CLOSED////////The Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains.

[Nick12DMC]

Morning all, Its been a great Lionel day today. I went to Cambridge to our "local" Parcel Force depot to pick up Charlie's very late Xmas present. I got the Lionel Re-make of the Hellgate Bridge in green and cream. Great deal from a well known auction site.

It is brand new, never been out of the box. It really is massive! Charlie is a very happy lad. Time for a carpet empire...

Got to go and help lay track..

Hope you all are having a good day

Nick

[rtraincollector]

Dennis, exactly what 'shanty' are you looking for?

John, I am looking for the K-Line operating Watchman's shanty.  kind of like the automatic gateman, but in scale.  I have decided to make a lower level on the layout that will have things like the gateman, crossing gate, etc. and will have push buttons for the kids to operate them.  This will allow the kids to enjoy themselves, and yet let me run trains.

Dennis

One on ebay now search for K-line then shanty it'll come up its a U-fix-it one it looks to be all there but may not work

PS: Chief, those items will be packed in GRITS, so they will have to get through the Grits to get the prize in the bottom.

[dwiemer]

Dennis, exactly what 'shanty' are you looking for?

One on ebay now search for K-line then shanty it'll come up its a U-fix-it one it looks to be all there but may not work

PS: Chief, those items will be packed in GRITS, so they will have to get through the Grits to get the prize in the bottom.

Thanks, I had checked on that one.  I believe it is missing the man with the lantern and that would be a hard item to find I am afraid.  If the price is right, it may be worth getting anyway.

Dennis

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   26 and cold here with winds up to 40 MPH.

  Ran trains last nite for 2 hrs.  NO PILE UPS.  Dog even behaved last nite.  I got some brownie points last nite with mt HS principal, pick up his Lionel 175 rocket launcher.  He's gonna love this.  Also picked up a cop chasing hobo car(pinkerton) for $10. A boxcar with warning lite on back that pulsates for $10.  And an ordinary box car for you guessed it $10.  Not bad?

All have a goood one gonna hook up the last 4 lites today and run some trains.

laz57

[laz 57]

  GIZ a question for YUZ.

  What is good stuff to put down for ballast?  Been thinking of doing this.  Better to glue it of leave it loose?

laz57

[Anonymous]

Good Morning all!

  A frosty -12C here in the great metropolis of Gormley.  About 3-4" of snow fell overnight.  7 guys have their tongues stuck to our bronze statue of Shania Twain this morning.

  csxt30 John,

Re: A Pennsy caboose for the new Atlas steamer.  I'd hope, and it's a logical progression, that Atlas will see fit to produce a N-66 class wood sheathed caboose to go with the 0-6-0.  While is suspect the N-66 was made a few years earlier than the WWI era USRA switcher no doubt they both shared the track for a number of years.  I'm not sure if anyone else has produced a N-66 but I'd trust Atlas to do it right the first time.  Personally I think this caboose just looks right for the era and esthetically it's very handsome.

Dennis,

  I have the same truck with tank car.  You're right though, the truck itself is too large for "0" but at least the tank car suits 027.  The car transport in the same series ( with 4 '57 Corvettes ) is more to scale but even it seems a tad large.

Tom,

Nice Toronado!  Looks like the first year '66 too.  Dad used to have one when they were new.  Quite the engineering and styling tour de force for their time.  An excellent FWD car, as far ahead of it's time as the FWD Cord was in the '30's.

 

Bruce Webster

[jonadel]

Laz,

Man, you did very well with your purchases, wow---what a steal.

Ballast, glue it or it ends up everywhere.  Very easy to do, soak it with "wet water" (water & a few drops of dish soap) and then diluted elemers glue and water, always works.  

Which ballast?  Lots of options and opinions to be sure.  I used fine chicken grit (50# for $5.00) and I think it looks great but others will choose rubber ballast, etc. and that's OK.  To each his own.

Jon 

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !!  Whew !! We didn't get the snow they predicted here either !! Only an inch or so !!

Thanks Bruce & Keith for the input on the caboose !! You're right, if Atlas makes one it will be nice. I got their Limited Edition Conrail caboose last year, & is it ever detailed !! I do wish they had put the marker light at the other end though !!

Tom : nice picture of your new car, at first glance, I thought you had a car wash going, then I noticed it was by the railcrossing !!  Here I thought the Toronadoes were the first front wheel drive !! (after the Cord). You mean they were 4 wheel drive ? Shows how much I know, Bruce !!

Lots of other good news too !! Glad Chief is getting his switches, didn't seem to take too long to me !! Also Chuck is building away & got hs switches too !!

Well, hope all have a nice day !!

Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

Sturgeon-Phish,

                       I have a 644 crane.  It is far from complete though.  Do you have the matching 645 crane tender?  The reason I ask is because mine has a very serious problem, and I was wondering if it is common problem.  The frame is bowed upwarded severely, and this caused the small plastic body to crack on all four sides.  I will try to post a pic later.  Do you know of anyone who has Flyer diesel shells?  I have been looking for a better shell for a Northern Pacific 490 from 1956 (part of the North Coast Limited set).  I have seen a few shells, but they were high priced.  I have nice shells for a 360 and 361 Santa Fe from 1950 ( the all-chrome version), and I would part with those if it would help to get a shell for the 490. 

[laz 57]

Laz,

Man, you did very well with your purchases, wow---what a steal.

Ballast, glue it or it ends up everywhere.  Very easy to do, soak it with "wet water" (water & a few drops of dish soap) and then diluted elemers glue and water, always works.  

Which ballast?  Lots of options and opinions to be sure.  I used fine chicken grit (50# for $5.00) and I think it looks great but others will choose rubber ballast, etc. and that's OK.  To each his own.

Jon 

JON, Chicken GRIT?  Where can I  purchase this stuff?  Is that the stuff the CHIEF and those SOUTHNERS EAT?

Thanks,

laz57

[Anonymous]

John,

  Typing "FWD" was meant to imply Front Wheel Drive rather than Four Wheel Drive.  Usually I'll say Four By Four (4 X 4) when refering to four wheel driven vehicles.  But then you knows what I meants, dincha?

Bruce Webster

 

[Frank53]

  GIZ a question for YUZ.

  What is good stuff to put down for ballast?  Been thinking of doing this.  Better to glue it of leave it loose?

laz57

Definately glue it. It is a chore, but worth it. I'm in the middle of ballasting now. I placed teh ballast from inside the tracks, between the rails, pouring a pile of it in. Then press it down with a a stiff brush or other somewhat flexible instrument. This will press the ballast out from the inside out beneath the rails. Just keep adding ballast to the inside of teh rails and pressing it out until you get the look you want.

Absolutely soak it down with wet water before applying glue. I used a bit more water than glue and then added brown paint to the mixture until it was the color of dark chocolate milk. This will really help take the newness of it. Soak it down with this mixture from inside the rails and then along the outside using a nozzled applicator and let it set at least overnight. Check it section by section to be sure everything is solidly glued and then vacuum the whole works to pick up the loose pieces. After its down, mix a tea sppon full or so of black india ink into a bottle of ethyl (not isopropyl) achohol and wash down the the ballast with this mix to give it more grittiness.

Once your done, you can take out any track screws as your track isn't budging with the ballast all glued in place. That should help cut down any noise.

Here's a photo of some of what I finished up. Using o31 tubular track, I used a lot of ballast:

As for ballast itself, I am using Dennis Brennan's ballast, and I think it was well worth it. His website server appears to be down right now, but I believe the link is www.brennanmodelrr.com.

[Frank53]

lastly:

Man walks into a bar, takes a seat and tells teh bartender to pour him a double.

"You look a little down in the dumps - what happened?"

"Had another fight with my wife about having too many trains and taking up too much time and space building my layout"

"Oh man - not again - what happened this time"

"It ended up with her coming crawling to me on her hands and kness"

"oh really - that's not usually the case - what did she say?"

she said "get out from the under the bed you spineless coward!!!"

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a crisp and cold Crystal Lake where I spent the morning planning camera shots for tomorrow's drama at church - the bride is in it. I have to get  her 'good side'. The youngest was up twice last night - I'm tired. Got a welcome unexpected phone call from a fellow building a basement layout north of town. He tracked me down from the other forum. I invited him to visit here too.

Jon, thanks for the trolley photo! That's a lot of snow.

John, let me add my compliments to your overhead wires. They look great.

Laz, sound like great deals! Last month's CTT (or is it this months - it's the Feb issue) had a reference to a few different ballast types - including what was it snake tank gravel made of shredded walnut shells.  I had ballast on the last layout - I had carefully collected gravel from the plow trucks from the bottom of the driveway - cleaned it - and spread it out. But because I couldn't tack down my track, I didn't glue it... it had a tendency to scatter. I wouldn't do it again. Or rather use roof shingles for ballast next time. Good thing many trolley roads were too cheap to use it!

[csxt30]

John,

  Typing "FWD" was meant to imply Front Wheel Drive rather than Four Wheel Drive.  Usually I'll say Four By Four (4 X 4) when refering to four wheel driven vehicles.  But then you knows what I meants, dincha?

Bruce Webster

Bruce : Yeah, I really messed that one up !! Don't know what I was thinking or not thinking at the time !! Know whatcha mean now !!

I tried the link above for the ballast, but for some reason it wouldn't work for me. I put the one I could get below. Great stuff they have there !! http://www.brennansmodelrr.com/default.asp

Thanks, John

 

[Anonymous]

John,
That catenary is sure impressive!  If I do get GG1s I am thinking of doing a catenary around the town now...

I did stop at Radio Shack yesterday and picked up the $62.99 adjustable soldering iron... it is by temp not wattage, so that is going to be interesting.  I'm going to try and couple small jobs before doing the engine work.

Thanks for the info on Barry's Laz!

Brent

[laz 57]

Thanks GIZ for the info on the ballast.

FRANK53 nice looking ballast work.  If I do use ballast do you cover your ties?  Or just go around them?

Thanks again,

laz57

[Frank53]

If I do use ballast do you cover your ties?  Or just go around them?

Thanks again,

laz57

I don't cover them, just ballast up to near the tops of the ties.and around.

[jonadel]

Laz--

Chicken grit can be found at any type farm/feed store.  You might just phone around to a few in your area to double check.

And as far as Chief eating grits........ that could explain a lot of things

Jon 

[Anonymous]

Thanks GIZ for the info on the ballast.

FRANK53 nice looking ballast work.  If I do use ballast do you cover your ties?  Or just go around them?

Thanks again,

laz57

Laz,

  If you happen to pick up Model Ralroader mag for January they've thrown in a 16 page suppliment called " Workshop tips, Essentials of great scenery"  They go into all aspects of scenery making, from trees and rivers to a great little article painting ballast and track.

  Inside the Magazine itself is a 3 page article on ballasting which gives some sound advise.  A excellent method of avoiding the dreaded "clumping ballast syndrome" too.

  It's wise to secure your ballast as others have suggested.  Anything with gears on the inside of drivers is bound to someday pick up a chunk of loose ballast.  I've only ballasted about 6' of track on my layout using Woodland Scenics medium grade which seems to be a realistic size compared to my Atlas track.

  Two tips I can impart.  1)  A better, more secure way of ballasting is to make it a 2 stage affair.  2 thin layers of balast instead of one thick one.  In this way you can also save on material costs by making the first rough layer out of coarse sand.  Once glued and dried then vaccuum up the loose sand and finish off with a layer of scale ballast.  Using Woodland Scenics ballast alone can become quite costly.

  2)  Super-elevate your track. Banking the corners where possible is simple and you'll love the visual effect of engines and stock leaning into a banked curve.  1/2" wide strips of 1/8" thick cork wedged under the tie on the outside of a curve will super-elevate a turn just about right.  It's quick and simple to do and adds to the realism.

Ballast doesn't have to cover the ties to give a good bond, but a scattering of ballast on top of ties in yard areas looks pretty realistic.  Just dont go overboard.  A few pieces resting on ties on your mainline won't look out of place either.

Hope this helps.

Bruce Webster

P.S.  No matter what glue you use, it will not withstand the weight of an 800 lb. bear.

[jefelectric]

Good afternon guys,

I spent the morning at the TCA Museum. Went to a volunteer meeting. They are looking for more help so I am going to sign up for a couple of days a month. Chose several items and will let them assign me where needed.

Laz, If you can't find chicken grit, just ask a farmer where to get it.  You are getting the straight story on ballasting.  Back in the day, I had a completely ballasted HO layout.  Not going to do that again.  BTW did you see any of the watchman's shanty's that Dennis is hunting when you were at Barry's?  I was in on Thursday but don't recall seeing any.  He does still have quite a bit of K-line so he might have them.

Dennis, Maybe Lionel will have what you are looking for in the new K-line catalog.  It is supposed to be out next week.

 

 

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Great day indeed!!!

Met Wes, his wife, Beth and baby, Jack for breakfast and then took in the train show at the fairgrounds.  It was a great show and for my S-Gauge friend from Southern Ohio,  I hate to tell you this, but there was more S-Gauge at the show that I have ever seen before in Columbus.  Vendors as far away as Connecticut were there with four to five tables of new and used S-Gauge. 

Wes, Beth and Jack all arrived at Roger's Corners and we ran all the trains.  I think Jack had a great time.  He cooed and giggled. 

BTW, Friday night was great too.  Our last place Blue Jackets Hockey team beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1.  It can't get any better than that.    Since we are only three hours from Detroit, their fans buy many of the tickets for the game, and then get to go back to the state up north a loser, just like in football.

Ballast.....Gee, Laz, I thought you would know that ground up bear poop makes a great ballast. 

See ya down the tracks,

[Brutus]

Derby over - didn't win but didn't lose - in the middle of the pack.  Best times we've had though, so I guess we are getting better at it.  Camera is acting up - doesn't want to download?  I put the memory card in a separate reader and it worked fine though.  Have to tinker with it later.  Saw pics this morning of England - I sure hope John Baker and Nic and Daan are okay!

Chuck - are you sticking with the O gauge O-31 turnouts?

[laz 57]

Great day indeed!!!

Met Wes and his wife and baby for breakfast and then took in the train show at the fairgrounds.  It was a great show and for my S-Gauge friend from Southern Ohio,  I hate to tell you this, but there was more S-Gauge at the show that I have ever seen before in Columbus.  Vendors as far away as Connecticut were there with four to five tables of new and used S-Gauge. 

Wes, Beth and Jack all arrived at Roger's Corners and we ran all the trains.  I think Jack had a great time.  He cooed and giggled. 

BTW, Friday night was great too.  Our last place Blue Jackets Hockey team beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1.  It can't get any better than that.    Since we are only three hours from Detroit, their fans buy many of the tickets for the game, and then get to go back to the state up north a loser, just like in football.

Ballast.....Gee, Laz, I thought you would know that ground up bear poop makes a great ballast. 

See ya down the tracks,

Hes in CHICAGO so I have to use other means. LOL!

laz57

[laz 57]

Good afternon guys,

I spent the morning at the TCA Museum. Went to a volunteer meeting. They are looking for more help so I am going to sign up for a couple of days a month. Chose several items and will let them assign me where needed.

Laz, If you can't find chicken grit, just ask a farmer where to get it.  You are getting the straight story on ballasting.  Back in the day, I had a completely ballasted HO layout.  Not going to do that again.  BTW did you see any of the watchman's shanty's that Dennis is hunting when you were at Barry's?  I was in on Thursday but don't recall seeing any.  He does still have quite a bit of K-line so he might have them.

Dennis, Maybe Lionel will have what you are looking for in the new K-line catalog.  It is supposed to be out next week.

 

 

 

JOHN, no didn't notice any.  The cars I got off BARRY were in the back room.  He bought out someones estate and had all these cars back there and just wanted to get rid of some.  Right place right time.

laz57

[laz 57]

hanks BRUCE, I'll check it out, in model railroader.

laz57

[rtraincollector]

Was in local hobby shop today when this gentleman about 60 brought in a lionel train set he bought at a flea market or somewhere like that it had a price of $145.00 on it and he said he got it for $100.00 his wife was with him and nagging so all we could say was you did alright (didn't want to see wwIII break lose in the store) We gave him an estimate of $35.00 to replace 3 postwar wheel set that were missing (the trucks were there but no wheels) and replace a truck on a tender. and to glue a 6470 as someone else already did a job gluing it you can even see where some of the plastic is slightly melted. anyway the set is 8 curve a 90 crossover 4 straight, transformer little 45 watt, 1060 engine , tender, 6045 tank car, 6470 exploding box car (poor shape) a caboose in fair shape one corner broke but there, and a airex boxcar. We told him he did okay (whew) anyway I'm also giving him 2 36" O27 track. I've already fixed everything other than the glue job. I'll tell the LHS guy to just knock $20.00 off my bill and let him charge what he wants lee probally tell him $25.00 . Oh yeah he wanted another curve and a straight as the one curve and straight were bent. What I really wanted to do was ask him who was the guy that ripped you off but decided not to I would just get myself into trouble.

I still have some work to do on a tender for myself . I bought from William's the whistle/bell sound board with speaker for a tender and I'm going to see how it sounds may put it in more postwar/modern that don't have whistle if I like. Well time to get back to work talk to you all later got trains to work on

[dwiemer]

Thanks GIZ for the info on the ballast.

FRANK53 nice looking ballast work.  If I do use ballast do you cover your ties?  Or just go around them?

Thanks again,

laz57

Laz, if you pour the ballast over the ties, then take a paint brush and brush along the tracks. the ballast will  find its way between the ties, and along the sides.  I have not needed to do this (gone all Fastrack), but the new TM video shows this being done.

Dennis

[dwiemer]

Dennis, Maybe Lionel will have what you are looking for in the new K-line catalog.  It is supposed to be out next week.

John, thanks for keeping me in mind.  I got the email from Lionel about the new catalog and they say that they will be sending me a copy.  I do hope that they include this item and several other K-Line offerings.  Even though Maury Klien got a little lost on the business end of things, he did put out some nice items and at reasonable prices.

Thanks,
dennis

[Blueberryhill RR]

Derby over - didn't win but didn't lose - in the middle of the pack.  Best times we've had though, so I guess we are getting better at it.  Camera is acting up - doesn't want to download?  I put the memory card in a separate reader and it worked fine though.  Have to tinker with it later.  Saw pics this morning of England - I sure hope John Baker and Nic and Daan are okay!

Chuck - are you sticking with the O gauge O-31 turnouts?

Yes, Jim. I just got 2 more pair of 022's. They work great for me. With my fabulous tubular 031 track.

Chuck