The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est. 2004

[SilverSpike]

Can anyone help me with a problem in my layout?

 

 

I need to raise my track 2 3/4" in 4'.

 

I know a 4% grade does 2" in 4'. I am traying to figure out what percent grade I need.

 

 

Thanks,

Mark

A rise of 2.75" over a run of 4 feet or 48" is a grade of 5.73% and is probably too much. Why is it required that you raise the track that much in only 48"? Usually a 2 to 3% grade is acceptable, so to raise the track 2.75 inches at a 3% grade you would need about 92 inches of run, or a little over 7 1/2 feet.

 

[Hoople]

I have 57" for the track to raise that high for a bridge. Plus, If I used  a 3" grade, It would screw my plan. I am working on a 4'X8' layout. And this is not logging, and it's not on the mainline. Only an 0-6-0T and two short hopper cars need to travel up this.

[SilverSpike]

I have 57" for the track to raise that high for a bridge. Plus, If I used  a 3" grade, It would screw my plan. I am working on a 4'X8' layout. And this is not logging, and it's not on the mainline. Only an 0-6-0T and two short hopper cars need to travel up this.

57" gives you the 4.82% grade. With small equipment you might not have an issue. But you might want to set up a 60" piece of track on a piece of lumber such as a 2X4 that is a little bit longer than that length and test running your loco and hopper cars with the 4-5% grade to see if it will run first on straight track. If the rise is also on a curve, then more force will be required to pull up the grade as well.

[steveblackledge]

Hello everyone, thanks for the support everyone, it's like one big happy familly here, i'm just making this a quick call,

 i recon some of ED's oranage juice will do just nice,

 anyone fancy a glass

 

[SilverSpike]

Sure Steve, here you go, fill er up!

[HEdward]

I think I get it now.  Its a siding to a coal or crushed stone dealer!  There was such a design where the Danbury Station is now located.  It can be seen in the Danbury RR Museum's photos and N scale layout.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Mark: welcome to the coffee shop. This question would get a wider responce in the general forum or the layout planning forum. But as you can see this is a very helpful bunch of guys and gal here. 2.75 in in 48 does equal a grade 5.75%. Since this appears to be an industrial track it might work out all right. Remember that you need to ease into the grade and out of it. This will take a bit more room. If you actually have 57in in total you should have no problem. Industrial situations can do things that on a main line or even a branch line would not be good.

How about some more information about yourself and your layout? We are a nosey bunch here. I hope that we've been helpful. Oh, and have a drink or lunch on PC. He's buying this page.

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon everyone, what a GREAT weather day today is here in central Massachusetts!! Temps in 70's, PC sky, very low humidity, it actually feels like an early Autumn day..I love this weather, please stay a while.

LISA: I don't remember the name of the camp ground, we were visiting someone there on our way back from Hampton Beach on rt 101. Did you get a chance to go to my web pics of Hartmann's train museum in Intervale, NH? Just click on the web site at the bottom om by signature on this entry, there are two web sites to check out.

PAUL: Thanks for doing your part to keep the HD stock prices up.... Have the cattle been staying off the tracks? Any luck with convincing the wife to get a herding dog?

RYAN: Yes, the space on the 2nd floor is very nice, plenty of room and no obstructions, this is defintely a plan for the future.

STEVE: Happy to see you in the CS Steve, and hope you are getting better by the minute buddy. We have missed you here.

MIKE: The weather outlook for the next 30 days calls for above normal temps and humidity for the central midwest states, so better get ready for more hot weather. Thankfully, we will be under the domain of cooler Canadian air here in the Northeast.

NOAH: You had better move a little faster on your layout Noah, today is August 8th, school starts in about 3 more weeks !!! Where has the summer gone??

PHIL: Felix the cat,.....man I can remember buying Felix the Cat comic books when I was 7!! Now let me throw one or two at you:

1. What was the name of the Indian boy who was Red Ryder's sidekick?

2. What was the name of the dog of Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police ?

3. What the the name of Straight Arrow's horse?

Man, does this bring back memories or what!!!!

Talk later,

[pcarrell]

1. What was the name of the Indian boy who was Red Ryder's sidekick? 2. What was the name of the dog of Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police ? 3. What the the name of Straight Arrow's horse?

OK, you got me on all counts!  I don't know a one of those!

Now the question is, is it because I'm too old, or too young?

[Hoople]

Alright paul.

 

It's a bit early for lunch on the west coast, so I'll have a milk.

 

 

I am Mark, I model SP and UP in the 1930s-1945.

I am Twelve years old, And I like steam engines.

I got hooked on to trains when I was two years old. My grandfather showed me his basement Lionel layout, and I loved it. When I was six he taught me how to use his PFM sound system.(He is the inventor of it too.) Sadly he died of a brain tumor and lung cancer two years ago. I am making the HO scale cripple creek central layout, Which ran for two years in MR. I have no pictures of the layout, because it's just some track and foam. I will have pictures once I've done some scenery.

 

 

Mark

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Dick:

1. Little Beaver

2. King

3. You got me here. I don't think that I ever heard of Straight Arrow.

To your first 2 questions, yes and no.

Temp in the 70s! Oh how nice that must feel. We did get a rain shower yesterday for about 15 min. It felt good but was too short. Any help is nice though.

Hoople: It sounds like you got hooked like I did some 60 plus years ago. I'm doing a iron ore hauling road in Upper Michagan. It's set in 1953 and is freelance. Yes it's heavy in steam. I am going to run some Milwaukee Road and C&NW deisels and maybe a pair of FM demonstrator Trainmasters.

Time to go. I have to take the receipt from HD down to the office so Dick can get paid.

[inch53]

Afternoon all, just stopped in a a couple strawberry shakes for me me n Leroy, don't worry bouts KC Leroy's takin care of her for now

 I'll catch up with all the post laters

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all...Cloudy day here with some rain this am.........I'll have a tenderloin sandwitch and root beer float on inch's bill please....got goin this morning decaled 1 side of caboose painted top of turrent on merchant row building and painted a jeep I got in a grab bag a while back....

RT ....congrats on the 35 pounds don't lose faith you will start losing again as DR. tells me you didn't put it on over night....

Dick...King for Sargent Preston's dog use to listen to that on the radio...Rember buying 1 square inch of alaska for 25 cents and ceral box top...It arrived weeks latter in a small tobaco type sack and there was no gold in my dirt....I don't think kids these days would do something like that....simpler times....

You all keep it on the rails.....Jerry

[rtraincollector]

Hi all well today wasn't that great . It started out fine but after lunch it went down hill fast felt heart race a little and more or less to myself said no biggy we have done this before write it down for next DR. visit normal drill well got to work was there about an hour and call co-worker on cell and told him come get me take me home I'm very light headed and can't stand. ( my legs went weak under me and I went down slowly and it took me about 10 minutes till I could stand again) so had him take me home I called my doctors office and I'm to go in tomorrow at 12:45 (1 hour trip to get there.)

All I hope and guess will be fine but wife upset and I can see why.

Hope all are doing fine .

to all that I have missed.

talk to you all later oh heres a couple more pics from my weekend

[inch53]

Story for the day

 

One of my fondest memories
As I recall the days of yore
was the little house, behind the house,
With the crescent o'er the door. 
'Twas a place to sit and ponder
With your head all bowed down low;
Knowing that you wouldn't be there,
If you didn't have to go. 
Ours was a multi-holer, three,
With a size for every one.
You left there feeling better,

After your job was done.  
You had to make those frequent trips
In snow, rain, sleet, or fog--
To that little house where you usually
Found the Sears-Roebuck catalog. 
Oft times in dead of winter,
The seat was spread with snow.
' Twas then with much reluctance,
To that little house you'd go.  ;
With a swish you'd clear that wooden seat,
Bend low, with dreadful fear
You'd shut your eyes and grit your teeth
As you settled on your rear. 
I recall the day Ol' Granddad,
Who stayed with us one summer,
Made a trip out to that little house 
Which proved to be a bummer.  
Twas the same day that my Dad had
Finished painting the kitchen green.
He'd just cleaned up the mess he'd made
With rags and gasoline.  
He tossed the rags down  in the hole
Went on his usual way
Not knowing that by doing so
He'd eventually rue the day.
Now Granddad had an urgent call,
I never will forget!
This trip he made to the little house
Stays in my memory yet.  
He sat down on the wooden seat,
With both feet on the floor.
He filled his pipe and tapped it down
And struck a match on the outhouse door.
He lit the pipe and sure enough,
it soon began to glow.
He slowly raised his rear a bit
And tossed the flaming match below.
The Blast that followed, I am told
Was heard for miles around; And there was poor ol' Granddad
Sprawled out there on the ground. 
The smoldering pipe still in his mouth,
His eyes were shut real tight;
The celebrated three-holer
Was blown clear out of sight. 
We asked him what had happened,
What he said I'll  ne'er forget.
He said he thought it must have been
The pinto beans he et!
Next day we had a new one
Dad put it up with ease.
But this one had a door sign 
that read: No Smoking, Please!
Now that's the story's end my friend,
Of  memories long ago,
When we went to the house behind the house,
because we had to go
For those who never had to trot out in the Cold.....
Just Give Thanks!!!

[Paul W. Beverung]

RT: Hang in there friend. Let us know how things go at the doc's. You know that we are all pulling for you. Nice going on the weight lose. How did you do it?

Well it's time for me to hit the sack. No MRRing today. Maybe tomorrow.

[grayfox1119]

Good evening everyone, just got back from the "west 40" weeding and watering the veggie garden, a lot cooler today to do this work,...nice !!!
MRR Craftsman mag came today, so we have reading to do, also the latest Walthers monthly flyer...some nice buildings !!!

PAUL: Very nice job on the quiz, you got #1 & 2 correct. As for the 3rd one, the name of the horse was "Fury". Does it bring back memories? Anyone born before 1940 would remember all three of these, possibly as late as 1945.
I still think you should bring home a nice little Border Collie pup and let your wife hold it, she will get so attached that she will want to keep it. The your days of herding the cattle will get much easier in 115F sunlight.

PHIL: You must be a youngster. You would need to be about 62 or older to remember these guys, however, Sergeant Preston made it to the TV shows in the 50's, so you should have remembered him, along with Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, etc. Red Ryder I think made it for a very short time, but I can't remember seeing the show, plenty of comic books though.

[Guilford Guy]

hey all!
Railfannd worcester mass today, then found the central mass tunnel
It came out over a HUGE bridge
didnt go to the tunnel because it was very buggy

[Anonymous]

Paul, I don't know how my help I am around here, I just like to hang out and chat but thank for noticing me(as Eeyore always says)

Mark good to meet you I'm Lisa The Lone Lady around here(or is it token female, I don't know). I hope you enjoy our little chats around here, I just met this bunch about a week ago and I'm hooked.

Grayfox, Yea I've been to both sites great stuff  by the way, one question though, What's a cloud kit ? I've always done mine free hand or as my buddy Bob Ross would say "My happy little clouds". You got me on those questions, I remember reruns of felix but never heard of the rest(of course I am just a spring chicken, OK not quite but close)

[Anonymous]

Good morning all!

Borrowing a computer this morning.

Coffee and bagel please Zoe, thanks.

Mark:

RT: We will keep you in prayer.  Let's know what the doc says.

James: I think you need to complain to e-bay about the gentleman you got you banned from e-bay.  I would push the fact that he is harassing you.  E-bay is getting in trouble in the States because minors are getting harassed by their adult members.  Also, file a complaint with the Aussie government about the man and e-bay (We call it the Federal Trade Commission here).  E-bay might get more attentive to you side if the government starts bugging them.

 

Well off again.  Have fun and be safe.

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

08-09-06

[rtraincollector]

On weight lost First you have to understand what my diet was and what it is now

was: breakfast 2 bacon egg cheese biscuits

about 10:00am one more or a sausage biscuit or somethin any way (oh by now at least 2nd 20 oz. coke)

Lunch: 2 bacon cheese burgers w/ catsups, mustard, and relish/pickles,  french fries, another 20 oz. coke and somethin sweet to eat (cake, pie, candy ect.ect.) head out door back to work with another 20 oz. coke in hand

3 P.M. : another coke and at least 2 packs of lance crackers

Dinner: yes another coke and probally a frozen pizza the whole thing if donna didn't steal a piece or 2 out of it .

8 P.M. : (about) package of ritz or what have you crackers with peanutbutter or cheese on them. (usually 2 to make a sandwich) Yes another coke.

 I normally drank between 4 and 7 a day oh I did switch to sprite about 2 weeks befor all this happened somehow thought that I was drinking to much caffine so needed to drink non caffine drinks.

 

Now : breakfast one turkey bacon with liquid eggs and one slice of cheese on toast. (water or sport drink)

Lunch : a tuna or some light sandwich (turkey usually ) and a sport drink (coca cola's power aid 0 calories 0 everything about lemon flavored normally)

Dinner my main meal I discovered this new food you could not make me eat befor this all happened) FISH normally Tilapia (love that fish) a couple slices of bread green beans or corn (still not a big veggy eater)

if I want a snack normally grapes or banana.

I may go back to my cereal in morning with 2 % milk and 1 banana and strawberries (was my breakfast first 2-3 weeks 1 cup of cherrios 1/2 cup of skin milk) but want to wait till it gets cooler out heat and milk and I don't get along.

Have gotten off this diet a bit and need to get back on it. Think I'll start loosing weight again if I do.

Its rare I drink a soda anymore period in fact my liquid in take is way down from what I use to drink. I normally had a drink in my hand all day so if my coke drinking was upto 9 bottles that wouldn't surprise me but do believe it was more like 5-7 but probally a little higher as I look back at it.

So now I told you my big diet its not to be spread around I'm going to make a killing selling it call it the VA.Water ways diet LOL

 

Got to get ready to go see doc will talk to you all later

 

[pcarrell]

Mornin' everyone!

 

Chloe, that coffee smells sooooo good!  Think you could drop a cup in front of me?  Thanks?

 

grayfox1119, I remember some of those shows, lassie in particular.  I also remember the Lone Ranger (poor Tonto, always got the bad jobs) and Rin Tin Tin.  I'm 40, so some of them were a little before my time, but Felix,........Felix is just cool!

 

RT, I'm sure Donna has already told you, but I'll just echo her if you don't mind.  Take care of yourself man!  That diet sounds great and I'm sure it's helping, but if you're like me, you're got years of abuse to your body to make up for.  It's going to be a while before that spring in your step is in FULL spring again.  I know, I've been at it 6 years now and my spring is still a bit rusty.  I'm already praying for you and your family.  I'll be adding your doctor to the list as you both work through this.  Please, take it as little easier though, OK?

 

Well, I've got a busy day planned, so I'd best get to it! 

Prayers for all those in need (that's everyone!)

Later!

[SilverSpike]

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Good morning!

I am attending a seminar for the next two days so I may not be 

able to check  in very often, just a quick jump in and hello!

A bagel with cream cheese and coffee for me this morning!

Went to the Y last night and I ran 2 miles in 35 minutes, 

and worked out on 8 different Cybex machines for muscle

tone. Wow, I am sore this morning.

Later,

Ryan

[HEdward]

Good Morning Train people!

I'll have a mug of coffee and that doughnut with the UP herald icing.

I'm Mr Mom this week.  Those two are sleeping right now, so I get to do nothing for about a half hour or so. 

Ed

[Noah Hofrichter]

Dick, tell me about it! Summer is almost up, and I haven’t got even half the things I had wanted to done so far. I have to go register for school tonight, seems too soon for that already. I need more summer; I’ve got a lot of things yet to do!

Well, speaking of running out of time, I better get going. I’ve got things to do with my last few weeks of Freedom!

Noah

[pcarrell]

I’ve got things to do with my last few weeks of Freedom!

"Freedom",....what is this "Freedom" you speak of?

[cheese3]

I'll have a root beer please chloe, thank you. Hi all, I had a fun day yesterday, i went to knoebles. It's an amusement park in elysburg PA. it takes about three hours to get there from here. Saw some trains on the way too!!! I start my new job tonight. Im working at sunny's surplus. I was supposed to start tomorrow but i got called in for tonight, but im not complaining, that means more money!!! Well thats all for now.

Happy Railroading

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: Cloe, I'll have a diet Coke and a small peperronie pizza. I almost ordered a large but remembered RTs weight loosing system. Since this is my Friday it seems to be dragging a bit. I'm really wanting to get some time in the basement these days off. It's not as cool as I would like it down there, but it is better then outside.

Adam: Is Sunnys Surplus an Army Surpluss type store? That would be fun. Almost as good as a hobby shop. At any rate have a good night.

Noah: I know what you mean. Even at my age going back to work after vacation is a drag. The best thing about going back to school is that it won't be the same old thing. Lots of new stuff to learn and experiance. Enjoy it while you can.

Speaking of temperatures. It's heading for 102 again today and tomorrow. No rain in the forseeable furture ether.

I guess I'll finish my lunch and take a short nap. See you all later.

[inch53]

Afternoon all, ice tea Zoe please,

Rainin an cool here today, what fun, thankfully no kids.

RT, thought you'd lost some and with that diet, you'll darn sure lose more. You be carfull now n don't push thing to hard. Good luck with the doc. Enjoyed the pics too, thanks

RYAN, you don't find many peanuts grown here except in some gardens. The seasons are not very good for the and theres not really any market for'um.

GRAYFOX, I heard the weather forcast, hope #$$ their wrong. The AC cutting into our play money. I remembered most of the answers to the questions and I'm not that old. Don't remember seeing Red Ryder on TV, but did have the comic books and a Red Ryder gun n holster.

MARK, welcome to the CS, hope you enjoy your visits here.

 Thought I'd post some pics today from sundays trip to Mattoon. First links are from last winter, the top floor, just for some backround

 http://www.railimages.com/gallery/mikemyles/ajq

http://www.railimages.com/gallery/mikemyles/ajo

Station from track level

Nexted is a couple  we got Sunday. The S. bound AMTRAK arriving,

Next is some links to some inside pics. First one is the upstairs entryway [no a very good one]. Then two pics of the waiting room downstairs

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/?action=view&current=89edb4ec.jpg&refPage=60&imgAnch=imgAnch73

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/?action=view&current=d34376c8.jpg&refPage=60&imgAnch=imgAnch74

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/?action=view&current=eaada6fd.jpg&refPage=60&imgAnch=imgAnch75

Not doing much today, good ol uncle Aurther visitin, he a real pain. Going to finish up the have to chore an work on the layout some, I think, but first a nap. Hope ya'll has a good day

inch