In November 2024 we upgraded our four-foot “bench loco” to look more like a locomotive, with decoration reminiscent of children’s toy trains.
The bench loco doesn’t look like a train locomotive but pulls passenger cars well.
So we added a whimsical locomotive on the front of the bench. The engineer sits behind the loco, and we can tow several cars.
The add-on cab only weighs thirteen pounds and is easily removed for daily battery recharging.
We’ve numbered the new loco “#2”. PV Rail’s first and only train, #1, has been with us since 2012. Other locos we’ve been using for years have been on loan from Dan Parsons.
The bench loco is powerful, with eight motors driving four axles on two trucks.
The two trucks will eventually be moved to our Climax locomotive now under construction. We will restore the bench loco to service as our #2 with its original trucks powered by four to-be-purchased motors.
Dave Florence built the cab using some scrap signs made of 3/4″ wood, the associated coroplast sheets, a waste basket for the boiler, images suggesting what might be inside the locomotive, and a roll of red Duck tape.
The cab needs care when installing or de-installing
