Trains.com

Coffee Pot #1 January 2013 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 Locked

207718 views
1379 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,048 posts
Posted by fifedog on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 2:42 PM

Tap tap tap.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 3:36 PM

railhead53
Jeffrey - does it ever stop raining down there?  Tongue Tied

Yeah. Looks like we're getting a break. Looks like little or no rain from now to the 25th.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 3:39 PM

fifedog

Tap tap tap.

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Crystal Lake, IL
  • 8,059 posts
Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 3:52 PM

This morning's L trains on some of the CTA's lines had to manually switched through their various interchanges. Can't imagine it was fun to stand out there. Wonder what this afternoon will bring those commuters... Glad I take the former Northwestern line home. We just get delayed by the CN routing many more trains over the former EJ&E. 

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

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:11 PM

jeffrey-wimberly

railhead53
Jeffrey - does it ever stop raining down there?  Tongue Tied

Yeah. Looks like we're getting a break. Looks like little or no rain from now to the 25th.

Good to hear, lots-o-rain here in Bradford County usually means flooding to a small degree at least. Lots of farms around here, don't have all the trees to soak it up.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:15 PM

Hmmm do I dare step in here . Smile, Wink & Grin Anyway not a lot going on here. And BO yes the chief is the butt of most jokes on here. Whistling Well going to try getting some 2x4's and 1x4's and start some of my frame work for my layout to be coming. Still plan to work on 2' at a time. as for getting trains running I have my ceiling loop to satisfy me for now.

Getting ready to make some dinner ( excuse me chief its supper down here right?) Dinner is lunch rightLaugh

Anyway baked Talapi

Talk to you all later

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:11 PM

It's 40 degrees

There were emails flying around today, I guess that little part of the pot will never go away. Go back and read my post, you will see that I had no direct dialog with what occurred yesterday. Only that your not allowed to voice your opinion here if you disagree with someone..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
    November 2012
  • 169 posts
Posted by railhead53 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:27 PM

Does anybody want to talk about what kind of fuses should be used between the transformer and modern era trains with their electronic circuit boards and all.  I am using ZW transformers and have been running pretty much unprotected.  In layman's terms what do I need to do to address this issue?  Thanks, Bo Smile 

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

 

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:34 PM

Good evening,

Well the drive to and from Milwaukee was pretty good. Nine of us road up in a large Ford club van so we had some room and eight of us brought 2012 Program cars back. I drove a 2012 GMC Terrain with 9K on it, Nice ride. One of the newer guys went flying past me on I90 in Rockford IL. Well 2 miles up the road there he was pulled over.  Surprise Needless to say he did not make any money today. Took about 7.5 hours for the whole trip. And Chief I got a FREE meal too!! And I will be getting a free lunch tomorrow. Dinner

Bo, I will post a picture of where I put the fuses or just send me a PM and I will walk you through it. No reason to drag it around on the pot. I will have to take some pictures first. Here is the link to the holders. I ordered 10of them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Inline-Mini-Fuse-Holder-with-Cover-16GA-4-Leads-/221168251815?pt=US_Car_Audio_Video_Fuses_Fuse_Holders&hash=item337ea7b3a7

Pat??? Yeah who is that guy. Hmm Too bad they removed the post that started it all because if everyone could have seen that it all would of made better sense to everyone. Enough on that.

On the train front; There were two boxes from RMT on the front porch when I got home from Wisconsin that I have yet to open but will soon. Smile

DougM, I have heard the same thing about CN and running a lot more trains on the EJ&E lines in Plainfield too.

SJ, my inbox was empty when I got home wonder who they were all about.???   Confused Trash talk I bet. You know what they say about opinions and another part of the body.  Whistling

Have fun and be good,

Good night.

 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:37 PM

railhead53

Does anybody want to talk about what kind of fuses should be used between the transformer and modern era trains with their electronic circuit boards and all.  I am using ZW transformers and have been running pretty much unprotected.  In layman's terms what do I need to do to address this issue?  Thanks, Bo Smile 

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

 

Bo PM me and I will walk you through it tomorrow afternoon. There are a lot of options but i can show you what I have done.

Read this post for starters  http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/213572.aspx?sort=ASC&pi350=1

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Bradford County, PA
  • 1,319 posts
Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:40 PM

Good evening.

Just had supper. Chicken and rice. Really good combination. Skittles for dessert.

Currently watching Red Tails, feeling kinda tired, really don't feel like doing much else right now.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:45 PM

KRM
Bo PM me and I will walk you through it tomorrow afternoon. There are a lot of options but i can show you what I have done.

Kev: you beat me to it. I was just about to advise him to ask you about it.Yes I was busy handling a few other things right at that time.Cool

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:50 PM

Bo postwar transformer circuit breakers are designed to protect the transformer not the train. So most guys are adding auto type fuses in line with the center rail. usually 10 to 15 amp.

"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
    February 2008
  • From: SE MI
  • 915 posts
Posted by MichRR714 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:00 PM

You can also use Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) components to even further protect your trains. 

I use both fuses and TVS protection on my layout, never had a problem.

Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)      

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central VA
  • 1,228 posts
Posted by LawsonFarmsRR on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:02 PM

LawsonFarmsRR

Anonymous

KRM

Brent Hmm

Good luck with that.

 You remind me of me, from when I was a much younger man and knew so much more than I do now. Confused I was a angry young man then.

  I myself am kind of tired of all of those who say, " I / we want our country back." Tell that to the native Americans that your and my ancestors stole it from and see what they have to say, Life is change, teach your children well.



Educate yourself on who The Amish are before you speak ignorantly.

JEFFERY - Who is this anonymous writer? Are we allowed to post anonymously? Doesn't seam fair to  be able to say anything anonymously.

Some tough things being said here under the apparent protection of being anonymous. More than one  anonymous post.

Pat

JEFFREY -I am waiting for an answer to this. Confused and in need of an explanation!  anyone else have an answer? Jeffrey must be to busy to answer.

Pat

 RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!

 

              

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:17 PM

LawsonFarmsRR
JEFFREY -I am waiting for an answer to this. Confused and in need of an explanation!  anyone else have an answer? Jeffrey must be to busy to answer.

I sent you a PM about it earlier today. Look for one titled 'Anonymous'.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:39 PM

Hey Guys here they are,

 It went like this, Hey babe you want to see the new cars that were in those boxes? Sure I do.  Okay come on down I am unpacking them.

 At the time I had two out of the boxes. She said wow they are nice and I love that little guy with them. At the same time I am bringing two more boxes over and she said, Oh you have two more?? No not two more,,,,,,,, I have six more Stick out tongue honey,remember I said if you could get cars for less that ten $ you have to do it and these are new! OH ,,,,,,,,, Huh?  BTW I think I need at least six more.  Whistling

 Update:: I just ordered four of the Alaska Ore cars.Yes

Wink

 
 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: S.E. Ohio
  • 5,434 posts
Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:28 PM

Chief... I hate to admit it, BUT, you were right !!!!!!!!

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:29 PM

Good Evening..

Lots of sun today but it was not enough to keep the ccold at bay like it did yesterday...the westerly winds kept springing up.

Got most of the creeping crud out of my system...Mattie' Chile did it...chile slow cooked with  cheesecloth bag with cut up habanero and ghost peppers in the middle of said chile...mmmmmm...good!!

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:29 PM

Kev:  Love the coal cars!!!

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:31 PM

Evening.  Back from meetings. 

Last one was at a steak restaurant in neighboring Zebulon.  Was suppose to be a small gathering of pro-gun folks asking questions to 4 local county Sheriffs.  Turned out to be about 1000 folks showed up.  No room inside and opened the outside doors and standing room only in parking lot.  All Sheriffs said no one was going to take law abiding citizens' guns.  The people of the USA would not allow it and they all would resign.  Don't think that is the intenet anyway.

OH, was not a FREE meal.  I had to pay.  Did have a fee lunch.  A roast beef sandwich on rye with a cup of sweet ice tea.  That was all.  Only had a cup of yogart for breakfast.  So, a salad bar, NY strip and fries for dinner.  

Well, trains are here.  A big box of two NS Legacy diesels are in the living room left by UPS.  Got workout tomorrow AM early and then home to test run them.  Might take shells off and do some smoke unit "rework" and use a smear of some special secret stuff right under the elements.  I'll try and take photos.

Mike C, sorry things are not going exactly right.  Will say a prayer for them to change for you.  

There is a hint of Edgar Allen Poe around here. Whistling    OH, sat at the table with a guy and his wife.  He use to be some ranking person with Maryland State Police.  They said the got tired of that north place and moved here after he retired. Laugh

Later

PS: Bo, I tried the TVS's.  Had some trouble with them.  Went back to fast acting breakers [resetable type].  Built my own breaker box from an OGR video.  Can get them real cheap from Scott's Odds and Ends.

 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
    November 2012
  • 169 posts
Posted by railhead53 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:40 PM

Good evening all,

Just got word I won a Lionel semi-scale Shell 1-D Tank Car.   It was made in 1991 and has a zinc die-cast body.  A little pricy, but I think it will be nice to have.

Kev - Sent you a PM.  Like the new cars by the way!

Hope everyone has a nice evening!  Bo  Smile

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

 

 


 
 
  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 169 posts
Posted by railhead53 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:06 PM

Chief, thanks.  By the way, I believe Scott's Odds and Ends has now joined with Trains Electric LLC out of Traverse City, Mich.  Same products as before.  I bought the relays for my signals from them.  

 Kev, is going to work with me to better understand what I need and hopefully how/where to install.  What kind of problems did you have with the TVS's.  I've read that the TVS's actually provide the best protection to our train's electonics.  Maybe after some conversation with Kev, I'll better understand. 

 "There is a hint of Edgar Allen Poe around here." Whistling  I agree withya Chief.  Kinda like it too!  Wink 

Thanks again,  Bo  Smile

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

  

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: SE MI
  • 915 posts
Posted by MichRR714 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:24 PM

railhead53
Chief, thanks.  By the way, I believe Scott's Odds and Ends has now joined with Trains Electric LLC out of Traverse City, Mich.  Same products as before.  I bought the relays for my signals from them. 

Oh my way up nawth by my cabin! Whistling

Charlie a.k.a. MichiganRailRoad714 (Charter Member TTC)      

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:31 PM

railhead53

Chief, thanks.  By the way, I believe Scott's Odds and Ends has now joined with Trains Electric LLC out of Traverse City, Mich.  Same products as before.  I bought the relays for my signals from them.  

 Kev, is going to work with me to better understand what I need and hopefully how/where to install. 

OH NO!!!  There goes your whole electroncis.

 What kind of problems did you have with the TVS's.  I've read that the TVS's actually provide the best protection to our train's electonics.  Maybe after some conversation with Kev, I'll better understand. 

If they get shorted too much, mess up the whole control system.  Makes voltages go up and down as loads are applied.  Took mine out and went back to just quick acting breakers like I had run for years, 

 "There is a hint of Edgar Allen Poe around here." Whistling  I agree withya Chief.  Kinda like it too!  Wink 

Thanks again,  Bo  Smile

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

  

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

              

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:59 PM

ChiefEagles

railhead53

Chief, thanks.  By the way, I believe Scott's Odds and Ends has now joined with Trains Electric LLC out of Traverse City, Mich.  Same products as before.  I bought the relays for my signals from them.  

 Kev, is going to work with me to better understand what I need and hopefully how/where to install. 

OH NO!!!  There goes your whole electroncis.

 What kind of problems did you have with the TVS's.  I've read that the TVS's actually provide the best protection to our train's electonics.  Maybe after some conversation with Kev, I'll better understand. 

If they get shorted too much, mess up the whole control system.  Makes voltages go up and down as loads are applied.  Took mine out and went back to just quick acting breakers like I had run for years, 

 "There is a hint of Edgar Allen Poe around here." Whistling  I agree withya Chief.  Kinda like it too!  Wink 

Thanks again,  Bo  Smile

 

Visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

  

 OUCH CHIEF!

 Bo Chief may have a point, I only run conventional So I have no clue what can happen to all that other stuff, I have never had any problems but Chief may have something there I don't know about. But most of us don't listen to him in any case.Laugh He is a Politician ,,,you know.  Whistling Maybe Charlie can jump in and help.

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: North Texas
  • 5,707 posts
Posted by wrmcclellan on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:00 PM

Evening all!

Feeling a bit better every day so that is good. Supposed to get to 60's by the weekend.

Kev - the cars look great!

Long day today so calling it early tonight.

Regards, Roy

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 169 posts
Posted by railhead53 on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:00 PM

Sir James I and MICHRR714,  thanks for the comments about the fuses and all.  I'm going to put in some protection.  It's been placed at the top of the priority list.  Bo  Smile

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 4,913 posts
Posted by Brutus on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:24 PM

Howdy guys - cold in Saint Louis, but getting a little warmer for a few days.  This morning it was in the 20s again so I went out to warm up the truck before taking the kids to school.  I saw my daughter come out and she was standing by the door.  I figured she was talking to our son, right?  After a couple minutes, my cellphone rang.  "Dad?  Can you bring your house key over here, because my skirt is locked in the door...."

Laugh

Tonight my son and I studied for his chemistry class.  I know all about ionizing and non-ionizing radiation now, lol!

TARDIS is ready and we have beacons all over the place, so let's get rolling!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:44 PM

Well I was having some trouble with the electricity here today. The lights kept going from bright to dim then bright again. I checked the voltage at a couple of the outlets. It was fluctuating between 92 and 115 with an occasional dip to the high 60's. Just out of curiosity I turned the heater off and the reading went up to 109. I then turned the heater back on and it dipped to 92 again. Then I turned it on high. There was a pop from under the layout and the reading went to 115 and the heater was running on high with no problem. Aha! Only a couple of things could account for that. The first one I checked turned out to be the culprit. There's a heavy duty heater/ac extension cord between the heater and it's 20amp wall socket, and yes I know for a fact it's 20amp. I installed it myself when I rewired the trailer in 94 with wire more than equal to the need. Where the cord plugged in the wall socket was OK. When I picked up the end the heater was plugged into it sizzled a little, the light dimmed and brightened so yes, I had found the problem. That cord had only been there for twelve years (I put it there in 2000) so it had every right to be acting up. No sense trying to save it. I got a new one (exact same type) from the closet and put it in place. Now everything works as it should. Good thing I went way above code on the wiring when I rewired this place. Well that's enough about that. I wouldn't want to bore anyone. And I did run a train today. I'd knocked some wires around while I was under the layout and I ran a train all the way around to make sure there weren't any problems. I even checked the track voltage at several points. Eleven volts, just what it should be. Go much higher than that and the Z Scale decoders don't like it. Above fifteen volts in anything bigger than a yard switcher they start running hot so I don't go there. I run them in geeps, SD's, F units, etc.

Well time to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.



Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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