I think Marklin is/was three rail as well. The reason is the early Lionel and Marklin used the center rail for power and the side rails for ground and there were no issues then with reversing loops. I seem to remember some of the early Lionel having either a reversing switch or polarity switch stuck out the top. On the museum O - gage reverse was accomplished by stopping then restarting IIRC. We had a mad man electricial engineer who redid everything so it all needed mods to work on the displays but held up better under the massive hours of run time at a museum.
The outdoor G gage shown the other day reminded me of the Christmas display they do overhead at the New York Botanical Gardens. Also with most of the structures made from branches and twigs. They have recognizable models of all the major New York City bridges and lots of elevated spans all made by some genius in Tennessee. I got invited to help do construction of the display for a couple of years with the Danbury Museum getting the benefit of the cast off track and spans along with lifed equipment. That led to getting lost in the dark in the middle of the city at rush hour with a pickup and 20 ft trailer full of track and structure but that is a story for another time. J.R.
Doh . Thanks Ed. I'm so used to HO I didn't make the connection.
Tim
Late to the model railroad party but playing catch-up.....
Good Afternoon,
Where is T F? Maybe he is frozen standing on his deck, mug of coffee in hand.
Well, track problem is fixed. The K5a(CN Hudson) no longer derails but it does rock a little at about a scale 30mph going around the curve. That is as fast as I dare try on my little layout. I'm just happy it goes around at all as there isn't any flex in a brass loco. Next is the CP Hudson that was derailing at the same spot. The little Pacific has no problems even on 19" radius.
Sure are going through bird seed, about 25 lbs. a week. Will have to go out tomorrow for more
CN Charlie
CapnCrunchEd - All of the modeling in your video is beautiful and perfectly weathered. However, I don't understand the purpose of the third rail setup?
Three rail dates back to some of the early AC Hornby and Lionel electrical systems:
Hope that helps, Ed
The Tracy Morgan Rocket Mortgage ad was my favorite.
The Equalizer show was 100% predictable the entire way through, but it introduced the characters and premise pretty well. A lot of the episode reminded me of the first Lethal Weapon movie right down to the "Special Forces" tattoos. I will give it a second watch.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190The pre-game stuff was terrible yesterday. Normally they have bio stories about a lot of the players, background stuff about the host city, and lots of pre-game entertainment.
I know what you mean. I told my wife yesterday I was really tired of all the junk. Let's just watch a football game.
Each year, Omaha and Union Pacific have a large event for train lovers. Free admission to several railroad museums, tours of the various buildings, and transportation between all of the different railroad sites. I especially like walking through the passenger cars, caboose, and locomotives.
https://omaharailroaddays.com/
York1 John
We had another 6" of snow yesterday, but then the temp went to the low 40's It almost completely melted off my deck. It's cold 35 and windy today.
In my day, I had my share of beer but 14 in a day is not a number I ever achieved. If I did I probably wouldn't remember.
I thought the pregame and halftime shows were terrible, the game decided midway through the 2nd quarter and only the Will Farrell and Budweiser lemon commercials fun.
I did not stay up for Queen Latifa.
Daytona 500 in next Sunday. That's what I am looking forward to.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I agree it didn't really feel like a Superbowl. Not having a dog in the fight, I turned it off after the first half and watched the cooking show with Mrs. Crunch. How pathetic is that...
CapnCrunchKevin - Sorry for your bittersweet loss.
The loss was not the worst of it.
I have a ritual for Superbowl Sunday. I start at 12:00 noon with the NFL production Road To The Superbowl, then I watch all of the pre-game stuff for 6+ hours, then the game. About 10-11 hours or couch-sitting football fun.
Yesterday I drank 14 beers, ate 20 chicken wings, a can of Pringles, some Ruffles and dip, ice cream, peanuts, almonds, and macaroni salad.
I only do this once a year, but I am sure feeling it today.
Every year the day after seems to get worse.
The pre-game stuff was terrible yesterday. Normally they have bio stories about a lot of the players, background stuff about the host city, and lots of pre-game entertainment.
This year we had no bios, nothing about Tampa Bay, and only two performances my Miley Cyrus.
This was also the first year that no one came over, and that was very sad.
It was all a very lame experience, but at least it happened.
CapnCrunch NorthBrit David - Mrs. Crunch has me watching "The Great British Baking Show" and with all your cooking, it makes me wonder if you watch it.
NorthBrit David - Mrs. Crunch has me watching "The Great British Baking Show" and with all your cooking, it makes me wonder if you watch it.
No, Cap'n. Never watched it. It has never appealed either.
Today's meal - Normandy Chicken and Apple Casserole with Crusty Ciabattas.
A Fruit & Yoghurt Surprise to follow.
Stay Safe.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good morning all,
John - The tower alone at North Platte is VERY impressive!
Ed - All of the modeling in your video is beautiful and perfectly weathered. However, I don't understand the purpose of the third rail setup?
GMT Racing - Good luck to your son. California has suspended unemployment payments to many deserving individuals while it investigates rampant fraud with estimates of loss ranging from $20 to 40 billion since last summer.
HO3n Dave - I hope you've turned the corner with your meds.
Kevin - Sorry for your bittersweet loss.
The "Welcome to Omaha" sign is pretty neat, too!
191001_42_omaha by lmyers83, on Flickr
191001_44_omaha by lmyers83, on Flickr
B&O EM-1s used to roam through my town. Wish they would have saved one to use as a Welcome sign
B-O_Chardon_EM1_edited-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
York1 The Golden Spikke tower on the south side is not owned by UP, but is run by a foundation. You can go to the observation platform at the top of the tower and see the yard.
That is good to know. I will add this to my "must do" list for the next time I am in Nebraska.
Charlie, I can't imagine surviving your winter. We are about 100 miles straight west of I-29, kind of in the middle of nowhere.
JR, yesterday we had a visit from a friend from Phoenix. He said that his neighborhood has many people who have moved there from California. When he talks to them, they moved because of issues.
Before we leave Nebraska, another attraction for Union Pacific fans is the Bailey Yards in North Platte. Normally, people fly over this state, but if you ever drive through it on I-80, Bailey Yards is just a couple miles from the Interstate.
It is an amazing place if you like trains.
Google satellite image:
I know these Google maps don't show up real well on here, but it's an impressive place:
The Golden Spike tower on the south side is not owned by UP, but is run by a foundation. You can go to the observation platform at the top of the tower and see the yard.
This place is worth the time if you are a train lover.
This is Three Rail!
Wow!
I hope everyone is well. Dave, I hope you are seeing some improvement.
Please enjoy your visit in Lincoln and Omaha.
What direction would you folks like to head? We haven't seen West Virginia yet, milder weather (slightly) and lots of hilly scenery.
Maine, Nova Scotia? A little cooler. Lobsters aren't trapping yet.
UP, Omaha, Nebraska, 1990 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Good Morning,
John, that is our normal low for this time of year but right now it is -33C . Not a lot of difference considering how far south you are from me. I agree it is a good train day. I have a spot on a curve where both Hudsons will derail and short sometimes. Turns out the track slopes out there so it allows the front driners to pot off the track. Well that is the theory so I will pull it up and level it. I really need to go to 24" radius but that would be a major project.
I just looked it up and you are 700 miles straight south. Hwy. 75 to the border and then it is I29.
Good morning. It's -6°F (-21C)(I like writing that in Celsius - it makes it feel even worse). I know this is probably mild for you guys in Canada, but for me moving here from the Gulf Coast, this seems like Siberia.
So far this winter we've had 43 inches of snow. I don't believe we've had that much for several years now. Almost two feet in just the last two weeks alone.
After all the snow, the roads seem to be OK with 4 wheel drive. We have to drive about 50 miles tomorrow for a funeral. Our state does a good job of cleaning highways.
That's enough from me about the weather. Can you tell what we talk about here in February? I guess in farm country, the weather is the important news.
These are good days to work inside on the layout.
Good Morning All,
10F/-11C this morning. We got another light dusting yesterday - about 8" of the light fluffy stuff. Roads were pretty clear this morning so no issues. I am using our roomers ZXW Focus as my ST broke a shock in a pothole Friday night and I can't order parts until today. By this point I would have modified the ST and normally would have ordered up Koni adjustables or Bilsteins with a lowering kit but this car works so well with the stock stuff I don't want to change it. If I ever get a chance to take it off the road for a while, I will fit a limited slip (Quaife) diff so I can get better traction but that is my only real complaint. Perhaps I'm just getting old or heaven forbid maturing.
More boxing of stuff yesterday. We are using for the most part, bankers boxes so they are reusable and with books in them, I can still lift them easily. Large boxes have all the built structures and lightweight stuff same for the totes. 18 boxes of LP records and over 45 boxes of books so far. I think we just have too much stuff. I just can't bear to get rid of books though and I'm not sure where I could if I was so inclined.
That is great news on the credit card front Ken. I hope you were able to get your wifes ghost card account sorted out. One thing that is happening is a lot of people are getting 1099's for taxes on unemployment they never requested. It is a huge scam at this point made possible when the claims went through the roof earlier this year. Most of the illicit money seems to have gone to oveseas scammers using stolen ID from the internet. A couple of states in particular seem hard hit including California, Illinois and Ohio but the problem is nationwide in scope.
Ca is such a mess I'm not surprised as my son was laid off in March last year and has still to see a penny from unemployment that he is owed. Frugal lad that he is, he had enough set aside to weather the storm but it put a huge dent in his savings and there is no end in sight for solving the issues. Maybe when thing get safe enough that he can go in person to sort it out it will change but he lives in LA county and it is still a virus hot spot.
Lots to do today so I'll just grab my coffee and be off. Ciao, J.R.
Good morning all. A carpet of snow adorns the area. Not deep, but wondrous nontheless. That is if one isn't going out.
Apart from grocery deliveries today, a quiet day ahead. I shall make a point to run trains today.
Coffee time soon
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require
As soon as Tampa Bay scored, I realized I wanted Kansas City to win. I was mad that Tom Brady was going to win again.
And then he did.
Oh well.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
Hi all,
Cudaken! Sounds like good progress on the credit cards! Definitely something to weigh out when it comes to applying said payments to the mortgage.
I rooted for KC this year though didn't watch the Super Bowl.
Alvie
Evening Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
One good thing about winter, you never have to drink warm . Got down too 7 degress F and I left beer in my car over night. The is so cold I did not add ice to the cooler.
Took Drik on a Arctic Park Visit. It was it was 15 degress F and there was only one another Dog Slave walking there master besides me. He got his fire box cleaned out and he was a happy dog.
All of my Credit Card's should be paid off in 2.19 months! I have been paying a extra $500.00 a month for the last 12 months.
I was playing with a Mortgage Payoff Calculator and if I pay that extra $500.00 a month I could pay off the house by 2028.
If you take your dog out for there last pee does that mean you are P** them off?
Later Ken
I hate Rust
I'll go for the Chiefs. We're only four hours away, and I have been able to go to a couple of their games. Even at that, I don't really care too much if either team wins -- I like them both.
Buccaneers or Chiefs. Chiefs or Buccaneers.
Kevin is in a quandary. I cannot help.
SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
I am experiencing internal anguish.
I love Tampa Bay, but I hate Tom Brady.
5 hours to kick-off, and I still have not decided who to root for.
Morning all,
I had slight fever and aches about 10:30 last night. I took a tylenol and it went away.
I was very sore this morning, but that is going away.
we had about 1/2 inch of snow last night. currently it is butt cold.
I love old train stations. While I don't take a lot of pictures, I do like to look at old stations while I travel.
Here is the BNSF station in my town. It sits on BNSFs double main coal line across Nebraska, 50 miles west of Lincoln. Today it is a BNSF division office:
50 miles west of me, the BNSF station in Grand Island, NE, has been remodeled into a building used for public gatherings. The track that used to pass at ground level now goes through GI on an elevated road behind the station:
On the right side of the Grand Island Burlington station, the old freight office has been redone into the home of the Tri City Model Railroad Assn. They have a pretty nice layout and an open house each year:
About fifty miles south of me, Fairbury, NE, has kept the old Rock Island station. The station is well preserved, and there is a model railroad exhibit on the second floor:
The best station in Nebraska is the Union Passenger Station in Omaha, now the Durham Museum. Each year the city hosts Railroad Days, with lot of displays and open houses at various railroad spots in Omaha and Council Bluffs.
Entering Nebraska from the east on I-80, these two locomotives are on display above the Interstate:
Finally, Lauritzen Botanical Gardens in Omaha has a large garden model railroad display:
At a quarter to 8 I put out the bird feeders, small piles of seed for the squirrels and changed the water in the heated bird bath. It was -25F with a windchill of -50. Not sure why we live here, must be nuts. But it is sunny.
Only thing on my agenda is reading and running trains.
First though is coffee, a nice dark roast called 454 horsepower. I think Ray would like it.
Briefly because we are leaving in our trip.
Ed. Thanks for moving us along on the journey.
Lincoln Nebraska is where several CB&Q passenger trains terminated including the Nebraska Zephyr from Chicago. The station in Lincoln was impressive.
if the Diner is going east from Nebraska , the Nebraska Zephyr might be a good choice. It did not always have articulated trainset. conventional passenger cars were used in the years just before Amtrak. I say that because the Diner could not be used in the middle of the articulated train.
Burlington's Havelock car shops were in the Lincoln area.
we are leaving now . Everybody have a good week.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
York1 David, every day your food sounds better and better. You must have great willpower not to overeat each day. The diner needs you in the kitchen.
David, every day your food sounds better and better. You must have great willpower not to overeat each day. The diner needs you in the kitchen.
I love to cook, John. When I was a teenager and got my own apartment I promised myself I would learn to cook. And did. Enough to survive anyway.
Nowadays there are companies who provide all the ingredients to make different meals. They have to be prepped and cooked. Just what I like to do. We choose four or five meals a week and they are delivered each Monday. The choices are great. Food of around the world.
Some of the food involves making a pie, so I asked Dawn about making our own pie for the weekend, so I did. There is some pastry left. Apple turnovers are to be done.
As for overeating? I cannot say we do. Just enjoy the food I cook.
A job in the Diner? The food may be a little late in arriving. I would be watching the scenery where Ed is taking us to bother cooking.
Stay Safe everyone.