Next O Gauge train project

[pjdog350]

A few weeks ago I got a bunch of Lionel MPC flat cars from Terry. I want to make a Army train with mostly WWII Sherman tanks. I seen these available from MTH and Menards but I've not found any lately? I bought 5 Sherman 1/48 thanks from Horizon Hobby. Got two others from Japan. I already have one. So the project is now getting started. My even add a couple half tracks.

I'm going to try to use chain to hold the tanks to the cars? I think I'm the only one on the forum that does not have an army train. Jim has dozens!

[pjdog350]

Going to start assembling the 1/48 early model Tamiya Sherman tank today.
I have 11 Lionel flat cars. Three are 2411. One of those is a camera car. That leaves 10 flat cars that need tanks.
I have one Sherman already built. I have six Tamiya kits. 4 kits are here. Two on the way from Japan. I need three
more Sherman's to make the 10 car army tank train.

[Terry]

When I was in grade school I built Bandai tanks. They were 1/43 scale. You might find them on ebay cheap.

[pjdog350]

I was surfing Menards and saw 1/48 Jeep’s & half tracks. So I got a couple. That should fill out the flat cars.

The paint I’m using is a year old and it kept stopping. I using some super thin wire to clear the paint head but had allot of trouble. Finally I got a Sherman painted. The can seems OK now. I got more paint from Menards also.

[pjdog350]

Started putting one of the Sherman’s together this morning. I hate being old. It’s more difficult than I thought. Plus I painted the model first. That makes the glue not as effective. Wish these where already assembled like the military stuff I ordered from Menard’s.

But I’ll get it done. I need a magnifying glass! Eyes aren’t what they use to be?

[pjdog350]

Hey Terry - found some of those Bandai 1/48 tanks on Ebay. Also found them as Sherman models. I guess they are allot like Lionel prewar trains. The owner wanted $ 70.00 each for a plastic model that just sat there. I can’t afford those. I like them but they are for a rich man. I’m not.

[Terry]

I threw those out. Some were burned first.

[pjdog350]

The progress on the Army train is going very slow. I took me a week to assemble a Tamiya 1/48 scale early Sherman tank. Got one done today. I have 6 more to do. I guess that means it week be another 7 weeks before I can make a video of the new army train running?

[pjdog350]

I finished my Army train. Well - I guess I should say I have 7 Sherman tanks and 2 jeeps and one Menards half track all mounted to flat cars. Made a video of two Lionel postwar 2026 steamers double headed pulling the consist. You never have enough. I have 5 more die cast Sherman tanks in the mail. Plus 4 more Jeeps from Menards.

I'll go to Menard's web site today to get some more army stuff for flat cars. There prices are good. I found some great Sherman tanks on flat cars but the price broke my computer screen! $ 200.00.

Currently I have wire holding the loads to the flat cars. I'm looking for chain to do that job but as of now I can't seem to locate chain. If anyone knows where I could get chain please respond?

[Terry]

I think you get chain from Micheal's or Hobby Lobby.

Looks good.

[pjdog350]

Thanks Terry. I need more of your flat cars. I liked the Marx light towers you sent!

[early0electric]

Maybe cheap jewelry chain? We did have tanks and armored vehicles go by work a couple of years ago. Turrets were pointed the other way. Don't know if that makes a difference for shipping.
 

[Terry]

The turrets always aim at the caboose so the loco is not damaged if the cannon is accidentally fired. The caboose is much cheaper than the loco.

[early0electric]

I didn't know they were prepped with live ammo! Seems a tad dangerous to me.

[Terry]

They ain't no good if they ain't loaded.