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Elliot´s Trackside Diner August 2010 Locked

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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:22 AM

 

Morning all a large coffee and a corn muffin toasted please, Hey anyone seen my NMRA gage?

 Jeff,a $20 phone bill! thats unheard of in this house or this state........lol I just got sick paying a $580 electric bill it really kills me that they raise the rate around here in the summer of course when everyone consumes more because of the a/c and all and then have the nerve to ask you to conserve energy because they can't meet the needs of their consumers. What the heck is up with that.Caught a very interesting show on the National Geographic channel last night about underworlds and they featured a secrete complex underneath Grand Central terminal in NYC. showed how it was top secrete during WWII and how it still is.It's where they used to generate all the power for the trains entering Grand Central apparently all the troop movements on the entire east coast went through there. They also featured a secrete train station underneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel build specifically for President Roosevelt. He had a special train car which they think is the one they have there but apparently don't have proper clearance to open it or something like that that carried his Pierce Arrow Limo. Really interesting stuff.

Ok well of course it's way too hot and humid here to get anything accomplished so I guess I'll just have to work on my layout.

You all have a good morning

 

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by howmus on Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:28 AM

Mornin' everyone!  Nice day, eh?

Zoe I'll have a blueberry muffin and a cup of dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR mug.  I be in the front booth watching the train crews being chased around by the polar bears......

Currently 75°F here in the Finger Lakes (as compared to 16°C in Moosonee, Ontario, CA).  A nice rain shower went through early this morning so we have lots of puddles in the road.  We were needing a bit or moisture anyway, so it came at a good time.  Could have a few Thunderboomers during the afternoon they say.  High will be a seasonable 84°F.

I am going to head out to the Medina RR Museum to check on all the arrangements for the NMRA Summer Picnic a week from Saturday.  It's only a 2 hour drive from here (one way), but I do like to make sure the arrangements will w*rk well before I get there for the event!

Got the rest of the ties down for the passing track on Bare Mountain and one rail glued in place last night.  Hopefully this evening I will put in the other rail and gauge it to NMRA Standards.....  I also went over to the quarry yesterday and got a bucket of various sizes of stone (from dust to a couple 4" or so chunks) to use.  The real small stuff will be used for "stone piles" from the crusher.  The larger might be used for rock outcroppings...?

blownout cylinder

TMarsh
Ray's advice! RAYS' advice???!!! HA! I followed Rays' advice once. "Measure twice cut once", he said. What a joke. I cut that board SIX TIMES! Always measuring it "twice" too. Still, every time....... too short. Harrumph.Grumpy

Well, I  measure twice and still get too long---grrrrDisapprove maybe we should join forces and thereby get it right---Whistling There is always next time---

 

ROFL.....  Actually I got the saying from a teacher who taught for many years right accross the hall from my room.  He was a "Technology" teacher.  They were formerly called "Shop" teachers, and were given a new life teaching a completely different curriculum but still made wood and metal projects like they did back in the old "shop" class days...  He was "metal Shop" teacher for many years, but was actually a fine woodworker.  One test he gave his 8th. grade classes asked for the definition of "Technology".  One girl defined it as, "Things you use to make stuff".  The next day he made a new sign for over his classroom door.  It said, "Stuffology"!  he was fun to teach with.....Laugh

My Father used to always tell me to check measurements due to the fact they haven't invented the "Adding-on Saw" yet...Whistling

Hope you enjoy the cool weather here in Moosonee.  Bit of a nice change, eh!

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by LSWrr on Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:33 AM

Good morning all,

It’s 85F at 74% humidity outside, I hate August!

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

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Posted by ns3010 on Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:12 AM

 Hey all! Finally made it in here for the first time in a while.

Sorry for my absence, but it's been a little crazy around here.

 My grandpa passed two weeks ago tomorrow. But it was time. He had Parkinson's, and his body was falling apart for the past two years, but his mind was fine, so he knew everything. What my aunt said is exactly how I feel:
"I never believed in that whole 'they're in a better place' crap, but this really is for the better."
It's better for him, and for everyone else. It got to the point where it was horrible to see him, because he was so bad.

Rest in peace, Pop Angel

And then after all that was over, I was working a lot, so I haven't been in because of that.

Anyways...
Went railfanning in Bay Head yesterday. Got some photos and video, so I'll post those for those who are interested, once I get a computer again and can upload them...

On a MRRing note, I also stopped by the LHS in Point Pleasant. Didn't really have anything I was interested in, or that I could afford, so I just got Walther's 2010 reference book.
But the Gensets are expected this month or next, so hopefully I'll FINALLY be getting that.

Well, I gotta go. Dunno when I'll be back, but hopefully it'll be soon! Prayers for all until then!

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:01 PM

 Good Evening Everyone!

Just a bowl of chili for me, and a beer to wash it down, Zoe - thank you!

Can´t say that I am feeling well. The things around are getting to be a little too much for me to bear. Body and soul need a rest.

 Hope to be back one day.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:02 PM

 Finished the mowing despite a minor mishap. I was using the Peerless tractor to do the mowing as it's much more comfortable for me to use and doesn't require the use of feet. Got most of the yard cut when it suddenly felt like I was in the middle of a 4 point earthquake. The blade drive belt had broken but didn't come apart and it was setting up a horrendous vibration. I just got that thing replaced a month ago! Must have been defective. Not the first time that's happened. Still had 1/5th of the yard left so I finished up with the little Yardman. One nice thing is that there was cloud cover the whole time so it was a cool 85 degrees. Compared to 100 that's cool.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:11 PM

Hello everybody.

Keith ... I don't have many Peco swiches, but for me either kind of frog works OK.

Duke ... How's the AC on yourr tavel vehicle? Whistling

Ray, Barry, Todd ... you are saying measure twice and then cut. Hmmmmm. Is that a rule? Big Smile

David ... Long time no see. Come back when you can.

Rob ... Shelley does our facebook. I don't use it much.

 

GARRY

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Posted by Cederstrand on Thursday, August 5, 2010 1:39 PM

Strong coffee in a UNDECORATED mug, please.Smile,Wink, & Grin

***Robby, your layout sure has come a long way. 

***Jeffrey, congrats on a radiator fan job well done. Sure the temp sensor is working? Remaining on "C" in a 100 degree weather, in traffic, really? Wow!

***Garry, I use Facebook to share pics and see a friends & relatives pics of their latest adventures. I probably spend more time here in the Diner.

Last night I picked up a great deal on the-bay for a steam loco on my desirable list. A brand new, (N)DCC Heavy Mountain. Hmmm, IF I decide to go DCC on part of my (N) layout, could double head this Heavy Mountain with a Bigboy. Not sure if THAT would have ever happened or what it would look like though(?), not that it matters on a fictitious layout anyway.

Have a great day all and stay cool.

Cowboy Rob

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Posted by Cox 47 on Thursday, August 5, 2010 1:50 PM

Afternoon All...Its sunny and 86 here after some storms yesterday...I'll hace a sweet tea.please...Thank You..Not much going on here on Pearl street..Most of us staying in under A/C...Not much on the I&S ran a couple of trains this morning...You all have a good one...Jerry

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Posted by galaxy on Thursday, August 5, 2010 2:09 PM

Blazzin

  Galaxy, I have been following your problem of a possible dead mouse.  In short, I've read some articles.. but really didn't find too much.  Seems if the smell is coming from the electrical outlets.. its in the wall.  But here's a snipit I'll copy for you.. seemed to make sense.

Chances are that the mouse died trying to climb out of an area with smooth edges (eg: a heating vent) or got stuck in a tight area in the walls, foundation, or attic. In this case, you need to use your nose to sniff out the strongest smell in the house which will lead you to where the dead mouse is. If there is any way you can access the location, like taking off a heating grate or opening a trapdoor to the attic, then you might have a chance at removing the mouse. However, if the strongest smell is coming from a wall or other inaccessible location, there is nothing you can do except cut a hole in that particular place. At this point you need to ask yourself if dealing with the smell of a dead mouse outweighs the damage done to your house in the process. 
  Good luck,  I wish I was there to sniff it out.  That would just drive me crazy.

I called an exterminator friend of mine form growing up in the same neighborhood. After what 4-5 days It was making me crazy ill and violent vomiting and such and couldn't eat at all. Had to do something!

DEAD MOUSE FOUND!

It had litterally crawled into a corner {under the roll-away bed behind some stuff} and died. Thank goodness it WASNT in a wall or anything but sorta "out in the open". It weas identified as a "deer mouse".WE do abut a field of open forrest.

The exterminator set traps with special toxic  peanut butter around where they might get in to see if that will help as usually mouse problems are a oct-nov isssue when they look for warmer winter digs.

Well teh room is airing out but still stinks so I go now just wanted to let y'all know we found it!

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, August 5, 2010 3:27 PM

Cederstrand
***Jeffrey, congrats on a radiator fan job well done. Sure the temp sensor is working? Remaining on "C" in a 100 degree weather, in traffic, really? Wow!

Temp sensor works just fine. I turned off the fan later to check that out and the temp needle started moving after a few minutes. I let it get to 'normal' then turned the fan back on. The needle was back down on 'C' within 5 minutes.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Space Mouse for president!
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Running Bear Enterprises
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by JimRCGMO on Thursday, August 5, 2010 4:08 PM

Afternoon, Zoe, I'll have a BLT and a RBF please 'n' thank you.

Glad Ray gave me the directions so I could find my way back. Of course, finding my passport was a tad more difficult...(that, or slipping past the border guards - and I don't mean those furry white-suited guys outside here!). Hmm, but I wonder when the Google Map folks will learn how to get directions to here from St. Louis?

Our weather was a tad better when I left to come up here today - only 90 F (32 C) for our high temp, instead of yesterday's 99F/37C (I think that's what it was; that, or my brains got a bit too cooked during the brief spell I was outside...). It's even dropped off to a balmy 86 F/30 C by now (about 2:30 p.m. back-home time). And the weather up here - delightfully nice 54 F/12 C!! Ah....

Todd, why is it that the weeds usually grow faster than the grass, except for when it's hot like lately? One of those mysteries of life, I suppose. Sigh

Garry, I would've figured you'd have found the way up here quicker than me, with it being HOT!! Smile,Wink, & Grin Hey, you have the lake in your backyard to go cool off in (well, except for those bubbles as the water reaches a rolling boil...)Shock Good weather to be in your basement, "w**king on the railroad,..." Whistling

Barry, THAT sounded good (that the dufus & Maserati may be off the road for a few years, anyway)! Does Audrey have an appointment with her doctor (or followup) coming up? Or does she already have the arm in one of those new-fangled Technicolored casts? And I think Garry's on the right track (pun intended...) but I think you suffered and are continuing to suffer mental duress and time lost away from your MRR'ing. Just have your lawyer add on a percentage of Audrey's duress for your anguish...

Eh, what? Shock Ed's OJ won't get here until end of the month? Auggggghhhhh!! Banged HeadBanged Head Zoe, I'd better have another cup of coffee while I'm waiting for my order, please.

Vincent, on the other hand, you aced your history class, and you had a fun time talking with her, eh? Thumbs Up Way to go on that exam!

Duke - that stream looks nice and cool. Smile Hope your weather has been tolerable there. I'll have to be careful where and when I take my camera now, I see...Oops

Jeff, rest up and don't get out in this weather until you feel better, okay? Like your shot of the loco - looks like Robby's been w**king on that one. Wink And that one from the moving vehicle? Bow

Rob, maybe you could make a claw for the log unloading(?) out of a clamshell (carefully carved/cut away into two claw-sides)?

MarkPierce, thanks for the cool weather report!

David (Parks), great to see you in the Diner again (and especially with the long trip up here)! Yeah!!

Allegheny - yep, I've had one of those didn't-quite-turn-out-as-neat-as-I'd-imagined moments (or two...). Loved your description of how it looked after trying to strip that metal building! Laugh And careful about divulging state secrets like that - HLS will be knocking on your door! Smile,Wink, & Grin

Keith, I'll keep your advice in mind if I ever have a dead mouse in the wall...

Speaking of which (sorta) - now, back in my former (married) life, we had a bunch of daughter's (grade school age) friends over for birthday party/sleepover, and the cake is on the table in the kitchen and we're doing other things. One of us goes into the kitchen (I think it Sarah's mother) and discovers little... tiny... paw-prints... ON THE FRONT OF THE CAKE! (No nibble marks, at least). So (ex-)wife (being into Wilton and cake decorating, removes the icing around said paw-prints, and takes one of those icing spatulas and re-does the icing (wasn't fancy, so she could make it not noticeable). Couple of hours later (after the cake portions had been consumed), they're bedding down in sleeping bags on the living room carpet. Someone (Sarah, maybe) had found out about the mouse, so there was a lot of twittering (non-electronic back then) and claims of feeling 'something on top of my sleeping bag!'... Ah, sleepovers - such fun, eh? Whistling

Robby - I thank you for posting your 'before' and 'after', and 'now' photos. I needed the encouragement.

Lee - ONLY 84 F? You slackers there in Ohio - we're at 88 F in Missouri, with a heat index of 97 F!! Smile,Wink, & Grin (Again, THANK HEAVEN for air conditioning)

NS Joe, I hate to point this out to you, but it'll only be another month or two before the 2011 Walthers catalogs come out... Oops (Sorry! Maybe you can take it back?) Glad that your grandfather's ordeal is over for him.

Galaxy, great to hear that you found the carcass and the house is getting the rest of the smell out. Lots of airing out (with you gone someplace cooler), I'd suggest!

I got my Mikado in yesterday, and was a bit miffed with the seller, who'd promised (in his auction listing) that before shipping, he would refit the shell onto the boiler/body. It came inside a box, with the Genesis box, and another Athearn BB - which contained some detail parts and... the boiler shell! When I sent him a question about what happened, he brushed it off, saying since it was an undecorated model, I'd have to take it off to paint it anyway. I told him that at a minimum, he should have notified me BEFORE sending it (which he didn't do). This thing looks more complicated to put the details on and assemble than I'd expected, too. I'm debating about having our club guru Kevin paint it and finish assembling it for me (for My 2 cents My 2 cents My 2 cents), or trying to tackle this one by myself. Anybody ever put a Genesis steam engine together? Looks like it should look great once it's all together.

Ah, lunch was good - Zoe, could I have another RBF please? Thanks! I'll be kicking back here in the window booth, making faces at those polar bears out there. (Might want to wait a while before you leave, guys...)

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 5, 2010 4:33 PM

Galaxy ... The mouse is dead? ... This is a wireless mouse, and I just change the batteries? ... Would that help your mouse? ... Laugh

JimCG ... Puns? ... What?  Confused

GARRY

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Posted by cudaken on Thursday, August 5, 2010 4:54 PM

  Hum, hey guys, do they server beer here?Big Smile

 Flo, I will take a Dew in a Monon glass, Cheeses Burger with ever thing and a order of beer batter onion rings.

 On the Train front, staring to get more interested in repairing what I have. Have cleared 2 Athearn 50 foot box cars, 3 Round House Bulkhead cars and a Bachmann Silver Series coal car. Coal Car has been on the desk for a year! All had worn out trucks. Athearn trucks will work on Round House Bulk head cars, will make them sit a little taller, but i think they sat to low anyway.

 I got my PK 2000 SD 7 going again after a year as well. All it need was a new decoder, but the headlight bulb is missing. So I will be installing a LED, should be doing that now and not eating the cheeses burger. My PK 1000 Erie Built needs a new LED as well. Picked up a pack of 1000 OHM resistors (LED's that came with the LED's where 480) so I should not be replacing that one again for some time. Next on the to do list is hard wiring a PK 1000.

 Think I am going to buy a few Tortoise switch machine and decoders. That will be a fun project!

 Now the Bob Villa question. I am trying to install a new kitchen floor.Old floor was eaten by the dogs when they where puppy's some years ago. I finally have the time and the money to replaces it but have ran into some problems. 

 First I have a particle board, then what looks like 2 X 6 under it. Particle sub floor had deep holes in it to the 2 X 6's. I used Henry self leveling 565 sub floor repair compound. It is pretty much concert. With it having water in it, it soaked in to the Particle board and caused it to swell around the joints! To say that has been a mess is a understatement.

 I have been grinding it down with my grinder and a concert grinding disc. Boy it has made a dust mess in the house. I been messing with it for 2 days on and off. wife has done nothing but complain in the most unfriendly matter! Big Smile (use your own words there folks)

 I now think I have that section sufficiently level where I can get 1/4 inch plywood sub floor (cant spell the correct word) on with no problem. But, there is still about three spots that I still need to level?

 Not wanting to use anymore water based floor levers, and been told by a friend that as installed about 6 floors the 1/4 plywood is very for giving I had a idea. Why could I not use sand? No cracks between the 2 X 6's. Easy to make it level and no dry time.  I will be using a air staple gun and the brads are 1 inch long and placed about ever 8 inches. I am all using self sticking 18" square flexible tile. 

 Hope to get some in put, it is going down Friday!

 Think it is time to break out the Big Boy, have not ran it for 3 months now.

                           Ken 

 

 

I hate Rust

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Posted by GMTRacing on Thursday, August 5, 2010 5:12 PM

Good Evening All,

    Just a nice cool RBF before I head out homeward please. Spent most of the day cleaning and can now see my bench. Can't see the desk in here yet but there's always tomorrow.

    If you wish, here's the Z and what I did last weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asD9xdCGTx4

nothing of the on track exploits in the same car  but you get the general idea.

   Picked up my Rapido Osgood Bradley cars on my way to the engine builders Tuesday. Love the way they look and we'll see how they go once I have a place to run them. Got the full skirted delivery versions to hool behind my I-5. Should be too cool.

   Gotta run. I'll try to drop in later.  CUL, J.R.

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Posted by Cederstrand on Thursday, August 5, 2010 7:02 PM

A bowl of The House Stew please. Dinner

***Ken, I am no flooring expert by any stretch of the immagination, but have worked on half of the floors in our own home. I would rip out the particle board, check each support for level, then start from there with at least 3/4" treated plywood. Will your finished floor be tile or wood?

Got caught in the barn during a thunder boomer this evening. Lots of pretty lightning. Not much else going on here.

Cowboy Rob 

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Posted by Blazzin on Thursday, August 5, 2010 8:47 PM

  Garry,  I have spent the better part of the day... reading.  Reading all about DC verses DCC.  And in short, I'll be going both ways on this.  Only because I have DC trains already and really dont' care to sell them or possibly upgrade them all.  After all .. I do have a wife to answer to.  She would not go for that at all.  

  I am at the point where I have so much to do, it really doesn't matter at this point.  I have 3 more towns/stations to design.  Pre-lim houses are set along with proposed areas for station and mains.

  So laying cork and design will take up the rest of the summer.  I also have a Prodigy?  DCC controller.

I found one for 100 dollars brand new.  From a guy who lives 5miles from me.

  After reading some posts.. it seemed as if you can do both with a simple 'Double pole switch'  I understand what it is~

  Ah so much for my day.

  Galaxy.. thats great news.  I am personally happy.    I know something like that would drive me crazy until I found it. 

  Todd, Ray.. It really didnt' matter how much I measured.  That thin cork would start to get away from me as I was cutting it.  Then I really did a pre coat of glue rubbing it into the cork.  Well that stuff almost seem to expand to a certain degree and if it didn't well the cork seemed to stretch as I rubbed and formed it into the desired space.  I kept thinking.. "Oh yeah.. measure once.. " 

  Be back later.

Keith.

Oh by the way, I tired of hearing how hot it is.  We've had two months of June Gloom,  todays high was 72.. and last night was freezing cold.  I didn't sleep well .. and ended up sleeping until 10:30 AM.

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Posted by AmanaMedic on Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:00 PM

 Good Evening 'eh, bucket of RBF to-go please 'n thank-you.

KEITH: Don't know if this will help you or not, but regarding DC vs. DCC, I'm gonna go with old-school DC when I get THAT far. Here's why: Like you, I don't want to tear apart the locomotives I've had for years to try and upgrade 'em with a decoder. Also, the layout will be a glorified point-to-point with a single track "mainline." On the prototype, only one train could occupy the "4th St. Corridor" at a time, so shall it be on MY version of  it. A CRANDIC transfer sitting at 8th/9th Ave. would have to wait for a CNW job to clear before entering. It'll be just as easy for me to flip a switch "killing" the CRANDIC connection, maybe easier, than fiddling around with a DCC controller, getting the right locomotive, address, etc. THAT and I kinda like the old panels with switches, lights, line diagrams of the track.

As for 72 and "freezing," welp, all's I can tell you is...I'm PAST READY for highs of 72 degrees again!!!!! We have a local radio talk show guy who issues "Sweaty Back Alerts" on hot, humid days, complete with storm siren sound effect. I think he's been issuing them daily since... what month is this again??? I've forgot 'cause it's been so ding-dang, frickin'-frackin', blinkin'-blankin', steepin'-boppin' , butt hinge HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*sigh*

Fear not though Brother KEITH, in just a few months, I'll be griping about how bone-chilling COLD it is here!!! Whistling

 

Back to w**K,

ChrisEight Ball

 

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Posted by GMTRacing on Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:19 PM

Keith,

    At the risk of repeating everything you've read in the books and online, either powered or unpowered frogs would work for what you want to do. The big thing is the running of multiple trains on adjacent tracks. I would not try to run both DC and DCC on the same tracks, especially with a prodigy which has no way to run a non decoder equipped locomotive. If you do stay with DC, you'll need to make blocks out of the track by isolating bits of it electrically so you can tie up on one side of a platform and then run a second consist out of the other side into the track you just arrived  from. This block control is covered in most of the books on wiring and though fiddly and exacting is not rocket science. Using DCC allows you to do the same job without all the blocks but does require decoders in each locomotive. By calling up each locomotive from the DCC controller you can do the same job as the blocks because you can run multiple locomotives at once. Keep in mind that you cannot change what more than one consist is doing at once, but you can for instance have two or three consists moving at different speeds at once while several others are sitting ready to receive orders and go. It is also possible to have more than one controller in use at once so more than one person can operate at once. This is also possible with DC by using a dual transformer or more than one transformer. It all depends on how much complication you want to have and how hard you want to w..k on your wiring skills in the case of DC. I've  used both systems and much prefer the freedom and flexibility offered by DCC. Just my own opinions.  J.R.

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Posted by howmus on Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:28 PM

Evenin' folks!  Bit nippy out there, eh?  I mean 10° is a might cool even for up here on August 5th.

Flo, I'll have a nice hot cup of decaf to warm me up a bit if you please.

Blazzin
Todd, Ray.. It really didnt' matter how much I measured.  That thin cork would start to get away from me as I was cutting it.  Then I really did a pre coat of glue rubbing it into the cork.  Well that stuff almost seem to expand to a certain degree and if it didn't well the cork seemed to stretch as I rubbed and formed it into the desired space.  I kept thinking.. "Oh yeah.. measure once.. " 

 

No. no, Kieth THAT is "Measure Twice and cut once....." WhistlingWhistling Believe me when I say we have all had THAT fun and games!  Nice thing is you can always trim a bit or fill as needed with cork roadbed.  I still like it better than any of the new stuff out there.  Always found it very forgiving and usually looks very nice when done.  Your layout is coming along nicely BTW!

Blazzin
todays high was 72.. and last night was freezing cold.

 

Sounds great!  Didn't know that Californy had nice weather like THAT.Whistling  BTW What do you consider freezing.  Around here THAT would be 10 or 15 degrees below 0°F.....  "You might be from the Finger Lakes if you like Winter the best 'cause all the potholes are filled with snow!"  We will be getting some relief from the warm weather for a couple days.  Tomorrow will be 74°F with sunny skies (I think I'm in heaven) and a low of 50°F  (time to put the comforter on the bed and open the windows).  Be back up to 80 by Sunday though. 

Kieth you know up here in NYS we have 4 seasons.  Yup!  Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction.  I drove 100 miles on the NYS Thruway today and it is definitely the last season mentioned! Laugh

Went and checked out the Medina RR Museum today in anticipation of our NMRA Picnic there on August 14th.  They have done a lot of work since I was there last Fall.  If you haven't ever visited, it is a "must see"!  http://www.railroadmuseum.net/  The model railroad inside (HO) is 204' long by 14' wide.  Not only is it huge, it is very well done!  Trains are always running when the museum is open as the layout has an automated control in DCC and uses a computer program for operation when the crew is not there.

Galaxy, glad you found the critter.  Hope the place airs out soon....! Dead

Lets see who was the guy looking to level a "concert"?  I usually used the mains on the board for that after everything has been balanced.....  Oh, A floor in his house....  I'm sorry, darned hearing aids.....  I would do what somebody else said, and tear out the damaged particle board and start over.  Actually I would have hired somebody else to do the whole thing for me....... Ken, one thing I learned with age was sometimes it is best to have someone who knows more than I do tackle stuff like THAT!WhistlingSigh  Don't ask how I learned THAT, please......Wink  Good luck getting it complete and being able to get back to playing with the trains.  BTW, when you are w*rking on a project like THAT, does your wife, help?  Like, by putting away all the tools you need for you?  My late wife used to do THAT.  "But I thought you were done with THAT one?" as water is running all over the floor........

Catch you all sometime tomorrow, Granddaughters are coming over to play with grandpa tomorrow morning while their dad gets a haircut.  Then we are all going out to lunch.

Later!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New Milford, Ct
  • 3,232 posts
Posted by GMTRacing on Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:08 PM

Ken,

    Finally read your post. You do need to level the subfloor so it at least has no high spots (where's BobGP40 when you need  him?) When you add the 1/4" ply any high spots will transfer into the ply and then into the tile (assuming you are not using ceramic or slate tiles) If it's the latter, any high spots will crack the tile. Sand normally won't do as your adhesive won't adhere to it and the tiles will end up shifting. I don't know of any self leveling filler that isn't water Iexcept for some of the epoxies which cost a ton. If the problem is the particle board underlayment swelling when you add the leveler, try sealing the particle board with with polyurethane to keep the moisture in the leveler from attacking it.

     In the ideal world, you'd rip the particle board out and replace it, but if the wife is already off the rails (notice the railroad reference in an otherwise off topic subject) best not to drag the job out too long. Do be sure to vacuum up the dust as it is toxic (not to mention really annoying to your wife). As we say in the old country - "No good deed goes unpunished".   J.R.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:17 PM

 'Eh,

Forgot to tack this up earlier...in answer to someone wanting to see more pics from my bachelor days... I was "technically" engaged Duncewhen I shot this in the early spring of 2001...but it didn't "take" so back to a bachelor I went. Evil

 

Taken on the Boone and Scenic Valley Rwy. in downtown Boone, Iowa.

 

Aw heck, it's almost Friday...so why not live a little 'eh?

Boone, Iowa early one July or August 2000 morning. 'Twas a day off from all paramedic duties in Creston, so north to Boone I did go. I w**ked 12 hrs on duty, 12 hours on-call, 12 hours on-duty, 12 more hours on-call, another 12 on-duty; then had 2 or 3 days off.  The first day was generally spent SLEEPING with the ambulance-issued 2-way radio OFF. The remaining day off was often spent in the Boone area or back in eastern Iowa w**king on the '53 Dodge fire engine.

Enjoy!

ChrisEight Ball

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • 734 posts
Posted by Blazzin on Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:42 PM

  Ray, Chris, Todd, Garry and others.  I'm tired but already had a good laugh from some of the posts.  I'm tired but will get back to you all tomorrow.  I'll leave you with this pic.

100_1642.jpg

  What are the two names of the two lines you see here.. and why are they together.?  Can you identify the liners?

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:48 PM

 

"Can you identify the liners?"

How about a one-liner (joke) ?  Smile,Wink, & Grin

The MILW E6 looks great.  

 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Marion, Iowa
  • 1,263 posts
Posted by AmanaMedic on Thursday, August 5, 2010 11:54 PM

 KEITH: I can only guess you're replicating life as it was after Uncle Pete got fed up with how the CNW handled (mis-handled) his "premiere prestigious passenger liners" and instead partnered up with the Milwaukee Road for the transcontinental runs.

 Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, a little alliteration has crept into my disertation...must be about time for nocturnal not-awakeness!

 

OK.... I'm gone.

ChrisEight Ball

BTW: NICE little scene you got there KEITH! Thumbs UpThumbs Up

The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Western transplant to the Deep South
  • 4,256 posts
Posted by Cederstrand on Friday, August 6, 2010 12:37 AM

Decaf in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.

***Chris, thanks for a new desktop image for my puter...the UP one of course.CoolThumbs Up

DC vs DCC: My future (N) layout will hopefully have both, with completely separate lines for each. As has been said, too many vintage locos to switch over and need to answer to the wife. I only want the DCC for MU'ing locos. Wife's train is officially DCC run (and did I mention I love how it runsTongue).

Still wondering if a Heavy Mountain ever double headed with a Bigboy???Confused

Have a good night y'all.

Cowboy Rob

 

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Indiana
  • 3,549 posts
Posted by Flashwave on Friday, August 6, 2010 2:10 AM

Evening al- WHOOPS! WHy is there a giant hole in the floor? Oh, showing Ken how it's done. Might I reccomend fixing that BEFRE Vinnie gets back from grocerying?

Milk in, ah, Nickel Plate glass.  

Cederstrand
Still wondering if a Heavy Mountain ever double headed with a Bigboy???Confused

To my knowledge, no. When you do it, be sure the Heavy is in FRONT of the Big Boy. Smaller steam always worked better in front.

Kieth: Like the station. Engine's purty too!

So anyway, not that I stay in here for very long, but Indiana Transportation is back for another year of Fairtrain! Hopefully, I can certify this season as Conductor, but we'll see. Coach Attendent at any rate this weekend.  And the NKP mug being for the KP line we run down. Former Peru & Indianapolis, second (third) line built in Indiana. Technically, the first was in Shelbyville, and pulled by Horses, so it depends on your criterion.

I am proud to admit I've inspired another volunteer. Well actually, 2. *Sniff*, Makes you feel warm and fluffy.

-Morgan

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Friday, August 6, 2010 4:28 AM

  Flo, need caffeine, lots of it! Could not sleep and got up at 3:45 AM.

GMTRacing
Do be sure to vacuum up the dust as it is toxic

 Great, sure glad my wife does not come on line to read that statement!

 I have got rid of all the high spots, used a level to make sure. Far as adhesive sticking to the sand, that is not a problem. The 1/4 plywood will be held down in most places with 1 inch long brads to the original floor. The large spot where I used the floor leveler, I am going to try dry wall screw about 2" long. May have to drill pilot, I don's want it to crack.

 I will all so will mark the top of the 1/4 plywood so I know where the sand and the floor leveler is located. The areas I will be using the sand are not overly big. I will try not to staple in the sand area's.

 What gave me the idea of using sand is two fold. I have some on the train layout I am using on spurs for around the different industries. (I did shift it, so only the small grains) Plus I have been watching a lot of home make overs on TV. On one they where using sand to level flagstone, hum that is sort what I am wanting to do? Whistling My only concern about using sand at this point is will it make crunching sounds when walked on? Will lay some of the new sub floor and walk on it and see what happens before I nail it down. All so thinking about using some Elmer's Glue and Alcohol as a 50 50 mix to make the sand more stable.

 Flooring it self is self sticking vinyl tiles, they are very flexible. If I get 5 years out of this I will be happy. Will have around $290 invested in a 200 square foot kitchen.

 Wish me luck with the wife and the floor! Big Smile

                   Cuda Ken, not knowing what he is doing again! 

  

    

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Euclid, Ohio
  • 2,822 posts
Posted by LSWrr on Friday, August 6, 2010 5:54 AM

Good morning all,


Joe sorry to hear about the passing of your Grandpa.


FaceBook, I got started in FB because my kids were on it.


Galaxy, I plan on baiting and trapping the garage this year.  I’m doing work on the door and replacing the door gasket, those mice like to tear into that rubber.  In the house I don’t have a problem with the two cats.


Road trip: Monday-Tuesday going to Homewood, IL to meet with CN bridge people.  Should be an interesting trip.  I called several hotels and found the one with the least horrible customer feed backs.

BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret)
 L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Reynoldsburg. Ohio
  • 316 posts
Posted by Wisconsin Railfan on Friday, August 6, 2010 6:49 AM

 Good Morning Folks!

Nothing for me this mornin' just passing through

Chris  - Thanks for posting the C&NW picture

Have a great day all,

 Steven

The train came by and I got on, that’s when it all began

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