Another strangely engineered locomotive. Watching you fiddle with those springs, brushes, and trucks once again makes me think just how right Athearn got it with the Blue Box design. Take care, Jeff.
This one is really old and it was made for America only. Nice to see it on your channel! There was a little trick form old Yugoslavian guy about the noise on this old motors. Spring that fix the brushes has to much tension. Made a new one, or squeeze this one, that it wont have so much tension on brushes 😂
Wow! No railings missing! It’s almost a miracle! Besides the fact she was not running, she is in a very good condition. And how she pulls! Incredible… Funny thing Ron: first time I saw the ATT brand in a box, I though myself: “What a hell! American Telegraph and Telephone Co. messing with trains?” How silly I was…😂
You forgot the most important part of the Alco C-415 story the demonstrator unit was sold and shipped to Australia and is still used but now in a heritage service.
Interesting grade torture test, blue smoke for the win. Ron, I don't see how you can work on those small engines. But you always figure it out and do an amazing job. 😉👍
Ron, I am o gauge man. Even though it is a HO I enjoy your videos. You have a special aptitude for mechanics and a sense of how it applies to these small engines. Thank you.
Hey Ron, you really make me smile ! Love your shows. Get some Noalox, by Ldeal, antioxident. (in electrical dept.) Wipe it on, then wipe it off, with a clean cotton swawb, on all electrical contacts,should not be visible. Nerd information; on comutators, the slots are insulators, the bars are segments. "Just less than too much, perfect !" "Scrub to get the Sube off."
Until fairly recently, there was a quarterly magazine named "HO Collector". The istQ 2021 issue had an artile on the ATT company, including a discussion of the Mehano-built Alco C-415 model. Incidentally, I have repowered several of these models. The easiest approach is to use the chassis from the later eight-wheel drive Mehano RS-11.
@@classicmodeltrains HO Collector seems to still be around. On its website, there is a warning notice that deliveries could be delayed due to Hurricane Helena, so unless they went out of business within the last few days they are still in business.
I was glad to see this video as I have quite a bit of ATT trains, I have purposely been collecting them over the years. You don't see or hear much about them on any of the model train RUclips channels or forums. I have a lot of the FT locomotives, Centercabs locomotives, Roco freight cars and Tri-Ang passenger cars.
Ron you really do a great job. You’re every man’s railroad hobbyist. Having fun. Goofing off. Learning by doing and showing us all how to do things better the first time. Fantastic!
I almost lost my mind working on a similar Mehano motor with that fiddlely gear array [DON'T EVER TAKE THE WORM GEAR OFF AS CATASTROPHE AWAITS]. The meshing of those gears add to the crazy making, not to mention the brushes' set up with that awkward way to bring voltage to them. And the motor itself that hangs up all the time. I salute your work on one of the most frustrating motor bogie I've ever worked on!
Great video Ron. That little locomotive is a beast. Great job on restoring it. I saw a real C 415 in operation at a lumber mill in Oregon about 15 years or so ago. It was still in Burlington Northern colors. I have always liked the look of the C 415.
I used to see the Rock Island ones that were assigned to Chicago as a teen-ager. I actually had one of the life-like ones back in the mid 70s. I remember mine having the metal plates like this one not the plastic. Perhaps a design change post 1975. Also, I think this model was still available recently as a Mehano branded unit. It seems that very few of the old models ever go away they just get rebranded every few years.
EXCELLENT! I own the exact SAME locomotive and had little background info on it. Mine runs, but is in dire need of a major overhaul like the one you just performed. I’m glad yours still runs in spite of your “mishap.” Your train engineer’s outfit adds a lot to the video presentation. Many thanks, Ron, and keep the repair videos coming! 🚂
You just couldn't help yourself, could you 😄 I'm glad the poor loco was tough enough to withstand your torture test. I have a Model Power Alco RS2 made in Yugoslavia with the same brittle hand rails, very fragile but a good quiet runner, with all wheel pickup and drive. It's amazing how all these locos are basically the same thing with different brands stuck on them. I like them though, low priced and detailed enough. 😊👍
Hey Ron you're asking for supporters- how about you owe me!?!? Because of your channel, I've spent thousands on rebuilding my collection lol. Thank you for such awesome content brother
Way back in my younger years we would use a warehouse forklift to pull loaded semi-trucks around the yard when they were stalled for whatever reason. I did not think it would pull the load. But it did. Very well. The old guy supervisor of mine told me as long as you got traction it will pull. Never forgot that. I think your traction tires did the work. LOL. Take care Ron and as always thanks. G
I have one of these models, purchased new in 1974. It ran well the last time I ran it, maybe 35 years ago. I custom painted it for the Burlington Northern, they acquired it from the Spokane Portland & Seattle in the merger that created the BN in 1970... It ran great, a strong puller..
The interior of this engine reminds me of one that I put aside in frustration last year. Maybe it's time to try again. The engine I've got is a Southern Pacific RS-11, and it was my very first loco.
Well Ron that was an adventure. Traction tires are a problem when doing a pull test especially with all four of them having tires and it ends up being a moot test in the end. I do like the adjustable ramp you made but I see locomotives hitting the floor in your future. This would be very entertaining, and you could call it the Pugsley Adams segment, lol. Great informative session with repair and service, Jersey Bill
Hello Jersey Bill, I'm curious on how traction tires make a pull test a moot point? I can see traction tires vs. non traction tire's loco's. That would be an unfair advantage. I'm just getting research here on this grade ramp ive made here. want to make sure the tests are as "scientific" as possible :-)
@@classicmodeltrains It is not entirely a moot test, but some tests end up with a very hot motor or a crispy commutator and brushes. A digital force gauge is the best way to test pulling power because you only need to power the loco for a second. A digital force gauge is a glorified fish scale in the end. I like your ramp as long as you don't run electric to the motor more than 3 seconds when you get over 10 or more degrees. I would put some plexiglass sides on the ramp just saying, lol. Jersey Bill
Super. I always wanted an Alco C-415 center cab locomotive for my railroad, and so I took a look at the American Train and Track model. AT&T (ATT) imported brass and plastic models from England, Japan, and Yugoslavia, so I had high hopes. The model looked great and had an enclosed drive, but the traction tires (I knew back then) and the handrails really broke the deal, and even though I was only ten years old, and I really wanted one, I passed on it. Decades later, and decades ago, while I was checking out a garage sale, I found one, along with the remains of an ATT EMD FT unit which had the same brass electrical pickups as the Century loco, and the same axles and wheels. Long story short, I added the pickups to the powered truck on the C-415, changed the wheels and axles, added new handrails, couplers, weight, diode directional lighting, and details, and ended up with an ATT Alco C-415 with eight wheel electrical pickup and four wheels driven. (And a dummy ATT EMD FT unit, using the traction tire wheels filled in with epoxy.) Extra weight lets the center cab Century locomotive pull 12 to 15 cars, which is less than my Mantua/Tyco Plymouth CR-4 center cab four wheel switcher will pull, but the "I have one" part of me is satisfied, and it operates pretty well for such an old girl. The loco also came with three different height cabs and an option to raise the bottom of the fuel tank to clear the rails by thirteen inches so that the C-415 could be used in rock quarries. Good video. Hello again from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.
Great video Ron. I have the very same loco in Penn Central made by ATT. I bought it on my 16th birthday way back on May 14, 1969. I believe it was $9.99. It was always a rough runner but it could really pull many cars. I just cleaned and lubed it up recently. I also put on new traction tires. Still runs after all these years
Fiberglass pencils are just _amazing_ for this kind of work. Ever since I ordered my first pack, I've always tried to keep a bunch in stock in my room. Perfect if I'm getting something from the used market and the train needs a wheel cleaning (such as a couple of otherwise-serviced Con-Cors I picked up a while back).
Hi Ron. Good to see you. Good job and good history, funny a lot of companies in the day were owned by a few people. They say follow the money, for what that's worth.lol. Glad you left the pull test in, it was a great chuckle 😂 Glad nothing broke. Chat again soon, Cheers G.
Hi Ron, it is a bit sketchy, but fantastic entertainment at the same time 😂. ( I tried to answer your direct message but it keeps saying an error occurred, story of my life 😊)
It’s amazing that that single truck drive could accomplish wat it did, of course the traction tires helped quite a lot. Nice video as always, your ability with ypthis vintage models is amazing.
Bridget Bardot? Also, I'm starting to really like your videos. Im 61, and have been into damn near every train you've torn apart. Brings back many broke ass memories! Lol Great stuff
Great video, I knew Mehano was producing for Model Power but never knew they were that old. Akways great to find a model that old and seeing it running again.
@@classicmodeltrains I guess you're right. Occasionaly you find some model that you just get because it looks good and then you get curious about its history.
I'll go c 415 is my all-time favorite engine those little models are strong runners when they've been overhauled a few of my collection I'm glad you made this video there's different versions a bunch of them the later ones have eight wheel drive thank you
Coogan’s Bluff Fun movie of dirty 1970’s NYC. The end scene of the motorcycle chase in the park is Fort Tryon if memmory serves and the Cloisters up there in Manhattan. That’s where I grew up as a kid. On the northwest corner of Broadway and Dyckman Ave was a train shop in the 60’s and 70’s. Lots of history for me there and in that movie. Thanks Ron
I remember seeing these in the IHC ads in the 90's. I looked up Mehano and they still make HO stuff, including the same Burlington war emergency red gondola I received for Christmas back in '74.
Hello again Rob, The karmer brothers of Baltimore owners of Like-Like bought the Varney company in 1960 from the original owner Gordon Varney before his death in 1965, It continued under that name until march 1970, Varney would become you guessed it, Life-Like Trains! I think Life-like should have taken over A.H.M/I.H.C that would have been their golden opportunity, Also, In 2014 Model Power would be bought out by Lionel starting their third attempt at 'HO' scale.
Good looking and powerful little locomotive Ron. Great video as well. I love the fact that you provide the real life story and photos for us who want to be in the know. Never knew these existed until today, so thank you for sharing!
I’m a real day HOBO on the rails I ride the steel and I love your channel I’ve always been in love with trains and model trains so thank you for your grate work that you do my friend shaggy Over and Out
Thanks for watching. I only get around 200 comments to reply to over a video's life time. If I start getting 800-1200 comments it might be hard to respond to them all ;-)
A great little loco there Ron. I love those types of locos. The new grade gauge seems like a bit of fun... after a while you will have a whole video of bloopers for the grade calculator... I look forward to your next video... Cheers from Melb.
Another good one. The history lessons are especially fascinating. The 60's were my childhood days. Did you ever smell the house when your kid forgot to turn the transformer off? My parents did and boy oh boy that ended my train collecting for a while. 😂 Keep up the great work Ron. It's always a pleasure when you put a vid up.
Yes them old Lionel transformers always had a certain smell. I put a smoke bomb in a hopper car once, though I would get the house aired out enough before Parents got home. Yup, I was grounded from the layout for awhile as well :-)
Another fun video, Ron. Man, I've never seen such a complicated set up as that motor and pick-up arrangement. What is it about Engineers? They love to change things and make them as complicated as possible.
Another? Good one I wish you would've got that thing slightened back that would have been great , and you laugh on about it makes it even better keep from coming brother , thank you
This repair was unique for sure. Thank you for the manufacturer(s) history, aka importers only. What a scam. lol AHM passenger cars always had Rivarossi on the bottom. Crazy. Thank you for another fun video.
Life-Like actually did make trains. Most of what they had though in the beginning (1970 ish) was from Varney and Revell. Eventually, they did retool and then in the 1980's, snagged the Athearn drive system for their P1K and P2K models before being bought up by Walthers. A buddy gave me a AHM/Mehano/ATT S3 to work on. That motor took a dump. I have to see if I can find a replacement but its the same motor that your C-415 has in it.
Sure the early 70's stuff I agree, But I bet by the end of the 70's it was imported. Heck even when Mantua was re-released there stuff was made in china
Hi Ron, Great video as always, you got your model history spot on, l love that someone other than me loves old trains. I’m a Triang collector here in the Uk and I’ve got some ATT Triang Budd RDC’s that went all the way over the pond to the USA, to be then re-imported back to the Uk, they still look amazing and run very well. Looking forward to your next video 👍
Excellent Video! I can never get those Hungarian Locomotives to run smoothly. I think it’s because of the 3 pole motors…. But, they definitely pull a heavy load!
I had one of these back in the day. I hated how they ran! Bowser is coming out with a modern highly detailed model of this locomotive. Those must be some great traction tires!
Weird how the model version has such a following and been produced for so long and there was only 28 of the real ones. Yes them tires were pretty amazing
I read that as well during my research. Then another site mentioned the feller I talked about. Leave it to the internet to have poor information on it ;-)
Good video, the history on the Alco C-415 was good except for the fact that it actually isn't by definition a switcher (even though that is what they were used for). The Alco C-415 is actually a more of a "Transfer" type locomotive due to the placement of the cab. All of the of the smaller one man crewed General Electrics, Davenports, and Whitcomb with cabs centered on or near the middle of the frame are transfer locomotives. I have heard that the Rock Island labeled their Alco C-415 as their only "Transfer" type of locomotives that they purchased. The research I have done seems to point that ALL Alco C-415s were designated as transfer types regardless of the road that purchased them, or what they were assigned to do. (Just so you are aware the video was great and will look into getting one of my own. This comment is for constructive criticism is about the history section as at the time of the C-415's production they were the only transfer type locomotive being made of that size other than those made by General Electric like their 110-ton and 125-ton locomotives)
Thanks. In the video I mentioned it as a "road-switcher". I did not elaborate into that as much as I should have I guess. I agree She's a big girl and can do a lot more than just yard switching.
Hi Ron, nice video. I like the ramp for testing. I use a ramp for working out the right under-load revs needed for replacement motors for brass locos. From the track speed and gearing you can work out the actual operating revs you need from the motor. I’m also looking at cheap art store bristle paint brushes for cleaning, instead of fibreglass pencils. I really don’t like the broken fibreglass fibres ending up all over the place, and in my fingers etc …
Hi Ron, sorry to be a while replying. I put a loco on a piece of test track on a yard of 2 x 1. Then I tilt the track until the loco is like pulling a load, and at a speed like the prototype. Then I time the seconds to run say 2 feet. Then by measuring the diameter of the drivers of the model, and counting or knowing the number of teeth on the worm gear of the drive, I can calculate the motor RPM. So to see what maximum RPM a replacement motor should have, I assume it will rotate at 60% of rated speed when it’s under load. I do various other calcs as well for the 60% etc. You can use an actual train on a layout instead of a ramp, I can send you an actual calculation on your e-mail if you are interested in the details.
Wow, she's a puller! Pretty amazing pulling force on that kind of grade with that weight...impressive. I thought you were going to Evel Knevel that puppy off the ramp there for a second. And this was after I thought you were going to Super Dave Osborne it into the side of the toolbox. Good thing you didn't have momentum braking on at the time. All's well that ends well though. And I got an honorable mention. I'm somebody now. :) Great vid. Keep 'em coming.
Neat little engine. Thought about getting one for myself but it’s right at the end of my railroad time period and decided against stretching my limit. After seeing you open it up, I’m glad I didn’t buy one. The guts look too complicated for me and the pizza cutter wheels sealed the matter. Interesting show though, and I never would have guessed who the young woman was. She was totally unfamiliar to me.
I get those pointy Q-Tip's in the makeup section of the drug store. The ones I get are pointy on one end and kind of heart shaped and flat on the other end. They are great for cleaning.
Hi Ron - thanks for a good informative rant mid-way into this one. Had been wondering about Tri-ang's catalogue's links to North American market, particularly the action models. Had always assumed that the ex-Empire was always a sales-driver for Tri-ang, but the Lionel action sets are rather illuminating, and the "Importer You've Never Heard Of" echoes our own (UK) relationship with a couple of others (1:80, anyone). And no, generally don't remove magnets unless you've got one of those magic remagnetizing doo-dahs. regards cs
Ive heard people mention your magnet removal theory because they "read it somewhere" back in the 70's or 80's. I enjoy a nice debate with facts, and if/when proven wrong, I enjoy it as a learning experience. All the research I have done personally, magnets do not loose there magnetism by simply removing them. I have found no data to prove that statement. It would be a great subject for a video. I just need more proof. :-)
Hello from the UK Ron, if you have time to watch "Sam's trains" from the UK, he has a great way of testing the pulling power of the locomotive's and it's a lot less scary, no need for any juggling 😅. Also I find loco's with a drive like your c415 pull better with the motor at the rear nearest the consist.
The long name reminds me of the Ford Falcon XY GTHO 351 Phase 3 Shaker. 😮. I expect there is one in America. It's an Australian car and at the time was the world's fastest 4-door family sedan. Just the thing to go to Kmart. I have Tomix and the trucks just unclip at a bit of an angle sideways.
Triang later merged with Hornby, and became part of Hornby. Eventually they dropped the Triang name. Triang also did 1/1200 dicast ships. Your q-tips look like the Tamiya ones.
ATT also imported into the USA Triang's Transcontinental range of North American style passenger cars (very nice generic models) and their version of the RDC from the UK.
The Rock Island had 10 of these units #415 - #424. Yhey were geared for 70 mph or 83 mph. They stayed close to Chicago. I have one of these models decorated for Rock Island #415. The handrails are brittle.
Hi Ron on the layout that you have in your room how do you loop the trains back around? I have a small room and don’t have much room I like the way your straight track is close to the wall but I’m not sure how much room I’ll need to loop it back around. I have some long passenger cars that probably need a 22” curve? Have you ever used just a straight track that has the electronic device that just makes them run forwards and backwards like a trolley?
I have whats called a switching or shelf layout. Its not made to go in a circle. a 22" radius needs 44" to turn 180 degrees. thats center of rail to center of rail. so a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood is almost to small because your trains will be dangerously close to the edge. I have never used the device your mentioning. I dont run trains much. I enjoy the modeling portion of it and of course the fixing part ;-)
I got a whole pile of AHM-branded locomotives with this same drive and motor in them. Same issues with poor electrical pickup, poor low speed operation, and the usual hot motor issue. I've been thinking about trying to find a can motor with flywheel that will fit inside the framework of the old motor.
I guess the ATT was another distributor of those Yugoslavian models since it looks identical to the AHM road switchers I got as a kid. The bottom and inside motor layout looks identical to an AHM RS-3.
The construction is almost identical to the MP Alco 630(?). I fabricated an "Athearn" chassis out of brass and mounted the shell on. Something similar could be done with this unit.
I have a old Mantua steam ho train when I got it it didn't run took off the case got the motor only runs with wires on the motor.doesnt run any other way Do you think it's the wire from the tender to the locomotive?
Ive done many Tyco/Mantua steam revivals. Check out the video's and follow what I did. Yours should come right back around. Look for my playlists category and goto the tyco repair video's.
Life Like trains were started off the molds of the train manufacturer Varney. About the Alco C-415 the main owner of the real locomotives was the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific. (AKA Rock Island).
Thanks! Nice detective work and repair. I really appreciate the history lessons.
Thanks so much Gabe!!
Another strangely engineered locomotive. Watching you fiddle with those springs, brushes, and trucks once again makes me think just how right Athearn got it with the Blue Box design. Take care, Jeff.
The Boys at Athearn earned there paychecks for sure!
This one is really old and it was made for America only.
Nice to see it on your channel!
There was a little trick form old Yugoslavian guy about the noise on this old motors. Spring that fix the brushes has to much tension. Made a new one, or squeeze this one, that it wont have so much tension on brushes 😂
I was hoping you would catch this one. Thanks for that little hint with the brush spring :-)
@@classicmodeltrains love from old Yugoslavian guy 😂
Wow! No railings missing! It’s almost a miracle! Besides the fact she was not running, she is in a very good condition. And how she pulls! Incredible…
Funny thing Ron: first time I saw the ATT brand in a box, I though myself: “What a hell! American Telegraph and Telephone Co. messing with trains?” How silly I was…😂
A new set of traction tires and a lube job I couldn't believe how hard it pulled as well. ;-)
Soooper-loobe! Traction tyres! Gravity! Full power! No third hand! -- Another Classic Ron Video!
Thanks Darren ;-)
You forgot the most important part of the Alco C-415 story the demonstrator unit was sold and shipped to Australia and is still used but now in a heritage service.
I guess I didnt find that part in my research. Sounds quite interesting.
Nice job restoring this att c415 locomotive!
Thank you very much!
Interesting grade torture test, blue smoke for the win. Ron, I don't see how you can work on those small engines. But you always figure it out and do an amazing job. 😉👍
Thanks John.
Ron, I am o gauge man. Even though it is a HO I enjoy your videos. You have a special aptitude for mechanics and a sense of how it applies to these small engines. Thank you.
Glad your enjoying my vids
Hey Ron, you really make me smile ! Love your shows.
Get some Noalox, by Ldeal, antioxident. (in electrical dept.) Wipe it on, then wipe it off, with a clean cotton swawb, on all electrical contacts,should not be visible.
Nerd information; on comutators, the slots are insulators, the bars are segments. "Just less than too much, perfect !" "Scrub to get the Sube off."
Thank you!
Until fairly recently, there was a quarterly magazine named "HO Collector". The istQ 2021 issue had an artile on the ATT company, including a discussion of the Mehano-built Alco C-415 model. Incidentally, I have repowered several of these models. The easiest approach is to use the chassis from the later eight-wheel drive Mehano RS-11.
I liked the HO collector mag. To bad it didnt make enough $$$ to keep going. Thanks for the chassis update info.
@@classicmodeltrains
HO Collector seems to still be around. On its website, there is a warning notice that deliveries could be delayed due to Hurricane Helena, so unless they went out of business within the last few days they are still in business.
LOL Was afraid it was going to launch off the end of the ramp. Pulled that weight right up the hill. Thanks for sharing. Watching to the end.
I need a railing at the top I believe. Accidents do happen
I was glad to see this video as I have quite a bit of ATT trains, I have purposely been collecting them over the years. You don't see or hear much about them on any of the model train RUclips channels or forums. I have a lot of the FT locomotives, Centercabs locomotives, Roco freight cars and Tri-Ang passenger cars.
Right on! I just found another one in my stash last night. a F unit. Now I know what to look for
Ron you really do a great job. You’re every man’s railroad hobbyist. Having fun. Goofing off. Learning by doing and showing us all how to do things better the first time. Fantastic!
Very kind of you Michael ;-)
I almost lost my mind working on a similar Mehano motor with that fiddlely gear array [DON'T EVER TAKE THE WORM GEAR OFF AS CATASTROPHE AWAITS]. The meshing of those gears add to the crazy making, not to mention the brushes' set up with that awkward way to bring voltage to them. And the motor itself that hangs up all the time. I salute your work on one of the most frustrating motor bogie I've ever worked on!
It did love to hang up upon applying voltage. Very annoying
Great video Ron. That little locomotive is a beast. Great job on restoring it. I saw a real C 415 in operation at a lumber mill in Oregon about 15 years or so ago. It was still in Burlington Northern colors. I have always liked the look of the C 415.
I used to see the Rock Island ones that were assigned to Chicago as a teen-ager. I actually had one of the life-like ones back in the mid 70s. I remember mine having the metal plates like this one not the plastic. Perhaps a design change post 1975. Also, I think this model was still available recently as a Mehano branded unit. It seems that very few of the old models ever go away they just get rebranded every few years.
Thank you. I like the styling as well
I never knew ANY of the 26 locos EVER wore BN colors & logo.
You learn something every day! 🚂
EXCELLENT! I own the exact SAME locomotive and had little background info on it. Mine runs, but is in dire need of a major overhaul like the one you just performed. I’m glad yours still runs in spite of your “mishap.”
Your train engineer’s outfit adds a lot to the video presentation.
Many thanks, Ron, and keep the repair videos coming! 🚂
Hope you get yours running the rails well once again
You just couldn't help yourself, could you 😄 I'm glad the poor loco was tough enough to withstand your torture test. I have a Model Power Alco RS2 made in Yugoslavia with the same brittle hand rails, very fragile but a good quiet runner, with all wheel pickup and drive. It's amazing how all these locos are basically the same thing with different brands stuck on them. I like them though, low priced and detailed enough. 😊👍
It pulled harder than I though it would
@@classicmodeltrains 😊
😂😂😂😂 I'm dying laughing. You pulled a wheelie with a Locomotive. Maybe that's the new sport. Wheelies with Locomotives. 😂😂😂
No locomotives got hurt in the filming of this video ;-)
Absolutly.
Hey Ron you're asking for supporters- how about you owe me!?!? Because of your channel, I've spent thousands on rebuilding my collection lol. Thank you for such awesome content brother
Addictions are more fun with others ;-). Make sure to keep your collection. Many Fellers sell it off after awhile and then regret it.
Another great video. Keep'em coming! Great show of patience with those brush springs!
Thanks Wayne👍
Love the information. I started watching your Lionel ZW rebuild and I have been hooked since.
Greetings Glenn! Thank you for supporting my channel and becoming a Member! Appreciate it much :-)
Way back in my younger years we would use a warehouse forklift to pull loaded semi-trucks around the yard when they were stalled for whatever reason. I did not think it would pull the load. But it did. Very well. The old guy supervisor of mine told me as long as you got traction it will pull. Never forgot that. I think your traction tires did the work. LOL. Take care Ron and as always thanks. G
Agreed! If this was just metal wheels all around it would not have pulled to that high of grade.
You’ve really got a runner!
It goes pretty well once it starts going :-)
Always Enjoy watching Your Videos!
I appreciate that Dennis!
Another great video!!
:-)
Thank you for sharing. Very much enjoyed the video.🚂🚃🚃🚃👍
Thanks for watching
Hi Ron & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Ron & Friends Randy
Hello Randy, Thanks for watching and commenting again :-)
I have one of these models, purchased new in 1974. It ran well the last time I ran it, maybe 35 years ago. I custom painted it for the Burlington Northern, they acquired it from
the Spokane Portland & Seattle in the merger that created the BN in 1970... It ran great, a strong puller..
Fun fact: SP&S wanted 2 more of them but alco refused the order because they had already decided to go out of business.
:-)
The interior of this engine reminds me of one that I put aside in frustration last year. Maybe it's time to try again. The engine I've got is a Southern Pacific RS-11, and it was my very first loco.
Well I hope you can get it running once again
Well Ron that was an adventure. Traction tires are a problem when doing a pull test especially with all four of them having tires and it ends up being a moot test in the end. I do like the adjustable ramp you made but I see locomotives hitting the floor in your future. This would be very entertaining, and you could call it the Pugsley Adams segment, lol. Great informative session with repair and service, Jersey Bill
Hello Jersey Bill, I'm curious on how traction tires make a pull test a moot point? I can see traction tires vs. non traction tire's loco's. That would be an unfair advantage. I'm just getting research here on this grade ramp ive made here. want to make sure the tests are as "scientific" as possible :-)
@@classicmodeltrains It is not entirely a moot test, but some tests end up with a very hot motor or a crispy commutator and brushes. A digital force gauge is the best way to test pulling power because you only need to power the loco for a second. A digital force gauge is a glorified fish scale in the end. I like your ramp as long as you don't run electric to the motor more than 3 seconds when you get over 10 or more degrees. I would put some plexiglass sides on the ramp just saying, lol. Jersey Bill
Another great video, thanks!
:-)
Super. I always wanted an Alco C-415 center cab locomotive for my railroad, and so I took a look at the American Train and Track model. AT&T (ATT) imported brass and plastic models from England, Japan, and Yugoslavia, so I had high hopes. The model looked great and had an enclosed drive, but the traction tires (I knew back then) and the handrails really broke the deal, and even though I was only ten years old, and I really wanted one, I passed on it. Decades later, and decades ago, while I was checking out a garage sale, I found one, along with the remains of an ATT EMD FT unit which had the same brass electrical pickups as the Century loco, and the same axles and wheels. Long story short, I added the pickups to the powered truck on the C-415, changed the wheels and axles, added new handrails, couplers, weight, diode directional lighting, and details, and ended up with an ATT Alco C-415 with eight wheel electrical pickup and four wheels driven. (And a dummy ATT EMD FT unit, using the traction tire wheels filled in with epoxy.) Extra weight lets the center cab Century locomotive pull 12 to 15 cars, which is less than my Mantua/Tyco Plymouth CR-4 center cab four wheel switcher will pull, but the "I have one" part of me is satisfied, and it operates pretty well for such an old girl. The loco also came with three different height cabs and an option to raise the bottom of the fuel tank to clear the rails by thirteen inches so that the C-415 could be used in rock quarries. Good video. Hello again from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.
Sounds like a lot of customization went into that one! Pretty cool!!
Got the same unit from evil bay. Found a new motor that fit and worked out well. Unit now has different paint and a Digitrax decoder !!!
Evil bay??? Why do you call ebay evil bay???
Must be a real nice one now!!
@@classicmodeltrains dont run
bad
@@chessiesystemrailfanman3741 been screwed a couple times
@@joeraderblackrockcentralrr I am sorry for you that happened. I mean that in all sincerity.
Great video Ron. I have the very same loco in Penn Central made by ATT. I bought it on my 16th birthday way back on May 14, 1969. I believe it was $9.99. It was always a rough runner but it could really pull many cars. I just cleaned and lubed it up recently. I also put on new traction tires. Still runs after all these years
Cool that you still have a loco (s) from your childhood! All my stuff got sold off when we moved.
Fiberglass pencils are just _amazing_ for this kind of work. Ever since I ordered my first pack, I've always tried to keep a bunch in stock in my room. Perfect if I'm getting something from the used market and the train needs a wheel cleaning (such as a couple of otherwise-serviced Con-Cors I picked up a while back).
Yes they are.
Another fine video…always time well spent…
Thanks for watching Thomas
Hi Ron.
Good to see you. Good job and good history, funny a lot of companies in the day were owned by a few people. They say follow the money, for what that's worth.lol.
Glad you left the pull test in, it was a great chuckle 😂 Glad nothing broke.
Chat again soon, Cheers G.
Thanks G!
Hi Ron, it is a bit sketchy, but fantastic entertainment at the same time 😂. ( I tried to answer your direct message but it keeps saying an error occurred, story of my life 😊)
Dang technology always letting us down
Great video Ron…thanks for making it…I always learn something new…and you got barrels of patience…cheers from Canada 🍁 🇨🇦
Thanks David👍
It’s amazing that that single truck drive could accomplish wat it did, of course the traction tires helped quite a lot. Nice video as always, your ability with ypthis vintage models is amazing.
Yup them traction tires really brought home a win for this loco :-)
Bridget Bardot?
Also, I'm starting to really like your videos.
Im 61, and have been into damn near every train you've torn apart.
Brings back many broke ass memories!
Lol
Great stuff
I think I used Bridget in another episode. Glad I'm starting to grow on you ;-)
Great video, I knew Mehano was producing for Model Power but never knew they were that old.
Akways great to find a model that old and seeing it running again.
It is fun doing research and learning about the history of all these things. Everybody's related one way or another
@@classicmodeltrains I guess you're right.
Occasionaly you find some model that you just get because it looks good and then you get curious about its history.
Great video Ron, I love the history you provide with each video.
Keep it up brother
Thanks Big W
I'll go c 415 is my all-time favorite engine those little models are strong runners when they've been overhauled a few of my collection I'm glad you made this video there's different versions a bunch of them the later ones have eight wheel drive thank you
Right on!
Coogan’s Bluff Fun movie of dirty 1970’s NYC. The end scene of the motorcycle chase in the park is Fort Tryon if memmory serves and the Cloisters up there in Manhattan. That’s where I grew up as a kid. On the northwest corner of Broadway and Dyckman Ave was a train shop in the 60’s and 70’s. Lots of history for me there and in that movie.
Thanks Ron
Thanks for the info on the movie there Robert!!
Great job. I love the history of proto type and the model
Thanks Brent!
Cool video Ron & thanks for putting my name in the list. Never had my name shown looked real nice. 🤠
Hey there's Dennis! Thanks for becoming a Member there Mister!!!
I remember seeing these in the IHC ads in the 90's. I looked up Mehano and they still make HO stuff, including the same Burlington war emergency red gondola I received for Christmas back in '74.
@@markwilliams2620 new drive. Like the gp18
Them Mehano's are really pretty good loco's. Over looked by many
Very interesting model Ron. Glad it all worked out.
Thanks!
Thanks for another great video. You keep making them and I’ll keep watching them.
Sounds like a good plan!
Hello again Rob, The karmer brothers of Baltimore owners of Like-Like bought the Varney company in 1960 from the original owner Gordon Varney before his death in 1965, It continued under that name until march 1970, Varney would become you guessed it, Life-Like Trains! I think Life-like should have taken over A.H.M/I.H.C that would have been their golden opportunity, Also, In 2014 Model Power would be bought out by Lionel starting their third attempt at 'HO' scale.
Yup! Ive done a few video's on there history of Life-like and Varney
@@classicmodeltrains Thanks again for replying to my comments much appreciated.
That's the most excitement that little locomotive's seen in decades. YeeHaw!!
So much fun it almost died! :-)
Good looking and powerful little locomotive Ron. Great video as well. I love the fact that you provide the real life story and photos for us who want to be in the know. Never knew these existed until today, so thank you for sharing!
Thanks Marty
Great video Ron thanks for the info on the loco
Thanks for watching
I’m a real day HOBO on the rails I ride the steel and I love your channel I’ve always been in love with trains and model trains so thank you for your grate work that you do my friend shaggy Over and Out
Thank you very much Shaggy!
Thanks good job plus thank's for answers to comment's ***** No one does that !!!
Thanks for watching. I only get around 200 comments to reply to over a video's life time. If I start getting 800-1200 comments it might be hard to respond to them all ;-)
A great little loco there Ron. I love those types of locos. The new grade gauge seems like a bit of fun... after a while you will have a whole video of bloopers for the grade calculator... I look forward to your next video... Cheers from Melb.
Greetings Tim! I just hope the blooper real dont include sudden de-acceleration incidents ;-)
Another good one. The history lessons are especially fascinating. The 60's were my childhood days. Did you ever smell the house when your kid forgot to turn the transformer off? My parents did and boy oh boy that ended my train collecting for a while. 😂
Keep up the great work Ron. It's always a pleasure when you put a vid up.
Yes them old Lionel transformers always had a certain smell. I put a smoke bomb in a hopper car once, though I would get the house aired out enough before Parents got home. Yup, I was grounded from the layout for awhile as well :-)
Another fun video, Ron.
Man, I've never seen such a complicated set up as that motor and pick-up arrangement. What is it about Engineers? They love to change things and make them as complicated as possible.
It keeps them employed. Every other year they have to change something here or there so they look busy I'm thinking ;-)
Another?
Good one I wish you would've got that thing slightened back that would have been great , and you laugh on about it makes it even better keep from coming brother , thank you
Been busy at the editing desk I am
This repair was unique for sure. Thank you for the manufacturer(s) history, aka importers only. What a scam. lol AHM passenger cars always had Rivarossi on the bottom. Crazy. Thank you for another fun video.
Thanks for watching and becoming a member there S.F. Bob!!
Life-Like actually did make trains. Most of what they had though in the beginning (1970 ish) was from Varney and Revell. Eventually, they did retool and then in the 1980's, snagged the Athearn drive system for their P1K and P2K models before being bought up by Walthers. A buddy gave me a AHM/Mehano/ATT S3 to work on. That motor took a dump. I have to see if I can find a replacement but its the same motor that your C-415 has in it.
Sure the early 70's stuff I agree, But I bet by the end of the 70's it was imported. Heck even when Mantua was re-released there stuff was made in china
I really enjoy watching the whole video
Thank you for that!!
Thanks!
Thank you very much!!
.I also often repair old locomotives to give them a new life, even if it is sometimes almost hopeless.
nice video, I have subscribed
Thank you for the Sub. Glad your aboard!! Fixing the "hopeless" ones are my favorite. I enjoy the challenge.
Hi Ron, Great video as always, you got your model history spot on, l love that someone other than me loves old trains. I’m a Triang collector here in the Uk and I’ve got some ATT Triang Budd RDC’s that went all the way over the pond to the USA, to be then re-imported back to the Uk, they still look amazing and run very well. Looking forward to your next video 👍
Lots of Miles on them RDC's
Excellent Video!
I can never get those Hungarian Locomotives to run smoothly.
I think it’s because of the 3 pole motors….
But, they definitely pull a heavy load!
Hello Jeb, This is from Yugoslavia. I agree the 3 pole motor made it temperamental
I had one of these back in the day. I hated how they ran!
Bowser is coming out with a modern highly detailed model of this locomotive. Those must be some great traction tires!
Weird how the model version has such a following and been produced for so long and there was only 28 of the real ones. Yes them tires were pretty amazing
I always heard that Hugh Stephens owned ATT....according to Tony Cook's old website, he actually met with Hugh's son Michael Stephens.
I read that as well during my research. Then another site mentioned the feller I talked about. Leave it to the internet to have poor information on it ;-)
I somehow ended up with four of them from Dad's collection as a kid in the mid 90s: 2 ATSF, 1 SP, and 1 MoPac. I thought they were from AHM.
They were imported by AHM eventually. Might have a different chassis under them though?
Well done. I think I have one of the C-415. I gotta go find it.
He He! I hope you do find it and put her back into service :-)
I know it was made in Yugoslavia, it said so. I found other stuff but not that yet. I enjoy your videos, keep em coming.
Good video, the history on the Alco C-415 was good except for the fact that it actually isn't by definition a switcher (even though that is what they were used for). The Alco C-415 is actually a more of a "Transfer" type locomotive due to the placement of the cab.
All of the of the smaller one man crewed General Electrics, Davenports, and Whitcomb with cabs centered on or near the middle of the frame are transfer locomotives.
I have heard that the Rock Island labeled their Alco C-415 as their only "Transfer" type of locomotives that they purchased. The research I have done seems to point that ALL Alco C-415s were designated as transfer types regardless of the road that purchased them, or what they were assigned to do.
(Just so you are aware the video was great and will look into getting one of my own. This comment is for constructive criticism is about the history section as at the time of the C-415's production they were the only transfer type locomotive being made of that size other than those made by General Electric like their 110-ton and 125-ton locomotives)
Thanks. In the video I mentioned it as a "road-switcher". I did not elaborate into that as much as I should have I guess. I agree She's a big girl and can do a lot more than just yard switching.
Hi Ron, nice video. I like the ramp for testing. I use a ramp for working out the right under-load revs needed for replacement motors for brass locos. From the track speed and gearing you can work out the actual operating revs you need from the motor. I’m also looking at cheap art store bristle paint brushes for cleaning, instead of fibreglass pencils. I really don’t like the broken fibreglass fibres ending up all over the place, and in my fingers etc …
How do you count the revs of the motor under load? Sounds interesting!
Hi Ron, sorry to be a while replying. I put a loco on a piece of test track on a yard of 2 x 1. Then I tilt the track until the loco is like pulling a load, and at a speed like the prototype. Then I time the seconds to run say 2 feet. Then by measuring the diameter of the drivers of the model, and counting or knowing the number of teeth on the worm gear of the drive, I can calculate the motor RPM. So to see what maximum RPM a replacement motor should have, I assume it will rotate at 60% of rated speed when it’s under load. I do various other calcs as well for the 60% etc. You can use an actual train on a layout instead of a ramp, I can send you an actual calculation on your e-mail if you are interested in the details.
Thank You Ron, always a great repair video! Kool
Thanks for watching!
Wow, she's a puller! Pretty amazing pulling force on that kind of grade with that weight...impressive. I thought you were going to Evel Knevel that puppy off the ramp there for a second. And this was after I thought you were going to Super Dave Osborne it into the side of the toolbox. Good thing you didn't have momentum braking on at the time. All's well that ends well though. And I got an honorable mention. I'm somebody now. :) Great vid. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks Tim👍
Neat little engine. Thought about getting one for myself but it’s right at the end of my railroad time period and decided against stretching my limit. After seeing you open it up, I’m glad I didn’t buy one. The guts look too complicated for me and the pizza cutter wheels sealed the matter. Interesting show though, and I never would have guessed who the young woman was. She was totally unfamiliar to me.
It does have some monster flanges for sure
I get those pointy Q-Tip's in the makeup section of the drug store. The ones I get are pointy on one end and kind of heart shaped and flat on the other end. They are great for cleaning.
Right on!
I have that model as it was sold by IHC in Southern RR livery. The bottom of mine is labeled with the Mehano marking. Runs great still!
Very Cool!
Hi Ron - thanks for a good informative rant mid-way into this one. Had been wondering about Tri-ang's catalogue's links to North American market, particularly the action models. Had always assumed that the ex-Empire was always a sales-driver for Tri-ang, but the Lionel action sets are rather illuminating, and the "Importer You've Never Heard Of" echoes our own (UK) relationship with a couple of others (1:80, anyone). And no, generally don't remove magnets unless you've got one of those magic remagnetizing doo-dahs.
regards
cs
Ive heard people mention your magnet removal theory because they "read it somewhere" back in the 70's or 80's. I enjoy a nice debate with facts, and if/when proven wrong, I enjoy it as a learning experience. All the research I have done personally, magnets do not loose there magnetism by simply removing them. I have found no data to prove that statement. It would be a great subject for a video. I just need more proof. :-)
Great little loco. That had some very unique brush holders. Rube Goldberg must have invented them.
I bet you're the only guy with a train launcher.
Rube Goldberg! .....Well now that I think about it :-)
I bought and sold a few of these ATT C415. One of my dream models to eventually have, but I want more details
Right on
Another great video, I believe Mehano means Meh 😂 noisy stuff. Cheers!
Thanks. I think Mehano has some really amazing stuff out there. Not the 60's stuff but the 80's and up. Never ran into a cracked gear on them yet! ;-)
Thanks for the video. I've been thinking about going to the model train store.
You should!
Hello from the UK Ron, if you have time to watch "Sam's trains" from the UK, he has a great way of testing the pulling power of the locomotive's and it's a lot less scary, no need for any juggling 😅. Also I find loco's with a drive like your c415 pull better with the motor at the rear nearest the consist.
Greetings from Montana, USA. I will have to check out how Sam does it. I agree my way is a bit sketchy
The long name reminds me of the
Ford Falcon XY GTHO 351 Phase 3 Shaker. 😮. I expect there is one in America. It's an Australian car and at the time was the world's fastest 4-door family sedan. Just the thing to go to Kmart.
I have Tomix and the trucks just unclip at a bit of an angle sideways.
That is a long name for a vehicle
Triang later merged with Hornby, and became part of Hornby. Eventually they dropped the Triang name. Triang also did 1/1200 dicast ships. Your q-tips look like the Tamiya ones.
Thanks for the info Richard
Like the grade tester good idea
Glad you like it
Hahaha put wheely bar's on it!
Vroom Vroom!!
ATT also imported into the USA Triang's Transcontinental range of North American style passenger cars (very nice generic models) and their version of the RDC from the UK.
Yup. They were busy back in the day
@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies well it was really an Australian model
The Rock Island had 10 of these units #415 - #424. Yhey were geared for 70 mph or 83 mph. They stayed close to Chicago.
I have one of these models decorated for Rock Island #415. The handrails are brittle.
Yes handrails suck.
@@classicmodeltrains I've considered replacing them with ones made of wire.
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Thank you very much! I agree :-)
Hi Ron on the layout that you have in your room how do you loop the trains back around? I have a small room and don’t have much room I like the way your straight track is close to the wall but I’m not sure how much room I’ll need to loop it back around. I have some long passenger cars that probably need a 22” curve? Have you ever used just a straight track that has the electronic device that just makes them run forwards and backwards like a trolley?
I have whats called a switching or shelf layout. Its not made to go in a circle. a 22" radius needs 44" to turn 180 degrees. thats center of rail to center of rail. so a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood is almost to small because your trains will be dangerously close to the edge. I have never used the device your mentioning. I dont run trains much. I enjoy the modeling portion of it and of course the fixing part ;-)
@@classicmodeltrains thanks for the info Ron 👍🏻 I enjoy watching your videos especially when I have the same locomotive that your fixing up. 🙂
You could put a cap and diode on the front light, you'd lose it in reverse, but that's not a bad thing to a point.
Lights, I can take em or leave them personally.
I got a whole pile of AHM-branded locomotives with this same drive and motor in them. Same issues with poor electrical pickup, poor low speed operation, and the usual hot motor issue. I've been thinking about trying to find a can motor with flywheel that will fit inside the framework of the old motor.
That would be quite the engineering feet!
I guess the ATT was another distributor of those Yugoslavian models since it looks identical to the AHM road switchers I got as a kid. The bottom and inside motor layout looks identical to an AHM RS-3.
Yup. everybody was related back in the early years
Really enjoyed your history lesson of ATT. I wonder if AT&T had issues with that name?
Classic model has some Lauren Bacall vibes, but I'm not sure, so I'll lay out this week and just go back to my layout.
:-)
The construction is almost identical to the MP Alco 630(?). I fabricated an "Athearn" chassis out of brass and mounted the shell on. Something similar could be done with this unit.
I like to leave them in there stock form. Pieces of history you know ;-)
I have a old Mantua steam ho train when I got it it didn't run took off the case got the motor only runs with wires on the motor.doesnt run any other way
Do you think it's the wire from the tender to the locomotive?
Ive done many Tyco/Mantua steam revivals. Check out the video's and follow what I did. Yours should come right back around. Look for my playlists category and goto the tyco repair video's.
Life Like trains were started off the molds of the train manufacturer Varney. About the Alco C-415 the main owner of the real locomotives was the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific. (AKA Rock Island).
Thanks :-)