Cederstrand***Jeffrey, are your switches powered or a mix of powered and manual? Sometimes I think powered are more trouble than they are worth, at least when one goes dead like what happened with the one EZ track switch.Thanks for the info on the proper Code for the Atlas switches. No need for me to mess with True Track and filing, so will just plan on laying cork or something under the standard switches.
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
Steamed veggies with lemon-butter, please.
***Jeffrey, looks like the True Track offers 22" radius switches, so perhaps I should just go with all True Track on the new layout sections? Then I'll just need to figure out the best way to hook that into the two EZ track connecting points on the existing layout.
Rob
Hey guys
Not much going on today... Other than gluing the last tank bar supports to the remaining MDC 50' modern tank car. Then I find out that it has a date on it dated 2-99.... Guess that goes to sale as it's too new for me by about 12 years...
Really haven't felt like doing much after what a "friend" pulled last night. I'm not gonna go into details about that, but I was pretty upset. Ace Hardware hasn't called me back about the application I put in saturday. I hope I'm not "overqualified" again. It sucks because the jobs I got my degree for want 5+ years of experience, so I'm under. Then all the mechanic and tool guy jobs say I'm overqualified... (I guess they'd rather you buy a new engine than being told how to fix the old one...)
I'll stop by later
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.
Good Evening!
Just to say I am back home. Earlier than planned and needed, but my Mother decided it would be better when I leave, so I left. She accused me of stealing money from her. All I did was paying the bills for them. Her mental condition has deteriorated to a degree where she has lost any sense of reality. She continues to refuse any help, even from me. After conferring with her doctor I just packed up my gear and left. I cannot stop what is bound to happen and I feel pretty miserable about it, but unless she or my father take the right decisions, there is nothing I can do. Any help from my side will only add to the misery.
Can´t say that I am a happy camper!
Blessings to all, I am just glad I have you as friends.
Cederstrand***Jeffrey, looks like the True Track offers 22" radius switches, so perhaps I should just go with all True Track on the new layout sections? Then I'll just need to figure out the best way to hook that into the two EZ track connecting points on the existing layout.
jeffrey-wimberlySometime yesterday I broke 21,600 on my post count. Surprising I haven't worn my fingertips off!
Nah.......you`re just catching up with yourself.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
Evening Dinners.
Flo, pleases is a frosted Monon Mug!
Nothing new or interesting at work or home to talk about, I think that is good?
CederstrandNow I kinda wish I had not ordered a BLI Mallet
Rob, did you order a BLI Y6-b? If you did, you are going to love it if it half of a engine as my PCM version!
It is by far the best engine I have bought, it is what all other steamers want to be when they grow up! At K-10 Model train Christmas Party in 2008 my Y6-b pulled 80 cars like there was nothing behind up an 1.5 grade it with no traction tires! Did not even come with them, did not need them!
Got to get going, have to get up at 5:30 AM Saturday I open.
Ken
I hate Rust
Good Evening,
Well, a little milder here in Winterpeg today. This is the first day this week there wasn't a windchill warning as it was only -37C this morning. Positively balmy--not.
Rob, I can give you first hand experience with TruTrack. I used it when I first built my layout back in 2006. It is very small, as in 4x9, so I thought it would be quick and I liked the code 83 rail appearance. I had it all wired up for DC block control too. In the summer of 2007 I stripped all of it off, wiring included as the poor quality of the turnouts and track in general was driving me crazy. Many rail gaps at the joiners, poor electrical contacts in the turnouts, derailments, etc. I replaced all of the mainline and some sidings with Kato Unitrack. I did use the TruTack for the yard after pulling off the roadbed as I thought it would be ok for that, slow speed, etc. I regret that decision and should have just pitched it all in the garbage.
Kato HO turnouts are ridiculously expensive and even then there are variances. The #6 remotes are great. The #4 manual are ok but the frog gap is excessive. The #4 remotes are actually different from the manual ones and have metal frogs instead of plastic. You can make Kato turnouts power routing if you want. In the end I would have been far better off to just take the time and use flex. Even with Atlas, I believe their Customline turnouts are fine. If I built another HO layout I likely would try Peco code 83 and believe me I have investigated all makes of track. Peco is expensive but like Kato I think you get what you pay for. I might also consider Micro Engineering as their N scale stuff is great and I can say that after using it on my N scale door layout. It is also made in the U.S., although as a Canuck it is all imported to me. Gee, I guess that sounds a little like a RANT.
Nothing to report from here. Just work and then home to hibrinate in front of the TV. We have a gas fireplace in the downstairs rec room and once it hits about 75F in there I often fall asleep so not much RR time. I think bears have the right idea. I did run the 2-6-6-2 around a little and think it is a very nice loco but it still can't match the Trainmaster on the dreaded hill. It has a curve in it so the effective grade is likely too steep. I kept it at a little under 3% but that means short trains. I will try Bull Frog Snot. Anyway long trains look silly on a small layout. RDC anyone?
Well the fireplace is on downstairs, so time to stretch out. I had a couple of glasses of wine with dinner and I'm already feeling a little sleepy.
CN Charlie
Well, it's that time again. Time to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.
Evening one and all. I can't say that today has been a productive on on the Model RR front. Oh I did spend 5 hours working on things but right now I wish I'd never heard of Digitrax, DCC, Jmri or anything related to any of them. Darned stuff cost a fortune as well and I can't get it to work no matter what I do, read, try, use........ Nothing
Ok, rant over sort of
Flo, sorry about that. Just a decaff for me tonight. I don't need to get any more wound up than I already am. Thank you muchly Dear Lady.
I did manage to return two cartons of ceiling tiles today that I somehow managed to not use. Bought extra thinking I'd need them but apparently I didn't cut things wrong too many times. Got lucky I suppose and saved myself $86 in a refund. They didn't ever charge me restocking which was nice of them.
Took MOH out to a nice restaurant tonight and both had Prime Rib. It was done to perfection as it always is at this particular place. Prices are decent as well.
Other than that, my back is sore and I'm brain dead so it's off to bed, a good book and the heating pad for me.
See you all tomorrow.
Grumpy Dennis
CDN Dennis
Modeling the HO scale something or other RR in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies Alberta, Canada
chochowillieEvening one and all. I can't say that today has been a productive on on the Model RR front. Oh I did spend 5 hours working on things but right now I wish I'd never heard of Digitrax, DCC, Jmri or anything related to any of them. Darned stuff cost a fortune as well and I can't get it to work no matter what I do, read, try, use........ Nothing
chochowillie Evening one and all. I can't say that today has been a productive on on the Model RR front. Oh I did spend 5 hours working on things but right now I wish I'd never heard of Digitrax, DCC, Jmri or anything related to any of them. Darned stuff cost a fortune as well and I can't get it to work no matter what I do, read, try, use........ Nothing
Dennis,
No need to be grumpy! Plenty of folks around here run JMRI every day with DCC. And were all learning constantly, cuz JMRI is constantly evolving, getting better all the time! Heck, just this week I learned how to use my smartphone as a throttle with JMRI ! So get some rest, recheck what you have done per the manual, then either pose a question here or on the DCC side of the forum.
You got questions, we go answers! Now where have I heard that before??
Karl
NCE über alles!
Evenin' everyone!
Janie, just a cup of decaf, please.
Another busy day getting finished with all kinds of odds and ends. By the end of this weekend I may actually be caught up enough to spend some time on the hobby. I did get some NMRA business taken care of this evening.
Tom, congratulations on #49! Long time for her to put up with you huh?
Just found out the treasurer of two Scouts Units I am Commissioner for fell and is in a coma at the local hospital... His name is Paul if any of you want to add him to your list for prayers.
Thinking about how many of us here in the diner are in need of some miracles as well.
Have a good night!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Hello all, I need some wisdom from anyone about figuring out what type of bridge I built for my z scale trains, so here's a couple of pictures.
Army National Guard E3MOS 91BI have multiple scales nowZ, N, HO, O, and G.
Howdy ..
Tom ..... congrats on your anniversary.
Ken ... Nice looking Y6B .....
Ulrich ....... We'll always be here for you as your friends. Sounds like a tough situation, and I;m sad to hear about it. Does Petra have family, and if so are they supportive of you as she is?.......... Tell Petra we think she is very good to you ,and we are glad she is.
Jeff .... I recall learning and using all that computer stuff way back when. Then I wrote in COBOL, Fortan, and Basic. Times have changed. When I saw the hexidecimal stuff in the DIgitraxx manual, I was surprised to see it. ..... We're here for you regading your loss. I imagine this is rough on your Dad too.
Rob ..... I'll have to get back to you on my Mantua 2-6-6-2.
Has anybody seen Chris? I wonder how THAT editor is doing lately?
Cheers!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
nscaler711 Hello all, I need some wisdom from anyone about figuring out what type of bridge I built for my z scale trains, so here's a couple of pictures.
Hello .... Looks like a section of an elevated structure for high-speed rail. .... Cheers!
well guess I'll go to Home depot tomorrow and take out two birds with one stone, now where did that other MTL conversion kit go?
Found it! hahaha! knew I'd put it somewhere I'd forget it but find it.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Well Ex TC Oswald is creating havoc along the coast, slowly winding it's way south towards Brisbane.
Around 300km north of Brisbane there have just been two destructive tornadoes which have destroyed a couple of small towns. Here in Brisbane we've had heavy rain over the past 24 hours and excpected to have another foot of rain thru tomorrow. The City of Gladstone around 5 hours north of Brisbane is experiencing major flooding as the TC stalled nearby and dumped about 30" of rain in 24 hours and caused the dam to break its banks and the river to rise several feet in a matter of hours.
Some low lying areas north of Brisbane are preparing to be affected by storm surges on high tide as this system makes it way south. This cyclone was only a category one when it crossed the coast but has maintained near to that intensity for the past week as it makes it way south.
Hopefully it dies off a bit before it makes Brisbane, not looking forward to possible tornadoes!
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
TIPTON
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Morning coffee in the diner...
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Saturday, January 26th, 2013!!!
The prayer candles are lit for those in need
Make it A GREAT 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
Dull today..and we are crawling out of the bottom of the bowl, temperature wise..going to 24F for a high...
Got to pick up a few groceries and look for a few train related goodies...a late Xmas bonus from w**k came in...heeheehee
Anyhowwho...have a good'un!!
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. It's 60° with 100% humidity and dense fog. It'll be cloudy with a high of 72°.Nothing in particular planned for today. I may work on cleaning up the layout later.
Morning all!
Got up this morning to 2 inches of fresh powder, so out came the shovel! Now I'm back inside and warming up. Flo, can we get a large coffee in a Western Maryland mug?
I got the layout/JMRI computer moved to its new,temporary perch yesterday, nearly gagged on the dustbunnies wrapped around the cables! Out cam the mini vac, and we rounded up all the bunnies. Yes, you could even say we killed the wabbits, though the vacuum wasn't vewwy qwiet! Huhhhhuuuuhh
Today is pretty much shot in the butt. Gotta get ready soon to go to Grandson#2's birthday party! It's an hour drive to get to the party, the a few hours with 15 kids, then an hour drive back. I'll be ready for a or 2 by then! It's not that I don't adore my 3 grandsons, but between I-95 weekend traffic and all those kids, it's a bit much. Daughter-in-law was smart though, she got HER parents to host the party!
Garry, Cobal, Fortran, AArrrrrrgghh! Bad memories of early college days! Thanks!
James, hope the weather clears, but if not, head for a cellar!!
oopps, SWMBO is calling,
Cya all later!
Good Morning!!!
Hm..., musta run out of cookies. Had to sign in again. Oooor, could be the new Ccleaner program I downloaded and ran. Not that there is anything wrong with the old cornpooter, but why wait right. I never had one slow down noticable before because of stuff that antispyware couldn't solve, but hey..., why not it was free.
What's that Flo? Oh! Sorry, coffee and Peking Duck please. Thanks. Never had it that I know of. Not real big on duck either.
Tom- Happy Anniversary yesterday!!
Sinus pressure today so I don’t know what I’ll do short of doing the weekly grocery shopping. Might clean some track. Sounds good to me.
Praying for those in Australia…. And Paul.
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.
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a bowl of organic flax seed plus granola and a pot of dark roast coffee this morning. What? Yes the R&GV RR mug would do well.
James, hope you and yours stay safe with all the water down your way. Keeping you in my prayers!
Barry, send that warm weather over my way please... Actually the temp is considerably warmer than the last several days. Currently 17°F with the high predicted around 21°F. The big yellow thing is peeking through every now and then as well. I need to get out the roof rake and clean off the panels to get them up to par.
Today I pick up my sister at the Rochester airport so I will be done with the cat duty at her house. Tomorrow I shall scan and photograph the winning entries of the MLK Art and Photo contest, clean some house (it needs it!!!), and maybe even do some w*rk on a model project. Monday I may be making an appt. for Blackie at the vet. He still isn't right. He still can't jump up on the bed or some other places he frequents. I am now thinking he may be constipated or have a hairball blockage. One of them left me a couple, ah kittie droppings, just outside the litter box this morning (on the cardboard I have at the entrance). Very hard and big... I have been giving Blackie some meds for hairballs... Might be starting to work. Sorry, hope I didn't ruin anyone's breakfast with the report...
I best be getting some things done...
Later!
Extra strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please.
***CN Charlie, just when I think I have the right track picked out, you have to go throw a wrench in my plans. Thanks for the "heads-up". I have really liked the Kato Unitrack in (N) and you're right about the cost. Yikes! If the switches were not so expensive, I wouldn't hesitate. Perhaps using (HO) Unitrack sections with Atlas Custom Line turnouts is a reasonable approach!?! I know in (N) there are nice little adapters for mixing types of track, so I would assume they make those in their (HO) version as well.
***Ken, YUP, ordered a BLI Y6-b alright. Still, one of those mighty Garratts sure would look pretty cool!
QUESTION: Can anyone share a photo of "exactly" where the latch bars for the hopper doors are to be installed on an Atlas Trainman 2-bay hopper? A bit confused here. Thanks!
Have a good day y'all.
Cheers! Rob
jeffrey-wimberlyReading binary and hexadecimal? I learned that stuff before I was twenty-three.
Me too Jeffrey. In my case we were still using punch cards to load programs with. Anyway two problems seem to be the issue.
1 - My digitrax command station seems to be stuck in a strange mode and I can't seem to get to where I can do a reset on it using the throttle.
2 - Jmri is installed on my computer, right drivers etc and it's talking to the usb loco buffer but not to the command station????
Who knows as this point. Off to the jmri yahoo group to see if anyone there has any suggestions.
Later Sir
Dennis
kbkchooch So get some rest, recheck what you have done per the manual, then either pose a question here or on the DCC side of the forum. You got questions, we go answers! Now where have I heard that before??
So get some rest, recheck what you have done per the manual, then either pose a question here or on the DCC side of the forum.
That Karl is exactly what I have in mind. Needless to say I'll be bugging you folks for help on this one
Good Morning,
Well we have a heat wave brewing up here. It is supposed to get up to 20F on Sunday! Just a 2 day heat wave mind you as the cold stuff is coming back next week just in case we might forget what it is like.
Sorry Rob for messing up you plans. I assume in all this track talk that you want to use code 83. The stuff used by Kato has a smaller cross section than Atlas so that while it is the same height, the top of the rail surface area is smaller than Atlas. I did join up Atas with Kato though. Just a minute and I'll go check. I used Atlas rail joiners between the two types and just crimped them onto the Kato track. Mixing the two types throughout a layout by using Atlas turnouts would be a lot of messing about. Those Kato #6 turnouts are an engineering marvel. The quality of the assembly is amazing. No wonder they cost so much.
Well time to get get ready to do a few errands. I won't be going far as the streets here are very icy after the snow yesterday.
Been wondering, for those who do operations on your (HO) layouts:
OK, so you pull up to sidings, yards, etc to separate out some cars. Even if your turnouts are controlled electronically, don't you still have to manually uncouple those cars? Or is there a trick to coupling/uncoupling I don't know about? Are you using little electromagnets like old Lionel had or what? Please describe how this is done. IF I am uncoupling cars by hand anyway, why bother with remote controlled switches at those particular busier switching locations on a layout?