Flashwave That's gorgeous, but I'm not finding the 4 separate mains? For running four separate trains?
That's gorgeous, but I'm not finding the 4 separate mains? For running four separate trains?
Morgan - I know that one of Ken´s druthers is to have a 4-track main, but I don´t think he has the space for that, unless he wants to go for a blown up 4 x 8 type of layout with a spaghetti bowl appearance. I doubt that he is in for that. If you check both recent designs, Ken´s and yours, there is a major flaw to them - the track is too close up to the wall. If you add a minimum of 4" from the track to the layout edges in the inside , you won´t have enough room left to move around. Scenery does require a little bit of space.
I just want to show, what can be achieved in the given space without cramming too much track into the room. Actually, my favorite is the single track version, but that´s just me - a simple minded guy who likes it clear cut and simple. With the right kind of software (Costs about $ 80), Ken can have 4 trains running and with the hidden staging underneath Kenville, he can even change the trains en route. You don´t need 4 tracks to run 4 trains.
Again, I don´t think you can put up much more without creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.
John - I aimed at maintaining a minimum radius of 33", as Ken likes to run the big ones. There is one spot where I am already down to 29", but that´s at the mine. You don´t see a Big Boy switching there
Before I make any further alterations, let´s wait and see what Ken thinks about it.
Out for the day - see you all tomorrow!
Just a quick stop.
Been in the basement since this morning. Working on the layout and getting some plans ready. Here's something close with what I'm going with. I have had most of my layouts "run arounds", but I enjoy switching on the layout. This will be one of my first, well that is a switching.
I've found a few plans, and some ideas of my own for this layout. Once I get a good plan going I will post it. BUT for now, its still cutting wood, and getting it level. So off to Lowe's later tonight.
Now the tables aren't that off, but this is more to give you a idea.
"Rust, whats not to love?"
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooood Afternoon.
ULRICH: Sorry about the ribs...I hate being right sometimes. I like your thinking on CUDA KEN's space/trackage. One thing I'd do with the double-track mainline, is put in a few more cross-overs. Here's why. The CNW had crossovers every few miles. The dispatchers used them to get faster trains around slower trains: the "bird" (Falcon TOFC train) around a coal drag as an example. Since KEN wants to run multiple trains, it could be a "fun" little game. But, on the other hand, if he just wants to "let 'em run" the X-overs would be unnecessary and a waste. I'm just sayin', I'D put in crossovers and use 'em if'n it were my empire.
Dr. Science (Dad) is due any minute to solve the Lionel issue... I'd best go check the coffee pot and remind Rerun he is to NOT maul Grandpa...
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
I've got the stuff I'm keeping back in the closet. All the other stuff is in two big trash cans outside. The content of nine boxes (4 large, 5 small) has been sorted through and what's being kept is now in four boxes (1 large, 3 small) that all fit in one corner of the closet (bottom). Much of the space (top shelf, half of mid shelf) is taken up by my Apple IIe computer and one 5 1/4" drive (top shelf), a Hero Quest board game (top shelf), a Lexmark Z22 printer (LPT) and associated software (top shelf), rolls of paper towels and toilet paper (mid shelf), four 5 1/4" drives for the Apple IIe (mid shelf), software for the Apple IIe (mid shelf), monitor for Apple IIe (bottom)
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Chris: Clear your cookies.
Just got word that my GP38 is on it's way here from The Train Station in Columbus Ohio. I'm hoping to get it by Friday at the latest.
Thanks JEFF, first time it's done THAT to me...
AmanaMedic Thanks JEFF, first time it's done THAT to me... Chris
THAT'S great news Chris. The 3 rail lionel track can be a pain as the insullators between the rails can braak down also. Good news the transformer is ok. Jumped to the conclusion it was bad as we've seen so many go belly up at the museum over time. Of course many of them were 30's/40's vintage and none too well cared for either. Well I also thought cookies would be welcome in a diner so what do I know anyway. J.R.
Thanks JR. Actually, the original Lionel transformer is kaput... What we did, was get a Radio Shack transformer, which when combined with a couple of resistors, provides a workable voltage with enough amperage to propel the locomotive. Dr. Science (Dad) is currently fabricating a more esthetically pleasing container for the electrical apparatus. With the success, he's green-lighted The Wife putting up the tree (in the middle of the whole dang show now wouldn't ya know). I still can't see where the bad-ordered track section went sour...doesn't really matter I guess. I just like to be able to SEE why something went kaput.
Next year, I'm going to get a larger surface. A GP-20 will handle the tight radius just fine...but looks rather ridiculous doing so. The old 0-4-0 will look better, but I need to polish the pick-ups a bit more. I see one traction tire, which makes me wonder if there should be a second one.
Time to go dig-out the crate with the Insta-Tree...
1.30 am and the pain won´t let me sleep
Zoe, how about a mug of hot cocoa, please.
I am not taking the pain meds they gave me in the horsepiddle, as they are morphine based. Got a terrible hangover last time, which lasted two weeks.
Chris - good that you got the old Lionel flying again . Thanks for your ideas on the layout - it´d be easy- peasy to add a few crossovers. But wait what Ken says about this layout dea.
Robby - there is a book by Lance Mindheim on room-sized switching layouts which may be worth looking at. It might be also useful to take a look at his Downtown Spur layout on his web page.
Trying to catch some sleep ...
Evening Folks
Flo, beer please.
Had one of those day's today!
If you folks remember the state messed up my unemployment extinction few weeks all go. Today they fixed it.
1 Called The Bank Of America on the 17th about my house payment. Spoke with someone and told them I should be payed on the 24th and would make a partial payment off $600.00 over the phone, and another $600.00 on 12-01-2010.
2 Call them on the 24th after the I got back from unemployment (I was not paid) and got the extinction fixed. I would pay $600 today and another $600.00 on the 12-08-2010.
3 Called today and spoke with Eric to make the payment, but they could not take a debit card over the phone.
4 Ran to my bank and deposited $600.00 into my checking account.
5 Called them to make the $600.00 payment, this time I was told they could not take a partial payment over the phone, had to mail a check?
6 Called again (you never get the same answer twice) and was told again that they will not take a partial payment over the phone and it had to be mailed.
7 Go my bank, got a Money order. I am out of checks.
8 Got rear ended at a stoplight!
9 Got the payment sent 10 minutes before the post offices closed.
10 Called them to let them know I sent the payment overnight. Then Andy told me "we could have taken the partial payment over the phone, I have no idea why you where told we could not"!
I swear no one knows what the heck they are doing at Bank Of America!
On the bright side today? I have had 6 hits on my Resumes and have a interview sat up Tuesday. May have another one for Tuesday as well, had to cut the phone conversation short due to running to the bank! And I missed 4 phone calls while I was running and getting rear ended.
Chris Reason I show no turnouts between the different lines is because it is a pain at my skill level with the RTS cad ware. One wrong section and stuff goes flying ever where. It is easier to install turnouts than drawing them!
Ulrich Thanks for the time and effort. I forget who said it, but they stole Elegant right off my keyboard! It is a minimalist for me. More than likely you have all wise had to build smaller and more efficient layouts.While I don't want a spaghetti bowl either. Would it help if I sent you detail pictures of what I have?
On getting to close to the wall, yep you are right. I will not make that mistake again. Main reason my plans show it so close is to keep the track clear from each other. It will be easier to do for real than with the RTS program.
On the hidden staging / lower level, what was the grade? That is something I never thought of, and while unsure I kind of like the idea. It would hide the train, like it went some where.
Morgan I need to re read your notes again. I will all so check my E Mail Tuesday.
Todd Thank You for your remarks as well!
Here is what I played with today.
Wish me luck!
Ken
I hate Rust
Sorry to hear about all your mishaps today, Ken - not really a good day for you.
On the layout issue, this is as good as I can do it. I can only follow my own design principles as I am Ulrich and you are Ken. It is your layout and you are perfectly fine choosing a different route - one that I would not head down.
Good evening Diners: Page 61 and only the 29th of the month. AZ sure has us talking!
Ken what follows has nothing to do with your terrible day, and was written before I saw your post. Congratulations on the interviews BTW - things are looking up.
I know there are "Nay-sayers" - and I've dealt with my share. I want to be a Yeah-sayer. Today's Yeahs include the mail bringing my Darlington Transistor to replace the toasted one in the Tech 2 our grandsons gave me. Second up, in the same mail - the Fibre Optics I ordered to attempt the bi-colour lighting for the signals I scored at the last Train Show. Haven't opened that yet, but Thirdly, the transistor installed with zero problems, and the Tech 2 is operational. It ran a DC Atlas GP 38-2 on the test track flawlessly (and So much better than my now officially retired Fleischmann 712 Transformer). Fourthly, I test ran the snowblower as it is a fine afternoon. Started right up first push of the starter. Si vis pacem, para bellum . In looking up that quote I found out that I had been miss-quoting all along. "In time of peace, prepare for war" is what I thought it was, and what fits what I was doing on this fine snowless afternoon. -Turns out it's a bit more grim in the original - "....if you wish for peace, prepare for war".
JR:
Well I also thought cookies would be welcome in a diner so what do I know anyway . J.R.
So, I'm off to make some legs for the silo, and watch the second half of a two part Mystery program, then bed, as it's early start tomorrow. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continue for all in need of Healing, Comfort, Prosperity and Peace.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Evenin' folks!
Flo, just a cup of decaf foe me. I'll go sit in the back booth for a bit....
Ken........... Bank of America, huh? I did business once with them... scr*wed me over good on a credit card problem. I went down to my Credit Union and mentioned what was going on with Bank of America.... The clerk said, so why are you doing business with them? THAT was when I found out there is no need to keep my business purchases on a different card than my personal one. So I raised my limit a few thousand on my Credit Union Visa and transferred the business stuff over to it. Then i closed the BoA account. Got many phone calls from them wondering if I was upset with them. Several times I told them I don't pay 25% interest to anybody... Period! They just didn't get it. They said because I was late with the payment (it went out a day before it was due but didn't reach them by the due date... postmark didn't count for anything, THAT was the best interest rate they could offer me.... I finally told them exactly which orfice to stick the 25% interest in and said that if they called me again I would contact the Better Business Bureau and my lawyer as they were now harassing me! My Credit Union's % for my VISA Card is 9.9% same as it has been for 15 years.
THAT is just one reason why I only do business with my local Credit Union. If there is any problem, I call them and ask for Ann. Ann knows me, I know Ann. Problem will be taken care of to my satisfaction! Opps! Here comes the OK, OK, I'll be quiet....
Der.... I love your posts!
Jeffrey I see on Weather.com Louisiana had some really bad storms this afternoon. Glad they missed Sundown! The storm system appears to be heading toward the North East, which may be why the Finger lakes region of NYS is under a Flood Watch for Tuesday Night and all day on Wednesday. They are talking 2 to 4 inches of rain with this.....
Next couple of days may be good ones to stay in the layout rooms.
Somebody say .... Cookies?
Enjoy! Ah, ah! The one on the right is mine..... You can have 2 of the others though.....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Jeff- Did the pony express get to you? No long envelope or did the pony lose a shoe???
flip
T O P Vinny I just want to leave my credit card with the girls. Jeeze. O.K. gang, chow and drinks are on my bill. [don't want to say{ on me} as someone takes that to literally]
Prayers for all. Time to shower and sleep. Past my bedtime already. Nite all.
Flip
Have you tried Ryan’s Finger Lickin’ Rub on Deviled eggs? OMG!!!! FANTASTIC! Give it a try with a healthy shake. Once again OMG!!! DeeeeeeLICIOUS! Ulrich- Part of what I said is true, but it was said somewhat tongue in cheek. I was kinda poking fun at us United Statesians. And, like I said, was MY opinion not anyone elses. BUT, I will say I like the “widened” version better. I’m like you to a point in that I’m not big on double, triple or 4 mains running side by side, but I do like juuuust a tad more business, shall we say, going on. Now, the plan you showed could be a great start point with a just a few personalized additions. Of course that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? My problem is the line between busy enough and too busy. I assume what you ar e calling spaghetti bowl. Too much track. Oh well. I kept your plan in my archives (cool sounding way to say saved it ) for the eventual phase 2 of the layout. My bench work will be a bit larger and I have a plan for the second half, but I’m not sure it will be what I want when the time comes. I will refer to and maybe gleen some stuff from yours. I’m seriously rethinking the track plan for Toddland (of which I’m king) part II. Hey, I’m tearing out the basement walls. Kinda mindless work so why not use that time to think about MRRing eh? Cold place next month huh? Well I suppose. At least I’ll have time to dig out my longuns. My gosh it’s tomorrow! PFTIN.
Have you tried Ryan’s Finger Lickin’ Rub on Deviled eggs? OMG!!!! FANTASTIC! Give it a try with a healthy shake. Once again OMG!!! DeeeeeeLICIOUS!
Ulrich- Part of what I said is true, but it was said somewhat tongue in cheek. I was kinda poking fun at us United Statesians. And, like I said, was MY opinion not anyone elses. BUT, I will say I like the “widened” version better. I’m like you to a point in that I’m not big on double, triple or 4 mains running side by side, but I do like juuuust a tad more business, shall we say, going on. Now, the plan you showed could be a great start point with a just a few personalized additions. Of course that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? My problem is the line between busy enough and too busy. I assume what you ar e calling spaghetti bowl. Too much track. Oh well. I kept your plan in my archives (cool sounding way to say saved it ) for the eventual phase 2 of the layout. My bench work will be a bit larger and I have a plan for the second half, but I’m not sure it will be what I want when the time comes. I will refer to and maybe gleen some stuff from yours.
I’m seriously rethinking the track plan for Toddland (of which I’m king) part II. Hey, I’m tearing out the basement walls. Kinda mindless work so why not use that time to think about MRRing eh?
Cold place next month huh? Well I suppose. At least I’ll have time to dig out my longuns.
My gosh it’s tomorrow! PFTIN.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Good Morning Gang,
it is a cold winter morning at this side of the Big Pond, with lots of that fuzzy white stuff expected to come down by midday - brrr!
Zoe, I´ll continue with a mug of hot cocoa. I did not get much sleep last night, due to the pain.
Todd, I am with you with the plan having a European flavor to it. It lacks a number of industries serviced by rail. It is not meant to be an "operations" type of layout, but a "let `em fly by" type. There is a bit of a trade-off between those two types, though not really an either-or issue. In Europe, model railroaders tend to be railfans and not engineers, so most of the layouts you´d see there pack a lot of track into small spaces, giving them that spaghetti bowl look. I agree that finding the right balance is not an easy task, but there is a rule of thumb I found to be helpful. Once you have drawn your track plan, re-draw it and eliminate every third switch My personal favorite is still the single-track version. I´d add 3-4 industries along the way, to justify that local train and to enhance operation and it´d be a near to perfect layout for me, if I had the space and the funds.
Ray - chocolate chip cookies? Delicious! More, please!
John - the old Romans were smart people, weren´t they? This little wisdom can not only be found in the book "De re militarii" by Flavius Vegetius Renatus (400 BC) but even earlier than that in the book "Art of War" by Sun Tzu (presumably 600 BC). The frightening thing about it is, that it is still all true
Will be back later.
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good Morning,
No layout time again last night, instead I went over to a friend’s house and watched trains run. Several people were there who brought locomotives and rolling stock in from home. I learn allot from these guys they all have some cool stuff that they have done or bought and I get to see things run before I buy one myself. I was very impressed last night with the new generation of Bachman DCC/Sound decoders.
Rain all day today then snow the rest of the week.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning Folks!
Cup of coffee please!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Steven
Good rainy morning. Its suppose to rain all day, and mix to snow later tonight.
I guess work on the layout some more, and start a new weathered project. I did make it to buy some more lumber, so I can finish the tables up.
I've been selling the cars on "eBay", and they have been doing pretty good.............But I have a buyer causing trouble. I reported the unpaid item to eBay, and will see what happens.
I will pop back in later.
Barry...........I sent you a pm.
fec153 Jeff- Did the pony express get to you? No long envelope or did the pony lose a shoe???
Good morning. It's 51 and cloudy. The high will be 55 and there's a 40% chance of rain this morning tapering off to 20% this afternoon. Expecting a low tonight of 30.We had a bad house fire yesterday just up the road from here. There were at least 5 depts responding. I went there to make sure the people in our dept were OK and to lend a hand where needed. The main structure of the house was saved so it can be rebuilt. The schedule for today is more layout work. I had intended to do it yesterday but clearing the closet became the main task of the day. Now that that's done there's more room in there to store more MR stuff and free up some space under the layout. The stuff in the boxes under there will be subject to a culling also. Anything useful I come across that I don't need will be posted here to be given to whoever wants it. There's quite a bit of stuff under there.
Good Morning! Coffee please. Gotta get movin’. Just a little time today. Scattered sprinkles and flurries before noon, then scattered flurries. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Yuck. Gonna get yuckier I suppose. Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!
Good Morning! Coffee please. Gotta get movin’. Just a little time today.
Scattered sprinkles and flurries before noon, then scattered flurries. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Yuck. Gonna get yuckier I suppose.
Y’all have a Great Day now ya hear?!!!
Mourning Folks
Flo, English Muffin and a coffee please.
Will be getting ready here in a little bit for the job interview, big thing is time for a hair cut.
Ulrich, I have been studying the plan some more and it has given me a few ideas. Maybe a couple of wye's (is that spelled right) in the center top.
All so, is that HO scale? Reason I ask is the buildings all look so big? What really got my attention is the sizes of the bridge. One span and it covers 30 inches.
What did you figure the grade would be going to the hidden staging and what kind of clearances? That idea is starring to grow on me.
Got to run, see you all later.
Robby: I tried to send you a PM that had the photos in it but they only went so far---I guess I'll have to post here then...
Both front fenders had these rust holes--
...then there was this 'patch' sort of thing on the bucket crane--
....once I get the truck I'll ship it to you--you can figure out that weird patch thing...
We are going to be rained on today--after our dump of snow we will see about 1.5" of rain---then back to the 40% chance of little tiny snowflurries
Janie--I'll have a cofee in an IV bag please---i'll be at the RC for a bit...
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Ken - there are some pros and cons attached to building hidden staging. A pro is certainly, that it won´t eat up valuable layout space and is out of sight, which is also a con. It has limited accessability, so you can´t make up trains, but store trains ready to go on the route. You have one train entering the hidden staging and another one leaving it, allowing you to vary the trains you see on your layout, thus simulating multi-train operation. Hidden staging facilities need to be carefully built, as the limited access will give you the fits when you want to put anything back on the rails. The minimum clearance should be no less than 4", requiring an approach of about 17 ft of track at a 2 % grade, which you should not exceed. In Europe it is quite common to employ hidden staging facilities, as space is much more at a premium than in the US.
The bridges are actually duckunders or lift-outs. I´d favor lift-outs, as bending down and crawling on my knees dos not work so well in my age. 30" are a good measure if you want to move comfortably through them.
One thing that is consequently underestimated when planning a layout is the size of the footprints for buildings, but you are right, I overdid it with the station building, which could be smaller.
I keep my fingers crossed for the job interview!
Btw, this beauty:
is getting ready to pull the Diner to its December location, but where to? Southern Cal or Florida? Let me know in time!
Good morning All,
36F this morning but still dry for now. Of course I fly to Fla tomorrow morning when it's supposed to be windy and rainy but better there. I hope. I've put the awnings up in 40 mph winds before and it's not fun,
Ulrich - I vote for a move to Sacramento, Ca. where there is a great museum and several operating museums with in a half days drive. The Cal State rail museum also has several active layouts that could use your (our) touch. Just a thought. I'll settle for anywhere warm just now. CUL, J.R.