Teen Model Railroad Place February 2010

[Railfan Alex]

Cool.

My layout hasn't really moved forward, I've gotten busy with other things again...

Joe, congrats on continuing to make progress on your layout.

You guys need to be my motivator, i.e. push me to do work on mine.

[Anonymous]

Railfan Alex

You guys need to be my motivator, i.e. push me to do work on mine.

PEER PRESSURE! 

I've been working on my schedule. I'll post it when it's done.

[Anonymous]

The new schedule is up on my blog. I also have a new video!

Video - Chasing train NAWJ
Chasing intermodal hotshot NAWJ (Nashua, NH - White River Jct., VT) over the White River Southern Railroad. We'll meet business train extra LECD-1 in Ogden Siding and see some overhead views of the train on the Mascoma Lake Grade.

[ns3010]

TrainManTy

Railfan Alex

You guys need to be my motivator, i.e. push me to do work on mine.

PEER PRESSURE! 

Don't submit to peer pressure! The only right choice is your choice!

Tyler, I like the schedule. It makes it easier to understand how the railroad operates.

[IVRW]

Okay, so I said it was dirty track. Now, I dont know what it is. Ive stopped the phenomena of trains moving a few mm and then the system beeping. Now, the trains have full power, but wont move. One putters along at .000000000000000000000000001 MPH, jittering all along, but thats it. I put some metal across the track to see if the system would respond and it did. The locos could have VERY dirty wheels and cant receive power because of it, or their decoders could be fried. Also, it could be the DCC system itself. I hope to take the locos and system to a hobby shop test track and see if they are the problems or not. Any input?

[ns3010]

I believe I remember you saying something once about having Bmann DCC On Board locos. They're ***.

On my GP50, the rear headlight is always on, whether I turn it on or not. The loco doesn't move. When I switch directions, the rear headlight stays on, and the front headlight doesn't activate, and the loco still doesn't move...

Bmann's QC is either lacking or nonextant. But both my Spectrum F40s run/ran fine (I only have one, because the first one died, and I was able to get a cheap replacement, but I'd had it for years before it died)...

[IVRW]

I do not have Bmann decoders. The DCC system is supposed to run a DC loco when set at "00," But even that isnt working. I have an idea. Maybe the wheels are dirty. In that case, I will clean a section of track and take an unused loco and see if it goes. This could show if it is dirt or electrical. But remember, I have a Bazillion papers a week, and now two unit exams as of today, so it might be a few months before I go down stairs. I SO wish they could run right now, because I remember the good feeling I had when they were running at the train show that felt like eating a 1000 ice cream sundays.

[RailfanS]

ALEX.....................

It's 8:00PM................

Have you worked on you layout today?

Okay got that out of my system,

 As for your loco problems John, that sounds quite strange. You said they moved but only at a crawl? Must be a DCC thing, I don't have a clue. For me it's either they run or they don't. Also what was your DCC system again?

IVRW

But remember, I have a Bazillion papers a week, and now two unit exams as of today, so it might be a few months before I go down stairs. I SO wish they could run right now, because I remember the good feeling I had when they were running at the train show that felt like eating a 1000 ice cream sundays.

 Hope you find the problem soon. If I had that much school work I'd need to run my trains every day to preserve my sanity.

In local news,

I got the parts in for my SD40-2 today. I have to admit, I was amazed how simple a Kato mechanism is. Within a half hour I had the entire mechanism moved to the new frame (the old one got distroyed while I was "trouble shooting" the electrical problem) including the new curicut board. I also confermed that the old board was the cause of the electrical problem. When I pulled it off the loco I noticed a large crater on the underside where it had burnt out. I haven't been able to use this loco in at least 2 years, so it's like getting a new one

Well, see you all next time,

Jamie

[ns3010]

John, sounds to me like it's the system and not the locos then. You should probably get that thing checked.

Jamie, sweet that you got it running again.

Well, my Spanish paper is more or less done, and I was able to convince my mom to let me begin on the layout soon!

[IVRW]

*Runs "puffing and chuffing" up the stairs and screams YES to the world* It was as I thought!!!! The Track was so dirty, I now need a new track eraser. 2 of my 3 DCC locos ran fine After I cleaned them and the track. The third is still crawling, though. I also got to completely try my new throttle. AMAZING! Solved! IS NOW EATING 1000 ICE CREAM SUNDAYS AGAIN!

[ns3010]

At least it was something easy!

Got a crapload of track in the mail from Tyler. I know I won't use anything close to all of it, but I just bought it all anyway...

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I sent you enough curves to make a helix up to the floor above...

John: You can clean your bright boy / track eraser with sandpaper. I've been using the same one for years and cleaning it after every time I clean all my track with it.

[IVRW]

That reminds me of an old MRM Cartoon, a Joe Model Railroader was showing friends his hallway. He said "This is the Helix that connects my Basement Layout to my Attic Layout.

Also, check out my Photobucket site below, and tell me if it works and how you like it.

[Anonymous]

I can see the photos, but cut the background image and go with black, gray, or white...your photos will look so much better when you don't have to struggle to distinguish them from a photo background.

Just my opinion.

[ns3010]

Yeah, I checked, and there's enough to make 3 and a quarter circles, not counting the straights.
And as I was un-rubberbanding it, a piece of the WRS fell out, a few pieces of ballast glued together. I now own 0.000001 of the WRS! You forgot to mail my Certificate of Stock

John, I like it. A bunch of nice photos ya got

[IVRW]

Tyler, Thanks for the feedback. I have now (sorry for the previous typo that spelled "not") implemented a better background. I also added a slideshow showing the best photos. A link is in the photo at the end of my signature. Try that and temm me what you think of that please.

Joe, tehehe. What a story.

[Packers#1]

 Joe, nice story right there!

My photobucket backdrop is a pic I rather like. I don't really care if people can distinguish my photos or not as of yet, as I don't add tags. All I use my photobucket for is a site to hold my pictures for posting them to the forums. I may someday get around to tagging them all (lord help me if I ever do though; last time I checked there were about 1900+ files I had uploaded)

[IVRW]

Okay, I have something that could very easily start a discussion. In nearly every MRR project layout, the writer always says something like "This little end sticking off right here is for future expansion." Well, those little niches are always included for such an instance in nearly every layout. So tell me this? Has anyone ever expanded off those little edges? Does anyone have plans for such an operation? Put plainly, can you find a likely instance where expansion will most definitely occur with such an expansion that will not harm normal operations?

[Railfan Alex]

I'm falling behind here...

I'm away for the next two weekends, so no layout work anytime soon.

And it isn't peer pressure if I'm telling you to pressure me!

[Anonymous]

I didn't leave room for expansion, but I expanded anyway...two cutoffs to bring the mainline perpendicular to the layout edge so I could build a lift bridge to a staging yard shelf.

[IVRW]

I just recently discovered that if I add one turnout, I can add an Iain Rice like cassette staging operation along a wall. Normally, trains would go like this: Leave Irvine Yard, switch at St. John, switch at Stockton, return to Irvine Yard and terminate. With the staging, I can do: Leave Irvine Yard, switch at St. John, switch at Stockton, pass through Irvine, pass through St. John, and then terminate in staging. An added bonus would be the fact that I can do the entire thing in reverse, which I cant do normally. Ill talk to Dad to see if I can at least install the turnout. and get the track going. Even if I dont do staging, I can easily add in a module for my club, and use it as terminating facilities at home and a module at the club. Either way, its a win win situation. What do you guys think?

[ns3010]

I'm planning for my layout to take up the absolutely most space possible, so there's no point in leaving room for expansion...

Alex, we shouldn't submit to your peer pressure, either!

John, sounds like a good plan, but I can't really tell without a track plan (hint, hint...)

[Packers#1]

 Well, my layout progress has gone nowhere since Christmas break, which I figured is what would happen. I think it'll pick back up towards spring break when rugby season is over and I have more time. So for now it's a static layout and also I can dream about other layouts (how I keep my current layout interesting. I may end up building a micro-layout in another theme entirely so both layouts will be fresh; when one gets old I swap to operating/working on the other). Operations on my layout would definitely be going now if my dad and I could find the time to build some shelves for my power pack, but we just can't seem to find the time. Oh well, around my house, projects typically get thought up and then sit around for a month or two before we get around to building whatever it is or fixing whatever it is.

[IVRW]

Joe Im right now on vacation and I dont think I will be able to get you a track plan until I get home later today.

Sawyer I anticipated that same thing for me and I got myself back into the game by forcing myself to work on it when school started again in early Jan. Once I had good progress going again, the barrier was overcome. I suggest you try it.

[ns3010]

Sawyer, I know that feeling way too well. Until I tore the layout down, it had been almost a year since I had done anything on it (except run trains).
In the summer, I don't have a layout down the shore (whoops, just made a major typing mistake, good thing I caught that! ). I'm considering a possible diorama this summer. If I build one every year, maybe I could make a mega-mismatched-era-modular-layout-thingy! But I have a few ideas...

John, take your time; I wasn't expecting it that soon!

Today, I'll rearrange the room and maybe cut some lumber before I go to my friends' party.

[Packers#1]

 John, perhaps. really, it comes down to the time I do have to work on it I'm too tired too. All I can really do right now is build trees. I may force myself to add in some more weeds though. I also can hopefully build the roof to King Furniture soon.

Joe, I don't even run trains b/c as I've been saying I dnt have the shelves i want for my power pack. once those are built operating sessions should begin (ops sessions being myself just switching North Branch and the yard).

Speaking of the town of North Branch...

I will be redesigning the downtown business district. no track changes; however, I will be minimizing the amount of stores and adding in some houses. I have several different configurations I want to try before settling on one, so we'll see how it all turns out. 

I got semi-finalist in a trackplanning contest on another site and got $25 store credit to the shop holding the contest, so I'll soon have some detail parts for my layout (they don't have any freight cars, and all the vehicles and structure kits I would have ordered aren't in stock)

[ns3010]

My ops sessions will be the same: Me running a billion trains (not at once; I'll be running the local, 101, which will need to clear before 703/704, the intermodals, and NJT trains come through, but everything except 101 leaves staging, passes through, and then just goes back to staging).

And congrats on the win!!!

[IVRW]

Like Joe said, congrats. Can you show us the winning track plan or is it your current track layout on the layout? Also, for the roof to King Furniture, keep it removable. You might want to detail the interior someday.

[Packers#1]

 Thanks guys. here's a link to all the trackplans that entered (mine is the last one):

 http://www.muskokacomputes.com/Files/Trackplan_Contest.pdf

John, the plan has been to make a removable roof all along so that if a car derails inside the structure I can easily get to it.

[IVRW]

Packers#1

John, the plan has been to make a removable roof all along so that if a car derails inside the structure I can easily get to it.

Sawyer, you are just at experienced as me if not more so. Everything I suggest is simply something you thought of a long time ago. Might I give you eternal congratulations for this advanced and adept habit of yours. May it serve you well in years to come...

[Packers#1]

 

IVRW

Packers#1

John, the plan has been to make a removable roof all along so that if a car derails inside the structure I can easily get to it.

Sawyer, you are just at experienced as me if not more so. Everything I suggest is simply something you thought of a long time ago. Might I give you eternal congratulations for this advanced and adept habit of yours. May it serve you well in years to come...

ok. If I ticked you off I'm sorry man.

Well, work has begun. However, I think both ends of the roof will be fixed with the middle one maybe supported on struts running between them. The tracks are only in the middle; one end there's nothing and the other end can be reached through the middle. Decisions, decisions, we'll see what the final design ends up being. I also added some more trees to my scratchbuilt forest. I've dumbed them down a bit though; instead of adding branches and also putting the foliage on before installing them on the layout, I just solder the tip of a wire, strip all the insulation off, then plant on the layout and twist the wires, then plop some green moss from the dollar store onto it. Cheap, quick, and easy. and believable looking, I think.

[IVRW]

Packers#1

 

IVRW

Packers#1

John, the plan has been to make a removable roof all along so that if a car derails inside the structure I can easily get to it.

Sawyer, you are just at experienced as me if not more so. Everything I suggest is simply something you thought of a long time ago. Might I give you eternal congratulations for this advanced and adept habit of yours. May it serve you well in years to come...

ok. If I ticked you off I'm sorry man.

You didnt tick me off. I was more worried about ticking you off. I am simply pointing out a very good and desirable quality in Model Railroaders and I am congratulating you on having amassed enough information on the subject to have developed such a sense and ability that could and so far has served you well. This instance has happened before and I was making the quite logical conclusion that you are of the intellectual breed and considered all the options.

I think I know the problem here, let me translate: good job on the forethought, it is a good idea. Is that better? I think Stanford rubbed off on me just a wee bit too much, wouldnt you say so?

[IVRW]

I just go my trackplan drawn, so here you go: The top is St. John, the right is Stockton, and the left is Irvine. If you want more detail about everything, please ask. The dashed lines at the top is the proposed route to the fiddle yard. Here is the fiddle yard: This is based off of an Iain Rice idea.

[Packers#1]

 John, could be. this remind sme of a joke my uncle told me once:

"A graduate from Clemson university goes up north to Harvard (or west to stanford, lol) and is walking around. He wants to go to the library and not knowing where it is goes up to a fellow from Harvard and says 'umm, excuse me sir, I'm not from around here and was wondering if you could tell me where the library is at?' The Harvard gentleman gets all huffed and superior and says 'We here at Harvard do not end our sentences with a preposition' to whicht he Clemson boy replies ' Oh, I'm so sorry sir! What I emant to say was could you please tell me where the library is at (expletive)"

 Well, anyways, nice trackplan, looks like a great plan.

today my only homework is studying, so I should get some more work done on my layout today.

[Packers#1]

 Here's some cell-phone pics of the work tonight. A rather long-overdue work day if I might say. Sorry the pics are a bit blurry; kinda tired and took them in a hurry, but I'll post the best of the best.

 

 

 

[RailfanS]

Nice work Sawyer,

I haven't got much done lately. Though I did paint the road system this past weekend, so look for pictures of that in the upcoming WFP. I do have some plans for the near furture though that I wanted to share. We up here in NY have next week off from school (mid-winter break or somthing like that) so I plan to work on the layout ALOT durring that time. I've already have the flex track I need for instaling the car/ loco shops in the back corner of the layout so that's the major project. It involves pulling up 2 tracks, realining them and rewiring them. Next I plan on continuing ballasting, especially on the tracks that surround the recently completed parking lt. I'll probably do some more scenery work too. Also I plan to complete my protable test track. This is a 3 foot section of track on a plywood scrap that I can take to shows and other places to do loco mataninence and cleaning. 

Well that's the agenda for next week, I'll keep you posted,

Jamie 

[ns3010]

John, maybe it's just me, but that fiddle track looks kinda small. You may wanna lengthen it a bit...

Very nice Sawyer!!

Well, they're predicting a lot of snow Tuesday evening into Wednesday, and even into Thursday morning. We'll likely have Wednesday off, possibly Thursday as well.

So I hope to begin on the next research paper (history), and layout construction.
I also have next Monday and Tuesday off, so it'd be nice to have the history paper done, the chem paper maybe started, and a good bit of the benchwork built. We'll see what happens and what causes my plans to fall apart THIS time... :-/

[IVRW]

Joe, Jamie, and Sawyer, everything looks/sounds like its coming along nicely. I haven't done any work on the layout recently because of aforementioned bazillion papers. This weekend, I hope to resubmit my TAMR application, send off the money for the DPB, order some useful back issues, and of course work on the layout.

This night (Mon) my family and I went up to Salt Lake to see the Harlem Globe Trotters. I got a signed ball and everything. It was amazing. Oh, Im not talking about the Globe trotters, Im talking about the High Traffic UTA Commuter line outside the building. ;)

On a forum related side, has anyone seen/heard/read Tyler recently?

[r.y.a.n]

hey my name is ryan and i was wondering if you come across track a lot because im looking for some

[r.y.a.n]

a lot of track!!!

 

[Packers#1]

 Joe, Jamie, and John (three J's, haha) thanks! I've got to miss rugby tonight (my sister has a playoff game and I don't have a ride) so I'll be working on the layout some more. May end up running out of projects (probably not, haha) that I can complete on the yard side without buying anything new.

ryan, not usually. your LHS (local hobby shop) should have some. if they don't or you don't have a local hobby shop (Hobby Lobby probably won't have track), then try some online dealers. www.modeltrainstuff.com is the best. best prices and excellent service

[IVRW]

Packers#1

 Joe, Jamie, and John (three J's, haha) thanks! I've got to miss rugby tonight (my sister has a playoff game and I don't have a ride) so I'll be working on the layout some more. May end up running out of projects (probably not, haha) that I can complete on the yard side without buying anything new.>

Hey, what about you, your part of the three JS. :) Im with you there. I am trying my absolute best to work on the RR without buying anything. I haven't worked on it in days and Im starting to suffer from MRWS, (Model Railroad withdrawal syndrome) :). Tonight I hope to get dad down stairs to work with me, buy some stuff from Kalmbach by "renting" dad's credit card, and resubmit my form to the TAMR.

[Packers#1]

 Ah, yeah. Here at the TAMR we've had some people shuffling around (our guy who was doing memberships etc. got a job w/ RJ Corman but we've finally figured out who's taking that up).

I'm just trying to save up my money now. no real reason except to save really. I do need to buy some plaster for the roads of North Branch soon though; that's one project that spending those $5 will let me get all that scenery done up to the next scratchbuild project.

[ns3010]

John, did you see the Sliders on Frontrunner? They're the single level cars, placed directly behind the loco. They're ex-NJT, nee-E-L. The low level (sliders, like what you guys bought) were retired a few years ago, but the high level cars were only retired last March.
Oh, and, BTW, last time I checked, there's no J in SAWYER???

Ryan! Like Sawyer said, check out your LHS for track.

Well, my mom has off tomorrow, and she just about never does (she's a teacher), but I almost always do. So I'm positive I'm off as well.
And my dad PROMISED that we can work on the layout tomorrow (first, the TV has to be moved, so he needs to do the cable and schtuff).

[cdog565]

Well welcome Ryan i myself got into the hobby a couple months ago and if you go to a flea market or ebay you can easly find track and other supplies.

[ns3010]

Welcome back cdog! Have you given your layout anymore thought since last time you posted?

Welp, I'm off tomorrow! New layout, here I come!

[cdog565]

well yes i have it is freelanced 8 by 4 foot. Should be starting soon

[ns3010]

Cool!

Do you have any specifics? Cause freelanced could be anything from a real railroad on a fictional line to a fictional railroad to a railroad on a fictional planet. For example, UP on the XYZ Line through California is just as freelanced as CSX on the moon in the year 2300, although the UP line would be more 'protolanced' (freelanced, but based on some specific place, time, or railroad).

[cdog565]

I am using random railroads. (whatever i *** and is cheap) i am also not modeling any actual line.

[r.y.a.n]

thanks for the welcome guys!!! glad to talk to people close to my age. Now....does anyone model On30? thats what im doing. Just bought my first loco. Its a two truck shay from Little River Logging. check it out         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VNeKQPrdtk

[Packers#1]

ns3010

Oh, and, BTW, last time I checked, there's no J in SAWYER???

 

well, my middle name does start w/ a J (it's John, after my grandpa who died before I was born).

Well, nothin new on the layout today.

Ryan, I don't model On30 but I am planning on using my spare N scale track to build a small HOn3 logging layout. Just have some fun with it; I'll be scratchbuilding some what-if diesels to fit over my n scale diesel mechanisms. This of course is a project right now in the embryonic stage and only time will tell if it comes to fruitition

[IVRW]

Packers#1

ns3010

Oh, and, BTW, last time I checked, there's no J in SAWYER???

The three JS(awyer) ;)

[IVRW]

ns3010

John, did you see the Sliders on Frontrunner? They're the single level cars, placed directly behind the loco. They're ex-NJT, nee-E-L. The low level (sliders, like what you guys bought) were retired a few years ago, but the high level cars were only retired last March.

No, I only saw the interurban 'trollies.'

[ns3010]

Ryan, nice shay!

Well, two snowdays gone, and still no layout construction. Yesterday, I got the entire room completely clean (shocking) and rearranged. Over the weekend, I'll be cutting and assembling benchwork (finally!). I couldn't do anything today, because I went to NYC (and yes, I did see trains on the way in along I-280, and again in Morristown before my game).

[Anonymous]

Wow - I didn't realize my absence would be noticed! I've been away helping out at a stained glass studio for a week. I'm just starting the process of getting back up to speed on what's happening around here...

[ns3010]

Of course. It's kinda noticeable when one of less than 10 people is missing for a week...

And yeah, I guess you missed kinda a lot.

Ah, TGIF! After two straight snow days, all day I thought today was Monday...
And benchwork should begin on Sunday, although I have no control over when that actually happens...

[Anonymous]

Here's a new video from me. Train LE-2 idles in Ogden Siding as CDWJ passes on the main behind GP18 #9423 and rarely-seen GP30 #5516.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6AsFYCZeeY

I have a giant motive power shortage at the moment. GP7 #8569 will be back in service once it's new trucks get here (thanks Vincent!),GP18  #902 and the two GP15s plus the caboose are in the paint shop, GP7 #102 will be here soon as well and will also need a trip through the paint shop, and I need to bug somebody about giving GP7 #5817 back to me! He hasn't been able to make it to the past three operating sessions when he said he'd give it back!

Right now GP18 #9423 is the only regular unit in service, and GP30 #5515 and SDP35 #1402 are pitching in to move trains. And GP9m #1701, GP30 #2752, and U23Bs #3243 and #2306 are still hanging around without decoders...

[Packers#1]

 Joe, looking forward to seeing the pics of the benchwork when it gets built!

Well, here's two videos form me:

Here's the snow video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST4cBm8St5s
and the layout update:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSmEwA8NaRI

Both were edited together but the video was too long for youtube.

[cdog565]

Ok i just bought a used Prr engine (i will upload photos later) and it has a engin in it but it does not run so any ideas how to fix it.

[Anonymous]

The Pennsy had a lot of different types of locomotives...if you post some photos of it we can narrow it down a bit!

[Anonymous]

(hate to double-post, but...)

Night ops in West Canaan.

[ns3010]

Yeah, cdog, we kinda need a little elaboration before we can help you there...

Wow, Tyler, I really like that shot! Are those ditch lights, or did you Photoshop those?

I FINALLY started on benchwork!!!!!!!!!!!! Got the main frame built yesterday, and gonna work on legs today. I don't have plywood, foam, roadbed, track, or money to buy the above items, but it's a start...

I'll have photos later

[Anonymous]

ns3010

Wow, Tyler, I really like that shot! Are those ditch lights, or did you Photoshop those?

 

Thanks! The original shot was a shot of Alex running night ops (I added the background hills instead of Alex's silhouette against a lighted basement wall) and the engine was going backwards - I didn't take the photo just for this purpose. So both the ditch lights and the headlights were added in Photoshop.

BUT - I've already paid Alex and bought the decoder to put flashing ditch lights in both ends of that loco! 

[ns3010]

Hmm, it looks like it's running short hood forward, but then again, what do I know?!

Well, the benchwork is gonna need some fixing, but that shouldn't be a problem.

[BigBlueConrail]

Nice stuff this month guys!

[Anonymous]

ns3010

Hmm, it looks like it's running short hood forward, but then again, what do I know?!

 

It is, but Alex was running it in reverse with the rear lights (facing away from the camera) on, shoving cars into Delery Pulpwood & Lumber when I took the photo - if I had taken the photo for the sole purpose of making this shot (like most of my images) then I would have it in forward with the headlights on so I wouldn't have to Photoshop the headlights in.

[ns3010]

Oh, ok. I didn't realize that when you said backwards, you meant away from the camera, as well as long hood forward... I get it now...

[RailfanS]

Good Afternoon,

Well as I said before, I've been on winter break this week. So I figured I could share a picture of what I've been up to:

If you look closely, just below the spool of red wire you'll see a black line. That's the old track centerline for the spur closest to the wall. Also all of the sectional track in that area has been replaced with flextrack. If you look in the foreground you'll also notice ballast up to the grade crossing.

That's all for now, I'll have more pictures soon. Probably on the WPF tread that's coming up.

Jamie 

[ns3010]

Very nice! The ballast and the parking lot look excellent!

Although I think your HO scale pushpins are a little too big...

[Anonymous]

I recently starting building a burned-out barn from Horst Meier's article in Model Railroader. Here's the materials.

A couple hours later, the wall frames and roof ends have been started. I bought way too little of the heavy square stripwood so my roof is going to be built of the skinny stuff. My barn is going to much more destroyed than the one in the article.

I also *finally* put sides on the Shaker Hill Road bridge in Enfield! They just need paint and weathering.

It could be a few weeks till these projects are done (IF they ever get done! ) but I'll be sure to post photos then!

[IVRW]

Its been a very long time since I've posted. On Fri. my family took a trip to AZ, and got back this Thur. I haven't done much on the Railroad lately, the biggest movement is continuing to ballast everything. Thur. night, I went to a Model Railroad club meeting. While I was in AZ, I got 4 or 5 bags of different colored dirt to sift for the more exotic scenes. Probably the biggest thing has been my contact with the UP Utah Head of Operations. In April, my Boy Scout Troop will now take a tour of the Huge UP Roper Yard in Salt Lake to earn the Railroad Merit Badge. I personally am in charge of coordinating the Merit Badge (I wonder why :) ), and when I mentioned that "Because I am a Model Railroader, I have the knowledge to want to share the awe of Railroads with my Fellow Scouts." I was returned with "thank you for your affinity with our industry." WOW! At the Club meeting, a friend and UP employee volunteered to be a tour guide.

A fun thing for you all, that UP employee asked me to name the 5 'people' on a modern train and the 6 on a steam era train. Its really fun. Give it a try.

[ns3010]

Tyler, the barn is off to a great start!

John, that's pretty neat!

As for the 5 people, the only ones I can think of are engineer, conductor, brakeman, flagman and ???
As for steam, the same as above and fireman?

I thought most crews were only 2, maybe, 3 people...?

[IVRW]

Joe, thats what I thought too, but its different.

On a modern train, you got the Engineer, Conductor (fireman, copilot), John (engineer during night, to let others sleep, also functions as a switchman when conductor is preoccupied), Fred (Flashing Rear End Device), and Mary Jane (computer correspondent for FRED). Technically, in this case, you are right. However, in modern RR terms, the last two, even though they are both computers, are still part of the crew.

In the steam age, however, things are much different. The crew consists of the Engineer, Fireman (copilot), Conductor (paperworker), Switchman (on the ground, switching switches), Forward brakeman, and Rear brakeman. The last two are running up and down the train turning the wheels in a random manner to slow the train. I just thought you all might enjoy this random bit of information.

[ns3010]

Most don't even have a "John..." So there's really only 2 human crew members.

[IVRW]

Okay, so two humans for regular, 3 its overnight.

[Railfan Alex]

Most switch jobs that I've seen have a brakeman to assist the conductor, so that's three!

[IVRW]

So then there are three, the third being changeable depending upon what the train is doing.

[ns3010]

Ok, I guess so. H02 doesn't have one, even though they do nothing but switching...

Anyone know what the 3 (minimum) people on a passenger train are? And then there's those additional people.

 

Ask me something, or just leave a comment! And no, I won't know who you are. This should be interesting...
http://www.formspring.me/ns3010

[IVRW]

Well, assuming engineer and fireman are included, I would say engineer, fireman, and conductor. If engineer and fireman are not included, I might say Conductor (movement coordinator), Ticket clipper (man who interacts with passengers), and baggage attendant (in the baggage car).

[WCfan]

Most modern train crews only have two human crew men. There are exceptions like Switch Jobs, and Passenger trains. But most, if not all road train crews only have two people. There really isn't a need for a "John". FRA regulations state that a train crew can only have a maximum of 12 hours on the road. After that, they die on hours and need a crew change. So really, it would be useless to have an extra person to sit in the cab, even at night when people might get sleepy. Most of the time crews will know their call time in advance. Unless they are on the extra board, or not high in seniority. Here is a good example of a three person crew though.

[Packers#1]

 I've bene lurking for the past week or so, but jsut thought I'd post a minor update.

I'm gearing up for another big work day. figured out how to fix the furniture factory roof, and I'll work more on the forest in the yard. I have also figured out the 5 kits I need for the downtown area, and after I get those it's onto scratchbuilding the industry buildings. I've decided to build the roads from the same signs I used for the roof of King Furniture. lot cheaper than Perfectcast and not too bad looking hopefully. Worst comes to worst they get torn up and relaid with Perfectcast.

[ns3010]

Passenger can be different, depending on era and long or short distance.

Steam always had engineer, fireman, and conductor.

Long distance have baggage people.

Modern short distance trains (like, for example, this is a typical crew on NJT) have an engineer, conductor, and rear brake (he contols the doors and collects tickets). TCs (ticket collectors) are added as necessary.

So, no matter what, there's gonna be at least three people.

[IVRW]

So, like I said, 3 real people, and then FRED (or EOTD) on the back of the train (checking for proper air hose connections) and Mary Jane (translator of FRED and checker of other systems). This is a rather interesting discussion. Joe, I didn't know that about passenger trains. Sawyer, seems like progress is good, keep us posted! WCfan, thats a very good picture, do you have more? :P

[Guilford Guy]

I've been in Italy so I haven't been keeping tabs on the conversation. Yard Crews can often get work accomplished more quickly with the addition of another man on the ground. This can often coincide with OJT for new conductors.

There are rules on commuter systems regarding crew size. In rush hour 2 assistant conductors are required in addition to the conductor and engineer, while off peak trains only have 1 assistant. 

[WCfan]

IVRW

WCfan, thats a very good picture, do you have more? :P

Thanks! My two Photobucket accounts are private, and that is the only place where I have all my pictures. But my Flickr account has a good amount of my "good" pictures. It only goes back about a year, but it's better than nothing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/

[Anonymous]

Guilford Guy

I've been in Italy so I haven't been keeping tabs on the conversation.

 

I was right! That's what I guessed when I noticed you hadn't been around for a few weeks.

I was about to write the same thing: Engineer, Conductor, Assistant Conductor... I commute regularly so I might have an unfair disadvantage in that question.

As to Jordan's 3 person crew (in a nice photo too!), there's the guy in the cab (Engineer), the guy on the front walkway (Door Stop), and the guy on the steps (Autographer). There's no train to pull, so all they do is drive around and look pretty. The engineer watches for cars to swerve into at crossings and blows the horn, the guy on the front stands in front of the nose door so it stays shut and keeps the rain out, and the guy on the steps hands out autographs just for the heck of it.

I think I've been reading Joe's question thingy for too long.

[ns3010]

TrainManTy

I think I've been reading Joe's question thingy for too long.

What, my Formspring? It's definately, uh, interesting... Some of those questions were wierd...
And I'm still trying to figure out who asked me to describe NJT's system map in 300 words... And who asked why round pizza comes in a square box and why McDonalds doesn't sell hotdogs...?

But it's down right now, so I can't check for questions.

Had our last game of the season tonight. We lost 4-1, but it was still a pretty good season, although we only won one game...
I thought overall, I did very well, and I've made it far from someone who never played hockey before to someone who is halfway decent over the past two years.

 

On the topic of model railroading, I have no clue when my genset is coming. Atlas originally said January, and then they pushed it back to February, and they still have no date on their website. *Sigh*

[IVRW]

Everybody's back now, WCfan, thanks, Ill check it out. Tyler, actually, the one at the door is the paper supplier to the autographer, lol. Joe, I got two questions for ya 1) of the 425 miles the Utah Railway runs on between Provo Utah and Grand Junction Colorado, how many miles does it own, and 2) How is the progress of the Layout coming?

[ns3010]

John,

1. I have no idea. So I'll take a guess and say 300...?

2. It's stopped for now. The benchwork needs some fixing before I can do anything else, and I don't have materials (or money) to continue. I'm not sure how long it'll be before I can resume, but hopefully it'll be pretty soon.

Also, I was talking about my Formspring for questions. The link is above, but it's also in my sig (the last link). Just click on it and it goes right to the page where you ask the questions. I usually check my inbox relatively often (at least once a day, usually two or three times, depending on how busy I am).

[Anonymous]

John, I'm use my limited knowledge of the line to go out on a limb and say 45? I think it's just a bit less than 50, but I'm not sure...

[IVRW]

TrainManTy

John, I'm use my limited knowledge of the line to go out on a limb and say 45? I think it's just a bit less than 50, but I'm not sure...

Tyler, you have absolutely no limited knowledge of the line. 45 on the dot. Where did you learn that?

[Packers#1]

 Joe, our rugby team is on that learning curve of a new sport right now, but instead of hockey, it's rugby. I used to really want to play hockey, but the only close rink was in Augusta. Still wouldn't mind learning haha, but oh well.

Speaking of rugby, we're winless about half-way through the season. if we play hard this friday I think we can win. 

Now as to the layout, I came up with a way to get the roof of the furniture factory painted. it needs some work though b/c two ends are raising up when they should be flat. Otherwise, just need to make some more wire forest armatures and add in the rest of the forest on the yard side. haven't pulled up the pine forest though. Also, the roads on the town side will be made of the same material as the roof of King Furniture (I think it'll be cheaper than buying a container of Perfectcast and give relatively the same quality results)

[ns3010]

Wow I was far off...

EDIT because Sawyer and I posted at the same time:
I absolutely LOVE hockey. Before HS, I never really played before. For a while, I've been deciding if I want to play lacrosse this year or not, mostly because having practice every day for 4 hours sucks, but also so I can play spring hockey. I don't think I wanna play though, so I'll probably end up doing spring hockey...
And that's the biggest problem. You're lucky if there's a rink near you. It's not like any other sport where (with the exception of away games) the field is always in town. The rink where we play most of our games is about 45 minutes away, in Morristown.

As for the roof of King Furniture, if the ends are lifting up, the middle is likely sagging down as well.

[Packers#1]

ns3010

EDIT because Sawyer and I posted at the same time:
I absolutely LOVE hockey. Before HS, I never really played before. For a while, I've been deciding if I want to play lacrosse this year or not, mostly because having practice every day for 4 hours sucks, but also so I can play spring hockey. I don't think I wanna play though, so I'll probably end up doing spring hockey...
And that's the biggest problem. You're lucky if there's a rink near you. It's not like any other sport where (with the exception of away games) the field is always in town. The rink where we play most of our games is about 45 minutes away, in Morristown.

As for the roof of King Furniture, if the ends are lifting up, the middle is likely sagging down as well.

 

Awesome man. from what I've seen it looks probably more physical than football. oh well, life shall go on.

a 4 hour lacrosse practice? DERN! Our rugby practices are only 2 hours, and they're at night 2 days a week.

I think the main thing that's lifting them up is the glue joint, b/c the two sections lifting up are where I had to glue some extensions on, and the rest of the roof is flat. and whenever i remove the roof those two ends still lift up when it's placed on a flat surface.

[WCfan]

IVRW

TrainManTy

John, I'm use my limited knowledge of the line to go out on a limb and say 45? I think it's just a bit less than 50, but I'm not sure...

Tyler, you have absolutely no limited knowledge of the line. 45 on the dot. Where did you learn that?

www.google.com All kidding aside...

[ns3010]

Yep, 4 hours, 6 days a week. Usually 3-7 (give or take). Absolutely rediculous. And then he flips out when no one does their homework. When does he expect us to do it?

[Packers#1]

ns3010

Yep, 4 hours, 6 days a week. Usually 3-7 (give or take). Absolutely rediculous. And then he flips out when no one does their homework. When does he expect us to do it?

 

dern man. I couldn't deal with that much practice unless I was gettin paid.

[IVRW]

WCfan

IVRW

TrainManTy

John, I'm use my limited knowledge of the line to go out on a limb and say 45? I think it's just a bit less than 50, but I'm not sure...

Tyler, you have absolutely no limited knowledge of the line. 45 on the dot. Where did you learn that?

www.google.com All kidding aside...

I should have known...

[Anonymous]

Nope - not Google. I actually read it a couple years ago in an article about the railroad. All I remembered is that it was somewhere a bit less than 50 miles, somewhere in the 40s, so I put my guess right in the middle at 45. I had a one in ten chance of being right. I've always liked the Utah Railway because of those weird M-K units they had, not to mention their SD50s (?) in that pretty red and gray scheme.

The rest of the track they run on is via UP or BNSF trackage rights, correct?

[ns3010]

Today's Utah Railway operates over 423 miles (681 km) of track between Grand Junction, Colorado, and Provo, Utah, of which 45 miles (72 km) are owned, and the remainder operated under agreements with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific

[Anonymous]

Bwahaha - I was right! I love it when that happens...it's such a nice change!

[IVRW]

From what I read ( and I read a lot on this because it and the UP are the only two local Railways ) everything else the UR runs on is UP. Way back in the day (1912), one of the higher ups of the D&RGW didn't like how the RR was operating, so he and other interested associates left to company and formed the UR. However, they didn't have enough funds to build a substantial route, so they investigated trackage rights with the UP. Suddenly, the D&RGW was horrified that the UR would be working against them, where they couldn't control it. In response to this sudden threat, the D&RGW approached the UR and offered them more track for less money. This way, the D&RGW could keep the UR on their side, until the D&RGW was eaten up by the UP. When the D&RGW was merged into the UP, the rights for the UR were held and it runs today as it did many years ago. Cool story, isn't it.

[Anonymous]

Wow...that's a risky gamble! It's not like they'd hire him back if his venture failed... The article I read didn't cover that - it is a really neat story!

[IVRW]

It is pretty cool, isn't it. The sad thing is, now, the UR is owned by a Short Line Holding Company, Genesee and Wyoming (once a shortline itself), which owns over 40 railroads. Well, thats business.

[WCfan]

Let's bring the tread back to page one...after our little troll incident.

[IVRW]

Whats going on?!? Who is the troll? Is he connected with the chaos? Why would he do such a thing? What is the √π (square root of apple pie)? ;) But on the troll, could someone explain to me what is happening.

[Railfan Alex]

And that was in the wrong thread too! I was wondering why I was getting automated emails from Trains.com about posts in TMRP November 2009...

[Anonymous]

He's lost his touch too - did you see the "insult" he posted in the November TMRP? What a sad attempt.

[ns3010]

Yeah, I was wondering why that came up in the "Recent Threads" box...

[WCfan]

IVRW

Whats going on?!? Who is the troll? Is he connected with the chaos? Why would he do such a thing? What is the √π (square root of apple pie)? ;) But on the troll, could someone explain to me what is happening.

Al Mayo came back. He's been trolling on here before I was a member, even before Tyler and Alex were members of TRS. He stops in every now and then to say hello.

[Noah Hofrichter]

Don't tell me that makes me one of the few (or the only?) teen member of this forum who remembers Mr. Mayo from back when he used to actually be a regular poster and not just a troll - that'll make me feel old!

It seems like it's been a while since the forum's had a troll attack like the most recent one, though I guess I don't visit the MR side as much as I used to. It seemed like they were happening once a week for a while there a few years back.

The Utah Railway is on my list of things to see someday (even if it is in G&W orange) though I'm guessing it's a pretty good stretch that it'll ever happen. Those MK5000Ds, or whatever they are designated, are too cool not to shoot, no matter what the paint scheme.

Noah

[WCfan]

Noah Hofrichter

Don't tell me that makes me one of the few (or the only?) teen member of this forum who remembers Mr. Mayo from back when he used to actually be a regular poster and not just a troll - that'll make me feel old!

Noah, I think your the only one in this thread. I've known Al, but I never actually saw him as a regular poster.

This may be a little old for the new members, but does anyone remember UPmanaic/UPnut/UPchuck? He always use to big a pretty big pain around here. Now that I think about it, there are a few members that use to participate in TRS that don't come here anymore. SD60M, CPRailModeler, and Milwaukee Road are a few that come to mind.

[Anonymous]

Noah Hofrichter

Don't tell me that makes me one of the few (or the only?) teen member of this forum who remembers Mr. Mayo from back when he used to actually be a regular poster and not just a troll - that'll make me feel old!

 

Sorry Noah - must have been a 2004/2005 thing. I joined in '06 (it's been four years already?), Jordan joined in '07, and everyone else here as far as I can see joined in '08 or '09. I do remember UPchuck...but only because his username made me wonder why anyone would name themselves "Upchuck" and not even notice his typo by capitalizing the "P" as well!

[cdog565]

Hello everyone i haven't had time to build my layout yet but i got some buildings.

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[IVRW]

cdog, I saw you post another post asking how to post pictures. Here is how you do it: Around each image URL (what you have posted) place a "[ IMG]" and at the end, place "[ /IMG]" Let it be noted that there are spaces betwee the first bracket and the first letter/symbol. This is done so they wont dissappear. I hope this helps.

[Guilford Guy]

UPChuck was gullible... That's why I told him to use that as a username.  I remember Mayo, but I was posting under the name "BMTrains" back in 04/05.

[cdog565]

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>/IMG

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>/IMG

<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>/IMG

[cdog565]

[ IMG]{<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[ /IMG]

[ IMG]<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[ /IMG]

[ IMG]<a href="http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/?action=view&current=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[ /IMG]

[Anonymous]

You copied the HTML code. You want to copy the code that looks like this (without the * which I added so it won't appear as an image) with the IMG brackets already around it. Simply remove the * and it will work perfectly.

[IMG]http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/027.jpg[/IMG*]

[IMG]http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/029.jpg[/IMG*]

[IMG]http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/trainboy565/028.jpg[/IMG*]

[cdog565]

oh ok thanks. here are my buildings i bought. 

 

[Packers#1]

 Cool little buildings.

I joined too late for when Mayo was a regular poster, but dang JKTrains (Jerry) hated me when I joined up lol. Al and Jerry found my youtube page but I eventually blocked them. Trolls are jsut guys who never grew up past 3rd grade.

Anyways, I got a package today from the hobby shop I got runner-up in the trackplanning contest for. I now have some Osborn models details for the layout; I'll hopefully get around to adding them tomorrow or Sunday. We have an early release day Wednesday and also a three day weekend next weekend, so the layout should be worked on very soon.

[WCfan]

Neat buildings. Now all they need is a layout for them to reside on...

I remember Jerry's thread that he started a little while back, with "quality" modeling. The modeling was nice, but the thread didn't last very long. Does Jerry still hang around here? Or has he moved onto bigger and better things? I don't post much on TRS anymore. I only really participate in TRP and TMRP.

That reminds me, some time I need to get pictures of my new rolling stock purchases.

[Anonymous]

WCfan

I remember Jerry's thread that he started a little while back, with "quality" modeling. The modeling was nice, but the thread didn't last very long.

 

I think that was the thread where he told me that teen modelers' work would never be as good as that of adult modelers...or was that WPF?

ANYWAY...moving past gossiping about past trolls...

I scratchbuilt a new industry for Lebanon this week. Right now I'm waiting for the glue to dry on the scenery, then I'll airbrush the ballast and add trees, and I'll have some photos to post here.

WCfan

That reminds me, some time I need to get pictures of my new rolling stock purchases.

Yes, you do. We're counting on you to bring this thread back around to trains! No pressure or anything...

[IVRW]

Wow, it has been a while since I posted. I have been worrying about a midterm on monday, but in the wee hours of the morning, I can at least post an update.

This is a view over the mountain watching my train running.

This is because of Rail-Zip (highly recommend it) and my first track cleaning car.

After getting more supplies, I have continued ballasting

While the glue was drying, I moved to the other side of the layout and I cleaned up Irvine. It is now clean!

My favorite thing that has happened is after cleaning the workbench up, I made the "Crash of 92, 1892" a reality.

This will soon go on the layout. Cdog, nice buildings, Tyler and Sawyer, You both have buildings to build, so keep us posted. WCfan, you too. Monday is midterm, Tuesday is flying out to Florida, and school continues, so until then, I'm out. Happy Model Railroading

[ns3010]

Wow, snow days fly by! Two gone, and I got nothing accomplished, except for shoveling! Every time I would go out, there would be another foot! Well, I guess that's better than shoveling 30" all at once..

I don't remember any of those names Jordan mentioned... I musta been too late for whoever they were (I was late 08).
But this troll wasn't nearly as bad as some other times, although it seems like this one took a long time to clean up. There was one a few months ago, where the guy went into every thread on the first page and posted a picture of a guy making a particluar gesture... Luckily, that was gone relatively quickly...

cdog, nice buildings

John, looks like the layout is coming along!

[WCfan]

TrainManTy

WCfan

That reminds me, some time I need to get pictures of my new rolling stock purchases.

Yes, you do. We're counting on you to bring this thread back around to trains! No pressure or anything...

Trains? Who here likes trains?

[ns3010]

WCfan

Who here likes trains?

Ooh! Pick me, pick me!

[Anonymous]

WCfan

TrainManTy

WCfan

That reminds me, some time I need to get pictures of my new rolling stock purchases.

Yes, you do. We're counting on you to bring this thread back around to trains! No pressure or anything...

Trains? Who here likes trains?

 

Aha! The brutally honest truth comes out! 

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

My building is done -- I'm just waiting for the my scenery glue to dry so I can finish it up. But the basement is pretty chilly so it usually takes the ballast about a week to be fully dry.

[Packers#1]

 Well, today's checklist:

1. Roof problem fixed (check)
2. Cinders begun being put down (half check. one section has conders, one painted, the middle section needs paint etc).
3. Pile of stacked lumber built (check)
4. Pallets put down (check)

I've also built 1 crossbuck and two rails tops to see how they turned out. I'll probably build more tomorrow, and solder a lot of wire trees. I'll hopefully get more cinders down on the roof tonight.

[ns3010]

Now I want photos from all of you!
Now I feel like the only one who hasn't accomplished something...

Going back to those names of people who you guys used to hang around here but don't anymore, I saw the SD60M guy (whoever he is) in that "who is online" box on the main page. Maybe some of those guys are still hanging around- just quietly...

[Railfan Alex]

Back to model railroading it is:

It's been a while since I've been able to work on any projects, but thanks to March Break the production line is rolling once again.

I'm working on a "secret" SOO GP9 for a friend, i.e. he doesn't know about this very late (or by this time very early) birthday present.  I've started with a GP18/20 from LL, and backdating it. It is one of the late GP9's with partial skirting and repositioned fuel filler.

Prototype:

I started with a painted MP model, so I removed most of the ugly (to me) P2K details and stripped the shell in 99% Isopropyl alcohol.

Here's a photo of the stripped shell, and a few of the details purchased:

It's a pretty simple project, and I hope to finish it by the end of March break. 

[Packers#1]

 Alex, sweet Soo project, looking forward to the photos!

Joe, I'll get some pics soon hopefully. probably next weekend

[IVRW]

Back! Midterm is DONE! My Birthday is tomorrow, but instead of working on the Railroad, Ill be flying out to Florida! I dont like trips, they take me away from my Model Railroad, lol. But, I am discovering the new TAMR Yahoo group. And other member amenities.

[Anonymous]

Looking good, Alex! Keep us posted!

[RailfanS]

It's that time again:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/170153.aspx

New trainroom