Coffee Pot #10 OCTOBER 2012 SIX years [April 1 is Anniv.] and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. GRITS for the Yankees

[dbaker48]

KRM

  I have given up on those crossing gates and will just use the 153IR to run them I guess.

Kevin,

Obviously, your choice, but based on your conversation I think your problem is with the track.

As you are using Marx tubular track, You need to make SURE you are preparing the track correctly.

We are essentially using the track as a switch, the center rail is providing the "+" and the outside rails is providing the "-".   As you can see in the photo the center rail is isolated from the three ties, (most llikely fiche paper.)  The two outside rails are NOT isolated from one another, and are electrically the same, (both "-".)  We need to isolate ONE of the outside rails.  That involves putting a non-conductive pin in the end of the rail where it connects to another section of track, AND protecting the rail from coming in direct contact with the metal tie.  Some people use paper, electrical tape, cardboard, etc..  EVERY tie must be isolated between the two non-conductive track pins!  IF you have two straight sections then you would have a non-conductive track pin at the extreme ends, and a conductive track pin where the two sections come together.  THEN you must isolate the rail from the metal ties, in the case of two sections of track it would be 6 ties.  This would be necessary for the entire length that the signal is required to be on. 

As a result as the engine/cars pass through this section of tracks, the wheels will provide "-" to the outside rail, completing the circuit to turn on the signal.  When the train has passed, then the circuit is broken and the signal goes off.

Hope this helps.

[RockIsland52]

rtraincollector

to be honest jack I think rear wheel drive ( how do you know lol) you got the colors correct. leather seats v-6 automatic of coarse. am/FM single CD player. not sure but think its got the Bose system as it sounds real good crisp and clear. Theres actually a lot I don't know about this car I'm slowly but surely figuring out like the trip odometer I'm always been use to it be connected to the odometer not in the radio screen and reset by the button/switch to the right of it lol. Whole new world when you move up to a Cadillac lol. Went back to dealership today as there suppose to program the new key less entry key fob and walk into the salesman's office and with straight face I said wife with me she don't like the car should of seen his face then said no just kidding brought the key fob to the truck in and letting them program the key fob for the SRX man I saw big relief at that point

Love doing things like that to people.

Talk to you all later guess now all train buying has to come to a halt well it was fun while it lasted.

RT.......I think you will love this SRX.  I decided to give everyone on the POT a break (especially Kevin ) and take our back and forth on your "new"  car off-line.  Only if he begs me and sends me $$$ will I keep Kevin in the loop.

Jack.

KEV.........re your Silverado, like waxing a 747, right?

[AF53]

Fife - nice touch! The second inning just started. Enjoy the game!

[rtraincollector]

RockIsland52

rtraincollector

to be honest jack I think rear wheel drive ( how do you know lol) you got the colors correct. leather seats v-6 automatic of coarse. am/FM single CD player. not sure but think its got the Bose system as it sounds real good crisp and clear. Theres actually a lot I don't know about this car I'm slowly but surely figuring out like the trip odometer I'm always been use to it be connected to the odometer not in the radio screen and reset by the button/switch to the right of it lol. Whole new world when you move up to a Cadillac lol. Went back to dealership today as there suppose to program the new key less entry key fob and walk into the salesman's office and with straight face I said wife with me she don't like the car should of seen his face then said no just kidding brought the key fob to the truck in and letting them program the key fob for the SRX man I saw big relief at that point

Love doing things like that to people.

Talk to you all later guess now all train buying has to come to a halt well it was fun while it lasted.

RT.......I think you will love this SRX.  I decided to give everyone on the POT a break (especially Kevin ) and take our back and forth on your "new"  car off-line.  Only if he begs me and sends me $$$ will I keep Kevin in the loop.

Jack.

KEV.........re your Silverado, like waxing a 747, right?

He would have to send you big $$$$$$$ as I get 50% to suport my train habit.

[RockIsland52]

wrconstruction

Wow RIJjack,  $150 for a face cord sounds like a lot.

that does seem high.  around here were getting 150 for a full cord delivered. If i'm correct a "face cord" is on ly a 1/3 of a cord, right? Our soul source of heat at the house is wood, we burn about 8 cords a winter. Luckly, we have property that gracefully yeilds enough fire wood every year, but its ALOT of work. I dont know what id do without my trusty Ford 8n and my log splitter (which I just bought last year, prior to that it was the old splitting mull and wedge operation)

I only cut and split in the fall winter, summer is just too hot and miserable to be dealing with fire wood. All this extra winter work cuts into train time, but I can spend the difference in free heat vs 4.00 a gallon for fuel oil on trians! ( I figure we save about 4K a year on heat)

Yes WR, we get nailed on firewood because I live in a bedroom community North of Boston; and the house lots (subdivision) are small......so I have nothing to harvest, cut up, and burn.  The wood guys really "lay the wood" to us on price.  If I lived 30 miles North and West of here I am certain the prices would be far more reasonable.

As for heating oil, I use/average around 850+ gallons a year.  Our prices are as outrageous as yours, $4.10 per gallon (last week's fill-up) and climbing.  The price per gallon forecast I hear on the news is even worse.  Significant increases in price due to the oil market and the fact that a colder and snowier Winter than last year is expected. 

Back 20 years ago heating oil was one of the cheapest ways to heat a home.  Now it is the most expensive.  Even electric is cheaper, and that used to be the high priced spread!!!  I am not allowed to have a propane tank in my yard (cluster zoning) and the natural gas company won't run feeder lines due to the high cost of putting them in the ground (too much rock and solid ledge.  So propane and natural gas are out.

DougM has the right approach.  Get on the budget plan and pay an even amount each month:  build up a credit balance June to October (5 months) and then see it dwindle during November through May (7 months) during the peak heating season and into Spring.

BTW........around here, a friend told me pellets for pellet stoves are running about $3.50 per 40 pound bag up my way (don't have one).  A bag may last my friend about 2-3 days if it is really cold, and that is just supplementing what his furnace eats up in heating oil.  Still a more economical way to go.

Jack

[wrconstruction]

Rock, from what I am seeing, Propane ,at least around here, is pushing 3 something a gallon for propane 

Even though cutting, splitting, hauling , stacking, carrying, getting up at 3am to reload the stove, etc is a total pain in the butt,

for every log i toss in in the stove, I flip the bird to the oil and gas companies. 

[wrconstruction]

can't figure out how to edit....

one other thing, my Stihl Farm Boss saw drinks gas like I drink beer, and uses bar oil like its going outa style. not to mention, 12.00 to get the chain done every time I run it into the ground. My 8n tractor runs great but isnt no gas sipper, not to mention the log spliter, 

If i were to value my time into the equation , I may not really be saving ANYTHING!!

[rtraincollector]

When I lived in VA. and worked for a propane company they had 2 deals you could do one was you could buy your expected fuel for the year during the summer and by buying it in bulk you save and if you didn't use it all they would carry it over to the next year and then they also had the flat rate all year plan.

The prepay plan actually would save you about 15 to 20 % so if your paying $4 a gallon and you use say 1000 GL a year that would save you between $600 to $800 a year in fuel but the draw back was you had to have that cash up front and by middle of July I believe it was.

Well about ready to call it a night been a long day hope all have a good weekend.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

DJ: That's pretty rough for Tyler. I hope he rebounds quickly.

[rtraincollector]

 Prayers still going for Tyler DJ keep the faith

[sir james I]

It's 47 right now and frost is predicted for tonight. Granny's cold is a nasty one so when we got home this afternoon she went to bed and I crashed on the couch. Around 5 pm she put a pumpkin pie in the oven(frozen,store bought but good)and we had some of that with banilla for supper. I will wait up for the thingy guys. Oh I did talk with Charlie as he drove home tonight and we discussed what surprises might be in the new Lionel catalog. I too use the monthly budget plan for our natural gas bill...S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

sir james I

Around 5 pm she put a pumpkin pie in the oven(frozen,store bought but good)and we had some of that with banilla for supper.

Store bought pumpkin pie is better than no pumpkin pie. I like my sisters homemade pumpkin pie a lot better though.

[AF53]

Good Evening everyone!

Was a great night as the kids came over for dinner while watching the Yankees/Orioles game. Even though we won 3-1 to win the fifth and final game, this series could have gone either way. Seems like someone stole all the real bats from both teams and made a substitution.

Spank - You have a lot on your plate these days but not forgetting about Corey is a big step in the right direction. Sometimes when these types of things happen to us we have a tendency to forget about "others" feeling. Good job! And continues prayers for Tyler.

SJ - The Tigers are going to be tough to beat. I expect it to go a full seven games.

HudsonJohn - I will see you tomorrow as I see "something has arrived".

SPRay - Have a relaxing and Happy Birthday tomorrow!

JoeD - Were are you?

[ChiefEagles]

Off to bed.  Up at 4 AM.  Hit the road at 4:30.  OHH, can't wait for it to stay darker in the AM.

[KRM]

RockIsland52

 RT.......I think you will love this SRX.  I decided to give everyone on the POT a break (especially Kevin ) and take our back and forth on your "new"  car off-line.  Only if he begs me and sends me $$$ will I keep Kevin in the loop.

Jack.

KEV.........re your Silverado, like waxing a 747, right?

 

 Thanks you RT & RI, don't look for any $$$$$$$ from me. Yeah a 747.

 

 I had a great time today.    When I was waxing the new ride I found some sort of glue or something on the paint by the right front door trim strip. So I took the thing to the dealer and asked if he could do me any good. He said sure and that If I left it there for a hour or two he would give me a loaner till they were done. The cool part was he said I will give you your old truck as the loaner. I said great, I think I know how to drive it. SO when the wife got home I was sweeping and burning leaves. She stopped for a long time in front of the shed and looked at the Dakota. I drove around on the mower pulling the sweeper like all was normal. She got out of the car and said WHAT HAPPENED!!!    I said what are you talking about. She said where ? is the new truck, I said what new truck??   What is wrong with you??  She said ,What went wrong to make you return the truck and get the Dakota back?? I said what new truck?? She was freaking out .     So I told her the real deal but it was fun.

 The better part was when I went to get the new ride I talked to the owner, a guy 4 years older than me for a long time and was offered a part time job shuttling cars for them if I wanted to do it, SO I said why not. Train Money.    Life is strange at times.

 

 Shake and Bake, I understand everything you are saying and have tried it on bench tests and in the video I posted but the way these gates work will not follow your plan If you want I will send you one so you can play with the real deal and see what you think. Just let me know. We both may learn something.

 

 DJ I will ask all I know for prayers for Tyler.

Time to hit the tub.

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[blownout cylinder]

DJSpanky

Quick update: Tyler's in an isolation ward (read: private room) at Sloan Kettering.  His white blood count had plummeted as of Wednesday, and he was running a fever, so they admitted him.  He's still got a fever: they finally isolated that he had picked up some flu strain which was causing it.  He had to have got that at the hospital.  They figure he'll be in isolation for five days (dating to Wed.) until his white blood cell count rebounds.  So hopefully around Monday we'll be able to brig him home.  Having the flu while also under heavy chemo has wreaked havoc on him via nausea, so for right now he's just on clear fluids and a drip.  I'm hoping in a day or so he can go back to solid foods.

I'm taking Corey to the Rutgers game against Syracuse tomorrow so that he gets a little attention and some "me" time from daddy.  Looks like most of my tailgate crew will be there, so a good time will be had by all.  Our goal is to crack the first beer by 9.

We also put Tyler on our church's prayer list 

Good evening

Kinda quiet evening here..lots of purring and such from Spring here...between my arms as I am typing away....

Have a good evening....

[Banks]

Hello all,

More    for Tyler

I drank too much Ice Tea (unsweetened) while Mrs & I enjoyed dining at Prime Sirloin Buffet this evening. So I'm tired but still wide awake. After we got home I carried in her house plants. Predicted low tonight is 26. I've covered then on cold nights till now. Staying out in the cold seems to help the Christmas Cactus bloom. We have one that came from her Mom. It was old 38 years ago when we started dating. It can't be set on the floor or it would break the branches. It is huge.

Son started picking corn this afternoon. Made three rounds and threw a chain on the picker.   By the time he got that fixed he decided to lay down for a while before heading to work at 11PM

Since there is going to be a killing frost tonight and tomorrow night Sunday PM may be spent digging flower bulbs that can't stand the winter. About 50% of the leaves are still on the trees so leaf collection will wait till the trees are bare.

Chief, Good luck with the deer. If the mood strikes and the weather is fair tomorrow I may take my musket for a walk in the late PM and try to slay one. You going Laz?

Sunday AM will be spent at the Blair Count Convention Center BSing with old friends and looking for things I can't live without at the semi annual Train Show.

Dad seems to be improving. His O2 level remains high enough to go without supplimental O2 while he is at rest. Have to keep after him while he is active to wear O2

Phish, Dennis, Stourbridge Lion, Demay and a host of others are on the missing list. Can anybody provide an update?

RE heating.   I've never spent a whole winter here using my oil boiler. I moved here in April '81. by mid May I decided I needed an alternitive fuel. Bought and installed a hand fired coal boiler. Most coal I've ever used was 7 ton in a really nasty winter. Last year I used 4 tons @ $120/ton. I guestimate I'd use at least 750 gallons of oil. it is a nobrainer for me. If I go away or the fire goes out oil kicks in automaticaly. I've used less than 500 gallon since the fall of 1981.

Well I think I'll head to bed and try to sleep.

Pryers for those in need

[dbaker48]

Kevin,

The signal has two circuits, one to open, and one to close.  The idea of the isolated rail activates when the train completes the circuit which closes the gate.  When the train passes thru the isolated section, the open circuit is activated. 

I believe you said that the signal closes when the train enters, but you were having trouble when it passed.  You should be able to run a wire from the "non-isolated" to the opposite side of the motor. 

Call me if you want.

[submmbob]

Hello all

Clear and cold here on the mountain tonight. A brisk 30 deg right now. Humidity is still high so I'm keeping an eye out for frost. Frost on the pumpkin is ok, but not on the dish.

RT - nice ride!

DJ - continued thoughts and prayers for Tyler

Well, I guess I'll keep counting the photons tonight.

Bob

[Brutus]

Spanky and Banks, prayers continue.  May God bless your families and grant healing.

Waiting for a shipment from Charles Ro - not sure what they shipped, but I know I'll love it  

Char and I are taking Chewy to see the vet tomorrow.  She can't really walk on her hind legs now and is going down hill faster and faster.  I hope there is something positive that can be done, but we shall see.

Yay - it's the weekend and the Cards won (I'm told)!

Banilla is ready, TARDIS is warmed up, and we are ready to go.  Oh - playing a videogame based on the Walking Dead comic books and in episode 3 your group finds a wrecked freight train with what I think is a GP38 engine.  You have to start the engine, release from the wrecked cars, and that's your get-away to Savannah.  Very fun - really enjoyed this part of the game  Fun!

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

We are to be getting rather dull today with the ever popular 30% chance of showers today...which usually means we get to be rather dull....

Going to get a few more pieces o' that there pink foam from Home Despot and see about picking up some more tools as well....tools...toys...mmmmmm....

Have a good day....

[jeffrey-wimberly]

blownout cylinder

We are to be getting rather dull today with the ever popular 30% chance of showers

Got that coming here tonight.

*

*

Good morning. It's 70° with 100% humidity and patchy fog. The high will be 85° and it'll be partly cloudy.


Watched a somewhat interesting movie last night called 'Derailed'. An undercover operative battles terrorists after they hijack a train. It was the usual kick them once, kick the twice, kick them again then beat them up one side and down the other Van Damme treatment. I give it one star. Definitely not one of his better movies.

I have no idea what I'm going to do today. I'm still thinking about what material to use to make the gallery for the grain elevator. Styrene is out. Card stock? Cardboard? It'd be nice if I could find something that's already the general shape I need.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cold 34 degrees. Going up to 67 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have an errand to run and some chores around the house. Work on a project until lunch. Then a nice nap.

Yankees and Tigers tonite baseball.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  27 here and frosty.  Getting up to 58.  Gotta dig out forsythias today to get fence ready.  Tomorrow shut down pond.  Finally got my hunting license yesterday.  Now I gotta find time to get out with the bow?  I already missed 2 weeks of the season. but it runs for about 8 weeks so I still have time.

RT, nice car good luck with it.

SPANK, continued prayers for TYLER.

BRUTUS, hope CHEWY is fine, prayers for the puppy.

FIFE,.

Stay frosty my friends,

laz57

[RockIsland52]

Spanky.........I am starting today the way I finished yesterday, with prayers that Tyler continues to hang tough and is home by Monday.

RaySP.........how does it feel to turn 60? 

Banks......I hear ya about getting our elders to do what the Docs tell them to do.  My FIL @ 91 is supposed to use bronchial dialators along with his O2 but adamantly refusest spend the $ on them.

Brutus.......I hope your visit tomoroow to the vet with Chewy is a good one and that the vet can do something for the back end.  You know how I feel about our dogs (and cats), enough said about that.

Later, gang.

Jack

[KRM]

dbaker48

Kevin,

The signal has two circuits, one to open, and one to close.  The idea of the isolated rail activates when the train completes the circuit which closes the gate.  When the train passes thru the isolated section, the open circuit is activated. 

I believe you said that the signal closes when the train enters, but you were having trouble when it passed.  You should be able to run a wire from the "non-isolated" to the opposite side of the motor. 

Call me if you want.

Don,

 You are correct. The issues with the isolated rails are this. All of my track is Lionel 027 style and one half curve of Marx 034.

Like in the video I posted it works fine with a short train going in one direction with only 2 pcs of isolated track sections, but only in one direction. Because one will trigger down and one up. so one direction only.

Doing isolated track sections on all of the track for the length I would want the signal to work would still only work in one direction and WOULD REQUIRE ISOLATING as much track as my longest train. 16 foot +. See what I mean? It seems to be the nature of the Lionel 6-14098 two circuit gate.

Well cloudy and dark, They are, and have been calling for rain but no rain here. I look at the radar and it is all around us just like all year long.

Grocery shopping today and then train room stuff maybe if it rains.

Happy birthday SPRay

Chief, good luck with the hunt. 

 Prayers for Bank's dad,,Tyler, and Brutu's pup.   

 

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Happy Birthday,  RaySP.........

Chuck

[sir james I]

42 and cloudy, rain expected. We need it.

Happy Birthday Ray.

Kev I'm not sure what you are trying to do but an insulated track section will work from either direction and brand of track doesn't matter.  2 sections would keep any assec. on as the train passes. Track and wheels must be clean though. Club meeting tonight, looking forward to a fun evening...S.J.

Jeff the font kept dropping back to 1 all through this post. As you can see here, show this to them.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Sir James: I passed the message on. That's the most I can do.