Elliot's Trackside Diner XXII-Just a track over

[Trainman Sam]

Good Morning (Again!)

OUCH... I just learned the hard way not to roll the office chair in bare feet. I just crushed my left pinky-toe. Ice and some advil or aleve should do the trick as I can bend the toe without pain.  Don't think I broke anything, just bruised it I think.

Jeff- Glad to see you're resolving your 'puter problems so quickly.  I am what people would call a technical infant.  I don't get half the stuff that goes on with wiring and such for these things...

Ironic that I can troubleshoot a multi-million dollar locomotive but not a $400 computer!

I am bach'ing it again today as Susan had to work (6am to 2pm) today... then dinner with her parents at 5pm.

I was wondering, what is the difference between using Birch, Oak, or MDF plywood for the table top?  Let me preface this question with the knowledge that I will be using 2x4's for the framing, using 16" centers for the cross members.

I am going to start pricing out Dehumidifiers for my basement... in order to protect not only my empire but also the plethora of stored items that have infringed on the empires boundaries!!!  Does anyone have one, or could recommend a good quality one?

 Chloe, I'll have two eggs over easy, hash browns, a large orange juice, and a tall stack of flapjacks, please and thank you?  I'll be by the window, surfing the net looking at those dehumidifiers!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 I had a nice quiet new years with my parents and sister and a couple of the neighbors last night and I saw the new year in with a couple of ounces of champagne. Got the slow starting problem with my computer sorted out yesterday. Turned out the hard drive was going bad. Went to the computer shop and got a new one and a USB to IDE kit so I can access my old data drive. Total cost for those two items was $80. I also went to Wal-Mart to get the grocery shopping done. I went to the electronics dept to check out a nagging suspicion I had about their 'low priced and current' memory DDR2 memory sticks. Turns out they're not current at all. They're old DDR2 667 memory, the same as the old memory sticks I salvaged from my old main board to use on this new one. the 667 is the absolute bottom of the barrel for this board. The computer repair place I get my replacement parts from is supposed to be getting some new DDR2 800 memory sticks in soon. I asked them to hold a couple for me. I just got the USB to IDE adapter set up and connected to my data drive and it came up as drive H on my computer. Now I can download the drive to a flash memory card. That will make the data easier to get at in the future when I put in a SATA drive to act as the data drive.

[LSWrr]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thansk for all the complaments on my pictures, This weekend I plan to start something new and interesting in the train room.

Chris, I made it up to RADII level (the guy with the identifinder).  I could go in and determin what the radiation was coming from and what it was used for.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Happy New Year Decade !!!!!!

[ns3010]

Happy New Year!!!

Well, really, it's already been 2010 for just over an hour here.

I'm home, so I'll catch up on posts and chat tomorrow later this morning. For those are in 2010, and those who are still in 2009, Happy New Year!!

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

 

To one and all, in the dying minutes of 2009,

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME 2010.

I'm off to bed now,  have to work Jan 01 +02,   hard start to the new year,  oh well.........

BEST WISHES TO ALL.

                                                         bye bye     2009

 

 

 JOHNBOY OUT......................................FOR NOW.

[Trainman Sam]

Happy New Year...  I'm trying to be quiet, my wife is sleeping in the bedroom,, she has to work this morning, 6am... unfortunately the rest of the neighborhood decided to buy a boat load of fireworks... so I doubt she's able to sleep very well in there...

It's amazing THAT more of these people do not wind up in the hospital.  Case in point, the neighbor across the street has set off fireworks for 4th of July, New Years, his kids birthdays, you name it he's probably set them off to it.  We live on a pretty busy street, say an average of 20 to 30 cars per ten minute span... His house is located in the middle of the intersection where 90% of the cars THAT come down here turn.  What does he do but set the darned things up in the middle of the street, so now the cars are avoiding the other cars AND his fireworks...  to top THAT off, the kids are running around rather close to the fireworks... he just stands there smokin a cigarette...

Oh, not to mention THAT fireworks are illegal in the state of Pennsylvania unless you have a license for them...

Oops, I'll get off my now...

Stay safe my friends...

teen steam fan

Sounds like DCC is a good cat repelentat, out of my price range right now

 

I got the Bachmann EZ Command, found it on EBAY for $70... Works fine for what I want it to do right now... will have to upgrade when the layout gets significantly larger, but that was taken into account when I bought the sysem.

[teen steam fan]

hey guys, Cloe, I need a hot coffee and bring one for everyone in the diner, on me. Happy new year.

Speaking on  track, what's the going price on a case of code 83 flextrack?

Sounds like DCC is a good cat repelentat, out of my price range right now. First need to finish the layout. Probebly be done when I move into Joliet to join the fire department.

Hey, NEVER drink moonshine. In Wilmimgton, some people were opening up a bar that had been empty for many years, they found a skeleton form the late 1800s with a roll of bank bills in one hand and a jug of moonshine in the other. The amazing part is my Dad used to deliver stuff to the same barin the basement. and no my dad's not that old

[Trainman Sam]

Heartland Division CB&Q

Sam .... That's some photo! .... Looks like you and Mrs. Sam have an alternative to RBF's. .. Now here is a little tidbit of useless triva. I now live close to where the Al Capone gang once acquired moonshine. It hear it was really strong stuff. I also have learned if the product was too clear, the moonshine makers would add carmel coloring which was chewing tobacco juice they would spit into the moonshine. ... ... Aren't you glad you posted that pix now?

OK, THAT was gross... Never gonna drink moonshine, (unless it is clear)

Here's my 3rd sketch, and my solution to the stupid double pic when I post here:

 http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu163/Wee_Ply_34/LayoutSketch30001.jpg

I think I could also add a storage yard underneath the main layout table, THAT way if and when another table is added it can have mainline tracks and be the next "domino" to the plan...  And thanks so much for the input thus far!

Blownout Cylinder

at least I know I'm-----CAAASSHEWW!!

God Bless You!!! Lol  I am definitely of the nut family, just an as of yet undiscovered variety!!!

Cederstrand

***Sam, fun pic there.

Thanks, I like to tell people it was taken in Chicago, but really it was WildWood, New Jersey!!! One of those old time photo places...  I'll have to find some of the others that we have done together!!!

This will be my last post for the entire year, hope you enjoy my "silence" for as long as it lasts.

[blownout cylinder]

Sam: Audrey and I want to know if you went to a particular place to take that picture---looks interesting We went to a friends wedding dressed up in fedoras and we did have the violin cases and sunglasses---made a few people kinda curious!

We have another bunch of people in the house tonight---'Spring' has taken to hiding in my office armoire----BEHIND the printer!!

[Cederstrand]

Tall glass of lemon water, please. 

***Sam, fun pic there.

Finally made some time to work on the wifes hospital helipad. It is lit and in place on the rooftop. Would have sure been easier without the roof previously glued down, but I got all those wires stuffed inside and only loosened the upper hospital floor. Can't see it though with the frosted windows. Whew! All it needs now is a windsock & elevator access. Once those items are done, guess I'll have to work on finishing up the helicopter so the wee folk can be life-flighted out to a big city hospital.

Hope everyone has a very healthy & Happy New Year. It has been a pleasure meeting all of you. Looking forward to many more progress pics in 2010.

Cheers! Rob

[blownout cylinder]

AmanaMedic

LSWrr

Chris, the scientific terminology is: methylethyleatyourfaceoff, this was a highly technical name we used in the Haz-Mat world during training exercises.

And THAT, my friend, is why I was always quite content to be "HAZMAT-Awareness Level." As-in, "I'll just go and 'be aware' of the HAZMAT someplace else...like maybe the next county over."

I'm SO glad that any Hazmat I've had was never used-----that ding suit is not what I'd really be into wearing

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

HAVE A-------------

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

[blownout cylinder]

Heartland Division CB&Q

Hello Rob. Are the diners "mixed nuts"?

um---maybe

....at least I know I'm-----CAAASSHEWW!!

[AmanaMedic]

LSWrr

Chris, the scientific terminology is: methylethyleatyourfaceoff, this was a highly technical name we used in the Haz-Mat world during training exercises.

And THAT, my friend, is why I was always quite content to be "HAZMAT-Awareness Level." As-in, "I'll just go and 'be aware' of the HAZMAT someplace else...like maybe the next county over."

Uh-Oh...looks like Bambi done went and called the DNR on you...

Hello Superfund?

Life was easier when "HAZWOPER" meant your pal has lunch from Burger King, as-in "he has Whopper"

*Groan*

Or was it a cholesterol laden cardiac time-bomb burger?

"Oh, you had the HAZWOPER? OK, I'll put the cath lab on standby for you..."

Ba dum bum

Don't worry folks, it's early...and I'm just gettin' warmed-up. Haven't even hit the "holiday spirits" (in the bottle) yet...actually, I'm w**kin' for THAT this evening, doing a 2009 Year in Review piece for her.

In other news and views.... we got Tori (the pickup, yes...I named her, doesn't everybody name their pickup truck??) to the vehicle hospital today. Turns out the back end was worse than they thought, not as bad as I thought. A shift in strategy will get the rear "squared away" with the shocks (completely GONE), shackle brackets, rear differential cover (rusted through), and another leaky seal fixed/replaced. The front end issues will have to wait for another day. By pooling every single source of bank account, gift cards, Christmas cash, and grocery money... we have enough to cover with some to spare...until I start pouring gas into Tori for all of next week's w**k trips. "Should" get me through to the next payday...which at this point, I have no idea when it's gonna be. Mr. Boss hasn't put out the 2010 payroll calander yet. Some places pay every 2 weeks like clock-work. Others the 15th and 31st. Mr. Boss pays twice/month, but the dates for some reason always vary.

JR, I think you suggested freelancing... THATs actually how I started. Back in my college student/bum days, I chased the fire apparatus around Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Got three front-page color photos in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and was in monthly when I'd beat their staff. Despite THAT effort, and hustle, etc.; I did NOT qualify for any internships...wrong college/degree program. Anyhow, living out here in the sticks, by the time I'd get to CR, Clinton, Quad Cities, Iowa City/Coralville... the dailies would have me beat. Cedar County is pretty "slow" when it comes to reportable incidents. The local weekly doesn't do a lot of car wrecks or house fires. Usually the amount of time between the incident and the next issue hitting the door step is so great, the news would be beyond stale (fatality accident? The corpse would be burried before the story was published). Not a bad idea...just not as practical as it once was.

I've spent many a long night pondering the possibilities.

TODD: Most of the time, I'm pretty content with the job, and the pay. It's just these "little unexpected expendatures" which blow the budget to Kingdom Come, THAT throw me into fiscal "holy CRAP! HOW are we gonna pay for THIS???" panic. So far, we've come through fine each time... And, each time, I go into mode thinking "IF I'da only done this, or IF I'da only done THAT...we wouldn't be in this mess." I probably blame myself too much...then again, I've known people who always find someone else to blame when the scatalogical material hits the rotating air mover...

Somebody once said "do what you love and the money will follow." Welp, I've found each time I've done what I "love," the money has NOT followed. Maybe it just got lost somewhere along the way???

Happy New Year to you-all, may we ALL enjoy better health, and better finances in the coming year. I think there are some Diners who are past-due for a break.

Chris

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello again ...

Ray said: "So Garry?  Must be the cold March weather?" .... We used to live in Michigan, and I guess by March it was time to get stir crazy. ... I had to stir things up. ...   Of course, shopping expenses at this time of the year were really huge.

Sam .... That's some photo! .... Looks like you and Mrs. Sam have an alternative to RBF's. .. Now here is a little tidbit of useless triva. I now live close to where the Al Capone gang once acquired moonshine. It hear it was really strong stuff. I also have learned if the product was too clear, the moonshine makers would add carmel coloring which was chewing tobacco juice they would spit into the moonshine. ... ... Aren't you glad you posted that pix now?

 

 

 

 

[Blazzin]

  "Water please!"   "No no no~ no coffee I talk too much"

  JR and anyone else... LOL.. Strickly DC now~  I was planning on something much simpler.  Or should I say, hoping.  I had figured somewhere in between  I could hook the leads somewhere.. oh about 3/4 of the way up (total length .. guestimation..50 feet)  (maybe I should find a place where I could CUT this whole thing in half)  lol.. anyways.. somewhere 3/4 up that section.. hook the leads since you dont' need much power going on the flat part.  Oh.. what a nut I am.. where's the chainsaw.  Robby,  you see what 30 years of marriage.. 3 kids, 6 cats, 3 dogs will do to a man?    They all.. all of them,  have sucked the grey matter right out of my head.  By the way Happy Aniversary.. I think its cool you two stayed home.. and spent the time together.. now thats something Keith and Jeanne has done.  I shall tell her.. she'll chuckle... lol.    JR, if you only knew me.. lol...I'm probably go  out and lay 50 feet of straight on the drive-way with a 1 or 2 percent grade and see what I've got here.  Oh well.  Now what. 

  Oh  JR.. or anyone else.. "If you in fact have 30 ft of track I'd at least make provision to feed the transformer power to both sides of each track section (contiguous blocks). You needn't hook it all up at first..."  Well the last part makes sense.. don't do it all at once.. thank you~.. but my next and last question is..  

Does it have to be continuous?   Thanks I do appreciate it.

  Ok.. I just want to wish you all a Happy New Year.  I'd love to name each and everyone of you, all of you have become very dear to our hearts.. yes Jeanne reads this stuff too.. .perhaps I can get her to write and say 'hello~"  I doubt it though..lol.  But all of you  Have a Great  New Year !      Jeanne and Keith.

[TMarsh]

I think I'm caught up. Been busy as of late so just popped in to see what was up.

Lee- Thanks, the photos were worth the wait as usual .

Robby- A belated Congratulations. I've been with Brenda only a little over 13 yrs and I wish you guys as good a life together as we have. Money ain't everything, but she is. Juuuuust don't get too sure of yourself with those snow tires mister. Remember, ice is ice no matter what kind of tire you have. And if the front don't turn, neither does the back.

Chris- Cheer up dude. Many are worse. But about the stress of job you don't like. Sounds like the stress of a job you do like is just about as bad. Maybe strike a happy medium? And I sure do know what you mean about weird hours putting the damper on another gig.

Keith- Not in the know, but from what I read and hear, the DCC seems easier than the DC for multi trains. Tom might disagree as he recalls his pusher setup.

OK, I don't recall all that was said about the VW's, but the ones I recall were pretty dog gone zippy in 1^st and 2^nd gear. They'd jump across a street intersection and make my Roadrunner eat dust, for about 2 lane widths, then, well...... not really a fair fight. Of course their tires weren't spinning

Welcome Azteceagle!!!

Gotta get uptown for getting ready for New Years eve at the restaurant. But I do want to echo Ulrich's comments on the diners here. Thank you all for a great year. I sincerely hope the health and financial problems some of us are facing get resolved in the very near future.

Happy New Year to you all!!!!

[howmus]

Afternoon!

OK, I'll have one of those RBF, and a ham and cheese on rye as well.

So Garry?  Must be the cold March weather?

I have been putting together the blank CDs I give to my church for recording services today.

I was going to post this a couple of hours ago and got interrupted.....   #1 granddaughter came over to play Thomas the Train while her dad was moving some boxes out of his house into storage with my truck.  No sooner had my son left with the truck than a RR buddy of mine stopped by to return some mics and a HD recorder he borrowed a couple months back.  So.......  We had to go down cellar and fire up the SLO&W.  Got out a plastic crate so Olivia could be high enough to watch the trains being run.  She is absolutely fanstinated with trains. 

see you folks later!

73

[Packer]

Hey ya'll RBF for me. I've been out a few days with a computer virus that kept shutting down IE. So I'll be catching up

I'm glad 2009 is almost over, it was probably one of the worst years ever. Between having to put Duke down, wrecking my first Mustang, having to rebuild the second car, no girlfriend, no money, and a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting... Hopefully 2010 will be better...

[Trainman Sam]

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!    (it's not a link)

To those whom we have loved and lost, we remember thee fondly.

To those we love and still get the privilege to speak to and hold, we are greatful for your love and affection!

May this new year bring happiness and love to all of my friends here at the Diner! 

 

GMTRacing

Sam - I like the first sketch best. I think the ones where the diverging line comes off the outside of the curve is too tight for what you already have and makes a doubleS into the yard which will be a problem. If you do the tree portal further up and raise the main loop or lower the lead to the yard under the main it will add interest and it looks possible to add another branch off the yard lead for a siding inside the main loop (it would be a trailing siding but what the heck, right?).

Thanks for the idea!!! Hadn't thought of that... added into my current jotting!

der5997

Sam: Uncanny! When there was talk yesterday about coming off the 4x8 at the corners I thought, "I wonder if Sam would look at fixing up a curved crossing, because it offers a good deal more scope in planning." - and here you are thinking of just that.

Actually, I wasn't thinking of a curved crossing until you mentioned it!  I was originally going to have the connection come up from underneath the layout, but this sounds like more fun.  besides the fact that I would only be running one or two trains at a time on the "main" layout so I wouldn't really have to worry about a train wreck at the crossing... I would also be "hiding the connection with trees...

This has certainly gotten me quite a bit of exercise on my vacation... reading your input, RUNNING down the steps to the basement and measuring the train table (existing one).  Then running back upstairs to the second floor office to draw a new plan, realizing I left my pen downstairs on the layout, running back down and grabbing said pen...  Once I got back upstairs I realize my engineer ruler is sitting in the kitchen, so off I run to the first floor to grab the ruler, then bakc up the steps... etc., etc., etc..

I have decided to enlarge the table to a 5x10 foot table, in order to accomodate the 24" minimum radius that I want to keep to for the passenger cars... I may or may not attempt to have a "Fiddle Yard" attached to the other end of my existing table (I would be able to have all my rolling stock out available for use)!

Of course the more I keep at it, the closer this layout is starting to look like: Onion Valley Mining & Lumber or the a couple others that are in the "Archives"...

Here's a picture I think you guys'll like

" mce_src="">

My wife and I (taken way back in 2007)

EDIT: Grr still doubling... WHY?

Anywhoo, I'll try to get the new sketch up tonight or tomorrow... Stay safe until we meet again!

[Robby P.]

 Good afternoon.  Thanks for all of the "Congrats".  We didn't do much but watch some tv.  Now thats a good way to celebrate your three year anniversary .  

 Woke up this morning to some snow on the ground.  Now I get to try my snow tires.  What a difference.  I didn't slide once.  Now I can drive in PA!!

 I hope to work on my lift out some today.  Finish wiring it up.  The "duck under" was just getting real old. 

 Hope everybody has a good afternoon.  I will pop back in later.

 Seems like I have the "honors".  Just take it easy on me .  

[GMTRacing]

I often feel like I've been freshly shelled, just not here.  J.R.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Hello Rob. Are the diners "mixed nuts"?

[Cederstrand]

Some mixed nuts, freshly shelled, please.

***Robby, CONGRATS on the 3 years. May you have many many more to come.

Rob

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Happy New Years Eve to everybody.

Two of our five adult kids have theire birthdays today.  They each arrived just in time for a tax deduction in their birth year (3 years apart). We have another of the five who has a December birthday. .... and the remaining two, overshot December and have January b'days.

 Ulrich .... Nice of you to complement your frineds in the diner. ... It works both ways. based on many comments here, I know it is a pleasure having you as a friend in the diner. ....

Let's celebrate. I'll pay for a round of RBF's.

Cheers !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

[GMTRacing]

Keith,   If you in fact have 30 ft of track I'd at least make provision to feed the transformer power to both sides of each track section (contiguous blocks). You needn't hook it all up at first, but if you do have the train slowing too much at places (especially on the flat) and the track is clean then yes you have voltage drop at those points. You can get all technical and go around measuring voltage at various points, but running will show up flaws better anyway. As long as you have your wits about you and good reflexes (I have neither) you can run multiple trains with multiple transformers. Before I changed to DCC, I had two double MRC transformers and a couple of old Tyco transformers for the yards. Running more than two consists was problamatic for me because of the forest of a/b reversing and turnout remote switches I had to deal with as the trains made their rounds (three levels - about 12 seperate blocks). It became not fun and precipitaed the disassembly and new start of the third and lamented lost in the flood layout. Even the shelf switching layout I am plotting to build will have DCC as I don't want to revisit all the mental and physical gymnastics required for the DC setup. Obvipously others are free to disagree - it is after all just my biased opinion. Have fun with the track laying.    J.R.

Ray - all that hertz stuff hurts my head. the link though is excellent. I study it all when the need arises and then push it all out of my too small skull. When I do start up again I would like to look into the auto routing for turnouts so I can drive while the little electronic dispatcher controls the switches. all in due time

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

Zoe just a cup of dark roast coffee please.  Too close to lunch and not far enough from breakfast to have anything else.  I'll go to my seat at the Rivet Counter for a bit.

GMTRacing

Keith,  The prodigy won't run DC locomotives. The power supplied is AC "square wave" usually 15 volts that the throttle sends a carrier through. The decoder receives the carrier intended for it and converts the signal into action. The 15V AC is converted in the decoder back to dc voltage and supplied as directed to the motor through those two teeny tiny wires run between the decoder and the motor.

'

Keith, what he said.......  The only thing I would add is that the frequency is much, much higher than the 50/60Hz house current.  We are talking thousands of Hz here.  On the units (digitrax, NCE, and some others that do allow the use of a single DC loco, it is accomplished by something called "Zero Strectching".  The signal to control the decoder is similar to the type of hexadecimal packet that is used for MIDI in music equipment and the packets of info that are used to send data on the web.  Zero Stretching can be explained by thinking of binary.  The top of the square wave is "on" and is called a 1, the bottom of the square wave is off, the zero.  With zero stretching the 0 is on longer than the 1 therefore providing DC current to the loco.  When you run the loco in reverse, the 1 is stretched.  It is recommended that you do not leave a DC loco on powered tracks for long periods of time if you are not actively running the loco.  Heat can build up and fry things........  Normally you might hear a hum coming from the loco when it is sitting still.

Have I confused you yet?  Here is a great site for more info about all aspects of DCC: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/

I slept in late again this morning (got up a little after 10AM).  Figure I must have needed the sleep.  My son should be arriving to borrow my truck soon.  They are already in "Pack and Store" mode with the house.  I will be glad to see them moved and settled into the new place.  They will have so much more room.  Each daughter will have their own room and with a 2.5 car garage, the boats can be kept under cover.

Barry, you think the Bug was slow starting up???  They were a dragster compared to the VW Bus with the old 1200 engine sporting 36HP, a 4 speed transmission, and 1000lbs more weight empty.......  I drove one of them from Canandaigua to Rochester for about a month while my 1960 bug was being looked at by the insurance people.....  The bus could go from 0 to 60 in less than 6 minutes I think.  The bug got hit in the rear at a stop light when I was driving out to a school for me Student Teaching.  Somebody said something about the good solid bumpers on them... Ah, that was later....  Up until the mid/late 1960s they had this piece of tin foil they called a bumper.  After 2 or 3 years they had a habit of just falling off all by themselves.  Mine had no bumper by that time.  Guy hit me square in the engine compartment.  A friend drove his Bug over and helped me tape the distributor cap back in place, get it started, and followed me home to Canandaigua.  The insurance company totaled the car, gave me $500 and told me to keep the car as they had no use for it.  I put some major money into getting it so I could still drive it..... $15 I think.  Had to put on a couple new (truck) rear brake and stop lights, and a new distributor cap.  Drove it for another 10,000 miles.  Finally at about 120,000 miles I got a 1956 bug with 195,000 actual miles on it for $275 and drove it for 2 years.  It died the first day of Spring in 1969 right in my driveway.  The transmission wore out.  Turned around and sold it to a guy who wanted it for a dune buggy.  Got $75 for.  Darned cheap transportation, and fun to drive.

Time to light a fire in the wood stove so I'll catch you all later!

73

[Blazzin]

  JR.. Well maybe I got them reversed.... DCC can run on DC but places a load on the DCC engine?  Whatever the case, I still will strive for the KISS approach.  Keep it simple with DC.  DCC sounds more like a headache and an more money.  I think I'll be having more fun with DC.  I would rather have hands on approach when running engines. 

  Ok.. ok.. so ppl try to run multiple trains on DC.. lol.  Yep thats me~ .. I'm a 'hardhead'  I'm not planning on having two DC engines running on the same track at the same time... but I do believe I can selectively choose different lines/mains and have even the mains,  the Arrrival/Departure area and the yard mostly separate... with a transformer for each.   IN that way I might be able to  run one train per track...  and still be able to work the yard while other trains are running. ... and even have one sitting on the A/D line ready to headout on the long yard lead.. only to jump onto the other main.. lol.  yeah~  The run on this layout is so long... I really think I can do it.  If nothing more.. end up with basically a 3rd main (long yard lead) running half way up the mountain... then using a cut insulfrog (Dremel)  to separate the power and have it jump on to the main#2.  I can already see.. when one train passes on the main..at a certain curve.. the main is open.. and hot.  Should be a fun one for me.

  Ok.. JR.. and Der John and a few others.   Here's my next question.  My layout is almost flat.  Its a 1 percent grade.. 2 percent if you count in the 19 inch radius on the turns.

  What is the length you can run power down the line.  I know there are many factors to consider.  And what I am about to say .. may make a few shudder with chills of disbelief.  But I'm not planning on running wires to every piece of track.  My back couldn't take it besides.  So if I do a good job in soldering,  a well placed transformer could cover what/how much distance.  And then, will I need some sort of booster to keep the power up.  I know 25 years ago.. when my son and I built one.. I placed the transformer leads to the hardest steepest grade.. cuz the power right there seem to be needed the most.. while further down the tracks.. where there were no turns or grades.. the power seemed ok... but seem to drop off the further you went away from the power.  The length of the backside.. is 11 feet.. then turning and going another 8 feet.  The complete one loop.. just going around one time is approx. 30 feet.  Its a long one.  Ok.. enough of me.. and my corney questions and ideas.  I'm off to lay track.    I do thank you guys for the advice.  Keith

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

 

.

                                                              .

 

Good morning Diners on this last day of 2009,

Chloe I believe I need a large carmelly cinnamon bun and a HC to chase.

 

From our house to yours, Sandy and I wish you that 2010 brings all of your favorite dreams to reality.

May you have success in health, wealth and the persuit of whatever you are chasing. 

 

I also second what Der-John said as well.  we are all old enough to obey all the laws, so no D&D tonight or EVER,   we all want you back here with us in the New Year.

 

   Prayers and blessings to all who still find themselves in need.  May you be healed of your problems.

 

As a side note, our youngest son was home from Spokane over Christmas and gave me a great amount of help and we have that Bedroom that was distroyed back in shape and decorated. All that is left to do is the carpet and baseboards.   SO........................  I am much closer to getting back into the train room..  Hopefully the "WOBBLY" will wobble soon.

 

I must tell you that for Christmas I received three Accurail , 55 ton, 2 bay hoppers in mineral red and lettered for the Western Pacific, all with seperate road numbers.   The DVD of the first season of Extreme Trains , and a 50 inch flat screen, plasma   (panasonic) to watch them on.   How's that for a great Christmas ???????????       I know, I'm spoiled.   But it is goooooooooood.

 

Our prayers and thoughts are with all Military Families, all the time but especially those who have lost loved ones in these terrible  conflicts around the world where the enemy doesn't have enough fortitude to stand up and fight like a man.  What kind of a low life involves children and women.  I don't see how they can be of the human race..  The loss overnight last night is very disturbing.  These are all our HEROS.

 

Best Wishes to all.

Johnboy out................................for now.

[der5997]

Good morning all, and    Let's keep it a safe celebration folks - none of this   this or this

May not get back in today - but I Ditto Ulrich's appreciation of your friendship and helpful advice.

Sam: Uncanny! When there was talk yesterday about coming off the 4x8 at the corners I thought, "I wonder if Sam would look at fixing up a curved crossing, because it offers a good deal more scope in planning." - and here you are thinking of just that.

Ulrich:

Vinnie helped?

........

On a more serious note:

I just heard, that 8 US boys were killed in an attack in Afghanistan, and 5 more Canadians in a second attack - makes me very, very sad.

  Yes, that whole situation is sad indeed. My support of the mission can be summed up by an incident last week in Pakistan not Afghanistan - but it is typical of the Taliban. A girls' school was blown up - Heaven forefend that women should be educated! To clarfy the Canadian losses, here's a news report. -

Canadian authorities had not released the names of the four Canadian soldiers killed Wednesday because one family, while aware of the death of their relative, had not been officially notified in person.

Calgary-based journalist, Michelle Lang, was the fifth person killed in the strike on the edge of Kandahar city.

All died when their armoured vehicle hit a powerful improvised explosive device that left a massive crater in the road.

Several soldiers were injured, as was another civilian, although all were expected to survive.

The loss of life was the third worst single incident for the eight-year Canadian mission in Afghanistan and the worst in two-and-a-half years.

Lang, 34, was also the first Canadian journalist to die covering the war.

TTFN