Trains.com

2008 and the Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains. Sweet ice tea too. Locked

133745 views
2969 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 3,584 posts
Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:44 PM

Evening all

On wonderful night shift.  It is to snow tonight so it may make for an interesting drive home.  It was nice today but cold.  Got home this morning and was still wound up so I put some ladder brackets in the garage for my 32' extension ladder and my 14' step ladder to get them up out of the way, then replaced a section of chain link fence I had to take down for construction.  We can now let the dog out with out worrying about her.  She is blind and gets lost easy.

Happy Birthday Buckeye.  Hope your B day is meeting your expectations.  Any new train items?  Did I tell you I stopped at Smoke Stack and picked up a caboose?

All take care and may God bless

Jim

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:07 PM

A birthday for Buckeye ? I always understood that when one reached his advanced years in life that those momentous days were purposely forgotten or politely ignored.  Laugh [(-D]  Wink [;)]

Enjoy the day and best wishes for many more.

 

Roy, I'd be a little cautious of sending any money, except maybe Monopoly, to those folks up in Ohoho. Sounds kinda like a Pyramid scheme to me. Shock [:O] 

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,304 posts
Posted by mitchelr on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:04 AM

Morning Folks,

A fresh pot is on.  I woke up at 4:30 this AM.  Yesterday was mega-interview day.  Interviewed 14 teacher candidates, mainly Art, Music and Special Education.  This is turning out to be even more difficult than I imagined because there are so many top-nothc folks who have applied. As an example I interviewed 4 Art teacher candidates who were superb. Can't go wrong with any of them but wow it is a tough call.  Interview purgatory is coming to a close though, should be finished late next week.  

Calling for more nasty weather here tonight and Friday.  Temps must have dropped 30 degrees yesterday.  Pretty cold out there (24) this AM when I went to get the newspaper.

Monday we made the trek to DC to take our son some provisions and then out for a bite to eat.  He e-mailed yesterday with a posting for an internship that he really would like in Senator Bob Casey's office.  Hope he has a shot at it. 

Got to get going.  Have a great day, stay warm and stay safe.

Mitch 

Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:15 AM

HI GIZ,

  18 here this morning.  To get some SNOHIO about 1-2 inches?  More for friday?

Had the dreaded Parent -Teachers conf. yesterday.  Spent time making a mobile easel for the Math Dept.  They will use it for teaching graphs and stuff.  I made one so they can share it and then I don't have to make four.

  MITCH, any interviews or openings for a WOOD SHOP TEACHER?

  All have a good one.

B good or B gone,

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: S.E. Ohio
  • 5,434 posts
Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:36 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cold 18 degrees with light snow. Going up to 28 today with cloudy skies later.

Today is the day that I drive to Cambridge and do the nasty job of grocery shop. Gas prices look like they are going back up. I'm sure there is a good reason......like someone has a cold. Food prices are up too. Coffee jumped to 8 bucks a can. Always something.

No time for trains today. Maybe tomorrow. Darn.

Well, the Dining car is here and it's time for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:37 AM
Morning all.  Snow???  More snow on those Yanks.  Love it. Cool [8D]  Town meetings and more meetings.  Need to run trains somewhere in between.  Think I'll have waffles for breakfast.  [Eggo does a good job, just pop them in the toaster]  Hope all have a great day. 

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,050 posts
Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:53 AM

Mornin' boys.  Currently sunny & 27 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Calling for a little of the white stuff later, just in time to screw up PM rush-hour.

88/rt - Lately the princesses have been at odds (choice of "suitors" for the fair maidens) with the fife-Queen, hence I am enjoying a rare respid from "hostilities".

mitchie - any security consultant positions...?

Buckeye - Cumberland Narrows, Haystack and Wills mountains bracketing Wills Creek on the NW edge of Cumberland, MD.  Not familiar with the "chute".

Chief - Do you prefer the Eggo flipflops...? (ala J. Kerry)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:03 AM
Mornin' Fellas.

Got some decent progress made on the second level reverse loop last night. Have almost all the plywood down for it, have to cut 3 more sections tonight, won't be able to finish it till the other two switches come in. Then I should have a good idea where the river will go, then I can mark and cut that out. Should have that done next week. Had been trying to come up with a good wide girder bridge and think I have that one solved... will post pics if I like the results. Whistling [:-^]

 fifedog wrote:

Mornin' boys.  Currently sunny & 27 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Calling for a little of the white stuff later, just in time to screw up PM rush-hour.

88/rt - Lately the princesses have been at odds (choice of "suitors" for the fair maidens) with the fife-Queen, hence I am enjoying a rare respid from "hostilities".

mitchie - any security consultant positions...?

Buckeye - Cumberland Narrows, Haystack and Wills mountains bracketing Wills Creek on the NW edge of Cumberland, MD.  Not familiar with the "chute".

Chief - Do you prefer the Eggo flipflops...? (ala J. Kerry)



AH HA! Now we know the answer... Fife has deflected the battle to another party so he can gain a respite to regroup! Thumbs Up [tup] Wise choice... but don't let the fife-Queen in on your secret or you'll be facing a two front war! Shock [:O]

Chief - Eggos!!!! OH THE TRAVESTY!!!! Waffles don't belong in a TOASTER! Sad [:(]Confused [%-)]Ashamed [*^_^*]

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,050 posts
Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:10 AM
88 - As of late, my duties are to point out to the fife-Queen any breaks in her defenses...and to light the flaming logs before they are released downhill.Cool [8D]
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:38 AM

GOOD MORNING toy train fans,

There's a topic on O about "when did you get your first train" very interesting and a flashback with each story. I thought about posting it here, but I would feel bad about stealing someones topic. Temp this morning is a sunny 15, with maybe 20 for the high. 8 tonite. Oh yeh yesterdays reg. gas was $3.19. A shell refinery had an  explosion and that effects all the gas? what a crock. The large train show is a week from sunday so I better  start looking around for a table of stuff. I was thinking about the MTH club cars I got,maybe thinning them out at $25.00.Does that sound fair,most have never been out of the box and still in their shipping carton.  Later All,,,,,,,,,S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Crystal Lake, IL
  • 8,059 posts
Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:52 AM

Morning all.  Hope everything goes smoothly today, Brutus. Thank goodness for coffee - it's sure nice to drink something hot on a ridiculously cold day. Gas prices here jumped even before the refinery explosion. I think it was something Hugo Chavez said to threaten Exxon. But they seem to drift down ever so slowly. . .

Hope you all have a good day today. I spent the commute reading a book I found in my office recently and carried around with me: The World the Railways Made, by Nicholas Faith - a nice read.

Sir James, go ahead and post it.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:50 AM

Good Morning all!

Been taking advantage of information and advice from various posters, (Roy, John, Bob, et al).  Still working switches, the major time consumer is moving all the stuff from one point to another to gain access space.  I am wiring 20 switches up.  And of course the way I choose to do it is not quick.  Wiring switches to be controlled by the AIU's for DCS, push button on control panel, and probe on the layout diagram.  Also plan on a LED on the diagram for the switch position.

Got the power drop done to all the switches.  Ran 16 awg wire and soldered to each switch lead.  Decided that since there is going to be so many wires going to the AIU, (40 + 20 ground wires) that using a terminal block would be better in the long run.  So checked out a source recommended by John F, (which is here locally) had really great prices!  So ordered the euro-style terminal strips, LEDs, current limiting resistors, couple of fuse holder, MORE wire, and some other stuff I can't remember.  Saved so much, spent a lot more!

The wire was inexpensive and decided instead of using various available wires, for $20 would have uniform wiring and color coding.   Expect delivery of everything tomorrow, so things on hold for a day.

Also, putting "Power On" indicator LED's on all track sidings.  BTW the same site has a calculator available for determining the value of the current limiting resistor needed for the LED application.  Also provided information on wiring the LED in the cirucit, rather useful.

Yesterday, Chris and his gf went to the mountains for snow boarding, got back safely, no incidents other than a bruised butt, and sore wrist, so all well there.

Rain is forcasted for the rest of the week here, that is really going to create havack with the Nascar race this weekend. 

Off to work, so everyone have a great day!  And again thanks for the forum sure is advantageous!

 

Don

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:17 AM
Banged Head [banghead]

OK... this is driving me nuts... I'm trying to find 3 conductor wire for my switches, would like color coded in Red, Black, Green but can't seem to locate what I am looking for... every place I've found has it in 500' or 1000' spools and I only need 250'.

Banged Head [banghead]

Don - I'm thinking of using these for my switch controlers: http://www.z-stuff.net/DZ-1002.htm I like the LED indicators they have built in.
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:24 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:
Banged Head [banghead]

OK... this is driving me nuts... I'm trying to find 3 conductor wire for my switches, would like color coded in Red, Black, Green but can't seem to locate what I am looking for... every place I've found has it in 500' or 1000' spools and I only need 250'.

May be difficult finding those colors, what AWG are you planning on?
Banged Head [banghead]

Don - I'm thinking of using these for my switch controlers: http://www.z-stuff.net/DZ-1002.htm I like the LED indicators they have built in.

I have the same switches, they came with the Ross switch I am installing.  I have a track plan diagram on my layout.  In addition to the switch I plan on a LED at the turnouts on the diagram, and a stud that can be touched with a ground probe and ALSO flip the switch.  Faster recognition to the appropriate switch. 

Don

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:25 AM
Don... I thought I put that in the post... Banged Head [banghead][bandhead]Banged Head [banghead]

18 gauge...
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Clarendon Hills, Illinois
  • 1,058 posts
Posted by johnandjulie13 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:27 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:

Don - I'm thinking of using these for my switch controlers: http://www.z-stuff.net/DZ-1002.htm I like the LED indicators they have built in.

Hello Brent:

Will the LEDs indicate the correct position if you change the turnout by hand?  Or, how about if it is changed through TMCC?.  If not, you might want to look into this:

https://secure.atlasrr.com/ato1/itemdesc.asp?CartId={EVEREST32D40019-BF7D-481D-97E5-2CA4F6767A0C}&ic=200&eq=&Tp=

I wanted to have a lighted panel to indicate turnout position, but since I also wanted to be able to throw the turnouts via the AIU (in addition to the electrical switches) it would have become a wiring nightmare.  I like Z-Stuff (I have four Pennsy signals), so if it will meet your needs, fantastic. 

Regards,

John

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:33 AM
 johnandjulie13 wrote:

 lionroar88 wrote:

Don - I'm thinking of using these for my switch controlers: http://www.z-stuff.net/DZ-1002.htm I like the LED indicators they have built in.

Hello Brent:

Will the LEDs indicate the correct position if you change the turnout by hand?  Or, how about if it is changed through TMCC?.  If not, you might want to look into this:

https://secure.atlasrr.com/ato1/itemdesc.asp?CartId={EVEREST32D40019-BF7D-481D-97E5-2CA4F6767A0C}&ic=200&eq=&Tp=

I wanted to have a lighted panel to indicate turnout position, but since I also wanted to be able to throw the turnouts via the AIU (in addition to the electrical switches) it would have become a wiring nightmare.  I like Z-Stuff (I have four Pennsy signals), so if it will meet your needs, fantastic. 

Regards,

John



John,
I am also planning on using the Atlas dwarf signals at each switch (at least those that are visible - no sense having them on the switches that are under mountains and such).

Sent Z-Stuff an email to check on that... the Atlas switch relay at $11.00+ per is a bit steap.
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Powell, OH
  • 1,257 posts
Posted by Wes Whitmore on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:44 AM

Good morning boys.  We put in an offer on that house last night.  I brought a flashlight so I could check out the partial basement a little better yesterday.  It's bigger than my full basement now.  Since the house is a 5 level split, it really has two basements.  One is finished, and will be occupied by Jack's toy area.  Beth has already stated that the unfinished basement is for hobbies and storage.  I measured the largest open area as 16'x24' that touches a 14'x12' area.  That should be usable.  There is also plenty of room for storage.  Only problem is that it's a bank shortsale (just before house goes into forecloure, and I was told it will take 15-30 days to even get an answer.  Oh well, I'll be patient.

Bonus, there is no power on there, but the sump is as dry as can be.  That's a little different than my current situation.

Have a great day,

Wes

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Clarendon Hills, Illinois
  • 1,058 posts
Posted by johnandjulie13 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:59 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:

I am also planning on using the Atlas dwarf signals at each switch (at least those that are visible - no sense having them on the switches that are under mountains and such).

Sent Z-Stuff an email to check on that... the Atlas switch relay at $11.00+ per is a bit steap.

Hello Brent:

Not only are the relays expensive, you will still need to utilize the electrical switch that comes with the turnouts and you will need to separately wire LEDs to your panel from the relays to indicate turnout position.  In the end, I was not willing to make that type of investment (both $$$ and time) for my small layout.  I hope the Z-Stuff switches meet your needs.

Regards,

John

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Clarendon Hills, Illinois
  • 1,058 posts
Posted by johnandjulie13 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:03 AM
 Wes Whitmore wrote:

Only problem is that it's a bank shortsale (just before house goes into forecloure, and I was told it will take 15-30 days to even get an answer.  Oh well, I'll be patient.

Hello Wes:

The problem is that with most of the mortgages funded today is that they get pooled with many other mortgages and securitized to be sold in the secondary market.  The net result is that there are literally dozens of institutions that hold a piece of any particular mortgage.  The servicer (the company that receives and processes the payments from the borrower) must get the consent from many of these institutions before they can accept a short sale.  It is a bit like herding cats.  Be patient.  It sounds like you found a nice property.

Regards,

John

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Powell, OH
  • 1,257 posts
Posted by Wes Whitmore on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:11 AM

That makes sense to me.  I'll wait it out.

Thanks,
Wes

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:32 AM
 johnandjulie13 wrote:

 

Hello Brent:

Will the LEDs indicate the correct position if you change the turnout by hand?  Or, how about if it is changed through TMCC?. 

John, on the Ross switches YES, I checked a while back.  And if you change the position manually then the entire circuit is shifted.  It picks up the ground signal from the new position and the corresponding LED position is lit.  You can also switch the red and green LED's by simply pulling them out and reinserting them in the appropriate position relative to your switch position.

Regards,

John

Don

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Clarendon Hills, Illinois
  • 1,058 posts
Posted by johnandjulie13 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:25 PM

 dbaker48 wrote:

John, on the Ross switches YES, I checked a while back.  And if you change the position manually then the entire circuit is shifted.  It picks up the ground signal from the new position and the corresponding LED position is lit.  You can also switch the red and green LED's by simply pulling them out and reinserting them in the appropriate position relative to your switch position.

Hello Don:

Thanks for the information.  That is nice!  I may swap out my Atlas electrical switches with the Z-Stuff switches.  I like a control panel that has lights on it.  Smile [:)]

Regards,

John

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Columbus
  • 1,146 posts
Posted by CSXect on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:19 PM

Dead [xx(] just now getting over cold, may get to go back to work some time this week or next weekBig Smile [:D]

pile-ups of set boxes exctra trains silent at the momentDisapprove [V] Heard a rumor that Columbus area to get some Manards stores soonCool [8D]

What ever happened to Chef?

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: North Texas
  • 5,707 posts
Posted by wrmcclellan on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:58 PM

Evening all!

Real disaster last night - upgraded to Norton Internet Security 2008 and now my work laptop with Vista will not go to the internet at all (so I guess it is superior internet protection huh?)and Norton tech help has no idea what is causing the problem. I was on the phone with them until nearly 2 this morning (uninstall + reinstall - twice). I had recurring - yet fixable by yourself -  problems with NIS 2007, so I guess Norton took care of that problem by making it completely unresolvable by yourself or them. Talking to my IS support person, looks like we are going to have to regress my PC to XP, but that is a 2 day process requiring a complete wipe of the HD and then rebuild of the system by me from scratch - so today has been a long aggravating day.

My advice? - stay completely away from MS Vista - it just does not work right with anything - particularly Norton.

Too many posts to catch up with today.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Regards, Roy

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 5,369 posts
Posted by cheapclassics on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:21 PM

Good evening all,

It was cold but sunny most of the day in SE Indiana with temps in the 20s.  I have not been posting regularly for a variety of reasons, but one was that I was not feeling too well.  I finally went to the doctor and they said I had an ear infection and I needed an inhaler to break up a virus in my chest.  At least that is better than going there and finding out there is nothing that can be done as it used to be with the kids.  A belated "Happy Birthday" to Buckeye, and good wishes to Fife in the "Princess Wars".  Just remember, this too shall pass.  I got a nice call last night from the train daughter.  She had set up a small layout and was running her train for her son, which was he was enjoying a lot.  It sounds as if the train "bug" will be passed down to another generation.  I stayed home today and took it easy after the doctor's visit, but she said it was ok for me to go to work tomorrow.  That is a good thing as I have a lot to do.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:47 PM

Roy - Good luck, perserverance is the rule.  Banged Head [banghead]

I'm still running dos 3.1, with supercalc, and wordstream.  thinking about trying Word Perfect.

Don

edw
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 169 posts
Posted by edw on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:59 PM
 wrmcclellan wrote:

Talking to my IS support person, looks like we are going to have to regress my PC to XP, but that is a 2 day process requiring a complete wipe of the HD and then rebuild of the system by me from scratch - so today has been a long aggravating day.

Roy, before you regress to XP, can you roll back to an earlier Vista restore point before you tried to install Norton?

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • 178 posts
Posted by chicochip on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:22 PM

Thanks for the warning. I suspected as much!

The Other Chip

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:23 PM

GOOD EVENING ALL

Talking computer and I'm not even in the same room. If this thing fails I have two chances for a fix. My daughter works for a company that does commerical computer repairs or my DIL who has been sent to several computer camps by her company. but me;clueless. I spent about four hours today at a mall near pontiac that has a Bass Pro Shop and the two grandsons love it there.the four year old knows where everything is and I think we saw all of it today. then we shopped the mall and I guess that is at least a mile circle which brought us back to you guessed it. It was a fun day with the little ones. No trains today but they are there. then a message when I got home that a church member was not expected to last the week,she had a heart catherization,got a germ or virus from the procedure and they can't control it. shes losing the battle. No offense but this is the kind of case that calls for legal action,in MHO...Sir James

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month