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Elliot's Trackside Diner, October 2012 Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: Cape Girardeau, MO
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Posted by JimRCGMO on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 1:46 PM

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

From what I saw this morning, it looks like coastal areas got the worst of Sandy, but that she didn't carry quite as much moisture inland as expected. However, the Appalachias (higher elevations mostly) may get a VERY early 'White Christmas', from the reports last night I think the prediciton was up to two feet of the white stuff by this morning, and it was 'wet' sn*w, so that kind has a nasty tendency to take down limbs & power lines. Oops

That said, those along the coast appear to be looking at quite the recovery afterward. Those utility trucks that someone (Ken? other?) saw the other day heading east, will indeed be put to use along the Eastern coastal areas - restoring power, trimming limbs/trees off of power lines, houses, etc. Prayers for those involved in the recovery efforts (those helping and those receiving help). AngelAngel

Those of us who were spared the worst of Sandy, maybe could be thankful that we didn't get hit like the coastal areas. I, for one, am grateful but concerned about those on the coasts (and all THAT mess(tm) in NYC/Jersey...). Just imagine if your roads weren't driveable and the major transportation in your area was out of commission for days (if not weeks) like the subways in NYC are...

I won't continue beating that horse. One big problem may be the voting in those areas. For example, I understand that NYC uses/was to use electronic voting - hard to do without power, yes? The upcoming election may be an ever bigger mess, not counting the cost of rebuilding and recovery in the states along those coastal areas (which will take a toll on the economy, I figure). Expand Shanny's report to the thousands/millions without power, and you have quite a bit of cost (financial and otherwise). (Keeping you on the Angel list, Shanny)

Yep, the ol' Angel list is likely to be a longer one. Galaxy, we may need more than just one candle burning for a while.

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape G.

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Posted by shanny10 on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 12:26 PM

Good morning all: don't mean to sound harsh-BUT !

JohnReid wrote the following post at Tue, Oct 30 2012 6:40 AM:       

Screw the weather,the diner's always open,if you can get there !

 

Easy enough said if you have power, trees not spewn all over your yard and house, roof in yard! Some of us had 67 mph winds 6+" rain and no sleep for last 36 hrs., bless those that didn't experience this and prayers to all that made it thru Sandy here on east coast; oh yeah I almost left out the blizzard some are experiencing. Having to use laptop and internet thru phone is no fun, power outages and stress is enough to cause my dad migrane headaches. We have power as of now but waiting to see how long it stays this time. Guess they are working around us fixing others and having to turn ours off in order to do so. Prayers to all that need them is what dad is saying. We were extremely lucky here and are very fortunate, those next door and all around have tremendous damage and will require months to put things back together, dad on the other hand only got damaged shop roof 30'x66', about $7,500 probably to fix he says. All Im saying is comments like this really aren't needed in a time like now, grant you some lucked out and others got pounded. Hoping school opens tomorrow.

Shanny10

B&O, C&O, PRR

Just lovin trains

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Posted by narrow gauge nuclear on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 10:10 AM

New Jersey and New york caught the worst of it, it seems.  All the hoopla here was a dud. What was billed as "Frankenstorm" for Richmond turned out to be Franken-Weenie.  We didn't get the predicted intense winds nor the predicted 4-6" of rain.  It was cold, wet, blustery and nasty.  About 200-400 are without power now as opposed to last year's storm when 175,000 in this area were without power at the peak.

Drove to work and nothing was down, damaged or flooded.  My ankle is still bothering me as the temps were a rather frigid 39 when I went out.  Got cold real quick overnight.  Even the kitty kats wanted in this morning.

Richard

Richard

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Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 9:52 AM

Good Morning All!

Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes on this snowy Tuesday morning..We have a dusting of snow on the ground..which makes it a good day to toss another log on the fire and do some modeling.I don't know why but,looking at the snow I'm reminded of the snow covered day I got my AHM IHB 0-8-0 way back in '63.I just about wore that engine out on my 10' yard switching layout.I paid a whooping $5.99 for that engine at Woolworth's..I recall going to Woolworths the day after Christmas and buying AHM cars for 99 cents. The truck mounted couplers didn't bother me back then.The hobby seem simpler back then or maybe I was still young and innocent.I still get the urge to buy a steam engine.I

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!"

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 9:34 AM

blownout cylinder

Todd:   She Who Must Be Obeyed = SWMBO

Yes.  The first time I heard the phrase was on "Rumpole of the Bailey," a PBS program imported from England.  It was about a grumpy but loveable old lawyer, played by Leo McKern.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:21 AM

Todd:   She Who Must Be Obeyed = SWMBO

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/

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Posted by TMarsh on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:15 AM

Good Morning!!!

Coffee please. Thanks.

Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. As you can see, they predict us getting just a bit of “breeziness” out of Sandy. Prayers still for all those affected. Not to belittle anyones loss, but I'm sure glad it was not as bad as they predicted inland.

Karl- Ok, can’t figure it out. What does SWMBO stand for?

Jarhead? Ken, they don’t call them Jarheads anymore. You can put something in a jar. HA!  I say it with love. Some of the best times I had was with Marines. In fact that was told to me by a Marine. Ah the good old days. Some fond memories in Korea I tell you what.

Got sidetracked yesterday (imagine thatConfused) so today I will do some more, hopefully finish, the shower tiling. Not much to do, but as with everything, I may not have enough mortar to finish. Probably short ooooooh 4 or 5 tiles worth would be the norm.

Ya’ll have a good day, ya hear!!!!

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. Laugh

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:15 AM

Mornin' everyone!

Yep I'm up early today.  I had to check things out and get the trash out to the road for pickup.  At the moment we are almost becalmed.  Winds from the East at 12 mph.  No real damage in my immediate neighborhood that I can see.  Everything around here stayed nailed down.  Found out where the water was coming in last night.  Wind was blowing from the North East and pushing rain water into the DC Disconect box outside the house.  The conduit comes out of the bottom of the box into the basement by electric equipment.  Not a problem, although I will mention it to the guy from the installer when he is here for the NYSERDA Inspection next week.

Zoe, I'll have a couple glazed donuts and my usual dark roast coffee in a FGLK mug please.

I think I shall light the wood stove and take the chill out of the house.

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 tcwright973 on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:13 AM

Not much to report from my home as it relates to the storm. It's been raining since early Sunday evening, sometimes very heavy, and the winds have been moderate with some gusting. When I went out this morning to get the newspapers at a local supermarket, I didn't see any storm damage. Schools and most activities have been canceled as a precaution. No power losses ar my house either. In fact, the only problem is a leak in the front bay window, but a bucket last night took care of that problem for now. So I think we were much more fortunate than the experts expected. My best wishes to those who were not as lucky. It appears it is going to take a long time and a whole lot of money to complete the recovery process.

Tom

Tom

Pittsburgh, PA

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:01 AM

 Morning Folks Yawn Zzz

 Flo, Big Cup Of Coffee

 While Sandy has done a lot of harm, good to hear it was not as bad as many thought it was going to be.

 Well it is that time, see you all later.

 Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 7:41 AM

gear-jammer

Question:  Where do the rats in the subway go?

I thought this picture was amazing.

This is the Hoboken end of the PATH trains that run under the Hudson River in New York.  Those are turnstiles to the lower left.

As for the rats, we'll have to wait one more week until after the election to see what happens to them.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 7:41 AM

Good morning. It's 35° with 100% humidity. Weather guesser doesn't say it but it's foggy here. It'll be mostly sunny with a high of 72°.


Yesterdays rest did me a lot of good. Leg still hurts but it's down to a somewhat intense throbbing pain, not the sharp stabbing pain it was yesterday. Today will be more rest and watching more movies. I keep the DVR stocked with plenty and delete them after I watch them to make room for more.

The layout is still a mess. Never got to it yesterday. Maybe today.



Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by gear-jammer on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 7:35 AM

Good morning, Diners.  Coffee for me before I head to the pool, Chloe.

MrB,  Glad to hear that you were spared.  One of my climbing friends said that his mother, in Boston, was without power off and on yesterday, and was preparing.

Question:  Where do the rats in the subway go?

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 6:58 AM

Good Morning

Welp...here at our manse our anenometer read at 1:35 am a gust from the north of 110 kph...about 75 mph. We lost power for about 2 hours after that...London Hydro took care of that little interruption...there are a number of pockets around here that have yet to see power restored as winds have taken a lot of trees down. The big ol' Maple tree that used to sit in behind our crescent went down taking a number of townhouses with it..neighbourhood is taking care of the victims here....

So, with all that out of the way I'll be having a coffee as I look over the forums......help those in need of help...take care ...

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/

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 6:27 AM

I'm in eastern Massachusetts, about 15 miles west of Boston.  Off the coast, we were spared much of the destructive power of the storm.  The lights flickered a couple of times, and I woke up in the night to find my digital alarm clock flashing, but from looking at other clocks it was a momentary dip.  As I left my driveway, it looked like they had the street blocked the other way.  For a rainy, dark morning, the commute wasn't bad.  Actually, yesterday's commutes, both ways, were faster and easier than usual thanks to greatly reduced traffic.

Boston's MBTA and commuter rail were expected to return to service "with delays."  Of course, that's normal for the T.

Best wishes for those more severely affected by the storm than us.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 5:59 AM

JohnReid

Screw the weather,the diner's always open,if you can get there !

Tell that to the victims of the storm and their families.

Here is the latest update from CNN news.

Superstorm Sandy smashed ashore last night, triggering floods, fires and devastation. Fifteen people are known to have died in the U.S. and one in Canada, adding to the storm’s earlier toll of 67. Millions are without power. Floods have hit homes and the New York subway system.

 Rich

 

Alton Junction

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Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 5:40 AM

Screw the weather,the diner's always open,if you can get there !

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by LSWrr on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 5:16 AM

Good Morning All:

I hope everyone is ok.

The power line to the neighbor’s house and one of the top wires from the pole behind me broke off last night setting the neighbor’s yard and garage on fire.  I could hear the thumping of a grounded electrical line and thought it was in my house then I could see the flashes of light through my window blinds.  I called 911 when I saw flames and smoke; really do the 911 operators have to be a total jerk when you’re the second or third person to call about the same fire?  It took firefighters less than 5 minutes to get to the house and start throwing water on the garage fire but it took the power company 3 hours to secure the power line.  I can’t get into work; all roads from here to anywhere are closed due to high water or debris.

It sounded like several pounds of debris bounced off the north side of the house last night but power remained on.  It looks like we are ok but it’s still dark out, I’ll check things out at first light.

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

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Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 3:21 AM

Houston? HOUSTON? WE ARE STILL HERE!!!

GOOD MORNING!!!

Yes, Like RAY said, it seemed to die out. WE stayed up late {for us} to 10:30 and the storm had been down graded to "tropical {something or other} Cyclone". We had a candle lit and all. waiting for the power to go out, which never came. We had no strong winds or anything.

Apparently PA got a good dose of it, but the storm basically collapsed once it hit shore.

Some 2 million people +  without power. The coastal areas of the east coast hard hit, though.

We sitll have thoughts and prayers for all those affected!! We will learn more about damage {to other areas} as time moves on.

Still pleased MOH has the day off. No worries there.

Well, towns. counties and states roads are all closed. Only essential personelle should be on roads.

SO, HAve a great day for those unaffected, adn SAFETY FIRST TO THOSE AFFECTED!

The paryer candle will be lit!

Geeked

-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 "JaBear" on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 3:08 AM

Gidday All. "Sandy" was lead item on the evening news here "down under", looks nasty, Good luck to all those in the path.

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers,the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by wetidlerjr on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 3:03 AM

Good Morning! from Tipton IN.

It's Tuesday, October 30, 2012


TIPTON IN

Mischief

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

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Posted by cats think well of me on Monday, October 29, 2012 11:40 PM

Got back home safely from the office about an hour ago, thankful I didn't have to spend the night in the office. No serious flooding my way as of this writing. Our basement has some water on the floor but nothing to worry about, a sump pump will help if it gets worse. We took the precaution of putting the washer/dryer combo on pallets just in case.

 We have much water, gallons of it, and a good bit of non-perishable food. 

Alvie

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Posted by Rastafarr on Monday, October 29, 2012 10:57 PM

Nothing for me tonight. Watching my girlish figure. 

Just popping by to wish safety and peace on those in Sandy's sights. Us over here on the left coast are pulling and praying for you.

G'night fellow train junkies!

Stu

Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!

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Posted by howmus on Monday, October 29, 2012 9:45 PM

Evenin' folks!

Janie, I could sure use a decaf right now...

Nothing too terrible seems to be happening here at least at the moment.  After the flickering this afternoon, the power has been steady all evening, no big trees down around the neighborhood that i can see.  Only little problem is that I seem to have a small puddle of water down in the basement right where the electric equipment is on the wall...  I traced the dripping to it coming out of the conduit coming in the house from the panels.  It is dripping from one of the joiners near a junction box.  Shouldn't be any immediate problem as the water is coming in and running right back out of the conduit, but I will be sending an email first thing tomorrow to the installer.  Must be a box not tightened down all the way up on the roof, and with the high winds and rain, a bit of water must be entering the conduit.

Jim, my little old laptop only has 160 Gigs of memory and since the iMac has 5 terabytes in it and attached to it, there is no way all my files could be stored in the laptop...  LOL  Of course the file I need was on the iMac....  I was not worried as I have enough battery backup to run it for at least 45 minutes from that. Laugh

Looks like the entire universe around here will be closed tomorrow.  In the area 54 schools have reported they are closed tomorrow on the local TWC channel already.  Geneva, however has a 2 hour delay....  Since the high wind warning is in effect until 11 am tomorrow I wouldn't want any child of mine walking to school or even to the bus in it.  There have already been a couple of deaths reported in the area from tree limbs falling on cars.

Time for me to call it a night I think.  Stay safe and out of harms way!  Prayers for all in need.

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 jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, October 29, 2012 9:04 PM

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

Good luck and all my best to those in Sandy's path.



Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, October 29, 2012 8:52 PM

Packer
I have a roco M60 for a flat car load. I bought it for like 2 bucks with a messed up turret, and a turret to make it an M60A3 for another dollar. Do either of you know when the M60A3 came online?

The M60A3 was introduced in 1978 and was in service in US forces until 1997. It's still a front line main battle tank for a number of countries.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by Packer on Monday, October 29, 2012 8:28 PM

Evening guys

Dropped off my new Scat crank at a not-so-local machine shop (the local ones kinda suck) to get it balanced with my new SRP pistons, rods, and flywheel. I realized I'm only about $450 in the rotating assembly on this new motor, another $150 for the heads, and about $75 for the intake. So roughly about $675 for most of my new motor. That doesn't include the custom Ed Curtis cam I bought, as I'm trading that to my father for something that'll be cheaper to use and better suited to my engine. Everything else I traded stuff to get or they were "obsolete" for my fathers useage. Just some new bearings, machine work (smoothing out oil and water galleys, porting the heads, and a few other things), a valve job, and assembly and it'll be finished. I expect to get about 350-400 horses out of this, and come in under 1K. Not too shabby IMO.

On the way back I saw what was probably the 2nd or 3rd train I've seen all year (not counting the yard in pensacola). 5 UP SD something ot others (some looked like SD90MACs) and about 15-20 cars. A bit overpowered IMO.

I saw a Tenshodo GN S1 northern on that evil auction site what was in my budget. Does anyone here know if they are any good?

Ken, On some of my locos the LED stays on for a few seconds after power is cut off. Maybe your's is doing the same?

Richard and Ken, I have a roco M60 for a flat car load. I bought it for like 2 bucks with a messed up turret, and a turret to make it an M60A3 for another dollar. Do either of you know when the M60A3 came online?

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

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Posted by JimRCGMO on Monday, October 29, 2012 8:26 PM

Evening, Chloe - I'll have a Santa Fe mug of hot chocolate please. Thank you.You said that Janie & Flo are gone helping out on the East Coast? Wow Hope they are some place out of the weather tonight!

NGNuclear (Richard) - Welcome to the Diner, and have a beverage on me. And thank you for your service. Thumbs Up

Jeff, this is one of those rare times when you won't be in the path of a storm.

The next few days - especially for those in the Eastern/Northeastern US & neighbours NOTB - may be very suitable for reading favorite model railroading magazines. So long as one has a lamp/flashlight, anyway. Stay safe, people.

Dennis, so long as your place (including basement) is on high ground - and well-built), the basement sounds good, also.

Ray - I'm guessing that THAT phone number you were looking for wasn't on a laptop, right? Good argument for having a laptop for backup (even an older one, that has your address book & other important info, anyway).

Rob, it's good to see you in the Diner again. How've things on your place been? Hope you don't get too much from the fringes of Sally. Angel

Curt, GREAT news for your daughter on the adoption! I'm sure she is tickled pink. Big Smile Sounds like she will be a great Mom, too.

Karl, good that you got home, as you said. Though your management there maybe needs to talk with your governor...

Galaxy, keep yourself & YOH safe (or safe as you can) from the trees. As Ray said earlier, those winds are not what your trees' roots are expecting.

And Barry, you watch out there - sounds like those winds have a far reach. Surprise

Prayers for those in need of comfort, healing and a good night's rest, and especially for those in the path of the hurricane (tonight and over the next few days) and those who will be helping with the cleanup afterward.

Blessings,

Jim in Cape G.

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Posted by cudaken on Monday, October 29, 2012 8:18 PM

jeffrey-wimberly
hat does seem a little strange. Remember that the LED pulls much less power than the motor. I take it these are Athearn units? If that's the case the pickups are much more robust than others I've worked with. As you undoubtedly know power is picked up by the wheels and passed through the half shafts to the bronze bearings and from there to the truck frame halves. If the trucks are unmodified one half is connected to the 'L' shaped contact arm and the other half to the frame. It's been my experience that if oil (in most cases non-conductive) gets into the bearings and/or between the bearings and truck halves it will interfere with the power pickup, in some cases it can insulate the truck resulting in no power pickup. Could this be your problem?

 Yes it could be, I have not looked yet. So rip the truck apart and give a good cleaning? If so what should I look at the most?

  Well I have left over Pizza and fried chicken witting  for me! Dinner Yum! Big Smile

 See you all Tuesday after work. I go in again at 9:00 AM.

 Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, October 29, 2012 7:44 PM

cudaken
 Jeffery One my current engine problems is BB F7A and B unit. When I was cleaning the wheels of the B unit I lost power when I ran it's front trucks a cross the towel paper. So I will I clean the side frames and make sure of the power leads have not failed. Now the A unit has me some what confused. Run the front trucks a cross the paper towel and all is fine. Hit the rear trucks, engine stops, but the LED headlight stays on? Just seems a little odd that the LED stays lite and motor stops, don't you think?

That does seem a little strange. Remember that the LED pulls much less power than the motor. I take it these are Athearn units? If that's the case the pickups are much more robust than others I've worked with. As you undoubtedly know power is picked up by the wheels and passed through the half shafts to the bronze bearings and from there to the truck frame halves. If the trucks are unmodified one half is connected to the 'L' shaped contact arm and the other half to the frame. It's been my experience that if oil (in most cases non-conductive) gets into the bearings and/or between the bearings and truck halves it will interfere with the power pickup, in some cases it can insulate the truck resulting in no power pickup. Could this be your problem?

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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