richhotrain That is really true, Tom. Technical threads draw a small audience of truly dedicated forum members. Post a whimsical thread with a clever title and you will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of views. Rich
That is really true, Tom. Technical threads draw a small audience of truly dedicated forum members. Post a whimsical thread with a clever title and you will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of views.
Rich
Rich, Was this forum ever that serious? I reall the flame wars over just about everything when I join back in 2001. I think this forum is more like a club then anything technical other then the DCC forum..
The only "serious" forum I know is the Atlas Rescue Forum and there is a lot of complaining there about models some times even a member that has a different view gets yelled at.
Be that has it may I am a member there because I can get the detailed reviews of new releases including any minor or major flaws. I simply judge what is being said about a certain model to see if it fits my guide lines.. My IM GP10 was such a locomotive as was my Scale Trains "Operator" SD40-2.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BigDaddy ATLANTIC CENTRAL What do I do to that original Athearn car? Remove the tandom axles on the trailers, relocate the landing gear on the trailers, paint the rims, paint the tail lights, and use some of the extra tires I removed to add spare tires to the trailers (common in the 50's). Then I cut apart the "trailer cradle" leaving only the prototypical rub rails, and I glue the on the flat car. I use the left over wheel/axle piece from the trailer wheels as a 5th wheel jack (not exactly prototypical, but back then several designs floated around), and I add bridge plates and the tall stakes that typically held the chain that kept the bridge plates up in transit. The Athearn trucks get replaced with my signature Kadee sprung trucks with Intermountain wheels This is the kind of information that I wouldn't know to do. I am a few years older than Sheldon, but I don't remember that sort of detail from the 50's. I suppose there are Kalmbach or other books I could study and figure it out, but I'm not inclined to buy a bunch more reference books. Thanks for the simple explanation. I hope you start your own thread, like Randy, when you are further along in your design.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL What do I do to that original Athearn car? Remove the tandom axles on the trailers, relocate the landing gear on the trailers, paint the rims, paint the tail lights, and use some of the extra tires I removed to add spare tires to the trailers (common in the 50's). Then I cut apart the "trailer cradle" leaving only the prototypical rub rails, and I glue the on the flat car. I use the left over wheel/axle piece from the trailer wheels as a 5th wheel jack (not exactly prototypical, but back then several designs floated around), and I add bridge plates and the tall stakes that typically held the chain that kept the bridge plates up in transit. The Athearn trucks get replaced with my signature Kadee sprung trucks with Intermountain wheels
This is the kind of information that I wouldn't know to do. I am a few years older than Sheldon, but I don't remember that sort of detail from the 50's. I suppose there are Kalmbach or other books I could study and figure it out, but I'm not inclined to buy a bunch more reference books.
Thanks for the simple explanation. I hope you start your own thread, like Randy, when you are further along in your design.
Thanks Henry,
I did start a thread on the layout design concept in 2018 when we first moved to the new house, it has come back to the front page from time to time.
The past year and a half has not gone exactly as we had hoped..........
And I will update it or start new threads as I progress on the new layout.
I'm only 62, but I model 1954, and have done considerable research into that era, with piggyback being a particular special interest.
Shedon
ATLANTIC CENTRALWhat do I do to that original Athearn car? Remove the tandom axles on the trailers, relocate the landing gear on the trailers, paint the rims, paint the tail lights, and use some of the extra tires I removed to add spare tires to the trailers (common in the 50's). Then I cut apart the "trailer cradle" leaving only the prototypical rub rails, and I glue the on the flat car. I use the left over wheel/axle piece from the trailer wheels as a 5th wheel jack (not exactly prototypical, but back then several designs floated around), and I add bridge plates and the tall stakes that typically held the chain that kept the bridge plates up in transit. The Athearn trucks get replaced with my signature Kadee sprung trucks with Intermountain wheels
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
ROBERT PETRICK ATLANTIC CENTRAL I agree, but I am between layouts and without time to set up my work bench, so no current modeling to discuss or show pictures of. I have posted at some length about my design concept, and hope to finish and publish the track plan soon, but that seems to be of interest only to a few. I'm not particularly interested in which sound decoder is best, or how much someone likes their latest high end RTR loco or rolling stock purchase that they will not weather or kit bash. And I full well accept that those guys are not interested in my budget kit bash projects or "close enough from three feet" modeling. So what would you have us talk about Jim? If I start talking about signaling, or advanced cab control, or freelancing, or selective compression, one group says I'm behind the times, the other group falls asleep. Sheldon I'm interested in seeing your track plan, and I'm perfectly okay with a hand-drawn version. In fact I'd really like to see a well-drawn-by-hand image. I started my career back in the Stone Age (70s) as a pen-and-ink draftsman, and I know many who were (are) very talented in that regard. I'm also interested in the "close enough from three feet" idea. I think it was Tony Koester who wrote about the concept of "layout quality structures" vs "contest quality structures". Robert
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I agree, but I am between layouts and without time to set up my work bench, so no current modeling to discuss or show pictures of. I have posted at some length about my design concept, and hope to finish and publish the track plan soon, but that seems to be of interest only to a few. I'm not particularly interested in which sound decoder is best, or how much someone likes their latest high end RTR loco or rolling stock purchase that they will not weather or kit bash. And I full well accept that those guys are not interested in my budget kit bash projects or "close enough from three feet" modeling. So what would you have us talk about Jim? If I start talking about signaling, or advanced cab control, or freelancing, or selective compression, one group says I'm behind the times, the other group falls asleep. Sheldon
I agree, but I am between layouts and without time to set up my work bench, so no current modeling to discuss or show pictures of.
I have posted at some length about my design concept, and hope to finish and publish the track plan soon, but that seems to be of interest only to a few.
I'm not particularly interested in which sound decoder is best, or how much someone likes their latest high end RTR loco or rolling stock purchase that they will not weather or kit bash.
And I full well accept that those guys are not interested in my budget kit bash projects or "close enough from three feet" modeling.
So what would you have us talk about Jim?
If I start talking about signaling, or advanced cab control, or freelancing, or selective compression, one group says I'm behind the times, the other group falls asleep.
Sheldon
I'm interested in seeing your track plan, and I'm perfectly okay with a hand-drawn version. In fact I'd really like to see a well-drawn-by-hand image. I started my career back in the Stone Age (70s) as a pen-and-ink draftsman, and I know many who were (are) very talented in that regard.
I'm also interested in the "close enough from three feet" idea. I think it was Tony Koester who wrote about the concept of "layout quality structures" vs "contest quality structures".
Robert
Robert, trust me it will be hand drawn. and it pains me that it has taken so long, but family and work have been a real challenge this last year.
But it is coming along, it will show up.
As for "close enough" modeling, I am a "big picture" kind of guy when it comes to model trains.
Don't get me wrong, I like a well detailed accurate model as much as the next guy. At 15 I was installing complete brake system rigging and piping under my freight cars.
But I like big scenes and long trains, and not every freight car needs to be museum quality, they just have to look the part. Like these:
Are they ubber accurate? No. Do they have reasonably good proportions and convey the feel of early piggyback cars? YES.
I have about 100 early piggyback cars. Many are these early Athearn cars, with a number of simple upgrades to make them more correct, without going crazy.
There will be three 35 car trains of these making their way around the layout, getting sorted in the yard, etc.
Guess what? Not one of the current "high end" brands makes a good model of this type of early piggyback car. And while I have the skills, I don't have the time or desire to scratch build, or major kit bash 100 flat cars.
So I employ "minimum effort modeling", taking something close, and doing just enough to eliminate the obvious flaws, making it a much better version of "close enough".
It's fun, its easy, and it meets the goal which is that 35 car train rounding that 40" radius curve, lead by an ABBA set of F units.....
What do I do to that original Athearn car?
Remove the tandom axles on the trailers, relocate the landing gear on the trailers, paint the rims, paint the tail lights, and use some of the extra tires I removed to add spare tires to the trailers (common in the 50's).
Then I cut apart the "trailer cradle" leaving only the prototypical rub rails, and I glue them on the flat car (or sometimes I make rub rails from scratch). I use a left over wheel/axle piece from the trailer wheels as a 5th wheel jack (not exactly prototypical, but back then several designs floated around), and I add bridge plates and the tall stakes that typically held the chain that kept the bridge plates up in transit.
The Athearn trucks get replaced with my signature Kadee sprung trucks with Intermountain wheels, and there you have it, a budget 1950's piggyback, or 75 of them.......
In many cases the trucks represent a bigger investment than the rest of the car....
Just one example of "close enough".
One note, none of the cars pictured had yet made it to the paint shop for some light weathering.
Maybe the next installment will be passenger cars.........
PS - Rich, 75 Athearn piggyback kit bashes requires first hoarding 75 trailer hitch/bridge plate parts sets from Athearn 85' flat cars.........
Alton Junction
ATLANTIC CENTRAL riogrande5761 Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members. The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now. I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time. I agree, but I am between layouts and without time to set up my work bench, so no current modeling to discuss or show pictures of. I have posted at some length about my design concept, and hope to finish and publish the track plan soon, but that seems to be of interest only to a few. I'm not particularly interested in which sound decoder is best, or how much someone likes their latest high end RTR loco or rolling stock purchase that they will not weather or kit bash. And I full well accept that those guys are not interested in my budget kit bash projects or "close enough from three feet" modeling. So what would you have us talk about Jim? If I start talking about signaling, or advanced cab control, or freelancing, or selective compression, one group says I'm behind the times, the other group falls asleep. Sheldon
riogrande5761 Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members. The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now. I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time.
Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members. The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now. I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time.
Sheldon,
I think Jim's comment is more directed towards threads that are merely conversational/social in nature vs ones that are more geared towards "informative discussion" - like the examples you have given. And it doesn't take long before you notice that complaining/negative threads will garner far more views and comments than those that are positive in nature. I can't tell you how many good "How to" threads I've seen posted that quickly descend to pg. 2 and beyond because few find them interesting or beneficial or even bother to look at them. Sad but true.
That said though, don't let that stop you from posting something that you feel might be a benefit to others - even if it's only one or two people. And if you're secure in what you are doing, who cares what the naysayers think.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
LINK to SNSR Blog
maxman riogrande5761 become a sort of "coffee clutch" Klatch! Klatch! Cars and trucks have "clutch". Coffee has "klatch".
riogrande5761 become a sort of "coffee clutch"
Klatch! Klatch! Cars and trucks have "clutch". Coffee has "klatch".
Klatsch. (No repetition, no exclamation points)
tstagesomeone could start an "MR Rescue Forum" like they did over at the Atlas website.
That could be interesting. Not a site for the perpetually offended.
Mike.
My You Tube
riogrande5761become a sort of "coffee clutch"
mbinsewi ATLANTIC CENTRAL Other things I hoard: Rich, It seems your therapy is working, Sheldon is beginning to open up.. Mike.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Other things I hoard:
Rich, It seems your therapy is working, Sheldon is beginning to open up..
I strongly believe that Sheldon is on the road to recovery. Ahh, the power of prayer.
riogrande5761 Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members. The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now.
Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members. The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now.
Truer words have never been spoken, Jim...
I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time.
Someone recently commented to me that, should that happen, someone could start an "MR Rescue Forum" like they did over at the Atlas website. That way some folks won't suffer from delirium tremens of not having the forum around.
ATLANTIC CENTRALBut here is the list of things purged when or before we moved:
Actually, we are in that process of purging.
But here is the list of things purged when or before we moved:
Aprox 400 VHS movies, and 200 DVD movies
Three rooms of antique and reproduction Victorian furniture
A small lumber yard of wood moldings, many custom milled
A dozen or so older power tools, spare air compressor, etc.
Several specific collections of Victorian knickknack's
Several spare beds and bed frames
Several collections of magazines, not train related.......
About 25% of the books in the house....
Still to find a new home:
Upright piano
1927 Victrola
We started clearing out rooms years before the move (kids and their stuff, as well as our own)
riogrande5761The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now. I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time.
That's exactly why I get upset at forum members who complain about the moderators or the rules.
I can feel for the company that provides something valuable for free and gets criticized for it.
York1 John
ATLANTIC CENTRALOther things I hoard:
When my father died, I was the closest in location of the four sons, so it fell to me to clean out the house and garage.
I was amazed at some of the things my father kept.
He had some things in his dresser drawer from WWII -- not mementos or artifacts, but just various odd things. They obviously meant something to him since he kept them, but they meant nothing to me and got thrown away.
That experience has made me look at things I have kept. It's important to me or I wouldn't keep it, but when I die, it won't mean anything to my daughters and will get thrown. Kind of makes you get sentimental about important things in life.
Sheldon, I am not without sin, so I should not cast the first stone (John 8:7). My new layout is guilty of gigantism as well. As soon as I finish it, I plan to dismantle it, sell all of my locos and rolling stock, and keep only a couple of Santa Fe passenger trains. I yearn for a smaller layout and simplicity.
Other things I hoard:
Kadee sprung trucks
Intermoutain wheel sets
Specific CalScale detail parts
American Limited diaphragm
Kadee couplers
Specific undecorated freight cars when they show up at the right price
No longer produced Roundhouse Commonwealth 4 wheel passenger trucks
No longer produced Central Valley passenger truck brake beam kits
Replacement gears and wheelsets for Proto2000 diesels.
richhotrain ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, it will not be real hoarding untill I get to 2500 freight cars and 300 locos, because the layout is designed for about 1200 freight cars and requires the 140 locos to protect the schedule. Sheldon, I agree. What you describe for your layout is not hoarding. That said, your layout is suffering from gigantism. That's another form of MR disease. Rich
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, it will not be real hoarding untill I get to 2500 freight cars and 300 locos, because the layout is designed for about 1200 freight cars and requires the 140 locos to protect the schedule.
Rich, it will not be real hoarding untill I get to 2500 freight cars and 300 locos, because the layout is designed for about 1200 freight cars and requires the 140 locos to protect the schedule.
Sheldon, I agree. What you describe for your layout is not hoarding.
That said, your layout is suffering from gigantism. That's another form of MR disease.
Well, maybe so, but it will be smaller than the layouts of a number of my modeling friends and acquaintances in this region of country.......
And while it will be big, it is not very complex. Remember, a double ended yard with 8 tracks, 20 feet long, is no more complex than one with 8 tracks only 12 feet long. 36" and larger curves use up real estate fast, and so does scenic depth. Many scenes with only the double track mainline will be 2-3 feet deep. The "city" scene will be 5 feet deep, but all the track will be in the front 3 feet. Parts of the city will lift out for access.
The thing that requires the rolling stock is the number of staged trains, about 30 total.
The only thing I plan to acquire in large numbers is switch machines. I want everything to match and I'd hate for the choice I make to leave production.
Doughless I like practicing just-in-time inventory for the layout, but I wish that I would have hoarded some Cascade Rail Supply Homabed that I had on my ebay watchlist for abot a year.......
I like practicing just-in-time inventory for the layout, but I wish that I would have hoarded some Cascade Rail Supply Homabed that I had on my ebay watchlist for abot a year.......
And there you have the reason why I try to buy the full quantity I expect to need once a product is selected. And that is the one I missed too. I have some in stock, but not enough........
But that will never happen, I am mostly done buying rolling stock and locos. I may have a lot of stuff, but I am actually a very disciplined hoarder..........
richhotrain SeeYou190 In the past couple of years, an interesting thing has begun to happen. I am purchasing things in "lifetime supplies" when I can. Is this something normal, or is it a sign of hoarding. According to Mayo Clinic, it is not normal, and it is definitely a sign of hoarding. Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about this disorder. Overview Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually piled with stuff. And when there's no more room inside, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles, yard and other storage facilities. Hoarding ranges from mild to severe. In some cases, hoarding may not have much impact on your life, while in other cases it seriously affects your functioning on a daily basis. People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. But intensive treatment can help people with hoarding disorder understand how their beliefs and behaviors can be changed so that they can live safer, more enjoyable lives. Symptoms Getting and saving an excessive number of items, gradual buildup of clutter in living spaces and difficulty discarding things are usually the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often surfaces during the teenage to early adult years. As the person grows older, he or she typically starts acquiring things for which there is no immediate need or space. By middle age, symptoms are often severe and may be harder to treat. Problems with hoarding gradually develop over time and tend to be a private behavior. Often, significant clutter has developed by the time it reaches the attention of others. Signs and symptoms may include: Excessively acquiring items that are not needed or for which there's no space Persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with your things, regardless of actual value Feeling a need to save these items, and being upset by the thought of discarding them Building up of clutter to the point where rooms become unusable Having a tendency toward indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and problems with planning and organizing Excessive acquiring and refusing to discard items results in: Disorganized piles or stacks of items, such as newspapers, clothes, paperwork, books or sentimental items Possessions that crowd and clutter your walking spaces and living areas and make the space unusable for the intended purpose, such as not being able to cook in the kitchen or use the bathroom to bathe Buildup of food or trash to unusually excessive, unsanitary levels Significant distress or problems functioning or keeping yourself and others safe in your home Conflict with others who try to reduce or remove clutter from your home Difficulty organizing items, sometimes losing important items in the clutter People with hoarding disorder typically save items because: They believe these items are unique or will be needed at some point in the future The items have important emotional significance — serving as a reminder of happier times or representing beloved people or pets They feel safer when surrounded by the things they save They don't want to waste anything Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or model cars, deliberately search out specific items, categorize them and carefully display their collections. Although collections can be large, they aren't usually cluttered and they don't cause the distress and impairments that are part of hoarding disorder. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hoarding-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356056
SeeYou190 In the past couple of years, an interesting thing has begun to happen. I am purchasing things in "lifetime supplies" when I can. Is this something normal, or is it a sign of hoarding.
In the past couple of years, an interesting thing has begun to happen. I am purchasing things in "lifetime supplies" when I can.
Is this something normal, or is it a sign of hoarding.
According to Mayo Clinic, it is not normal, and it is definitely a sign of hoarding. Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about this disorder.
Overview
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.
Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually piled with stuff. And when there's no more room inside, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles, yard and other storage facilities.
Hoarding ranges from mild to severe. In some cases, hoarding may not have much impact on your life, while in other cases it seriously affects your functioning on a daily basis.
People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. But intensive treatment can help people with hoarding disorder understand how their beliefs and behaviors can be changed so that they can live safer, more enjoyable lives.
Symptoms
Getting and saving an excessive number of items, gradual buildup of clutter in living spaces and difficulty discarding things are usually the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often surfaces during the teenage to early adult years.
As the person grows older, he or she typically starts acquiring things for which there is no immediate need or space. By middle age, symptoms are often severe and may be harder to treat.
Problems with hoarding gradually develop over time and tend to be a private behavior. Often, significant clutter has developed by the time it reaches the attention of others.
Signs and symptoms may include:
Excessively acquiring items that are not needed or for which there's no space
Persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with your things, regardless of actual value
Feeling a need to save these items, and being upset by the thought of discarding them
Building up of clutter to the point where rooms become unusable
Having a tendency toward indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and problems with planning and organizing
Excessive acquiring and refusing to discard items results in:
Disorganized piles or stacks of items, such as newspapers, clothes, paperwork, books or sentimental items
Possessions that crowd and clutter your walking spaces and living areas and make the space unusable for the intended purpose, such as not being able to cook in the kitchen or use the bathroom to bathe
Buildup of food or trash to unusually excessive, unsanitary levels
Significant distress or problems functioning or keeping yourself and others safe in your home
Conflict with others who try to reduce or remove clutter from your home
Difficulty organizing items, sometimes losing important items in the clutter
People with hoarding disorder typically save items because:
They believe these items are unique or will be needed at some point in the future
The items have important emotional significance — serving as a reminder of happier times or representing beloved people or pets
They feel safer when surrounded by the things they save
They don't want to waste anything
Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or model cars, deliberately search out specific items, categorize them and carefully display their collections. Although collections can be large, they aren't usually cluttered and they don't cause the distress and impairments that are part of hoarding disorder.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hoarding-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356056
Back in the decal paper shortage a few years ago, I found some online. It was in packages of 25, which I realized would last me forever, but that's the least I could get.
I either lose stuff or it dries out anyway. On the other hand, I'm 73 and have heart issues and diabetes, so a lifetime supply doesn't have to be very big.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
SeeYou190 rrebell I bought Sinohara code 70 rail joiners 50 packs I sure did stock up on those Shinohara rail joiners when they shut down production. The two compartments in the upper left hold 14 of the 50 packs for code 83 rail. There are code 70 rail joiners to the right. Along the bottom there are 20+ packs of Peco track pins. According to my calculations, this should be all I need to build the layout. It cost in excess of $300.00 to fill this box. That is about 20 Tortoises, these bits of metal are expensive! -Kevin
rrebell I bought Sinohara code 70 rail joiners 50 packs
I sure did stock up on those Shinohara rail joiners when they shut down production.
The two compartments in the upper left hold 14 of the 50 packs for code 83 rail. There are code 70 rail joiners to the right.
Along the bottom there are 20+ packs of Peco track pins.
According to my calculations, this should be all I need to build the layout.
It cost in excess of $300.00 to fill this box. That is about 20 Tortoises, these bits of metal are expensive!
-Kevin
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983