OCTOBER coffee pot. 11 years running, Sweet ice tea and grits for the southern gents, coffee and donuts for the ,Yanks

[KRM]

Glad you Yorkers had a good time.

 About the only thing I did of late was add an engineer figure to the Thomas engine.

Waiting for the NASCAR race to start and some of the end-tails on the house to dry so I can caulk and re-stain them. Like John, Leaves later.

 Had a hard frost last night on the North Bluff.

Enjoy your day.

[SPMan]

Hudson#685

They told me that the gears are not available, but a gear assembly most likely is.

Thank you John for checking this out.  That sounds like encouraging news.  Will keep my ears open for any more news along these lines.

Good morning all, sounds  like a great time was had by all at York.

We had a birthday dinner and cake for my grandson of 17 last night.  His dad gave him a new lap top computer which he was thrilled with.  He is a senior in high school now and getting ready for college.  He recently completed all his applications.

Ray

[sir james I]

Sun and 44

Lions game and a nap somewhere in the middle.

I watch the presentation videos from the TCA museum this morning. No surprises there. Nothing really new at all.

S.J.

[Hudson#685]

Redfire, I agree with Fife, you are the man. I think I will dig out the cattle car and see what I can do. Any questions I know who to ask!

[Hudson#685]

Good Morning Guys! 52 going to 55 and dropping to 36 tonight down the Jersey Shore.

Leaf Cleanup and firewood are on the agenda for today. AF53 Ray and I had a great time at York. It was good to meet Mitch and Buckeye and meet up with everyone. We missed the dinner with Chief, for we had a prior commitment. I scored a PW Lionel 282 Gantry Crane, a 50 Gang Car (Could not resist the price) and a 685 Hudson ( can always use another) with a non matching tender very reasonable. Ray did well also and I am sure that he will post later.

SPMan, Ray: Hope you are feeling better. I spoke to the reps from MTH at the booth. Mike was not there when we got there. I told them about your engine and the problem. They told me that the gears are not available, but a gear assembly most likely is. Midge was there and confirmed that it may be available. She took my contact info and she assurd me that she will get back to me this week. We will see.

Fife / Banks: Tell the wives that the ice cream will be there in April. Doray suggested that when the weather is nice that we do it in October also!

Enjoy the Day!

John

[fifedog]

Redfire - For heffer's sake, you sure do know how to cut through the bull.

Thanks Jim.

[RedfireS197]

Fife,

        I always connect the uninsulated post on the platform to the same terminal as the outside rail.  Both are tied together through the base of the platform so that's important.

The insulated post gets connected through a switch to a post on the same transformer that supplies 12-14 volts.  That seems to be the range where the platform and car typically work best.  If more voltage is required, something needs tweaked.

However, the 1949 version of the platform is more reliable than the 1950-55 version.

I tell the difference between original and repro cattle by checking the finger pattern and smelling the figure.  The rubber that Lionel used has a distinct odor that the repros lack.

Part of the reason that the 3656 got a bad rep is due to the reproduction parts on the market.  Repro cattle are one thing, but the adhesive washers in the car (3656-17) and later platform (3656-169) are terrible.  I had to start making my own washers out of the same type of material that Lionel used.

 

 

[fifedog]

Redfire - So in layman's terms, 2 wires, with the switch between the center rail feed. Right?  What kinda juice should I be throwing at it to perform "flawlessly".  Also, I've got the '49 version, with orange swing gates, but the bovines look like they ain't seen much handlin'.

[RedfireS197]

Fife,

          Here is the info on the 1949 version:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=544

 

Here's the 1950-55 version:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=545

 

In both cases, the platforms are wired the same.  The car stayed the same mechanically for the most part throughout production.  If you need cattle, get originals.  Don't waste your time or money with repros because most don't work properly.

 

[mitchelr]

Looking pretty gloomy out this AM. Not sure the driveway guys are going to make it. Have some more yard work to do preparing for winter, cutting back dead flowers etc. Won't take too long if the weather holds, then I have some school work I need to do and would like to take some photos of York train purchases. Better get going, church is at 10 and I need to get ready. Safe travels to Roy and others returning home after York.

Take care,

Mitch

[mitchelr]

Home from dinner with some dear friends. Had a salad with great Gorgonzola dressing, pasta and crabcake.  Very good dinner, topped off with coffee and pumpkin roll back at our friends house. Tomorrow is driveway repair and sealing.  Just had the driveway repaved a year ago after living here 25+ Years. In July a big truck with a roll off dumpster pulled on to our driveway to deliver the dumpster to our neighbor and dug about 8 big divots in the asphalt by sitting still and turnining his wheels. The dumpster firm is paying for the repair and resealing. Hope the weather holds out.

Take care,

Mitch

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

At hotel in Balt and headed to DFW in the early AM. As mentioned above had a great time at York. I was able to join the gang at RoC Fri am. Met the gang again for the 1 pm CTT booth photo. John F, I and my cohort Collin had dinner with Buckeye Thurs night. Then capped it off with dinner with Chief Fri night. Whew!

Looking forward to the pics.

Later all!

[sir james I]

Oh Oh I better clear up my statement.

I was referring to the 313 bridge. IT works well.

I do not have the engine.

[rtraincollector]

Plate Rail

sir james I

I have the reissue silver one. works good. very quiet.

I believe they also offered a black one.

S.J.

Thanks S.J.

  This one is silver so I believe it has the scullen disc wheels which I like.  I can't be sure if it's the weathered version.  I'm hoping it can be had for about $700 and will probably walk if it's any more than that.  Still, it sure is attractive!

For that much it had be plated in gold for me 

[Plate Rail]

sir james I

I have the reissue silver one. works good. very quiet.

I believe they also offered a black one.

S.J.

Thanks S.J.

  This one is silver so I believe it has the scullen disc wheels which I like.  I can't be sure if it's the weathered version.  I'm hoping it can be had for about $700 and will probably walk if it's any more than that.  Still, it sure is attractive!

[fifedog]

Redfire that makes you my newest best friend

what I really need is the wiring schematic

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Quiet day at work on Friday.  Did not do much at home Friday night.  Grandson's games were cancelled for Saturday so spent day at home.  Got some new jeans at Wally World.  Took blood sugar today and it was 70.  That is normal folks for non-diabetics.  Maybe I will be off the meds soon and go back to normal foods.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[sir james I]

I have the reissue silver one. works good. very quiet.

I believe they also offered a black one.

S.J.

[Plate Rail]

Evening Gents!

  Great hearing about the happenings at York.  It's exhilarating just thinking about walking the halls.

We had a small train show east of here and couldn't resist going.  Bought some stuff I really didn't need but just couldn't live without.  Nailed a set of lightly used MPC Budd RDC's to go with the pair I already have.  Saves ordering the dummy in the current Lionel catalog.  I can safely say I've now finished collecting RDC's.

Also hauled home a mint Amtrak GG1 from the LTI era.  It's interesting to put it beside the MPC issue and compare how they had cleaned up the molds by the late 80's.  With so little invested in the pair I plan on repainting them in tuscan brown or PRR green and gold at some later date.  Will make a nice winter project.

?tn=1397002888

Finally, a cheapo GP9 with TMCC whispered "love me".  Plans are to transfer it's electronic guts into one of the RDC powered units.  Even the speaker housing / fuel tank of the GP9 will fit right up nicely under the Budd car.   I doubt there's ever been an issue of TMCC equipped RDC's.

Wife says I can go back tomorrow and get a NIB reissue of the 313 bascule bridge and a mint late 90's Commodore Vanderbuilt Hudson.  Any comments on either?

Happy and safe travels to all of you returning from York.

Bruce

[sir james I]

Browsed the new MTH catalog. Yawn.

Very gloomy here, a good day to stay inside and watch collage football.

S.J.

[RedfireS197]

Fife, If you need help tuning that 3656, let me know. I've worked on lots of them. I also make the foam rubber pads (3656-17) that are used to mount the runway in all years of the 3656 car. I've got a lot of parts here for the 1949 version of the platform too.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Had a rough night.  Took some dieuretics yesterday but seems like they kept on working all night.  Had to get up about 7 times during the night.  Once every  hour.  Hope it is not connected with my diabetes.  Need to get this checked out next week if it continues.  Everything medical always happens on the week end.  Never fails.

Got Don B's message to ignore the Linkedin invitation but never answered it anyway.  However it saved me a phone call to Don

Hope all you guys in the East had a good York experience.  Looking forward to picture or pictures.

I was supposed to go with my kids today to see the Gold Line light rail ceremony in neighboring town of Azusa but had to pass because of my aforementioned problem.  They are driving the last spike on the new extension from Pasadena to Azusa/Glendora.

Celebrating granson's 17th birhday today.

later,

Ray

 

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Grey and cold this Sat. I'll video-direct at the church this weekend. Lotsa services. Sound like York was great. Can't wait to hear more about what was purchased. Fife, that industrial Rail track is really nice.  Going to try to coax the dog outside for a walk. I think I need to get him some sort of coat as he's shivering in low 50s... Well, he was a Southern dog.  

[anjdevil2]

Hey, Jon!! Not enough days with the Road Star, unfortunately. My ride to Emmitsburg was a rain out and I am still bummed!! Would have been the longest ride on this bike. Weather has been good so far so I'll more than likely ride into December. The worlds largest toy run is in Philly on Nov. 2 and I've already made plans to go. Just have to buy a toy. I'll be running up to Cycle Gear and buying a set of chaps. My leather jacket is great, just need something for the legs. Love this bike, it have tremendous power and cruises really smooth! If you get out this way, I'll ride with ya...I'd love to get back to Daytona for either Bike Week or Biketoberfest.....

[jonadel]

I sure enjoy reading the York reports, wish we lived closer.

Rich -- have you enjoyed your new ride this summer?  Sadly, my riding season is most likely down to 10 days.

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning!! Cloudy and warmer later, dropping to 50's tomorrow. Glad all you Yorksters had a good time. Hopefully I'll attend in April.. GF and kids coming down for haunted hayride, youngest is 6, so this could be interesting...oldest is 15. Seems like there is always a snag...now there are only a few lenders that do manufactured homes....sheeesh... Chief --- Nice A8....I'm with Frankie...young, single...why not? I'm wanting a Challenger after my Jetta lease is over... Back to work!!

[Buckeye Riveter]

It was a great day at York.  I also was out of Dodge before the Chief showed up with the cuffs.  Had a great time seeing everyone except the Chief.  Met Angela Trotta Thomas the famed Lionel artist.  What a great talent!!!  I had a private lesson on the construction of flashing emergency vehicles.    

I want to thank Roy and John for their continued York hospitality.   Laz it is spelled Keim Lumber.  

As the fifedog says, it is that wonderful time of the year.  

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 53 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  'Tis the calm before the storm, as grandson is coming over for the weekend.  Wifey wants to sleep in. Tee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee.....no.  We were both exhausted last night, after strolling all 7.5 miles of YORK.  It was great to join jefelectric, laz, Banks, Roy, Hudson John, AF53 Ray, Buckeye, and MitchR (he lives!) at the CTT booth.  I even coaxed my evil twin Carl Swanson to join us for a pic.  Wished I could've spoke longer with everyone.  Hopefully will get Buckeye out on the Chesapeake in May.

It was a good show, and well attended.  Didn't hear any complaints of "tire-kickers", as folks were spending.  We weren't there an hour, when Wifey spotted the ARMOUR version 3656 cattle car and stockyard I was wanting.  There were plenty of the regular versions around, at tempting prices, but she found the one, and even shooshed another potential buyer away at that!  Had a nice chat with my ol' buddy Tom at his table, then found a MARX 74 semaphore in pretty good shape.  Other finds were a MTH ARTCo 19th century reefer, a new CW80 power pack, a replacement speaker for a Proto 1 F-unit,  and some Dept 56 pieces to be used on upcoming Christmas layouts.  Wifey bought the grandson a couple more Thomas wooden engines...  My deal of the day was in the brown hall, where I picked up a whole box of Industrial Rail track for 60 bucks.  I then talked with the guy from ATLAS, who assured me that they eventually would be expanding that line, but in the meantime I could used the #5 switch with my set-up.

Then we met up with the Chief and his ladies at the Quaker Steak for eat-em-ups.  Good conversation and food was had by all.  Thanks Banks for getting the table, and Roy for the appetizer.

[Plate Rail]

Graeme Bales

What is a little north of Toronto?  Richmond Hill had a sign that said Toronto's highest and healthiest  suburb  back in the 1940,s.  The street car came  out to  R.H. , it was the end of the line, before that it went to Keswick and on to Sutton where it would deliver passengers or freight back to Toronto.  In those days   the only train show was at Bob's Trains on Mount Pleasant Rd. or Eaton's or Simpson's.  I remember talking  Bob into selling  me used Lionel latch couplar cars  that he had got on a trade..        Graeme

Well then, I'm way beyond the end of the line.  Things in this area sure have gone downhill since they tore up the radial line.  Why, it's gittin' so's ya can't drag a dead horse down Yonge St. these days

 I'm in the big town of Gormley where all of our tax dollars go towards transit,water, sewers, street lights, raods, boondogles.

Bruce

[Banks]

Hello there from Indian Rock Campground in York

Relaxing after a long day. Started with breakfast at ROC diner then walking the halls of York. Capped off the day having dinner with Roy,  Fife and CHIEF.. Details and photos next week after Mrs. & I get home. 

Mrs is all ready crashed I'm soon to follow. 

Prayers for those in need