Redstar Railways Comment Page

Red Star Railway's Comments

21 January 2012

Subject: Production Plans for 2012

Dear Friends --

The photo on the Red Star Railways home page tells you a great deal about what I am working on now, and about my plans for 2012. It shows most of one side of my little studio.

Parts cabinets are parts cabinets -- if you've seen one, you've seen them all, so they're not especially interesting (they do, of course, tend to demonstrate that I'm compulsively organized). On top of both sets of parts cabinets, however, are movable shelves -- I can move them back and forth between the parts cabinets and my work table. And what's on those shelves tells a story.

On the top shelf, from left to right, are: core blocks for N scale box cars and covered hopper cars; bogies (trucks) and underframes for five 2TE10U sets (i.e., 10 sections); and bogies and underframes for sixteen TEM2/SM48 models.

On the bottom shelf, again from left to right, are: bogie sideframes for 2TE10U and TEM2 models; 2TE10U motors and flywheels; a 2TE10U non-powered set for a Hungarian client; a finished model of TEM2-460, awaiting shipment to a client in Moscow; and two TEM2 body shells and chassis, one of which is awaiting a Mashima 18x24 motor.

So here's the story.

As you can see, I am producing TEM2s and 2TE10Us. 2TE10U production was interrupted when supplies of Athearn universal joints became erratic. However, I have learned how to modify the universals which came with the IHC SD24 for use in the 2TE10U. This allows me to re-start production -- which is why you can see 2TE10U underframes, bogies, sideframes and motors in the photo.

TEM2 production remains erratic, due to unpredictable supplies of the Mashima 18x24 can motor. As I noted in a previous comment (now deleted), I searched for a suitable substitute for the Mashima 18x24 motor. After spending several hundred dollars buying and experimenting with possible substitutes, however, I have found that there really is no acceptable substitute for the Mashima 18x24 in terms of torque, smoothness, slow operation, and ability to accept two flywheels. The motors which were small enough to fit on the TEM2 chassis had poor performance; the motors which had suitable performance were too large to fit in the TEM2's narrow hood. So I'm sticking with the Mashima 18x24. As a result, TEM2 production will be entirely dependent upon when I can buy these motors -- but I want to have TEM2 underframes and body shells ready for when I do get more of these motors.

Now, back to the top shelf -- and those N scale core blocks.

When I first introduced our N scale goods wagon line, the masters were assembled from composite materials -- brass, styrene, wire, etc. I produced the models as one-piece castings in two-part RTV molds. I quickly learned that composite masters do not stand up well to the mold-making process; the masters tore up after being used to make only two or three molds. So it was "back to the drawing board."

Rather than re-inventing the wheel, I studied current production methods in N scale and, to a lesser extent, HO. I discovered that it's common practice to construct N scale passenger cars over a "core" of clear plastic, to which sides, ends, roofs, and underframes are attached. I applied this concept to the next two wagons on our "wish list:" the 11-260/280 box car, and the 11-740 covered hopper car. The core blocks you see on the top shelf are for these two types of wagon. We exhibited the first samples at last year's International N Scale Convention in Stuttgart (but I'm not going to put them on the website until I have at least 100 of each model ready to sell). Now that I know this construction method works (and actually keeps costs down), I'm going back and re-working the tooling for the original box car, open wagon, and flat cars.

So I'll enter into 2012 producing HO 2TE10U models, since the problems with the drive are now resolved. I will also produce TEM2 -- subject to my ability to scare up Mashima 18x24 can motors. As I find the motors, I'll produce TEM2s (and PKP SM48s, of course!).

Another issue impacting upon production of both these locomotives over the longer term is the closure of the American firm IHC. Both the TEM2 and 2TE10U use mechanical components from the IHC SD24 diesel. I was fortunate to make a couple of big "buys" of SD24s, both as whole locomotives and as chassis-only units. This kept me well-supplied with necessary parts, and at a price which has helped me keep my prices relatively low. At last count -- and not including the bogies seen in the home page photo -- I have remaining in stock 118 powered bogies, plus another 26 which lack bearings. That equates to 59 powered models (a single TEM2 or one section of a 2TE10U), plus another 13 non-powered 2TE10U sections. That's still a lot of models, and it will take me a while to burn through my supply of SD24 components. However, that day will come. When it comes, it doesn't mean that I will never produce the TEM2 and 2TE10U again. It does mean that I will have to search out IHC SD24s one by one. Production of these locomotives will occur only when I have built up a sufficient quantity of parts, sort of like reaching critical mass in a nuclear reactor.

This isn't really a bad thing. I have been making the 2TE10U for nine years, and the TEM2 for eight. It's time to develop new products -- such as N scale models. Don't forget about those core blocks in the photo. And I also want to get back to producing passenger carriages in HO -- and, who knows? Maybe in N scale, too . . .

That's how 2012 looks from my little studio.

Oh, yes. In the lower left-hand corner of the home page photo: that's Annie Greensprings, our newest old rescue dog. She isn't acting as Red Star Railways' guard dog. She's probably looking for food -- or for me. Much to my surprise (and much to my wife's annoyance), Annie has attached herself to me. No matter where I am, I can't get rid of her! Not that I'd really want to.

Best wishes for a happy and peaceful 2012,

Chris White
Red Star Railways

7 December 2011

Re: Our New (Newest?) Old Dog

Dear Friends,

On 21 November I posted a comment about the passing of our rescue dog Cara, along with a poem about old dogs who have been abandoned. I did not preach about the desirability of adopting older dogs who have lost their owners, and I'm not going to preach now.

However, I am happy to report that our Newest Old Dog, named Annie Greensprings, is now lying on my feet under the computer desk and snoring as I type this. She arrived last Saturday. In fact, we picked her up at thirty minutes after midnight in Hagerstown, Maryland (about 3-1/2 hours drive from here). Annie came to us from a Boston Terrier rescue operation in Texas, via what I can only call a Dog Bus -- a trailer fitted out to transport abandoned dogs to their new homes. The closest meeting place was Hagerstown, and we were happy to make the trip.

I'd say that she is adapting pretty well! And LaDon and I are adapting, too.

I'm glad Annie is here, and LaDon and I are happy that we decided to adopt an older rescue dog again. We'll be grateful for the time we share -- a week, a month, a year, or (we hope) longer.

Best wishes,

Chris White
Red Star Railways
www.redstarrailways.com

21 November 2011

Dear Friends,

Perhaps some of you may remember my postings to this comments page and to the Red Star Railways home page when our little, old rescue dog Champaigne died in January 2011. When Champaigne died, I posted her photo to the Red Star Railways home page and posted comments to Red Star Comments urging readers to adopt rescue dogs.

Several readers asked me if I would take my own advice and once again adopt a rescue dog. I thought that was a legitimate question. Soon after Champaigne died, LaDon and I adopted another Boston Terrier rescue dog. Her name was Cara.

We adopted Cara in February 2011. Our veterinarian estimated her age at eight years, so we hoped we might share our lives for some years. That was not to be. Cara developed an aggressive form of cancer. She died today.

Do I regret our decision to adopt Cara? Not a bit. I treasure every minute we spent together.

This time, I'm not going to preach about the virtues of adopting a rescue dog. Instead, I'd like to quote a poem I heard from some unknown author.

WHO WILL LOVE ME WHEN I'M OLD?

One by one they pass my cage,
A little old dog, arthritic with age,
Way past his prime, can't run and can't play,
They turn their heads slowly and turn away.

I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed,
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail,
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?

My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong,
Whatever excuse they made in their heads
Can't justify how they left me for dead.

When I had come to the end of my rope
You looked at my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw through the gray, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them all with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you you will cry, and your heart it will grieve.

And when I arrive at The Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And then I will brag to all who will hear
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

Thanks for reading, my friends.

Chris White
Red Star Railways
www.redstarrailways.com

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