Trains.com

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

539810 views
15108 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cambridgeshire, UK
  • 438 posts
Posted by Nick12DMC on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:32 PM

Gritters-Big yellow Council truck, orange flashing strobe on top with a snowplow on the front and a hopper on the back filled with grit salt and a spinning spreader that flings the grit all over the road (and at your car windscreen (windshield)). Not effective if the temp drops very low so its not used in countries that get really cold.

Nick

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:30 PM
 Laz ... is that what's it's called a clam bucket . You probably bought the one I saw ... have'nt seen any for a long while with it . Was gonna bid on that one ... glad I did'nt if it was ... and run it up on you . Is it remotely opened or closed ? That would be cool .... loading my hoppers ... then I'd really have to have one . If not wonder how hard it would be to reconfigure it .... hummmmm .
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:22 PM
 John Bakeer wrote:

Foregot to mention;

THE GRITTERS ARE OUT.

What are GRITTERS?????

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:21 PM
 Buckeye Riveter wrote:
 fifedog wrote:

Lisa - the sparking on MTH track tends to be too much black coating on the center rail.  A few rubs with a green scotch pad should reduce that.  The sparking may be firing the couplers ad well.

Lisa, Fifedog is 100% correct, but I would like to add something.  I have cleaned that center rail on my MTH Realtrax until it is silver.  I put some Goo Gone on a paper towel and wiped the center rail.  I then used a painters sandpaper sponge to remove that black coating. 

For the life of me, I don't know what MTH was thinking when they put that coating on that center rail.  Interesting, the small section of GARGRAVES I have on the layout also has a blackened center rail, but there is not problems with conductivity.

The GarGraves is great stuff! I don't know what they use for the black coating....looks almost like enamel....but it conducts perfectly.

 

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: United Kingdom
  • 732 posts
Posted by John Bakeer on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:20 PM

Foregot to mention;

THE GRITTERS ARE OUT.

John Baker

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:19 PM

Still no snow to speak of here this season....good thing as I still don't have reverse in my car!!!

 

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:16 PM
 rtraincollector -- Now I'm feeling real bad ! Thought I got some deals ... HAH !  Man the little tree ornaments cost that much ! I think at that cost I'd of wanted to have bought a case of them . Went cruisin ebay ... nuttin . Threw a couple bids on D-C cars .... looking for that engine to convert . My stack gets bigger every week of diecast but I tell my wife it only looks that way cause I move them around --- LOL  It's like an addiction with them . Seems there's another I never saw or "just gotta have one of those " ! Gotta get an attic ladder ---- Laugh [(-D]  she'd never go up there .  $9.98 ... geez just hit me again .... GREAT DEAL !  Oh and I spoke too soon ---just peeked out the window --- tis snowing in western Maryland now with sleet called for .
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:15 PM
 fifedog wrote:

Lisa - the sparking on MTH track tends to be too much black coating on the center rail.  A few rubs with a green scotch pad should reduce that.  The sparking may be firing the couplers ad well.

Lisa, Fifedog is 100% correct, but I would like to add something.  I have cleaned that center rail on my MTH Realtrax until it is silver.  I put some Goo Gone on a paper towel and wiped the center rail.  I then used a painters sandpaper sponge to remove that black coating. 

For the life of me, I don't know what MTH was thinking when they put that coating on that center rail.  Interesting, the small section of GARGRAVES I have on the layout also has a blackened center rail, but there is not problems with conductivity.

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:11 PM

Sounds like Stockport is good for winter sports right now!

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cambridgeshire, UK
  • 438 posts
Posted by Nick12DMC on Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:05 PM
 John Bakeer wrote:

EEEEAAARKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

It's snowing in Stockport. 3D Skier 

Got about 25mm at 1845GMT. If it gets to two inches our transport system will seize up. I was going to venture out to the pub tonight, but as it's all of 250 metres away, I may have to stay in until the thaw. Fortunately I still have an emergency bottle or two of single malt backed up by a dozen Old Peculiar (good eh! Chief)





John B, Make it to the Pub! LOCK IN TILL THE THAWSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg] No snow here in Peterborough yet. I hear that your local team beat us 3-0 oh the shame...and we have Alex Ferguson's son as Manager (Coach).

I have a bottle of Blue Label stashed for emergencys should we get the 2cm of snow that will cause us to be snowed in for days.Big Smile [:D] 

The Chief must be working on his layout again.....Wink [;)] 

Regards

Nick

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: United Kingdom
  • 732 posts
Posted by John Bakeer on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:53 PM

EEEEAAARKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

It's snowing in Stockport. 3D Skier 

Got about 25mm at 1845GMT. If it gets to two inches our transport system will seize up. I was going to venture out to the pub tonight, but as it's all of 250 metres away, I may have to stay in until the thaw. Fortunately I still have an emergency bottle or two of single malt backed up by a dozen Old Peculiar (good eh! Chief)





John Baker

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:41 PM
Okay The problem may be the hook up to the track but anyway heres whats going on hooked up the williams sound board for steam it rings the bell great the whistle I either get a chirp and a half I'll call it or nothin and then every so often I get it to do the corect sequence and it sounds great for what it is anyway. any ideas what may be going on I don't have a transformer with whistle or bell on it but a kline controller to do shistle/horn or toss the switch for other and the bell works now like I said the bell is working fine.

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:27 PM

 Just a Hobo wrote:
 laz 57 --- WOW ... that was a heck of a deal on that gantry crane ! A big pat on the back for that one . I see why you have that big smile now ... LOL  Did you see the bucket/shovel attachment for them ? Picks up coal or sand insted of magnet also ? Saw one months ago on ebay .... was a very nice addon . Don't know if guy did it himself or they sold it as an addon . I can't find a gantry low enough ... by golly am going to go look now . Oh well caboose and snowplow will wait another day ... between trains.com and Ebay I'm getting nothing done --- LOL --- Whistling [:-^]

HOBO,

Heres a pic of it.

I also have the other gantry crane it is a Bethlehem with the clam bucket on it works good.  I paid $140 dollars for it new about 5 yrs ago.

The PA gantry crane was just on a lark, I punched in gantry crane on e bay it came up at starting bid of $35 and guy had it for a three day auction I bid max at $75 and won it for $61.  Go figure it was new and unused.  Have it hooked up to a CW 80 transformer and works like a champ.

Keep on looking and good luck.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cambridgeshire, UK
  • 438 posts
Posted by Nick12DMC on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:25 PM

 John Bakeer wrote:
Nick, All I've got is cold turkey left over from Christmas, I think it should be OK in a curry?

LOL John, if thats left over from Christmas it will be 101 proof the same as Austin Nichols productLaugh [(-D]

Nick

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:14 PM

Those old electronic sets are really interesting! Well, good thing the weather folks were wrong again today. We should have had quite an accumulation by now....instead we have a very light dusting. Didn't head out to the Columbus show because of the forecast. I have to remember to not listen to the weather around here.

 

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:06 PM

WARNING CHIEF !!!  Its Snowing in VA. Right now. and I'm only about 100 miles from N.C.

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Sunday, January 21, 2007 11:21 AM

Afternoon all.  Went to Sunday schoola nd then to Lowes.  Had to get suet blocks.  Birds ate one up in two days.  Refilled all the feeders [I filled them last night].  Tons of Cardinals here eating those black oil sunflower seeds.  I have resident ones but whent he weather gets bad, I pick up about twice as many.  Drops of rain, sleet and a flake of snow everynow and then.  Greenhouse to water.  Did not get to it yesterday as was working on the RR.

Saw on the WC that it was snowing in Ohizo.  Had to call one of the Yanks and get varification.  Now I see he posted pictures.  Let it snow, let it snow on Ohizo. Big Smile [:D]

Probably will not do any work on the RR today.  Got to wire switches [controlers and I power on another transformer rather than track power].

Chat later.

 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
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 11:09 AM

John,

  That's the first year set too!  They changed the caboose from that metal bodied Pennsy one to the common SP style Lionel Lines type in '47.  Do you suppose there's a market for this type of outfit within Lionel's PWC line?  E-buzz, Ozone and waiting for vacuum tubes to warm up!  How nostalgic is that? Smile [:)]

Bruce Webster

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • 3,176 posts
Posted by csxt30 on Sunday, January 21, 2007 10:36 AM

Good Morning Everyone !! Cold here but not any more snow, yet !!

Bruce : that electronic set always fascinated me too !! Here's one that was on e-bay a long time ago.

I would really liked to have gotten it, but it probably went for too much, can't remember now !!

Thanks, John 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 10:21 AM

Morning all!

  I should get out and plow some snow but it's so darn cold!  If I don't though it's only gonna pile up more once the snow starts again this afternoon.

  Seems I've been doing more research lately when I should be working on the layout.  Reviewing some of the old issues of CTT has been educational though.   Things I took little notice of then are now interesting and informative.  One fascinating topic is Lionel's Electronic sets of the postwar era.  Apart from the old vaccuum tube technology it's interesting how many parallels there are between these Electronic outfits and todays TMCC and DCS....the high cost, the patent infringements, the iffy reliability.  Just another example of the old addage that everything old is new again.

JustAHobo,

  Would it not be simpler just to leave the wiring of your cab forward modification as is and put up with it starting in reverse all the time?  That way you wouldn't have to rewire your directional lighting as well.  Not that I have had any experience tackling that type of job but I know I'd be scared of frying the TMCC by swapping wires.  This is IF in fact you're rewiring the loco for the reason I mentioned above.  If not then I haven't been following the thread good enough.

 

Bruce Webster

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, January 21, 2007 10:14 AM

Hey hobo check this one out I bought 3 of them from local hobby shop for $9.98 each around September. so yes they were released but believe so by lionel not k-line but still come on there still some to be had for about $15.00 if you look . I bought 3 cause I live in VA. gave one to a freind for xmas lol.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190072223952&rd=1&rd=1

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: S.E. Ohio
  • 5,434 posts
Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Sunday, January 21, 2007 9:47 AM

Hey Chief, it's snowing in Beautiful Ohio...

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 9:26 AM
 laz 57 --- WOW ... that was a heck of a deal on that gantry crane ! A big pat on the back for that one . I see why you have that big smile now ... LOL  Did you see the bucket/shovel attachment for them ? Picks up coal or sand insted of magnet also ? Saw one months ago on ebay .... was a very nice addon . Don't know if guy did it himself or they sold it as an addon . I can't find a gantry low enough ... by golly am going to go look now . Oh well caboose and snowplow will wait another day ... between trains.com and Ebay I'm getting nothing done --- LOL --- Whistling [:-^]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 9:15 AM
 rtraincollector yes there are some still left but few and far between --- not like a a year  ago .... I was buying just diecast and they went out the roof . The selection went south too . Am I glad I bought what I did last year ! I love some of those guys with outrageous shipping and handling fees . I used to get them and detail the heck out of them ... but am afraid to touch them now . Still have to put my lighted conductor with his lit lantern on my diecast caboose . Darn brass snowplow is still only 3/4 done . Had 2 sellers guarantee they were all diecast and only trucks and couplers were . I wish some of those guys would learn what die-cast means . The one even sent plastic to me in a diecast box . Paypal took care of that ... thank the lord ! Looks like like I'll have to tear down and scratch build plastic with metal and wood alot from now on . Hate to think of going back to all kit builds --- Sigh [sigh] 
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Sunday, January 21, 2007 9:09 AM

Hi GIZ,

  Ran trains last nite all ran good NO PILE UPS. 

JUST A HOBO,  I go on ebay about twice a week looking for a few things,NYC F3s and beer cars along with a PA burro crane,  these are the things that I am bidding on.  I just won another custom Old Milwaukee beer reefer for 44 bucks.  Yes a little high but I needed it and liked it so what the hey.  I did get a magnetic gantry crane the other week for a great deal of $61 bucks.  That was the best deal I ever got.  You just got to keep on lookin?

TOM, watch the BJ Auctions for a little last nite.  From 6 -730.  Saw the '67 sting rays go for 600,000-800,000, beauties but lots o money.

Hope BEARS cane win today?  BEARS WEATHER THOUGH, COLD AND BRISK. Just so they don't look like chipmunks?

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:44 AM

Just a Hobo I've notice did get a couple of scout cars at a fair price this am thou a boxcar and tankcar in OB boxes fair one and good other picked both up for $16.00 plus shipping waiting to see on that max is 12 (what they had on each times 2 ($6.00) said they would combine for a lower shipping cost)

I've seen some out of this world starting prices also .

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:31 AM
laz 57 have you noticed the prices skyrocketing on ebay lately ? It seems you and I do alot of bidding there but the bargains are drying up ! Pick up a few once in awhile but not like a year ago . Hope we're not bidding against each other .... Sign - Oops [#oops]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:20 AM
 Everytime I turn on the news and weather channel I pity those poor people out west . Can't imagine the suffering and heartaches they are going through day after day with all that snow and ice . Our thoughts and prayers from the family here go out to them and any of you living there . We on the east coast have been so darn lucky this year . Have'nt got much feedback on the cab forward conversion at all . One gentleman said just reverse the wires ... will try it but hope these newer tmcc engines don't get screwy since they're programmed and all . Have heard some horror stories of complete lockups and dead engines when you start fooling around with their electronics . Rewired and converted 2 older HO engines years ago ... but they were worlds apart from the new ones . I know the chief has had great luck re-wiring alot . If you all hear a loud scream and cussing across america in a couple days vibrating your windows you'll  know I messed up an expensive engine --- LOL   SoapBox [soapbox]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:19 AM

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

Where the temp is 22 deg and snow on the way, again !

Did anyone see the Barrett-Jackson Auction last night, Cars selling at $1,000,000.00 plus. Also remember the buyer and seller pays 8% auction fee on top of the selling price.

And to think, I owned one this color back in '69 !

 

Lisa - try hand pushing a car thru your switch and see if you can tell what the car is bouncing on that is causeing it to derail.

 

tom

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,050 posts
Posted by fifedog on Sunday, January 21, 2007 7:58 AM

Mornin' boys. Mornin' Ms Lisa.  Getting ready to fry up some bacon for my loved ones.  May have to go to the market for milk/bread/t.p., as the "white death" is nearing from the south-west.

Bakeer - always wondered where the Mersey ran, but I thought Jerry & The Pacemakers put it on the map.  No Wild Turkey here, just J.D. No.7.  Occasionally we get some of the "good stuff" from West-by-God-Virginia.  Seems to cure all type of malidies up there.

Lisa - the sparking on MTH track tends to be too much black coating on the center rail.  A few rubs with a green scotch pad should reduce that.  The sparking may be firing the couplers ad well.

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