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Weekend Photo Fun 4-6 March 2016

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  • Member since
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  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, March 5, 2016 3:56 AM

Bear,

When You get all that done in Beartown.......You might consider opening up a Truck/Auto repair shop and I'll consider loaning out My furry mechanic's...That are excellant! All You have to do is try to get them from ''clowning'' around so much! I believe they originally came from some Abby in ND....LOL. Smile, Wink & Grin

Also.....a lot of great Modeling guy's....too many for this old fart to remember......Like the McKeen Dave...Yes Yes Yes

Take Care, All! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, March 4, 2016 11:05 PM

mlehman

But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week...

This collection of housing for the down to the earth has been nameless too long -- or at least one local politian claimed it was so and made a point of getting a fence up to keep the young ones from wondering onto the wye track and a big full color sign so everyone getting off the train can see it from the station. Amd that was it. The indoor, flush toilets at the top of everyone's wishlist? Naw, we can't afford nice things...oh welll==,

But the sign is really great stuff. Not in Beartown, but within easy walking distance is a the remedy for all those work irritations.

Besides honoring the MR Forum's favorite Bear, Beartown honors one of my favorite remote camping spots near Silverton otherwise know as...yep, BeartownWelcome You head east from Stony Pass, eventually arriving at a location that crosses the Rocky Mountain Trail. Beartown isn't much more than a collection of primitive campsites. By that standard, the frugal, but fun loving residents of Beartown have it pretty good.

 

 
I am rather afeared that this sudden acquisition of a construction company, a diner and having a suburb, partially, named in his honour will go to JaBears head.
The next he’ll become Mayor of Black Cat Junction (“wot nefarious means!!!?” “Bribery?!!  No they were just donations!!”), and in conjunction with a reputable (??) developer will turn Beartown into a high end ski resort for celebrities and the very rich, all the work being carried out by a certain construction company. (“Conflict of interest?!! How dare you!!!) (Splutters indigently into large brandy snifter and manages to look suitably outraged.).
The wye will have to be scrapped to make way for the heliport, and the Overtime Saloon and its surrounds will also be demolished for the casinos construction.
The displaced residents of Beartown will be offered alternative accommodation , at very reasonable rates, at the “Thistle Dew” Trailer Park, a subsidiary of Ursidae Corp, and located on the reclaimed site of the former municipal tip, where not only will there be hot and cold running water, but also flush toilets, though only in a communal block.

"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 G Paine on Friday, March 4, 2016 10:45 PM

This afternoon I finaly had time to crawl under the layout with my wire cutters to hunt the short I talked about above. I started at the far end and cut off wires to Greenvale, the latest addition I made a couple of years ago. Then went to the oldest; Lower Sheepscott was a place I thought might have the short. When I cut that off, the short seemed to go away. I did a test run with a DC locomotive, and the short came back ARGGH!! Back under and tracing wiring again, and discovered I was wrong:

G Paine
no extra DCC electronics like stationary decoders or circuit breakers.

I had forgotten that the DCC throttle panels on the fascia have a track connection that lights an indicator showing when track power is on or off. One of these panels must have fried. When I disconnected the track power wiring from the back of the panels, the short went away for good. Big Smile

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, March 4, 2016 9:15 PM

Ken:

They look great!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by CSX_road_slug on Friday, March 4, 2016 8:54 PM

Lotsa great stuff in here this week, don't want to name names for fear of leaving somebody out!  I haven't posted on this thread in ages because my new layout hasn't been scenicked yet, but now I think I've got something worth sharing.

I recently figured out how to use my airbrush for weathering, so I've been weathering and [in some cases] upgrading my B&O loco fleet.  A few years ago I got four Bachmann GP9s in the dark blue scheme from MBKleins for $50 apiece, and I've been gradually improving them.  I started by swapping out the decoders with NCE D13SRJ's and installing grabirons on the ends; exchanged the orange headlight LEDs with YelloGlo's; and obviously I also had to renumber them.  Recently I relocated the louvres and weathered the shells, here are some before-and-after shots:

6445 - before:

  

6445 - after:

6454 - before:

6454 - after:

6458 - before:

6458 - after:

6487 - before:

6487 - after:

 

These are all still works-in-progress, but hopefully they look a little less toy-like!

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, March 4, 2016 8:13 PM

mlehman
That restaurant needs some waitresses on skates

I'll second that Yes

Thanks for kicking off yet another fun filled photo weekend, Bear! That big rig parked in front of the diner will sure help to draw the hungry travelers in for a spell...

I had my Mohawk out for a "Show Me Something" photoshoot involving some C&NW bi-levels so I thought as long as I had 'er fired up why not get a few pics of some Pacemaker cars on the drawbar, rolling into the setting sun?

Ed Nowak, official NYC RR photographer can't be far away Big Smile

Nice contributions, everyone— Where's Jimmy?

Have FUN, Ed

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Posted by SS Express on Friday, March 4, 2016 6:47 PM

Some freight action at the Northside loop including a freshly rusted gon......

Building the RDG, PRR, CNJ, LV railroads on the Huntington Valley Basement Lines.......
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Posted by SS Express on Friday, March 4, 2016 6:14 PM

A little Friday afternoon work at the coal yard.........

Building the RDG, PRR, CNJ, LV railroads on the Huntington Valley Basement Lines.......
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Posted by RDG Casey on Friday, March 4, 2016 5:58 PM

More fun with New Hope and Ivyland 9 with a kind of company promotion image.

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, March 4, 2016 5:49 PM

Hi everyone.

Excellent work all round!

Mike: Nice detail on the mine dock.

Bryan: Great weathering! It is heavily weathered but it doesn't look overdone.

Tony: Love the rust! There are some ballast cars parked on tracks not too far from our home and they look just about as rough.

Allan: Good to hear that your grandson is into trains with you.

 

In case you didn't see the pictures of the completed McKeen Motor Car on my thread, here is the (almost) final result:

Sorry, some of the picture aren't as clear as they could be.

I still have a little bit of touch up to do. If anyone ever releases a sound file for a large gasoline engine I will put sound in it. Some have suggested the Galloping Goose but I don't think it would be accurate. Unlike the Goose automobile engines, the original McKeen engine was huge.

For the whole saga of the McKeen car project have a look here:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/246923.aspx

Regards everybody!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, March 4, 2016 3:47 PM

Get well soon Frank.

"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 BRVRR on Friday, March 4, 2016 1:18 PM

Thanks Bear for starting off WPF again this weekend. Lots of great stuff here already!

My grandson's PRR J1A, 2-10-4 passes under the Rt. 32 overpass at the head of a long mixed freight. This monster is a real crowd pleaser and Zachary's current favorite engine. (I know it needs numbers in the keystone.)

Keep the photos and ideas coming guys. Thanks to you WPF is always the best thread of the week.

Tags: BRVRR , PRR

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

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Posted by mlehman on Friday, March 4, 2016 1:07 PM

G Paine
No pictures this week, it has been WnF this week - Week NO Fun.

George,

Arrrrgh, I hate stuff like that. Consider that low humdity makes wood shrink? Maybe that closed a crucial gap in the track? Good luck.

Bryan,

Thanks, man! And that's a nice(-ly dirty Smile, Wink & Grin ) SP unit. I have a soft spot for SP stuff, even though I don't model it, as I lived within a short hike of SP tracks during most of the 60s.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by Tony73 on Friday, March 4, 2016 11:01 AM

I have 3 C&O hoppers that were in excess of my needs. Researching my area I model I came up with a solution on how to use them. One in buffer car service and 2 for MOW for carrying old ties. Step 1, lots of rust and grime..

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Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, March 4, 2016 10:49 AM

Just Finished an install of a TCS mother Board and a 21 pin decoder in an Atlas U-23-B

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZlOmaVq7rk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by DGX GP 38 on Friday, March 4, 2016 10:17 AM
Bear, congrats on getting your construction company going. I'm sure that is at least as fun as "hopping a wing".

Mike, that is a really nice night scene. Thanks guys for kicking off the best thread of the week.

Here is an SP GP unit that I've been working on. I wanted it to have a well "used" look about it. Enjoy!







Bryan B.

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Posted by G Paine on Friday, March 4, 2016 10:01 AM

No pictures this week, it has been WnF this week - Week NO Fun.

It stated about 10 days ago when I went to test run a loco I was working on. Fired up Digitrax, turned on track power and got a series of beeps with flashing indicator lights that I did not recognize. Bang Head

Got out the manual to check the error message chart, and the beep sequence was not listed. Bang Head Bang Head

So I unplugegd Loconet, and plugged the throttle into the command station, turned on track power, and got 5 beeps -> short circuit. Bang Head

My DCC is simple. One power district and no extra DCC electronics like stationary decoders or circuit breakers. I have many locos that are still DC, so I have a DPDT switch so I can run DCC or DC. Switched to DC, and turned the Tech II. When I cranked the throttle, the yellow track power light dimmed, and the red Overload light came on. Confirmed that it's a track problem, not a DCC problem. Bang Head

Next I inspected all the tracks including hidden, staging, and those covered by buildings. No tools or anything on the tracks that did not belong. Bang Head Bang Head

Next I removed all the rolling stock from the tracks, and tested again. Still a short. Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head

I did not feel like crawling under the layout that day, but did a couple of days ago. With a flashlight, I looked at all the wiring, and did not see anything that looked wrong. Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head

Next I will have to start cuttings wires to try to isolate the problem. 
Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head  Bang Head 

Sorry for the rant, SoapBox but it is darn frustrating because I had not done any work on the layout that could have caused a short. Angry Crying 

BTW, I remembered that the loco had a dual system decoder. I pulled out my test track, and connected my 40+ year old power pack. It ran fine on DC.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, March 4, 2016 9:07 AM

Mike L ... Thanks for commenting. ... Your photos are fabulous. .. My last photo shows there is a prototype for everything..... Look carefully. It is an 0-5-0. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by mlehman on Friday, March 4, 2016 8:58 AM

Frank,

That is a nice truck. Now Bear will need a CDL in addition to all those other licenses he has to work on flying stuff.

Rick,

Those sound like major projects, but also something to look forward to seeing more of.

Garry,

Your city skyline is magnificent. I've heard the elephants work for peanuts, just don't ask them to switch any peanut-laden cars!Hmm

One of my operators gave me this G&D caboose when I was over working his layout last weekend. I was needing another narrowgauge caboose...and now it is.Smile, Wink & Grin

Black Cat Junction's station finally got its freight and express dock, also.

A bumpout added a little more real estate around the mine...

...and then I wanted more.

That's going to be the location of the mine's powerhouse.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Friday, March 4, 2016 7:51 AM

Bear ... Thanks for a fun start to weekend Photo Fun.

Frank ..... Thanks for a fun reply to Bear. I'l just grin and JaBear it.

Mile L ... Nice photos of some old west buildings. I like the name of the town and its welcome sign. 

Rick ... Are you having fun yet ? Smile, Wink & Grin... I bet the Aloc will look good when you complete it. 


 

ELEPHANT STYLE 

 

I am running a Burlington passenger train with an Elephant Style locomotive consist. "Elepahant style" is a railroad term meaning all locomotives in a consist are running forward. In the photo, my train is departing from Union Station.

The CB&Q often operated passenger trains with elephant style consists especially in the 1960's 

 

The photo below is NOT the sort of elephant style I am talking about. 

  

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
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Posted by dti406 on Friday, March 4, 2016 7:32 AM

Bear, Mike and Frank, thanks for starting off the weekend with a little hilarity and some great modeling!

I got nothing done this week although a lot of projects are in various phases of construction. I took a couple of in progress pictures on some of them.

Atlas Phase II C-425 Locomotive.  Removed the cast on SoapBox dynamic brake unit (What a PITA), filled in the resulting hole and also filled in two of the inlet screens to match the prototype.  This will end up as a New Haven unit, still have to do a C-424 and C-425 for the Wabash, again no dynamic brakes.

Atlas 3560CF ACF Covered Hopper kit, removed the cast on roofwalk and am smoothing everything out prior to installing the supports for a Plano Roofwalk, this really dresses up the car and makes it look outstanding when done.

Thanks for looking!

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

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Posted by zstripe on Friday, March 4, 2016 5:55 AM

That's pretty cool Mike! Your little dock area also looks great....love detail! Yes Yes

Bear.....Have another one!    Oh! By the way. JaBear construction LTD. owns the ''Diner'' LOL Will have some ''new'' progress pic's soon, on the Transload scene area, now that I kicked the ''flu''.

Take Care, All! Big Smile

Frank

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    September 2003
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Posted by mlehman on Friday, March 4, 2016 4:06 AM

That restaurant needs some waitresses on skatesSmile, Wink & Grin

But the Bear's business empire is expanding -- or at least his fame. Check out this new sign that went up in Black Cat Junction this week...

This collection of housing for the down to the earth has been nameless too long -- or at least one local politian claimed it was so and made a point of getting a fence up to keep the young ones from wondering onto the wye track and a big full color sign so everyone getting off the train can see it from the station. Amd that was it. The indoor, flush toilets at the top of everyone's wishlist? Naw, we can't afford nice things...oh welll==,

But the sign is really great stuff. Not in Beartown, but within easy walking distance is a the remedy for all those work irritations.

Besides honoring the MR Forum's favorite Bear, Beartown honors one of my favorite remote camping spots near Silverton otherwise know as...yep, BeartownWelcome You head east from Stony Pass, eventually arriving at a location that crosses the Rocky Mountain Trail. Beartown isn't much more than a collection of primitive campsites. By that standard, the frugal, but fun loving residents of Beartown have it pretty good.Big Smile

The majority of work at the Outlaw Mine is done, but work continues on support structures and details.

I've added some detail to the supply dock

I better go for now, will post some more stuff tomorrow.

Lots more pics on doings this week  at: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/219241.aspx?page=5

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Weekend Photo Fun 4-6 March 2016
Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, March 4, 2016 3:19 AM
Gidday All, normally I wouldn’t repost a photo so soon but I’m still pretty chuffed and tickled pink about having my own construction company; also a BIG shout out to Frank. Smile, Wink & Grin
 
 
Looking forward to the really Good Stuff,
Have a Great One ffolkes,
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

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

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