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Teen Model Railroader Place - January 2009

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  • Member since
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  • From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • 9 posts
Posted by The Canadian on Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:10 PM

 I'll might as well join in too.  I have a 4x8. I model the Canadian shield in ontario.  I have 1 CPR locomotive.  Here's a link to my photos  http://picasaweb.google.ca/kennethdk93/TrainPhotos#  I think I'm calling it the layout, the Borden River Railroad after the Canadian PM, but that still has to be fianlized.  

I just finished exams today.  Oh and next semester I start French again after 1 year break.  I've been taking it since grade 1 and im now in grade 10

~ Kenneth A teen model railroading in Canada Visit my blog on things Canadian: http://thetruenorth.wordpress.com/ See my rail pics at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/kennethdk93/TrainPhotos#
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:55 PM

Sign - Welcome Ken!

I checked out your layout photos, and it looks like you're off to a great start! The scenery that's been finished looks outstanding! I can only dream of having my layout look that good! Nice work!Thumbs Up

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Posted by SD Fan on Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:56 PM

The CanadianSign - Welcome

Good to have you here. BTW, nice layout so far.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, or maybe ballasting some track.
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Posted by Guilford Guy on Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:49 PM

 ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

My module is operational... Just finished laying the track. Going to head out to the craft store around 5:30 to get scenery products and whatnot. Plastercloth, ballast, ground cover, and possibly some water products.

Alex

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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:59 PM

Sign - Welcome Ken!

Exams are finally over. Theology was easy because he put all kinds of hints in the answers. Here's the answers to the matching:

ILOVETHEOLOGYANDIREALLYLOVEYOUGUYZITSTRU

And the multiple choice was :ABCDABCDDCBA. And, yes as you may have guessed the true and false was: FTFTFTFTFTTFTFTFTFTF. Easy. Same with Biology.

Just finished up scenery around the lake. It already had a layer of water in it, but it wasn't that good. So I covered the foam with ground cover- real sand, taken from the Jersey Shore- and poured another layer in the lake. Pix when it dries.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
My Photos on Flickr: Flickr
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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  • From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Posted by The Canadian on Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:03 PM
Guilford Guy
ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

NO WE ARE NOT.  Canada's rail systems are superior. 

~ Kenneth A teen model railroading in Canada Visit my blog on things Canadian: http://thetruenorth.wordpress.com/ See my rail pics at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/kennethdk93/TrainPhotos#
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:14 PM

The Canadian
Guilford Guy
ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

NO WE ARE NOT.  Canada's rail systems are superior. 

 

Ken: Don't pay any attention to Alex when he types in all caps... Whistling 

Alex: We know you aren't serious, but let's not scare anybody away...

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Posted by Packers#1 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:21 PM

The Canadian
Guilford Guy
ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

NO WE ARE NOT.  Canada's rail systems are superior. 

 

Ken, pay him no mind, he's just trying to get under your skin. Nice layout btw. here's my album for my layout on photobucket (I model a freelanced line in SC Big Smile):

http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/Packers_1/AAT%20Rwy/

By the way, welcome to the forums both you and SD Fan.

Well guys, I think I finally lost it. Since I might not get the attic, but might be getting the bonus room as my new bedroom, I've been thinking about the fact that I don't think I can move my 4x8 in there (I can still move it out of the house though, I think). Well, thinking about this and also thinking about my dream layout right now, got me to thinking: On my dream layout, there will be a juice distribution center (got this idea from the article in the May 07 MR). Now, I could build that as a stand-alone switching layout. And the article had several different plans for a juice center, so why couldn't I build this as a stand-alone switching layout for the bonus room if I wind up there, or build it when I finish my 4x8? It would be rather simple (the hardest will be the building, I just have to model the rail side, it'll be a backdrop flat, but will come out a little for the interior docks). I still have to design it, but came up with a sketch today based on one of the plans in the article.

Sawyer Berry

Clemson University c/o 2018

Building a protolanced industrial park layout

 

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  • From: North Jersey
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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:43 PM

Guilford Guy
ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

Wow... that was nice...

This makes me curious: Either Ken or Alex, have you guys seen our stuff floating around up there? You guys have two cats (4117 and 18) a couple pigs (not sure what numbers, but some were the ones involved in the fire) and 14 comarrows. Just wondering what they're up to. There are no comarrows left here- well, there may be a couple floating around MMC, but they'r all OOS- and only a couple pigs. All the cats are left though. Here's a cool picture of the 4117 that I didn't take. Look just to the right of the AMT symbol, where you can see the outline of the NJT disco stripes.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
My Photos on Flickr: Flickr
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Bapou on Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:15 PM

ns3010

Guilford Guy
ACK! THE CANADIANS ARE INFILTRATING...

Wow... that was nice...

This makes me curious: Either Ken or Alex, have you guys seen our stuff floating around up there? You guys have two cats (4117 and 18) a couple pigs (not sure what numbers, but some were the ones involved in the fire) and 14 comarrows. Just wondering what they're up to. There are no comarrows left here- well, there may be a couple floating around MMC, but they'r all OOS- and only a couple pigs. All the cats are left though. Here's a cool picture of the 4117 that I didn't take. Look just to the right of the AMT symbol, where you can see the outline of the NJT disco stripes.

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I heard they were leased out but I didn't know the disco got painted over! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Go NJT, NJ Transit, New Jersey Transit. Whatever you call it its good. See my pictures and videos here: http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff20/Bapouthetrainman/
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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:24 PM

Bapou
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I heard they were leased out but I didn't know the disco got painted over! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why so dramatic? It's not good, but it's not the worst thing possible. They'll be coming back. And if it makes you feel any better, their still the same number, and I think the same numbering. And the pigs and comarrows still have their disco stripes. It would be/ will be bad when the ex-CNJ geeps go. I hope they put at least one in a museum.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
My Photos on Flickr: Flickr
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Bapou on Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:28 PM

ns3010

Bapou
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I heard they were leased out but I didn't know the disco got painted over! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why so dramatic? It's not good, but it's not the worst thing possible. They'll be coming back. And if it makes you feel any better, their still the same number, and I think the same numbering. And the pigs and comarrows still have their disco stripes. It would be/ will be bad when the ex-CNJ geeps go. I hope they put at least one in a museum.

 

I feel like exaggerating lol, In a weird mood I guess. Of course I always exaggerate...

Go NJT, NJ Transit, New Jersey Transit. Whatever you call it its good. See my pictures and videos here: http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff20/Bapouthetrainman/
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Posted by SD Fan on Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:37 PM

#4117 was a sad sight. The disco paint scheme was one of the best. Second only to SP daylight scheme.

Anyway, today im am somewhat trying to make a river way, which is quite hard to do if you are using the plaster cloth(a bunch of tiny holes). Hoping that it will work. I have to wright a english report today so, i might finish it.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, or maybe ballasting some track.
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  • From: North Jersey
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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:03 PM

Ah, it's not too bad. Would be pretty cool to model, though.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:20 PM

Welcome Kenneth! Sign - Welcome I hope you didn't get scared away by the other Alex. We are above Americans (geographically speaking) so if he starts getting annoying, we can sit on him. Cool Yes, I know, bad attempt at a joke...

And Joe, yes I have been keeping track of the pigs and comarrows. Pretty interesting.

First off, everything is leased for 2 years. That should last long enough until the 160 car Bombardier order is at least partially delivered. You also have the dual mode locomotives, which will obviously take a while.

Here are the photos of the fire, in case you haven't seen them:

http://www.coderouge.com/interventions/intervention.php?lg=fr&feu=731

And here is how some of the cars are being used:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellergraham/2901030377/in/photostream/

http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2009/1/4117.jpg

Passenger cars alternated between 700 series and 5000 series because 700 series are configured for low platforms (like on the Vaudreuil line) and 5000 series are configured for high-platforms (only used at Central Station).

On other lines like the Vaudreuil line, they have them alternated like this, with an AMT or NJT locomotive at one end, and an AMT Cabcar on the other. They don't run the NJT stuff in solid sets because they are not configured for low platforms, or the "AMT can't figure out how to open and close the traps from the cab" (in my opinion). So it is annoying for those wanting to use these trainsets, because only half the AMT car doors actually open. It does make for considerably longer station stops, because everyone is trying to feed through one door every 80 or so feet, which would normally be two.

http://www.myrailfan.com/collection/AMT/NJT_5000/img.aspx?ID=NJT_AMT.jpg

http://www.myrailfan.com/collection/AMT/NJT_5000/img.aspx?ID=NJT_5222_MTL_1.jpg

And as of December 14th, we got more NJT coaches, this time with some cabcars:

http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/2009/1/njt.htm

This might mean some full NJT consists, but I don't know if these are configured for low or high platforms...

So that concludes my efforts to find out what's happening with all this NJT stuff. No new news to date.

And BTW, your disco stripes and American flags have been removed from everything that is leased, and of course we had to reletter every instruction on the inside of the cars to French, and close off every restroom.

OK! I think that's it! Questions?

Alex

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:42 PM

 You guys are great with engine house fires... I know Montreal had one way back in the steam era...

Well here's some pix of the S4... Still needs some touching up on the handrails and frame...

Enjoy!

Alex

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  • From: North Jersey
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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:47 PM

Alex, Thanks so much for the update. I could see why you would remove the flags and such, but to paint the disco stripes too?

Do you guys have cab cars? In the first video the train was double ended. Then again, I don't think a 3000hp loco could pull 8 cars.

For the comarrows, couldn't they have one end of the car with the leafs down, for high level, and one up for low level? Or just put them down when they get to the one high level platform?

As for the new cars, I didn't even know you got more. Anyway, Those would be the CIs. They were rebuilt in 1987 for both low and high platforms with the leaf, like all the other cars. CIIIs through the MLs also have extra doors (on the CIII-Vs its in the center, on the MLs, theyre on the mezzanine, closest to the center) that are high-level only, but that's a different story.

And one more thing, why would they close the restrooms? That's kinda strange...

If you have any questions about the equipment, feel free to ask.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
My Photos on Flickr: Flickr
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:00 PM

Nice Alex! You paint that?

Joe:

I don't know why they got rid of the disco stripes, probably because it has nothing to do with the AMT logo, so they didn't want the general public to think they had some new logo. I don't know.

Yep, we have plenty of cab cars, but no NJT cabcars, except for the new stuff that came in.

From what I understand, they cannot operate the traps from the cab, nor open the doors because the two cars are not compatible. And they don't want to employ some person to manually open and close doors.

They don't want restrooms because no AMT equipment has restrooms. They don't want to go through the trouble of having someone drain and clean restrooms (of course this is coaches, not locomotives. Locomotives all have restrooms from what I understand). Also, trips are all under ~ 1h 15min so they figure most people can hold it for that long. If not, people just get off the train, or if they are drunk, they go do their busness in the vestibule or stairs (Yes it happened!).

Alex

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:02 PM

 I did indeed!

The Prototype...

Prior to getting the roof and frame painted...

 

And why don't your conductors open the traps? On the T, its their job to open the traps for passengers to detrain at low level stations.

Alex

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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:17 PM

Alex, they never could be controlled from the cab- the leafs are manually operated. And at NJT if at a certain door, the leaf is down and the platform is low-level, the door doesn't open, and vice versa at high levels. And the center doors only open at high-level stations, because I bet that if they opened at a low-level, someone would be stupid enough to try and exit by that door...

Other Alex, looks good!

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2009 6:34 AM

Yeah, I'll second Alex's question: Why not manually open the leafs on a low level platform? It's easy for a conductor to do right from the door; just unlock it and lift up the flap, securing it to the wall of the vestibule. I know it's possible, I've done it on an old NH coach!Tongue

Alex (GG): The S4 looks great! I'll probably get to see it (and you, of course) at the Big E show tomorrow...

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Posted by Railfan Alex on Friday, January 23, 2009 8:23 AM

I really don't know how AMT's employee's brains are wired, there is probably a really simple solution to the problem, but they can't read the instruction manual in english!Tongue

Alex

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Posted by ns3010 on Friday, January 23, 2009 9:31 AM

You don't need an instuction manual to open or close a leaf. I'm assuming that they've been the same forever, but all CIs-CVs have them the same way. You pull a latch to release it and put it down. Pull a latch to release it, and put it up. Not that hard... 

When Alstom built the Comet Vs, there were two options for the end door (leading from the car to the vestibule, not off the end of the car). There was a switch, labeled for manual and automatic. There is a button labeled "push to open" and it lights up when the switch is on "automatic." Well, people were standing in the vestibule, and wanted to get on the platform. Now, for whatever reason, some doors are not programmed to open at certain stations because of platform length, platform is on other side of train, etc., or sometimes, the doors don't work. So people want to exit the car onto the platform. They see the button, press it, and it opens the wrong door. So they get impatient and pull the emergency release handle on the door.

Some people blame it on Alstom for poor design, but the button is both inside the car and inside the vestubule, and directly next to the door that it opens. People are too stupid to realize that a button that is 4 feet away from a door, isn't going to open that door.

I probably didn't explain that too good, so if you're confused, let me know.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2009 2:51 PM

I would be confused if I hadn't seen that button in person while riding NJT into the Big Apple...

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Posted by ns3010 on Friday, January 23, 2009 3:08 PM

Right. Check out this video. Pause it at 0:10 (second photo). The button just to the right of the door is the button I'm talking about (yellow circle.) The door control switch (toggles between manual/auto) is just to the left of the emergency brake handle (above button) people thought that this button opened the door to the platform.

EDIT: Watch the above video in high quality; it kinda helps to show what everything does. It's hard to tell, but in the picture, the "push to open" button is lit up (green). If the door control switch is set to 'manual,' the "push to open" button turns off and the white box directly above the button lights up and says "push door to open." Hope this helps to understand the function of the button/door.

Also, please check out NS 21R in Stop Animation. Enjoy!

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
My Photos on Flickr: Flickr
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Friday, January 23, 2009 3:19 PM

 On MBCR the TRAPS have a little peddle. Stomp down on this and it unlocks the trap, and gives a little left for one to stick his foot under, and with an upwards kick, lift the trap up until it locks into place on the wall. Pull the locking mechanism, and it drops down with the help of gravity, and once low enough, have a foot forced downwards onto it to make sure it is all the way down and locked in place...

Alex

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2009 3:36 PM

Joe: Nice video! Having made several stop-motion animations over the years, I have a couple of tips to offer:

  1. Less movement per photo. This means 3 times as many photos, but the smoothness is worth it. It looks more like a video and less like a slideshow.
    Take my word for it, it's worth the added time.
  2. More lighting. This goes for videos too, but since I'm on the topic anyway... The photos you used are extremely underexposed. Placing lamps just out of frame nearby helps a lot. Reading lamps that clip onto a bed work great as photo lamps. Ideal lamp location is: Above the scene, To the left of the camera, and To the right of the camera. These get rid of annoying shadows. You can also get away with one lamp directly to one side or above the camera. The only drawback to that is that plastic (no matter how weathered) will have a slight shine - much like a reflection in an extremely dirty mirror  - from the lamp.
  3. Sound. Adding audio from prototype train videos takes some time to learn, but it adds so much to a video. Take a look at this Video Tutorial that I produced on how I add sound to a model railroad video. Once you have your stop-motion animation exported as a video, you can import it and add audio like any regular video.
Hope this helps!
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Posted by ns3010 on Friday, January 23, 2009 3:49 PM

TrainManTy
  1. Less movement per photo. This means 3 times as many photos, but the smoothness is worth it. It looks more like a video and less like a slideshow.
    Take my word for it, it's worth the added time.
  2. More lighting. This goes for videos too, but since I'm on the topic anyway... The photos you used are extremely underexposed. Placing lamps just out of frame nearby helps a lot. Reading lamps that clip onto a bed work great as photo lamps. Ideal lamp location is: Above the scene, To the left of the camera, and To the right of the camera. These get rid of annoying shadows. You can also get away with one lamp directly to one side or above the camera. The only drawback to that is that plastic (no matter how weathered) will have a slight shine - much like a reflection in an extremely dirty mirror  - from the lamp.
  3. Sound. Adding audio from prototype train videos takes some time to learn, but it adds so much to a video. Take a look at this Video Tutorial that I produced on how I add sound to a model railroad video. Once you have your stop-motion animation exported as a video, you can import it and add audio like any regular video.

Thanks for the help!

For the light, I was retarted. There is a big sliding door right there that would have given plenty of light, but I was too stupid to open the blindsWhistling

As for the audio, I have a video with perfect audio, but I can't get the video on my computer. I don't know where the wire is, and everyday, my dad promises that he will look for it. Yeah, sure, whatever.... If I could get actual video, I would just have a video of the train rolling by.

I will work on making another stop animation video, this time with your tips. Thanks again.

My Model Railroad: Tri State Rail
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My Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives

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Posted by Packer on Friday, January 23, 2009 3:53 PM

Wouldn't using sound decoders help with layout videos help, possibly reducing or eliminating the need for sound dubbing? I've always wondered about that one.

I've noticed since that I replaced most of my frieght car's wheels with metal ones, they sound more like what I recall the real thing to sounded like.

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.

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Posted by demonwolf224 on Friday, January 23, 2009 6:01 PM

Have you guys saw the new book, "Done In A Day" by the famed Pelle Sosberg I think that's how you spell his last name, no offese to him for my terrible spelling. It looks like an awesome book. I think I might buy it if I can come up with another seven bucks.

This post has come to you from Lewistown Pennsylvania!!!

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