hon30critter NeO6874 I found them to be equally easy to pick up I'm afraid I don't have either your manual dexterity or your memory. I'm all thumbs. The NCE was way easier for me to use. Everybody is different. Dave
NeO6874 I found them to be equally easy to pick up
I'm afraid I don't have either your manual dexterity or your memory. I'm all thumbs. The NCE was way easier for me to use. Everybody is different.
Dave
That would make using the Digitrax Zeph... ohhhh wait, I was only limiting my comment to
(1) Digitrax Zephyr* starter box thingy
(2) NCE Powercab starter kit (the one I got).
Both of which were at the LHS as "floor models" so you could get your hands dirty before plopping down $200 on something you might not like.
That being said, I recall that the test loco decoders were "only" 2 or 4-function (motor + lights) jobs, and they didn't exactly have a lot that could be configured; so perhaps that had a bit to do with the "meh, they're the same".
It was Tom / tstage of the forums here who convinced me to go with the NCE setup at one of the Berea NMRA trainshows.
*This unit has since been superceded apparently.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
And for you Hank Snow fans.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
up831 I got enough candy corn to last into spring.
Bought some of that once. Never could get it to grow.
Hi everyone,
JPowell. Good to see you posting again.
This month's destination is very nice. We were in Banff, Canmore, Calgary, and Invermere just a year ago. It snowed on us the day after we arrived. Beautiful! The Canadian Rockies in that area are just gorgeous. It's a little too cold for my liking, but we had a great time. BC is called the warm side of the Rockies,....uhh, yeah, sure. One thing's sure, CP was very smart to run the track through that area. It's some of most spectacular mountain scenery in the world.
Last night we took advantage of post holloween candy sales. I got enough candy corn to last into spring. Funny, its very hard to find the rest of the year.
Nothing MRR wise to report.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I guess it comes from backgrounds - I found them to be equally easy to pick up ... But NCE was a better price, and not a dead end.
NeO6874John, DCC is all pretty much "the same" in terms of ease
Hi John.
I will politely disagree with Dan's statement, specifically with regard to NCE and Digitrax systems. Personally, I don't think there is any comparison between NCE and Digitrax, especially when it comes to learning how to run the systems. I use an NCE Powercab at home and various Digitrax throttles at the club. The NCE is easy to understand and easy to operate right out of the box. The Digitrax system is neither easy to understand nor easy to operate when you first start using it. I won't go into the details because that has been done countless times before, but perhaps the best indicator of ease of use is the fact that during these discussions the number of complaints and problems related to Digitrax significantly outweighs the tiny number of complaints about NCE.
Here is one of the more recent comparison discussions:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/265497.aspx?page=1
Try to find an opportunity to use the various systems before you spend your money.
JP .... Good seeing you again ..... DCC? ... I have been using MRC Prodigy Wireless for a few years, and I am happy with it.
JohnBoy .... CN Charlie says you had a birthday yesterday.... Happy late birthday !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
CNCharlieOur bill for feeding the birds last month was $350.
$350!!! How many feeders are you putting out and what are you feeding?
We buy one 50lb. bag each of nyjer seed and black sunflower seed every two months or so. That works out to about $135.00 Cdn. We also put out suet in the winter.
I found that our seed consumption actually went up significantly when we finally found some decent feeders. For years almost every feeder we tried would clog up so the birds often couldn't get to the seed.
Evening all,
Welcome to daylight wasting time. Having some red beans and rice.
John, I second the NCE power cab as a good starter for DCC. I don't have a true layout yet but have the power cab and I converted some of my Athearn blue box locos for DCC. Easy to program and easy to use.
Good Evening, Folks —
NeO6874Ed, I'm right next door over in Cuyahoga. Love heading over to Burton when that maple house in town square is doing its thing.
Hi, Neighbor.
I grew up near St. Clair and Eddy Road in East Cleveland then moved to South Euclid near the City Hall on Green Road. Went to Brush
In the late 1970s moved to the Chardon area and been here ever since. I used to play with the 4070 and that bunch on the Cuyahoga Valley.
Ken, got your PM and I'll get back to you. The B&O SD7 is one of the first run Proto 2000s. Veen sitting on the shelf for years. No decoder but should run fine. It even still has its old X2f couplers!
PRR_M1BLI7 by Edmund, on Flickr
Are you trying to get the main crank pin out, Ken??? (hiding under the eccentric rod in this photo) I'll try to measure it so you can fit the right sized nut driver on it. The eccentric crank is probably keyed (little tab on it) and I'm sure there are spacers in there, too. The cheap nut drivers that BLI supply are probably not precise enough for a good fit. You may need a good set, say from Wiha.
Sunny and cool today, rain on the way...
Messing around with little projects on the model RR. Put a decoder in an old Life-Like Nickel Plate Road SW-900. I picked up a Trix, New York Central Mikado. Tom Stage and a few other fellows that have had them say they're great and now I can agree. It is a beautiful running loco with excellent details. Got a nice deal on it from a fellow in Gütersloh, Germany. Postage to US was only $15. ! I put a Loksound decoder in it already. It will go on its maiden run later tonight
Well, time to fire up the smoker. We have a couple turkeys, a duck and some beef brisket to smoke.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Cheers! Ed
Eveing, or is it afternoon Diners. I hate time changes! Body says it is 6:30 but clock says 5:30.
Train Front Went to K-10 Model Trains today and it was open house Sunday and parking lot was packed! Seems the nut I need to get off my M1a to drop the drive gear does not fit any of the BLI nut Drivers I have. Person I was hoping to have help me was helping with the layout because of all the kids. Did get to use there work station with a lite magafing lamp. I swear they are not nuts, I saw no shoulders for a nut driver to grap on to? Ask another person to take a peak, to him it did not look like it had any shoulders either?
Just so happened there was a used Pargon M1b there for sale. We looked at it and it looked the same as my M1a and it's orginal nut driver in the box. Could get 3 of the 4 nuts lose but not the one I need to get off! I have came up with a new game plan that should work and I will post about it later.
Little about K-10 pricing. Has a whole I think Ken owner of K-10 model trains prices are very fair. No, he cannot match on line prices but only charges a 20% mark up. Even seems fair on his estates sale prices. I bought 8 Bachmann PRR Coach for only $115.00 and that sure seemed fair to me!
But Pargon I run #9 M1b was tagged at $249.99 and the head light does not work? Come on, yes I know PRR did not use the headlights during the day in this era but would spend that knid of money on a engine with no headlight? Plus it was well used, brass was showing on some of the drivers! This was not a shelf queen!
Ed Pm was sent.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
It's a beautiful warm sunny 17c Sunday. Ran trains for hours this morning and need to hop on the Deere to cut the lawn.
How bout some light reading on a lazy West Coast Sunday. Workin on the railroad West Coast style with pictures!
http://caboosecoffee.blogspot.com/2012/03/lulu-island-branch.html
Good Afternoon,
Just taking a break from the fall pond pump-out/cleaning.
Johnboy, Happy Birthday!!! Sorry I missed it on the day, yesterday but I was busy with my own celebration.
Yesterday my wife took me out for a nice lunch. We went to a little cafe we have be going to for at least 25 years. It is small place with the same owner. It is called Cafe Carlo. She had the PEI Mussels in a Pernod/cream sauce. They are really great but I was lured away by the beef dip special.
Dave, we don't have cardinals here but all the others you mention are here at least for part of the year. Our bill for feeding the birds last month was $350. Sure glad the migrants have gone.
CN Charlie
John, DCC is all pretty much "the same" in terms of ease -- especially in the starter kits (excepting bachmann's from about a decade ago, which was super limited).
Essentially you're gonna get a system that has a capacity of 1-2 amps (1 or 2 old BB locos, unless you swap out to newer motors), that either uses a potentiometer (similar to DC powerpacks) or an encoder wheel (similar to a mouse wheel).
I have an NCE Powercab - it fit nice in the hand, and was a little more expandable than Digitrax's starter offering (which, at the time, was kind of dead-end -- if you went to the bigger Digitrax system, the starter kit kinda got sidelined). Also, the club I was part of was looking to NCE as well (but it kinda fizzled out before we got anywhere).
Good morning... er just shy of afternoon all! Hope all is well with everyone. Prayers to those in need.
Yes, I have been absent from the Diner lately; actually severely absent to the point I may have skipped out the past year or so LOL. Sorry for my tardiness; I apologize to all.
Anyways, what's new with everyone. I hppened to notice on my way in that the scenery is a tad bit different and the temps are a bit chilly. But I guess that's what happens when the Diner is moved to BC, Canada!
I have a question for all though. I am getting to the point where I may be able to actually build a layout. I want to make it DCC-friendly, eventhough I currently don't have any DCC-equiped engines. So, my question is this - What's the easiest to use DCC system?
I'm sorry this is a short post, but I have to head out to do a landscaping job. Yes, I know this is a Sunday, but with the weather we have had here in the Syracuse, NY area as of late, in addition to the forecasted weather for this coming week, today is the only nice day I have to get the job done. I will stop in later on this evening for some dessert.
Take care all!
//signed// John Powell President / CEO CNY Transportation Corp (fictional)
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/nuts4sports34/
Hunter - When we met in January of 2000, you were just a 6 week old pup who walked his way into this heart of mine as the only runt in the litter who would come over to me. And today, I sit here and tell you I am sorry we had to put you down. It was the best thing for you and also the right thing to do. May you now rest in peace and comfort. Love, Dad. 8 June 2010
I love you and miss you Mom. Say hi to everyone up there for me. Rest in peace and comfort. Love, John. 29 March 2017
Tinplate Toddler NeO6874 you haven't had the good stuff out of Ohio or Vermont then. :) Nope, but just because rhe Canadian stuff is the only maple syrup we get here! Willing to try, though ...
NeO6874 you haven't had the good stuff out of Ohio or Vermont then. :)
Nope, but just because rhe Canadian stuff is the only maple syrup we get here! Willing to try, though ...
Will have to take a look to see what'll survive shipment across the pond for ya, then. Best time to get it is during the sugaring season (March / April).
Ed, I'm right next door over in Cuyahoga. Love heading over to Burton when that maple house in town square is doing its thing.
Ray, you've got a point about NY maple syrup. I've been to Chatauqua Lake a couple of times and have picked up some jugs (friend of SWMBO lives over in Lucille Ball's hometown, whose name escapes me). Beautiful area over there, and a breeze to drive up I90.
Ulrich, You and Petra can move to Youngstown, split the difference between Ed, Ray, and me (hey, I've heard stories about pies, you're crazy people if you think I'm gonna let that pass)
BigDaddyIf there aren't ghosts in computer simulations, what is in the mirror in my bedroom?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Evening diners,
I've decided to make the jump and buy an Athearn SDP45 Conrail, DCC Sound for about 150 from M.B. Klein, I haven't made the purchase yet, I'm going to wait till next payday (I'm going to put 75 aside this week and the rest will be next week) I'm also going to grab a Phase II North American Safety Cab to swap into the unit, I guess I'll either get it custom painted into NWP colors or keep it CR, it depends on how much is in my budget.
Well Monday I'm going job hunting again!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Hi Ed,
Interesting article on the Canadian!
I rode that train almost all the way from Toronto to Vancouver and back in 1965. I say 'almost' because instead of taking the train back from Vancouver to Calgary, I was a passenger in my uncle's MGB, top down of course!
gmpullman Nothing says Welcome To Canada like a ride on the Budd-Streamlined Canadian! http://canadianrailwayobservations.com/RESTRICTED/2015/March/THE%20CANADIAN%20Vol%201B%20FINAL.pdf *A fairly large file. Those with dial-up may want to go get a beverage while it loads. But it is worth it! CP_E-4040 by Edmund, on Flickr Regards, Ed
Nothing says Welcome To Canada like a ride on the Budd-Streamlined Canadian!
http://canadianrailwayobservations.com/RESTRICTED/2015/March/THE%20CANADIAN%20Vol%201B%20FINAL.pdf
*A fairly large file. Those with dial-up may want to go get a beverage while it loads. But it is worth it!
CP_E-4040 by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
Hey, I have that hanging in my bedroom!
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
If there aren't ghosts in computer simulations, what is in the mirror in my bedroom?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Ulrich I know not what to say, except you are getting a new PM. I wish there was someway to help.
Batman Electrolytes? You have to go out of your way to get your electrolytes that wonky to put soy sauce in a tea cup. You have me worried.
Two contractors at a Amazon facility in Baltimore got killed in a tornado last night. Tornado? in November? In Baltimore? This isn't west Texas.
Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, thinks we are living in a computer simulation. A year ago I thought it was ridiculous. Now as I ponder not only ordinary suffering in live, but the worst of the worst, which has existed for thousands of years. Maybe he has a point. He is 61 and his is his girlfriend:
https://twitter.com/kristina_basham/status/1057798901741191168
Where can I get that app?
Eveing Diners
Flo give the gang and I a and one for Z Strip as well!
Another day of first for my wife. She went shopping, Ok I took her shopping and she went in four stores and never used her cane! Plus she drove her car for the first time in 8 weeks and did not hit anything! Took her to our closed Shop And Save (I miss that store) and she drove around the parking lot a few times and seem to do fine.
Train Front Seems the B&O freight car I thought I cleared from the RIP Track should have stayed there! I have 9 freight cars laying on there sides on my verson of Horse Shoe Curve. Will get out the Big Hook Sunday and see what I missed.
Ed I will be sending you a PM in the next day or so.
Later, derailed again, Cuda Ken
That sure looks like a model railroad curve, brent! I remember going around the baloon track in a similar way, around the back wall of the roundhouse, at Spadina Street in Toronto. The flanges were really squealing!
Here's a link to three more of the .pdf files about the Canadian, and after it was run by VIA.
http://canadianrailwayobservations.com/archive.htm
I'm sure glad I got my train-riding-watching in back in the 1970s & '80s. I don't think I'd like it very much today, although I've been on a few Amtrak trips it just isn't the same.
I embedded one of the CFB films here once and it caused a ruckus because every time you entered the diner it immediately took you to that link and it got to be a nuisance!
I love the name "Revelstoke". If I ever have a dog again I'd probably name him Revelstoke. Sounds better than Kamloops
End Of The Line is another good one!
https://www.nfb.ca/film/end_of_line/
Sure glad these films got preserved.
Good morning from the damp West Coast.
Feeling a little wonky today and will take it easy. Last night my Wife and Daughter started asking me what was wrong as they noticed I was not operating on all cylinders. By the time we got to the restaurant for sushi I was doing some weird things like pouring soy sauce in my teacup and unable to use chopsticks which I am normally very proficient at. My wife quickly decided I was having electrolyte issues due to my off schedule bike ride that happened from a lousy nights sleep. My workouts are pretty tough and I always eat and drink in a regimented way before I commence. Yesterday I went off my pre-ride schedule. I have topped up with the necessary vitamins and minerals fruits and vegetables but need to rest for a couple of days.
I read my "late in the day" post from yesterday and while I only graduated high school the post looks like I may have managed grade 5 at best. That was when I first noticed something was amiss.
Ed, that was a great article on the Canadian, I think I will print it off. They talk about turning the train in the Drake street wye in Vancouver. They actually had a balloon track around the roundhouse which is why I have a balloon track around my RH on the layout.
So it is only an old rerun from me today as I am still misfiring somewhat. If I don't feel better tonight I'll pop by the hospital and get an IV to top me up on the electrolytes. No bike ride! I can feel the goo forming around my midsection already! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Can't seem to embed the link so you will have to click on it. https://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders/
So it is only an old rerun from me today as I am still misfiring somewhat. If I don't feel better tonight I'll pop by the hospital and get an IV to top me up on the electrolytes. No bike ride! I can feel the goo forming around my midsection already! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Can't seem to embed the link so you will have to click on it.
https://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders/
Afternoon, all! 42 and starting to cloud up some.
Going to try posting a pic, hope it works.
Terry
Edit: It worked!! Yay!!
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Fo quite a long time, the Fiat Cinquecento and its successor Fiat 126 (made in Italy and in Poland) was about the smallest car there is. with a 2-cyl. 18bhp engine, overtaking a truck on a freeway would have proven to be suicidal. The car is so small, I would not fit into it - with the front seats taken out.
I don´t run on batteries nor am I gas powered - I run on good food, but I cannot throw a shovel of snow 35 ft. away. At least I am fully organic
Edit: I got top of the page, so order up, gents - it´s on me!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Tinplate Toddlernteresting car, Ray - must be a banged-up Polski Fiat 126, the successor of the famous (original) Fiat 500, which was Mussolini´s answer to Hitler´s Volkswagen - which is, of course historically not quite correct, as the Fiat Cinquecento was first introduced in 1957.
I have no idea what it was originally... Just a photo someone sent me or I found online. Actually I use a snowblower powered by Batteries. It's an EGO that is remarkably powerful and can throw snow up to 35 feet. Only drawback is that it is not self propelled so I have to push it. On the other hand the rotating blades do pull the machine into the snow a bit.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!