I found this Sperry Rail Car Doodlebug at a local antique store. To my surprise, it runs very well. It was made from a kit by someone else. I had some Christmas trains as well as some Metaltrain cars on my layout so I hooked it up to those while testing it. It struggled a little bit but it managed to pull 6 cars around my lower mainline loop on the my HO scale Libraryville layout. Pulling that load or just 3 of the Christmas cars it couldn’t make it up a 3 or 4 percent grade. No matter. Because I was surprised it ran at all, I grabbed my phone and took a video of it running around the track.
It would be 13 months before I finally finished posting the video to YouTube and my website.
Well model railroad fans, this is a cruel review of a brand new, just received, right out of the box, HO scale Athearn Genesis Union Pacifc Heritage DCC-Sound Equipped SD-70ACe Diesel Engine Locomotive #1943. It was delivered on December 3rd, 2020, I opened it shortly after midnight on the 4th of December. I took it out of the box and placed it on my tracks. I grabbed my cell phone and started recording a video. I went over some brief details about the locomotive and I mentioned some new updates to my layout. Actually, the video was supposed to be about the new updates to my layout. I spoke to a friend and he wanted to see a video of the changes I made. Since the new locomotive came in, I decided I would film it as well as show the updates to the layout. My friend would get to see both at the same time.
What I didn’t expect was the locomotive not to move right out of the box. I had to push it to get it to start moving. Once I did that, it moved half-way around my layout. I stopped it. Then I turned the throttle up again and it wouldn’t move. This time, even giving it a push it would not move. I had to end the video the examine the locomotive further. I sat down and read the paperwork from front to back. In it, it has some troubleshooting tips. One of those is what to do if the sound works but the locomotive doesn’t move. It is recommended that I reset the locomotive to factory settings. So, I did that. It was successfully reset to factory and upon turning the transformer back on, after about 10 seconds, the lights blinked 16 times. This is an indication of a successful reset.
However, the locomotive still would not move. I took the shell off and tried to get it to move. It would not. I pressed down on the locomotive while it was on the tracks and the throttle was engaged. Finally, it moved. I let it run for 30 minutes at various speed-steps, but didn’t push it above 14 (using 28 speed steps). Then I ran it in reverse. I let it run until I became too sleepy to deal with it any more. I went to bed.
After a long day, I returned and with a little difficulty, I was able to get the locomotive to run again. This time, I let it run several laps around on speed-step 1. Then I did the same thing in reverse. I eventually after more than hour, increased the speed and ran it at speed-step 4 for a while. I lubricated the places indicated in the manual as points of lubrication. I did this by apply oil onto a toothpick and then placing the toothpick and the many points illustrated in the guidebook. I ran the locomotive both forward and in reverse for another 30 to 45 minutes. Eventually, I put the shell back on it and let it run for several more minutes in both directions. I had to push start it several times. So you can imagine my frustration. Eventually, it did perform better, but still, the locomotive should work flawlessly instead of picking and choosing when it wants to move and when it doesn’t.
Sadly, folks, after a day of resting, I tried to operate the beautiful UP #1943 again, and it wouldn’t move. I tried pressing down on it, giving it a push forward and backwards. It would not move in response to throttle commands. I reached out to the seller and the manufacturer. I will update you as to the outcome of this locomotive once the issues has been addressed by one of them. 12/7/2020 – Henry
Now you can give ShowMyHobby.com Gift Cards to anyone. Our gift cards are electronic and are emailed directly to the recipient. They are immediately usable the moment they are received.
In 2020, ShowMyHobby.com has a lot of great Model Railroad trains and train related items available for the Fall Holidays. We also have some excellent Christmas and train themed ornaments. And there are lot more of each of these items to be listed. So this Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, give a gift that you know will be well received. If you have a relative that is a model railroader, train enthusiast or ornament collector, by purchasing a ShowMyHobby.com Gift Card, you can select an amount, specify the recipient and when that person receives our email they’ll be able to visit our site, select they item or items that interest them and pay for them using the digital card code that they received. It really is that easy. You’ll be happy and satisfied know you gave them the opportunity to get what they wanted. You won’t have to worry about getting something that doesn’t fit or something they won’t like. They will enjoy the item that they select because they selected it. And who knows what they want better than them?
ShowMyHobby.com Gift Cards! That’s the way to make any train enthusiast, hobbyist or collect very happy this Holiday Season in the year 2020 and 2021.
Location Hickory Metro Convention Center 1960 13th Ave Dr SE Hickory, NC 28602
Date and Time November 21, 2020 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, November 21st, there will be a TRAIN SHOW / NC Railroad Expo at the Hickory NC Metro & Convention Center. located in Hickory, directly off I-40. This train show is a much needed event and the last one this year. It opens at 9:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM. ShowMyHobby.com will be there with several tables of great G, HO, N, O and S scale model railroad trains and accessories for sale. Items available from ShowMyHobby include Steam and Diesel engine locomotives, train cars (assembled and kits), tracks, buildings (assembled and kits), trucks, trailers, semi-tractor trailers, Intermodal rail cars, trains sets, shipping containers, train ornaments, and other model railroad accessories.
This is an excellent opportunity to get into the World’s Greatest Hobby of model railroading or to add to your train empire or collection. ShowMyHobby has roadname signs and placards, lapel pins, engineer hats for both children and adults, plus tons of modern and older era trains and automobiles. Grab your spouse, the children and even a neighbor or two and come on over to the Hickory Train Show. The concession stand will be open with snacks. Make a day of it. You’ll love it!
Admission is $5 for adults and teens over the age of 12. Mask are required and social-distancing procedures are in place.
ShowMyHobby.com shall be a vendor in attendance at the train show. Cash and plastic are acceptable forms of payment (payment using plastic credit and debit cards incur an additional 3% processing fee). PayPal app users can pay using the app. Currently, there are over 100 items available on the ShowMyHobby website. There will be over 500 items at the show. Items sold at the show will take precedence over items sold online during the day of the show. Most of our items are in original boxes or packaging and are in great shape. Many of our items are new, old stock or opened-boxed items. Some items have been slightly used. At passed shows, we have allowed testing of locomotives. During this show, no testing will be allowed and items will not be allowed to leave our area without payment. Please limit your handling of items to a minimum prior to your purchase.
Not sure where we will be inside the building yet. Once I find out, I will try to update this ad. I will be wearing one of the Blue & White Denim Engineer hats that we sell.
Are you looking for Christmas Gift ideas? Trains are the World’s Greatest Hobby. They make excellent gifts for people. Can’t make it to the show. No problems. Visit ShowMyHobby.com. We now have GIFT Cards available online only for amounts up to $500. Give the train collector and enthusiast in your life a wonderful Christmas gift. Give them a Gift Card so they can get exactly the train item they want or need. Available online only!
The Hickory Train Show is sponsored by the Alexander Chapter- NRHS. ShowMyHobby.com helps promote the show to increase awareness and participation.
Are you looking for a great gift for Dad, your Grandfather, Brother, or other Male relative?
Now you can give ShowMyHobby.com Gift Cards to anyone. Our gift cards are electronic and are emailed directly to the recipient. They are immediately usable the moment they are received.
In 2020, ShowMyHobby.com has a lot of great Model Railroad trains and train related items available for Father’s Day. We also have some excellent Christmas and train themed ornaments. And there are lot more of each of these items to be listed. So this Father’s Day, give a gift that you know will be well received. If you have a relative that is a model railroader, train enthusiast or ornament collector, by purchasing a ShowMyHobby.com Gift Card, you can select an amount, specify the recipient and when that person receives our email they’ll be able to visit our site, select they item or items that interest them and pay for them using the digital card code that they received. It really is that easy. You’ll be happy and satisfied know you gave them the opportunity to get what they wanted. You won’t have to worry about getting something that doesn’t fit or something they won’t like. They will enjoy the item that they select because they selected it. And who knows what they want better than them?
ShowMyHobby.com Gift Cards! That’s the way to make a father very happy on Father’s Day in the year 2020. And this year, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th, 2020.
Location Hickory Metro Convention Center 1960 13th Ave Dr SE Hickory, NC 28602
Date and Time June 13, 2020 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The 18th Annual NC Railroad Expo will be held June 13th, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. ShowMyHobby.com will be there with several tables of great G, HO, N, O and S scale model railroad trains and accessories for sale. Items available from ShowMyHobby include Steam and Diesel engine locomotives, train cars (assembled and kits), tracks, buildings (assembled and kits), trucks, trailers, semi-tractor trailers, track-guides, train ornaments, and other model railroad accessories.
This is an excellent opportunity to get into the World’s Greatest Hobby of model railroading or to add to your train empire or collection. ShowMyHobby has roadname signs and placards, lapel pins, engineer hats for both children and adults, plus tons of modern and older era trains and automobiles. Grab your spouse, the children and even a neighbor or two and come on over to the Hickory Train Show. The concession stand will be open with hotdogs, BBQ, chips and drinks.
Admission is $5 for adults and teens over the age of 12. Mask are highly recommended and social-distancing procedures are in place.
ShowMyHobby.com shall be a vendor in attendance at the train show. Cash and plastic are acceptable forms of payment (payment using plastic credit and debit cards incur an additional 3% processing fee). PayPal app users can pay using the app. Currently, there are over 120 items available on the ShowMyHobby website. There will be over 500 items at the show. Items sold at the show will take precedence over items sold online during the day of the show. Most of our items are in original boxes or packaging and are in great shape. Many of our items are new, old stock or opened-boxed items. Some items have been slightly used. At passed shows, we have allowed testing of locomotives. During this show, no testing will be allowed and items will not be allowed to leave our area without payment. Please limit your handling of items to a minimum prior to your purchase.
ShowMyHobby is located on the last isle on the left about 3 rows back, 2nd column from the wall. I will be wearing one of the Blue & White Denim Engineer hats that we sell (provided it doesn’t get too hot to do so). The isles are 12 foot wide with plenty of space to move around and practice social distancing.
The Hickory Train Show is sponsored by the Alexander Chapter- NRHS. ShowMyHobby.com helps promote the show to increase awareness and participation.
Hours: Friday, February 28, 2020 Noon to 7 PM Saturday, February 29, 2020 9 AM to 5 PM
Free Parking, Admission $6.00 per day Children under 10 FREE with Adult 8 working layouts with over 200 vendor tables.
ShowMyHobby.com will have several tables at the 2020 Train Show this year. We should be located towards the back just in front of the model train layout exhibits. We will have a lot of NEW and Used trains in excellent condition. We encourage you to come out and bring the family to this event. It doesn’t matter if you’re a train lover, modeler, or railfan, you will have a wonderful time viewing the the exhibits and seeing some of the latest and greatest model railroad items on the market plus a few antiques and older stuff too. Marvel at the spectacular things related to the World’s Greatest Hobby!
I will be there offering most of the train items listed for sale on this website plus hundreds of other items that haven’t been listed yet. I have a lot of modern era model railroad trains and accessories in HO scale, N scale, O scale, S scale and G scale. I accept CASH and ALL Plastic Credit or Debit cards. We have items ranging from $2 up to $1200 with the average price being $20 to $150. I have Ready-To-Run items and building kits. You will find a lot a great items to choose from. Additionally, I am accepting train and train related consignments that are mostly like new N scale and HO scale items up until 7 PM on February 25th. If you have trains or train related items that you wish to consign to be sold, let me know as soon as possible. Here is a link to a previous show ad that was held in Gastonia last year: https://charlotte.craigslist.org/wad/d/belmont-get-your-trains-sold-in-june/6885619709.html.
