Hi Guys
It was a lazy day, watched TV, ran some trains.
Still have banilla and christmas cookies. Swing on by with the thingy....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
I forgot to mention that my two little Marx cars arrived from N.C. today. I boiled them for ten minutes and no grits appeared so I think they are safe to keep. Burned the box of course.
S.J.
Evening all
Just a quick check in.
Jim - The Circus billboard is neat. I don't have on but I do have the 566 with the northern on it. The kids love it.
Going to spend som family time
May God bless
Jim
Sunny and low 60's today.
Day off, so I worked around the house. Used my circular saw, saber saw, table saw, and electric drill - NO PILE UPS!
My Minuteman box car arrived today, as did the 1033 I am purchasing for a friend. Boxcar works great. Somebody before me did all of the tune up work on it - new rocket & roof.
The 1033 had a broken spot in the power cord insulation right at the case. The rest of the cord was in good condition, so I just chopped out the bad part and re-soldered the cord to the transformer. Cleaned & waxed the case while I had it open.
I'll box up the 1033, a loop of 027 track and his Marx 666, tender, gondola, and box car and pass it to him at work next week. He's got plans to set it up in his apratment.
About all for now.
8n,
Check the contacts on the whistle switch in the 1033. Sometimes they need to be adjusted.
Jim,
I've got a nice 577 Ringling Bros. billboard, but the one that I was looking at on ebay looks to be mint. Everything is there. I want a 566 with the picture of a Santa Fe PA passing under a bridge to go with the 577. I saw about six of them at the show, but I really wanted Doyle's book.
I have been helping my dad install outets outside so that we can have the Christmas lights on a separate circuit. The worst part so far has been drilling holes through the bricks and cinder blocks. I spent tonight fixing the Flyer 760 Highway Flasher. The rivet that holds the left housing and socket to the contact stack wasn't making contact with the contact strip even though the rivet was tight. I cleaned the head of the rivet and contact strip and soldered them. It works now.
Drilling and tapping of the frogs was successful. You should have seen the looks of some of the guys at the 'scope when I first told them what I was doing. "You're gonna do what to what?" Had to cut the bottom of the rivet stub off first, then drilled and tapped w/ a 6X32 thread. Patrick, one of the other operators, commented that since I cut the rivet off we now have a mute frog, as it can't go "rivet, rivet..." any more
I'm thinking about modifying these two for external power as well, as O-gauge suggested, while I got 'em apart. The light will still need to run from the track w/ the way the switch is designed. The light in the controller and the switch motor will then run from an external source. How much drain do track powered switches cause and how noticable is it when the trains are running? i.e. does the speed change when the switch is flipped? I'll be running somewhere around 10 switches eventually.
Happy day after Thanksgiving BTW everyone!
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Thanks, Jim. Opening it up and checking the contacts is on tomorrow's to do list.
Bob - I've four of the track powered 027 for as long as I've run trains. Power has been the 1033 that is the subject of another post. I've never noticed any difference in the speed of the trains when the switches are thrown.
As far as power drain, there are the lights both in the switch and the controllers, and the anti derailing feature energizes the solonoids in the switch machines whenever there is a train on the short rail. I've run switches back to back, so there have been two solnoids active as the train runs across the two switches - no problems.
About the only inconvienient thing is that the switches are very slow to throw at lower voltages used to run the train slowly.
Another fairly quiet night here @ the 'scope. Fortunately the weather is holding out for the Taiwanese. After helping the oncoming operator get set up, I've been puttering around w/ the trains. Under normal circumstances I would have gone home already, but I didn't want to leave our visitors by themselves. May be a good thing too as we may get some snow tomorrow and we can convoy down the mountain. I may do this more often. It's good to overlap w/ the other operators and I get to focus on working on the trains, rather than be distracted by other stuff at home.
8ntruck - I went ahead and made the external power mod to the two switches I had open. It was pretty easy and works well. The switches definitely have a more positive throw w/ a higher voltage. Thanks for the info though. I will try the other 4 as they are and see how it works. I really like the looks of the 1122's. The cover looks at least semi-realistic and they take up little room. I may end up not using the working 1121 I have and may sell it off w/ its controller.
Here's the 1615 and the Amtrak FA on the repaired switches. Lights on, powered up, and ready to go!
Also going to try to upload another profile picture to the site. Shows these engines plus some of my other hobby.
submmbob Drilling and tapping of the frogs was successful. You should have seen the looks of some of the guys at the 'scope when I first told them what I was doing. "You're gonna do what to what?" Had to cut the bottom of the rivet stub off first, then drilled and tapped w/ a 6X32 thread. Patrick, one of the other operators, commented that since I cut the rivet off we now have a mute frog, as it can't go "rivet, rivet..." any more I'm thinking about modifying these two for external power as well, as O-gauge suggested, while I got 'em apart. The light will still need to run from the track w/ the way the switch is designed. The light in the controller and the switch motor will then run from an external source. How much drain do track powered switches cause and how noticable is it when the trains are running? i.e. does the speed change when the switch is flipped? I'll be running somewhere around 10 switches eventually.Happy day after Thanksgiving BTW everyone!Bob
Bob, The reason I like the idea of switching from track power to a seperate source is the fact that you can operate the switch any time you want (seperately from the trains) and you don't need to wonder if you had the track voltage high enough to get the switch flipped all the way. Now if your switches all work at low voltages, then its not a big deal. I don't take them apart just for this update but if I need to fix something else, I'll make the change. I've not noticed a speed change either when operating the switches i nthe normal fashion.
BTW I also like to have the UCS and RCS tracks set up this way so I can set the voltage as needed for the milk car or what ever. Easy on a perm. layout maybe not so much on a temp layout...
Happy training!
Good Morning all
Two of the kids are up and fed, one still in the sack. I am off to the traain show. Should be quite a show.
Jim Good idea about soldering the rivit. Sometimes to Doyle book goes for under $15, I'll help you keep an eye open.
I got Doyle's book at the show for $30, but I should have spent that money on one of those billboards instead.
Morning all. Got the TV mounted on the wall and we watch "StarWars, episode 1" on it last night. Wife is in the mood to get the decorations up and going, so it looks like I will be bringing the tree down and getting that set up. May try to have the Christmas trains separate from the tree. That will allow for a little variation on the old Christmas set up.
Have a bad headache, so a little medicine and it will be time to tackle the to-do list. Have to keep momma happy, cause if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy!
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Good Morning
Sun is shining but it was 31 early this morning.
No major plans for today so I will be running some trains for awhile.
Lets see, two days after thanksgiving will mean it's turkey suprise for supper. Lucky me, we don't have any...S.J.
Same weather as S.J. I appreciate your sharing it with us.
Anyone ever try a Heritage Turkey? Same genetics as 200 yrs ago. We had one Thanksgiving. The son-in-law wanted to try it. Locally grown. 19Lbs.
I normally go for the dark meat, but that was a mistake here. Legs were so tough I couldn't cut the skin with a table knife. I usually find the b####t to dry, but not this one. Delicious because it had a 1/4"layer of fat under the skin.
Most likely will be a one time experiment. Cost - $140.00. Compare that to a Butterball at .50 a pound or $9.50.
Train time. TBIL
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Mornin' All.
Finally getting some of that wet stuff, let's see what's that called ? Oh yeah, rain. The bad part is that it is not consistent, light and drizzly then the proverbial cow & the flat rock quote comes to mind. Lots of run-off and not soaking in.
Great Thanksgiving with a smaal group & lots of yummy food.
Pat, I have become a firm believer in brining the bird o'nite. Keeps the white meat nice and moist as well as infusing some great flavorings. So far my fav is a maple syrup brine with fresh thyme & garlic cloves.
The kid's fun run went pretty well yesterday, thank goodness for the max speed setting on the TPC's.
The munchkin was here lastnite so he and grampa made waffles & bacon for breakfast. Now I think it is time for a mid-morning siesta.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
dougdagrumpMornin' All. Finally getting some of that wet stuff, let's see what's that called ? Oh yeah, rain. The bad part is that it is not consistent, light and drizzly then the proverbial cow & the flat rock quote comes to mind. Lots of run-off and not soaking in. Great Thanksgiving with a smaal group & lots of yummy food. Pat, I have become a firm believer in brining the bird o'nite. Keeps the white meat nice and moist as well as infusing some great flavorings. So far my fav is a maple syrup brine with fresh thyme & garlic cloves. The kid's fun run went pretty well yesterday, thank goodness for the max speed setting on the TPC's. The munchkin was here lastnite so he and grampa made waffles & bacon for breakfast. Now I think it is time for a mid-morning siesta.
Sorry to interrupt your siesta.
I have to try an all night brine. Never done that. Your maple + sounds good. Maybe we will have Thanksgiving # 2 next weekend. With a regular bird this time!
Pat, If you want I'll post the recipe or e-mail it.
ps. With a 4 y.o. running around you don't get much of a chance for a siesta.
Time to pack up and head out of here. I have to be back in just over 4 days, so I better make good. Lots of wind and some frost, but no snow yet.
O-gauge - I like the idea of being able to run the switches w/ the track power off. Especially when doing low speed switching or yard work it seems more like what I remember from working on the Nevada Northern. Having the engine stopped to throw the switch that is.
Sounds like the Taiwanese are up, that's not english in the kitchen. Better see what's on the dining car and get ready to head out.
Still fighting the sinus infection, but I'm much better.
Received my TRAINS mag today. I gotta read the article about the Cascade Tunnel, an Engineering Mistake.
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
dougdagrumpPat, If you want I'll post the recipe or e-mail it. ps. With a 4 y.o. running around you don't get much of a chance for a siesta.
Having the recipe would be great. Posting or a PM would work for me. Posting would share it with the gang, might even start a recipe stampede! If it's as good as Jon's Baked Bean recipe it will be a big hit with the family!
Don't 4 year olds take naps? That could be your siesta time.
Still coughing but head feels better. They gave me amoxicillen for the sinus infection.
Pat--
I have a wonderful recipe for brine and letting big bird soak over night before smoking him, lots of spices and fresh fruits. It's a recipe I found several years ago and it was an instant hit with everyone, including my wife who WAS a non believer. The first year I prepared it she was so convinced that it was not going to satisfy the family that she prepared a second turkey in the oven---hardly anyone chose hers after trying the smoked bird The best part -- the cold leftovers the next day and the day after that! Now it's become a tradition and it's actually easy once you get the spices mixed up and get the bird in the pail for an overnight soak. If you want me to PM the recipe just let me know, it's well worth the effort. As much as I love to cook I don't have a lot of recipes but the ones that are my favorites are sure winners.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
jonadelPat--I have a wonderful recipe for brine and letting big bird soak over night before smoking him, lots of spices and fresh fruits. It's a recipe I found several years ago and it was an instant hit with everyone, including my wife who WAS a non believer. The first year I prepared it she was so convinced that it was not going to satisfy the family that she prepared a second turkey in the oven---hardly anyone chose hers after trying the smoked bird The best part -- the cold leftovers the next day and the day after that! Now it's become a tradition and it's actually easy once you get the spices mixed up and get the bird in the pail for an overnight soak. If you want me to PM the recipe just let me know, it's well worth the effort. As much as I love to cook I don't have a lot of recipes but the ones that are my favorites are sure winners.
Thanks Jon. Yes, please PM me the brine receipe. Thanks for taking the time to do that.
I don't fix baked beans any way other than your recipe. They are great fixed in the oven as well as in the smoker.
I hope to have dugdg's brine recipe to try as well. Dug, do you do the bird in the oven, on the grill (smoker) or both?
Thanks guys.
Saturday night. Time for 3 Hrs of country music shows on RFD-TV
Good evening all,
IIABSDISEI with temps near 60. Was very busy. Kids wanted to play RISK last night. Did not get to bed until 1 AM. Finished the yard work, cleaned some stuff out of the attic, sent Christmas cards to my Brazilian and Norwegian soccer friends, fixed the awning on the barn, buried what was left of a rabbit after the dog had gotten thru with it, went to the YMCA to do soccer drills, treadmill (13:00 minute mile), and weights, and then rested. Whew! I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast this morning before sending it to "Points East". TBIL. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good Evening
Temp made it to 43 with sun all day.
I spent the afternoon at oldests sons house eating leftovers and watching his new 52 inch tv. It sure makes my 37 inch one look small. But I did beat him at a game of PS3 golf. We still have banilla and cookies for the Tardis crew if they are hungry...S.J.
Low 60's and sunny today.
Getting the waitress trained at the little resturant my wife and I go to on Saturday mornings. She remembered my 'usual' Saturday breakfast order of double hash browns with chili, onions, tomatoes, and a side of bacon and my wife's eggs, bacon, and toast.
Got the subfloor replaced in the upstairs bathroom today. Managed to avoid slipping off of a joist and putting my foot through the living room ceiling too. Now it is on to one of the walls. It is amazing what the craftsmen of the past could do with plaster. The joist line wandered around somewhere between 1/2" and 3/4". With plaster, that can be accomidated. For the drywall, I'm installing shims.
Discovered that the whistle problem in my 1033 is the switch. There is some extra play in the shaft. Tilting the handle the right way, the whistle works.
Noticed yesterday that WalMart had Lionel trains on their web site
Later all.
Evenin' All.
Taking a break from working on this year's rendition of a Christmas Train for the museum.
Pat, I haven't tried it with a smoker, last Thanksgiving I did roast da bird in the gas B-B-Q when the oven died on wednesday morning. That is as close as I have come to a smoker, I've always done ours in the oven. Our sil has one, maybe I'll borrow it some weekend for a "test smoke".
8 qts of water
2 cups kosher salt
2 cups real maple syrup
2 bunches fresh thyme
6 bay leaves
4 lg cloves of garlic, peeled & crushed
3 tblsp black peppercorns
Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, cover, remove from heat and allow to cool.
This is good for a 20# bird. I have a big bucket I use only for this type of stuff but just to be on the safe side I also put a plastic garbage bag in the bucket. I also wrap all the spices in cheesecloth , it's a real pain fishing out those peppercorns (with my kinda luck somehow someone would end up with them). Put da bird in the baggie in the bucket , pour in the brine, soak over nite. I put bucket & all in the fridge. Roast as normal.
Bon Apetite !
Mornin' boys. Sun's arisin' and 33 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. S'posed to get up to 60, so it may be a good time to hang the Christmas lights outside. Gonna try to get the littlest princess to the stable today.
Fifepup and I did pretty good at the toy/train show yesterday. I taught him my old sales tactics, and he took to it like a fish in water. We cleared out about 1/3 of our table, when everyone else around us only sold 2-3 items a piece. Perhaps a career in used autos is in the boy's future.
Mrs Fifedog wanted to go to Kmart after dinner, and I checked out their Christmas section. They are offering a line of O sized houses called Coventry Cove. Two really stellar offerings are the Artist Shop (cool window displays), and the Subway Entrance, the latter of which I picked up. Gorgeous little structure that I will use as a pedestrian underpass on my layout. Also picked up an 8 foot chenile sailboat (with 2 penguins), and rope lights for Benji, our palm tree, 'cause that's how we roll in fifedom.
RAVENS better shut the door on Big Ben & Co, or season is over.
Glad NASCAR season is over. France family better get back to their roots...
Mornin' all
Hope all are recovering from meals, family and fun! I got the crossing gates taken apart and fixed; dirty coil cores, now strip and re-paint.
Fife - Those buildings sound great for the layout. Can't wait to see the sailboat.
Got to go and unlock the church
Morning,
Its not to cold here in Indiana
Ended up switching out the icicle lights for some that hang a lttle better and got the Santa's sleigh up
The ankle is much better and the swelling is going down, but I am a total failure at keeping it elevated and rested so it is still driving me nuts, though mostly when I am sitting still!!!
Getting the kids ready for church and then over to my moms for the regular family lunch
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