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

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

The Dash 9 came in the mail this morning. Looks great, but I haven't had a chance to do anything with it. It's a Kato, the first Kato I've ever taken out of a box. When I did, two small strips of phosphor bronze less than 1/2 inch long by about 1/10th inch fell out. Is this normal? I don't want to try to run it if these bits are meant to be in there somewhere. Just where, I have no clue. N Kato owners, any comments?

I'd have to see them to ID them, but they are probably either:

A: Pickup strips. If so, they are long, thin, flat, and fit into slots on esch side of the frame, with one end on each truck's pickup contact.

or

B: The bearing springs. In which case they are sort of rectangular, with a little tab at each end. They would slip into slots on top of one frame side with the tabs pressing against the worm gear bearings.

Of course, they might be something totally different. I have little experience with Kato, these are just bits common to most N locos.

Check the instruction sheet for an exploded diagram to see where they go...

[egmurphy]

Good afternoon all,

Whew, back from the trip and about caught up. Trip went fine, the kids enjoyed it, and I got to spend some time at the National Railroad Museum (sample pictures at end of post). It’s a twisty, turny, 200 mile trip each way. Doesn’t seem like much, and it wouldn’t be if it were on U.S. style Interstate. But it’s mostly over a two lane, no shoulder, no guardrail, steep mountain road. [:0] Yeah it’s paved, but a lot of it ain’t in that great shape. Lot’s of real slow trucks trying to go uphill, and others trying to get downhill on their motor brakes. Speed bumps galore in all the small towns along the route. Real long stretches with no good place to pass. And tons of traffic. [:(!] Not counting stops for food, fresh fruit, arts & crafts, bathrooms, gas and meals it’s probably a good 5-6 hour drive each way.

I did drop into one hobby shop in Puebla. Unfortunately they had only a relatively small selection of model railroad stuff (mostly r/c planes and cars) and all of it was in Horribly Oversized! [:)] Not even any decent model railroad paints. Oh well, it did keep me from spending anything.

I got to log on a read messages a bit while I was away, but didn’t have time to post anything. So here goes an attempt at picking up where I left off. If I miss replying to something someone said, I guess you’ll understand.

[#welcome]
Hello to all the new faces we have posting who’ve come on board since I was here last. We’ve got so many people dropping in now that it’s getting hard to keep track of who’s on first. Don’t think I’ve seen radivil or pennysduplex before, so welcome to them and all the other new coffee shop patrons.

First off, iirc today is (north)Phil’s birthday - [bday] - Hope he wasn’t too washed away on that camping trip. But I suspect he picked the wrong weekend to hit the mountains. I assume he’s still drying out and that’s why we haven’t heard from him yet.

Noah – I’m glad your canoeing trip went well. Sounds like it was fun. Glad you’re getting to operate the layout again. Sorry about the Pack. Guess you can blame that on Big_Boy.

John – I see what you meant about the Docksider. Nice cutting torch scene too. I need to try to dig out some of my old NAR photos. I took quite a few around the old depot in Ft MacMurray, and on the train between FtMac and Edmonton. But as I recall, I was shooting mostly slide film at that time, and I don’t have a way of scanning the slides. I suppose that's something else I need to look into.

QUOTE: Speaking of not working too well, I smoked the GP7s decoder.

Ooowww, that hurt. [:(] Hope you’re successful at trading it in on a new one.


Junctionfan said:

QUOTE: Just thought I would hang around here for awhile. It's friendlier here than in the magazine part of the forum.

It’s been remarkably calm here considering how electronic forums usually get. I’m both surprised and pleased that we’ve made it 4-5 months and over 100 pages without any major skirmishes. It is a nice group, and I enjoy being part of it.

QUOTE: Lupo said: btw this slow running is cool! did some other runs, this engine can run much slower, it ran 12 inch in 70 seconds, as my calculations are right , that should be app 0.9 scale mph?

Wow, that is slow. Can you tell it’s actually moving? Let’s see…..I get about 1.6mph……. oh no, I forget, you’re in Horribly Oversized! [:D] So you’re calcs are right on at 0.852 mph. Impressive!

QUOTE: jwaldo: …move the doors to an opened or closed position where they look good, and CA them in place so they don't get ripped off if someone tries to open the doors...

There you go. Sounds like a plan to me.

QUOTE: Bob: I asked Tom at Papa Ben's for your phone number today - I thought I'd give you a suprise call. He said "I don't know, it's not in the computer but here's his e-mail". So they may ask for your phone number the next time you're in there.

Funny, when I read your email that you were going to Houston and going to stop in at your LHS I thought about posting and asking you to say ‘hello’ to Ben. But by the time I had read it you were already gone. Yeah I updated my address (even though I don’t expect them to be mailing me anything down here) last time I was in but told them there was probably no reason they’d want my phone number down here!

Did you see several pages back where I said that I had lived in Groves (a looonnnnggg time ago)?

Anyway, here are a few shots that I took at the museum this weekend. I have others but thought that these would be cute to show here. I’m going to put one in a separate post in this thread just because I want it to stand out.

Here’s one I call “Loco’s in line”



Here’s an old pile driver, steam powered



And here’s your intrepid reporter, on the scene. That’s an 0-4-2 behind me, in case you can’t see it clearly (I have better shots of this one, without me blocking the view). Built in 1900 by Orenstein Koppel.




So that’s it for catching up and bringing all of you up to speed on the trip. Until later.

Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

Big_Girl_4005: GBPs down AT HOME! Just keep Junior busy in the kitchen. [C=:-)]

Yard work looms, gotta go.

GOOD WORK[;)]

Now no watching Monday Night Football for you guys this week though.

[C=:-)]Chef Matthew (Junior) is on the job. Ready to feed our saviours!!!![bow]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, That steam powered pile driver would be a really neat thing to see in action! It looks really cool. Maybe have to keep it in mind for scratchbuilding or kitbashing someday.......

Glad to see Bills doing okay after Ivan, hope he can get back in here soon.

Guess I better be running, got to find a few pictures for a Science project (cells) and then got to finni***he rest of my homework. See ya!

Noah

[Junctionfan]

I might be going to Fostoria for a couple of days on Canadian Thankgiving, will any of you guys be there?

[fec153]

krump- got the stamps. Thankyou. Watching trains and locos. They are doing the Stampede Pass- ex N.P. now BNSF. The scenery is beautiful.
I went fishing back in '62 atLake Wakanochee[SP] nw of Cheboogamoo[SP]. Caught some nice lake trout. Delicious.
fla. phil
]

[Anonymous]

Good Evening All:

Just out of courisity does anyone know of anyone interested in purchasing a Rivarossi C & O 2-6-6-6 still in the shrink wrap. I bought it, and before I could get it open, I purchased a Proto 2-8-8-2. I decided to leave the C & O loco alone. I'm asking $400.00 US.

Ed:
That's Normandy apts. Be careful, you look a lot like me. Mrs. "T" told our friends "that I got rid of over half of my gray hair by shaving off my beard and pulling up my pants." I did see a proto 2000 GP35 with xxx de Mexico paint scheme, then I remembered that you were in Normal scale.

Well let me go cook supper.

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Big_Boy_4005]

Ed, I didn't have anything to do with Green Bay, that was Big GIRL.[swg]

[Fergmiester]

Good Evening All

Ed: Again nice pics!

Teffy: Shame on you!!! besides my Doc's a woman[:O]

Been working on the turntable and a website and should be able to put pictures directly onto Forum within the next several days.

Apart from that it's been a quiet day, still trying to get rid of this darn cold. If you notice Karl is creeping our way as not originally predicted. Lisa says that we should be able to tell what he will do come Friday.

The Queen Mary II was unable to get into Sydney today as the remnants of Ivan was lashing Cape Breton with Hurricane force winds. Darn critter won't give up!

As Always
Fergie

[Anonymous]

I believe I change my mind too much in this hobby.[;)] Now I've came up with the idea of painting up a Kato SD40-2 in CB&Q livery, and eventually modelling what the Burlington would be like had it of not merged in 1970 into the BN. (Kind of like Juby4Life's modern-day Rock Island layout...) And those modern-day diesels and extended vision cabooses keep getting more interesting to me, I'd still model some steam era stuff like there was a museum or steam program on the railroad though! Part of the reason I'd like to try this is because of course all I have seen is 1990s and 2000's railroading, and instead of modeling a CB&Q that would eventually dissappear forever into the BN and BNSF, I'd like to show what it would have been like if the Q had survived into the present. (maybe merging with the KCS or Frisco, but I'd still like to show the era when cabooses were still common.)

Ed:
Just curious, did Mexico ever have turbine engines?

[fec153]

emerald- just to let you know- there is a model train show Oct.2 at the Volusia County
Fairgrounds. Thats just off I-4 and SR44, exit 118.
Phil

[der5997]

Good evening everyone:
Bob:

QUOTE: When I had a chance to see a grinding car in action I was impressed as to how fast they moved down the line, and how rough the track was afterward. I like the scenery in your pictures.

Do you know, they say the scenery was put in before the tracks were down? How wierd is that?[(-D]

Ed:

QUOTE: John – I see what you meant about the Docksider. Nice cutting torch scene too.

Thanks Ed, and your Railroad museum shots are truly illuminating. So many locos that I've only seen in the model form before.
BTW, HO folks, that military figure was one of several cheap green plastic HO scale Japanese persons that I got in a yard sale. The rest are free to a good home. First come , first served, email me if interested.

QUOTE: I need to try to dig out some of my old NAR photos. I took quite a few around the old depot in Ft MacMurray, and on the train between FtMac and Edmonton. But as I recall, I was shooting mostly slide film at that time, and I don’t have a way of scanning the slides. I suppose that's something else I need to look into.

Our local museum bought a scanner that does slides. I guess there are many brands. This one happens to be an Epson 1670. If you're shopping for a scanner that will handle slides, look for a gizmo that slides will fit into. If it has one, chances are you're in business. The gizmo is either built into the lid, or attaches to the bed. This Epson thing will also take photo negatives (35 mm) and turn out photos, neat eh?[8D]( at least it sounds neat. I haven't tried that feature yet.)

jwaldo:

QUOTE: Of course, they might be something totally different. I have little experience with Kato, these are just bits common to most N locos.

Check the instruction sheet for an exploded diagram to see where they go...

Thanks. I know for sure that these strips are neither the pick up strips, nor the bits that hold the bearings. If you were to cut a length of a pickup strip where it's just plain, no lumps, or cut-ins, to a little under half an inch long, then you would have one of these bits that were in the box.
I'm inclined to risk it and just put the loco on the program track. It's been sitting there since the mail came this morning. No instruction sheet, as this is a used (and very nicely custom painted) loco. It's a pity that I don't want that line (CP), but for now I guess it's on lease[:D]

Mrs. der's computer has decided it doesn't want to go online today. So, since she has email to do. I will say Good Night, God Bless.

[egmurphy]

Just a quick one Boys and Girls.

Shot this critter at the museum this weekend. Any thoughts as to what it is??? [%-)]




I'll give you all enough time to get a few responses, which could be until some time tomorrow. No, Johnny, it's not a midget galloping goose with a mother-in-law seat upstairs!! Sit down! [:D]


Regards

Ed

[Fergmiester]

Well Ed the theme song from the "Beverly Hill Billies comes to mind as I can picture Ma Clampett riding Shot gun in the balcony!

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi All ; Just a quick note. I got an E-mail from my friend in Mobile. They came thruogh in good shape. The eye went right over them,very little damage.

Yup, that layout was burried under all kinds of stuff. My wife and I are both pack rats.

Teffy; The only time there was water in the basement was when a pipe leaked. Of course it was over the lay out. Other wise it's dry as the deasert. ( That dosen't look right. Any Engli***eachers out there feel free to weld the red pencil.) We had to build the house ourselfs. Couldn't find a contractor who would tackle it with the basement.

Got to hit the sack, so Good Night.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Ed. Looks to me like a machine built to work on overhead wire. I.E. Trolly wire.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Thanks. I know for sure that these strips are neither the pick up strips, nor the bits that hold the bearings. If you were to cut a length of a pickup strip where it's just plain, no lumps, or cut-ins, to a little under half an inch long, then you would have one of these bits that were in the box.
I'm inclined to risk it and just put the loco on the program track. It's been sitting there since the mail came this morning. No instruction sheet, as this is a used (and very nicely custom painted) loco. It's a pity that I don't want that line (CP), but for now I guess it's on lease

In that case unless it's a contact strip for somewhere else I have no clue :|

[Anonymous]

Ed [8D]

Just my luck, instead of pics I get the dreaded X . [:(]

I hope everyone's day went better than mine.

I received an email tonight from another forum member. One of the members in the trains.magazine forum seems to like to stir up trouble. It is someone relatively new. This person has had 2 threads deleted already for various reasons. I am trying to clam down from work before going into the magazine forum else I might be the one getting booted.

Nothing good to report here, well I guess there is. Our weather is now only in the mid 80s for highs so that is better than upper 80s and lower 90s. Tonight's low is to be around 67 and that is nice too.

Everyone have a great day.

[krump]

first sunny day here (BC) in the past month of rain - but we're not having to deal with the storms. Just heard that HAITI (where 2 of our kids are from) got nailed by the up and comer Jeanne (?) - how terrible. What a season! Glad to here the the Forum crowd is safe. - still waiting to hear from Dave9999 though.
Thanks for the updates. Still praying for safety. God Bless.

- the other day I saw a triple rainbow (how cool is that ?) and we could see the entire arch of the smallest rainbow --- it was camera shy though.

I can't believe how tired I feel lately... not yet used to the post-summer routine - school bus, school, model rr club, Bible study, ringette and gymnastics (for the kids, you goons [B)][:D][:D][:D][^][C):-)] ), and the fact that my better half isn't feeling terrific. Guess it all adds up ... need more sleep and perhaps, well, gulp... less coffee (shudder)

I need a coffee - whatcha got on tap so to speak, something strong ? and a refill to go.

so, what scale card is used for On30 anyway ?

cheers,

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Looks to me like a machine built to work on overhead wire. I.E. Trolly wire.

Way to go Paul, didn't take you long to I.D. it correctly! [^] Yup, used on some of the sections of railway that were electrified.

Here's a side view that shows it better. Or you could go to my RailImages album and see it in larger size.




Later,

Ed

www.railimages.com/gallery/edmurphy

[Fergmiester]

I knew that! I just figured Ma Clampett would look good riding the rails!

Krump: Sounds to me you've got kiddie burnout! that or the some bug that's been keeping me down this past week. Scouting has officially started for another season so my energies are once again split.

Hopefully I'll be doing more work on the turntable today.

Paul: good to see you made it through Ivan. Believe it or not, Ivan was still producing Hurricane force winds in the Cabot St. (Between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) yesterday, which had the Queen Mary II Hove to and riding out the storm.

As Always

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

It has been nice here and I've really enjoyed the weather because I'm getting the car ready for vacation.

Ed:
I thought that your little Witcomb (?) unit was to work on overpasses or tunnels.

Fergie and John:
We may slip a day as Mrs. "T" wants to go to framing show in Toronto.

The Doctor that diagnosed me with diabeties is a woman but since I was a new patient to her office I had to have a prostrate check. Loudest snap I ever heard.

We're going to take you up on your offer to take us around the Halifax area if you don't mind driving our van. I'm not scared to drive in Halifax, it's just that you'll know exactly where you want to go. I would like to see the turntable down by the Titanic graves.

Well it's late and I've got to get ready for work
Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Fergmiester]

Bad news Bob

I don't think the turntable exists anymore but I'll check.

[tomwatkins]

Good Morning Everybody,
It's a beautiful day in the mountains today. Fall is definitely upon us. The thermometer on the porch this morning was hovering right around 40. It's been that way for the last several nights. The coffee is excellent this morning and there aren't too many chores on the to do list today.

I got the spraying done on the Walther's tower and have started assembly. I really like the way it goes together with a substructure that includes the windows, doors and other trim, and then seperate pieces for the siding. No masking is required and the color demarcations are very crisp. I'll definitely use this type of construction on the depots I've got to build.

Bill Mathewson is going to come up Thursday to see the layout. I'm looking forward to meeting him. It should be a good day, especially if I can keep the gremlins at bay.

Der, thanks for the info on detectors. I hadn't considered trying to troubleshoot them with IR as opposed to visible light. That's a very good point. I'll have to give it some thought.

Ed, the pics are great. I'm glad you had a good trip. Sorry the hobby shop didn't have a whole lot to offer. I remember the feeling. Of course back when I was building scale model aircraft I used to think that all the model railroading stuff was a waste of space when they could have had a better selection of kits, detail parts decals, etc. I'm lucky to have 2 good train stores within driving distance.

Chris, there is nothing wrong with changing your mind. This is the time to try different things and see where your interests lie. The idea of doing the CB&Q in current time is a good one. Isn't that what Juby is doing with the Rock.? It makes for some good looking modern locomotives. If I were interested in modeling current RR's I'd be hard pressed to resist modeling the Southern as if the merger with the N&W had never happened. Big modern power in Southern green would be awesome.

I'd better go for now. There are a few things to get done today,
Have a great day everybody,

Tom

[Anonymous]

Tom [:)]

I agree with you. I liked Southern. I never cared for N & W. Sorry guys but that is life, we all have different likes and dislikes and that is what keeps us all on an even keel. Some people a sticklers for keeping their model railroad exactly as it is suspose to be but others don't mind doing things a little different. Mixing it up so to speak and doing things kind of here and there. I like Juby's hostile take over of UP. Of course I remember the day when I stood in front of the TV during the evening news and learned of the Rock declairing bankruptcy. It was a sad day indeed. Railroads with true character have all disappeared now we are stuck with money hungry entities that care little for their communities or for their workers. But I guess that is true for most every big business today.

Teffy [:)]

There are several choices where we can meet. One would be the Crackle Barrell, it has very easy access off of the interstate (and the exit is right by the railroad yard--look quick though) it is in a good area, but no entrance back to the interstate. But I can get you back to the interstate easily it will just take a little longer, but only 4 or 5 minutes. Another choice would be McD's or Burger King, both are easy access on and off the interstate but the area isn't so nice (if you know what I mean). There is also a Super Wal-Mart (Home Depot, Lowe's) close to the Cracker Barrell should you want or need anything. These ideas of where to meet can, of course, be altered according to your needs.

Everyone take care.

[egmurphy]

Hey Ferg & John,

Let me show my ignorance of N.S. geography and ask if either of you guys live close to Digby? I only ask because apparently some guy is opening up a new hobby shop there with at least some trains content. Saw it on the thread "What do you want to see in a hobby shop".

Ed

[Noah Hofrichter]

Chris, I like the idea! It sounds really good to me. Of couse in the end it's up to you, but I really like that idea.

Got my trains and MR mags today, a week earlyier than usual. Can't wait to get reading them though, So I better get going, as I have some homework to do but I still want to read my MR and TRAINS yet tonight.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

Hey Ferg & John,

Let me show my ignorance of N.S. geography and ask if either of you guys live close to Digby? I only ask because apparently some guy is opening up a new hobby shop there with at least some trains content. Saw it on the thread "What do you want to see in a hobby shop".

Ed

Unfortunately Digby is three hours away for me and 4+ for John. But I've been told there is a new store opening in New Glasgow (two hours away). Funny how we look soooooo small on the map but it takes forever to cross this province of ours.

[der5997]

Hello folks: This evening is the first time I've been able to get to the computer all day.. It's been cleaning day, windows, pictures (not my idea, but you go with the flow) polishing brass, glass thingies hanging from the ceiling, knick knacks all over the place. Glad it's over. Fortunately it's not a very frequent occurrence. This one has to do with impending visit of relatives.
tomwatkins:

QUOTE: Der, thanks for the info on detectors. I hadn't considered trying to troubleshoot them with IR as opposed to visible light. That's a very good point. I'll have to give it some thought.

Of course Tom, you could always go to your LASS (Local Army Surplus Store, what did you think?[:D]) and get night vision goggles, or some similar IR vision enhancer.[:p]

TEFFY: I'm a "come from away" but I haven't heard of a turntable near that site. (not that I could take you there [D)]
There was a turntable bridge sitting out in a field down past Halifax a few years ago, but it had gone the last time I was by.

QUOTE: Fergie and John:
We may slip a day as Mrs. "T" wants to go to framing show in Toronto.

That's fine, just let us know when, and steer clear of the 6th. Oct, at any rate, in the evening. (Big brother's birthday, haven't had a celebration of that with cake and so on in maybe 50 years. It's also our very good friend and neigbour's Bday, so we're combining the two. Should be a hoot. Those two are SO unalike as to be possibly different species[(-D] Sure makes you wonder how they reckon that astrology stuff[:-^]


Ed: Fergie's closer to Digby than I am, but only by 1 3/4 hours. Digby is way down on the Bay of Fundy shore. A ferry goes from there to St John, New Brunswick, if that gives you any idea.
Incidentally, I once interviewed a Canadian WWII naval vet. who got a "dangerous service" listing, (and a better pension) because, although land based throughout the war, he had been sent across from St. John to Digby, and U Boats used to frequent those waters[8D]

I was thinking that your mystery photo was for a camera crew to film those train Westerns, but didn't get that in on time [B)] (Failed assignment, unlike Noah! Incidentally N. How did the Cell project work out?)

Big_Girl_4005: My interest in the GBPs is at such a fever pitch now that i even check the sports page ahead of the comics[:O]
Still on sport, Chuck Buttler of Everbank ended his daily newsletter today with this:

QUOTE: That's it for today... 40 years ago my mom let me stay home from school
to watch the 7th game of the World Series between the Cardinals and
Yankees... Wouldn't it be cool to see those two historical franchises
meet again 40 years later? I do...

We are absolutely neutral on this one, and are prepared to get interested in and so jinx either side (or both[?] [?])for the usual consideration.......[X-)] [:O] [:D]

I may drop in later, by for now,

[Anonymous]

Tom Watkins:
That's why I put the smiley that's winking after I typed that, I was just joking around.[:D]
And Juby4Life's layout is based on a present day Rock that bought out the UP, with the CNW, SP, and BNSF on his layout too. And you're right, a Southern SD70MAC in Gren and creme would be a good looking engine.

Noah:
Glad you like the idea, problem is now that Kato's undec. SD40-2 is sold out, so I'm looking at P2K's SD45 or GP9. (Yes, GP9s were still operating on class 1s in the 1990s!) I thought about the Atlas U30C, but those U-Boats are some ugly locomotives... Atlas's wide-vision CB&Q caboose will be a must though, next time I go to the LHS I'll have to take a second look at the modern stuff.

A Q SD70MAC with a block of mineral red cyndrilical hoppers and a silver extended vision caboose would probably look really neat though...