that. Like a three legged dog or a woman with no front teeth.

Yes, yes, I promise a stack of some sort for Los Dos. I don't like running it stackless either - I feel the same way about its looks. New stack will happen soon-ish. I wanted to tear Los Dos down and do a total refurb this winter, but money is a bit tight this season, so it may have to wait until spring. I may end up with a temporary stack after all.

Very atmospheric, I am looking forward to the video.

Great pics.

Look forward to the video.