Konbanwa,
I had a good 8-mile run this morning. There was a light rain during the last four miles which was quite nice. The workday kept me relatively busy, but nothing that required me to work late. The Princess made us pancakes for dinner and she did a great job. It’s just about bedtime here so I hope you all have a great day.
Bo – It was nice to see your post. Your photos on SPF were splendid as usual.
Sayonara,
Joe
Aloha. Sunny and cool this Monday morning in Chicago. Had a pleasant busy weekend, building a bookcase, showing off Ivor for some visiting youngsters. (He's lost Idris the dragon somewhere on the layout - I think one of the kittens has snatched him out of Ivor's smokestack), playing a little mini-golf with the youngest, and drove around antiquing the area yielding a whole mess of dining room chairs the bride wants me to refinish and repair. No train items spotted. Next weekend's the county fair and there is usually some interesting items that pop up at the flea market.Dennis, glad you're OK. Sorry about the Probe.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
We have a cloudy 63 this morning.
I am hoping today's aches & pains are because of the dampness and nothing else. The Tardis was late last night so I took some aspirin and went to bed. Our grass is still very green and growing, usually this time of year it is brown and lazy. BLT for breakfast and looking at a peaceful day.
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
Good Morning Guys!
Nothing much going on here. Have the next two days off work, . Going to go and help Bob with his layout, he has some wiring problems he has been emailing about. Havn't been able to help him for the last month or so, so I'm sure it will be a busy day. Then tomorrow, will give my new lawnmower a try. Looking forward to that, strange I know, but it is an electric rotary with a 36v rechargeable battery. Due to the internal air baffles, it almost sounds like a gas mower, it is so strong.
Knott's has been challenging, we have about 3 new guys, and either the work ethic is different, or the job is too tough. But, they have been calling out an awful lot. It sure puts a strain on everyone else. The good news is the weather has been relatively moderate, so the days have been pleasant.
Going to get busy, so hope everyone has a great day!
Don
Don - interesting observations... I don't know the answer, but I think I do...Just posted two questions on Lionel's Facebook page. First - when are they going to update the shipping schedule to include the Christmas Catalog items. Second - what is the proper minimum curve radius for the NPC Zephyr. In the Signature Catalog the Lionel Lines and Burlington Route Zephyrs require O72, but the NPC in the Christmas Catalog requires O54. Same length, wheel alignment, and number of articulated cars... so why would 3 require 18inches more radius than the other???
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
First time on just thought I would give it a go as I ran out of money for trains for this month ( I have a monthly budget I break often) and still have this burning desire for trains so why not talk about them LOL
Im building my first "big" layout and starting to "flip out" on this ground plain issue for command controll any thoughts on the subject?
Good Morning Guys, (good afternoon)
Unlike the Chief, I woke up kind of late this morning, just finished breakfast a bit ago. Overcast and raining here in NW Missouri, but we really need the rain. Been trying to catch up a bit on what folks have been up too. A lot has been going on it seems. I did quickly glean that the Chief has been to California and that Rolesville has a new big high school, congratulations Chief! Also, saw that Ray (SPMan) is enjoying his Southern F units. Ray, hope your family members with medical issues are recovering. Although it is hard to imagine, I was reminded that there are folks who for some unexplained reason, do not like grits. Joe (Demay) who if I recall correctly is overseas is continuing to eat very well. Joe, thanks for the kind words about the photos in SFP and am I right about your being overseas? lionroar88 knows his soccer, it is a good game. I am sorry to read Dennis, about the 87 Fiero GT, glad you were not hurt.
I have a lot more catching up to do, but it is good to read about all that has been going on. It is continuing to rain here. Train wise, I am going to be working on some more trees (never enough trees it seems) and repainting a MTH Brewery for the railroad. Here is what I am starting with.
We'll see what I can do with it. Just what to vary the colors and do some weathering. Take care everybody! Bo
Hey John,
First let me welcome you to the POT. There are a bunch of good fellas here who all like trains. I'm not a very regular poster here, but tell us more about your concern with "this ground plain issue". Are you using TMCC? Bo
railhead53 Good Morning Guys, (good afternoon) Unlike the Chief, I woke up kind of late this morning, just finished breakfast a bit ago.
Unlike the Chief, I woke up kind of late this morning, just finished breakfast a bit ago.
John from Oklahoma First time on just thought I would give it a go as I ran out of money for trains for this month ( I have a monthly budget I break often) and still have this burning desire for trains so why not talk about them LOL Im building my first "big" layout and starting to "flip out" on this ground plain issue for command controll any thoughts on the subject?
John,
Welcome to the pot!! I too am very familiar with the budget issue, and then space becomes a critical factor as well. Regarding the "desire" it too is here, and almost taking me over. (I also work at an amusement park driving a steam engine.) Most importantly welcome Aboard!!
Regarding the "ground plane" issue I am only aware of one situation where it becomes a significant issue, and that is when you have elevated track crossing over, OR above other track. Especially if you are using both TMCC/Legacy and DCS. The best solution I have found I got from the electrical engineer that does work for the Lionel layouts, and a few others. (Including Macy's in New York.) What he advised me to do was to get some Air Conditioning/Heating aluminized tape. Tape has an adhesive backing and about 4" wide. Place the tape UNDER the track for all track that is elevated. Then fasten a "bleed wire" to the aluminized surface, and run the wire to ground. You may want to put multiple bleed wires on depending how how large your layout is. Make sure that when you make curves the aluminum surface is folded so that the ends are aluminum to aluminum. The bleed wire can be connected with a simple screw and washer. This has worked very well for me, I have built two other layouts and have not experienced any ground plane issues. I find it more advantageous than a wire running next to the track because the aluminum acts as a shield across the entire plane, and not just along one rail.
Best Regards,
I've really not had a TMCC signal problem associated with the ground plane issue that I know of so I really cannot speak from experience. From some reading I gather that besides the over and under scenario another situation that can arise is when tracks are close together and running parallel to one another. I believe the solution there is to run a grounded wire between the two tracks. Lionel did a an instructional video some time ago that I watched about TMCC/Legacy basics that discusses ground plane issues and how to deal with them. In an effort to determine if the their is a signal problem as you build your layout, run your trains before the scenery is applied. If there are any signal issues you can work to resolve the issue at that specific location. Each railroad is different and it is my understanding that some will experience problems while others with similar situations will not. I don't know why that is. Don (Dbaker48) may be able to add to what I've said. Hope this helps as well. Bo
P.S. I just went to the Lionel Website and the video I referred to is there. Go to the Customer Service Tab and click on Product Instructional Videos. They have a bunch of videos. The video that I think might be helpful is titled "TMCC and Legacy Basics 12/11"
Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Keep on posting. OK is OK.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
ChiefEagles John from Oklahoma First time on just thought I would give it a go as I ran out of money for trains for this month ( I have a monthly budget I break often) and still have this burning desire for trains so why not talk about them LOL Im building my first "big" layout and starting to "flip out" on this ground plain issue for command controll any thoughts on the subject? Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Keep on posting. OK is OK.
aboard John!!
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Good EveningIt were kinda cool today here..it got to, would you believe, 60? Where'd summer go? We did manage to get some gardening work done around here..yes, including more firewood. Loads of laundry done as well...geeesh.
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/
Welcome John from OK from Jon in IA
You've landed in a friendly place where there is an ample resource of builders and runners. Remember, all of us simply started with an electric train and now it's out of control ....... for the most part
I like your state, I just took delivery of a new/bigger Horizon smoker from Perry, OK that will provide some amazing smoked meats. She had her Maiden Voyage this weekend with three racks of ribs and the best smoked beans on this planet.
Welcome aboard
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
John from Oklahoma,
Don't know anything about ground planes? Are those the kind that are for display only and do not fly?
Just kidding. D. Baker knows about this stuff so listen to him. I run DCS but all on one level. Have not had a problem so far and have been at it since 1976.
Went to funeral this morning for departed lady friend of ours. Service was well attended followed by a catered lunch at their home. Good food and fellowship. I am getting awful tired though of attending funerals in the summer heat. Enough already! Second one this month.
Got an unusual phone call today from someone who was calling for my wife's brother who lives in New Hampshire, just to say hello for him while they were in California. Didn't know people still did that. He can call us himself anytime he wants to. Anyway was a nice person and we had a good chat.
Sister with complications from surgery still on the serious list. No news is good news I hope.
My wife and I have been invited to a luncheon with my late best friend's wife on Wednesday. He died last July. Looking forward to a good get together.
Need to get advice from D. Baker about doing some wiring on my layout. Should give him a call. His friend Bob is doing wiring now too and Don is helping with that I think.
later,
Ray
SPMan
Hello John from OK! Wanted to say "Welcome". This is a good forum with good people, even the moderator. Come back often!
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Good evening all,
IIABSDISE with temps in the 70s. Sure is giving the AC a break. Welcome John from OK. This is a good group of people here. Just make sure you make positive comments about that All-American sport, soccer, and all will be fine. Work went mostly well today. Wife is gone for few days taking care of her sister so I have been busy being domestic tonight. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good night all. No flooding here. No rain. Keeps missing us. Actually been watering some. Folks west and southwest for us are not so lucky.
Off to bed. Actually spent most of the day on Town stuff.
Wifey has pet deer she is feeding over the fence. Comes for corn when she calls late in the afternoon near dark. Doe crosses 20 acre field to visit her.
Tomorrow is suppose to be my day. We'll see.
No word from Banks and his wife. Really hope she does not have pneumonia. Sounds a lot like it.
Good to have a new guy. I think he is the first from OK except Joe was stationed there. I think Oklahoma is on favorite musical.
Hey Pat, how is your part of VA? Our part at lake now getting back to normal levels.
Oh, Jack. Yankee report.
Had to let the crew out and back in and that is why I'm up so late. Off to bed.
Sleep tight.
Good evening Y'all!
I am on call, but still had a long day of it. Had to take care of some issues with someone who boxed himself into a corner and didn't know how to get out of it. Anyway, All is good. Dog has a bad limp, thinking it is his hip. Will bring him to vet Thursday to be checked out. A great dog with the kids, so I hope it is fixable.
Glad to see some new faces here. Welcome John!
Gotta cut it short, have a blessed night.
dennis
TCA#09-63805
We had rain off and on throughout the day today. It’s a double-edged sword as its good for the grass and plants and does keep the temps cool while it is raining, but once it stops the humidity and mosquito population increases. I shipped some more FasTrack I recently sold, but nothing else train-related occurred.
Bo – You are correct; I am in Japan and still eating enormously well – probably too well.
Welcome John from OK! As Chief stated, I was stationed in OK (Vance AFB) for about two years. My wife’s family is also from there, residing in Muskogee, Broken Arrow, and OKC.
Dennis – I hope all goes well for the dog.
Regards,
Hello All,
Sunny and a refreshing 52 here this AM
A rare midweek post from me to say to John from OK
I'm a collector / runner of Gilbert HO who dabbles with my Dad's prewar Lionel. I hang out here because there is a bunch of good people whom I consider friends.
Chief......Mrs is much better. Thanks for asking.
Got to get going on the SS fund
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a sunny 68 degrees. Going up to 80 today with sunshine.
Today is a busy day. I have a few chores to do and some paperwork to finish. Then, I can relax for awhile. Lunch and a nap will be nice.
Cheerios for breakfast via the dining car. It has been 6 years that I am enjoying Cheerios for breakfast. My reward is low colesterol. 170.
Y'all have a great Tuesday.
Chuck
LawsonFarmsRR Hello John from OK! Wanted to say "Welcome". This is a good forum with good people, even the moderator. Come back often! Pat
I should hope so!! LOL!!!
Quite frankly we are all good people here!
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Good MorningKinda cool out here this morning, but we will get to 73 later on....and we are sunny!Got a bunch of basic buy stuff to do later on as well as some Home Despot shopping...we blew up the vacuum cleaner this morning...
Morning all. Sunny and warm. Not much going on with me today [I hope].
Banks, glad to hear the Wifey is better.
Dennis, good luck with the family member [dog].
Strange, part of NC has had flooding and we have not had any rain. Wide state [from the coast to the mountains]. Maybe tomorrow.
Demay Welcome John from OK! As Chief stated, I was stationed in OK (Vance AFB) for about two years. My wife’s family is also from there, residing in Muskogee, Broken Arrow, and OKC. Regards, Joe
ChiefEagles Good night all. No flooding here. No rain. Keeps missing us. Actually been watering some. Folks west and southwest for us are not so lucky. Off to bed. Actually spent most of the day on Town stuff. Wifey has pet deer she is feeding over the fence. Comes for corn when she calls late in the afternoon near dark. Doe crosses 20 acre field to visit her. Tomorrow is suppose to be my day. We'll see. No word from Banks and his wife. Really hope she does not have pneumonia. Sounds a lot like it. Good to have a new guy. I think he is the first from OK except Joe was stationed there. I think Oklahoma is on favorite musical. Hey Pat, how is your part of VA? Our part at lake now getting back to normal levels. Oh, Jack. Yankee report. Had to let the crew out and back in and that is why I'm up so late. Off to bed. Sleep tight.
Chief, as you know we are in central Va. Lots of rain but only minimal flooding. We are back to normal I would say.
The temp is a sunny 65.
No news from the train store as my friend is on vacation. A chat with Joe and Charlie last night, Brutus was late, stopped in as we were all saying goodnight.
Aloha. Welcome John. Sunny and cool. Beautiful for July - the coldest on record here. Got my TRDIS license plates from the great state of Illinois yesterday Spent much of the evening futzing around the layout - fixing the backdrop - which is blue plastic banquet table cloth that falls down. Still haven't found my little plastic Idris the dragon. There's some other repair work to be done. Ran Ivor up to Grumbly Town and back. I'll look for the TARDIS tonight after class.
Mornin' FellasThe last couple items for the control panel build have been ordered and shipped. Not sure I'll have them in time for this Saturday, but we'll see.Not much going on other than prepping for Christina's parties on Thursday and Saturday. She is really excited.
Good Morning All,
Just got back from running some errands, Post Office, car tad renewal and the like. Still overcast today with thunderstorms predicted. That's ok as we still need the rain.
Ray hope your sister will be ok.
Dennis, sorry to hear about the family pet, hopefully it is not a serious issue.
Disassembled the MTH Brewery yesterday, a lot of screws. As I paint outside, and with a lot of moisture in the air, I'm going postpone painting the brewery and instead try to work up a dozen or so trees today.
Hope everyone has a good day! Bo
Good Morning!
Did OK yesterday, updated website, did inventory, ordered products, helped out Bob. I was quite pleased when I went over to give him a hand. He had done quite well. He had a few minor problems, but all is good.
- Never seen this before. He has a Lionel TMCC Turbine Engine set. Couldn't get it to run. Tried reprogramming it to no avail. (Found "Program/Run" switch in tender.) After numerous attempts, even with multiple controllers, decided to inspect the engine/tender. Since it is teatherless thought may had the tender end for end on the track. NO...found back up light, that was the only visible difference I could find on it. THEN...... looked at engine found ANOTHER "Program/Run" switch on the engine! NEVER seen that before, two "Program/Run" switches. Used the one on the engine and it worked fine.
TODAY, I get to spend in MY train room! YaHOO!! Kay is joining a Yoga class with a friend, hoping it will help eliminate leg cramps. So will watch the phones, and play in the train room.
Bo, Your layout pictures are outstanding!! Missed your discussion on repainting the brewery, where is it at? Found it. Will be very interested in seeing what you end up with!
Hope everyone has a great day!!
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