Hello every one, I hope you all had a good day? I got a lot done. went to the doctor, petsmart, costco. got a oil change in my old gmc, went and got a new radiator cap, the check engine light came on the other day, I got the codes checked and I fixed it myself (the gas cap was loose) I got lucky for a change! I also had a rock chip repaired, came home and gave my dog a bath and mowed the lawn. that's it for me I'm relaxing now.
Curt, Utah is a pretty great place. I like it here. Plenty to do and see what ever you are into. you can be in the mountains, desert, Vegas, Denver,Yellowstone, the Grand canyon and many other National parks in only a few hours. People come from all over the world to see it here.
I am glad some of you like UPS, I like working there, I am what they call a feeder driver. (The semi trucks) I just started my 27th year at buster brown. I have had a pretty good life thanks too luck.hard work and a great Union & company.
Hi Gang, RBFs all around tonight, on me Chloe,
Tomorrow morning we are going back to Branson for the second time to take in a couple more shows. Also we start the day with a ride on the Ozark Zephyr, so that should be fun.
Quite like Springfield, where we are staying with our Son, very nice and friendly city.
Did a few odd jobs on my Son's trailer this afternoon after some shopping with the wife in the morning.
Later this week-end it will be time to set off for home as work beckons on the 14, but this sure was a well needed break.
Will stop back in before we head home.
Love the work you folks are doing, great stuff...
Nice tour Ulrich, I am enjoying it as well. Especially the food. Petra, it is a wonder that Ulrich isn't 450 lbs.
Off to bed to dream about the Zephyr. Sleep well.
Johnboy out...........................................ZZZZZzzzzzsssss.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Evening all!
Been very busy around here. College applications, college essay, homework, Eagle Court of Honor planning, hockey, etc. Thankfully, I finished the college essay much faster than I anticipated, so I'm having my English teacher check it over before I send it in. Definitely one of the easier essays that I've ever written, because it was something that I could actually write about... I wrote about my love of trains and how I want to combine it with a career in mechanical engineering and enter the transportation field in railcar design.
Also, I've done some recent layout work. I got a lot more trees and installed those, and I've been progressing on the lot paving at Kuiken Brothers Lumber. Here's a few photos:
Hopefully I'll be able to make some more progress in the near future during the insanity that is my life...
Well, THAT's about it for now, so I'll go. Catch ya later!
-Joe
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Evenin' Folks!
Just a cup of decaf for me at the moment bitte.
Got most of the list completed today.... Brought in a huge amount of green beans from the vines on the deck, enough to fill a gallon bag. My son came over and helped me lug a half a sheet of particle board I used as the serving table way back Labor Day weekend when I had the picnic down cellar again. I gave him a bunch of the beans as payment...... Managed to contact all but one of the people I needed to talk to about the Fall NMRA Meet. Slowly coming together. And...... I spent about 3 hours w*rking on the layout. I have been relaying the track THAT went out of gauge on me This time I put in some PC every 8 or so ties to hold it in gauge. I first removed (loosened) one side of the rail, and then removed a wooden tie, soldered it on the side THAT was down, and then replaced the other side and soldered it in gauge. Have about 3 foot left to do. Should get it done tomorrow. then i will paint the PC ties to make them look like wood, reballast, and run a few trains through. Then back to scenery!
We had a light rain here in the Finger Lakes most all day. Currently 52°F here with a low tonight of 49°F. Actually not bad for this time of year. We have not had a killing frost yet. THAT usually happens 2 weeks ago on average. Will continue to glean the garden over the next few days, can some carrots and store Winter Squash.
Barry and Curt, hope everything turns out well for both of you. You are in my prayers!
Have a great night!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Green tea with mint, please.
Think I'm going to push-button the starter as Jeffrey suggested, as it is the easiest way for me to get the pickup running and I do not know how to figure out how to test the NSS or IS. Just need to know if I turn the key to on or all the way to start before hitting the push-button???
Being a recluse of sorts, my closest friend here drives for Big Brown. He's a great guy and a pleasure to know.
Going to hit the hay early here. Have a good night all.
Rob
Good Morning Gang!
This is day 4 of our tour throughout Germany. Today we stay in Cologne and explore the city. We will have to do a lot of walking, but also will enjoy the light rail system here. The walking will do us good, after the hearty meal and the many we had at the Früh brewerey yesterday night.
We will go back into the Roman times, as the city looks back onto a 2000 year history. Cologne was founded 50 AC by the Romans as Castra Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis, a military installation to fend off us barbarians. Much of the city was destroyed following Allied bombings (in fact, about 90 %). Here are some before/after shots:
I hope you folks don´t mind visiting a museum or two today!
We will spend the night aboard a river cruise ship, as we will take a river cruise upstream in the next days. The cruise will take us to Königswinter, where we will take the cog railway up to the famous Dragon´s Rock, and further up the Rhine Valley.
Enjoy the day!
Good early morning all.
Rob: I got your message, and replied in kind. On the issue of a push-starter, wiring it up to a button would be fine, and yes you would need to turn the key completely to the "on" position before engaging the starter so that the vehicle's computer, fuel pump, and other electronics all have power and will work.
Not much happened today, had to pull the Camaro back from Birmingham, now on my next off day (Thursday), I have to tear apart the security system on it and see what its malfunction is. Gotta open tomorrow (this) morning, so guess I should head off to bed. Night all!
Thanks everybody for all the comments on my picture in MR. I'm very happy about it. JimCG , hmm glad your friend liked it......... Ray: Thanks! ... JR ... glad you like the bridge.
Ulrich ... Today's pictures are great. Thanks for being the tour guid.
Well, it's late here.
Happy Model Railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Tuesday, October 4, 2011!!!
-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
Going to a high of 68F in the sunshine here..which is definitely a lot better than rain and miserably windy highs of...oh...49F
got a vampire visit to contend with later on this morning....dang 12 hour fast
Flo, I'l just have a cold glass of water please...no coffee, no tea, no nuthin....
to all who are in need
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/
Good morning everyone! I just popped in to see what you all are up to. I'm off to w%^k. I will see you all later hope you have a good day!
Thayne,
Good Morning All,
Well the train show was great for some. The parking area turned to mush with all the rain we had so some paid $7 to get in and $35 to get out must have been 4 tow trucks in the parking area.
The haul:
1950 Dressel kerosene switch-stand lantern
Two Shinohara code 100 #6 double cross over turnouts
Four AHM ore cars (Jennies)
Three 3-bay hoppers
One K-11 livestock car
One K-12 livestock car
Two reproduction C&O advertising posters.
One Reading wall advertisement from 1948
Republic steel picture book.
DVD-War video
Four Walthers industrial chimneys
One package of Walthers track bumpers
One B&LE hooded sweatshirt
One pair of wire bending pliers to help install turnout motors.
One pair of buoys
Two crated generators
Automated coal dumper
Two stacks of hay bales
Two B&O M53 wagon top boxcars
One PRR FM flatcar with DD1A containers
One Borden milk car with fins
Ns3010 & Curt: great looking layout!
I’ll try and catch up on the posts later today…
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Good Morning!! Coffee and something else German for breakfast besides strudel please. Thanks. Sunny, with a high near 81 Good news yesterday. Real good. Got a call from a buddy who was driving past Mom’s house and said there were people out there. So I quit putting the groceries away and buzzed on out. Got there to find the “buyers”, real nice folks by the way, and the (gulp) home inspector. Now as far as I know, there was nothing wrong with the house. But, I’ve never had an “inspector” look at it either. Naturally I was a bit nervous. I happened to be there when he found the major thing with the property as he put it. In the pole shed, in the circuit panel, he saw a circuit breaker with three wires running to it. Said there should only be one for that particular breaker. Said 6 bucks and a trip to Menard’s to get two breakers and you’ve fixed the biggest thing wrong I could find on the whole property. Plenty of room, more empty spaces than occupied ones. I felt pretty relieved I tell you what. You know a house almost 40 years old there could be a lot of stuff that could be “wrong” and not know it. He did have a few suggestions, one was to have the circuit box in the house changed. It’s only 100 amp and he said in a house that large (3100sq ft plus full basement) it should have a 200amp. But he said that was what they did back then and there is nothing wrong, but he would upgrade as the box is maxed out. He said the house is in remarkable shape and is really, really built well. Asked me if we fixed many settling cracks. I said a couple spider cracks in the corners of the doorway from the foyer to the family room. He said he was amazed that there were just a couple cracks upstairs where the ceiling meets the wall and that was it. I said I didn't fix those because that meant I'd have to paint the popcorn ceiling and that would just send me screaming. He laughed and said he didn't think anything was fixed because of the popcorn ceiling. Said anyone who works with one usually doesn't return it to its original state for that very reason. Heard him tell the buyer “you’re getting a real good house here”. Now if the bank appraisal comes in, and the inspector said he didn’t think there’d be any problem there, it’s just wait for the closing at the end of the month. I think these people will like the place and after talking to the guy he’s kind of a gear head and will use the sheds, like the neighbors, several have already stopped by to meet him yesterday. I feel good about them. Kinda glad it took so long to sell if this is the outcome. I’ll miss the place and want someone who’ll like the house and the neighbors like we did. Well, enough of that. Ya’ll have a Great Day!!!
Good Morning!! Coffee and something else German for breakfast besides strudel please. Thanks.
Sunny, with a high near 81
Good news yesterday. Real good. Got a call from a buddy who was driving past Mom’s house and said there were people out there. So I quit putting the groceries away and buzzed on out. Got there to find the “buyers”, real nice folks by the way, and the (gulp) home inspector. Now as far as I know, there was nothing wrong with the house. But, I’ve never had an “inspector” look at it either. Naturally I was a bit nervous. I happened to be there when he found the major thing with the property as he put it. In the pole shed, in the circuit panel, he saw a circuit breaker with three wires running to it. Said there should only be one for that particular breaker. Said 6 bucks and a trip to Menard’s to get two breakers and you’ve fixed the biggest thing wrong I could find on the whole property. Plenty of room, more empty spaces than occupied ones. I felt pretty relieved I tell you what. You know a house almost 40 years old there could be a lot of stuff that could be “wrong” and not know it. He did have a few suggestions, one was to have the circuit box in the house changed. It’s only 100 amp and he said in a house that large (3100sq ft plus full basement) it should have a 200amp. But he said that was what they did back then and there is nothing wrong, but he would upgrade as the box is maxed out. He said the house is in remarkable shape and is really, really built well. Asked me if we fixed many settling cracks. I said a couple spider cracks in the corners of the doorway from the foyer to the family room. He said he was amazed that there were just a couple cracks upstairs where the ceiling meets the wall and that was it. I said I didn't fix those because that meant I'd have to paint the popcorn ceiling and that would just send me screaming. He laughed and said he didn't think anything was fixed because of the popcorn ceiling. Said anyone who works with one usually doesn't return it to its original state for that very reason. Heard him tell the buyer “you’re getting a real good house here”. Now if the bank appraisal comes in, and the inspector said he didn’t think there’d be any problem there, it’s just wait for the closing at the end of the month. I think these people will like the place and after talking to the guy he’s kind of a gear head and will use the sheds, like the neighbors, several have already stopped by to meet him yesterday. I feel good about them. Kinda glad it took so long to sell if this is the outcome. I’ll miss the place and want someone who’ll like the house and the neighbors like we did.
Well, enough of that.
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.
Morning All,
At w**k today so not much planned. When I got up this morning I really felt like calling off and doing some modeling but here I am. Weather was cool this morning and high is supposed to be high 80's and no rain all week. We are going to take my Mom and Dad to dinner Sunday night.
Lee- Congrats on your haul. It looks like you did very well for yourself. The shows down here rarely have any PRR art work or actual PRR items.
Todd- Sounds like good news on the house. Hope everything else works out.
Everyone take care.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Morning Folks!
Flo, diet dew please.
J R Yep Ulrich is right about translations, things come out just a little odd.
"Guten Abend meinen Herrs und Herrin,"
Good evening my also be Mr Staes and mistress,
Wie gehts es ihnen?
As it goes it?
J R I don't know much about road racing, what group cover covered cars like the AC Cobra? I know they where racing 427's in them? My dads friend was racing a 427 AC in the late 60's. He all so had a BB Vet he raced as well, I think it was around a 65 to 67 before they changed the body style.
Jeffery (Chuckling to my self) In my High school year book it said "Ken cannot even leave a lawn mower stock" bet your said something along that line as well. I never thought the Front Line would be dived up like that! Well, if it runs well (never did like the trucks) what the heck, right!
Berry Best wishes on the tumor. I kind of gather from your comment it not a big issue at this point?
Curt Glad this went well for you at your Doctor visit. Is your layout looking better, or are you just taking better pictures? Either way, keep up the good work!
Joe Your layout is looking good as well. Have your ever tried Super Tress? I have quit a few like the one's you have in the foreground and, well they just do not look natural to me. So I have them in a box under they layout for now. Will probably used them on a main street or a housing area later where the trees will be groomed.
Rob I use push buttons on my older cars. I hid the button under the carpet, so I leave the key in the car at a show or track for a monument no one can take off in the car.
Ulric Great job on the tour!
Train Front Well not as busy as the sundown shop but getting there. Have ran the SP SD-50 for I guess about 3 hours. While it still a little loud, getting to where I can live with it. Still going to polish the commutator with 1500 grit paper and I will look at the brushes later.
Next engine will be the Rio Grand SD-50.
Well, off to the back half shop.
Ken
I hate Rust
cudaken Jeffery (Chuckling to my self) In my High school year book it said "Ken cannot even leave a lawn mower stock" bet your said something along that line as well. I never thought the Front Line would be dived up like that! Well, if it runs well (never did like the trucks) what the heck, right!
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
Good morning. It's 61° and sunny. The high will be 87° an dit will remain sunny.I'm down at my parents place this morning waiting for a couple of deliveries to show up while they're out taking care of things important to them. No plans on the schedule today. Maybe I'll be able to clean up the layout a bit without getting side-tracked again.
Mornin' everyone!
I just have the continental breakfast this morning (and yes I know THAT is an English thing....). Oh, good they have dark roast coffee even.....!!!
Ulrich, museums are great... I am loving the photos!
Rob, most important thing is to be sure the line to the push button is fused..... As others have said the key has to be set to on (not start). IIRC the starter button on the old 1936 Chevy truck we had was on the floor next to the gas peddle. You could push the starter and pump the gas at the same time. Oh be sure you have the transmission in Park if you have a Super Slush tranny! I hate all the new "safety" stuff on the current Manual ones.... I miss being able to run a car or truck off the road if quits with the starter.... Another old farm boy trick.
Thayne, you are lucky to have a good job and one you enjoy. Most everything I know about the Brown truck people is good. They are my preferred delivery method (except from Canada.....).
Got a phone call about an hour before I got up this morning... It was the guy I hired to put in my new sink. (I could do it, but don't really want to have the hassle). He was on his way over to do it. Of course I didn't hear the phone... (I only hear the phone if I am standing next to it with my hearing aids in!) He probably rang the doorbell when he got here. (Doorbell is in the kitchen at the other end of the house which I only hear if I am in the kitchen with my hearing aids in....!) I called back and left him a message to come over if he gets the chance.
Best get moving!
Later!
Good Afternoon!
Back from today´s STALAG and the job interview. The job interview did not go well. It was a nice chat in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, but they just don´t have a job for me which they think is up to my level of qualification. Overqualified again! Well, it did not really surprise me, as I was expecting it, but things like this start to hurt.
I hope you enjoyed your tour through Cologne today. It is a lively city of about 1 million inhabitants, with lots of activities and points of interest. The cathedral alone is worth a visit, with its golden shrine entombing the relics of the three holy kings.
The archbishopric of Cologne is the wealthiest Catholic community in the world, richer than even the Vatican.
Tonight we will go a little bar hopping in the St. Martin´s Quarter, listen to some good old time Jazz in the "Streckstromp" bar and enjoy a variety of world food in various little places
One thing you have probably noticed in the pictures posted so far is the absence of high-rise buildings. In Cologne, local zoning laws don´t allow you to erect a building higher than the cathedral. Plans in the 1960´s and 70´s to surround the cathedral by some sky scrapers were voted down in the local parliament, so we can stii enjoy a mostly unobstructed view.
Enjoy!
Jeff ...Here's a GP7 with Alco trucks. Sorry it's a horrible photo. I took it in Anchorage, and the camera was screwed up
Here's link to a very clear photo of the same enigine. It has been modified quite a bit. Chop nose. Angular cab. All weather window. Winterization hatch. Four exhuast stacks.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=92862
When I was in Anchorage, I rode on 1805 as it performed a local movement of tank cars. On the way to the Anchorage airport, were were going long end forward, and the low nose end was coupled to tank cars filled with jet fuel that originated from the Fairbanks refinery.
The crews at Jeff's Sundown shops evidently can do as well as the Anchorage shops.
Good Morning All!Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes on this sunny Tuesday morn other then my eye test didn't go to well.Thankfully there wasn't any signs of cataracts or other eye disease.He felt the cause may be cause by the new medication I am on and after he talked to my heart doctor I was told to discontinue the use of the new medication,return using my old prescription and return in two weeks for another eye test.I knew my vision had blurred over the past 2-3 days but,not as bad as the test showed.Modeling wise there isn't much going on and while in Mansfield I stopped at the hobby shop and picked up a pack of KD 38s for the SW1500..I have put Slate Creek and any major purchases on hold till I see how this eye problem works out.I shall have a cup and look over the forum.Have a good'un!
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Extra strong coffee in a Southern Pacific mug, please.
Going to play Chainsaw Murderer on the last of the HUGE old trees laying across a portion of fence today. (hope I don't get the saw stuck)
Have a great day all.
Heartland Division CB&Q Jeff ...Here's a GP7 with Alco trucks. Sorry it's a horrible photo. I took it in Anchorage, and the camera was screwed up Here's link to a very clear photo of the same enigine. It has been modified quite a bit. Chop nose. Angular cab. All weather window. Winterization hatch. Four exhuast stacks. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=92862 When I was in Anchorage, I rode on 1805 as it performed a local movement of tank cars. On the way to the Anchorage airport, were were going long end forward, and the low nose end was coupled to tank cars filled with jet fuel that originated from the Fairbanks refinery. The crews at Jeff's Sundown shops evidently can do as well as the Anchorage shops.
All most folks!
Flo, Lemonade please.
Got rapped up in the Rio Grand SD-50 from 8:45 AM till 11:45 AM. While trying to press on the flywheels I managed to turn a good motor into parts! I am using a bench vices to press on the flywheels. Of courses one when on way easier. So I placed a pair of needle nose between the flywheel that I did not want to move and the motor it self. Kept cranking to get the other flywheel where I wanted it, seemed like a good idea! Plastic casing CRUSHED and ruined the motor. Well, I got good parts now.
It lives and that is the main thing. Motor I installed pulls .49 amps on the test track with me holding the engine in places. Stalls at .91 amps. Now if I can just fine the coupler pockets and screws I will be set.
Next up? Santa Fe RTR SD 40-2.
See you later. Guess I should go eat something.
Guten Morgen, Janie, I'll have a Rio Grande mug of coffee and one of those apple struedels, please. Danke schoen!
Ulrich, thanks for the info and photos you've been posting.
It's warming up in Cape G. today, supposed to reach 81 or 82 F today. I can deal with that!
NS Joe, you sound like you've been pretty busy with everything going on for you - I can see why you haven't been able to stop by the Diner as often!
Ray, from your track (re-)laying project lately, I'd guess you'd appreciate Lance Mindheim's article on hand-laying switches in this month's MR issue.
Bama, hope your CFO's Camaro's problems aren't too difficult (either to fix or to get the parts for) to get 'adjusted' .
Garry, lest you misunderstand - I enjoyed your photo also! But I think your layout is excellent (and way ahead of mine (or maybe some other Diners', except definitely for Ray's and others'... You have a bunch of "drool-worthy" elements in your layout.
Lee - all that stuff only ran you $35? Amazing! (And did I understand that you didn't get stuck in the mud and have to pay one of those tow trucks to get out, right?)
Todd, that's great news on the prospective buyers for your Mom's house. I'm guessing you have a trip to Menard's on your 'Do-list' for today, yes?
Ken, had to chuckle at your yearbook comment (though no way that anyone would say that about anything mechanical with me...). Many's the time I wish I were better in the mechanical repairs area... I really need to find one of those car maintenance schedules (like every so many 1000 miles, change oil, every so many thousand miles, check/replace tires, etc.) and put it into my iPod and have it remind me. At least my oil-changing place puts one of those "next oil change" stickers on the inside windshield (though sometimes I'm sure it doesn't have to be on that exact date).
Jeff, I see from Garry's photo of the Alaskan Geep that "There's a prototype for everything" (even the Sundown Shops' approach)!
Brakie, good to see you in again - how far along is your SW1500 project coming?
Ken, you're doing well on your diesel project, I see.
Guess I should be getting some pics ready soon, so I'm not the absolute slacker in here.
I'll take a break and get my lunch now - can't believe I went through my breakfast in this little time...
Blessings,
Jim in Cape G.
Coffee refill, please.
***Ray, what kind of fuse do you suggest (that does not require soldering)? And would you put it near the battery end or inside the cab near the push-button?
***Lee, sounds like a nice excursion and haul, except the parking lot part.
***Todd, hope that works out.
Opened up the train room windows today to air it out a bit. Perhaps tonight (energy providing) I can vacuum the floor down there.
Had to run some errands (fuel, fence nails, etc.). Local Napa store was closed so the truck will have to wait until the next time I'm in town. Now ready to get busy. Tis' a perfect day for working outside.
Cheers! Rob
Good Afternoon..
Ken: Well, so far doc is not too concerned about it...although he did schedule a biopsy for Oct 18th. He just wants to be sure it did not become something else...
Curt: Layout looks good there...
Neighbour has decided to take down the big Ash tree he has in his backyard...so far all but the trunk is down...
Chloe, I'll just have a coffee and a rib eye steak with baked potato please..I'll be at the RC for now..
Good afternoon all.....Greetings all from beutiful Austin Texas. It,s about 85 degrees here and the wife and I are having a wonderful time. Tommorrow we will visit L.B.Johnsons Library and the Congress bridge. The Congress bridge has the largest number of bats anywhere. At night they all leave at once, I,m told it,s really a site to see.
L&N.....Gone but not forgotten
Ulrich: I've been enjoying your pictures of Germany. Reminds me of when my daughter and her partner and his 13 y.o. daughter spent a couple of weeks in Germany two years ago. He grew up in Germany. Beautiful scenery, beautiful buildings, beautiful cathedrals. It made me go back and look through her pictures again. She really enjoyed the food in Germany and also the apfelwine. One of the highlights of her trip was attending a concert by Rammstein. Not my kind of music, but she likes it. Keep those pictures coming.
Weather: We're enjoying a beautiful fall here. Almost like summer. Daytime temperatures are at least 8 deg. C (15 deg. F) above normal and nighttime temps are 2.5 deg. C (5 deg. F) above normal. And there's no end in sight for the rest of the week at least. But the trees are dropping their leaves so there's a big job soon. Fortunately there's a neighbourhood kid who will rake the lawn for a fee.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
Morning folks, been a few days since I posted.
Ulrich: The tour of Germany is great so far, really enjoying it. I have a good friend of mine living in Germany at the moment in Berlin and she loves it.
On the layout front I've been running my different locomotives around the layout to see if any of them foul up anywhere, whilst the Kato loco's I own are bulletproof and never derail, my Fox Valley ES44 always jumped the rails at one particular spot. On closer inspection I found the rails had twisted on the last part of the curve causing the lead truck to jump the tracks. Other than that I think the FVM loco is just not as well built as Kato's. When I go DCC I'm going to see how it runs in consists because at the moment it runs pretty ordinary, but maybe I'm blessed by the Kato locomotives...
On the DCC front, I'm going to go put one on layby at the LHS, his price is $265 for the NCE starter system compared to $150 from MB Klein but I have to factor in shipping so I figure for a $60 odd dollar difference I will buy it here. Decoders are also competitively priced, around $32 here compared to $27 from the states for a digitrax decoder.
I'm now on the look out for cheap DCC equipped locomotives, I don't to be forever installing decoders!! Atlas seem to be more reasonable in the decoder equipped ranges than say Kato, not to say I won't buy any DCC Kato locomotives.
Well thats enough from me.
TTFN
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s