Good Evening All,
Long day again in the shop finishing up throttle linkage on the RALT and fitting an air cleaner and backing plate. Sounds easy but all of it except the pivot between the carbs and the actuating cable itself didn't exist before this morning. I left early and got some train time in though.
Sue - love the video and kudos to Larry. The layout looks even better in motion. Very nice.
Jeff - nice job on the locos. I hate those metal railings but you're right - for a model that gets used they are far more sturdy. No issues with the paint flaking off the plastic rails either.
Ken - have fun with the 2-10-2 when you get it. It'll be nice if the house swap happens. Big thing I suppose is if the payments end up being lower and you can wiggle out your Bank of Stupid deal.
Ray - glad you all escaped unscathed from the storm. Sounds like you all had a close one. Being around all the steel rail and iron horses is not confidence inspiring in a lightning storm.
Monon Jim - glad you had a good time with the missus. You'll excuse Rob and I shuddering over the kids comment - we both have had house fires and in my case it started in the youngest sons room when his computer went up in flames. You didn't really expect them to clean the house did you?
Curt - the turning loop should be just fine. after all it's just a wye turned inside out.
Tom - no wonder it's going so slowly - you've no crew in the yard mate! How you gonna get the job done with no crew beavering away?
Attaboy - attaboy! Problem solved?
Well kids, learned something today i think. After surveying my domain in the basement I decided after cleaning it would be a good idea to bench test the turnouts I'd assembled so far. I grabbed a transformer and hooked leads up to the AC side, stripped the pigtail back on the carefully soldered leads and jumped across the circuit. Nothing. checked connections again and - nothing. Jumped across at the switch maching and nothing. I did get some buzzing but no movement of the turnout . Must be a bad switch i think and try another - same lack of result . ok. Try another transformer. Same result. Now these were old Tycos I've had forever so I tried an MRC i had laying around to test locomotives. Same result. Checked voltage with a volt meter. 20 VAC on the Tycos and 17VAC on the MRC just as advertised at the accessory terminals. Check data sheet on PECO turnout and it recommends up to 18 VAC for actuation. Now I'm bumming. All that w..k and I can't fix any of it. Already wired 9 turnouts - woe is me. Got out one more transformer, this a 16VAC unit that runs two locomotives and is physically much bigger than the other three units. Hook it up and all 9 turnouts pass with flying colours. Not enough amperage from the little transformers? They were fine running the old layout though I did use my dual control MRC (lost in the floods) for the mains and switch motors on the turnouts. The Tycos were used on the two industrial areas and operated Atlas turnouts and the yard switchers no problem. If it is an amperage problem, where do I find a good AC transformer to hook to the turnout control panel? Do I need to go to a CD booster for the turnouts (PECO says it shouldn't be needed. And what happens on the crossovers when you trigger two switch machines and probably semaphores all at once? Anyone have an insight on this?
I'll take my RBF and apple pie ala mode and retire to the rivet counter to mull this over a bit. J.R.
Good evening everyone. Or is it good night after 10:00 pm?
Well, I went and did it. On Tuesday I changed all the locks on the house and Wednesday morning changed the garage door codes and moved my ex-wife's stuff out to the front yard. Before she got off work I turned my phone off and went for a nice long visit to my mother for the evening. When I checked the phone for messages there was ten of them all with language that would do a sailor proud. At least it has been peaceful and quiet around here since then and I no longer get headaches just thinking about coming home from work.
I'm still cleaning and rearranging things since she is gone and I still have to buy a few household items but it was worth it just to get some peace and quiet.
Now if I could just get the garage train room out back ready and start a layout.
Evening all from SunnyCal: Stayed in the low 90's today with a morning and--now evening--Delta breeze. Very nice day. Spent it in the garage doing some more landscaping on the Engine Terminal. The older I get, the slower the process, it seems. Oh well--
Sue: That's a wonderful video. And I LOVE the music that goes along with it--I picked out guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Hmm--kinda/sorta Bluegrass, and that's not a Bad Thing by any means. Your scenery is just outstanding!
Jeff: That diesel looks mighty fine, my friend. Again, I really like that L&A paint scheme.
Ken: Indoor pool? That's reason enough to send the Missus out and get her Gainfully Emplyed, by golly! Hope you can get the house. Does your MR disassemble into sections, I hope?
Well, the last evening of Freedom--School starts tomorrow (though the first classes aren't until Thursday). Faculty Retreat, lots of meetings, all the usual pre-student Panic. I've got two days to get my piano chops back in order--haven't played much this summer at all. First week of instruction will cure that, Pronto, though, LOL!
Here's a couple of shots of the Engine Terminal I worked on today, ballasting and landscaping. Still got a way to go, but it's coming along. And yes, the turnouts still work (WHEW!).
Of course, that's only half the project, I still have to do the railyard. It'll be nice to get the trains running again--that poor passenger on the upper Eastbound track has been there for over a week!
Best to all, prayers to those in need.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Evening Fellow Monon Fans!
Flo, just a I am BBQ some chicken quarters. Oh, I will pick up Monon Guy bill as well!
Jim you all most made my day! So Monon ran 2-10-2's. Great, while I am not that much for prototypes, that what the 2-10-2 will become! I will be contacting you later about details.
Work Front Reason I said Jim all most made my day was because of work. Slow again till 3:45, had customers name Linda and Jim come in. At this point I has sold nothing. Linda assured me She Was Not Going To Buy Any Thing! This was the first store she was shopping and wanted to visit 2 more stores!
Took my time and did not press. She has a bad back, and wanted a firm mattress. Explained why firm is bad and show Steve how to check for postural alignment. Long story made short, she bought and took the mattress home with her. $930.00 in sales and a $25.00 spiff as well.
But wait, there more! I got the deal at 4:45, 15 minutes before closing. She wanted to use the financing and that takes a while. When I got Linda to the counter, two more ladies came in. They where a referral, and flopped down down on a Spring Air Pillow Top there friend had just took home Saturday. Bottom line at 3 minutes till closing, bang another $1100.00 in sales!
So, in the last 15 minutes I went from Zero to hero. Plus made a extra $25.00 on top of it.
Home Front. Might be time to move. There is a house I have looked at and drove by for the last 20 years. It was a neat house, but was starting to fall in disrepair over the years. It went on the market oh, say 3 months ago. It now has a sign that says $5,000.00 down, bad credit is OK. Hey, that is me!
So I am going to call them Monday and see if we can do some house trading. The house has a good sizes pound and believe it or not, a indoor pool. That in it self should sale the wife. If not, tuff. I told her 20 years ago I could not afford this house unless she got a real 40 hour a week job. Did she? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!. That is why we are in the shape we are in.
Plus it is 8 miles closer to the store.
Well the Chicken is done, see you all later.
Ken
I hate Rust
After I installed the railings on the SD45 I started looking at the ends of the Atlas Trainmaster. No railings and I didn't have any that would fit it exactly. Well, at the Sundown shops they use what's on hand and what was on hand was a pair of Athearn end railings from an old GP7. Using a 1/32 drill bit I drilled out the mounting holes then set to work on installing the end railings. A shot of super glue to keep the stanchions in place and it was done after about two and a half hours. Now the Trainmaster has railings all the way around.
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
Evenin' folks!
Janie, I'll have a toasted tunas and cheese sandwich, dill pickle, a side of fries, and tall galss of regular iced tea tonight.
Been a good day out at the museum for Diesel Day. Had a good crowd most all day. Only once did we have to shut down for a thunderstorm... Very good thing we did. I had just gotten taken off the Erie Caboose for a lunch break and job change. No sooner sat down to eat when the word came they were shutting down operations for a strong cells moving across the area. I sat with some other volunteers and listened as the lightning got closer and closer and then Fla-BAMMMMMMM! Lightning hit at the museum about 50 yards from where we were sitting. Right at the top of the hill next to the restoration building. I think it hit the crane parked up there. I saw it hit out of the corner of my eye. We did jump a couple feet in the air, realized we were all OK and were thankful no-one was up at the restoration building when it hit. If our locos and trains had been just moving up the hill right then they might probably have been hit.....
After about an hour they reopened the track and we finished out the afternoon without incident. Did have to yell at a couple of young boys (10/11 years old maybe) who were running (wearing flip flops) and then climbed up on Kodak #9 RS-1 and were running up and down the deck... If that weren't enough the oldest decided he was going to climb up on the roof of the loco! I had words with them. Their Mom had already told them not to BTW. We manged to get them down off the loco and while they were waiting to ride back up to the other museum I went over to them and said, "If you guys think you can behave for a while, I just might be able to get you all (the 2 brothers, their mom and grandmother) a cab ride in the locomotive back up the line..." Their eyes got very wide and they looked at their mom who said, OK. So I talked with the engineer and he agreed. Motioned the boys over and introduce them to the guy doing Fireman duty and told the kids, this man and the engineer are absolutely in charge! They tell you to do something you do it right now.... Agreed?" They promised me they would, so the 4 of them climbed up and had a cab ride back to the other end... No problems either! I think Mom and Grandma were happy about the cab ride as well!
[edit] Looks like the same group of storms we had at the museum touched off a tornado up in Wayne County, North of where I live.
I am officially tired out! Long day...
Sue.... nice video! I love logging roads and shays!
Catch you after I check out all the other stuff in the forum and a few other tasks at hand.
Later!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Sorry thats not the correct web site it,s www.custommodelrailroads.com
L&N.....Gone but not forgotten
Correction the website is custommodelrailroads,com
Good evening all.... I have a question. Has anyone ever hear of a company call Custom Model Railroads? I happen to come across them today. They build custom railroads and sell model kits. They even make turntables in alot of sizes. For about 197.00 I can get a 135 ft table They offer a geared drive motor for 118.00. They also offer a very advanced indexing control by New York Railway supply out of Westlake Texas.The company that makes the turntable is out of Baltimore Md. If anyone has delt with these guys can you let me know? Thier web site is info@cmrtrains.com
That is a very nice video of the shay. I really enjoyed the scene beginning around 1:10 where the shay is pushing thru the left hand curve into the pass. Very nice.
We went railfanning this afternoon on the NS main line. We only saw 2 intermodals, one east bound, and one west bound. It was very overcast, then the rains came. Very heavy. On the way home, we spotted a mixed freight through the trees headed toward Conway Yard. The third unit was a New Jersey Transit locomotive. Curious about the story on that. Suppose it has been sold to someone and is being delivered.
The day wasn't a total loss as we just finished a great meal of a roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans. Accompanied by a bottle of Reisling from Prejean Winery on Seneca Lake in New York. Those folks in Ray's neighborhood certainly know how to produce some great wines. Looks like the supply in the cellar is getting low, so I guess a trip this fall is on tap. We have been making this wine run for about 10 or 11 years now. Hope everyone had a great weekend.
Pittsburgh, PA
Evening All,
No running trains today. I did do the 1:1 drawing of my future turn around addition. It actually looks like it will work well. I went to Lowe's and picked up a halogen ceiling light for the train room. It gets fairly shadowy up there at night even with the lights on. I also painted and put a couple of details on the Tyco tower that I just built. I actually like it better than the one I have now, but it is just a hair to big to fit in the spot for the interlocking tower. It will fit but just looks too big. Right now I have the Cornerstone small tower that comes with 2 other small yard structures.
Larry & Sue- That is some great work.
Everyone have a good night.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
***Sue, that is one fine layout. Tell Larry his video is excellent.
Have a good day all.
Rob
Very good video.
Jeff, That is always a problem.
Larry made a video of the Shay. I thought that I would try it on you first because you have been so forgiving with my posting problems.
watch?v=xqQwZHd2SwE
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Afternoon, all.
Just got back from a fantastic weekend with the missus. Got away for our anniversary, and left the four kids completely on their own for the first time. We had a great relaxing time, and the kids didn't manage to burn down the house (though it's no cleaner than when we left...)
cudaken Monon Guy Jim, what do you think a Monon 2-10-2 should look like?
Well, Ken, it would look something like this
These were the largest steamers the Chicago, Indianapolis, & Louisville owned.
Later all
Jim
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
I noticed earlier that one of the numberboards on my SD45 was crooked. I straightened it and within a few minutes it went back to crooked. I straightened it a second time and again it was as if it was pulled by a rubber band. Third time I straightened it I put a drop of super glue on it. Little bandersnatch has stayed straight since that time.
It is quiet in here this morning/afternoon.
Johnboy, Great reference article. I think I need one of those bicycles.
Larry is working on a video of the Shay's route from the sawmill at Gate to the log camp at Brooklyn.
My project is working on the backdrop buildings for the staging yard.
We got all of our errands done in town yesterday, so it is a pure layout day.
I finally got the railings on the SD45. Those old Athearn handrails would be perfect as a test of patience.
Hi Gang, Happy Sunday Morning to you.
Chloe is not working today ?, OK, whenever one of you get a minute I'll have two English Muffin Bacon Sandwiches and a Diet RB. Thanks.
When I read Galaxy's GOOD MORNING rant yesterday, I thought he must have taken "VIAGRA" instead of his pain meds. Just kidding Ol'Buddy. Sounded just like that Ad on the tube they keep repeating.
Pretty tired this morning even if I have to be at work as last evening we had to drive north of the city for an hour and a half to attend my Bro & Sis (in-laws) 50 wedding anniversary. I was a great party but left me with not enough time for proper sleep before work. When I get home tonight I will just collapse.
Well my week-end to work means one thing for you folks >>> it is that time again for your next lesson in RR. History. This week we will take a look at a quite overlooked part of railroad lore. That being the single person mode of transport. So here we go >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A NEW RAILWAY VELOCIPEDE. Engineering News—February, 1895
The railway velocipede shown in the accompanying illustration is an adaptation of the design of the safety bicycle to track service, the machine having a, flanged tire on the front wheel and a blind tire on the rear wheel, and being held upright by a brace carrying a small guide wheel, with flanged tire running on the opposite rail. The larger wheels are 24 ins. diameter, with 32 tangent spokes of No. 12 wire, and the rims are of No. 16 steel, with an outward bead on the outer edge and an inward bead at the middle, to increase the stiffness. The small wheel is 11 ins. diameter, and is journaled on the end of a pivoted arm, which, by unhooking the end of the brace rod from the back of the frame, may be swung back against the frame for shipment in a baggage car, or on the platform of a passenger car. The space occupied, when thus folded, is only 6 ft. x 1 ft. 6 ins., a little more than that required for a road bicycle. The flanges of the front wheel and guide wheel are made of the M. C. B. standard outline, and the flat tire of the rear wheel is wide enough to eliminate all danger of slipping off the rail. The frame holds the, two wheels rigidly in line, but the rider can guide the front wheel on curves and at frogs and switches, and so secure easy riding with less wear on the flanges and less liability to derailment at worn switches and frogs than where the flanges are relied upon to do all the guiding, as in the ordinary style of track velocipede. The wheels have rubber bands 3 ins. wide and 3-16 in. thick on the tread, which make the machine run easily without jar, and also without noise, so that the rider can catch the sound of approaching trains, while they also make the machine run more safely at high speed when the rails are wet or frosty. The hubs have ball bearings of the latest dust-proof pattern, and the bearings, cranks and pedals, driving chain and gearing, saddle, handle bars and other parts are of standard patterns as used on road bicycles, so that repairs and renewals can be readily made at bicycle stores. The frame is of No. 16 Shelby seamless steel tubing, with drop-forged connections thoroughly brazed.
A toolbox can be hung from the top horizontal bar of the frame, and a front seat and footrest can be attached to the front vertical bar for carrying a second rider. The weight of the machine is 55 lbs., or 60 lbs. with the second seat attached. This velocipede was designed by Mr. G. W. Miller, of the Kalamazoo Railroad Velocipede & Car Co., and is being manufactured by that company. It is interesting to note that a similar application of the old-fashioned bicycle, with one high wheel and one small rear wheel, was tried some time ago on the Transcaspian Railway, of Russia, the wheels having grooved tires and the machine being supported by an arm carrying a guide wheel running on the opposite rail.
THE, KALAMAZOO HAND-CAR WHEEL. Engineering News—February, 1895
Various special designs of wheels have been made for use on hand-cars, the object being to combine lightness and cheapness with strength and durability. We illustrate herewith a new pattern of wheel for this class of service, which is claimed to meet these requirements. The wheel is composed of but two parts and has no bolts or rivets. The hub, spokes and rim of the wheel center are of malleable iron, made in one piece, and the rim is of channel section, in order to increase its stiffness. The tire is of steel, without a weld, being made from a solid blank, and is shrunk upon the wheel center, the rim of which reinforces the tread. The spokes are curved; so that a certain amount of spring is secured in the wheel itself. The rim is turned to fit a 20-in. tire and may be applied in repairs to the tires of old wheels whose centers have worn out. This wheel is being introduced by the Kalamazoo Railroad Velocipede & Car Co., of Kalamazoo, Mich., and has been protected by patents. It will be used on all this Company's hand and push cars, instead of the plate center wheel illustrated in our issue of May 12, 1892, and we are informed that several hundred wheels of this new pattern are now in service and have proved very satisfactory to the railways using them.
I have sure been enjoying the pictures of the work you have all been doing. I have not accomplished much this summer, in fact I don't know where the last three months have gone. I still feel like I am waiting for the 24 of May week-end. Must be my age I guess.
Jeff, I indeed gave you the right Moniker several years back, when I called you the "Spray Can Rembrandt" You make those locos look great.
Garry, you always impress me by the variety of views that you can show of your Pike. What size is it anyway ?
Rob, hope you start feeling better and have less strenuous work to do so that you have something left for those two layouts you are building.
Any one heard from Der-John lately, or is that Mari timer on an extended vacation ?
Tipton Bill, love your comments as of late.
Cape Jim, Great to see you back on board.
Lee, How you making out with all those Hoppers you picked up for a song
Gear Jammer, Suzy, Where have you been, great to see you back as well. Say Hi to that Hubby of yours. I suppose he is out biking this morning?
Well, you are all in my thoughts, but I must now make myself look useful around here.
Johnboy out.........................................and back to the Salt Mine.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Good morning, Chloe. I will have coffee and waffles, please.
Good morning. It's 78° and partly cloudy. The high will be about 104° (feel like 114°) and it will be partly cloudy. No rain in sight.Last night I started on installing handrails of the old Athearn SD45. They're the old steel wire ones so they won't break off if I look at them sideways or actually handle the loco. I got the right side and both ends done. The railing along the short hood is the only problem as the railings I'm using were made for an SD40-2 (longer short hood). I hope to get the railings on the left side done today.
Good Morning where ever we are in Canada!
Flo, coffee and a sweet roll please.
Well a short day at work today, get off at 5:00 PM. Just hope I feel like doing something when I get home tonight. Need to BBQ and cut the backyard.
Gary You might like NCIS in you like crime shows.
Well, time to go solder some track.
Morning All,
Not much happening here. May run trains for awhile today, not much else planned. The kids here start school tomorrow so it will be a nightmare to get out of the sub-division since a HS is directly across the street..
Tom- Great looking yard.
Jeff- very realistic looking tender.
J.R,- Thanks for the input. My problem is I just have a 4x4 space. I think I am going to do a simple loop back on itself. I laid it out on graph paper but need to get some wrapping paper to lay it out on a 1:1 scale to make sure it will work.
Everyone take care.
twhite Jeff: I really like that paint-scheme on the diesel. Very sharp!
Jeff: I really like that paint-scheme on the diesel. Very sharp!
Good morning .. Oatmeal and OJ ..
I've never ever watched NCIS.
Happy Model Railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good Morning!! Coffee please, and the Breakfast buffet thanks. 2 more days until the release of NCIS season 8 on DVD. Sunny, with a high near 85. Feel a bit better today than yesterday. It felt nice to just sit around and do nothing I have to admit. A pleasure not without guilt though. I may do the same today but with a layout twist. I could get my daily trip to Mom’s out of the way and feel out Brenda on if she wants to go out to Dinner today (waste of my time actually) so we can do that all before the marathon starts at 2pm. I’m sure I won’t explode if I miss the first one…or two. Then turn it on in the basement and what is there? Why the train room. That’s what. Good idea. Glad I thought of it Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!
Good Morning!! Coffee please, and the Breakfast buffet thanks.
2 more days until the release of NCIS season 8 on DVD.
Sunny, with a high near 85.
Feel a bit better today than yesterday. It felt nice to just sit around and do nothing I have to admit. A pleasure not without guilt though. I may do the same today but with a layout twist. I could get my daily trip to Mom’s out of the way and feel out Brenda on if she wants to go out to Dinner today (waste of my time actually) so we can do that all before the marathon starts at 2pm. I’m sure I won’t explode if I miss the first one…or two. Then turn it on in the basement and what is there? Why the train room. That’s what.
Good idea. Glad I thought of it
Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!
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!!!!
It is SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 2011!!!
ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!
-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.
Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Well, (full to brim with rain water) I have a whole 5 feet of track down. I had to start somewhere as I have the incline with mostly hidden track and two girder bridges so I used project adhesive as I can't really use weights on the inclined track as on a level section and I really don't want the track coming loose.
Spent the day in the shop doing a valve job on a Crossle and brakes and throttle linkage on a RALT and just needed some MRR time even though I didn't get home til after 8 and hadn't eaten. I really need to set up the down load cable here for the camera and get some pics so you have some clue what I'm rattling on about.
Ray - Hope your weather holds. We keep getting thunder boomers and downpours here. Hate to see you guys lose out on your big event.
Ulrich - love the new station. Happy Birthday belatedly. The extra length module sounds like it'll be fun. Of course you'll need to keep the old short ones as backups when you need more track LOL.
Jeff - you did that Atlas loco proud. The detail looks great!
Curt - How about a wye leading behind a view break? Not sure how many roads turned both units at once. At Pittsfield on the New Haven, The turntable would barely hold a Pullman 89' coach (needed to turn it for the trip back to NY) and the power was all turned one at a time. On top of that, the TT was the Armstrong type.
Time to get some shuteye. See y'all inn the am. J.R.
Good Evening,
Well I just had a long post go poof so this will be a short one.
Ken, I have the same loco as Jeff. It was built my Mehano who built all the IHC steamers and was supposed to be CNR #4100, the largest Sante Fe CN had. It was part of a train set promotion a grocery store had up here about 5 years ago. Yes it is odd for a grocery store to have train sets but they did several over the years, all Mehano. I put in a decoder and first tried in the cab over the motor. It might be possible but it is a very tight fit. I gave up after frying a couple and just put a regular Digitrax HO decoder in the tender. Getting the headlight wired to the decoder would be a problem so I just left it alone so it is on all the time. This was my first attempt at a hard wire so maybe you would have more luck putting one in the cab. The loco is a smooth runner.
CN Charlie