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Juggling Cats! Or, Running Four Trains At The Same Time On My Tiny Layout

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 11:06 AM

riogrande5761

Down here in the lower 48, we refer to it as "herding cats".

Who remembers that commercial on the Superbowl?  It was back in the era of commercials that had nothing to do with the product.  It was when people started watching just for the ads.  They were that good.  Herding Cats was one of the best.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 10:42 AM

hon30critter
I think you might have a typo in the second last line. You used the word 'car'. I think you mean' to use the word 'cat'.

Okay, made the correction.  That's what happens when you get the car before the cat.

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 10:15 AM

I meant to say wrangling cats, I was too tired at the time to think of what I really meant to say. ZzzLaugh

I must admit once I got the speed set there was not a conflict between any of the trains. The day before the video I ran them for over two hours at a faster speed, sound off, stereo on as I had relayed some track and turnouts for the first time in 15 years. No issues so I guess it passed the test. 

The little 4-4-0 train in the video, I almost always have plying the layout when I am working on it. There have been times it has run none stop for a good eight hours or so. I just have to remember it comes by every five or six minutes, kind of like what real MOW crews have to do.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 9:43 AM

maxman
Man 1:  Look at that bunch of cats. Man 2:  You mean herd. M1:  Heard of what? M2:  Herd of cats. M1:  Yes, I’ve heard of cats. M2:  No, no, a car herd. M1:  I don’t care what a cat heard.

Sounds just like 'Who's on First'. Hilarious!

I think you might have a typo in the second last line. You used the word 'car'. I think you mean' to use the word 'cat'.

Thanks for the laugh!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 8:15 AM

Man 1:  Look at that bunch of cats.

Man 2:  You mean herd.

M1:  Heard of what?

M2:  Herd of cats.

M1:  Yes, I’ve heard of cats.

M2:  No, no, a cat herd. (correction made to change car to cat)

M1:  I don’t care what a cat heard.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 7:01 AM

MisterBeasley
DO NOT JUGGLE CATS!

Down here in the lower 48, we refer to it as "hearding cats".

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 7:29 PM

If you take blood thinners, and quite a few of us are at the age where we do, DO NOT JUGGLE CATS!

My layout could pretty easily run three trains, one in the subway loop by itself, and two could chase each other's tails upstairs with only the occasional speed adjustment.  I could still do some switching with a fourth train.  But, running those trains in opposite directions, using passing sidings to fullest advantage, took all my concentration.  And that's before there were any cats around.

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 1:04 AM

BATMAN
This little guy from Rapido surprised me with its might. I was experimenting by adding cars. When it reached its max there was no will it or won't it, it just didn't but did without hesitation when that one car too many was removed. I was impressed by what it did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WPd0ygt4Nw&ab_channel=BATTRAIN1   

Hi Brent,

I'm impressed too!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by BATMAN on Monday, February 21, 2022 10:24 AM

snjroy

I think procrastination is highly underrated. Especially if it involves running trains.

And that Hudson can really pull!  A real workhorse pulling freight too!

Simon

 

 

I don't mind procrastinating on a bathroom remodel, my trouble is when I make plans to work on the layout, I go into the trainroom, and the "on" switch beckons. I have a hard time resisting the call.Laugh Who needs groundcover anyway. Cowboy

Those Rapido Hudsons can really pull. My BLI 2-10-4 is a real good puller and the Hudsons are every bit as good. I am hoping the Rapido 10 wheelers due in the fall perform to the same high standards as I have ordered two. 

This little guy from Rapido surprised me with its might. I was experimenting by adding cars. When it reached its max there was no will it or won't it, it just didn't but did without hesitation when that one car too many was removed. I was impressed by what it did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WPd0ygt4Nw&ab_channel=BATTRAIN1 

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by snjroy on Monday, February 21, 2022 9:49 AM

I think procrastination is highly underrated. Especially if it involves running trains.

And that Hudson can really pull!  A real workhorse pulling freight too!

Simon

 

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Posted by crossthedog on Sunday, February 20, 2022 11:43 PM

Tiny. Mmm-hmmm.

Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, February 20, 2022 8:31 PM

hon30critter
I love watching trains run! Thanks for the therapy session! Dave

Dave, I think I had the main line up and running in 2007. I would come home from work, a 20 hour day would not be uncommon, a glass of wine while watching my one loco pull a short train round and round would take the edge off, made better by my kids climbing up in my lap. Therapy is right.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, February 20, 2022 8:11 PM

Hi Brent,

I'm like the dogs. I love watching trains run! Thanks for the therapy session!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, February 20, 2022 6:57 PM

4 by Bear, on Flickr

Smile

 

LaughLaughLaughLaugh

I sent this to the wife and kids and got lots of laugh emojis in return. By the way, I play a mean Tip Toe Through The Tulips.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, February 20, 2022 4:15 PM

4 by Bear, on Flickr

Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, February 20, 2022 3:10 PM

The wife took this while I was running the four trains. One train for each dog. They love to get up on the chair and peer through the trainroom door and watch.

 

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, February 20, 2022 2:29 PM

I have enough trouble with two cats!

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, February 20, 2022 2:26 PM

maxman

But they're all running in the same direction.

Isn't that cheating?Big Smile

 

Here ya go.Stick out tongue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOICSNCuBvQ&ab_channel=RichardsTrainsAndMore 

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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Posted by maxman on Sunday, February 20, 2022 2:16 PM

But they're all running in the same direction.

Isn't that cheating?Big Smile

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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Juggling Cats! Or, Running Four Trains At The Same Time On My Tiny Layout
Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, February 20, 2022 1:57 PM

Told the wife I was going to work on the bathroom remodel, spent 90 seconds removing the molding, and moved on to more important things.

Starring Rapido Hudson 2850, Rapido Hudson 2861, Broadway Limited 2-10-4, Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0, and a large cast of extras.Laugh

The perfect video for the model railroader to fall asleep by. Guaranteed to not take long or a full refund will be issued.Pirate

Turn up the sound! If you hate sound locomotives, RUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbUhA2_F-7M&ab_channel=BATTRAIN1 

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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