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

[egmurphy]

Hey guys,

I’m right behind Noah, it seems. I managed to complete (more or less) my control panel and the cable connection to the layout. So it’s been a good wiring week. No shorts, no significant burns from soldering irons, everything works. [:D]

Here I am wiring up the feeder wires on the underside of the layout. This is wiring for old folks. No stooping down, no kneeling, no kinked neck, just tip that dude up on it’s side and have at it!!! [8D] Little layouts have their advantages too!!




Here’s my little control panel. Simple, isn’t it. Makes you wonder why I made such a big deal out of it. Just two MRC powerpacks, a few Atlas selectors, and we’re good. All manual switches. The schematic is temporary until I can find a better way to do it. I may wind up painting the panel board instead of leaving it varnished. The hole in the powerpack on the left is where I had to cut out a bad slide switch for 'momentum' that was stuck 'on'. makes switching tough, so we had to wire around it.




This is what gave me the most trouble, this little multi-pin connector to allow me to quick connect/disconnect the control panel from the layout. Almost lost my temper with this little guy. Better vision and smaller fingers would have helped. So would knowing what I was doing. It may need to be replaced in the future, but for now it works okay.




Whew. This week coming should be starting cardboard mockups for buildings, thinking about scenery contours, and track debugging (that’ll be fun).

Hasta luego

Ed

[Fergmiester]

Dear Ed

THAT'S CHEATING! NO FAIR!!

[Fergmiester]

Seriously though

For those in Jeanne's wake our thoughts and prayers are with you. Lets us know how your making out!


Re Logo: Lupo did some re-combobulating and has sent me a "coarse" version of the logo which should be able to load quick and simple. What is a good size (byte size) for pics?

[fec153]

Ed-Fergie is right. But a darn smart idea.[^][:D].
The rain has almost quit. The wind is still blustery with big gusts. Never lost power for more than a few moments. Haven't checked my roof yet but I don't think we have any damage. My pal came thru with minimum damage to his trailer.
Emeraldisle- How you doing?]
Dave- Same Question? You ok?
Fla.Phil

[Big_Boy_4005]

When it comes to wiring, neatness counts. A+ Ed.[swg]

Fergie, glad to hear that you are resizing that logo. Cool, but too big. After all we went through with dougal and the boys, Lupo is perhaps our best source for signature size images. Actually, cutting down the density and thus the file size doesn't really change the appearance of the image. I cut all of the photos I post.

[egmurphy]

Could it be true??? Bosox beat the Yankees..............Giants beat the Browns..... Both my teams win in the same day!!! [:D]

Be still my heart.



Hasta mañana,

Ed

[krump]

okay, I'm gonna live with the odd slow page (c'est la vie!!!),

thanks for the replies - I can accept that it was a bad idea [^][^]

I'm not even going to bother figuring out the computer speed (rotary phone dial-up [:D] I think in this part of the country) etc because I don't know, and being the techno-twit that I is... I don't care. We upgraded the computer a few months ago, so what we have is what we have.[:D][^][^]

I need a coffee. and some ice cream

cheers,
Krump

[philnrunt]

Hey guys, back from Michigan, decided that he who camps and runs away lives to camp another day. Going to Virginia Oct 8th, and as I told Ed in a private mail, by then I'll probably have to deal with Yolanda or Zelda, but we're goin campin, come bell or high water. But not too high water.
Spent the time up north reading about the 1913 White Hurricane that hit the lakes, killed nearly 300 lake sailors. Also watched orecarriers and the such trundle pass, all in all, not a bad way to start your 50th year. There is a little town named Lexington, with a restaurant named The Landing,highly recommend it. Also, Aromas Coffee Shop should be an honorary member of this forum, great joe and a fantastic Great Lakes book selection. The only train I saw in the area, though, was a CSX GP-15, got a pic, but was hoping for some Soo or CP or CN. Maybe next time.
I was going to go back and read the pages I missed, but as I'm only here for 8 hours, and they still expect me to do some work, well....you get the picture.
Fla Phil- I had a friend, my very best friend, and he gave up 8-23-01. Sometimes the everyday pain is too much and it is just more than a person can muster, I sure do miss him but I know he isn't in pain now. I myself have just started on pills to regulate my sugar, probably waited too long to get checked, but I know that the minor pain I have wears me down at times. I have nothing but respect for those who tough it out.
Hang in there guys.

[fec153]

lupo-good morning. getting 2nd cup of joe then going to work. have a nice day,y'all.
fla.phil

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fec153

lupo-good morning. getting 2nd cup of joe then going to work. have a nice day,y'all.
fla.phil

THANKS! I just missed this post! had to do some urgent gardening to do
morning all, 2nd jar of coffee is coming up![8D][:D]

[Fergmiester]

Morning All

Just got back from picking up wire from Canadian Tire. Now that Teffy is enroute the big panic starts! I have some wiring and cleaning to do and if I'm lucky I'll be able to hand Bob my first set of decals hot from the printer.

Later guys
Fergie

[Fergmiester]

Well it only took an hour or so but I was finally abe to put photos on my Railimages site and now I have the Logo. Thanks Lupo I really appreciated the help on this one.

Does anyone have an idea on how to line up the Herald and Logo side by side?

[egmurphy]

Ferg,

Not sure because I can't see how you have it, but my guess is that you have a carriage return (enter) after the herald. Try putting the cursor immediately after the herald address and hitting the delete key a few times. When the first character of the logo address disappears you'll need to retype it, but then the two should be side by each. (You could put a space between them if you wanted some separation.)

At least that's my non-tech guess.

Ed

[Fergmiester]

Hey it worked
Thanks Ed

BTW I also tried tilting up the table to do the wiring It DIDN'T work. Too many 2x4s in the way! I still think you cheated!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul W. Beverung
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Been here since 65.

What part of town?

[Anonymous]

Phil [:)]

Welcome back "home". [:D]

Andrew [:)]

I mailed your package today. Since it is kinda heavy I took the cheaper way. Look for it Friday, maybe Thursday. Watch the tapes and enjoy them. When you are done with them just mail them back but please insure them for around $100. They actually cost more than that but hopefully they will be ok. The other items are for you to enjoy and for information, and are yours to keep. [:D]

Well got to go, time to get ready for work. At least I still have a job, just wish it were railroading.

[Fergmiester]

The Turntable is in and wired (Sort'a) Hey Paul good thing this thing doesn't have a collective! Me thinks I will have find a better way to control the speed on this thing. Ever see a Pennsy K-4 lift off before?
[:O]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, well you beat me anyway. Never did get the panell done yesterday, the packer game got in the way. We got done with a little bit, but a few complication arose and so now it's but off till both of us have time next week. Oh well. Question though. Those selectors, do they work like on off switches? right now I've been using light switches, but those look neater, and I think I'd give those a try if they were the right thing.

Elliot, if neatness counts then I flunked the wiring course. My wiring is all over the place under the layout. That's the reason for the control panell, to organize my wiring more.

Fergie, no but I want to be the first!

Well, the above text sums up my time since yesterday. No much new. Got a little home work, so I suppose I better do that. See ya'll later[C):-)][;)]

Noah[:P]

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Question though. Those selectors, do they work like on off switches? right now I've been using light switches, but those look neater, and I think I'd give those a try if they were the right thing.

Not exactly, Atlas selectors are to choose between two cabs (powerpacks) to govern which one powers which block. Each selector has 4 single pole double throw switches (with center 'off'). I have three selectors hooked up together to allow control on the 9 blocks I have.

Both power packs are hooked up to the selector. Depending whether I slide the switch up or down determines which power pack sends power to that block. Putting the switch in the center puts it in the 'off' position.

Atlas also makes an electrical device called the Connector, which is a block of on/off switches, like light switches.

You can see both of these in their website, if you go to 'order on line', then electrical devices, and scroll down.

QUOTE: Elliot, if neatness counts then I flunked the wiring course. My wiring is all over the place under the layout. That's the reason for the control panell, to organize my wiring more.

The control panel is only one end of the system. Neatly running the wires under the layout (so you can identify which wire is which if you need to troubleshoot) is the other half. A simple way is using wire brad cable staples to hold the runs close together (don't drive the staple all the way in - leave space for the wires to move). Label all wires (I used masking tape flags) so you can identify each wire.

Lots of tricks, like using the plastic cable ties to pull loose wires into a bundle. Some people like to use large screw-in eye bolts, and run the wires through the eyes. Color coding wires also helps. Using solder-on or crimp-on terminals (like spade connectors) makes attaching wires to screw terminals a lot easier too.

Don't worry. Mine doesn't look half that neat in person.

Regards

Ed

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, thanks for the tips, Will have to keep that stuiff in mind.

Noah

[tomwatkins]

Good Evening Everbody,
Sorry I haven't been around in the last couple of days,b ut I've been busy hanging out with my son. It's been a really good visit. We've had a really good time together. Tomorrow, weather permitting, were going to go up to Robbinsville, NC and take the Cherola Parkway across the mountains to Tellico Tn. It's a shorter version of the Blue Ridge Parkway and should be really pretty this time of year. Not much railroading or other projects to report on but that's OK.

I hope everybody in Jeanne's path is OK. I really can't remember a season this bad. Hang in everybody. I'd better go for now. I'll try to get caught up in a day or so.
Tom

[Paul W. Beverung]

Jay C; We lived with my grandparents on 54th st. about two blocks south of North Ave. untill my dad got home from the Pacific. We then moved to a housing project the Village of Shorewood set up next to the CNW tracks. That probably explains why I'm such a train nut. After that we moved to 3535 N. Murry Ave. Shorewood. My brother ownes the house now. What part of Wisconsin are you in?

Fergie; Have you tried a tail rotor? Just remember add power,left pedal. Reduce power, right pedal. I wounder how it would auto? Haven't seen a K-4 hover. Did see a Harrier at an air show. Told the pilot I'd seen eveything now.

Argo; I checked your other photos. Great job.

Philnrunt; I'm having the same problem after reading all the great things in the forums. I packed up all my RR stuf so I could take another look at the layout. Decided to offer it for sale. If I can't sell it, I'll start reworking it. I also spent a bunch with Walters on there Athern and MDC sale. The wife said it looks like Christmas with all the packages arriving.

Has anybody taken a head count of our friends on the coast and in Florida?

Paul

[Anonymous]

Hello All

Talked to Teffy (Bob) today. I will go update the trip thread in a few minutes for all to read.

Well our weather is turning a little better. Today's high was about 85 and now it is about 65. I look forward to some days of 75 and nights of 55 or so. Not cold enough for heat and not hot enough for the a/c, so no money spend on heat or air. [;)]

Hope everyone else is enjoying this better weather. I also hope that all the storm and such would stop. Florida has had way too many this year.

Everyone take care.

[Anonymous]

Hope everyone in Florida and along the coast is okay after the latest storm. Where I am - north of Atlanta a bit - everything is soggy but seems to be okay, as this storm had very liitle wind left when it got this far north, although, we were on the west side of the storm, and I hear that it raised hell on the other side of the storm, and gave birth to some tornados as well. They expect a lot of rain again thruout the Appalachians all the way to the NorthEast - just what they need.

Phil- welcome back from your camping trip - long time no speak.

Re: wiring and wrapping in bundles with plastic tie wraps. Be careful about overdoing it, as certain circuits can build up some heat and when combined with other ones that close, the temp rating of the wire's jacketed insulation can degrade. Also, some electronics wiring should be isolated from others so that signals and data don't become affected by surrounding ones. I am also somewhat a techno-twit - my son calls me the fossil - so I'd check with others who are more technically proficient than me. And to think that I'm wiring my basement !

Need some sleep before I get up, make some more coffee, feed the cats and clean their litter boxes, wake the wife, and start the same-o same-o all over again.

Nite all.
BILL

[philnrunt]

Jim and Bill- thanks for the welcomes, and Paul, I just subscribed to Garden Railways, so i might be having a big sale soon. I saw two G Scale high hood SD-45's (Southern and NW) and they really impressed me. I keep imagining two or three pulling 50-60 coal hoppers around my yard. Unfortunately, my imagination is alot bigger than my checkbook.
The weather here is getting towards the cool side, the low for Wed is supposed to be 37. Or 5 above freezing. Arrrrrggggh!!!! I need to get alot of projects done before winter comes blasting in. Well, procrastinators work best under pressure.
Anybody out there have any extra talent or energy they don't need? Box it up and send it my way, I'd sure appreciate it!

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning Gentlemen

Good to have you back Phil!

Jim: I really should call Bob but as you said his cell rates in Canada are horendous, something akin to M-Sat charges! I'll wait till thursday when he should be transitting Vermont and Maine.

Well I got the track wired last night and started to clean it so things should be ready for Bob's arrival. Jeanne's rain should start sometime tonight so hopefully the clear skies will have returned come the weekend and just in time for Bob's arrival. The trees are turning colour now so I would say Bob's timing is perfect (knock on wood).

Ed: I just wanted you to know that if we were having a wiring contest, You've won as I now have added another rat's nest to the layout.

Noah: I'm glad you've got your priorities right. Homework is important and will get you that job that will help you pay for this hobby of ours in the years to come!

Regards
Fergie

[egmurphy]

Morning all you Coffee Clubbers,

I think this is the first time in weeks that I can go to the website of the National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and not find one active hurricane in the Atlantic. Just one minor tropical storm, Lisa, and it seems to be staying out in mid-Atlantic.

QUOTE: (northern)Phil: Also watched orecarriers and the such trundle pass, all in all, not a bad way to start your 50th year.

Welcome back. You missed all the birthday wishes while you were out running around. Hope you enjoyed your B-day. Good decision on swapping Michigan for Virginia!

I remember working in Sarnia, Ont., at the southern end of Lake Huron back in the early 70’s. The refinery is right on the St. Clair River, which empties Lake Huron into Lake Erie. I really enjoyed watching the lake boats go up and down the river. Even had a pocket sized ship watcher’s guide that identified the boats and had colored reproductions of the shipping company logos that would be painted on the stacks.

G-scale? 50-60 car coal drags in your back yard? Now you’re talking real work to build a railroad to handle that! [:)]


I miss the change of seasons and the fall colors of being back up north. Not to mention the cooler temperatures. Maybe next year I need to organize my own fall foliage tour! [:D]


Noah – new logo for you too? Thinking again about the electrical switch issue, I might mention individual toggle switches. For me it was probably a toss between toggle switches and the Atlas selectors. I like the looks of the toggle switches, but wiring the selectors was easier as they are ganged together and so a lot of the inter-switch wiring is already done. I’m looking for ‘simple’ these days.

QUOTE: Bill M: Re: wiring and wrapping in bundles with plastic tie wraps. Be careful about overdoing it, as certain circuits can build up some heat and when combined with other ones that close, the temp rating of the wire's jacketed insulation can degrade. Also, some electronics wiring should be isolated from others so that signals and data don't become affected by surrounding ones.

Probably right. Of course, I’m dealing with short runs and very few circuits. Data?? Signals?? Nope, just a + and - feeder to the track.


Ferg – while I am enjoying making some progress on my layout, I have sort of an unfair advantage in that my entire model railroad would probably fit in an area smaller than your locomotive servicing facility. You’ve got more wiring in and around your turntable than I have in my entire layout!


Anyway, starting on some building mockups to see what my industrial spurs want to be when they grow up. I’m playing with the idea of making the mockups from foam instead of cardboard. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hasta luego,

Ed

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone,

My first time here, just wanted to share a thing with you all.

We have a "thought for the day" here at the college I go to.

Today's was "You can have a steam train, if you only lay down your track."

Well that it.

Buy for now.

James

[Anonymous]

ED [:D]

Arkansas IS northwest of Mexico. [:)] [;)] Just a little helpful hint for planning your NOB Fall Foliage trip for next year. And of course Teffy is between me and you. Then of course Noah is almost straight north of me (since he never gets any visits [;)] ).

You know I bet Chris and Jonathon wouldn't mind a visit either. And then there is Andrew in Ohio. Could turn out to be a very nice trip. Others who visit the coffee shop might also extend a warm welcome. Our Georgia connection [;)] might even throw in an invite. And by next year maybe our Florida friends would have cleaned up and dried out and might like a visit. My oh my, the possibilities are endless. I just hope the money isn't because visiting all the forum members could get expensive.

Jim
(Your Helpful Tour Coordinator [:D] )

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

Hello Everyone,

My first time here, just wanted to share a thing with you all.

We have a "thought for the day" here at the college I go to.

Today's was "You can have a steam train, if you only lay down your track."

Well that it.

Buy for now.

James

This is something akin to "having your cake and eating it" isn't it?

James you might mention to the "Prof" that there many a steam engine that became a stationary power plant at the end of the steam era and they didn't sit on the rails either!