Raise the layout sternum level, or get chairs so that the layout is close to eye level.
A friend who has a large layout and holds operations layout is built like so one doesn't have to bend a whole lot.
Sawyer, the U-boats weathering looks better than the Gp35. I made the switch to powders a little bit ago. The ONR box and UP hopper were only the fourth and fifth cars I did with pastels (scrape a pastel stick with a razor blade to get powder), and the look great.
The other day I went to P-cola and picked up a 20-pack of Kadees, and 3 freight cars. A BAR railbox-style box car, a CP hopper, and an N&W hopper. They had a Bachmann silver series hopper in BN, but 16 bucks is pretty steep for a bachman, considering the N&W one I got was a Proto 1000 for half as much.
I have to make loads for the 2 hoppers, and the 4 other ones I bought on ebay (DT&I, B&O, NP, and one other one I can't recall the road name off of). Then I have to weather a total of 23 hoppers, 2 gons,1 boxcar, and 6 engines (3 GP30s, 2 U28Bs, and 1 U30C). I don't think I'll weather my SD45s or F45 (whenever it gets here), I could say they are new engines.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
What type of offense do you guys run? We run Flex, which works nice. All the other teams we've played don't run flex, they ran some weird types that don't work well. The funny thing is, is every one knows Wausau West runs Flex, and they pratice stopping a flex cut layup, but we still beat them. the game we played on tuesday, we beat them by 20 points. One guy on the oppsite team put up a shot at our hoop, and made it! We got the points.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
WCfanWell I've been very busy these last two weeks, with basketball, our bands christmas concert, tests, other school related items, and moving snow, I haven't got the time to post. For basketball we are 3-1, which is pretty good.
Well I've been very busy these last two weeks, with basketball, our bands christmas concert, tests, other school related items, and moving snow, I haven't got the time to post. For basketball we are 3-1, which is pretty good.
We're 0-2. We lost 37-14 to a team of all 10th graders (we're all 8th graders, age group is 8th-10th grade), and then we also lost to another team by 11.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Holiday Greetings from Sussex County, NJ!
WCfan Happy Holidays to all! I should be posting again in 4-5 hours from now.
Happy Holidays to all! I should be posting again in 4-5 hours from now.
That would be 1-2 am EST, so 12-1 am in Wisconsin. I don't know about you, but after waking up at 9(east coast), cleaning up all day, and then having the family- which is very big- over since 5 (EST), I am literally falling asleep in front of my laptop...
Anyway, Happy Holidays to everyone out there. Merry Christmas, and I hope that everyone gets what they want. Have a safe, healthy, and happy Holiday Season!
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Got some Bragdon weathering powders today, here's what I've gotten:
The prototype pic I used as a guide:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=55152&nseq=3 (can't get the img url for it)
And what I got (sorry about the pic quality, still have to get a tripod):
Unfortunately, I couldn't get the front to get that same look, probably b/c of the black paint on it:
Here's my best pic of the roof (will just post the url):
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/Packers_1/AAT%20Rwy/weathered%20U23B/?action=view¤t=IMG_3270.jpg
What I need to do is get that loose powder on those side grilles matted down, but otherwise, it's pretty good. Much better, considering my last attempt at weathering:
Nice cookies Wikious.
Merry Christmas everyone (or Happy Holidays!)
Those are really neat cookies!
I went railfanning a few days ago... Here's the trip report: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/144027.aspx
Page 3? Not on my watch! Here are some awesome cookies I frosted last night.
Hope everyone gets the loot they want this year! (and happy holidays, too!)
Ok, got it! Nvm...
For my PL42, im definately going to build the kit, because I just found out that a RTR version is $699!.!.!.!...
Guilford Guyns3010Guilford Guy Its annoying in HO having to bend down to track level to read the numbers on equipment. I'm sure its twice as hard in N... On Tyler's and Yoshi's I read the roadname initials, and can usually identify which car is in question, unless there are two cars, in which case I have to read the numbers. Kinda random, but yes, I agree. They are very small. Not random at all... I'm stating another reason why pax1 should add "Car Type" to his list.
ns3010Guilford Guy Its annoying in HO having to bend down to track level to read the numbers on equipment. I'm sure its twice as hard in N... On Tyler's and Yoshi's I read the roadname initials, and can usually identify which car is in question, unless there are two cars, in which case I have to read the numbers. Kinda random, but yes, I agree. They are very small.
Guilford Guy Its annoying in HO having to bend down to track level to read the numbers on equipment. I'm sure its twice as hard in N... On Tyler's and Yoshi's I read the roadname initials, and can usually identify which car is in question, unless there are two cars, in which case I have to read the numbers.
Its annoying in HO having to bend down to track level to read the numbers on equipment. I'm sure its twice as hard in N... On Tyler's and Yoshi's I read the roadname initials, and can usually identify which car is in question, unless there are two cars, in which case I have to read the numbers.
Kinda random, but yes, I agree. They are very small.
Not random at all... I'm stating another reason why pax1 should add "Car Type" to his list.
Which I have done, now I just need to change it on Word.
Alex
Our club uses nice little track diagrams and general instructions. Feel free to download and take a look!
http://www.wimrc.ca/Track%20Diagrams/Track%20Diagrams%20January%208th,%202008.pdf
TrainManTyYour decision, but...I'm not saying your operators won't be able to do their work without the car type, but it is definetely easier on them (and you, some people will ask the layout owner questions they could easily get by reading a manual, but it's faster and people are lazy) if they could tell the car type by a quick glance. Prototype railroads are constantly trying to streamline their operation, and model railroads should follow suit.And the car numbers do make it look official, no doubt. They should stay there. I'm just saying you should put the car type on IN ADDITION to the numbers.A manual is a great idea for your operators. I'm planning on having one for each train on my layout giving descriptions of each industry and the different car spots (after one operator spotted a loaded cement car on the sand track at New Poland Cement) for each industry. I'll try to include everything the operator needs to know, including track authority proccedures and random tips and remainders. I will, however, make information available outside the manual when possible, such as the car types on each waybill, and having town schematics on the fascia with the industries labeled. This will make it easier for the operator to find the information without having to slog through a manual trying to find very basic information.I'll try to write up a crash course on car cards and waybills for you tomorrow, including copies of the documents I used. It's really simple, and worth the extra trouble at the start because setup takes just as long as turning the waybills in each car card, instead of writing up each switch list. I once operated a train on a friend's layout using a switch list, and it took us a good 15-20 minutes to write up the switch list for ONE TRAIN! Setting up the waybills for a session on my layout (with three or more trains) takes less than 5. Multiply that by having a session once a week, and you've saved yourself 540 hours in one year!
Your decision, but...
I'm not saying your operators won't be able to do their work without the car type, but it is definetely easier on them (and you, some people will ask the layout owner questions they could easily get by reading a manual, but it's faster and people are lazy) if they could tell the car type by a quick glance. Prototype railroads are constantly trying to streamline their operation, and model railroads should follow suit.
And the car numbers do make it look official, no doubt. They should stay there. I'm just saying you should put the car type on IN ADDITION to the numbers.
A manual is a great idea for your operators. I'm planning on having one for each train on my layout giving descriptions of each industry and the different car spots (after one operator spotted a loaded cement car on the sand track at New Poland Cement) for each industry. I'll try to include everything the operator needs to know, including track authority proccedures and random tips and remainders.
I will, however, make information available outside the manual when possible, such as the car types on each waybill, and having town schematics on the fascia with the industries labeled. This will make it easier for the operator to find the information without having to slog through a manual trying to find very basic information.
I'll try to write up a crash course on car cards and waybills for you tomorrow, including copies of the documents I used. It's really simple, and worth the extra trouble at the start because setup takes just as long as turning the waybills in each car card, instead of writing up each switch list. I once operated a train on a friend's layout using a switch list, and it took us a good 15-20 minutes to write up the switch list for ONE TRAIN! Setting up the waybills for a session on my layout (with three or more trains) takes less than 5. Multiply that by having a session once a week, and you've saved yourself 540 hours in one year!
Ok, I'll add that. Of course, the only two car types ever going to appear in the industries are boxcars and covered hoppers (PS-2 (feed) and hoppers to carry plastic pellets), so I'm not too sure how having the kind of car would help. It'd more be the initials that you'd need to worry about. And thanks, I have really no idea about operation, except you shove cars into sidings and take them out of sidings, lol.
TrainManTySo, you're getting into operation now, Sawyer? It's a lot of fun and is my favorite facet of the hobby.I have one comment from a relatively experienced operator, as I've been operating for over a year now on both mine and a friend's layout:Put the car type back. I use a car card and waybill system (I like them a lot better than switch lists, but that's just me) and when I'm operating I never look at the car number that's on the car card. I only look at the roadname and car type. And, while you may have your numbering system memorized, any guest operators will find it hard to tell and you may find it awkward too. Just looking at the car type is a whole lot easier. Maybe you can write the number bigger without the car type on the list, but since most people won't even look at it unless they need to, it's not really needed.Most trains won't have two of the same road and same type of car. I routinely run up to 7 car locals (one of the only times you need to look at the car cards except for yard ops) and I don't think I've ever gotten the same type of car from the same railroad.Of course, you're using a switch list system. This is similar too. An operator looks at the list "Any cars for ABC Lumber? Yup. It's loaded on a UP bulkhead flatcar." Since there's probably only one UP bulkhead flatcar in the train, it's obvious which one the list is reffering to. The operator never needs to look at the car number.That isn't to say you should take the number slot off. Other people have different operating techniques and they may be used to looking at the number slot even if they don't need to. Plus, on the chance you do actually get two of the same type of car from the same railroad in the same train, car numbers are useful to know!Of course, unit trains are the exception here, but since they don't exactly do much switching, I don't see a switch list being written up for one on most railroads...So, I'd put the car type back! Just a suggestion from an operator...
So, you're getting into operation now, Sawyer? It's a lot of fun and is my favorite facet of the hobby.
I have one comment from a relatively experienced operator, as I've been operating for over a year now on both mine and a friend's layout:
Put the car type back. I use a car card and waybill system (I like them a lot better than switch lists, but that's just me) and when I'm operating I never look at the car number that's on the car card. I only look at the roadname and car type. And, while you may have your numbering system memorized, any guest operators will find it hard to tell and you may find it awkward too. Just looking at the car type is a whole lot easier. Maybe you can write the number bigger without the car type on the list, but since most people won't even look at it unless they need to, it's not really needed.
Most trains won't have two of the same road and same type of car. I routinely run up to 7 car locals (one of the only times you need to look at the car cards except for yard ops) and I don't think I've ever gotten the same type of car from the same railroad.
Of course, you're using a switch list system. This is similar too. An operator looks at the list "Any cars for ABC Lumber? Yup. It's loaded on a UP bulkhead flatcar." Since there's probably only one UP bulkhead flatcar in the train, it's obvious which one the list is reffering to. The operator never needs to look at the car number.
That isn't to say you should take the number slot off. Other people have different operating techniques and they may be used to looking at the number slot even if they don't need to. Plus, on the chance you do actually get two of the same type of car from the same railroad in the same train, car numbers are useful to know!
Of course, unit trains are the exception here, but since they don't exactly do much switching, I don't see a switch list being written up for one on most railroads...
So, I'd put the car type back! Just a suggestion from an operator...
Well, I had nothing else to do, and I was looking around for something to do for my RR (had finished up all thew wiring I could do today), and so I googled switchlist and got that site, went ahead and created it. Also, I printed out two copies of my numbering system, one for each shelf, so an operator will always have it handy. I plan to eventually have a small manual for any operators, once I get the operation all figured out, that has everything they'll need to know. Reason I went with a switchlist is b/c it's easier to make than a car card system, and I have access to it more (I have no clue about car cards, lol). And the car numbers jsut make it look more official, lol.
It's been a great weekend here in Joisey.
To start, we had a snow day on Friday. I got some time to do some weathering. Here's the pix:
I also finished some more scenery:
And now for the best news. I'm getting a PL42AC from IMW. It is a resin kit, and it will be my first. I can't wait to order it so that I can start building it.
That's about it for now. Over break, I'll install the DCC and start assembling the structure that I'll be getting for Christmas.
Railfan AlexHey guys. Is it just me or are email notices not working for the forum? Anyways, I put an order from the LHS for a Tsunami Alco V12 251 sound decoder for my C424. I can't wait, because they sound just too awesome! Also, it's quite a good deal, it's only 100 bucks for the Atlas board format, which is what I ordered. It was just released, so I'm sure I won't get mine for a while, because people have placed orders way ahaid of me. Here's one of the videos that have convinced me to get one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyP4YVvJefw Alex
Hey guys.
Is it just me or are email notices not working for the forum?
Anyways, I put an order from the LHS for a Tsunami Alco V12 251 sound decoder for my C424. I can't wait, because they sound just too awesome!
Also, it's quite a good deal, it's only 100 bucks for the Atlas board format, which is what I ordered. It was just released, so I'm sure I won't get mine for a while, because people have placed orders way ahaid of me.
Here's one of the videos that have convinced me to get one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyP4YVvJefw
Yeah, the notifications ain't been working for me either.
Sounds like a nice decoder (literally). When you get it, make sure you get a video of it in action.
Well, I got the feeders for the outside rail dropped down through the board today (still have to solder them to the rails). I also ran the bus for them as well (I'm running DC right now, but will eventually go DCC, which is why I'm going to wire it for DCC). Tomorrow, either A) I'll solder the feeders, B) wire them into the bus, or C) drop the feeders for the inside rail.
I WILL get the shelves built for my Tech 4. I'm going to have a shelf for it on each side, and wires running from the bus to it. This way, you can operate the yard, then unscrew the wires from the tech 4 and move it to the other side to operate the industries. There will be a shelf to put it on and an area to take care of your switch list as well.
Speaking of switchlists, I found a site that showed you step by step how to make one (http://www.zianet.com/awebsite4u/pformin.html). I customized mine a little to make them unique, but I followed it for the most part. I removed the car type column b/c I can add the first 4 digits of what it would be in my numbering system (0101 for boxcar) in parentheses in front of the number of the car if it's not a home road car. I also moved the L/E column to be just wide enough to accomdate either an L or an E. That way, I have a little more room in the destination area. Here's my switch list (one page makes 2 lists) Seems that it cut out some of the middle rows, but each row that's empty is the size of 16 point font:
That's about it.
ns3010 We may get snow on Friday, so you know what that means. However much time I need to work on the layout. I hope.
We may get snow on Friday, so you know what that means. However much time I need to work on the layout. I hope.
So, our concert is finally over, so maybe I'll get some more time now. Last night at the concert, our principal announced that school is closed today. But now I have english homework. I really hate my teacher... But anyway, maybe I'll get to making some trees or something.
Oh, and by the way, it just started snowing now. The only snow on the ground is the stuff from Wednesday. Here's the snow count for this year:
October- 6", all from one day. Still had school, but it started late so it took two hours when it usually takes 20 minutes to get home. November- nothing. December- 4", from wednesday. 2 hr delay. Today, so far nothing. No school, supposed to get 8"
Well, I finally found my camera so I can post pictures again. The cars I weathered that I wanted to take pictures of the other day are at the MR club. I did 2 more today.
Here's a UP covered hopper I bought today for 5 bucks. It's a bluebox kit that was put together rather crudely by the previous owner. I took it home, reassembled it, and weathered it. I was trying to give it the impression of a fairly new car that has seen a lot of us, I think it came out great.
This ONR car I've had for a few months. I put P2K trucks on it while I was weathering it. I think this one came out okay.
The P2K GP30 and Atlas U30C I bought have finally shipped. Hopefully should be here soon, I intend to run the U30C with my U28Bs, and the GP30s with my other GP30s and GP35.
Tonight we went over to Ed's and I got a few more things for christmas, the Walthers Modular Quality Investment Casting, I got it for 16.75, a normal $30, what a steal!!! Also I got three atlas super track number 6 turnouts, alot bigger than I thought, I still have $275 to work with, which is awesome! I plan on getting a Badger Model 250 Airbrush, some paint. I'll see what comes around on Saturday, like I said before, I'm going to State College on saturday, so I'll tell you what I get on Sunday, my dad and my aunt are going to, so they'll be there till about 12:00am, lol!
Man, I wish Aiken would get snow. Even LAS VEGAS got snow, lol. Well, I might wind up bothering around something else, if I can get my hands on some white glue, I can get the foam down for the platform for my commuter station. Also need to finish the paint job on those coaches.
The ELECTRONICS soldering iron is broken. The heavy duty one (which will melt electronics almost instantly) works fine and is great for soldering rails.
I thought you said your soldering iron was broken.
I realized I want a lot more coal hoppers, I'm at 25 (4 of which are the older 32' type, which will be gotten rid of).
I have around 1000 rail joints to test and solder if neccsary, and I know I have to do at least 500 of those over at least. The problem is, I'm out of solder...
Yeah, trees and weathering are really all I can do, at least for now. I haven't even touched the layout since the weekend, but they canceled hockey for tomorrow, so maybe.