Elliott's Trackside Diner XXI - Further down the line...

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Robby P.

 Jeff.....I sent your package out yesterday.  You should get it in a couple of days.  I sent you a message, but not sure if you got it.

I got it. Thanks.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

  It's 51 here tonight. The low will be a balmy 47. I'm not on much tonight because I'm in extreme pain. The nerves in my feet just suddenly decided the were going to work for a while. Hopefully the neuropathy will set in again soon and I'll have some peace.

[blownout cylinder]

Robby P.

 Keith.......Well last year the power went out here in my town, and it was on a snowy/cold night.  The power was out from 5:00pm till about 9:45pm.   No heat (natural gas), and no lights.  The temp in the house got down to about 48deg.  We just had some candles, and a old propane heater I found in the garage (a small one for camping).   Just bundle up, thats about all you can do.  Years ago my grandmother used blankets and covered doors to rooms to save heat.  I still do that now on nights that are in the negatives.   That really works. 

We do that with our house when things get really really cold. Audrey's quilt collection comes in quite handy for things like that. Most old victorian era homes had quilt hangers on the doorways to allow for the hanging of blankets and quilts on doorways---another thing was to roll up blankets and such and stuff them into the bottom of the doors when closed---some of them were a little drafty----well---sorta--

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do people---

got done with all the seminar stuff for this week--now I'll have a coupla days off--to do HD things---yay----

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a cinnamon bun please---I'll be at the RC for a bit----

[Packer]

Update on the GP18: I managed to piece it back together, but I am missing a corner of the front sill. The corner steps on the portion the ice machine ate are shot since little pieces are missing here and there so they wouldn't glue together right I'm going to use this as a modeling opertunity to model a pilot cut-out so I can use more modern coupler cut bars and add brass steps.

[der5997]

Good evening; happy to report a quicker and more pain-free soldering of all the joints in the freight yard. Thanks Ray for your tip on using the lower wattage iron...worked like a charm, and the finer point got in where my Weller 140/100 would have melted ties for sure.  So now I get to test my hypothesis that I can lift out the entire yard tracks in one piece to put down the double sided tape. The only rail joint that has to be taken apart (I didn't solder it, thank goodness!) is the one that comes off the main. "Wish me luck as I go on my way...."

Jerry:

...John like your fiddle yard..where does it connect with the rest of your layout?...

...The tongue slides into a slot on the layout edge   about where my Trading Estate and cow pasture   are separated by a highway and the interchanging RRs tracks.   These are old photos (had a job finding them on the back up CDs ) but you get the idea from them, I think.

Vincent: Hope you find the corner of the sill, it has to be somewhere! Sounds like you are taking the practical and philosophical approach! Hate it when a plan gets sent wideways because of an unforeseen third party intervention! So, the shell plastic stays brittle even when thawed; or is it just while frozen and you're trying to get the glue to release?

Keith: Just to add to RobbyP's and Barry's tips. Keeping warm in a power out is much easier if you have some means of heating food and water. We use a camping stove in a very well ventilated porch (the instructions say don't use indoors at all, but we are careful to see that here is a clear strong breeze through the porch - this is important.) With blankets - as you suggested - and with warm food and drink, much may be endured. If you happen to have or come across one of those "space blankets" - the aluminized mylar - they refect body heat back into a person. Downside is they are noisy - crinkle crinkle at every movement. Finding kettles and sauce-pans with pouring spouts may be difficult in your area. I've no idea about that, but pouring spouts are a huge help, and a safety feature to go for. Layers of clothing help - you aren't trying for a fashion statement, but comfort. Extra socks. For light, candles are fine, but have to be tended to and watched. Not a good thing to leave them burning in a room where there isn't anybody there, or awake! So, LED flashlights (the power draw is less, so the batteries last longer) and /or a camping lantern. In fact, look on the whole thing as a camping indoors project. What would you take to go camping with no chance of having an open fire? Hope this helps.

Galaxy:

I mean the barn is like 30 feet x 75 feet so some kinda layout could be built in there for sure.

...and think of the helix you could get for multi-levels with all that height!

Time to seek my rest. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Thinking of your foot situation Jeff, and prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort, prosperity and peace.

[ns3010]

Evening all.

No time to talk, but I'll be home before the game tomorrow.

Night.

[howmus]

Evenin' folks!

Been home from the train show for a fes hours, downloaded some photos, but first I need some coffee!  Decafe in a FGLK mug please Flo!  I'll go to me seat at the Rivet Counter.

der5997

Thanks Ray for your tip on using the lower wattage iron...worked like a charm, and the finer point got in where my Weller 140/100 would have melted ties for sure.

 

You are most welcome sir!  I did have fun yesterday doing the clinic, and got several compliments today from folks who were there both days.  I'll see if I can get a good pic off the video tape of the technique.  I got out the rail feeder I soldered yesterday (took a half a second to make the joint) and set it at the Modelers Corner table.  Several people asked me how I did that without melting ties, and one of our members who is a retired Electrical Engineer from Kodak verified that my technique is perfect.....  (Makes one feel good when someone who actually does know what he is talking about says your work is great......)

Ladies and Gentlemen!  Introducing Master Model Railroader Mr. Ned Spiller!  Ned did a clinic on how he makes trees for his layout.  Takes him about 3 minuted, start to finish to do a tree.

Ned was also presented his Model Railroad Author AP Certificate at the meet.

Ned obviously knows what he is doing!  But the next guy up.  He kept looking at this thing and saying things like, "Is this hot????"  He did tell everyone that when they knock the soldering iron off the table, resist the urge to grab at it!  You have a zero chance of ever catching it by the cool part.  Don't ask him how he knows......

He also kept saying things like, "It's OK, I still have all my fingers....!"

We also ran a Modelers corner throughout the show.  Here is Bill Estes (American VP of the Niagara Frontier Region, NMRA) doing some weathering on his "n" scale cars.

So, you Southern boys are cold????  Around here I just light the wood stove and settle in and enjoy!

Have a great evening, and stay warm!

73

[Packer]

der5997

Vincent: Hope you find the corner of the sill, it has to be somewhere! Sounds like you are taking the practical and philosophical approach! Hate it when a plan gets sent wideways because of an unforeseen third party intervention! So, the shell plastic stays brittle even when thawed; or is it just while frozen and you're trying to get the glue to release?

I don't think it's really worth sticking my hand into the ice maker , again. I'm guess the shell did get brittle from freezing, but it didn't seem to do much to glue. I think the plastic is back to normal after thawing. I didn't want to try freezing then dunking it into warm water immediately.

[Blazzin]

  "Coffee Chloe, Thank you~"   Hey thanks you guys for the tips.  What can I say?  We sent those two kids, Stacy and Ryan off to college.  They went up during the summer to get the house straighten out.  Back then they complained how hot it was.  Then just a few weeks ago Stacy says.. she can't believe how cold .. 'cold' is~  Today my son says it may snow tomorrow.  LOL  They leave sunny socal .. for a 'White Christmas'  .. I hope they take pics.  Now I could be wrong but isn't what the gas powered generators are for?  So long as you have gasoline.. place the thing out on the porch.. fire it up.. and Viola' .  Plug in what ever you need... except for the refridgerator.. I guess you could store the food outside on the roof.. Omg .. what have we done to these kids?   But many thanks.

Keith and Jeanne

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello everybody .... It's been busy and we are eating too much. Wedding last night and a luncheon after church today are the latest examples. We skipped a pot luck dinner tonight because we were full already.

Ray ... Thanks for introducing your friends. Please tell them hello from us. Be sure to invite them to the forum and the diner in particular.

I posted the follwoing picture in the WPF jsut now. The CB&Q box car is one I have in common with TomKat who posted there. So, I had an imaginary interchange with him.

Note the GN flat car which I just made from a scrap Tyco flat car. The Tyco flat cars had unrealistic decks with unrealistic loads. I tossed out those items and made a new deck from Evergreen scribed plastic. I installed a weight and replaced trucks and couplers. Then I painted, lettered, and weathered the car.

[Blazzin]

   Der John ..  "Keith: Those turnout sizes…I’m using Peco, so their sizes don’t match North American numbers too well. What I’ve been calling #4 ..."

   Oh no no no, say it isn't so.. .LOL>  I've already gave it another shot at this.  I took out the Atlas #4's which measure 5 inches.. and replaced em all with  Atlas #6's..  I think I'm getting the hang of this. But hey, thos #6's sure do look nice and clean looking.  Maybe tomorrow some pics! 

  Now getting back to the Soldering Iron / gun and using low heat..  Is there a particular soldering gun that I should consider?  I was looking at the battery hand held.. Hot/cold soldering gun.. supposidly smaller for hobbiest.  Are there some with a dial.. to accomidate 'low heat' ?...  and a small heating end?  Perhaps with a light and even a magnifiying glass hook up to it..lol  ? Any ideas?  Thanks Keith

[LSWrr]

Good morning, I see I fell behind by 6 pages!

Keith; I would just run the DCC on the layout.  Your DCC unit will run DC locomotives and DCC locomotives.

Jeff; Snow on the L&A, well so much for global warming.  I noticed that in Texas when a hurricane started zig-zagging towards the coast, the only left in the HEB or Wal-Mart would be one loaf of bread and some crumbs in the bakery isle.

Tom, next time you hear of an open house or train show in the Youngstown area drop me a note, thanks.  I prefer HO-Scale, but I enjoy looking at everything.

Had an interesting conversation with a fellow modeler last week on the forums, he was very upset that my RR line was named the L.S.&W. as his railroad was named the same, but his was 20+ years old and he had brass locomotives and several filing cabinets of documentation for his railroad and…..   Funny I did a search for his railroad on Google and came up empty handed, hum.

 

DerJohn; I couldn’t open the page on the inspection cars, can you shoot it to me in an email?  When I went to the page it wanted a password.

[blownout cylinder]

LSWrr

Good morning, I see I fell behind by 6 pages!

Isn't that wonderful? We get to read a novel everytime we miss a day or two!!

Good Morning---

I see we get to have some little snowflurries and that today with our high at 2C and then by Wednesday buckets of rain with our high going all the way to 9C. Then it'll be back to little snowflurries and the high of -2C on Thursday.

I've got a coupla days off--loaded with HD items--yay---might still be able to squeeze a coupla hours of MRRing time in there

Chloe----I'll have a breakfast platter and a bucket of lavajava please----I'll be at the RC for now

[Robby P.]

 Good morning.  Its about 25 degrees right now, and some light snow on the way.

 Well not much planned today.  Might do some MRR today.  Maybe clean up the workbench.  It looks like a tornado, followed by a windstorm, and a earthquake hit it.  Its a mess!!

 Everybody stay warm.  I will pop back in later.

[TMarsh]

Good Morning. Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northwest. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North northwest wind between 5 and 9 mph.

Coffee and a couple of eggs over easy, the yolk can get firm, I don't care. Just make sure the white is cooked. Runny whites give me the willies. And some bacon, hash browns, couple slices of whole wheat toast, yah I know it's not really any better than white unless it's whole grain but it tastes good. Oh and some strawberry jam. Thank you. DID YOU HEAR THAT OVER ON THE OTHER TRACKS? I SAID THANK YOU! Just didn't want the conversation to drag us into it. I'll be at the Rivet Counter..........What?

Well as I looked out the window this morning preparing to start my day I see the guessers were right. We have snow on the ground. Sorry for my language but I'm not ready for it. It means it's going to get colder now and it cramps my style. Ya dig ?

What's the matter Zoe? Something on my face?

Garry, Garry, Garry- Don't you know not to use the word TYCO in publc. I've been chastised on other forums for that word. Of course when we grow up and get serious, we'll leave our TYCO toys for real models. Yours looks great!

Keith- Someone in here told me those battery "Instant Heat", "Cold Heat", "Cold Fusion" whatever they're called, things weren't that great so I've never bought one. Somebody in here has, I think. Or at least has used one (Lee?? J.R.??) I just use a very reliable iron. Yup, just a hot stick. I have used soldering irons for many years and I've gone through countless guns. They don't last long for me and I've used the name brands including Craftsmen as well as the el super cheapos. Thing I don't like is I have to wait each and every time I want to use it for the tip to heat up and then it kicks in and out. So you sit there and wait for the gun to warm up and then you realize it's not working. The stick iron is easy and cheap. Plug it in keep it away from stuff, just like the gun, and use one of those coil holders with a wide base. Get one from a company where you can get replacement tips easily. I bought a heavy duty, light duty soldering iron off the tool truck. MAC or MATCO can't remember which, but now that I'm retired and the tip needs replaced I went around looking for tips. Sure they have tips. But when they look at the slug of metal on the heating end of the tip, they say they've never seen one like that. I know have a Weller I purchased at Big R.

Is my hair messed up Zoe??

Lee- I would have said I'm flattered he foresaw your use of the LS&W. But he really didn't have to go to the years and years worth of troubles and expense. Just a "Hey I like your RR name" would have been fine.

Rob- I was painting my second NuComp trailer yesterday, in between H.D.'s and HWYCWM's (Honey Would You Come With Me's),and discovered something that saves a step. If, of course, you are going for the old faded look theses things get because they painted them colors. I chose red because I already have a newer style with a blue stripe. Anyway, what I used was Testors Acrylic Signal Red, though any acrylic color would do. I didn't dry brush, but I didn't really load the brush as normal either. I then pushed the paint to the edges of the windows and such and then painted the sides, rubbing the paint and trying to make it go as far as I could. Kept going back to the paint and tried to get more by rubbing it with the brush. This would make the paint thin out and the off white color of the plastic would bleed through. Giving it the faded look without having to fade it. I think it worked pretty well. Hit it with some Dullcote and ready to go to the next step.

I used the Testors cheap white brushes in case that frayed out the bristles, which it didn't. I like those brushes. I use them as much as I can.

I think I'll wait until the mail comes today. If I don't receive my MR, then I'll send a nice e-mail or phone call to them whichever is the best. A nice one, I figure it's not their fault. Someone probably saw the How to Build a Great Layout title and like me, wants to see how. I figure this issue should just about clinch it for me as far as knowing every..... WHAT ZOE!!!! WHAT???!!! Why do you keep STARING AT ME!!!???? What am I, of all people doing setting at the Rivet Counter? Hey, I may not be too awefully concerned about some stuff but I would like it to be at least believable to the average guy. So yes, on certain things I do research. A little. Alright very little, but the point is, sometimes, well I just like it to be right. But on my terms. Someday, who knows.......

Have a Great Day!!!

[galaxy]

Good morning!

Hot coffee please, and some turkey soup. {I know for breakfast? but I have a ton of it and its more brunch than breakfast}.

COld this am like normal this time of year here, I can't complain it IS Dec. and I AM in the north.

Have PT today for my back. Will Hurt so good when the PT works on me, onlyest thing is it doesn't last long enough!

WEll hope all is well with y'all.

Have a great day!

EDIT: I got top honors so I will warm up my credit card as y'all order what ever ya want. Try to go easy on me, I have Reindeer to feed!

[howmus]

 Mornin' everyone!

Zoe how about a bowl of hot oatmeal this morning and a cup of dark roast in a R&GV Mug.  I'll be in the back booth keeping warm.

Currently 30°F outside in the Finger Lakes.  Might get all the way up to 34°F this afternoon.  Maybe...... They say there could be some of those little white things falling out of the sky as well.  "We're havin' a heat wave........ Tropical Heat Wave........"

Blazzin

Is there a particular soldering gun that I should consider?  I was looking at the battery hand held.. Hot/cold soldering gun.. supposidly smaller for hobbiest.  Are there some with a dial.. to accomidate 'low heat' ?...  and a small heating end?  Perhaps with a light and even a magnifiying glass hook up to it..lol  ? Any ideas?

 

Kieth, for most of my hobby w**k I use a Weller 25w cone tipped Iron.  I too have heard less than stellar reviews of the little battery powered "cold" soldering irons.  I have one given to me by my late BIL.  Haven't bothered to get it out of the box.  It may have some uses where it will w**k, but I doubt it will serve your needs in the long run.  I have heard great reviews of some of the "resistance" soldering equipment.  They are supposed to be very good (with a bit of practice first...) for such things as soldering feeders to track.  I have gotten pretty good with the small iron and haven't felt a need yet for anything more.  I will get a resistance unit sometime in the next year or so most likely for some other kinds of soldering.  As somebody else said, whatever you get, make sure that you will be able to get replacement tips for it.  I can get the tips for my Weller at an old time hardware store downtown.  Many big box places are glad to sell you an iron......  and when you need a new tip for it, they .... ah..... will be glad to sell you a new iron....  You can also get new tips for almost any iron "on line".  The key with using a soldering iron is to practice!  Good luck!

Ah, breakfast is here!  Catch you all later!

73

 

[Blazzin]

   "Coffee please"  Well the storm finally made it in..  24 hrs later.  Rain here is big news.. big big.. we live for it.  Would have to say its been at least 5 yrs since we've had a good rain.    When I was a boy, it rained for over 2 weeks straight.  People out in snow country talk of driving on snow.. or ice.. / black ice .. what ever its called.   Ever drive on an L.A. Freeway during the first seasonal rain.. especially one .. where we haven't had rain in years..?   Well let me tell ya..  its worst than black ice.. your car wheels get coated in grease.  The stuff doesn't even come off your windshield and thus.. your wipers don't work.  If your smart. you might want to try some bleach to see if that cuts through the grease. 

   Lee, ya know~ lol.. I always figured.. I'd get around to making a decision on DCC.  I always figured,  that,  that fork in the road was .. well far enough.. that other immediate hurdles seemed a higher priorty.  Perhaps I'm at that fork in the road or soon enough. But thats how much value I've placed on DCC.  I feel I have such a task before me,  I really don't need to think about that. .  My mind is constantly racing concerning simple choices about sticking to ridged Proto-typical.. or do I just want what is fun for me.. and.. "Yeah Well~" But for whats it worth .. I had bought an MRC Prodigy Express DCC,  brand new for a hundred bucks.  They guy lived 2 miles from me.. so I went and picked it up .. got it off of ebay.  The price tag on it says 159.99 .. and I believe the guy said .. that was even on sale at that price.   Ah heck .. he could have sold me some swamp land in Florida..saying some guy with the name Disney is going to build a giant amusement park.

  Todd, "Keith- Someone in here told me those battery "Instant Heat", "Cold Heat", "Cold Fusion" whatever they're called, things weren't that great so I've never bought one. Somebody in here has, I think. Or at least has used one (Lee?? "  Would you believe there is .. supposidly.. electrical glue.. lol.. no kidding.. I just glancesd through the listing.. but I guess.. you mix this stuff..(probably iron filings ..lol) with glue.. and it becomes electrical... lol.. I can here the 'gasps' and ah's and ouu's in the background of the Diner.. lol.  "No No NO.. Don't be a fool!" .. 'you'll regret it.. maybe not today .. but soon.. and for the rest of your life~ !"  And the 'instant heat / cold.. that seemed to be fine for me.. 20 bucks on ebay.. free shipping.. "Give me a dozen of them"  They sound like 'throwaways'  used em a couple of times.. and toss. I'd really be worried if it said.. "As Seen On TV !"  I'm more concerned with trying to hold some big honking soldering gun.. and have it get away from me.. and crush a cat.. /  foot .. or any other house.. yard tower that just happening to be around.  Come on~ the tip on those industrial solder guns.. is hugh..  I can't even see much.. I'd be probably be soldering the ties together.  Then again.. Jeanne went out and bought me a Living room lamp... it has 5 bulbs on it.. all adjustable.  She said to me.. "HOws the new lamp working out?"  .."Oh great hun.. now I can see"  she replies.. " I could only put in 60 watts in each one."  .. I returned with a reply.. "Feels good on my back too~"  And here Sawyer made it look so easy on youtube. I'm going to have to take a look at it again.  But I'm leaning towards some cheap hot cold battery operated.. with a small tip... with or without a light... but it couldn't hurt either. 

  Jeff, I haven't seen you.. can only hope.. you're doin OK.. just taking it easy.. with the legs up.. ( to ease the swelling)  and watchin the Military channel.  yes.. the Pearl Harbor Marathon.  A nice rainy day for it. Take care. 

[Robby P.]

 Just a quick stop.  I will take a cheeseburger, onion rings, and a sweet tea to go. 

 Here's a couple of shots I've been working on this morning.   I cleaned up my table, and thought I would add some weeds, and tar/rock my buildings roof. 

 

[Blazzin]

  Wow Ray.. I saw that Weller.. but maybe it was only a 30 watt.  Watt?  lol.. the oldies are the goodies.  But hey, lets see.. ah.. voltage x current equals watts.  Watts equals power.  A Weller 25 might do the job for the .. 140 degree desired .. optimum range of heat.  hmm Tell me... what about using a thin razor blade.. erasor shield  (art tool.. very thin) to act as a buffer.. or shield.  For that matter tin foil?  Aside from soldering it to the rail.. perhaps thats why you don't.  ooops.  But the issue of soldering... is not to melt the plastic ties.  I'm going to go check out the Wellers.. Thanks! Now I gotta get going.. today .. . I'm going to go glue that steering wheel onto that Locomotive of mine.  Watt?

[howmus]

Blazzin

  Wow Ray.. I saw that Weller.. but maybe it was only a 30 watt.  Watt?  lol.. the oldies are the goodies.  But hey, lets see.. ah.. voltage x current equals watts.  Watts equals power.  A Weller 25 might do the job for the .. 140 degree desired .. optimum range of heat.  hmm Tell me... what about using a thin razor blade.. erasor shield  (art tool.. very thin) to act as a buffer.. or shield.  For that matter tin foil?  Aside from soldering it to the rail.. perhaps thats why you don't.  ooops.  But the issue of soldering... is not to melt the plastic ties.  I'm going to go check out the Wellers.. Thanks! Now I gotta get going.. today .. . I'm going to go glue that steering wheel onto that Locomotive of mine.  Watt?

 

Kieth the tip of most all standard irons is a bit over 800°F  Wattage is matched to the size of the tip being heated.  So a little tiny 10w iron still gets just as hot as a 240w iron.  The difference is the total amount of BTUs available.  With a really large iron, so much heat gets transferred to the rail, that it melts anything and everything that that will melt along the way.  The smaller iron is actually more forgiving and if used right, does an excellent job.  I will take a photo of of the solder joint I did last Saturday for your perusal.  Also send me an email, I managed to lose the one you sent me with your personal email in it.  I can send you a copy of the handout I used at the clinic if you like.

73

[TMarsh]

Howdy. I'll have what Robby had. 'cept make mine coffee instead of tea.

Just stopped in to check out WPF,as I haven't done it this week,(no wonder I've felt like I'm missing something) and I got sidetracked by the Carsten's thread. I don't read RMC because it is above my level. I have one issue but like I said it goes usually, beyond me. As I was in there I slipped on a bunch of split hairs over the "rumor" part and of course a whole lot of weak defenses just so they didn't have to say "Sorry. Misunderstood" Anway, was gonna post a "split hairs" reference, briefly believe it or not, and say that actually, not knowing why, I would only be spreading rumors as to why your area doesn't carry at least this months. BUT, I did see a great picture of a guy beating a dead horse. Now this is not something that I would usually find amusing, but since it was obviously fake (very obviously), under certain situations I might find it useful. Unfortunately by the time I got to it and tried to do anything, the Forum was not found. I guess the powers saw it was useless and was an argument in the making and "Poof!" Kudos to the monitors.

Ray- In all my searches for a tip. Guess where I never thought to look. Online. Thanks for offering up the what should have been obvious. I liked that iron and want to keep one in the garage for other stuff without using this one. Lazy you know. Walking up and down the stairs. MAC and MATCO, like Craftsman, don't make those kind of things themselves but contract with someone else and slap it in their packaging. If I had saved the package it came in I could have probably found one by the brand. Oh well. It'll give me something to do.

Keith- Hey, by all means give the thing a shot. It may work for you. I couldn't say if it does or doesn't really. Maybe N scale the soldering wouldn't be as heavy as say HO. Who knows. I see what your saying about the gun. They are a bit big. Another reason I like an iron. And the tips are more varied in choices too. I have a point on the one I'm using now and a flat on the old one. Well, It was flat. Now it's more of a sideways off center pointy thing. And, you should use some sort of a heatsink on the rails if you're worried about melting ties. Rails that small you probably should anyway. I would still pull the heat off sooner than later any way you do it.

Well once again I'm runnig late.

[SilverSpike]

TMarsh

Ryan- good to see you again. (where'd he go?) I missed the edited part, but I hope it was a good one.

Todd, sent you a PM! Check your MR forum In-box!

Ray, your beard got a little grey there! Hehehehehe....and snow-body knows how! .....and I'm with Todd....you don't look too happy either!

Hey Ray, is that a video camera you had there at the NMRA clinics?

Glad you like the dessert treats Ray!   These could be made on camp-outs too!

JimRCGMO

Ryan, what DID you post originally? Okay, email or PM me...

Prayers for a good night's rest and healing to continue. I'll be back tomorrow morning. 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

Jim, sent you a PM too, check your MR forum In-box!

JimRCGMO

Ryan - after looking at that video, I'm sure the mods were afraid it might be catching... But I don't think I'd try any o'that... That's just crazeeeeee!

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

.....those CrAzY Russians!  

Hey John W, I suppose the N scale gingerbread house would be a small bite indeed! Just one more reason to go to the Horribly Over-sized or even bigger O or G, now that would be some gingerbread!!! Okay....nothing beats 1:1.....

Garry, nice work on the flat car! Especially with the TYCO stuff....<<whispering>> psst....I have some old TYCO stuff too that I would love to work into the layout...<<//whispering>>

galaxy

Good morning!

Hot coffee please, and some turkey soup. {I know for breakfast? but I have a ton of it and its more brunch than breakfast}.

Galaxy is having Turkey Soup, now that sounds really good! Put me down for a bowl of that too!

Robby P, great roof work there!

Okay....let's see if this video link makes it past the noon hour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x80_txSFbI - Spanish Train, by Chris De Burgh 

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!   12 - 0

"Well the weather outside is frightfull....and the Saints....they are delightful.....Redskins fans now know....the Saints are 12n0....12n0.....12n0"

[Cederstrand]

Strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

Had my 3rd & last sleep study last night, this one with the BIPAP. Will get results in a few weeks. From there I met my wife after work and we went strait to another hospital, where her Dad had been taken to the ER. Bad seizure. We had to come home so I could feed critters and my wife could sleep. FIL still has uncrontrolled agitation. Perhaps another mini stroke? My wife will head back down after some rest. Her sister is there now. We cancelled our own Doc appointments for tomorrow. Bad timing.

UPS should bring my Teeccino coffees today. Going to gradually wean myself off the real stuff. Coffee is my last vice. mmmm....coffeeeeeeee!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Rob

[TMarsh]

Ryan- Yep I got it. Though I agree with the mods to a point, I like to think all of the folks here would say the same thing you did. But I see where they're coming from.

Keith- Ray is absolutely correct. (as if there were any doubt he wouldn't be). Melting the solder is only half what needs to be accomplished. Shoot, you could melt solder by holding it in your hand and looking at Farrah Fawcetts red swimsuit poster. You need to heat the metal it's attaching to sufficiently or it won't stick well if at all. The thicker the metal the higher the BTU's, or watts, required because the metal acts as it's own heat sink dissipating the heat, so more power is required to keep the surface at the proper temp. If it isn't, at the best the solder won't stick and when you give it a tug it will come apart. At worst, you'll get what is affectionately known as a "cold solder joint" This is where the solder sticks but not well. When the temperature drops either from the cooling process, or even as late as after awhile and just the room temp drops the metals shrink. and if the adhesion isn't there then the shrinking metals will break the joint and you'll have no contact. This is bad, but what makes it a nightmare is as the temperature rises the metals expand and contact is made again. Trains run sometimes and other times they won't. Of course when the rails are warm you won't be able to find the break and who knows just how cold it has to be for it to happen. Think power out in the winter metal shrinks, breaks joint, power comes on, rails heat back up, make contact and when you go to run the train all is well. Come summer, house is now cool because of airconditioner and trains don't run months later. Sometimes it only takes a couple of degress for this to happen and like in the case of our TV, 70 degress appears to be the magic number. 70 and the TV won't come on, 71 and it works great. Imagine trying to find all the breaks, or just one, out of the whole lot of connections. Now that is a bit of an exaggeration on the difficulty, but you get where I'm coming from. If you've never soldered before I would jump on Ray's generous offer for the info. If you have and what I've said is already known to you, I'd still take him up on it. Always some tip somebody has that you haven't thought of.

Well, now I'm even later.

[TMarsh]

Rob-

[howmus]

Afternoon folks!

Zoe I'llk have a bowl of the Turkey Soup and a RBF to tide me over 'till supper tonight.  I'll be at the rivet counter with Kieth.....

SilverSpike

Hey Ray, is that a video camera you had there at the NMRA clinics?

 

Ryan, yes I hooked up a video camera to the projector so that the guests could get a good view of exactly what I was doing while I demonstrated some easy solder joints.  Evidently w**ked quite well according to the others there.

Keith, a couple of photos just for you (the rest can look to....).  Here are some photos of the rail feeder I did for the clinic last Saturday.  Notice a couple of things.  1. the only damage to the tie was the "rail spike" directly under the solder joint.  2. It is a good solder, ie: it is shiny and well done. Not a "cold" solder.  It was about 1/2 second from the time I touched the iron (with a drop of solder on it) to the joint, to when I removed the iron.  I also use rosin flux on the joint before it is soldered.  Heat transfers much faster as the molten solder contacts more of the surface.  A good solder joint happens every time and almost instantly.

From the top:

And a close up (the black on the joint is just ash from the rosin flux):

Kieth the Soldering handout should be in your inbox now.

Oh!  Something someone mentioned last Saturday that I had never thought about before (but I think I saw in a video by Sawyer...) was to drill a hole through the web of the track slightly larger than the wire (I'm using #22) and put the wire through the web of the track. solders very easy, and then simply cut off exess and file down on the inside of the rail.  I am going going to give it a try next time I do some.

73

[tcwright973]

Lee, 

LSWrr

Tom, next time you hear of an open house or train show in the Youngstown area drop me a note, thanks.  I prefer HO-Scale, but I enjoy looking at everything.

The name of the club is the Youngstown Model Railroad Club. Just Google the name for their web site. You will enjoy both layouts, and the HO is about 30' x 60'. It was somewhat crowded when we were there, so I probably missed a number of things. But that's okay as it's a good reason to go back next year.

Tom

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello ...

Weather is cool and damp. This is a good time for KY Burgoo for linch.

Rob.... Sounds like bad things going on. Prayers for you and the family.

For soldering, I prefer to solder every rail joiner and to solder wire leads to the rail joiner. (Not always. Depnds on location.)

TYCO ???? .... each of the freight cars pictured here was a Tyco to start with..They all have new trucks and body mounted couplers. Some are repainted and weathered. Others are just weathered. The hoppers were bright red, and I sprayed a thin layer of bax car red over two of them before weathering. Lettering looks faded with thin layer of paint sprayed over it.

 

[LSWrr]

Keith; I have several MRR friends that “hate” DCC and will have nothing to do with anything other than DC.  Except sound, and if I tell them that the sound portion of that DC locomotive they just bought is a DCC product, well it just doesn’t sit well with them.  My big reason for the switch to DCC was to avoid all the power blocks and the countless number of toggle switches that comes with power blocks.  I ran some DC layouts with them and after I spent 20 minutes flipping switches I was able to pull my locomotive into the yard to pick up a cut of cars.  When they came out to run trains on my layout they wander around like they were lost. “How do I move the locomotive to track 12?”  I told them the entire layout is hot; please feel free to unplug the throttle (radio control) and move about the layout as you please.

Tom, if you’re ever interested in a road trip to the Cleveland area shoot me an email and I’ll keep you up to date on all the stuff up here.  We have 2 NMRA clubs in town that host two huge train shows, and there is a 6,000 sqft model train museum that runs Z to 2 ft gage.  There is a show in Kirtland, OH on the 19^th that sounds like a good show.  I’m about 2 hours from Youngstown, not sure how much of a drive that is for you.


Rob, thoughts and prayers for your family sounds like rough time ahead exps with the holidays close at hand.

Coffee is your last vice?  When did you give up sniffing glue?

 

 

Snowing fairly heavy outside right now.............