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| www.christophersmuller.com |
One of my favorite locomotives in my fleet is my Soo Line SD60M. The video above higlights the
locomotive pulling a vehicle train on my club's layout in Bemidji. The other train featured in the video is
my Via Canada commuter train. Both locomotives have custom sound files uploaded to the SDH164D
sound decoders produced by digitrax.
locomotive pulling a vehicle train on my club's layout in Bemidji. The other train featured in the video is
my Via Canada commuter train. Both locomotives have custom sound files uploaded to the SDH164D
sound decoders produced by digitrax.
Upper left: Soo Line SD60M #6061 is a Proto 2000 model by Life Like. Some improvements to the model include adding the
appropriate window trimmings on each side. The other side has a sunshade, just like the prototype. Proto 2000 did a great job on
these locomotives. SDH164D decoder installed.
Upper middle: One of the more expensive locomotives on my roster is my Athearn RTR Via P42. These units were not released in
the United States so I had to import it from Canada. I added working LED headlights and marker lights to compliment the custom
sounds on the SDH164D decoder.
Upper right: A custom paint job on one of Steve's locomotives right after I finished it. The unit used to wear a different paint scheme,
but was stripped and repainted. The MTH locomotive features great detail, but unfortunately the grey paint scheme for KCS was
never produced in plastic.
appropriate window trimmings on each side. The other side has a sunshade, just like the prototype. Proto 2000 did a great job on
these locomotives. SDH164D decoder installed.
Upper middle: One of the more expensive locomotives on my roster is my Athearn RTR Via P42. These units were not released in
the United States so I had to import it from Canada. I added working LED headlights and marker lights to compliment the custom
sounds on the SDH164D decoder.
Upper right: A custom paint job on one of Steve's locomotives right after I finished it. The unit used to wear a different paint scheme,
but was stripped and repainted. The MTH locomotive features great detail, but unfortunately the grey paint scheme for KCS was
never produced in plastic.
I don't have any items for sale right now, check back later for some items I may want to part with.
| Some of my latest projects... |
| Model Railroading... |
Some people say my collection of model railroad stuff is a bit excessive. I argued it wasn't and it was must my hobby. Then I did
inventory and organized my collection. With all my trains pulled out of my room and stacked in storage bins, it looked more like the
Walthers' showroom in Milwaukee than a collection! Despite looking doomed to be on an episode of Hoarders on TV, the collection
continues to grow at a steady pace. I mostly have modern rolling stick including most of the Class 1's through Minnesota. I've got a
large collection of DMIR locomotives and rolling stock. This page will feature some of my models, the rare item I'm looking to retire
from my collection, and some of the model railroading services I do for people.
inventory and organized my collection. With all my trains pulled out of my room and stacked in storage bins, it looked more like the
Walthers' showroom in Milwaukee than a collection! Despite looking doomed to be on an episode of Hoarders on TV, the collection
continues to grow at a steady pace. I mostly have modern rolling stick including most of the Class 1's through Minnesota. I've got a
large collection of DMIR locomotives and rolling stock. This page will feature some of my models, the rare item I'm looking to retire
from my collection, and some of the model railroading services I do for people.
| Items for sale... |
| Turn around will vary depending on my work schedule and what else is on the work bench. Contact me at railtalk@yahoo.com to get a estimate on the work you want to have done. Typically easy installs turn around will be a week to two weeks. Custom work or extensive lighting work will take longer. Custom paint work will take anywhere between a week to a month. Owner of the model "customer" will be responsible for any shipping charges. |
| DCC installs and custom work... |
DCC installs - I've installed several hundred decoders in various locomotives ranging from brass to vintage Athearn Blue Box
Kits, upgrading RTR locomotives... I've done it. I consider this a hobby, not a form of income, which is why my rates are so
reasonable. Generally I only charge $10-20 above cost of materials, depending on complexity of the install. I normally have
several Digitrax and NCE decoders on hand. Owner of the model is responsible for any shipping costs.
Kits, upgrading RTR locomotives... I've done it. I consider this a hobby, not a form of income, which is why my rates are so
reasonable. Generally I only charge $10-20 above cost of materials, depending on complexity of the install. I normally have
several Digitrax and NCE decoders on hand. Owner of the model is responsible for any shipping costs.
Lighting upgrades - One of my favorite parts of the hobby is doing micro-lighting on models. I've micro-bulbs in previous
installs with great success. Due to limited bulb life, I've ventured into using nano-LED technology in my installs. LEDs
produce much brighter light output, less current draw, available in a rainbow of colors (including warm white which looks like
incandescent bulbs), are a fraction the size of the smallest micro-bulbs. Custom LED work can include ditch lights, step lights,
headlights, and marker lights. Installs of micro-bulbs or LEDs can be estimated before installation.
installs with great success. Due to limited bulb life, I've ventured into using nano-LED technology in my installs. LEDs
produce much brighter light output, less current draw, available in a rainbow of colors (including warm white which looks like
incandescent bulbs), are a fraction the size of the smallest micro-bulbs. Custom LED work can include ditch lights, step lights,
headlights, and marker lights. Installs of micro-bulbs or LEDs can be estimated before installation.
Sound installs - I've done numerous sound installs using Digitrax, MRC, Soundtraxx, and Tsunami brand sound decoders.
Due to the complexity of sound installs, including the need to modify some chassis/weights, installation charges vary greatly
from $20 on the lower end to upwards of $40 above cost. I really like the Digitrax SDH164D sound decoders and have a
Digitrax PR3 for custom sound files. Depending on the work load, turn around for sound installs is generally two weeks.
Due to the complexity of sound installs, including the need to modify some chassis/weights, installation charges vary greatly
from $20 on the lower end to upwards of $40 above cost. I really like the Digitrax SDH164D sound decoders and have a
Digitrax PR3 for custom sound files. Depending on the work load, turn around for sound installs is generally two weeks.
Custom painting - I've done some custom paint work in the past, but am not currently interested in taking on any new jobs.
If there is something you must have, drop me an email and I'll see what's all on my work bench and how difficult the paint job
would be and I'll consider it. Painting is very time consuming, so it isn't cheap.
If there is something you must have, drop me an email and I'll see what's all on my work bench and how difficult the paint job
would be and I'll consider it. Painting is very time consuming, so it isn't cheap.
Custom weathering - I love weathering down freight cars and adding conspicuity marks. I use a variety of airbrush
techniques, some water based paints, as well as weathering powders.
techniques, some water based paints, as well as weathering powders.
Overland models IAIS ES44AC "GEVO" in any number except 513. Will be $1000 for mint condition model.
| WANTED: items I missed or can't find... |
Always looking for DME and ICE rolling stock. Will pay a fair price for new or slightly used rolling stock.
| HO Scale Emergency vehicles... |
Emergency lights - This little emergency vehicles look amazing! Using 0603 type LED's in several different colors, you can
recreate the light show that some of the big rigs and squad cars make in real life. Using a small flasher circuit and AAA
batteries, these little rigs add a great deal of realism to model railroads. Final cost varies on what type of car/truck, lighting
options, color, and complexity. Turn around time at least two weeks, contact me railtalk@yahoo.com for an estimate.
recreate the light show that some of the big rigs and squad cars make in real life. Using a small flasher circuit and AAA
batteries, these little rigs add a great deal of realism to model railroads. Final cost varies on what type of car/truck, lighting
options, color, and complexity. Turn around time at least two weeks, contact me railtalk@yahoo.com for an estimate.
I'm moving at the beginning of October, and am
not accepting any work until further notice.
not accepting any work until further notice.