The CG&P ceases operation (or I don't want to whine but..)

[Anonymous]

Just before Christmas I knocked my only locomotive off of the layout when I was hanging skirting. Saturday I tried to fire up the new replacement and run a few loops for a break from hanging N scale downspouts and nothing moved. Checked the transformer with a voltmeter and it maxed out at 0.123 volts. Just to be sure I was on auto range I checked a car battery. Sure enough the power pack is shot. Serves me right for buying a cheap Model Power transformer in the first place.

It looks like a PowerCab is in my future.

[Anonymous]

ouch
at least you have a layout hoping to see a start date in my future[:D] gotta win over the parents any ideas

[ereimer]

you aren't ceasing operations , you're temporarily closed for renovations [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lovintrains

ouch
at least you have a layout hoping to see a start date in my future[:D] gotta win over the parents any ideas

Tell them the hobby can teach you a lot of skills,including patience. I am sure your parents would not object to a model especially if you pay for it with your own money. Start with a structure or rolling stock. It will take some time to get the tools you need and more to do the job right. When your parents see you sticking to it they a be more open to your request. Good luck.

Patience has been the hardest skill for me to learn. I am still not very good at it but I am getting better.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer

you aren't ceasing operations , you're temporarily closed for renovations [:D]

That is a better way to look at it. I can build some kits,weather some cars, maybe even put a decoder in the locomotive while I get the money together for the PowerCab.

At least I don't have to listen to the pizza cutter wheels clatter over the Code 55 track for a while. How is that for a silver lining?

[dknelson]

Hmmm even the cheapest shouldn't do that unless it has been dropped or abused

There are enough N scalers switching to DCC that I would think good power packs would be available used, at decent prices, at swap meets. But demand a demonstration on site.
I am in HO and while I do not mean to gloat, the power pack I currently have hooked up to test some rail joints and feeder wires is my original Model Rectifier Ampack -- circa 1961, still looking as shiny and nice as the day it was new, and still working as intended. It is not the pack that will power my layout but when I am done with this testing it will return to the workbench to my test track. That was I think their second lowest level pack at the time, but Model Rectifier was quality merchandise that cost a little more even back then. The hobby shop owner who talked my dad into this 45 years ago made his money on the sale but my dad paid for quality and got it.
Dave Nelson

[emdgp92]

My N scale layout currently uses a 1970s Tyco transformer. It's one of the blue ones. These are pretty common, and are usually cheap as many hobby shop owners just want to get rid of them.

[jeffers_mz]

"Just before Christmas I knocked my only locomotive off of the layout when I was hanging skirting. Saturday I tried to fire up the new replacement and run a few loops for a break from hanging N scale downspouts and nothing moved. Checked the transformer with a voltmeter and it maxed out at 0.123 volts."

I realize this is probably just an overview of the sequence of events, but I still get a feeling of two plus two equals eight when I read it. Locomotive sustains damage in a fall and then uses that damage to kill the power pack? I'm always suspicious of failures that appear to be related in timing, but that do not appear to be related in physical cause and effect. Many times I find instead that a single failure is masquerading as different symptoms, with the root cause still undetected or addressed.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dknelson

Hmmm even the cheapest shouldn't do that unless it has been dropped or abused

There are enough N scalers switching to DCC that I would think good power packs would be available used, at decent prices, at swap meets. But demand a demonstration on site.
I am in HO and while I do not mean to gloat, the power pack I currently have hooked up to test some rail joints and feeder wires is my original Model Rectifier Ampack -- circa 1961, still looking as shiny and nice as the day it was new, and still working as intended. It is not the pack that will power my layout but when I am done with this testing it will return to the workbench to my test track. That was I think their second lowest level pack at the time, but Model Rectifier was quality merchandise that cost a little more even back then. The hobby shop owner who talked my dad into this 45 years ago made his money on the sale but my dad paid for quality and got it.
Dave Nelson

I am a firm believer in buying quality but some how I talked myself into buying this one. You know how it is. New to the hobby, didn't have anything but some room and some scrap lumber. I paid $13 for hi pack the same day I went to a train show and the cheapest MRC pack there was about $50. DCC was alway my goal but I wanted to get enough track laid to justify running 2 trains before I spent the money on a system. It looks like I will be upgrading a little sooner than I thought.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emdgp92

My N scale layout currently uses a 1970s Tyco transformer. It's one of the blue ones. These are pretty common, and are usually cheap as many hobby shop owners just want to get rid of them.

There is a show coming up near here in March. I might pick one up if I am not ready for the PowerCab by then.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffers_mz

"Just before Christmas I knocked my only locomotive off of the layout when I was hanging skirting. Saturday I tried to fire up the new replacement and run a few loops for a break from hanging N scale downspouts and nothing moved. Checked the transformer with a voltmeter and it maxed out at 0.123 volts."

I realize this is probably just an overview of the sequence of events, but I still get a feeling of two plus two equals eight when I read it. Locomotive sustains damage in a fall and then uses that damage to kill the power pack? I'm always suspicious of failures that appear to be related in timing, but that do not appear to be related in physical cause and effect. Many times I find instead that a single failure is masquerading as different symptoms, with the root cause still undetected or addressed.

I agree, there are no coincidences. However that was just an overview. The front truck broke off the first locomotive. It ran fine when I jumped wires from the track to the pickups. Of course in that condition I only ran it or a few seconds. Then I cleaned up an old Bachman trolley until it ran fine in one direction but bound up in the other. then played with an old Life-like 040T until I decided that the teeth missing from the gear and the deep flanges made it a better detail piece than a locomotive. Then I got the second locomotive and it got about 3 hours of running time before this happened.

I am mildly curious about what happened to the transformer. This weekend I might do an autopsy and see if anything melted or just came disconnected.

[dknelson]

I am not in N (although I had HOn2 1/2 for a while) but I wonder if he cheaper power packs have the sensitive control at the lower end of the amp/voltage spectrum to do justice to N scale models. In fact I have heard of some guys who cannot stop their N scale trains when they use certain packs, which can stop HO engines. Something to keep in mind
Dave Nelson