Micro Ace 0-6-6-0, A Magnificent Steam Locomotive

Many years ago I was able to purchase eight Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0's at a very reasonable cost per locomotive. Four were Micro-Ace A0651's and four were Micro-Ace A0652's. My cost per locomotive was slightly over $100 per locomotive. Today these locomotives cost significantly more since they are no longer in production and they have significant appeal to many N scale modelers.

The Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0 is much smaller than most N scale steam locomotives with similar wheel configurations. Aside from that, the 0-6-6-0 out performs most American steam locomotives. The Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0 has a typical Japanese look with a much smaller tender. The tender also has a rear truck with only one axle. ( See Photo # 1)

Photo  # 1  Micro-Ace A0651 With A Typical Japanese Configuration

Despite the look of this locomotive, the Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0 can be easily Americanized. The first thing I did with this locomotive was to install Lenz min silver decoders in several of these locomotives. The installation was similar to the decoder installation in the kato Mikado. Once the motor is isolated the rest of the decoder installation was a snap.

I Americanized one Micro-Ace A0651 and one Micro-Ace A0652.  I decided to use a Spectrum long tender for each locomotive. This was an easy process and was easy to do once the original draw bar of of the 0-6-6-0 was lengthened and was connected to the long tender. I changed the front pilot of the Micro-Ace A0651 by using a front pilot from A Spectrum 2-6-6-2. Brass detail parts were added to each locomotive. This was easily bonded to the front pilot of the 0-6-6-0. I installed a MT Z scale #905 coupler on the new front pilot of the 0-6-6-0.
I changed the side panels under the cab of the locomotive as well. MT Z scale couplers were also installed on the rear of the new long tender. New decals were added and the ATSF road numbers now identify the 0-6-6-0. Before the decals were added , each locomotive and tender were repainted. (See Photo # 2 & Photo # 3).

Photo  # 2 Engineers Side Of Americanized Micro-Ace A0651

Photo  # 3 Fireman's Side Of Americanized Micro-Ace A0651

When working on the Micro-Ace A0652, I added many pewter detail parts. For the front pilot I used a pewter detail part from one of the GHQ detail kits for a Kato Mikado. MT Z scale #905 couplers were placed in the front pilot and on the rear of the long tender. I also added a Soundtraxx Micro-Tsunami sound decoder and mini oval speaker inside the tender along with a Lenz mini silver decoder for motor functions. I used two decoders as I normally do when I use sound in N scale as I am not fond of the motor functions of the Soundtraxx Micro Tsunami decoder. (See Photo # 4 & Photo # 5).

Photo # 4 Engineers Side Of Americanized Micro-Ace A0652

Photo  # 5 Fireman's Side Of Americanized Micro-Ace A0652

If any of these Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0's becomes available on various auction sites, hobby shops or train shows, they are well worth purchasing.

Versatility And Flexibility Of Unitrack

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Contrary to some opinions, Unitrack is very versatile and flexible when you design a layout. There is no limit to your creativity when you work with Unitrack in designing a track plan. You are not limited to a pre-set track plan and if you use your imagination you can create any track plan for any sized space.

Just because Unitrack is sectional, doesn't lend itself to any limitations. The cost of Unitrack is comparable to any other track once you consider the cost of a sub roadbed and roadbed.

The Unitrack turnouts operate flawlessly and you can run trains for hours at a time without track issues or derailments.

The Unitrack remains cleaner for longer periods of time than most other brands of track due to the composition of the rails. On average, you can run trains for two to three months at a time or longer without cleaning the rails. I don't think you can say that about any other brand of track.There are many other positives to Unitrack that have been mentioned in other threads on different forum groups and most of you know all the positives of Unitrack  or you wouldn't be using it.

Unitrack is used by beginners as well as very experienced modelers for the reasons mentioned above.

Just enjoy the running of your trains on Unitrack. It's a great experience.

Detailing Rolling Stock And Locomotives With Air Hoses

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Unlike HO scale, N scale rolling stock and locomotives rarely come outfitted with air hoses next to the coupler box. This is a nice detail to add and can easily be done on selected freight cars and locomotives.

BLMA and Precision Scale are two companies that make air hoses. Precision Scale makes brass air hoses and BLMA makes plastic air hoses. The air hoses can easily be added to freight cars and locomotives by attaching the air hose to the side of the coupler box with a pin head amount of CA cement in either a piece of rolling stock or a locomotive. The air hoses can also be glued yo the underside of the car frames adjacent to the coupler box.

I do prefer the Precision Scale brass air hoses as the BLMA plastic air hoses have a tendency to break if a car is accidentally derailed. The Precision Scale brass air hoses are much more expensive than the BLMA plastic air hoses, but they have more durability and rarely fail if a car is derailed.

Below is BLMA's line of plastic air hoses. They come in packages of 24 priced at approximately $4.75/package.

Photo  # 1 BLMA Air Hose On On Diesel

Below are some photo's of rolling stock of the JJJ&E that have BLMA air hoses added. The brass air hoses are more durable than the plastic air hoses. However if you mount the air hose correctly, the plastic air hoses are very serviceable.

Photo  # 2 BLMA Air Hose Cemented Near Coupler Box On Forty Foot UP Boxcar

Photo  # 3 BLMA Air Hose On ATSF Boxcar

Photo  # 4 BLMA Air Hose On ATSF 40' Boxcar