The pot of coffee is always on [even after 2 years have passed]. Come on in. Sweet ice tea too.

[Jumijo]

Anyone here receive the new CTT yet? Most likely still a week or so to go. I can't wait to see the New England layout. Seems like a year since the last issue came out.

Jim

[Roger Bielen]

Jim - hope all goes well. Keep in touch.

Cloudy and in the 50's today, rained pretty hard last night, can't work on the pool installation, the area is a big puddle with the holes for the supports filled with water. Guess I can get the plan of the layout finished this afternoon, only two more sidings to measure and put on paper and then I can start on the possible points of interest for the photos.

[spankybird]

Here is what is left after the vandels set fire to this caboose that was being restored





This station is also in the process of being restored



tom

[dougdagrump]

Springtime ??
Schools in the local mountains have been closed yesterday and today due to snow and ice. It is supposed to start clearing up later today, til the weekend. [|(]
Starting to take a look at some of the Weaver offerings for motive power, they aren't as detailed, it appears, as the big names but the pricing structures look nice. Aside from John who else has weaver locos?

[dbaker48]

I NEED TO BE LOCKED IN A PADDED CELL or MAYBE I SHOULD CREATE A THREAD OF WHAT NOT TO DO

I've posted a lot of questions requesting all types of information on TMCC/DCS, transformers, track choices, and more. I think I've become a victum of information overload. My whole effort was to try to avoid making a lot of "wrong" decisions regarding all the new stuff available and what direction to go. So far I think I've made every mistake I was trying to avoid. Who says "Experience is Free"?

You may find this boring to read, but just need to vent somewhere, so get a cup of coffee and enjoy!

As a result of taking some post war engines in for some minor service, and getting a motor replaced in a LGB Mogul, I couldn't get over the new stuff on display. So..... my events of misgivings begin;

1. In December I purchased the O scale Cab Fwd engine, and TMCC system. Not realizing the "true" requirements of a 72" track requirement. I have been working on various layout designs for 3 months trying to get something we like, other than a minimial circle. (In addition to a "train room", we want the room to be functional as a fun place, wet bar, some seating area, and room to move around in.)

2. Also did additional research with MTH and DCS. Originally planned on TMCC and getting 2 Cab-1 Remotes. Purchased the TMCC, Cab-1, and ZW power system. Then as a result of visiting other train shops, and in OUR opinion the DCS system seemed to have more functionality, the engines and quality seemed better, and the prices sllightly less. So we decided in January to get DCS, (cancelled the second Cab-1), and ordered the new 72" MTH Big Boy coming out in April 2006, and the DCS system. (We are waiting for a train room to be built, probably in August.)
DECISION 1 – TMCC OR DCS ? WE HAVE BOTH

3. So in the interium my son and I joined a train club and where able to realize the full benefit of the Cab Fwd engine and TMCC, we loved it!! Also decided that the Cab Fwd was to nice and expensive to be hauling back and forth a couple of times a week, and dont want it to be damaged. So, thought we would by a less expensive engine and still be able to "learn" at the club and have fun also.

4. So, since we had the DCS on order thought we would get a small MTH engine, thinking it could be run with the TMCC. Then while we were shopping engines, found an affordable MTH, however it was only RailSounds 1. Asked if they had anything with RS2, and out comes a new 2003 MTH Rail King Big Boy, and he offered it at half price! Since the club has the DCS and TMCC system, I was believing that we could run the MTH engine at their site with the CAB-1 Remote. (DCS system is still a month out)

However, after I was playing with the engine at home, I began to realize that it IS the DCS remote that you can use on EITHER Lionel or MTH, not the otherway. I can operate the MTH as a conventional engine with the Cab-1 remote.

Another, lesson learned ! Boy, my mistakes are getting expensive!

My "current" direction is......
Redefine the layout efforts to 54" mainline, and some 42" branch activity. Restrict engines to 54" maximum. Have a shelf around the ceiling area for our LGB (2) trains, and our 72" Cab Forward. (Possibly a future elevated 72" line on our layout.) Go ahead and get the Lionel "Lionmaster" Cab Forward, to have as a operating piece on our layout with the MTH Big Boy. And cancel the order for the MTH 72” Big Boy.

And so.... the price of experience. I think I have made all the mistakes I was trying to avoid, but I think it will all ultimately work out!

AND THEN….. Receive a flyer in the mail that the primary MTH store in the area is having a 20% off sale this week on all buildings, and Atlas rolling O stock… And the whole family wants to go…. Let’s see I don’t think buildings and bridges can do much harm????

Keith and Roy, I think I might end up with a Johnny Ca***ribute engine. O72 drivers on the right side of engine, O31 on the left , maybe a Athern, an 027 cow catcher, and a G scale tender, with flex straws to hold a little JD. All mounted on a Lego chassis, equipped with Radio Shack walkie talkies, and controlled with the Universal Remote Control System.

[dwiemer]

Had a little rain this morning. Otherwise, supposed to go back into the high 70's... again! Anyway, having a good day. hope to get through some repair guides and order some brushes and smoke gaskets for Postwar engines. While I wait for the building to get done, I might as well work on some engines and buildings.
Have a good one.
Dennis
PS Steve, saying a prayer to the Big Guy upstairs right now. I asked for your comfort, for your health, and the guidance to those caring for you. God Bless you.

[dougdagrump]

Don, Welcome to the world of toy trains. [(-D]

For transporting the cabforward check into getting either a gun case or camera case, aluminum, and tailor the foam liner to accomadate the loco and tender only. If it were able to lie on its side when the case is in an upright position then the case would also serve as storage when it is not in use, and it would be easier to place it in the foam since you would be holding the sides and lowereing it in as opposed to sliding it in sideways. Mite work.

[jonadel]

Don--

I think most folks here can relate to your travails, you are not alone. When we rebuild in a few more years I would love to have 72's but reality tells me it will be 54's and I can easily live with that decision. Right now we are using 42's and 31's and I have yet to have one visitor say, "gee, we wish you had 72's for your trains". I know for me it's probably better that we stay at a max of 54 and then I won't be tempted to spend even more for engines[:)]

Jon

[csxt30]

Good Evening Everyone ! Picked up a furnace filter to try to make a tree later ! I'm really excited about this project, cause I really need some trees !!
Tom : gee, I just asked you the other day about that station in Painesville they are restoring & now find out they burned the caboose. That's awfull & I sure hope they catch them.
Well, I made this layout starting with 72 " curves & I'm glad I did, but it's taking forever to get it to the scenery stage, as I look ahead now & try to calculate all the ballast & other stuff it will need, I could have been a lot further along, had I went smaller !! So, I say, 72 " may not be for every one !! Though for a larger layout, I'm sure Gargraves was a good choice for me.
Hope everyone has a nice evening !
Thanks,

[dwiemer]

Don,
Loved the story, seems familiar. Got one question, Wanna adopt me? I only wish I had a dad that would dive into this hobby as much as you! Anyway, I too have found it hard to resist that one last thing. I will certainly be in the dog house after buying even more trains while "on restriction". My only saving grace is that my children are wild about the trains too, so the wife lets me slide a little more than she would otherwise. I just love this hobby!
Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

Wild! That is how it has been the last few days. I'm on the road again with another early morning meeting tomorrow. Today I was in Akron for a breakfast function. Tonight trying to catch up on work items and memos that need to be written.

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

Wild! That is how it has been the last few days. I'm on the road again with another early morning meeting tomorrow. Today I was in Akron for a breakfast function. Tonight trying to catch up on work items and memos that need to be written.

Well, one thing, that can be said for you, is that you save time for play. All work and no play
can make you a " Chief " !!!!

Chuck

[laz 57]

DON,
Sounds like you have had a big learning experience.
I too have gone through some of the same things you have.
All and all chalk it up to a learning experince, although expensive.

GIZ,
Ran trains for about an hour tonight.
Nothing on TV till 10. The Shield is on FX then, and it is a 90 minute finaly, should be good?
Got to get the tape set.
laz57

[Anonymous]

Evening everyone, and for the first full day of spring, it was definitely not. Cold and blustery today. Woke up with a low-grade headache at 4am this morning as I had to get up for work. Was fine most of the day, but by the end of the day I was pissed and frustrated, and my headache came back (got off at 7pm). So tired of working these excessive hours, and driving truck all day wears you out. Why did I sucker myself to drive trucks i'll never know.

Well, some Ramen noodles for dinner tonight and crackers, and that's about it. Ordered the OGR DCS video yesterday and the Ross catalog. Look forward to getting those this week. Browsing through the Atlas catalog, they have some really nice switches...if only they worked properly.

Take care guys.

Chris

[jefelectric]

Don, Come on now, admit it, you couldn't have that much fun in any other hobby. Looks like we convinced you to go with 054 curves. Good decision.

Now let me tell you my problems for today. As I mentioned earlier, I rearranged a small section of my layout. It involved relocating two track feeders, one switch and one uncoupling section. After crawling under the layout about a half dozen times, I fired things up and discovered I had wire the switch to the uncoupling control and the uncouple section to the switch control. (I use the same four conductor cable for both) After switching things around it all works.

Now the second problem. The headlight on my K-4 quite working some time ago, so I decided to replace it on the layout with a Lionel E-6 that I bought last year when the 2005 catalog came out, but which I had not run except to test on the dealers layout before I brought it home. So it ran great under TMCC, but it will not negotiate several switches on my layout. The worst problem are 042 Realtrax on the curved leg. The rollers on the loco are only 2-1/8" apart. Since it uses the wireless tether, you get no help from the tender rollers. Has anyone else had a problem with this engine. I did several searches and didn't find anything on this forum. I think I will add a tether so I can connect both the center rail rollers and the outside rail connections to the tender for better pickup.

Enough complaints, it turned out much better today weather wise than expected. I am planning on playing with trains all day tomorrow, except maybe an hour in the greenhouse.

All have a pleasant evening.

[jefelectric]

II wanted to mention the gentleman that I have become aquatinted with via ebay. Another train guy mentioned to me that if I wanted to do business with an honest seller on ebay that I should check out the listings of JVICTORIAN. I did and have bought about a dozen cars from him and some other things as well. Over the weekend I was high bidder on three cars. I put the check in the mail yesterday and received the cars today, he had shipped them even before he received the check. When I opened the outer box there was a note with a $5 bill stapled to it. It said "I noticed the flat car box had two creases in it that I had not mentioned in the listing". How is that for an honest seller. His name is John Mindish and if you buy from him on ebay I am sure you will not be disappointed. Now that I have said that I will probably have to pay higher prices in the future. I hope the powers that be don’t consider this advertising as I get no commissions.

[ChiefEagles]

Good evening all. Battle with Raleigh is over. Developer did not agree to our requirements so he backed out. Did go to Raleigh City Council meeting. In my 30 years in government and workign several cmapaigns, I have never experienced a politician so grossly misrepresent the facts to get his way as the Mayor of Raleigh did today in the meeting. Then would not recognize us to give rebutal. The County has "sidied" with us and the agreement will be done. Now if Raleigh does not agree, we will go to the media and say the Mayor promoised to get an agreement and two parties agree but his party will not. If the developer had not back out, we were going to annex it and tell Raleigh to "KOA" and sue them if they did not allow water into the new waterline to be installed. Just finished another long Town Board meeing.

Rest tomorrow. Good night and God bless [even the Mayor of Raleigh [;)]]

[dwiemer]

Hey Chief, hope the fires can be put out completely now.
I ordered a Lionel Caboose with the trainsounds out of the new catalog. I noticed that the discription does not tell if it is steam or diesle. If anyone knows, please inform me.
Also, I noticed that the Tender listed above the caboose says that it has diesle rev up and horn, this I am sure is wrong, but you'ld figure that it has been out long enough for someone to tell them and for them to fix the web site. So much for QC.
Dennis

[Jumijo]

Good morning and a very happy anniversary to the Chief and his wife.

John's off to a great start with his filter trees. His looks better than mine! Doug, let me know if you found some or not.

Had a nice, quiet evening with the family last night. No trains.

Jim

[laz 57]

Hi GIZ,
29 and sunny to get to 45.
NO SNOW yesterday they said we were too dry so it didn't develop.

All have a good one.
HAPPY ANNIVERSITY to the CHIEF and his SQUAW!!!!!
Hope its a good one?
laz57

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is 30 and going up to 38 with overcast skies. Might get a little snow later today.

OTTS Meeting this Friday. Anyone wishing to join us can e-mail me for direcetions.

Chief – go get them ! ! ! and happy anniversary.

Chris – you will enjoy watching the DCS video. A lot of good info on it.


Pick of the Day


All be safe
Tom

[mickey4479]

Sunny good morning from KC. We dodged a winter bullet and just got an inch or 2 of snow. It is chilly but warming up a little. Get well, stay well.

[Anonymous]

Good Morning all,
Tom....*** shame about the vandalized caboose. This is definitely not the way to display how much metal is used in the construction of a wood sided cabin.

Keith....will Grits and Collard greens harm the paint on my car? LOL at GAG...our new party slogan...If you don't like Grits then GAG!

Don....I kept all curves to a 72" minimum although it was easier to do this on a shelf type layout with no intrusions into the center of the room. Best way I can describe how I got around corners on the double loop design is that I started the inside curve before the outside. The 2 curved sections aren't parallel because of this but it does allow me to run anything, everywhere.
As for the TMCC/DCS purchases...you now have everything you and your son need to run both Lionel and MTH at the same time with a remote for each of you....or you can control both types by yourself using DCS. Sounds like the perfect setup to me. If your intention is to keep the DCS make sure you do the wiring of your track as suggested.

David...thanks for posting the Blog. Seems like all the gals in Austin are lookers yet the jury is still out on the guys....those Zoot Suiters look like they escaped from the pages of Low Rider Magazine. Bob's layout and his electrical prowess is amazing, even if he's lost me on the technical stuff a number of times.

John ( Jefelectric ) My early Lionel E6 from 1999 has the tether yet still doesn't gather power from the tender rollers. It exhibits the same symptoms as yours. I'm going to run a feeder from the tender rollers to the motor in hopes that this solves the stalling problems on switches, as it has with everything else I've modified in this manner.

Happy Anniversary, Chief! What year is proper to give Grits as an anniversary gift? [;)]

Bruce Webster

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]Good Morning from Blueberryhill[/code]The sun is shining. Currently it's 22 degrees and
going up to 41 degrees. That's a good start.
Chief.... Happy Anniversary
Isn't Politics wonderful???? You can have my share, Chief !!!
... Also sounds like you folks need to get rid of the jerk fom Raliegh.
Today we have some things to do. Sure wish Spring would hurry up.
Well, y'all have a great day.
Chuck

[cnw1995]

Happy anniversary, Chief!
Ridiculously cold in Chicago today but sunny.
Jim, I'm going to check out all the hardware stores in town to find a furnace filter like the ones you used. Ace Hardware just had the mesh ones.
Just spent $50 to help my daughter's track team fundraising - buying some worthless discount coupons - I was saving up the Pacific Electric trolley being run by the TTOS Southern Pacific division

[1688torpedo]

Hello All! & Happy Anniversary to the Chief. Bruce- You may need a tarp over your Corvair as the Chief may dispatch a Bird to fly over it in order to drop a Grits Bomb.[;)][:)] You should get one of those remote controlled helicopters to chase the bird away.[;)] I think the Chief wants to take over the World with Grits as his master plan.[;)][}:)] Take Care all.

[Jumijo]

Grits were mentioned on the Sopranos Sunday night. I immediately thought of our Southern friend!

Jim

[jefelectric]

Good morning everyone,

Did a little work in the greenhouse and now trains.

All have a good day.

[jonadel]

Mickey4479--

I'm going to be in KC at the end of April for Nikon school and was thinking about coming down a day early and perhaps take in a Royals game and train stores. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Jon

[wrmcclellan]

Grits are appropriate for any anniversary!

Chief - Happy Anniversary to you and your wife!

We celebrate our 20th in June. The better half wants to go to NY City to celebrate (she has never been there).

Spanky - that tinplate layout looks great. I assume with all the OTTS experience it runs great also!

QUOTE: Keith and Roy, I think I might end up with a Johnny Ca***ribute engine. O72 drivers on the right side of engine, O31 on the left , maybe a Athern, an 027 cow catcher, and a G scale tender, with flex straws to hold a little JD. All mounted on a Lego chassis, equipped with Radio Shack walkie talkies, and controlled with the Universal Remote Control System.

Don – Well. as Johnny would say - "...I'm going down, down, down, into a buring ring of fire...' - you have certainly had a tough time. It takes a bit of experimentation to land where you finally wi***o be. We have all been there. In the end I think you will be very pleased that you went with TMCC and DCS. This will give you ultimate flexibility in purchases for the future. I like your plan for the room as you described it. I think your decision to go with the 054 curves and to purchase compatible equipment is a good one.

Busy rest of the week.

Have a great one all!
Roy