Kevin.. Kevin...Kevin....Kevin are you there? Close the door!!!! Please..... People are in trouble here. 36 in Long Beach, 28 in Santa Barbara! Avacodos freezing, people dying (taking barbarques inside at night. Cars covered with ice. Can you image 300,000 cars driving in a 25 mile section going 30 mph? We're in trouble here, we don't know how to handle this.
One person put a baby in the security X-ray machine in her haste of getting out of here, (baby is OK).
Marty if you have time, try to get over to the Balboa Park Train Museum, it is really worth the effort. Doug (dagrump) is usually there on Thursdays I believe. Unless they are suffering from the cold weather also.
Doing the wire list requires a lot of discipline, but WILL save a LOT of time troubleshooting, or even making future changes.
Have to comment regarding the Technology issue introduced by Thor. I fully respect all of the conventional runners, and really marvel at the layouts developed. I also find it astounding what was available at the time. The trains and accessories were really ahead of their time. I recall showing my grandfather a new 9v transistor radio in the late 50's. His comment was why do you need such a small radio, mine sounds so much better, and when I'm away I enjoy talking to other people. As he time went on and I would show him other new items, he had decided he had seen enough in his lifetime, and the world was just getting too complicated for him. He lived for 90 years and died a very happy man, but enjoyed life without all those stress generating, unnecessary gadgets.
I find it extremely interesting what can be done with the technology today. I've always enjoyed trying to get a device to do more than what it was intended to. Linking it to something else, combining capabilites, or just make it more user friendly. Sometime things didn't work to well, (soldering wires on the face of an electric alarm to clock to replace a defective thermostat on a refrigerator, done while in the Air Force, while living in the barracks). LOL
I do have to admit, I've got MY iPod capable of playing a selection of train music from the MTH trains. I havn't run the trains from the computer yet, probably won't, but I'm a sucker for the gadgets, bells, and whistles. Can be frustrating too, like when the prewired Christmas Tress has a string of lights out. Oh Well
Enjoy ALL, have a great DAY,
Kevin close the door
Don
Hi All,
"John B., Thor and Nick - I very much enjoy your comments, although occassionally I have to check my English-English dictionary to understand. "
Dr.John, With my spelling as bad as it was this morning, I would be very suprised if you could understand with a dictionary! Note to self: need coffee in the morning before answering technical questions (a least it was a half day at work today)
John B, having read your question again. The thing to remember is that cycles (power frequency) is not effected by step down transformers. So with 3 rail AC powered trains that same frequency is at the wall outlet and on the track. i.e. 110V AC 60Hz at the wall and 18V AC 60Hz on the track. This confuses most people brought up with 2 rail DC trains like Hornby. Some Lionel items need that 60Hz on the track. The ones we know about are Trainsounds and certain TMCC boards (as you never know what board version a loco will have its best to assume that all TMCC locos need 60Hz).
If you use 18V AC 50Hz on the track all sorts of problems occur, Trainsounds for example. The Whistle and Bell sound continuously. TMCC locos can "run away" out of control, imagine that happening to a Lionel Acela or Big boy!
Regards
Nick
Is it Anchor Steam time yet?
Busy day here at work. And the work is not even interesting. I swear this is the longest week I've endured in a long time. And it's only Wednesday! On top of that it looks like rain for my birthday. Oh well, better than snow!
My daughter and I went to Walmart yesterday to get my wife some stocking stuffers. While we were there, we found a wonderful ceramic (stoneware) creche for only 94 cents! I like Jesus as much as anyone, so I bought one.
What is everyone having for Christmas dinner? We're having turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatos, gravy, veggies of all kinds, etc. Does anyone eat goose at Christmas? A lot of people have ham. We're having that on Christmas Eve. If I had my druthers, I'd have roast beef.
Back to work. Have a great day everyone!
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Morning all,
John Baker - LOL - but your facts do not dispute early Texans using wireless technology (I thought my post would get someone to comment on Indians and smoke signals ).
Finally got some much needed rain last night. Need about 30 more days of the same to quench the drought here.
Will be 60 today and skies clearing. No effects from Kevin here!
Kids get out today at noon and then they do not go back to school until Jan8th. Boy are they happy.
My 15 year old daughter (going on 30) had her boyfriend over here last night. I am not adjusting well to this one. There are lots of other boys in her class we would not mind her hanging around with. ugh. At least he will be out of town for most of the holidays here.
Have a great day all!
Regards, Roy
Jim,
"...We're having turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatos, gravy, veggies of all kinds, etc. ..."
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Dr. John wrote:On a side note, the February CTT arrived in the mailbox yesterday. Good issue - I'm pleasantly surprised to see it arrive so early.
Oh, great. Now I can watch and wait in angst, and do a slow burn while everyone else on the forum gets their CTT.
Roy, did you ever see the movie "Uncle Buck"? Are you familiar with the scene where Buck is wielding a hatchet and talking to Bug about how he "handy" he is with it?
Looking forward to the next CTT, just renewed my subsciption.
Roy, as per Dr. Johns advice if you want a guide on how to do the daughter's boyfriend chat check out Bad Boys II. Also comment about your time in "Nam" or in our case "Falklands" when you "did" this guy from 2000 yards.....
Ooohh !! Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, in some kind of sweet sauce in marshmellows, carrot salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, can't remember the rest, then sleep !! LOL !!
Now, I am hungry !!
Thanks, John
Good Morning from the Northland,
WOW! I did not realize we left all the doors and windows open up here the past couple of days. (I guess that is what happens when you have to much work on the plate.) The morning weather forecast said it would reach 25° above later today– when the arctic get warm everyone Outside look out! Sorry about that to everyone in the lower 48! We are suppose to drop back down to -25 to -30 over the weekend so I am sure your cold spell will be short lived– hang in there!
I have been swamped at work finishing the last fed. report due for the year! (I will bang this one out by Friday then I can enjoy the holidays with family and friends!) After I finish this report I can get back to adding a few more touches to the Christmas layout by Saturday night and in time for Christmas eve gathering at our home. Bought materials at Lowe's last night to layout a mountian backdrop with northern lights. I am enlisting my 16 y.o. to help with the construction,(she has a better eye for art than dad does). I also cut tunnel portals last night at 2:00am in the morning and then poured a couple plaster molds for stone portal abutments.
I better "git back to work"! I have to keep my head down for the next two days and finsh up these reports! I hope you guys start warming up down there would hate to see anyone loose their Avocados because we left the doors open! Have a good one folks!
Regards from the Freezer! Kevin T.
Afternoon, folks,
Wow, it's been a while since I posted to this thread.
Not much has been going on around here lately. Glad to be finished with school for the semester. I listed a few of my textbooks that I won't need again on Half.com earlier today. My history book cost me $80 back in August, and the going rate for it is $15. The book store at school won't even take it back.
I got the train around the tree running. Right now have the 681 pulling a few mixed Postwar cars. I have a few other pieces I'll probably rotate in and out.
Hope that you all are having a good day!
It has been so cold here in San Diego County that you don't need to go to the grocery for frozen orange juice, you can just pick it off the tree. Not to mention the gas & electric bill next month.
Got the Christmas layout done, will try to post a photo or two tonite. Also got the additional Christmas cars ready for the friday run at the museum.
Only problem is I couldn't get the smoke unit to work on the North Pole Docksider.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Today was 60 degrees and sunny in Beautiful, downtown, rural, OHIO..
Thanks for the weather.....DOUG.
Thanks to you all for the low down on Lionels power supplies. As a TOG of limited means, my original budget of about £200.00 ($400.00) has now escalated to £700.00 ($1400.00). this is looking like I may have to postpone the project for some time. Nevertheless all your valuable advice and tips are going on file for future use, as I am not giving up yet.
Just watching 'Tombstone on TV, a 1993 film starring Kurt Russel, Sam Elliot, Charlton Heston et al. A real blood and guts western well worth watching a third or fourth time. The OK coral scene is just coming up!
NIHIL DICE.
John Baker
Good evening,
Wow, what happened to Sunny Southern California ?
Activity sure has picked up on the forum and the coffee pot.
Doug, Enjoy you trip to NYC.
I finished up putting TMCC into the Williams Scale GG1. I put it back on the shelf until I get the 054 curves installed. I have a kit to put into a buddy and one for my PRR Lionel Trainmaster from the early 90s. I also have a Williams CNJ trainmaster that I want to convert when time permits.
Here is what it looks like under the hood.
That white wire tie is a temporary support for the antenna during testing.
jefelectric wrote: Good evening,Wow, what happened to Sunny Southern California ?Activity sure has picked up on the forum and the coffee pot.Doug, Enjoy you trip to NYC.I finished up putting TMCC into the Williams Scale GG1. I put it back on the shelf until I get the 054 curves installed. I have a kit to put into a buddy and one for my PRR Lionel Trainmaster from the early 90s. I also have a Williams CNJ trainmaster that I want to convert when time permits.Here is what it looks like under the hood.That white wire tie is a temporary support for the antenna during testing.
That looks good, John. I also have a Williams Trainmaster. Let me know how that one goes too. I want to do one engine in the future. This one is my pick.
Chuck
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Hi GIZ,
JELECTRIC, looks really good that GG1. Hope all goes well.
Watched the NBC nitely news and had a nice piece on about Lionel trains. The hobby is getting some press, huray!!!!!
Have a good nite.
laz57
laz 57 wrote: Hi GIZ, JELECTRIC, looks really good that GG1. Hope all goes well.Watched the NBC nitely news and had a nice piece on about Lionel trains. The hobby is getting some press, huray!!!!!Have a good nite.laz57
Here is where you can watch the NBC News about the Lionel Trains:
Buckeye Riveter wrote: And here is the link to NBC News where you can see it again!!!\http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=cd829ed3-1e4d-46f7-8744-28248ced5a88&f=00&fg=copy.That computer science class that I took 30 plus years ago, again pays off. BTW, they finally fixed the smiley menu.
And here is the link to NBC News where you can see it again!!!\
http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=cd829ed3-1e4d-46f7-8744-28248ced5a88&f=00&fg=copy.
That computer science class that I took 30 plus years ago, again pays off.
BTW, they finally fixed the smiley menu.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Good Evening....
A few people asked how the VHS to DVD copy went, I think I will put it on a seperate thread so as not to bore those not interested.
I aint givvin up yet Buckeye,
That video clip has given me fresh impetus.
0600 GMT here in frosty Stockport. Some idiot is forecasting snow for Christmas. We get two inches of the stuff and our transport system seizes up.
A DJ is playing a Reggae carol on the radio, dreadful but different.
John B, Start small £700 is a lot of dosh. Start with the inverter and power supply that should cost you around £140. A mid range Lionel set will cost less than £140 at todays rates. Ok you have to add shipping but follow these simple rules. Ask for your items to be sent US Postal Service Global Priority Airmail. This is the best service to the UK do not use UPS or FedEx unless you want a nasty bill when it arrives here. Trust me on this,
I use Grzyboski's train store for most of our Lionel. Joe III and his team are great and the service exellent.
http://www.grzyboskitrains.com/
You should be up and running for under £350-400
Snow?? You see I told you that the Chief was starting to effect global weather patterns....
Good morning all.
We ran the Polar Express last night and all enjoyed the fun. Still warm here and we are all loving it.
For the life of me, I can't think of much to write about today, so I'll close by wishing everyone a splendid day.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a cloudy 39 degrees here. Going up to 54 and maybe a shower.
Today we are wrapping Christmas presents. Have some company coming this weekend. Niece and son. Have not heard from the youngest daughter, so we can't make plans yet.
As soon as the Holiday chores are done, I plan on spending some quality time , working on the layout. Have a few new things to fit in. Bridge is going to take some time. Gotta get rollin'.
Dining Car just called " All Aboard ". Time to dine.
Y'all have a great Thursday.
Good morning all,
It is rainy and mild in SE Indiana with temps in the 50s both today and tomorrow. I took it kind of easy last night. Lucas was working so the wife and I had the place to ourselves. I did get some gift cards and some other errands done and I also went to the YMCA. Kevin, I enjoy your reports from Alaska. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana (almost 500 posts!)
Morning all [afternoon ot our buddies in the UK]. Had a couple of cups of coffee as I watched the video on building layout by TM Video and Books. Sorry, Kalmbach. Speaking of Kalmbach, this month's video on Dream Plan features the NC Transprotation Museum. Spencer Shops and its trains. Have not had time to watch it yet.
Cloudy and a little chill but suppose to be in the 60's. Rain for a few days so they say. Got to get moving. More work upstairs to do. Got a feeling not much in fast expansion up there as Pam is home [little "Honey do's"] and got Christmas things to do. Later.
Good morning guys,
Chuck, The trainmaster is a good one for your first upgrade attempt as it has a lot of room inside. Cab units are also roomy. You can go with the full house conversion with all the bells and whistles or just put in TMCC without Railsounds, which gives you all the functions except sound for about half the cost. That is what I did with the one trainmaster from the 90s. Since it has two pullmor motors with their loud growl I felt the railsounds would be overpowered. I just went with TMCC from Electric RR. Jon has a method of controlling the original horn via TMCC so you can retain that.
Buckeye, I got the video fine but had no audio, is that normal or just me?
Weather here is cool and rainy, not much rain just a slow drizzle.
Ugh, got to work on bills this morning, hate that job.
Maybe tains later.
Going grocery shopping with the wife this evening, she will need me to help lug all the stuff, filled two carts at Thanksgiving. We are having the whole family except the daughter in CO.
Got to check the Chief's progress on the other thread.
36 and rainy here in central PA. Well MITCH is happy today the state did not include a SLOT PARLOR in Gettysburg. A big sigh of releif. We don't need that here at the place where the North beat the South.
laz's wood workshop is at full steam, making projects for the kidos to take home for the big day.
All have a good one.
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