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Coffee Pot #4 APRIL 2013 TEN 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 Yanks. Locked

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, April 18, 2013 4:08 PM

RockIsland52
Jeffrey........I never realized that it required two adults to pick up seven gallons of gas!  I must have been screwing it up all these years going it alone. Smile, Wink & Grin

Not seven, you missed a couple of cans there. It was seventeen. 5+5+5+2=17. He still should have been able to take care of it himself. I guess he just likes the company.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by RockIsland52 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:43 PM

Hey Fife........why should you and I go through all of this train and driving stuff to York when the Chief can pick us up in his new aircraft, Roseyville 1? Big Smile

JimmyT......claybar, cleaner, then wax.  I'd have to go over the car 3 times!!!!  I'd be dead before I got to the wax part! SurpriseI have been using Maguires products.Thumbs Up 

Jake......I was an English major undergrad, am glad they are teaching you the mechanics of good writing with the note cards and the outline. Thumbs Up

RaySP......congrats on your grandson's confirmation. Thumbs Up Don't feel bad about your dress clothes not fitting you.  I am phasing in replacements too because my stuff shrunk! Whistling  BTW......any local glass replacement outfit can take out your front and back windows and reinstall them using fresh rubber.

Brent.....by my math, that puts the master layout fourth on the list, provided the honey-do priority list does not get altered, which it will.  June?? Laugh 

DougM and KEV.......hope you guys have yatchets parked in your driveways with all of that rain. Pirate

Jeffrey........I never realized that it required two adults to pick up seven gallons of gas!  I must have been screwing it up all these years going it alone. Smile, Wink & Grin

Banks......the area around Harrisburg and South toward York indeed has a lot to offer beyond York.  Like the Army War College, Gettysburg, and Three Mile Island.  Laugh  My son went to school off 84 just West of LAZ and I have made the drive from North of Boston a lot of times.  Beauiful country too with the hills.  Thumbs Up

V8 Dennis......in the short run get the Del Sol painted.  Down the road your prospective rich wife-to-be can then buy you a Ferrari!  Laugh

Later, gang. 

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:28 PM

Got a storm front moving in here pretty quick and it's starting to look really nasty out there. Not only that, it's starting to feel nasty. When I stepped out a little while ago to put a coat of Krylon Matte Finish on the last two FP7 shells I could literally feel the electricity in the air. It could get bad. Here's the local radar picture:

I'll be back later if I can.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Running Bear Enterprises
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Posted by RedfireS197 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:22 PM

lion88roar

Mornin' Fellas

Not sure what you guys are doing to your Lionel Trains, but I've not had any issues with any of the items I have purchased... at least nothing purchased new. All the issues I have had were because some blockhead tried to modify something they should have left alone... good thing I have a great LTS nearby.

Now if I could only get my layout opperational so I can run some trains!

I was informed last night by Christina that she wants a choo choo garden... so looks like a quick build is in order... just got to get two projects done at the house first (TheQ has authorized the work order).

Brent,

            Consider yourself lucky.  When our friend was in the parts/repair business, I just took whatever to him to get it fixed under warranty.  He was the only person in the area that I trusted after what I saw a shop in Bridgeville do...  I resemble that blockhead remark.Smile, Wink & Grin

Jack,

          Absolutely.  A clay bar kit will get rid of dirt that washing and cleaner wax won't touch.  I've done it on both vehicles with great results.  Just be sure to follow up with a cleaner wax then a regular wax.  I've used both the Meguiar's and Mothers clay kits, and I highly recommend the Mothers because you get  much more clay.

Bob,

         Sending you a PM asap.

Got the latest 3662 milk car in today.  This one is the later 1964-66 variant, and it needs cleaned and serviced. Thumbs Up  Thread coming soon.

Jim

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Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:56 PM

Ryan. The way I see it, it's better than nothing. At least they are producing some items here.

Good afternoon.

Outline for English due tomorrow. Shouldn't be that hard, once the note cards for a research paper are done it seems to be easy from there on out since you have an idea as to what you want.

Not much else going on, hoping to get some more work done on the 109 before painting it. Been a while, may also paint the little caboose while painting the 109.

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

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

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Posted by SPMan on Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:51 PM

Good morning all,

Lots of bad stuff in the news lately.  Enough already!

New MTH catalog is on line today.  Took a quick look.  Lots of stuff but nothing earth shaking at least to me.  However of interest was the reissue of the E6 diesel locomotive in Premier now with proto 3.  I currently have my proto 2 version back at MTH waiting for repairs.  There were several engines that were being reissued from proto 2 to proto 3 I think.  Lot more stuff offered in the Rail King and Imperial lines..  Dummy units offered in the NS heritage diesels for around $270 but I think those are Premier.  Might get the one with the original Norfolk and Southern Railway paint Red, yellow and black.

Went to grandson's confirmation last night.  Long service lasted about two hours with around 90 people being confirmed.  Had pizza at home afterwards.  Had a hard time getting into my dress clothes.  I am growing again-----sideways.

Rumors are that Chief is sneaking into Pennsylvania with a bag full of grits to distribute.

V8, let me know how that One Day paint job turns out on your car.  I have a 96 Honda and an 87 Buick that are both crying for paint jobs.  Also need to find out who to go to for rubber replacements around windshild on Honda and doors on the Buick.  This California Smog/heat just eats rubber including rubber boots on steering components and ball joints.  Buick needs that too.

later,

Ray

 

 

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by lion88roar on Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:59 PM

Mornin' Fellas

Not sure what you guys are doing to your Lionel Trains, but I've not had any issues with any of the items I have purchased... at least nothing purchased new. All the issues I have had were because some blockhead tried to modify something they should have left alone... good thing I have a great LTS nearby.

Now if I could only get my layout opperational so I can run some trains!

I was informed last night by Christina that she wants a choo choo garden... so looks like a quick build is in order... just got to get two projects done at the house first (TheQ has authorized the work order).

https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/

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Posted by cnw1995 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:37 AM

Aloha. Lotsa rain during the past 24 hours. Most in 2 years. Glad I'm not commuting today. Just a little water in the basement from one of the lightwells and the sumps still working nicely. This makes it a nice day to play in the basement later after work. Thanks for the link to the catalog, Laz! The Zephs look neat!

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

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:35 AM

Zero Export
If we can manufacture and tool the US Armed Forces Cars in the USA, for about the same price as the over seas made cars, WHY THE HELL CAN'T WE MAKE THEM ALL HERE?

That's the sixty-four million dollar question! The answer? My answer at least is that they make more profit by paying for cheap labor in third world or developing nations then making us pay through the nose for something that cost them pennies on the dollar to make. That's about as close as I can get without dragging 'politics' into it.

*

Well my few little plans for today have already been scuppered. Even as I was posting this morning my father called and said we have to go to town to get all the gas cans (three 5gal and one 2gal) filled and then put them back in the old fridge they're stored in and lock it up. Why he can't do this on his own I don't know. We also had to go by the fire dept and unload about a hundred feet of old rubber fire hose he had in the bed of his truck. We got all that done and I still haven't had anything to eat today. So that's next. Something fast like buttered rice should be good enough. I'll have a couple of hours to get something, anything done on the layout before I have to get ready for dinner in town this evening.

Am I running in little circles fast enough?



Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Posted by Banks on Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:31 AM

Hello all,

Dark clouds and 62 this AM.

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!! A day early this week. Head’n to YORK as soon as Mrs gets home. Planning to dine on Mountain Pies at Indian Rock Campground this evening.

Sad news from Texas  Angel

Sir James & the Detroit Gang…….glad to see you made the Curve

Jack….I’m guessing the Detroit Gang had over 500 miles without the side trip?

There is lots of other interest in the area. Gettysburg is just down the road. I haven’t had a chance yet but I’ll definitely do something for your granddaughters walk.

Chief…….is he planning a raid above the Mason Dixon to YORK???

Best get busy

 

 

Prayers for those in need

Banks, Proud member of the OTTS  TCA 12-67310

  

   

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Posted by Zero Export on Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:19 AM

LAZ, thanks for the link,   I see a few MUST HAVES

Now here's my COMPLAINT:

If we can manufacture and tool the US Armed Forces Cars in the USA, for about the same price as the over seas made cars, WHY THE HELL CAN'T WE MAKE THEM ALL HERE?

Ryan

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Thursday, April 18, 2013 9:45 AM

WOW we have got more rain in the last 16 hours than we got all of last year. The driveway is a mess. the wife drove all the way to work,50 miles to find out they closed the schools. Super Angry

i got to go to Alsip for the dealer so i will catch up later. have a good day and prayers for those in TX.

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, April 18, 2013 9:32 AM

Good morning. It's 74° with 82% humidity. It will be cloudy with light rain this morning. Heavy rain and thunderstorms later. The high will be 80°.


No plans for the morning or early afternoon. I may do some cleanup on the layout. There's decal sheets, paper clippings from numberboards and tools scattered around. Late in the afternoon I have a dinner to attend. Today would have been my mothers 75th birthday.



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


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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, April 18, 2013 9:16 AM

Thanks,  LAZ.  Very nice catalog.  Expensive.

I see Lionel is offering O gauge curved track in O-42 and O-54 radius.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 8:19 AM

Here's the NEW LIONEL CATALOG for YUZ GUYZ to peruse.....

http://www.lionel.com/products/catalogs/Interactive/2013c1/index.html

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by AF53 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:51 AM

Fife - I read that this morning. Hugh explosion. Terrible

RIJack - It was me who mentioned you should make the trip. It's just one of those things you put on your bucket list. Even if you do it once you won't regret it. BTW, I will post for HudsonJohn about Macks report.

Ray

Bayville, NJ

 

Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans - John Lennon

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:18 AM

RockIsland - Got it all figured out.  Take Acela Express from Boston at 0510, arrive in Baltimore at 1100, jump right on northbound Light Rail, hop off at Lutherville, then I scoop you up and it's straight shot up 83.  Capeesh?  Oh, train ticket about $250.  No problem.

On a down note, a lot of shock in West, Texas. SighAngel

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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:06 AM

CHUCK,

  Yes I too have that same Cheerios car and I will send it to the TRIBE to get back winning again.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:04 AM

Hi GUYZ,

  59 here and getting up to 72 at YORK.  I will leave at 1045 this morning and get to YORK by 1200 opening bell.  Going to ORANGE HALL first to check out the new Lionel Catalog, and Ye Old Train and Christmas Shop for my Reading & Northern 4 bay hopper cars.

FIFE, don't bite off the bunnies ears.

Stay frosty my friends,

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by RockIsland52 on Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:02 AM

Good Mornin' Y'all From Sunny And Seasonal Cape Ann,

Maximus was up early, wanted to go out and patrol the yard for those geese.  Must be Reb geese, honk with an Southern accent and seem to wander around the yard looking for an outhouse. Laugh

Chief is MIA.  A lot of the boys are off to York.  RT is in hiding as he should be for over-ebaying it, again.  So it is up to the rest of us to pick up the load on the POT.

Advice For The Day For Dog Owners:  make sure you get going on the flea and tick treatments on your dogs.  The ticks were out early this year way up here in the Northeast.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

JimmyT......have you ever clay-barred the paint on any of your cars?  The guys on my car forum are all talking about cleaning up their vehicles from the Winter.  They are also talking about some sort of power tool for this applicaation, polishing and waxing, that is safe for the average Joe to use...... unlike rotary disk ones.  And you are right about writing a "technical service bulletin" on the modern milk car. Thumbs Up

Bob.....those of us who live in urban and suburban locales envy the natural beauty in your neck of the woods.  Our definition of the wide open spaces is quite different than yours.  BTW......the Docksider will not prevail. Thumbs Up

V8 Dennis......I enjoyed your summary of what you have done on the Del Sol so far.  Hope you took some "before" pics of the paint before you get it redone.  Sticking with the guys you know insures you know what you will get for the repaint outlay.  I'd spend the extra bucks on the additional prep and finish work.  You will enjoy the look and results every time you just glance at the car over the next decade or two.  Better for picking up rich, interested, unattached women at your church too.  Out of the over 10,000 that attended Easter services, there has to have been hundreds from which you could choose. Laugh

HudsonJohn did not post what the lab tests showed on his dog, Mack.  Now that he is off to York we will have to wait to hear.  No news is good news I hope. Angel

Re the California boys....where have DougDG and Don Baker been hiding out?  RaySP, hope your church friend is doing OK.  I apologize for urging you to go visit her.  I understand that the family wants to protect her privacy and are concerned with how she looks at this point.  But I'm sure if she could talk that her desire for a comforting and caring visitor at the end would supercede her vanity. Tough call.

One of you boys suggested I attend York one of these days.  Carlisle near York is a 453 mile drive one way for me. Sad

Later, gang.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:56 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a sunny 55 degrees. Going up to 86 ( ? ) today with sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and a business phone call to make. Then, I can relax and enjoy the weather. Maybe I'll spend some time outside.  Lunch and a nap.

Yes, Jack, the Indians lost to the Red Sox again. I thought they may have pulled it out of trouble but it didn't happen. Hopefully, tonite.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.  I think I will send the Cheerios box car to the Indians for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:47 AM

Mornin' boys.  Overcast and 59 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  S'posed to get nasty Lightning tomorrow night as we are leaving YORK.  Gotta get my funds together today, which includes the change in the money bunny.

Buckeye is in town, but I can't get to him due to work obligations. Sigh  Safe trip, buddy.

sirjames - Just listen to the lady's soothing voice on the intercom - "No cellphones, no tardis beacons, and follow the arrows..."

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Posted by submmbob on Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:01 AM

Hello all

Back home in the Ol' Pueblo. I-10 was closed eastbound into New Mexico due to blowing dust. Bunch of trucks waiting for the road to open at the exit I use to get on I-10. Stopped to make a phone call in Willcox and got to listen to a UP train pass w/ a bunch of auto carriers. Wonder if they were going to have to stop for the winds too?

Have a solution for the docksider. I'm not giving up yet.

Time to find a pillow

Bob

Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)

Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops

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Posted by AF53 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:52 PM

Ray

Bayville, NJ

 

Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans - John Lennon

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:29 PM

AF53

.......RIJack - We went to Tue nights game in da Bronx against the DBacks. As most stadiums we too had a moment of silence before the game. Then came the bottom of the third and "Sweet Caroline" came on and most of the fans were singing, really touching. Shows what's really important.

Later guys!

AF Ray, HudsonJohn, and JoeyD........add in the solidarity signs between New York and Boston at the top of the stadium walls.  The Yankees and the New York fans, all class.   And it was front page news here in Boston and was played on all of the sports shows. Thumbs Up

Jack.

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by AF53 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:00 PM

Good Evening All!

All ready for the trip westbound. HudsonJohn, Johnsson and I leave around 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. With minor stopping we should be in York at about 4 - 4:30 (180 miles).

Looking forward to breakfast on Friday and chat with the guys, just as long as that "white stuff" doesn't show up on our plates.

RIJack - We went to Tue nights game in da Bronx against the DBacks. As most stadiums we too had a moment of silence before the game. Then came the bottom of the third and "Sweet Caroline" came on and most of the fans were singing, really touching. Shows what's really important.

Later guys!

Ray

Bayville, NJ

 

Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans - John Lennon

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Posted by 8ntruck on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:49 PM

60's partly sunny and thunder storms blowing through today. Tornado watch too.  Yup. Spring is here.

The 8206 Hudson I won on e-bay arrived today.  First time on the track for a test run, the e-unit would not cycle.  I took the shell off and hooked it up to my test transformer with alligator clips.  Worked perfectly.  Near as I can figure is that the e-unit got stuck during shipping and shook loose when I removed the shell.  Cleaned the commutator, and lubed it while it was apart.  It is running OK now.  The smoke unit is weak and I would not describe it as a strong puller.  It still looks pretty good pulling a set of streamlined passenger cars.

This locomotive came with a Sound of Steam tender when new.  Mine did not come with a tender.  No real heartbreak there.  I think I'll probably end up putting something together with Trainsounds.  Only thing wrong with that idea is that I'll have more in the tender than the locomotive!

Somebody mentioned how they had more boxes arriving than they thought their wife would tolerate.  I did notice that there seemed to be lots of really good deals on e-bay the last couple of days.  I did manage to resist buying stuff, just because it was a good deal.  I wonder if the seemingly low prices on e-bay have anything to do with the York show?

All for now.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:36 PM

I got the two remaining FP7's decaled and numbered. 619 and 1599 if you want to know.

Now earlier I asked a question about these two locos. They're both Roco built but have different types of motors. One has a can motor and the other an open frame motor. Which loco is older?

My 'official' answer is that the one with the can motor is older. It's a Roco built Atlas made in the 70's. The loco with the open frame motor was made in the 80's. Presumably it's Atlas but there's no brand name anywhere. There's a scrubbed off spot on the bottom of the trucks exactly where the Atlas name would have been. However these trucks are on Atlas, E-R Models and Con-Cor FP7 locos that I know of and the Atlas and E-R Models both share the 70's body. I'm reasonably certain the Con-Cor model does as well. Near as I can tell the 80's model has a 48" dynamic brake fan whereas the 70's model has a 36" dynamic brake fan. There are other minor molding differences such as a second headlight on many of the 80's models.

Here's a photo of the chassis with the open frame motor.


Well it's time for me 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


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Posted by RedfireS197 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:24 PM

RJ,

       I upgraded some of the curves on my layout from 031 to 042.  Now, I can run a wider variety, and the layout seems larger as well.  I just need the money to finish it.

Got the milk car working.Thumbs Up  Out of frustration, I tore it completely apart and spread the pieces on the bench.  After checking each part, I found some issues.

1.  The large vertical piece of metal to the left of the milkman was incorrectly positioned in front of the figure.  That was why the cans were sticking. Bent it to the proper angle to solve this issue.

2.  The tab on the plate below the figure sweep arm was misaligned in it's slot.  The bottom of the figure sweep arm was also distorted.  This partially cured the sticking door issue.

3.  Weak door springs.  Increased tension.

4.  The dashpot piston is present on the plunger, but the cylinder and seat from the postwar design were eliminated .  The dashpot (when serviced properly) was the key to the slow and smooth operation of the 3662/3672 of the postwar period.

Clearly, modern Lionel made this move as a cost saver.  Although it doesn't impair the operation, it would certainly help these modern cars operate better if the dashpot was retained.

Was this a hard item to fix? No.  However, I don't think the end user should have to clean up sloppy engineering on a brand new piece.

It works great now.  I think I feel a tech thread coming on...Stick out tongue

Jim

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Posted by Lehigh Valley 2089 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:21 PM

Getting late. Will be heading up soon. Night everyone.

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

-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.

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